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In today’s episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, host Angela Jenkins sits down with Dr. Mila Ioussifova, OD, CNS, FAAO, all about the gut-eye connection when it comes to your health. Together, they discuss Mila’s journey into eye health with a focus on nutrition, what to know about your eye microbiome and how outside factors affect it, and how to figure out what is best for YOU!

Dr. Mila Ioussifova graduated with honors from the New England College of Optometry and completed a residency in community health and ocular disease in Boston, MA. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and serves on the leadership team of its Anterior Segment Section. Dr. Mila has also served as adjunct clinical faculty at Pacific University College of Optometry and as an examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. Dr. Mila owns a private practice in Portland, OR, with special interests in advanced dry eye treatments, nutritional counseling, and aesthetic services.

Welcome to Dry Eye Girlfriend. 

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Resources and References 

• www.eyethrivewellness.com
• @eyedoctormila on Instagram

Show Notes  

0:49 - We introduce today’s special guest, Dr. Mila Ioussifova, and how she got into dry eye

2:49 - Dr. Ioussifova explains her bold statement: Everybody has dry eye until proven otherwise

3:29 - Dr. Mila defines what meibomian glands are and what we do on a daily basis that could affect how they function

9:13 - Dr. Ioussifova discusses what drove her to study and integrate the gut and eye connection into her practice

14:44 - Dr. Mila walks us through the gut-eye connection from a microbiome standpoint with ocular surface disease

18:44 - Angela asks what patients of Dr. Ioussifova notice about working with her vs. what they might have tried before, and they discuss some diet points and tips

26:39 - On breaking through the noise around diets, dieting, and what’s “good for you”

28:05 - Dr. Ioussifova shares how physical activity in your lifestyle affects dry eye

31:52 - Angela asks what type of testing is important for people to understand their microbiome and nutrient absorption, and the nutrition conversation continues

39:28 - Dr. Mila shares what she offers in her practice

45:18 - Angela wraps up the episode!