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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. |
When our team launched “Straight From the Cutter’s Mouth: A Retina Podcast” almost a decade ago, the goal was straightforward: to create a space for thoughtful discussion within the retina community with conversations that felt practical, current, unbiased and grounded in real-world clinical experience. What followed has been far more meaningful than we could have anticipated. Having surpassed 750,000 lifetime downloads and released our 500th episode in April 2026, the numbers are certainly gratifying, but they only tell a small part of the story. More than anything, this milestone brings a sense of humility, recognizing how much of this journey has been shaped by colleagues, mentors, trainees and listeners who chose to spend their time engaging with the content. This reflection isn’t meant to be self-promotional; rather, it’s an acknowledgment of a shared retina community effort that extends well beyond any single individual.
Over the years, I’ve occasionally been labeled a “social media expert” or “influencer,” terms that still feel somewhat misplaced and, at times, uncomfortable. Podcasting, while impactful, represents only a narrow slice of a much broader and rapidly evolving digital landscape. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok dominate attention and shape discourse in ways that are difficult to ignore. At the same time, I’ve intentionally maintained some distance from these channels, not out of uninterest, but out of a recognition of their potential for distraction and the subtle ways they could pull my attention away from more deliberate, sustained forms of engagement. I’ve also come to reflect and recognize that podcasting brings me a personal sense of fulfillment that other platforms simply don’t.
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What has stood out most over these 500 episodes is the consistency of the retina community itself. The willingness of individuals to freely give their time to share insights, debate ideas and reflect openly on both successes and challenges has been remarkable. Podcasting has offered a unique vantage point: a way to observe how our field evolves in real time, how new evidence is interpreted and how clinical judgment adapts alongside it. It’s also reinforced something simple but important: There’s no substitute for thoughtful dialogue, and creating space for that democratic discussion is essential for the growth of our field. Even in an era of rapid information exchange, there remains value in slowing down and listening.
This milestone is less about looking back and more about acknowledging what has made the journey possible. To those who’ve listened, whether once or consistently over the years, there’s genuine gratitude. To the retina community, whose engagement has sustained and shaped the podcast, the appreciation is even deeper. And to our team, including Drs. Louie Cai and Justin Ma, thank you—your commitment has ensured we never missed an episode. Looking ahead, the goal remains unchanged: to continue learning, asking questions and building something that reflects the best of our field. RS
