In Episode 46 of the Depth Perception Podcast, hosts Svetlana Nunez, Dr. Nadia Afkhami, Dr. Jasdeep Singh, and Douglas Akidi answer listener voice notes about NBEO Part 2, TMod, whether optometry is “worth it”, and how genetics, blood pressure, and diabetes impact ocular health.

One of the strongest messages from the episode was simple:

Dr. Singh agrees that success on Part 2 requires immersion in cases, not just memorization. Real-life patient encounters during rotations reinforce learning in ways textbooks alone cannot. For students who may not have frequent clinic access, case-based question banks such as OptoPrep, KMK’s updated casebook, or Castillo’s review text were highlighted as essential tools.

Equally valuable is the Wills Eye Manual, described as “the Bible” by the hosts. The manual, particularly when paired with its mobile app, provides quick access to conditions, management protocols, and differential diagnoses. Using Wills Eye alongside cases helps students simulate the exact decision-making process required on the exam.

Passing the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMod) section often requires a different approach. The hosts recommended drilling therapy content systematically:

Dr. Nadia Afkhami emphasized breaking down topics into differentials and writing out why one diagnosis is favored over another. This practice not only cements reasoning but mirrors the way exam graders review written responses.

Several tips focused on active recall as a way to boost retention:

This method forces students to actively test themselves, ensuring that recall—not recognition—guides learning.

Preparing for boards is mentally exhausting, and the hosts did not shy away from acknowledging the toll. Svetlana Nunez shared how her mental health declined significantly during optometry school, and how recovery and rediscovery took effort even after graduation. She stressed the importance of transparency with future students about the realities of the profession: the debt, the sacrifices, and the mental strain. Dr. Afkhami reminds listeners:

The panel encouraged students to build a support system, pace themselves with consistent study habits, and recognize that exams measure resilience and reasoning under stress—not overall intelligence or professional potential.

One of the listener questions asked if the panel would still recommend pursuing optometry, given board pass rates, tuition costs, and workload compared with medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy. The responses varied but shared a common thread:

While challenges exist, most agreed that optometry remains worth it for those passionate about the profession. As Dr. Singh noted, the discipline and problem-solving skills developed in school extend far beyond clinical care—they prepare graduates for lifelong adaptability.

The episode also shifted to how systemic disease intersects with eye care. Hypertension and diabetes frequently leave telltale signs in the retina, sometimes before patients realize they have a systemic issue. Examples included:

The hosts highlighted the importance of asking the right questions, reviewing A1c and BP values, and reinforcing that lifestyle changes—diet, exercise, glucose monitoring—affect vision as much as general health. Dr. Akidi summarized it well: