​

Welcome to Optometry Simplified.

In this biweekly newsletter, I've curated the best resources to help you grow personally and professionally.

My mission is to find what's best for my patients and my practice.

Here's what I've found...

My Favorite Links

• Redefining Primary Care Optometry – John Martinelli lays out a compelling vision for optometry’s role as primary eye care providers. If you’re looking for a fresh take on what comprehensive optometry should look like, this is worth the read. Read here.​
• GLP-1s & Diabetic Retinopathy: What ODs Need to Know – With the rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes and weight loss, we’re seeing increasing reports of their potential impact on diabetic retinopathy. This article breaks down the current evidence and what optometrists should consider. Read here.​
• Getting Back to Gonioscopy – If gonioscopy has taken a back seat in your exam routine, this refresher will sharpen your approach. This is a fantastic breakdown of technique, clinical relevance, and common pitfalls. Read here.​

Journal Articles I'm Applying to Practice

• Omega-3 Blood Levels, Type 1 Diabetes & Retinal Vasculature – This study examines whether omega-3 status impacts retinal microvasculature in Type 1 diabetes using OCTA. While promising, does it actually change clinical decision-making? Read here.​
• Air Pollution & Ocular Disease – Does air pollution contribute to ocular disease beyond dry eye? This study dives into associations between particulate matter exposure and eye health, but remember: correlation isn’t causation. Read here.​
• The Future of Cataract Surgery – Where is cataract surgery headed? This review looks at evolving technologies, including AI-assisted surgery, premium IOL advancements, and surgical innovations that may shift how we co-manage. Read here.​
• Atopic Disease & Astigmatism: Is There a True Link? – Atopic conditions have long been suspected to influence corneal biomechanics, but does that translate to clinically significant astigmatism? This study aims to clarify the debate. Read here.​

Deep Dive

One of the biggest traps in medicine—and one we see repeated in optometric research—is mistaking correlation for causation.

It’s an easy mistake because our brains love to find patterns, but just because two things are linked doesn’t mean one caused the other.

Take, for example, the studies above on air pollution & ocular disease and omega-3 levels in Type 1 diabetes.

They show strong associations, but here’s the problem: observational data can’t account for every variable.

Do people in high-pollution areas have worse ocular health because of pollution, or because of systemic inflammation from other lifestyle factors? Does a higher omega-3 blood level directly protect against retinal changes in diabetes, or is it just a marker of better overall diet and health?

This is why randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remain the gold standard for proving causation.

Observational studies help guide hypotheses and identify trends, but they should never be used to dictate clinical decision-making in isolation.

It’s a point I’ve written about before in my Follow The Science column for The Journal of Medical Optometry—the phrase “follow the science” is only as good as our ability to interpret it correctly.

The takeaway? Read critically. Observe trends, but don’t overreach conclusions.

And when you hear bold claims, always ask: Is this an association, or has causation actually been proven?

What's New at Eyecode Education

Lacrifill Interview with Dr. Aaron Werner – If you're managing dry eye, you should know about Lacrifill.

Dr. Aaron Werner sits down to discuss its clinical applications, patient selection, and how it fits into modern dry eye management with Dr. Jenny Drake. Watch here.​

Can you do me a favor? If you found any of these resources helpful, share this newsletter with one of our colleagues!

See you in 2 weeks!

--Kyle Klute, OD, FAAO

1515 S 152 Avenue Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​