Podcasts have skyrocketed in popularity over the last decade. They are on-demand radio shows that have been pre-recorded and are available to listen to by streaming or downloading at any time.
You can play them through a number of available smartphone apps or websites such as Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Overcast at your leisure. Just pop one on while commuting or doing dishes; they are the perfect way to stay caught up on all things eyecare.
There are tons of optometry and ophthalmology podcasts out there, focusing on everything from clinical care to finance to practice management.
Here is a list of our top eyecare podcasts to check out today:
Top optometry podcasts for every listener
For overall coverage of all things optometry
Defocus Media
- Hosts: Darryl Glover, OD and Jennifer Lyerly, OD
- Tagline: “Optometry’s number one podcast where we discuss the hottest topics, latest technology, eyewear, practice management, and more. So sit back, relax, and defocus.”
Defocus Media is an optometry media company created by Drs. Glover and Lyerly. They started years ago with just one eponymous podcast, which covers every topic about optometry under the sun and is one of my go-to podcasts to keep up with what’s new.
They have since added several more eyecare-related podcasts under their umbrella, a number of which are detailed below. This is a great one-stop shop to access a wide range of topics within optometry, as all their podcasts reside in their single Defocus Media feed.
Try Not to Blink
- Hosts: Roya Habibi, OD, and Sheila Morrison, OD
- Tagline: “A podcast about the ups and downs, ins and outs, news, tips, and tricks of those who live the optometry lifestyle.”
This is a great one to add to your regular schedule. With a new episode released every week, they stay super up to date and cover topics both related to optometry and general current events. Guests on various topics are interviewed, but typically this podcast has more of a talk show feel that makes for a fun and casual listening experience.
Recent episodes delve into topics like Ortho-K, updates on the latest in dry eye research, and a journal club on sclerals and intraocular pressure (IOP). Tune in for a relatable vibe with lots of useful news as well as tips and tricks you can take right into your clinical practice. They are also always looking for new topics and guests, so feel free to shoot them suggestions you’d love to hear more about.
The 20/20 Podcast
- Host: Harbir Sian, OD
- Tagline: “The 20/20 Podcast: Bringing clarity to business, entrepreneurship, and life.”
With episodes released approximately every week or so, Dr. Sian tackles a wide range of topics related to optometry. He wanted to share his own real-life conversations with people in various industries, from finance to fashion (and of course, optometry!) with others.
Recent episodes focus on optometry school and the student perspective, launching a global optical brand, to binocular vision and nutritional disinformation. Listen to this Defocus Media podcast to get a wide variety of new perspectives and ideas that can change the way you practice.
Four Eyes
- Hosts: Amrit Bilkhu, OD, and Deepon Kar, OD, MSc
- Tagline: “We give you a clear view into the young optometry world across Canada and the US”
This is a podcast for the young North American OD, with monthly episodes delving into topics like intraocular lenses (IOLs), decoding headaches, and how to become a specialist in anterior segment and the cornea.
They tend to focus on areas important to the new grad, such as financial planning, as well as going over interesting cases, and talking to experts about some of the new technology and treatments coming out in various eye specialties. Most episodes are around 45 minutes, so it’s perfect for that commute or lunch walk.
For the private practice owner
Power Hour
- Host: currently Eugene Shatsman, formerly Gary Gerber, OD
- Tagline: “Optometry’s Biggest and Longest Running Show”
By far the longest-running opto podcast, started in 2012 by Dr. Gerber, Power Hour used to be the only live radio optometry talk show. Episodes are released weekly and focus quite a bit on practice management, but also address listener questions.
Recent episodes focus on optical sales, how to build loyalty through memorable patient interactions, and how artificial intelligence (AI) will change how eyecare practices grow. An excellent, always up-to-date resource, particularly for the private practice owner and practice management-focused OD.
Optometry Unleashed
- Host: Trevor Miranda, OD
While this one has more of a Canadian focus, the topics are relevant to all eyecare professionals. Each episode interviews a different guest and delves into a variety of topics.
Recent episodes go over building an optical, how to train staff with purpose, partnering optometry with audiology, and the truth about mental health in optometry. Released monthly, these episodes are around an hour long and go in-depth into each topic.
For women ODs, but valuable to all audiences
Lunch Date with Rachel and Kate
- Hosts: Rachel Simpson, OD and Kate Hamm, OD
- Tagline: “Rachel and Kate are two real-life friends talking about equality issues viewed through the lens of optometry. Tune in for their takeaways and action items. See you at lunch!”
One of my favorite Defocus Media podcasts. Started while they were 4th-year optometry students at USML, friends Rachel and Kate have created a podcast highlighting topics particularly relevant to young ODs.
The two hosts have great rapport, and they focus on various issues from negotiating pay and the gender wage gap to current events, unlocking the potential of AI, and dealing with pregnancy as an OD. This is also a great one for both seasoned optometrists as well as students and recent grads.
WO Voices Podcast Series
- Host: Marjolijn Bijlefeld, editor of Women in Optometry magazine
- Tagline: “A podcast series from Women in Optometry magazine”
This podcast focuses on and features a number of different women ODs. They discuss topics from practice management to career choices, family, leadership, and more. A great addition to the Women in Optometry magazine, published by Jobson.
Episodes are released every few weeks and are easily digestible, 20-ish minutes long. Recent episodes tackle topics like how to be an empathetic OD, strengthening the collaborative care model, and photobiomodulation. This podcast features primarily women’s voices, and there is useful information for all eyecare professionals.
For a fresh medical and clinical perspective
The MOD Pod
- Host: Varies per episode
Made by the creators of optometry publication Modern Optometry, this is a clinically focused podcast that specializes in medical optometry topics. Each episode covers either articles from a recent issue of the publication, or a panel of speakers will discuss a specific topic.
Recent episodes include discussions on intense pulsed light (IPL) and ocular rosacea, specialty lenses, and the optometrist’s role in diagnosing and referring patients with retinal disease. The ideal podcast for useful clinical tips for the medically focused OD.
To the Point
- Hosts: Jackie Garlich, OD, FAAO and Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, FAAO
- Tagline: “An Ocular Surface Disease Podcast”
This is the perfect podcast for the dry eye lovers out there. Episodes are released approximately once a month and delve deep into ocular surface disease.
Each episode has a different guest, each one a well-known dry eye clinician. Recent episodes cover topics related to vitamin A, dry eye masqueraders, and meibomian gland probing.
For new grad ODs
The Depth Perception Podcast
- Hosts: Nadia Afkhami, OD; Jasdeep Soni, OD; Doug Akidi, OD; and Svetlana Nunez, OD
The Depth Perception Podcast speaks to new grad optometrists about the perception and misconceptions of optometry by going in-depth about the business of optometry, social issues within optometry, and life as an optometry student.
Recent episodes cover best LinkedIn practices, advice on finding your dream job, navigating workplace culture, and guidance on how to connect with optometry representatives.
For the nerds
Nerdy Optometrist
- Host: Ukti Vora, MBA, M. Optom
- Tagline: “A podcast channel for all things eyecare”
One of the truly globally focused eyecare podcasts, this one is unapologetically “for the nerds.” Host Dr. Vora interviews eye doctors from across the world and covers a huge range of topics.
Many interviews go into detail about the guest’s journey in the eyecare, and include conversations not just with doctors, but members of industry, researchers, and more. Learn about global optometry from informatics in India to working in medical affairs in America. Episodes are released approximately once a month.
Academy of Optometry Clinical Podcast Series
- Hosts: Various members of the American Academy of Optometry, including Kaleb Abbott, OD; Mika Moy, OD, Kelsy Steele, OD, PhD, and many more
Created by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation, this is a publication-focused podcast. Wish you were better at keeping up on new journal articles, but can never find the time? Here is your answer. You can either listen or even watch video recordings online.
Each episode focuses on a different newly published peer-reviewed journal article, the host and guest (typically a subject expert in the topic of that paper) briefly discuss the design, findings, and conclusion of each publication, and go into why it would be of clinical interest. Each episode is 10 minutes or less, and covers topics across the board in optometry research from anterior segment and contact lenses to glaucoma and retina.
Bonus: Ophthalmologist-hosted podcasts
OIS: Ophthalmology Innovation Summit
- Hosts: Various, including Firas Rahhal, MD, Sophia Pathai, MD, PhD, and Robert Rothman, MD
- Tagline: “Candid Conversations with Ophthalmology’s Innovators and Business Leaders”
This is another podcast with a regular schedule, with bi-weekly episodes. Each episode features an interview with a different expert in the eyecare world, from fellow ophthalmologists to researchers, key opinion leaders, and industry executives discussing cutting-edge new innovations within the profession.
Great for keeping up on the latest in ophthalmology news, and getting a glimpse of what the future of eye care holds.
Ophthalmology Off the Grid
- Host: Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MDGary Wortz, MD
- Tagline: “Open. Outspoken. An honest look at controversial topics in the field”
Similar to OIS, Dr. Gary Wörtz interviews a number of different experts within different areas of ophthalmology to share exciting new innovations and developments. While focused on ophthalmology, many of the discussions are equally applicable to optometry and are definitely worth a listen!
JAMA Ophthalmology Author Interviews
- Host: Neil Bressler, editor in chief of JAMA Ophthalmology
- Tagline: “Conversations with authors exploring the latest clinical research, reviews, and opinions featured in JAMA Ophthalmology”
This weekly podcast features interviews with authors of JAMA Ophthalmology articles. These are nice, short podcasts usually around 15 minutes long, perfect when you’ve got just a little time, and want to learn something new. An excellent way to keep up with current research in ophthalmology and vision science directly from the researchers performing it!
ODs on Education
- Hosts: Chris Lopez, OD and Aaron Neufeld, OD
- Tagline: “Optometry’s most productive show.”
This podcast is changing the game by offering free, continuing education (CE) resources for optometrists—often COPE-accredited—for listening to episodes and completing a short quiz. It covers a wide range of topics relevant to optometry, including the latest in diagnostics and management, billing and coding, new technologies, nutrition, and the use of AI in eyecare.
Other optometry podcasts worth a listen
There are also quite a few podcasts that either don’t release as regularly or have stopped making new episodes entirely, but are still worth checking out!
These include:
- Eyetrepreneur: Focuses on practice management
- Corporate Optometry Podcast: All about the corporate OD
- The Optoturban Podcast and Eyes Up: Guidance for new grads and students
- The Optometry Money Podcast: Advice on finances and financial planning
- Vision is More Than 20/20: The latest on binocular vision
- OpTranslate Podcast: For anyone looking to improve their language skills in performing eye exams in Spanish, French, and Turkish
Before merging with Eyes On Eyecare, NewGradOptometry also came out with its own audio series with podcast versions of some of NGO’s best articles. Check them out here!
