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Episodes

435

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the Ophthalmology Innovation Podcast Where you get Candid Conversations with the Leaders and Drivers of Ophthalmic Innovation. OIS is the Largest and Original Producer of World-Class Ophthalmology Innovation Conferences and Content Since 2009.

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60 recent

August 11, 2026Episode 43214 min

Beyond Funding: Establishing Ophthalmological Ventures

Firas Rahhal, M.D., partner of ExSight Ventures and Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group, and Scott Usiak, co-founder of ExSight Ventures, join host Carey Powers on the Eye on Innovation podcast to discuss their new venture, ExSight Catalyst. They dive into the services they provide to investors and colleagues, how they're filling a gap that a fund alone cannot fulfill, and what a client walks away with from their experience at Catalyst. In this episode, learn about: How compliance, risk, and operations from a global financial institution translate into advising early-stage ophthalmic innovators Conducting due diligence on companies how that’s helped with Catalyst What to expect from Catalyst in the next year The importance of being a doer and operator for an enterprise

July 7, 2026Episode 43136 min

Trial by Fire: Designing and Executing Ophthalmic Studies That Deliver

PANELIST (TITLE and AFFILIATION): Richard L. Beckman, M.D., Principal, RLB, M.D. Consulting, LLC Malvina Eydelman, M.D., CEO, The Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Innovation MODERATOR: Barbara Wirostko, M.D., FARVO, CMO and Co-Founder, Qlaris Bio Description: How should you design your first-in-human study? Richard L. Beckman, M.D., principal of RLB, M.D. Consulting, LLC, and Malvina Eydelman, M.D., CEO of the Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Innovation, sit down on a panel at OIS Ignite 2025, moderated by Barbara Wirostko, M.D., FARVO, CMO and co-founder, Qlaris Bio, to discuss what goes into designing first-in-human studies, including the preclinical work, the right people to advise you, and considering the population and patients. Also, stay tuned for updates on the next OIS Ignite, taking place on March 2027! In this episode, learn about: How the FDA can help and if it’s ever “too early” to reach out to them The FDA’s perspective Establishing a target product profile If a DSMB is recommended for trials RESOURCES: Barbara Wirostko: https://ois.net/barbara-wirostko-md-farvo/ Richard L. Beckman: https://ois.net/richard-rick-l-beckman-md/ Malvina Eydelman: https://ois.net/malvina-eydelman/

June 2, 2026Episode 4308 min

Leaving a Global Footprint on Eye Care

Gordon Bethwaite, head of marketing of eye care at Viatris, joins the Eye on Innovation podcast with host Carey Powers, M.B.A. to discuss Viatris’ footprint and impact on ophthalmology on a global scale. Bethwaite shares details on the company’s overall strategic vision for eye care, their fifth anniversary, and how it handles the “noisy category” that is dry eye. In this episode, learn about: Viatris’ acquisitions and license agreements with different companies What Tyrvaya brings to the table for clinicians and patients How Viatris is tackling unmet markets What innovation means to Viatris in the context of ophthalmology RESOURCES: Carey Powers: https://ois.net/carey-powers/ Gordon Bethwaite: https://ois.net/gordon-bethwaite/

May 11, 2026Episode 42913 min

Corneal Health Innovations and Therapeutics

Rakhi Melvani, M.D., board-certified cornea and cataract and refractive surgeon at Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute, joins the Eye on Innovation podcast with host Carey Powers, M.B.A. to discuss innovative corneal treatments and how they’re changing the way patients receive treatment. Their conversation explores the FDA approval of Epioxa, an epithelium-on corneal collagen cross-linking therapy to treat progressive keratoconus, as well as refractive surgery and dry eye therapies. In this episode, learn about: Ray tracing-based customization technology and how it’s different from Lasik Collagen mimetic peptides and how they work ST100 and the patients that would benefit from it RESOURCES: Carey Powers: https://ois.net/carey-powers/

April 14, 2026Episode 42816 min

How Interventional Glaucoma is Advancing Eye Care

Ehsan Sadri, M.D., CEO and founder of Visionary Eye Institute, joins the Eye on Innovation podcast to discuss the advancements of interventional glaucoma. With host Carey Powers, their conversation delves into how Sadri has changed patient care and management, the advancements he’s most excited for, and his thoughts on those who have yet to adopt interventional glaucoma as a practice mainstay. In this episode, learn about: The burden of drops on practices The characteristics to look for when choosing a minimally invasive procedure Metrics to evaluate success for interventional glaucoma procedures How patient education has evolved How interventional glaucoma procedures contribute positively toward patient adherence and engagement RESOURCES: Carey Powers: https://ois.net/carey-powers/ Dr. Ehsan Sadri: https://ois.net/ehsan-sadri-md/

March 13, 2026Episode 42715 min

Tackling New Territory and Forming Partnerships

Peter Michael Benz, Ph.D., joins The Rob & Jai Show, an edition of the OIS podcast, to discuss Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH’s ambitious goals for the ophthalmology field, particularly on glaucoma, and the reasons behind the company’s partnership with Ravana Therapeutics, as well as offer advice on what makes for a good partnership. In this episode of the OIS podcast, learn about: Boehringer emerging from stealth mode for eye health projects Their plans for their investments in the U.S. Why it was so important for Boehringer to partner up with Ravana What makes a good partnership RESOURCES: Dr. Rob Rothman: https://ois.net/robert-rothman-md/ Dr. Jai Parekh: https://ois.net/jai-g-parekh-md-mba/ Dr. Peter Michael Benz: https://ois.net/peter-michael-benz-phd/

February 10, 2026Episode 42624 min

Malvina Eydelman and the Bright Future of Innovation for Ophthalmology

Malvina Eydelman, M.D., CEO of The Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Innovation (CCOI), joins The Rob & Jai Show, an edition of the OIS podcast, to discuss what innovation in the industry looks like in the next 30 years—and if we’re hitting a saturation mark. Plus, a deep dive into Eydelman’s career in the FDA, her current role at the CCOI, and a big announcement of her next initiative. In this episode of the OIS podcast, learn about: Eydelman’s time at the FDA and the many hats she wore The goal and plans of the CCOI The role of AI in digital management and getting more patients into the system Details about Eydelman’s next big initiative RESOURCES: Dr. Rob Rothman: https://ois.net/robert-rothman-md/ Dr. Jai Parekh: https://ois.net/jai-g-parekh-md-mba/ Dr. Malvina Eydelman: https://ois.net/malvina-eydelman/

January 13, 2026Episode 42516 min

Adrienne Graves, Ph.D. on the Future Direction of Ophthalmic Innovation

Adrienne Graves, Ph.D. returns, this time on The Rob & Jai Show, an edition of the OIS podcast. As a trailblazer of the industry, Dr. Graves shares her insights and lessons learned as a CEO and board member of several companies. She also discusses getting treatment to areas around the world that need it the most, how AI will affect and continue to impact eyecare and healthcare at large, and utilizing ophthalmic data for systemic disease diagnosis and management. In this episode of the OIS podcast, learn about: Getting affordable and accessible ophthalmological therapies across the world The differences between being a CEO and a board member The impact of AI on eyecare and how it applies to practices The next hot topic of ophthalmology RESOURCES: Dr. Rob Rothman: https://ois.net/robert-rothman-md/ Dr. Jai Parekh: https://ois.net/jai-g-parekh-md-mba/ Adrienne Graves, Ph.D.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennegraves

December 12, 2025Episode 42413 min

A Unique Approach to Tackling the Obstacles of Ophthalmology

Theresa Heah, M.D., MBA, co-founder, vice-chair, and CEO of Eyexora, speaks with host Carey Powers at this year’s Ophthalmology Innovation Summit about her company’s fresh approach to building an ophthalmology company that centralizes R&D, clinical, regulatory, and commercial expertise into a “one-stop shop.” Heah delves into the advantages of the hub and spoke model and how it will help overcome the gaps in the eye care landscape, as well as their plans to expand to the UK. In this episode of the OIS podcast, learn about: · Eyexora’s mission as a unique hub and spoke company dedicated to accelerating clinical innovation · The barriers in the ophthalmology field and how Eyexora’s approach will help overcome them · The advantages of building relationships on a global scale · Milestones and scientific areas to look out for in 2026 RESOURCES: Carey Powers: https://ois.net/carey-powers/ Theresa Heah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresaheah Eyexora: https://eyexora.com/

November 11, 2025Episode 42341 min

Creating an Easier-to-Navigate World for Children

Grace Ambrose-Zaken, Ph.D., president and CEO of Safe Toddles, speaks with host Robert Rothman about her mission to create a safer, easier-to-navigate world for children—perhaps one of the most underserved patients in eye care. Dr. Ambrose-Zaken discusses her breakthrough invention, the Pediatric Belt Cane, and how it transformed early mobility for blind children. In this episode of the OIS podcast, learn about: Why we need to have empathy and understanding for the visually impaired, especially children The advantages of the belt cane over the white cane The impediments of getting the belt cane to patients How to support the visually impaired and Safe Toddles’ mission