RetinUp Podcast

RetinUp Podcast, LLC

5.0 (1)
MEDICINE

RetinUp is a podcast exploring the latest in retina science and ophthalmology. Hosted by John Kitchens, MD, and Scott Krzywonos, each episode features expert insights, research breakthroughs, and practical discussions designed for ophthalmologists, retina specialists, and vision science researchers.

1D AGO

Retina Wealth Strategy ft. David Mandell; ASRS Biz Recap + Maria Berrocal on Surgical Tech

Hosts: John Kitchens, MD Scott Krzywonos Guests: Thomas Stone, MD – Program Committee Chair, ASRS Business of Retina Meeting Maria Berrocal, MD – CEO, Drs. Berrocal & Associates; Associate Professor, University of Puerto Rico David Mandell, JD, MBA – Co-Founder & Partner, OJM Group Show 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 year’s agenda, which covers staffing strategies, AI in practice operations, drug inventory management, coding updates, and a new full-day clinical trials workshop designed to help practices launch research programs from the ground up. Next, in the Vitreoretinal View segment, Maria Berrocal discusses her experience using the Alcon UNITY VCS system, focusing on flow-based vitrectomy, 30,000 cpm performance, and the evolution of 27-gauge surgery. She also shares early observations comparing case times and complication rates versus legacy systems. For the long-form interview, David Mandell of the OJM Group offers a structured framework for physician wealth management across career stages—covering early-career planning, mid-career tax strategy and asset protection, and retirement-phase portfolio positioning. Topics CoveredASRS Business of Retina Meeting The 2026 meeting agenda: staffing, AI implementation, and drug inventory strategyCoding updates and compliance (including Modifier -25)Launch of the Clinical Trials Workshop (capped at 80 participants, so register soon!)Dedicated business curriculum for fellows Vitreoretinal View – Surgical Innovation Transition from vacuum-based to flow-based vitrectomy on Alcon UNITY VCS27-gauge adoption and surface vitrectomy precisionReduced instrument frustrations Physician Wealth Strategy Why retina specialists are unique when it comes to wealth strategyEarly-career debt balancing, disability protection, and lifestyle creepMid-career tax optimization and liability protectionRetirement red-zone portfolio repositioningAssessing private equity offers Key TakeawaysThe Business of Retina Meeting is will be in Houston March 20-22. Registration link below.Flow-based vitrectomy may meaningfully refine 27-gauge surgery.Financial discipline—not peak income—is what ultimately determines long-term...

52 min
2D AGO

Breaking News: SOL-1 Superiority Data for Axpaxli in Wet AMD

Hosts: John Kitchens, MD Scott Krzywonos Show 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 Axpaxli patients maintained vision at 36 weeks vs. 59% in the Eylea armApproximately 75% of Axpaxli patients required no rescue treatment through 36 weeksDurable disease control extending 24–36 weeks, with some patients reaching 52 weeks John and Scott discuss: How the SOL-1 study design (FDA-aligned superiority endpoint) shaped the resultsWhat this means for durability beyond traditional anti-VEGF therapiesWhy the market reaction diverged from clinical enthusiasmHow to talk to your patients who hear about study dataWhat to expect next from the SOL-R study and a potential FDA submission Why It Matters: For the first time in years, retina specialists may be looking at a new mechanism of action — a tyrosine kinase inhibitor — with the potential to significantly extend treatment intervals after a single injection. More detailed analysis and expert commentary coming soon on RetinUp. Listen & Subscribe: RetinUp.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Credits: Production & Marketing: Laura Brown Business Operations: Liz Hogan

8 min
FEB 3

Dr. Thomas Albini on Angiogenesis '26: AI, GA Pipelines, Gene Therapy, and What Not to Miss

Hosts: John Kitchens, MD Scott Krzywonos Guest: Thomas Albini, MD Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Course Co-Organizer, Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration Meeting Show 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 the year ahead. The conversation spans the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence in retina, early-phase geographic atrophy studies, durability strategies in wet AMD, and a packed slate of gene therapy and inherited retinal disease (IRD) updates. Tom also explains why the meeting remains fully virtual, how talks are selected, and why Angiogenesis continues to serve as a global preview of where retina research is heading. Topics Covered: Why the Angiogenesis meeting remains virtual—and how attendance has doubledHow to prepare for a one-day, 80+-talk retina marathonThe growing role of AI and machine learning in imaging and clinical trialsWhen AI may realistically impact everyday clinical practiceEarly-phase geographic atrophy data and emerging systemic therapiesOral and non-intravitreal treatment strategies—and their safety tradeoffsComplement vs. non-complement targets in GAAdvances in wet AMD durability What to watch in gene therapy, including delivery routes and inflammation riskInherited retinal disease sessions, including optogenetics and gene-agnostic approachesHome OCT, imaging innovation, and AI-inferred fluorescein angiographyLandmark trials reaching their final chapters—and why they matterHow Angiogenesis fits alongside meetings like ASRS, AAO, and the Vit-Buckle Society Key Quotes: “You could say this is a lot of [AI] talks, but I think it's the tip of the iceberg. I would imagine it's going to be grow exponentially over the years.” — Thomas Albini, MD“If there's any hour to not miss in this meeting, I've bookmarked that 2:45 to 3:45 hour because you literally get every single gene therapy talk in a single hour.” — John Kitchens, MD

49 min
JAN 22

Elizabeth Cifers on Coding Risk, Modifier -25 Enforcement, and the Rise of Pre-Pay Audits

Hosts: John Kitchens, MD Scott Krzywonos Guest: Elizabeth Cifers Founder & Principal Consultant, Elizabeth Cifers Consulting Show 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 Outlook Therapeutics’ unsuccessful attempt to secure FDA approval for ONS-5010, an ophthalmic formulation of bevacizumab. They explain why continued access to compounded bevacizumab remains critical for affordability and patient choice. In the second half, the hosts sit down with Elizabeth Cifers, one of the country’s leading ophthalmic coding and compliance experts. Elizabeth offers a clear-eyed assessment of Modifier -25 and Modifier -59, why enforcement has intensified, and how CMS’s shift from post-pay recovery to pre-pay, AI-driven audits is fundamentally changing compliance risk for retina practices heading into 2026. (Do you think your practice’s billing and coding staff would find this episode helpful? If so, share it with them—and tell them to send us feedback by emailing us at info@retinup.com.) Topics Covered: Why Outlook Therapeutics’ FDA rejection preserves access to compounded bevacizumab Economic and regulatory risks of an FDA-approved bevacizumab alternative Launch of the Vitreoretinal View surgical segment Next-generation vitrectomy platforms and workflow efficiency Alcon UNITY VCS vs. the legacy Constellation systems Flow-based vs. Venturi-based vitrectomy Surgical innovation amid declining reimbursement What Modifier -25 actually requires — and common misconceptions Proper and improper use of Modifier -59 Documentation gaps that trigger audits CMS’s shift to AI-based anomaly detection Pre-pay vs. post-pay audits and what practices should expect How retina practices can prepare for changes in coding enforcement without overcorrecting Key Quotes: “The medicine is usually good. It’s the documentation that doesn’t support what’s being billed.” — Elizabeth Cifers “With the algorithms CMS has now, [the question of whether you’ll be hit with an audit] is not an if — it’s a when.” — Elizabeth Cifers “Compounded bevacizumab remains one of the most important access tools we have in retina.” — John Kitchens, MD Guest Info: Visit elizabethcconsulting.com to learn about how Elizabeth Cifers. Sign up for her newsletter here, where Elizabeth shares actionable tips and strategies to help you run a more efficient, compliant, and profitable retina practice.

49 min
JAN 8

Leading Retina at Harvard, ft. Rishi P. Singh, MD; CMS GLOBE Model, EYLEA HD’s Expanded Label

Hosts: John Kitchens, MD Scott Krzywonos Guest: Rishi P. Singh, MD Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass General Brigham Show 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 retina practices. They then turn to the FDA’s expanded label for EYLEA HD, which now includes retinal vein occlusion and allows monthly dosing for certain patients. In the second half, the hosts are joined by Rishi P. Singh, MD, newly appointed Chair of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. Rishi reflects on stepping into leadership at one of the most storied institutions in medicine, his path from retina specialist to hospital CEO and back to academia, and how academic centers must adapt amid policy shifts, private equity pressure, and rapid technological change. Topics Covered: The CMS GLOBE Model and most-favored-nation drug pricingPotential administrative and financial impact on practices in affected regionsThe FDA’s expanded EYLEA HD label for RVO and monthly dosingHow label flexibility may change first-line treatment decisionsInsurance lag and real-world adoption challenges after label changesLeadership transition at Mass Eye and Ear and Mass General BrighamBalancing clinical care, research, and training in academic medicineThe role of academic centers in advocacy, innovation, and policy influencePhysician recruitment, culture, and servant leadershipPrivate equity’s role in modern ophthalmologyIndustry collaboration, integrity, and long-term impact on patient careThe future of ophthalmology drug access under Part B and Part D reform Key Quotes: “The biggest issue for any of us is if buy-and-bill medicine disappears from our practices.” — Rishi P. Singh, MD“We’ve been too focused on reactionary medicine and not enough on prevention.” — Rishi P. Singh, MD“Anything that substantially disrupts drug pricing is going to have downstream consequences for practices.” — John Kitchens, MD Credits: Production & Marketing: Laura Brown Business Operations: Liz Hogan Listen

42 min
12/18/2025

Inside Cencora GPO: How GPOs Leverage Scale to Help Retina Practices Thrive, ft. Shane Dixon

Hosts: John Kitchens, MD Scott Krzywonos Guest: Shane Dixon, Vice President of Vision, Strategic Advancement & Business Development, Cencora Specialty GPO Show 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 coding and billing changes showcased at the Cencora Vision Exchange meeting. John then sits down with Shane Dixon, VP at Cencora Specialty GPO, to unpack what a Group Purchasing Organization actually does—and why its role has become increasingly critical. Drawing on his experience as a physician assistant, former Regeneron launch leader for Eylea, practice executive, private equity operator, and now GPO executive, Shane offers a rare, 360-degree view of how drugs move from manufacturer to patient, how contracts are structured, and how practices can survive tightening margins. Topics Covered: Key takeaways from the Cencora Vision Exchange meetingFederal drug pricing policy and “Most Favored Nation” pricingHow government policy is reshaping retina drug economicsCoding and billing risk, including increased scrutiny of Modifier 25CMS’s use of AI for claim detection, audits, and recoveryDeclining surgical reimbursement and its impact on access to careThe collapse of the Good Days patient assistance fund and what replaces itWhat a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) is and how it worksHow Cencora’s GPO leverages scale, segmentation, and contractsDifferences between private practice and large aggregators Key Quotes: “The way we get paid for drugs is going to fundamentally change—and it’s going to change fast.” — John Kitchens, MD“We’re not just doing contracts. We’re helping practices think strategically about how they operate.” — Shane Dixon“Documentation isn’t optional anymore. ‘I didn’t know’ is not going to cut it.” — John Kitchens, MD Credits: Production & Marketing: Laura Brown Business Operations: Liz Hogan Listen and Subscribe: RetinUp.com | Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

30 min
12/04/2025

How Cencora and Besse Medical Help Retina Specialists Thrive, ft. Eric Besse, VP at Besse Medical

Hosts: John Kitchens, MD; Scott Krzywonos Guest: 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 practice support, financial stewardship, technology integration, and practice-level partnership. The conversation spans everything from cold-chain handling and inventory management to sustainability and the future of practice support. For retina specialists, this is a rare, behind-the-curtain look at the systems that make allow retina practices to operate smoothly. Topics Covered: What the Cencora Vision Exchange meeting is and who attendsThe family origins of Besse Medical and its growth into a national distributorHow Cencora and Besse Medical fit togetherWhy distributors manage more than just shipping Technology platforms such as CubixxMD and PODISHow drug distributors support retina workflows, billing, and complianceThe importance of stable, long-tenured support teams for practicesCencora’s new recyclable, corrugated cold-chain packaging initiative Key Quotes: “We don’t want to be viewed as a distributor that picks, packs, and ships product. We want to be more than that, and we push ourselves to be more than that.” — Eric Besse“If the soda fountain down the street puts two cherries on top, you put three. If they put three, you put four.” — Eric Besse, on his family’s philosophy of service“If I were starting a practice today, [Cencora] would be the first place I would turn to partner.” — John Kitchens, MD

31 min
11/11/2025

Episode 3: Shutdown’s Effects on FDA ft. Alec Gaffney from POLITICO | Plus, PRIMA Implant + GLP-1 Data Dump

RetinUp – Episode 3: Shutdown’s Effects on FDA ft. Alec Gaffney from POLITICO | Plus, PRIMA Implant + GLP-1 Data DumpHosts: John Kitchens, MD Scott Krzywonos Guest: Alexander Gaffney, VP of Regulatory Policy & Intelligence, Agency IQ / POLITICO Show 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 rapidly expanding — and often contradictory — body of research on GLP-1 receptor agonists and their links to retinal disease. In the second half, they welcome Alexander Gaffney from POLITICO’s Agency IQ for a deep dive into how the ongoing government shutdown and widespread staff reductions are affecting the FDA’s ability to review and approve ophthalmic therapies. From PDUFA carry-over funds to workforce attrition, Alec explains why the true impact may not be the shutdown itself, but the backlog that follows. Topics Covered: PRIMA retinal implant: wireless innovation and its surgical challengesThe trade-off between functional vision gains and expanded atrophy areaGLP-1 receptor agonists: mixed data on AMD, DR, and DME riskFDA shutdown implications for ophthalmic trials and approvalsThe reduction in force across FDA divisions and its effect on review capacityHow new leadership and the National Priority Voucher Program aim to modernize the agencyWhy backlogs could extend into 2026 for gene therapy and TKI programs Key Quotes: “I’m less worried about the shutdown itself — I’m worried about what happens afterward.” — Alexander Gaffney“You might not be able to read or drive, but that peripheral vision is what lets you move through the world. Losing more of that matters.” — John Kitchens, MD“We don’t always know what we’ve lost — how much faster certain drugs might have reached patients.” — Scott Krzywonos Credits: Production & Marketing: Laura Brown Business Operations: Liz Hogan Listen and Subscribe: RetinUp.com | Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

40 min
11/06/2025

Episode 2: AAO Recap

Hosts: Scott Krzywonos John Kitchens, MD Show 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 diseases — and the potential of multimodal AI systems that combine imaging, genetics, and longitudinal data. John then breaks down the next wave of therapies: gene therapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and how FDA study design changes could reshape how new drugs are approved. The discussion dives into superiority studies, the logic of targeting diabetic retinopathy (DR) instead of diabetic macular edema (DME), and what these shifts mean for patients and clinicians. They wrap with a preview of the Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) meeting — a behind-the-scenes look at the often-overlooked but crucial role drug distributors play in retina care. Credits: Production & Marketing: Laura Brown Business Operations: Liz Hogan Listen and Subscribe: 🎧 RetinUp.com | Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

30 min
10/30/2025

Welcome to RetinUp: AAO recap and interview with Cedric Francois

In 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 creation of Syfovre, the first approved treatment for geographic atrophy. Francois shares how a chance encounter at the Macula Society set his career in motion, the origins of complement inhibition research, and what it means to lead a mission-driven biotech as both a scientist and physician. Key TopicsAAO 2024 highlights:The world’s first whole-eye transplant — and what it could mean for future nerve regeneration research.Alcon’s new Unity vitreoretinal platform — first major system since Constellation.The promise and controversy of photobiomodulation in dry AMD care.Previewing AREDS 3 — a reformulated vitamin blend with added B vitamins and lower zinc.Inside the Apellis Story:How a Belgian surgeon became a biotech CEO in Kentucky.The early experiments that led to complement inhibition research.The role of serendipity at the Macula Society—and how a single conversation led to Apellis’s first investment.Lessons learned from Potentia’s first molecule (POT-4/APL-1) to Syfovre (pegcetacoplan)The transition from Louisville to Boston’s biotech hub.Why physician-founders bring unique empathy—and accountability—to innovation. TakeawayFrom the first eye transplant to the first therapy for geographic atrophy, Episode 1 sets the tone for RetinUp— candid, curious, and clinically relevant. Drs. Krzywonos and Kitchens explore how preparation meets luck, and how visionaries like Cedric Francois turn bold ideas into breakthroughs for patients. CreditsHosts: Scott Krzywonos and John Kitchens, MD Guest: Cedric Francois, MD, PhD (Apellis Pharmaceuticals) Business Operations: Liz Hogan Production & Marketing: Laura Brown 🎧 Listen to RetinUp wherever you get your podcasts, or visit RetinUp.com to subscribe to our newsletter.

43 min
10/28/2025

Welcome to RetinUp

Hosts: John Kitchens, MD & Scott Krzywonos Duration: 2:15 Episode 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 & FollowStay connected with RetinUp for upcoming interviews, conference recaps, and clinical discussions. 📱 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.\ 🌐 Learn more at retinup.com 💬 Follow the conversation on LinkedIn with #RetinUpPodcast About the HostsJohn Kitchens, MD is a vitreoretinal surgeon with decades of clinical and research experience. Scott Krzywonos is an editor, educator, and longtime retina media producer. Together, they bring clarity, humor, and insight to every conversation.

1 min

11 Episodes

Creator

RetinUp Podcast, LLC
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

11
Rating

Clean
Show Website

RetinUp Podcast

RetinUp Podcast

Episodes

Retina Wealth Strategy ft. David Mandell; ASRS Biz Recap + Maria Berrocal on Surgical Tech

Breaking News: SOL-1 Superiority Data for Axpaxli in Wet AMD

Dr. Thomas Albini on Angiogenesis '26: AI, GA Pipelines, Gene Therapy, and What Not to Miss

Elizabeth Cifers on Coding Risk, Modifier -25 Enforcement, and the Rise of Pre-Pay Audits

Leading Retina at Harvard, ft. Rishi P. Singh, MD; CMS GLOBE Model, EYLEA HD’s Expanded Label

Inside Cencora GPO: How GPOs Leverage Scale to Help Retina Practices Thrive, ft. Shane Dixon

How Cencora and Besse Medical Help Retina Specialists Thrive, ft. Eric Besse, VP at Besse Medical

Episode 3: Shutdown’s Effects on FDA ft. Alec Gaffney from POLITICO | Plus, PRIMA Implant + GLP-1 Data Dump

Episode 2: AAO Recap

Welcome to RetinUp: AAO recap and interview with Cedric Francois

Welcome to RetinUp

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