The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2020 Conference begins this weekend. Ophthalmologists from all over the world will connect digitally to present research, exchange ideas, and share experiences. The agenda boasts robust offerings of scientific posters, live sessions, symposiums, and lectures. Topics ranging from glaucoma, to age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and even emerging AIs, among others, will be covered.

The packed agenda only proves that ophthalmologists are eager to engage with their peers and immerse themselves in the buzz around their specialty. This weekend, 

® will be covering the latest news coming out of AAO — coverage will feature late-breaking research as well as interviews with presenting doctors. 

To help kick off the busy weekend, Edmund Tsui, MD, a uveitis specialist at UCLA and social media editor for the AAO Journal, joined 

 for a discussion about what to expect in AAO 2020 as well as the significance of the virtual platform. He talked about a few of the studies that have caught his interest and how he plans to engage with the on-demand and live content. 

Podcasts

Edmund Tsui, MD, talks the new AAO 2020 virtual format as well as presentations that have particularly caught his attention.

Edmund Tsui, MD: A Discussion on AAO 2020 Virtual

 certainly does not fall short in its breadth and depth of topics.

It goes without saying that many of the conditions faced by adults can impact children just the same. A pediatric dermatologist may have to deal with conditions like atopic dermatitis, molluscum and warts, tinea capitis, psoriasis, and hemangiomas, among others.

Of course, each issue presents its own set of challenges and may require unique approaches to treatment and management.

 host Brad Glick, DO, FAAD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, talked with Lisa Swanson, MD, a board-certified pediatric dermatologist, about a variety of dermatological conditions that are common—and not-so-common—in pediatric patients.

Drawing directly from her clinical experience, Swanson provided insight into treatment strategies for a range of conditions—such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne. She also talked about new and exciting therapies within the field of dermatology, many of which have indications extended to young patients.

“Getting the approval down to 4 or 6 or wherever it might be not only makes it easier for pediatric dermatologists to treat these kids, but I think it gives everybody a better comfort level with the medicines,” she said.

Swanson covered vast terrain in discussing the promising future of pediatric dermatology and the challenges that still remain.

Lisa Swanson, MD, and Brad Glick, DO, FAAD, discuss a wide range of dermatological conditions faced by pediatric patients—from acne to atopic dermatitis, and everything in between.

Lisa Swanson, MD: Unlocking the Pediatric Dermatology Toolbox

According to the U.S Census Bureau, non-Hispanic whites will no longer make up the majority of the United States population by the year 2045. As such, it becomes all the more important for physicians to work to ensure that all patients—regardless of skin or race—receive the most optimal care.

There has been an increasing awareness of the burdens and challenges that people-of-color face when it comes to experiences with healthcare. These burdens may derive from social, systemic issues or actual physical complications.

, these challenges are especially poignant in issues related to skin pigmentation disorders and inflammation. These conditions can have a profound impact on mental health, patient self-esteem, and social relationships. In addition to these concerns, some of these conditions are simply incurable.

, host Brad Glick, DO, FAAD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, spoke with board-certified dermatologist Seemal Desai, MD, FAAD, about the various dermatologic burdens faced by people-of-color.

Their conversation covered an array of pigmentation and inflammatory disorders, including vitiligo, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, seborrheic dermatitis, and melasma.

A world-renowned spokesperson in the area of skin of color, Dr. Desai discussed the challenges of treatment and management within people-of-color populations as well as strategies to overcome them. He also provided insight into his best practices working with people-of-color and touched on the future of care for some of these skin conditions.

In the inaugural episode of Derm Discussions, Seemal Desai, MD, joins Brad Glick, DO, for an update on dermatologic burdens in people of color.

Seemal Desai, MD, FAAD: What's New in Skin of Color?

Episode 1, "What's New in Skin of Color?"

Episode 2, "Unlocking the Pediatric Dermatology Toolbox"

The field of dermatology is thriving, and 

 wants to share all the latest developments, updates, and conversations in one place.

Anyone looking for their fix on what’s hot or new in dermatology can be sure to check 

, a new monthly podcast series hosted by Brad Glick, DO, FAAD, professor of dermatology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

Every episode will feature a discussion between Glick and a fellow dermatology expert on topics unique to the specialty—ranging from aesthetic dermatology to the implications and intersections of mental health, inflammatory diseases to new therapies, and much more.

Experts will offer fresh perspectives on and novel insight into the current state of dermatology.

This new series will cover it all—figuratively, of course.

 to engage clinicians and healthcare providers through its multimedia channels as well as facilitate conversation within and across specialties.

Even though this series will center around topics within dermatology, these discussions will span across various specialties and subspecialties. After all, the skin is pervasive not just in physical size but in clinical scope.

Anyone interested in being involved in or learning more about the series can reach out to Jonathan Alicea, Assistant Editor and Producer of 

The new dermatology podcast series will launch this month and will be hosted by dermatologist and professor Dr. Brad Glick. 

HCPLive® Launches Derm Discussions 

While some think it is reasonable that the 

 (HCV) could be eradicated in the next decade, it is not seen as a possibility for the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

With an estimated 257 million individuals suffering from HBV infections worldwide, treating the disease remains paramount.

The key to this is early screenings and detection, enabling doctors to start treatments as early as possible. There are several treatment options for patients, with new drugs currently being studied to further our ability to treat the virus.

, Man Fung Yuen, MD, PhD, discusses some of the new treatments in the pipeline including RG6346, an investigational treatment for chronic HBV. Yuen recently announced positive data from a phase 1 proof-of-concept trial showing the therapeutic candidate produced sustained HBsAg reductions, without yielding any serious adverse events.

Yuen, who is the Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Hong Kong, said the drug, developed by Dicerna in collaboration with Roche, could make a major impact in treating this patient population.

Yuen also discussed how new advances in HBV treatment could usher in an era of personalized medicine for patients suffering from the viral infection.

Dr. Yuen discusses some new treatments in the pipeline and how personalized medicine could make an impact in HBV treatment. 

Man Fung Yuen, MD, PhD: The Future of Hepatitis B Treatment

September is Pain Awareness Month, a time when various organizations work to raise public awareness of the issues of 

 and pain management. With that, it is important to recognize the different types of pain patients experience from a variety of disease states.

While there are traditional methods of treating pain, such as prescribing opioids, an epidemic has led to addiction, overdose, and death. According to 

 an average of 41 people died each day from overdoses involving prescription opioids in 2018, totaling nearly 15,000. Still, there was a 13.5% decrease in prescription opioid-involved death rates from 2017 to 2018.

Although typically opioids are prescribed to treat pain, guidances have been instilled to limit the number of pills prescribed to patients. And alternate therapies and technologies exist to completely remove opioids from the treatment plan of patients.

I had the opportunity to speak to Alan Kaye, MD, PhD, a pain interventionist and professor at LSU Health School of Medicine, to discuss the importance of recognizing Pain Awareness Month, which was first declared a medical holiday in 2001, alternate treatments for pain, drugs in the pipeline, caring for a patient with pain, and much more.

Alan Kaye, MD, PhD, joins DocTalk during Pain Awareness Month to discuss opioids, alternate pain therapies, and caring for patients with pain.

Alan Kaye, MD, PhD: Treating Pain Traditionally and with Alternate Therapies

The transition to the school year during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was going to be difficult for mostly every student.

There will be enhanced safety measures to promote social distancing and mask wearing. There will also be a virtual learning component for many.

This upheaval of a traditional school routine can be especially daunting for students with 

 (ADHD). For these students, any deviation from the regular set routine can be difficult.

, Theresa Cerulli, MD, a psychiatrist in North Andover, Massachusetts and a lecturer at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, discusses just how difficult this school year might be for students suffering from ADHD.

Cerulli explained there are a number of challenges for these students, including the likely cancellation of extracurricular activates such as sports, clubs, and recess. These activities can often help an ADHD stay focused and exert some excess energy.

There are also things teachers and parents should watch for and help with in order to reduce some of the ADHD symptoms should the child become frustrated.

Cerulli also said there is hope on the way as there are new drugs in development she believes will really have an impact treating pediatric and adult ADHD patients.

Dr. Cerulli discusses some ways ADHD can manage the changes in routine during COVID-19.

Theresa Cerulli, MD: ADHD Students Struggling During COVID-19 

 (Wet AMD) begins in the dry form of AMD, it remains difficult, if not impossible to diagnose the disease in patients younger than 50.

However, researchers are hoping to improve screening and diagnostic markers in the next few years, as it is becoming increasingly important to get a handle on the disease earlier with the population in the US aging.

There has also been big advancements made in terms of treating Wet AMD with the advent of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections in 2006 to treat various ophthalmological disorders. This medication class has shown success in helping patients retain vision or recover vision loss.

, Joshua Mali, MD, a board certified ophthalmologists at the Eye Associates in Bradenton, Florida, talks about some of the concern regarding wet AMD and why there is hope for new treatments and better screening outcomes in this patient population.

Mali said in the interview that wet AMD is the most common disorder seen at his practice. While there are some known risk factors, including age, family history, smoking history, and obesity, Mali said if clinicians are able to screen patients earlier and earlier it could have a major impact in this patient population.

Dr. Mali talks about advancements in treatment and screening for Wet AMD.

Joshua Mali, MD: Hope for Patients with Wet AMD

 deal with big numbers—large-scale vaccination trials; massive production and distribution agreements; new testing, tracing, and prognostic projects that look to halve the ever-rising tally of new cases and mortality.

With an act that saved just one life, though, Ankit Bharat, MD, delivered a historic win for the state of COVID-19 care and capabilities.

In May, the chief of thoracic surgery and surgical director of the Northwestern Medicine Lung Transplant Program performed the first double lung transplant for a critically ill COVID-19 patient in the US.

The patient—a young, healthy Hispanic women—had little to not therapeutic options remaining as her lungs began to fail. Without precedence among his national peers and with intensive care cases skyrocketing in the Chicago area, Bharat’s team found a solution for her.

In this, the second ever episode of Lungcast from 

 and the American Lung Association (ALA), Bharat talked with ALA Chief Medical Officer Al Rizzo, MD, about the groundbreaking procedure and its contribution to developing COVID-19 care and research.

He also gave perspective on the current and evolving role of thoracic surgery, the benefit of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in his work, and the need for innovation in invasive lung care.

Subscribe or listen to Lungcast on your favorite platforms:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1F3u1hKrwxi9snSQ0q3nti

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lungcast/id1524712350

The chief of thoracic surgery and surgical director of the Northwestern Medicine Lung Transplant Program discusses his unprecedented procedure during the pandemic.

COVID-19 Double Lung Transplant with Ankit Bharat, MD

Professional leagues like the MLB, NHL, and NBA have implemented drastic safety measures to limit exposure to athletes by limiting travel and in some cases creating a bubble to prevent outside interactions.

Thus far, many NCAA fall sports have been postponed with hope the spring will provide a safer landscape to play. Professionals leagues have banned crowds, increased testing, and in the case of the NBA and NHL created a bubble that they hope prevents anyone not approved from coming in.

But what are the risks to athletes who contract the virus? Could there be long-term lung or heart damage that could put the remainder of their careers at risk?

In the latest episode of the DocTalk Podcast, Louis Kovacs, MD, Medical Director of Towson University Athletics, discusses some of the challenges and measures needed to keep athletes safe, from youth soccer players to college and professional football players.

Dr. Louis Kovacs discusses the risk of playing youth, college, and professional sports during the ongoing pandemic.