This episode is sponsored by I-MED PHARMA.

I-MED Pharma is a Canadian company specializing in dry eye diagnosis and management since 1989. I-MED Pharma provides innovative ocular surface disease solutions to Canadian optometrists, ophthalmologists, and the global eye care community. The company has a wide variety of dry eye disease products including preservative-free artificial tears, eye masks, omega supplements, lid scrubs, and the E>EYE IRPL device.

In the first episode of this two-part discussion, we talk with I-MED Pharma brand representative Blair about the research and technology behind the E>EYE IRPL device, how it benefits dry eye patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, and how it compares to IPL.

Visit https://imedpharma.com/irpl/ to learn more about the E>EYE IRPL device. Be sure to follow @imedpharma on Instagram to keep up with their latest innovative products!

Dr. Michelle McKenzie is a Canadian optometrist in Bolton, Ontario and owns a VT practice where she offers Syntonic phototherapy. Dr. McKenzie comes on the podcast today to share her knowledge on Syntonics and how our patients can benefit from the balancing effects of phototherapy for visual dysfunctions including strabismus, amblyopia, accommodative and binocular disorders, learning disorders, and post-concussion syndrome.

Resources:

1. Visit the College of Syntonic Optometry to learn more and sign up for the CSO Syntonic Phototherapy Course 101 for 7 hours of COPE-approved CE on May 22nd-23rd here: https://csovision.org/

2. Visit Syntonac International to purchase your syntonic phototherapy equipment: https://www.syntonac.com/

3. In Syntony by Stephan Collier: https://www.amazon.ca/Syntony-Stefan-Collier/dp/3842353030

Dr. Rosalba Ramirez graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2019. Just before graduation, she independently organized a community vision screening for school-aged children in a village in Mexico. We chat with Dr. Ramirez on the challenges and rewards of planning a community vision screening, and her personal experience throughout the process. We hope this episode inspires all of our listeners to give back to their community and organize a way to provide optometric services to the underserved population!

The new grad case reflection series is where we come together to discuss an interesting case we had in our office, and reflect on how we handled it as a new grad optometrist.

In this episode, Deepon shares her experience diagnosing a patient with bilateral panuveitis. We review what clinical signs were found, the unique underlying condition that caused the extensive ocular inflammation, and how she co-managed the patient with ophthalmology.

Resources:

1. Read more about Deepon's interesting case on Modern Optometry: https://modernod.com/articles/2021-mar/a-clinical-case-of-tattoo-associated-uveitis?c4src=article:infinite-scroll

2. Eyes on Eyecare's Uveitis Lab Cheat Sheet: https://eyesoneyecare.com/resources/ordering-uveitis-labs-downloadable-cheat-sheet/

3. Eyes on Eyecare's Uveitis Course: https://eyesoneyecare.com/resources/a-modern-framework-for-uveitis-diagnosis-and-treatment/?utm_source=cc3&utm_medium=resource_recommendations&utm_campaign=ophthalmology_candidate_resource

Dr. Virginia Donati is a Canadian optometrist working in Ontario, with a special interest in binocular vision and vision rehabilitation. She is one of the founders of Vision Therapy Canada and is currently the president of the organization. She shares her knowledge on why patching therapy for amblyopia should be discontinued, and how optometrists can perform a unique method of spectacle prescriptions for amblyopia treatment instead.

Resources:

1. Watch the LDQ lecture that sparked our interest in this topic and learn more details about the prescribing methods used for amblyopic patients here: https://learning.eyex.ca/courses/session-7-refractive-amblyopia-and-fungal-keratitis

2. Join Vision Therapy Canada and be sure to register for the upcoming VTC 2021 conference here: https://www.visiontherapycanada.com/

Spex By Ryan is a unique shop of independent eyewear in Saskatchewan, Canada that challenges conventional thoughts of what an eyewear store should be. We are excited to have a chat with the owner, Ryan, on why more people should choose independent eyewear, and how he made Spex By Ryan stand out from the optical crowd.

Check out Spex By Ryan's website https://www.spexbyryan.com/ and book your next flight to Saskatchewan to get your latest, trendy pair of glasses!

Optometrists and optometry students are high-functioning individuals who may often experience mental fatigue and burnout due to the stressful demands of our careers and personal lives. So we dive deep into a conversation about high-functioning stress with Nikita Sehgal, a licensed psychotherapist. We discuss the signs and symptoms of high-functioning stress, what steps we can take to manage our stress, and how to approach loved ones who may be demonstrating these signs as well.

Be sure to learn more on Nikita's Instagram page @inclusivepsychotherapy and visit her website https://inclusivepsychotherapy.ca/ to schedule a therapy session!

Dr. Alexopoulos completed a Paediatric and Infant Vision Residency at SUNY, and is now an assistant professor at ICO. We have a great conversation with her on how to approach infant exams, and modifying ourselves and our examination techniques to provide care for children with special needs.

Resources:

1. Prescribing for Hyperopia: Quick Tips for New Optometrists - https://eyesoneyecare.com/resources/prescribing-hyperopia-quick-tips-new-optometrists/

2. To prescribe or not to prescribe? Guidelines for spectacle prescribing in infants and children - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1444-0938.2011.00600.x

We have a conversation with Dr. Delaram Shirazian, an assistant clinical professor at the SUNY college of optometry. She is the creator of the Instagram account @humaneyezinghealthcare, where she emphasizes the importance of community care and the doctor-patient relationship. Her IG posts also share snippets from medical humanity research papers that express how the doctor-patient relationship is strongly affected by our communication skills.

Follow Dr. Shirazian on Instagram @humaneyezinghealthcare to learn more about this topic and reflect on your personal communication skills towards your patients.

We're back with another case reflection! Rav shares a case of recurrent anterior uveitis in a 25-year-old male patient. We go over her thought process when diagnosing the underlying condition and how she adjusted the treatment plan throughout the weeks.

Let us know how we're doing on our podcast and what your thoughts are on this episode! Feel free to leave a rating on the podcast app, comment on our IGTV video @foureyesoptom or send us a DM!