Vets First Podcast

As one of the three pillars of the VA, research plays a critical role in the treatment of Veterans. This episode starts with a description of research at the VA. Levi and Brandon discuss different achievements that have been accomplished through VA funded research.
We also hear from Dr. Randy Kardon, director of the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss. The Center is one of 14 centers nationwide that are funded by Rehabilitation, Research and Development. Additionally, the Center focuses on a multitude of visual disorders that affect Veterans ranging from glaucoma to light sensitivity after traumatic brain injury as well as migraine.
Dr. Kardon grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and has over 30 years of experience as an ophthalmologist at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, specializing in neuro ophthalmology. He came to the University of Iowa as a freshman in 1972 and was part of the first sponsored Medical Scientist Training Program at the university. Dr. Kardon shares with us his expertise, health issues he focuses on, and how he provides specialized care. Finally, we discuss the goals of the center and how the center hopes to aid Veterans through its research.

Show Notes

As one of the three pillars of the VA, research plays a critical role in the treatment of Veterans. This episode starts with a description of research at the VA. Levi and Brandon discuss different achievements that have been accomplished through VA funded research.  

We also hear from Dr. Randy Kardon, director of the VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss(CPTVL).  The CPTVL is one of 14 centers nationwide that are funded by the Rehabilitation, Research and Development service under the Office of Research and Development within the VA. Additionally, the CPTVL focuses on a multitude of visual disorders that affect Veterans ranging from glaucoma to light sensitivity after traumatic brain injury as well as migraine.

Dr. Kardon was born and raised in Iowa, spending his formative years in Des Moines.  During summers he worked at his father’s auto parts store with aspirations to later attend college. After high school Dr. Kardon came to the University of Iowa on a full scholarship as a freshman with an interest in science.  With the guidance of his mentors, he finished his undergraduate studies in three years and was part of the first sponsored Medical Scientist Training Program to pursue both a PhD and a medical degree. During medical school, Dr. Kardon experienced “love at first sight” with ophthalmology, and the eye as a window into the human body.  His dedication to treating Veterans occurred during his medical school rotations.   

Now with over 30 years of experience as an ophthalmologist at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, Dr. Kardon specializes in neuro-ophthalmology.  Neuro-ophthalmology is a subspecialized part of eye care and ophthalmology dealing with vision problems of unknown cause.  These ophthalmic problems are often connected to problems in different areas of the body like the brain. Dr. Kardon shares with us his expertise, health issues he focuses on, and how he provides specialized care. Finally, we discuss the goals of the center and how the VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss hopes to aid Veterans through its research.

What is Vets First Podcast?

The Vets First podcast is a research-based podcast that focuses on the VA healthcare system and its patients. Instead of being just another research podcast, the Vets First podcast was created with a primary focus on the Veterans and their stories. The hosts, Levi Sowers PhD, and Brandon Rea work to bridge the gap between the state-of-the-art research being performed at Veterans Affairs and the Veterans themselves in an easy-to-understand manner. Importantly, Levi and Brandon want to assist researchers around the country to better understand the needs of Veterans. In this podcast you will hear interviews from Veterans with specific conditions and then hear from VA funded researchers who are studying those very topics as well as other highlighted services the VA provides.

The Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse or officially sanction any entities that may be discussed in this podcast, nor any media, products or services they may provide.