Once you hit 40, it’s not just your joints and energy levels that change—your eyes do too. But ageing eyes don’t mean giving up clear, comfortable vision. In this episode, Dr Valarie Jerome breaks down how your eyes evolve with age and what you can actually do to keep them sharp, hydrated, and youthful for years to come.

You’ll learn:

• What happens to our eyes as we age
• The truth about varifocals vs bifocals
• Contact lenses for the over-40s
• How to tackle dry eye and blepharitis
• Nutrition that supports healthy vision
• The best eyelid hygiene tips (spoiler: skip the baby shampoo)

From stylish lens options to the right supplements and blink exercises, Dr Valarie’s giving you real, no-hype advice that makes sense - because your eyes matter, and so do you.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome via Instagram⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome⁠/⁠

This podcast is recorded and edited by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk

In this week's episode Dr. Valarie Jerome tackles 7 common misconceptions about contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, have considered wearing them or have ever been put off wearing them then this is the episode for you.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome via Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome⁠/⁠

This podcast was recorded and produced by ⁠creativecontentstudio.co.uk

In this episode of Eye Got You, Dr Valarie Jerome welcomes fellow UK optometrist and Medical Science Liaison Luke McRoy-Jones to talk all things myopia control lenses - specifically the groundbreaking Stellest lenses from EssilorLuxottica.

If your child is short-sighted (or you’re short-sighted yourself), this episode is essential listening. You’ll learn what makes myopia more than just a glasses issue, why slowing eye growth is key to long-term eye health, and how innovative lens technology is helping kids maintain stable vision over time.

They cover:

• What causes myopia and why it’s on the rise
• The long-term risks of high myopia (like retinal detachment and glaucoma)
• Lifestyle habits that help slow progression
• How Stellest lenses work and what makes them different
• The research behind myopia control glasses
• What parents need to know before investing in myopia management

Dr. Valarie also shares her own clinical experience using Stellest lenses since 2019 and why she recommends them in her Newbury practice.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome
Learn more about Dr Valarie’s work, community outreach, and professional services at ⁠drvalariejerome.com⁠.

Instagram
⁠https://www.instagram.com/vjoptometrists/⁠
⁠https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome⁠/

This podcast was recorded and produced by creativecontentstudio.co.uk

Short-sightedness (myopia) in children is on the rise—and it’s showing up earlier, progressing faster, and carrying long-term risks that go far beyond needing glasses. In this episode of Eye Got You, Dr Valarie Jerome dives into what myopia really is, why it matters, and what parents can do to help protect their children’s future vision. From special contact lenses and eye drops to outdoor time and screen-time limits, Val walks you through the most up-to-date, science-backed ways to slow myopia down.

You’ll learn:

* The warning signs of myopia in kids

* Lifestyle factors that increase risk

* Why just giving your child glasses isn’t enough

* What “myopia control” means and how it works

* Treatment options: contact lenses, atropine drops, and custom-designed glasses

* The importance of early intervention

Whether your child is already short-sighted or you just want to reduce their risk, this episode gives you the knowledge—and the reassurance—you need to make confident choices.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome

Learn more about Dr Valarie’s work, community outreach, and professional services at ⁠drvalariejerome.com⁠.

Instagram⁠https://www.instagram.com/vjoptometrists/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome⁠/

This podcast was recorded and produced by creativecontentstudio.co.uk

In this episode of Eye Got You, Dr Valarie Jerome is joined by senior counsellor and therapist Louise Halling—host of BBC Four’s Walk Like a Duck—to explore how chronic stress impacts our eye health, mental health and overall wellbeing. From twitching eyelids and dry eyes to deeper inflammation, Dr Val and Louise unpack the physical toll of stress on the body, including lesser-known signs and symptoms you might be missing.

Together they cover:

- Fight, flight, freeze and fawn stress responses

- Eye issues linked to cortisol and inflammation

- Red flags that your stress is affecting your body

- How screen time impacts mental and eye health

- Realistic, accessible stress management tips

- Why even 5 minutes of sunlight can help

This is a calming, compassionate conversation about how to listen to your body, set boundaries with screens and people, and protect your mental and visual health—even when life is stressful. If your eyes (or brain) feel tired, this one’s for you.

Find out more about Louise and her work at https://www.louisehalling.com/

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome

Learn more about Dr Valarie’s work, community outreach, and professional services at ⁠https://www.drvalariejerome.com/⁠.

Instagram

⁠https://www.instagram.com/vjoptometrists/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome⁠/

This podcast was recorded and produced by https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

Think you don’t need an eye exam because you can see just fine? Think again.

In this debut episode of Eye Got You, host Dr. Valarie Jerome breaks down why routine eye examinations are about so much more than updating your glasses prescription. Based in Newbury, UK, Dr Valarie—an optometrist recognized in the Top 100 UK Female Entrepreneurs 2021 and founder of Valarie Jerome Optometrists—walks you step by step through a typical exam. You’ll get the lowdown on everything from the dreaded air‑puff test and visual acuity charts to dilation drops and retina scans.

Discover how eye exams can reveal early signs of serious conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and even brain tumors—often before you notice any symptoms. Plus, learn what to expect when you walk into your local optician’s: paperwork, medical history questions, dry‑eye checks, eye‑muscle tests, slit‑lamp exams, pupil dilation, and more.

Dr Valarie also shares her “red flag” warning signs—like sudden vision loss, flashes or floaters, painful red eyes, or a veil over your vision—that require urgent attention. Whether you're a lifelong glasses wearer or you’ve never had an eye test, this episode is packed with real‑world advice, practical tips, and reassurance. No jargon, no hype—just honest, caring insight because your eyes matter, and so do you.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome

Learn more about Dr Valarie’s work, community outreach, and professional services at drvalariejerome.com.

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/vjoptometrists/

https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome/

This podcast was recorded and prodcued by https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk

Snoring might seem harmless (or just annoying for your partner), but it could be a red flag for something far more serious: obstructive sleep apnoea. In this episode of Eye Got You, Dr. Valarie Jerome explains how sleep apnoea doesn’t just impact your energy—it can also put your eyes at serious risk.

From increased pressure on the optic nerve to a greater chance of developing glaucoma, sleep apnoea can quietly damage your vision over time. Dr. Val covers who's most at risk, how to spot the symptoms, and why early diagnosis matters. You'll also hear about the role of CPAP therapy and why consistent treatment is vital for protecting both your sight and your overall health.

If you snore, feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, or have a family history of sleep disorders, this episode is one to bookmark.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome

Learn more about Dr Valarie’s work, community outreach, and professional services at ⁠drvalariejerome.com⁠.

Instagram

⁠https://www.instagram.com/vjoptometrists/⁠
⁠https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome⁠/

This podcast was recorded and produced by creativecontentstudio.co.uk

Sleep and sight—more connected than you think. In this very first episode of Eye Got You, Dr. Valarie Jerome uncovers how poor sleep, screen time, and even snoring can affect your eye health. From dry, red, and puffy eyes to more serious conditions like glaucoma and optic nerve damage, Dr. Val walks you through the science of shut-eye and how your eyes can often be the first part of the body to signal something's off.

You’ll learn about sleep disorders like sleep apnea, nocturnal lagophthalmos (sleeping with your eyes slightly open), and even how insomnia or night shifts can wreak havoc on your tear film. Plus, get simple, practical tips you can use tonight to protect your vision—from warm compresses and hydration to blue light reduction and the 20-20-20 rule.

If your eyes feel tired in the morning or you're constantly reaching for eye drops, this one’s for you.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome

Learn more about Dr Valarie’s work, community outreach, and professional services at ⁠drvalariejerome.com⁠.

Instagram
⁠https://www.instagram.com/vjoptometrists/⁠
⁠https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome⁠/

This podcast was recorded and produced by creativecontentstudio.co.uk