Bio

Dr. Sridhar is an associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami.

DISCLOSURES: Dr. Sridhar is a consultant to Alcon, DORC, Genentech/Roche and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Kitchens is a consultant for Alcon, Allergan, Alimera, Bayer, Genentech, Optos, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and ZEISS.

This month, I interviewed John Kitchens, MD, who practices in Lexington, Kentucky, to learn how he uses artificial intelligence to increase efficiency and improve patient care at his retina practice.

A disclaimer from Dr. Kitchens: To keep the process efficient and natural, I dictated my responses on the fly using my Plaud pin [a wearable AI voice recorder], which automatically transcribes voice to text. I then copied that text into ChatGPT-4o and used it, along with Jay’s original questions, to refine and shape the final answers. This workflow allowed me to keep the tone conversational while organizing my thoughts clearly and coherently. It’s a great example of how AI can enhance productivity and creativity, even in something as simple as responding to an email interview. It took me a total of about 15 minutes.

1. What apps are you currently using as a retina doctor for your day-to-day productivity, and how have they benefited your quality of life?

JK: Right now, the app I use most frequently in my day-to-day life as a retina specialist is ChatGPT. I’ve found it incredibly versatile; it’s become my go-to tool for everything from composing emails and crafting thoughtful responses to performing literature searches on disease states. I also rely on it to help create patient education materials that are easy to understand and visually appealing. Another area where it’s been helpful is summarizing research papers. Whether I’m preparing for a talk, reviewing the latest studies or trying to digest a particularly dense publication, AI tools like this have streamlined my workflow and helped me manage my time more effectively.

2. Are you using AI for your digital media creation? If not, do you think you will in the near future?

Dr. Kitchens used a Plaud NotePin—a wearable AI note-taker—to record and transcribe his answers to the prompts in this column. Photo: Plaud.AI

JK: Absolutely—I’ve been using AI for digital media creation for a while now, especially when it comes to presentations. I like my presentations to be visually engaging and thought-provoking, so I often use tools like MidJourney, Ideogram or ChatGPT to generate striking images that complement the narrative. Lately, I’ve also been experimenting with Sora AI to create short, funny videos that add personality and depth to my talks. These kinds of tools allow me to communicate complex ideas more effectively, especially when speaking at conferences or educational events. I’ve also started using AI to help generate graphs and charts, making my Keynote or PowerPoint slides more compelling and easier for audiences to follow. Over the past two and a half years, AI has certainly elevated the way I create and share content.

3. Do you have any ethical concerns about AI that have changed how you use it in practice?

JK: The biggest ethical concern I have is around patient privacy, specifically HIPAA compliance. Whenever I upload images—like OCT scans—for assistance or a second opinion using AI, I’m very careful to de-identify or exclude any personal patient information. I don’t want to inadvertently expose sensitive data. That said, I feel more comfortable using AI when it’s strictly for training or translation purposes. One incredibly helpful feature of ChatGPT, for example, is its ability to serve as a real-time translator during clinical interactions. You can tell it to translate spoken English into Korean, or vice versa, and it facilitates communication in a way that feels seamless. It’s an amazing tool for breaking down language barriers with patients and improving care.

4. If someone reading this hasn’t used any AI, including large language models, what first steps should they take to familiarize themselves and get comfortable using these new tools?

JK: For someone who’s just getting started, I’d recommend beginning with some YouTube videos or online tutorials. These can offer a good overview of how different AI tools work and introduce you to a variety of platforms in a user-friendly way. Once you’ve gotten the lay of the land, try out the free versions of popular AI tools; see which one fits your workflow or needs the best, and then stick with it long enough to learn it well. At that point, upgrading to a paid version can be worthwhile to unlock premium features and gain access to the most advanced capabilities. That said, not all platforms are equally priced. For instance, the pro version of ChatGPT with access to Sora and other advanced features can cost up to $200 per month, which I wouldn’t recommend for most people. More affordable options like Google Gemini or Claude fall in the $15 to $20 range and offer great value. The key is to start small, experiment and gradually build your comfort level. RS