Establishing a Glaucoma Practice Fresh Out of Fellowship

Insights and strategies for young ophthalmologists in building a successful, specialized practice.

Emily M. Schehlein, MD

Glaucoma Today

All comprehensive and fellowship-trained ophthalmologists know that, upon graduating from our respective institutions, we have it all figured out. Ready to tackle any disease dilemma, we are armed with the latest peer-reviewed journal articles to back up our practices. Not just clinically and surgically adept, we also possess the business savvy of a CEO, the marketing genius of a top strategist, and the command of a thriving practice. Our patients view us as trusted, experienced, rock star surgeons. Red tape? We’ve never heard of it. Even insurance companies line up to send us letters of gratitude for joining their networks. When we wake from this glorious dream, we recognize that graduation is not the finish line but the starting point. I felt exceptionally well prepared when I completed my fellowship 18 months ago. I opted for a small, physician-owned private practice, one without a glaucoma specialist but with a team of fantastic physician colleagues and an outstanding support staff.

Are Your Patients Solar Eclipse-Savvy?

It’s likely they need to be educated about safe viewing options.

Modern Optometry

HOT TOPIC Researchers Create Contact Lens That Garners Energy From Light and Tears Researchers from the University of Utah have developed an all-in-one hybrid energy-generation contact lens. In a paper published in the journal Small, they describe how their breakthrough design combines a flexible silicon solar cell with a device that can convert tears into energy. They claim that the system can reliably supply enough power to operate intelligent contact lenses and other ocular devices. Using photovoltaic cells to capture both artificial and natural light sources it is exposed to while using a blink-activated battery, this smart lens can harness the wearer’s natural tears as a biofuel. Interestingly, the electrolytes within the tears serve as the biofuel to generate the power. Erfan Pourshaban Power harvesting does not occur when the eye is open; however, once the eye blinks, the electrolytes within the tear contact the magnesium anode, triggering an oxidation reaction and the creation of electrons. These same electrolytes contact both an anode and the platinum cathode, fostering the creation of even more energy and further oxidation on the surface of the anode and oxygen reduction on the surface of the cathode. (Read more here.) My Two Cents Biosensor experts call this system “an exciting development in the realm of smart contact lenses,” and I agree! They say the development of smart contact lenses has been held back because “the key hurdle for these devices is their need for a sustainable power source.” What an ingenious concept—using tears, electrolytes, light sources, and the mechanical action of the blink itself to power the lens. This is further proof that this is such an exciting time for contact lenses!

The State of Optometry’s Financial Health

Five takeaways from the largest income survey conducted in optometry.

Aaron Neufeld, OD

Modern Optometry

Between late 2023 and early 2024, ODs on Finance conducted a large income and net worth survey of optometrists (see Get the Full Picture). A total of 1,912 optometrists responded, and the results were eye opening, to say the least. Some of the results are promising, in terms of the fiscal viability of our profession, while other areas seem to be in definite need of improvement, and all of this is punctuated by what we believe to be a significant gap in financial education.