Optometric Insights Media

Hosted by Dr. Dave Kading & Dr. Mile Brujic

Management Education Health FitnessInterviews guests

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Episodes

328

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Optometric Insights Media aims to provide you clinical cases, latest in optometry and other resources that could help you ACCELERATE YOUR SUCCESS in Optometry.

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60 recent

August 4, 202617 min

#203 The OI Show - Pain With No Stain: The Eye Condition Most Doctors Get Wrong With Bob Dempsey

Send us Fan Mail Mr. Dempsey brings more than two decades of domestic and global experience in the ophthalmic space, driving successful drug development, business transactions, and commercialization. Mr. Robert’s CEO and Board Director experience spans extensive transaction and portfolio expertise across venture capital, investment banking, and strategies to successfully secure funding and advance M&A opportunities for multiple companies. His professional network in the eye care community is broad and well-established, complemented by his philanthropic leadership as Co-Founder and Board Member of the Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration. Robert also serves as an independent director on multiple ophthalmic Boards. Mr. Dempsey currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of OKYO Pharma, a public, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing investigational therapies for neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) and inflammatory eye diseases. The company’s lead candidate, urcosimod, has received FDA Fast Track designation for treating NCP. Previously, Mr. Dempsey served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Ashvattha Therapeutics, where he led development of Migaldendranib (MGB), a novel targeted nanomedicine platform designed to normalize VEGF expression for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Earlier in his career, Mr. Dempsey served as President and Chief Executive Officer of AsclepiX Therapeutics, where he oversaw the rapid clinical development of a new chemical entity targeting ocular diseases and cancer through naturally occurring, self-regulating homeostatic pathways. Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive Officer of TearClear, where he accelerated the company’s business and commercial strategy, leading to multiple value-inflection points, including a successful Series B financing and positive FDA engagements. Mr. Dempsey formerly served as the Group Vice President and Head of Global Ophthalmology at Shire, which was acquired by Takeda, and was responsible for closing one of only 3 ophthalmology transactions with >$1B upfront in the last 2 decades for Xiidra that transacted again 4 years later for $1.7B to Bausch & Lomb. At Shire, he swiftly established a highly regarded reputation for Shire as a new company in the ophthalmology and optometry markets. Leading the commercialization strategy that resulted in an industry-leading launch, while overseeing the acquisition of four companies that contributed to the franchise pipeline of innovative candidates aimed at improving vision-related quality, was an accomplishment about which he is most proud. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family on the lake and watching Boston sports. Here's another episode about neuropathic pain on The OI Show: https://theoishow.buzzsprout.com/1601521/episodes/15618641-167-the-oi-show-neuropathic-pain-with-kaleb-abbott

July 21, 202619 min

#202 The OI Show - Eye Doctor to Entrepreneur With Dr. Rob Sambursky

Send us Fan Mail Rob Sambursky, MD, has more than 25 years of experience spanning the life sciences industry and clinical medicine. He is a fellowship-trained cornea specialist and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of DefEYE, Inc.. Prior to joining DefEYE, Dr. Sambursky was one of the original founders of RPS Diagnostics and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of both RPS Diagnostics and Lumos Diagnostics. He led Lumos Diagnostics through its initial public offering on the Australian Securities Exchange. In addition, he was a founder and Executive Chairman of Visus Therapeutics . Throughout his executive leadership roles, Dr. Sambursky also served as acting Chief Medical Officer for RPS Diagnostics, Lumos Diagnostics, and DefEYE. Dr. Sambursky currently serves as a strategic advisor to Tenpoint Therapeutics and is Board Chair of Advanced Ophthalmics, Inc. and Sustained Drug Delivery, Inc. He has extensive scientific and clinical expertise in ophthalmology, infectious disease, and medical sciences, and has served as an advisory board consultant to numerous ophthalmic therapeutic companies. Dr. Sambursky has authored dozens of patents and scientific publications, conceived a novel point-of-care diagnostic platform, and served as the clinical and regulatory lead supporting multiple international regulatory clearances and U.S. FDA 510(k) clearances with CLIA-waived designations. He has also played a key role in the successful commercialization of multiple diagnostic products in the United States and internationally. Dr. Sambursky is a practicing, board-certified ophthalmologist with fellowship training in corneal, external, and infectious disease. He earned a BA in Biology from Brown University, an MA in Medical Sciences with concentrations in biochemistry and microbiology from Boston University, and an MD from Boston University School of Medicine. He completed his medical internship at Mount Auburn Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and completed both his ophthalmology residency and cornea fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital, where he also served as Co-Chief Resident.

July 7, 202628 min

#201 The OI Show - Growing your Practice from Scratch and Unique Marketing Methods With Dr. Kayla Volkert

Send us Fan Mail About Dr. Volkert Dr. Kayla Volkert is the founder and optometrist behind See La Vie Eyecare & Eyewear, a boutique eye care practice she opened in 2022 with the goal of bringing personalized, state-of-the-art eye care to the Main Line. Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Dr. Volkert now lives in Bryn Mawr with her husband and their two young sons. She loves the walkability, charm, and strong sense of community that make the Main Line such a special place to live and raise a family—and she is proud to serve the neighborhood she calls home. Dr. Volkert earned her undergraduate degree from Penn State University, where she majored in Life Sciences and minored in French and Psychology. During college, she spent a semester studying abroad in Montpellier, France—an experience that shaped her appreciation for culture, connection, and thoughtful design. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, where she was inducted into the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society and received clinical honors across her rotations. While in optometry school, Dr. Volkert served as President of the Private Practice Club, reflecting her long-standing interest in improving the patient experience and building a practice rooted in personalized care. Her clinical training included advanced rotations at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, with a focus on pediatric contact lenses, and the Baltimore VA, where she gained extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease. After graduation, Dr. Volkert practiced optometry in Charleston, South Carolina for several years before returning to Pennsylvania to open See La Vie. Through her practice, she combines medical expertise with an elevated, boutique approach to eye care—offering comprehensive eye exams, advanced technology, and a highly personalized experience designed to help patients look, see, and feel their best.

June 16, 202617 min

#200 The OI Show - Interventional Optometry with Dr. Jeff Banas

Send us Fan Mail About Dr. Jeff Banas Dr. Jeff Banas graduated from Roosevelt University in 2010, completing the Honors Program to earn his Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. He earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry, the nation’s first and oldest optometric program. His clinical training included rotations at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago, and the Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. Dr. Banas is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) and a member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society. He also holds membership in the American Optometric Association, Wisconsin Optometric Association, and Milwaukee Optometric Society, and is certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. His clinical practice focuses on ocular disease management, with particular expertise in glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, dry eye, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and refractive conditions. Dr. Banas also provides post-surgical care and is proud to be a part of an ophthalmology team recognized for its adoption of advanced technologies and innovative treatment approaches.

June 2, 202621 min

#199 The OI Show - The Behind The Scenes of Dr. Eye Health With Dr. Joseph Allen

Send us Fan Mail About Dr. Joseph J. Allen Dr. Joseph J. Allen graduated Magna Cum Laude and Salutatorian from the Rosenberg School of Optometry in 2015 and completed his residency at the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center. Dr. Allen is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the AOA Strategic Communications Committee, and he completed the AOA leadership training in 2022. He was also awarded the Media Advocacy award from the AOA in 2021. Dr. Allen is a practicing optometrist in Virginia and the founder of Doctor Eye Health, an educational YouTube channel and Podcast with more than 1 Million subscribers. There, he provides information about eye health, ocular disease, and vision products. His videos cover a range of topics that his subscribers frequently ask about eye floaters, dry eye syndrome, contact lenses, eyeglasses, eye surgery and more. Dr. Allen has been featured on the Diary of a CEO Podcast, Ask Men and Oprah Daily and in his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, weight lifting, video games and travel.

May 19, 202616 min

#198 The OI Show - Research in Optometry with Dr. Ashley Tucker

Send us Fan Mail About Dr. Tucker Dr. Tucker is a graduate of the UHCO where she also completed a Cornea and Contact Lens Residency. Dr. Tucker is a partner at Bellaire Family Eye Care and The Contact Lens Institute of Houston, a private practice in the Houston, TX area where she primarily focuses on patients in need of specialty contact lenses and myopia management, She is a Visiting Assistant Professor at UHCO where she teaches Ophthalmic Optics. She also serves as the Treasurer for the Scleral Lens Education Society, the Secretary for the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section and is on the advisory board for the GPLI. Dr. Tucker has been named by the World Council of Optometry as a Global Ambassador for Myopia Management and serves as the medical co-editor for Review of Myopia Management.

May 5, 202614 min

#197 The OI Show - Advocating for Patients in Optometry with Dr. Terri Gossard

Send us Fan Mail About Terri A. Gossard Terri A. Gossard, O.D., M.S., was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees in June 2019 and elected Vice President during the 128th Annual Congress in June 2025. She serves on the Executive Committee, AOA Advocacy Roundtable Committee, Board Advancement Committee, and Student Engagement Committee, and as liaison trustee to multiple AOA committees, optometry schools, and affiliates across the U.S. Dr. Gossard is a past president of the Ohio Optometric Association (OOA), where she chaired the Children’s Vision Task Force and Legislative Committee. She was honored as OOA Optometrist of the Year in 2017. She earned her O.D. and M.S. in Physiological Optics from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1996, practiced for 20 years in Cincinnati, and now serves as National Director of Clinical Integration for EyeCare Partners.

April 21, 202621 min

#196 The OI Show - Are you breaking the law by having a Virtual Team? With Cory Pinegar

Send us Fan Mail About Cory Pinegar Cory was the one who did the interview with Dr. Kading and so I am sending along his headshot and bio: Cory Pinegar is Chief Executive Officer of Utah-based CallForce, a groundbreaking dental service startup helping dental practices increase patient engagement and revenue. In 2016, at the age of 22, Cory struck gold and purchased the company—then named Recall Solutions—from software giant Weave for just one dollar. Since then, the visionary entrepreneur has grown CallForce from 35 clients to nearly 3,000 and with a workforce of close to 200 employees. CallForce has been named one of the fastest-growing companies by Inc. 500 and has been recognized repeatedly by the Salt Lake Tribune as one of the Best Places to Work. In 2021, Cory founded the remote staffing company Teem, which helps simplify hiring international talent. Teem allows businesses to circumvent domestic staffing issues and find qualified talent without worrying about complicated research to understand legalities, fair compensation, and the like. Cory sits on the boards of software-driven dental insurance verification company Verrific as well as The Parkinson's Foundation, devoted to finding a cure for the disease his father was diagnosed with in 2014. Cory studied economics and business at Brigham Young University and spends his leisure time skiing, playing golf, and enjoying the mountain lifestyle.

April 7, 202614 min

#195 The OI Show - OD's on with Dr. Alan Glazier

Send us Fan Mail Check it out: https://odsontechnology.com/ About Dr. Glazier Dr. Glazier is the founder and visionary behind FluoreSCENE Group, the eye care industry's most highly engaged media org. He is founder of Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care, a large medical model practice in Rockville, MD. Honors and accomplishments include selection as one of the 50 most influential optometrists by his peers, 250 “innovators in Optometry by PCON magazine, Maryland Optometrist of the year in 2017. Dr Glazier was the commencement speaker for the New England College of Optometry in 2019 and awarded a Presidential medal by the institution. In 2020 he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the institution. In 2021 and 2022 he was named in the top 3 of “America’s Best Eye Doctors” by Newsweek Magazine. In 2023 he was presented the Distinguished Service Award by the American Optometric Association. He has presented over 100 invited lectures, written numerous journal articles, authored 2 books, has 11 issued and 4 pending patents in ophthalmology and computer science and authored 1 peer reviewed publication in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology. Dr Glazier consults with numerous companies inside and outside the industry, sits on several advisory boards and has been interviewed on CNN, NBC, CBS, Entrepreneur and INC magazines. He resides in Rockville Maryland

March 24, 202627 min

#194 The OI Show - Burnout in Optometry with Dr. Kaleb Abbott

Send us Fan Mail About Dr. Kaleb Abbott Dr. Kaleb Abbott is an optometrist and assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is affiliated with both the Dry Eye Clinic and the Center for Ocular Inflammation, where he specializes in complex ocular surface diseases and participates in clinical trials and research related to these conditions. In addition to his clinical and research roles, he serves as vice-president for the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society, is Chair of the Nutrition, Disease Prevention, and Wellness Special Interest Group (SIG) for the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), and is a member of the advisory council for the Academic Medical Center Optometry AAO SIG. He also holds a position on the editorial advisory board for Modern Optometry and Optometry360 and is a graduate of the AAO Flom Leadership Academy. Furthermore, he hosts the Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease section of the Clinical Podcast Series through the American Academy of Optometry Foundation. In 2024, he was nominated for Colorado’s Young Optometrist of the Year and recognized as a “One-to-Watch” by Modern Optometry. In 2019, Kaleb co-founded SunSnap Kids, a start-up that won first place in the inaugural Bright Ideas Pitch Competition in 2022 and third place in the Optometry Innovation Awards in 2023. He recently sold the majority of the company to focus more on his clinical and research responsibilities at the University of Colorado. When he’s not seeing patients, conducting research, or working on SunSnap Kids, Dr. Abbott lectures on ocular surface diseases, writes articles, and serves as a medical reviewer for multiple journals, including The Ocular Surface and Optometry and Vision Science. He resides in Denver, CO, with his wife, daughter, and newborn twins.