Shows
RetinUp PodcastClorinda Walley, President & CEO of Good Days, on Patient Assistance Funding | Plus, Image of the Month with Prof. Paulo Stanga: Papillophlebitis on the Silverstone RGBGuests: Clorinda Walley – President & CEO, Good Days | Prof. Paulo Stanga – Founder & Chief Medical Officer, The Retina Clinic London; Professor of Ophthalmology, UCL Institute of OphthalmologyShow SummaryThis episode of RetinUp pulls back the curtain on Good Days, one of the most important — and least understood — resources in retina practice. Clorinda Walley, Good Days President & CEO, joins John and Scott to explain how the organization works, how it's funded, who qualifies, and what retina specialists can do to help sustain it. The conversation covers everything from the mechanics of fund allocation to the policy threats currentl...
2026-04-3033 min
RetinUp PodcastDarius Moshfeghi, MD, on the SOL-1 Study | Plus, Heads-Up 3D Visualization and Medicare Cut ConcernsShow SummaryThis episode of RetinUp opens with a timely policy discussion between the hosts about proposed Medicare and Medicaid funding cuts, exploring what they could mean for retina practices and their most vulnerable patients.The Vitreoretinal View segment features John Kitchens, MD, sharing his decade-long experience with heads-up 3D visualization. He reviews what makes it transformative for training and surgical outcomes, why widespread adoption has been slower than expected, and what might finally tip the scales.In the main interview, Stanford's Darius Moshfeghi, MD, joins Scott and John to break down the...
2026-04-1645 min
RetinUp Podcast2026 Vit Buckle Society Meeting PreviewThis episode of RetinUp is a special deep dive into the Vit-Buckle Society (VBS), tracing its origins and previewing what’s ahead for the 2026 meeting.In the first segment, Ross Lakhanpal, MD, shares the founding story of VBS — from informal dinner discussions among fellows to one of the most distinctive and influential meetings in retina. What began as an effort to preserve surgical retina education has evolved into a meeting known for its creativity, honesty, and strong sense of community.The episode then shifts to Aleksandra Ratchitskaya, MD, who outlines the agenda and structure of the...
2026-04-0233 min
RetinUp PodcastEmergency Pod: Biogen to Acquire ApellisIn this breaking news episode, John Kitchens, MD, and Scott Krzywonos react to the announcement that Biogen will acquire Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 billion, an approximately 8x revenue multiple driven largely by Syfovre (pegcetacoplan), which accounts for the majority of Apellis’ srevenue.The discussion focuses on what this acquisition could mean for the future of geographic atrophy (GA) treatment, including concerns around strategic priorities, industry support programs, and whether Biogen will maintain Apellis’ current momentum in retina.Bottom LineThis acquisition has the potential to reshape the geographic atrophy landscape — but its success will depend...
2026-03-3108 min
RetinUp PodcastMarion Munk on Photobiomodulation in AMD | Plus Oliver Hvidt on Norlase and Laser TechnologyThis episode of RetinUp combines clinical innovation and device engineering, starting with a discussion on photobiomodulation (PBM) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), followed by a deep dive into the future of ophthalmic laser technology.First, Marion Munk, MD, shares her extensive real-world experience using the Valeda Light Delivery System (Alcon) for PBM, including patient selection, treatment protocols, and functional outcomes. With over 300 patients treated, she provides one of the most comprehensive perspectives currently available on how PBM is being implemented in clinical practice.The episode then shifts to Oliver Hvidt, co-founder and CEO of Norlase...
2026-03-1935 min
RetinUp PodcastRetinUp Mailbag – Cash Pay Models, Emerging Therapies, and Tech Adoption During Reimbursement ReductionsHosts:John Kitchens, MDScott KrzywonosShow SummaryIn this special RetinUp Mailbag episode, John Kitchens and Scott Krzywonos answer listener questions from retina specialists around the country about three issues: cash-pay diversification, the future of emerging therapies in light of payer realities, and how practices can realistically adopt expensive new technology as reimbursements decline.The conversation explores whether concierge retina models could emerge in certain markets, how insurers may respond to high-cost innovations like gene therapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and what practical frameworks practices use when deciding...
2026-03-0528 min
RetinUp PodcastRetina Wealth Strategy ft. David Mandell; ASRS Biz Recap + Maria Berrocal on Surgical TechHosts:John Kitchens, MDScott KrzywonosGuests:Thomas Stone, MD – Program Committee Chair, ASRS Business of Retina MeetingMaria Berrocal, MD – CEO, Drs. Berrocal & Associates; Associate Professor, University of Puerto RicoDavid Mandell, JD, MBA – Co-Founder & Partner, OJM GroupShow SummaryRetinUp brings together three distinct but interconnected conversations focused on the business, surgical innovation, and financial realities of retina practice.First, Tom Stone joins the show to preview the upcoming ASRS Business of Retina Meeting in Houston (March 20–22). He outlines this yea...
2026-02-1951 min
RetinUp PodcastBreaking News: SOL-1 Superiority Data for Axpaxli in Wet AMDHosts:John Kitchens, MDScott KrzywonosShow Summary:In this emergency episode of RetinUp, John and Scott break down the newly announced SOL-1 study data evaluating Axpaxli (Ocular Therapeutix) for the treatment of wet AMD.The superiority trial compared a single Axpaxli injection to a single Eylea injection (after all eyes received a pair of monthly Eylea doses) in patients with wet AMD. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients maintaining vision at 36 weeks (defined as losing fewer than 15 ETDRS letters).Key findings include:74% of...
2026-02-1808 min
RetinUp PodcastDr. Thomas Albini on Angiogenesis '26: AI, GA Pipelines, Gene Therapy, and What Not to MissHosts:John Kitchens, MDScott KrzywonosGuest:Thomas Albini, MDProfessor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye InstituteCourse Co-Organizer, Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration MeetingShow Summary:In this episode, RetinUp offers pre-meeting coverage of the 2026 Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration meeting with one of its long-time course co-leaders, Thomas Albini, MD. John and Scott sit down with Tom to help listeners navigate what can be an overwhelming, marathon agenda—and to highlight the sessions most likely to shape retina care and research in th...
2026-02-0349 min
RetinUp PodcastElizabeth Cifers on Coding Risk, Modifier -25 Enforcement, and the Rise of Pre-Pay AuditsHosts:John Kitchens, MDScott KrzywonosGuest:Elizabeth CifersFounder & Principal Consultant, Elizabeth Cifers ConsultingShow Summary:In this episode, RetinUp introduces a new recurring segment, Vitreoretinal View, focused on surgical innovation and next-generation vitrectomy platforms. John breaks down where vitreoretinal surgery is headed, and comments on Alcon’s UNITY VCS system, flow-based vitrectomy, and his expectations for the next wave of surgical innovation.But first, the conversation kicks off with a discussion of drug access and policy, as John and Scott revisit Ou...
2026-01-2248 min
RetinUp PodcastLeading Retina at Harvard, ft. Rishi P. Singh, MD; CMS GLOBE Model, EYLEA HD’s Expanded LabelHosts:John Kitchens, MDScott KrzywonosGuest:Rishi P. Singh, MDChair, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical SchoolChair, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass General BrighamShow Summary:In this episode, John and Scott break down two major developments affecting retina practices nationwide before welcoming one of the field’s most influential leaders. The discussion opens with the newly announced CMS GLOBE Model, a Medicare Part B demonstration project designed to lower drug prices through most-favored-nation pricing, and what it could mean for buy-and-bill re...
2026-01-0842 min
RetinUp PodcastInside Cencora GPO: How GPOs Leverage Scale to Help Retina Practices Thrive, ft. Shane DixonHosts:John Kitchens, MDScott KrzywonosGuest:Shane Dixon, Vice President of Vision, Strategic Advancement & Business Development, Cencora Specialty GPOShow Summary:In this episode, John and Scott continue their coverage of the Cencora Vision Exchange meeting with an in-depth conversation about the economic, policy, and operational forces reshaping retina practices. The discussion opens with key takeaways from the meeting’s opening sessions, including a deep dive into drug pricing policy, the downstream impact of federal legislation on how retina practices are reimbursed for care, and the co...
2025-12-1829 min
RetinUp PodcastHow Cencora and Besse Medical Help Retina Specialists Thrive, ft. Eric Besse, VP at Besse MedicalHosts:John Kitchens, MD; Scott KrzywonosGuest:Eric Besse, Vice President & General Manager, Besse Medical (a Cencora company)Show Summary:In this episode, Scott and John return from the Cencora Vision Exchange meeting in Dallas and sit down with Eric Besse, VP and General Manager of Besse Medical, to unpack the unseen infrastructure that keeps retina practices running. Eric shares how his family’s corner pharmacy grew into one of the most influential specialty distributors in the country and explains why drug distribution is far more than logistics — it’s practic...
2025-12-0430 min
RetinUp PodcastEpisode 3: Shutdown’s Effects on FDA ft. Alec Gaffney from POLITICO | Plus, PRIMA Implant + GLP-1 Data DumpRetinUp – Episode 3: Shutdown’s Effects on FDA ft. Alec Gaffney from POLITICO | Plus, PRIMA Implant + GLP-1 Data DumpHosts:John Kitchens, MDScott KrzywonosGuest:Alexander Gaffney, VP of Regulatory Policy & Intelligence, Agency IQ / POLITICOShow Summary:In this episode, Scott calls in from the Outer Banks to discuss two major clinical headlines before turning to federal policy. First up is the PRIMA retinal prosthesis, a wireless subretinal chip that helped patients with geographic atrophy regain partial reading vision. Then, Scott and John analyze the rapidl...
2025-11-1140 min
RetinUp PodcastEpisode 2: AAO RecapHosts:Scott KrzywonosJohn Kitchens, MDShow Summary:In this episode, Scott and John pick up where they left off — talking about the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting and how innovation is reshaping the field. They explore their favorite AAO host cities, the atmosphere of this year’s meeting, and the under-the-radar conversations shaping the future of retina.Scott shares insights from iCelerator, his favorite ophthalmology meeting, which highlights how technology, AI, and macroeconomic forces are influencing eye care. The two discuss “oculomics” — using retinal data to understand systemic d...
2025-11-0629 min
RetinUp PodcastWelcome to RetinUp: AAO recap and interview with Cedric FrancoisIn the debut episode of RetinUp, Drs. Scott Krzywonos and John Kitchens introduce their vision for the show—unfiltered conversations between retina specialists that capture the hallway and after-hours discussions rarely heard on stage.They kick off by recapping highlights from the AAO Annual Meeting, including the first-ever full eye transplant, updates on Alcon’s Unity vitrectomy system, the LumiThera photobiomodulation platform, and the coming wave of AREDS 3 vitamins.The episode then turns to a one-on-one interview with Cedric Francois, founder and CEO of Apellis Pharmaceuticals, whose journey from surgeon to biotech innovator led to the...
2025-10-3043 minRetinUp PodcastWelcome to RetinUpHosts: John Kitchens, MD & Scott KrzywonosDuration: 2:15Episode SummaryWelcome to RetinUp—the podcast where retina science meets real-world insight. Hosted by Dr. John Kitchens and Scott Krzywonos, RetinUp brings together leading voices in ophthalmology to explore new data, breakthrough research, and the stories behind the science shaping the future of retina care.In this short trailer, John and Scott introduce the RetinUp mission, what listeners can expect from upcoming episodes, and how the show will connect researchers, clinicians, and innovators across the retina community.Subscribe & FollowSt...
2025-10-2801 min