Peer2Peer: The Podcast

The Visible Ophthalmologist: Building reputation in the digital landscape

In this episode of Peer2Peer: The Podcast, host Dr Ben LaHood is joined by Dr Dylan Joseph, Dr Johann Kruger and Dr Uday Devgan for a roundtable conversation recorded live at SASCRS 2026.
Together, they explore “The Visible Ophthalmologist - Building reputation in the digital landscape" and why building a professional presence in the digital landscape is becoming an essential part of modern ophthalmology.
From social media and podcasts to peer-to-peer education and patient engagement, the panel share their journey - from being hesitant to post online to becoming recognised voices within the global ophthalmology community.
In this episode, we cover:• Why visibility in ophthalmology now extends far beyond the conference podium• The motivations and early fears behind creating content online• The difference between peer-focused and patient-focused content• Best practices for responsibly sharing innovation, technology and clinical stories• Finding the balance between professionalism, personality and entertainment online
🎧 Tune in to hear practical advice, honest reflections and lessons learned from surgeons who have successfully navigated the evolving digital landscape in ophthalmology.

From Surgery to Strategy: Designing a Patient Journey That Grows Your Practice

Growth in ophthalmology no longer starts in the operating room - it starts with the patient experience.
In this episode of Peer2Peer: The Podcast, host Dr Ben LaHood is joined by Dr Erik Mertens and Amanda Cardwell Carones to explore how deliberately designing the patient journey can transform patient satisfaction, strengthen trust and build a thriving, future-ready practice.
In this episode, we cover:
Why practice growth starts before the first consultation
How premium IOL technology enhances outcomes and patient confidence
The role of trust, transparency, and communication in patient decision-making
Using digital tools such as eyejourney to elevate patient education
How structured patient journeys improve clinic workflows and team efficiency
Why entrepreneurial thinking is becoming essential in modern ophthalmology
This episode is essential listening for ophthalmologists, cataract surgeons, clinic owners and healthcare leaders looking to connect clinical excellence with business success - without losing sight of what matters most: the patient.

Peer2Peer Deep Dive: The First RayOne Galaxy Peer-Reviewed Data

Hear our AI-powered Deep Dive into the first peer-reviewed paper on the RayOne Galaxy spiral IOL.
This revolutionary non-diffractive lens was designed with AI, and the clinical results are speaking for themselves. We cut through the jargon and deliver the key findings in a fast, 15-minute discussion you can't afford to miss. In this 15-minute breakdown, you will learn:
- Why patients rate halo and glare levels with Galaxy as 'very low'.
- The sweet spot of functional vision: a smooth defocus curve spanning from +1.00 D to –2.80 D.
- The role of AI-assisted design in perfecting the optic before it ever entered an eye.
- The core data: Excellent monocular and binocular visual acuity across all tested distances.
Read the full paper for more information: https://journals.healio.com/doi/epdf/10.3928/1081597X-20250829-01
This podcast was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, listeners are encouraged to refer to the original publication for complete details.

Mastering RayOne EMV Toric - now FDA approved!

In this episode of Peer2Peer by Rayner, host Dr Ben LaHood (Australia) is joined by Mr Allon Barsam (UK) and Dr Deb Ristvedt (USA) to discuss the exciting news that RayOne EMV Toric has received FDA approval.
Together, they explore:
The clinical pathway and IDE study behind FDA approval.
How RayOne EMV Toric’s global success shaped its journey to the US market.
Surgical pearls and insights from experienced international users.
Why this milestone represents a new era for astigmatism correction in cataract surgery.
With RayOne EMV and EMV Toric lenses implanted worldwide in 75+ countries, this episode highlights how proven performance and surgeon trust have paved the way for US approval.

Why OMIDRIA Matters: Enhancing Outcomes and Reducing Burden

Dr Paul Singh and Dr Kendall Donaldson come together at the AECOS 2025 to explore the evolving role of OMIDRIA in cataract surgery. As the only FDA-approved intracameral NSAID, OMIDRIA continues to deliver meaningful clinical benefit - reducing inflammation, preventing complications, and improving patient outcomes - while easing or removing the burden of post-op drop regimens.
Listeners will hear real-world insights from the Bascom study and clinical practice, including how OMIDRIA-based dropless protocols can streamline workflow, enhance staff efficiency, improve patient satisfaction, and reduce costs. Importantly, OMIDRIA now maintains separate payment status in both Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and Hospital Outpatient Departments (HOPDs) for 100% of fee-for-service Medicare patients.*
*OMIDRIA qualifies for separate payment across both ASC and HOPD settings as it fulfils the requirements established in the non-opioid as a surgical supply provision by CMS. 
 
Rayner, the Rayner logo, OMIDRIA, and the OMIDRIA logo, are proprietary marks of Rayner. © 2025 Rayner Group, all rights reserved. OMIDRIA videos and podcasts are for the attention of US HCPs only. Please rely on your clinical judgment when considering treatment approaches. A dropless approach with OMIDRIA may not suit all patients. Rayner does not recommend specific product combinations. As of August 2025, OMIDRIA is approved in the US and UK. Speakers may be paid Rayner consultants.
US-OM-2500051 07/25

Why We Switched: Two Surgeons' Journey to Sophi

Dr Ben LaHood sits down with Dr Erik Mertens and Dr Dick Vuijk from Medipolis Eye Centre in Antwerp, Belgium to discuss their transition from traditional phaco machines to the more intuitive Sophi system. They share the immediate changes they noticed in the OR and how Sophi has since become central to their cataract procedures.
The conversation highlights how Sophi brings a modern approach to cataract surgery - with streamlined setup, smoother workflows, refined phaco performance, and a cleaner, more efficient environment. Beyond technology, the surgeons also reflect on its impact on surgical teams, patient experience, cost, sustainability, and mobile surgery setups.
Whether you’re considering a trial or exploring a full switch, this episode offers first-hand insights and practical takeaways from surgeons who have made the change.
Discover Sophi: rayner.com/sophi

Rayner at ESCRS: Behind the Booth

Curious about what Rayner has planned for ESCRS this year – after last year’s ground-breaking launch of the first-ever AI-designed spiral IOL?
In this special episode, Chief Marketing Officer Chris Willis is joined by Nathalie Martin, European Marketing Manager, and Anne Nestor, Medical Communications Manager, as they pull back the curtain on Rayner’s plans for ESCRS 2025 in Copenhagen – promising their most interactive and immersive congress yet.
Get the inside scoop on Rayner’s innovations: the revolutionary Galaxy IOL, hands-on comparisons with trifocal lenses using the RALV vision simulator, high-tech wetlabs featuring expert demos on the super-efficient Sophi phaco machine, and the debut of EyeJourney, a digital app transforming the patient experience.
Packed with exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is your front-row pass to everything Rayner has in store – and will have you making their booth (C2.041) your must-visit stop in Copenhagen!

Driving Decisions with Data: PROMs in Cataract Surgery

What if the true measure of success in cataract surgery isn’t just clinical results, but how patients themselves feel after treatment? In this episode, host Dr Ben LaHood sits down with leading experts Mr Sheraz Daya and Miss Pei Fen Lin to uncover how Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are changing the game. From cutting-edge digital tools like RayPRO, and a shift toward value-based care, they reveal how listening to patients is transforming ophthalmology from the inside out. Whether you’re a clinician or simply curious about the future of healthcare, this conversation will challenge how you think about care and outcomes.

Sulcoflex Inventor & Experts: “Refractive Surprises Happen to Us All”

Dr Ben LaHood is joined by Professor Michael Amon - the inventor of the Sulcoflex supplementary IOL - and refractive specialist, Dr Michael Rossiter Thornton to explore the role of the Sulcoflex lens in managing unexpected refractive outcomes. The discussion highlights real-world surgical experiences, strategies for addressing refractive surprises, and how the Sulcoflex lens offers a valuable secondary solution for enhancing visual results post-cataract or refractive lens surgery.
This podcast is provided for general information purposes only. The presenters’ views are their own. Nothing contained within this podcast is intended to offer medical advice for the treatment of any illness or disease, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Nothing presented in this podcast is intended to give instruction or guidance on the use of any Rayner products; it is not designed to replace a surgeon's independent judgement about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. Rayner does not endorse off-label use. Users must refer to the product labelling and instructions for use for Rayner products in all cases. Not all Rayner products are available in all countries.
© 2025 Rayner Group, all rights reserved. Rayner and Sulcoflex are proprietary marks of Rayner. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Rayner, 10 Dominion Way, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 8AQ. Registered in England: 615539

A MasterChef's vision: Real stories with Galaxy & Sophi

At the Ophthalpreneurs 2025 meeting in Italy, Dr Ben LaHood (Australia) hosted a discussion with ophthalmologists Mr Kieren Darcy (UK) and Dr Andrzej Dmitriew (Poland) about the evolving landscape of premium IOLs and the transition from diffractive to refractive technology with the introduction of RayOne Galaxy, the world’s first spiral IOL. The conversation delved into the impact of bothersome dysphotopsia on patient satisfaction and how the RayOne Galaxy lens addresses common issues like halos and glare whilst delivering full range of vision. The surgeons also shared real-world experiences with the lens, including cases involving family members and a Masterchef celebrity, along with the outcomes they’ve observed. Dr Dmitriew further discussed his role as a Rayner Centre of Excellence and how integrating the Sophi Phaco System has the potential to enhance surgical outcomes in his practice.
 
This podcast is provided for general information purposes only. The presenters’ views are their own. Nothing contained within this podcast is intended to offer medical advice for the treatment of any illness or disease, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Nothing presented in this podcast is intended to give instruction or guidance on the use of any Rayner products; it is not designed to replace a surgeon's independent judgement about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. Rayner does not endorse off-label use. Users must refer to the product labelling and instructions for use for Rayner products in all cases. Not all Rayner products are available in all countries.
© 2025 Rayner Group, all rights reserved. Rayner, RayOne and Galaxy are proprietary marks of Rayner. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Rayner, 10 Dominion Way, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 8AQ. Registered in England: 615539