Clearly KC Podcast

Episode 31 - Innovations in Keratoconus Care

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett welcomes the Chief Medical Officer at Epion Therapeutics Dr. Michael Belin, and VP Clinical Operations at Epion Therapeutics Tiffany Haynes to discuss advances in keratoconus diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Bellin highlights the importance of early detection and intervention, made possible by modern imaging tools like corneal tomography. The conversation also covers Epion’s Phase 3 clinical trial of EpiSmart, a new epithelium-on crosslinking intended to preserve the cornea’s surface, reduce discomfort, speed up recovery time, and minimize the risk of scar formation and infection. Tiffany explains how patients can join the clinical trial, currently enrolling at 26 sites in the United States. 

Episode 30 - Contact Lens Dropout

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett OD welcomes Dr. Fayiz Mahgoub OD the founder of Augmented Vision Labs a company that is utilizing cutting edge technology to help end contact lens dropout due to difficulty with lens application and removal. 

Episode 29 - Collaborative Eye Care

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett OD welcomes Dr. Justin Schweitzer OD from Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, SD to discuss co-management of keratoconus patients.  Dr. Schweitzer notes he practices in a tertiary eyecare setting, and local optometrists regularly refer patients for testing, treatment, or surgery.  Dr. Schweitzer acts as the conduit between community optometrists and the Vance Thompson Vision surgeons.  He reports successful collaboration usually means the patient returns to the referring doctor for post-operative care.  He emphasizes the benefit of educating patients about their treatment options and stresses the importance of communication between referring doctors to assure patients are appropriately managed.    

Episode 28 - Contact Lens Questions

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett OD checks in with Dr. Karen DeLoss OD of the Kellogg Eye Center at University of Michigan and reads questions collected from keratoconus patients. Dr. DeLoss offers some brand name solutions that she recommends and cautions that not all solutions work for all lenses.  She reveals she quizzes her patients on their lens management techniques and uses these sessions to find out if her patients have developed any bad habits or gaps in understanding. For the patient who says she can’t insert her scleral lens, Dr. DeLoss encourages the patient to keep trying: there will be a great pay-off if the patient perseveres. 

Episode 27 - Debunking KC Myths

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett OD explodes some myths with crosslinking expert Dr. William Trattler MD, of the Center for Excellence in Eye Care in Miami.  He shares that patients with extremely thin corneas can be successfully crosslinked if the surgeon makes some adjustments in the treatment protocol.  While most crosslinked patients will not need a second procedure, he observed that a repeat treatment can be safely performed if progression is suspected.  Another myth debunked is that disease progression stops at age 40.  Dr. Trattler reported seeing progression in older patients, often after years of no change, reinforcing the need for annual follow-up exams even after crosslinking or years of stability.

Episode 26 - The LensBase Inventor

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett OD visits with Mark Morarie, inventor of The LensBase, a useful device that helps patients insert scleral lenses.  Mark remembers receiving the keratoconus diagnosis after his near perfect vision declined.  His vision improved with scleral lenses, but he struggled with applying his lenses.  Over several years, he tinkered with designs to produce an aid for contact lens wearers.   Now an FDA registered medical device, The LensBase is portable, clean, stylish, low tech and gentle on the eye.  Designed by a keratoconus patient and scleral lens user, anyone who dreads putting lenses in should listen to this episode and visit TheLensBase.com.

Episode 25 - Social Media Influencer

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett OD spends some time with Ash Arellanes, digital content creator and enthusiastic KC advocate.  Ash shares her journey of vision loss until she finally was diagnosed with keratoconus.  She remembers how she experienced relief to finally have an answer along with confusion and loneliness of having a condition she knew nothing about.  Ash had an existing online presence for her dog, Demi, and she started using her social media to share stories of life with keratoconus. Through her TikTok account, @demi_the_vlog_dog, Ash educates and entertains her 320,000 followers, including many in the keratoconus community. 

Episode 24 - Insights from a Patient/Scientist

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett OD welcomes colleague Dr. Jason Marsack PhD from the University of Houston, where his lab is engaged in correcting higher order aberrations.   Dr. Marsack shared his story of a keratoconus diagnosis while a college student and his vow to apply his engineering skills to improving the vision of others.  He and Dr. Barnett discuss isolation, empathy and the “KC Personality” which he observes may be the search for answers and frustration with the technology gap that many patients experience.  He is encouraged by advances in KC treatments and the dedication of scientists and practitioners to improving the detection and management of these individuals.   

Episode 23 - Recollections of Carl Domke

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett OD chats with Carl Domke of McKinney, Texas.  Carl is the winner of the 2023 World KC Day Photo Contest with a photo collage that celebrates improved vision with contact lenses.  The 80-year old photographer shared what it was like to be diagnosed with KC in 1959 and how, as a high school sophomore, he was given contact lenses that ‘changed his life’ and made it possible to continue his education.  Carl also shares the story of waiting for donor tissue and his 3-day stay at Wills Eye Hospital where he had a corneal transplant 20 years later.

Episode 22 - Tips & Tricks from Wellness Advocate

Clearly KC host Dr. Melissa Barnett OD meets up with Myeisha Essex of Los Angeles to discuss tips, tricks and hacks to simplify life with keratoconus.   Myeisha shares her KC journey from diagnosis during graduate school to her career as an entertainment journalist.  Her eye doctor convinced Myeisha to refocus on her vision health, and she left long days under bright studio lights to start Essex Media Group and to work as a meditation and wellness coach.  Since she has transitioned to a mindfulness advocate, Myeisha has learned to slow down and pay attention to life’s lessons.  In their conversation, Dr. Barnett mentions the Scleral Lens Education Society (www.sclerallens.org) as a resource for finding an expert in fitting scleral contact lenses.  Learn more about Myeisha’s activities at www.myeishaessex.com.