We were proud to see Derma Cautery featured in Review of Optometry. In the May 2026 article "Expand with Chemical Cautery," Nate Lighthizer, OD, one of the most respected voices in optometric procedural education, made the case that benign eyelid lesion removal belongs in modern optometric practice, and he named Derma Cautery as an example of the training and tools helping optometrists get there. Being recognized in a leading clinical publication, by a clinician of Dr. Lighthizer's standing, is a meaningful milestone for us, and we wanted to share what it means and why we are excited about it.

What Review of Optometry said

The article argues that scope expansion is moving optometry toward a more comprehensive model of medical eye care, and that benign lid lesion removal is one of the lowest-barrier ways for an optometrist to start offering procedural care. Dr. Lighthizer explains that because chemical cautery is topical and requires no injections, it can be performed in most states, completed in minutes, and integrated into a routine visit with minimal disruption. He also notes that patients are grateful when a lesion they have lived with for years can be handled during a regular appointment rather than referred out.

In the section on education and resources, the article points to Derma Cautery directly. In Dr. Lighthizer's words, "One example is Derma Cautery, an optometrist-founded and -led company that provides ready-to-use in-office treatment kits along with both in-person and online training designed specifically for optometrists." The piece adds that the training has received endorsement from the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry. You can read the full article on the Review of Optometry website.

Why this recognition means so much to us

Derma Cautery was built by optometrists, for optometrists, so being recognized in Review of Optometry is validation from exactly the audience we set out to serve. We did not create this to sell a gadget. We created it because too many optometrists were diagnosing benign lid lesions every week and then referring them out, sending both the patient and the opportunity somewhere else. Seeing a publication of this caliber make the same case we have been making, and point to our program as part of the answer, tells us the profession is ready for this shift.

It also matters who made the case. Dr. Lighthizer is a dean and chief of specialty care clinics at the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry and a longtime leader in advanced procedures education. When a clinician and educator of that stature frames benign lesion removal as a practical, teachable, and worthwhile addition to practice, it carries weight that no amount of marketing can match.

What the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry endorsement represents

The article notes that our training has received endorsement from the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry, and that is a point of real pride for us. An academic endorsement is not given lightly. It reflects a review of the clinical content, the protocol, and the way we teach lesion identification, technique, and the judgment to know when to refer instead of treat. For an optometrist evaluating whether to trust a training program, that kind of institutional backing is one of the clearest signals of quality available.

What this means for optometrists considering the procedure

If you have been on the fence about adding in-office lesion removal, we think the Review of Optometry feature is worth reading in full, because it makes the clinical and practical case better than any product page could. The short version is that this is an established technique, it fits inside a normal exam, and the barrier to starting is lower than almost any other specialty service. What has been missing for many optometrists is a structured, endorsed way to learn it and the confidence that comes with that. That is exactly the gap we built Derma Cautery to fill.

If you want the clinical side, our guide to benign eyelid lesions covers the common lesion types and how to tell a benign growth from one that needs a referral. If your first question is whether this pays, our breakdown of whether eyelid lesion removal can be billed to insurance walks through the CPT coding and reimbursement optometrists ask about most. And when you are ready to start, the Complete Derma Cautery Training and Treatment Package is the endorsed, all-in-one way to bring it into your practice.

FAQ (for optometrists)

Was Derma Cautery featured in Review of Optometry?

Yes. Derma Cautery was named in the May 2026 Review of Optometry article "Expand with Chemical Cautery" by Nate Lighthizer, OD, which cited the company as an example of optometrist-focused training and in-office treatment kits for benign eyelid lesion removal.

What is the "Expand with Chemical Cautery" article about?

It makes the case that benign eyelid lesion removal is one of the lowest-barrier procedures optometrists can add, explains why chemical cautery is well suited to it, walks through the clinical approach, and points to the education and resources helping optometrists adopt it.

Who is Nate Lighthizer, OD?

Dr. Lighthizer is the dean and chief of specialty care clinics at the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry and a widely recognized educator in optometric advanced procedures. He authored the Review of Optometry article.

Is Derma Cautery's training endorsed?

Yes. As noted in the Review of Optometry article, the Derma Cautery training has received endorsement from the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry, and it includes clinical instruction along with coding, billing, and workflow guidance.

Where can I read the original Review of Optometry article?

The full article, "Expand with Chemical Cautery," is available on the Review of Optometry website. We link to it throughout this post so you can read Dr. Lighthizer's piece in full.

Does being featured mean chemical cautery is right for my practice?

The feature reflects growing recognition of the procedure, but whether it fits your practice depends on your state scope, your training, and your patient population. Confirm your scope of practice and use appropriate clinical judgment before offering any procedure.

Compliance and clinical note

Optometrists should always confirm current state regulations and payer requirements before performing any in-office surgical or procedural care. Scope of practice varies by state and is subject to change, and it should be verified with the appropriate regulatory authority prior to implementation.