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In this episode of The 20/20 Podcast, Dr. Harbir Sian sits down with MaryAnn Klassen—a respected voice in the industry with over 40 years of experience across contact lenses, retinal care, and dry eye innovation.
At the center of this conversation is the development of the Meivertor, a device designed to simplify upper eyelid eversion and improve the efficiency of dry eye diagnostics. More importantly, this episode highlights how real clinical challenges can lead to meaningful innovation—and how eye care professionals can apply that same mindset within their own practices.
For eye care providers, this discussion offers practical insight into improving workflow, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and empowering teams to deliver better patient outcomes.
Topics Covered
Innovation Starts with a Real Clinical Problem
The creation of the Meivertor did not begin in a lab—it began in a patient chair.
While undergoing a dry eye evaluation, MaryAnn experienced firsthand the difficulty of upper lid eversion during meibography. The technician struggled to:
- Reach around bulky imaging equipment
- Maintain focus on the eye
- Flip the lid effectively using traditional tools
This moment revealed a clear gap in clinical workflow.
Instead of accepting the inefficiency, she asked a simple but powerful question:
“Is there a better way to do this with one hand?”
Within weeks, a prototype was developed using 3D printing, and early feedback from clinicians validated the idea.
From Idea to Execution: Bringing the Meivertor to Life
Turning the Meivertor from an idea into a market-ready device required both clinical validation and strategic execution.
MaryAnn partnered with a mechanical engineer to rapidly prototype the device, followed by testing with experienced clinicians to ensure it worked in real-world settings.
From there, the focus shifted to building a sustainable product:
- Securing patents to protect the Meivertor globally
- Refining the design for comfort, usability, and hygiene
- Creating a solution that integrates seamlessly into clinical workflow
One of the most impactful philosophies shared during this process was:
“One bend in the river at a time.”
This mindset allowed steady progress without becoming overwhelmed by the complexity of product development.
Why the Meivertor Matters: The Importance of Upper Lid Evaluation
A major clinical takeaway from this episode is the importance of upper lid assessment in dry eye management.
Many practices rely primarily on lower lid evaluation as a proxy for meibomian gland dysfunction. However, this approach can miss critical findings that are only visible in the upper lid.
Without consistent upper lid eversion:
- Diagnostic accuracy may be limited
- Treatment decisions may be delayed
- Workflow becomes inefficient when patients must be re-imaged
The Meivertor directly addresses this gap by making upper lid eversion easier, faster, and more accessible for both doctors and technicians.
Conclusion
The story behind the Meivertor is more than just a product—it’s a blueprint for innovation in eye care.
MaryAnn Klassen’s journey highlights how identifying a simple clinical inefficiency can lead to meaningful change when paired with persistence and strategic execution. For eye care professionals, the lessons are clear:
- Pay attention to workflow challenges
- Be open to new tools that improve efficiency
- Invest in your team to support adoption
Most importantly, this episode reinforces a critical clinical principle:
Comprehensive care requires comprehensive evaluation—and the Meivertor makes it easier to see what matters most.
