Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Anith Pillai, who shares his journey from engineering to becoming a successful optometrist and practice owner. They discuss the importance of mentorship, the challenges of starting a private practice, and the rewarding experiences of patient interactions, particularly in specialty eye care. Dr. Pillai emphasizes the need for passion in the profession and the importance of supporting the optometric community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Dr. Anith Pillai

03:17 Journey to Optometry: From Engineering to Eye Care

08:26 Discovering Passion: The Love for Patient Interaction

12:10 Mentorship and Professional Growth in Optometry

15:29 Early Career Experiences and the Path to Private Practice

20:41 Navigating Challenges: COVID-19 and Business Growth

22:25 Specialization in Optometry: Finding Your Niche

26:50 The Journey to Specialization

32:43 Challenges of Starting a Private Practice

39:20 Transformative Patient Interactions

45:03 Future Aspirations and Mentorship

47:48 Final Thoughts and Community Support

Takeaways

• Dr. Pillai emphasizes the importance of juggling personal and professional life, especially with a newborn.
• His journey to optometry was influenced by a passion for patient interaction rather than just numbers and engineering.
• Mentorship played a crucial role in shaping his career and perspective on supporting the profession.
• Building a multi-location specialty practice requires dedication and a clear vision.
• The early years of private practice were challenging, with financial struggles and uncertainty.
• Dr. Pillai highlights the significance of impactful patient interactions, especially with children in ortho-K.
• He encourages optometrists to reach out for mentorship and support within the community.
• The journey to success in private practice can take time, and it's important to be patient and persistent.
• Dr. Pillai advocates for supporting optometric associations to protect the profession's privileges.
• He expresses a desire to educate others about specialty eye care and to remain accessible to colleagues.