In Focus

Dr. Rupa Wong is joined by Michael Jacobus, founder of Reset Summer Camp—a month-long tech detox program for teens. With over 40 years in youth development, Michael shares insights on screen addiction, the gender differences in gaming vs. social media use, and the importance of sleep, nutrition, and communication.

Key Topics:

1. Understanding Screen Addiction

- Recognizing warning signs

- Impact on mental health

- Differences in addiction patterns

2. Healing Through Structured Intervention

- Creating tech free environments

- Building real-world communication skills

- Developing alternative interests

3. Parental Involvement and Communication

- Setting healthy boundaries

- Modeling responsible tech use

- Creating open dialogue with teens

4. Rebuilding Healthy Relationships

- Encouraging face-to-face interactions

- Developing life skills

- Fostering meaningful connections

Learn more about Michael’s Camp https://www.resetsummercamp.com/

Visit his website michaeljacobus.com

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If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

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Pediatric ophthalmologist and mom of three, Dr. Rupa Wong, reveals her personal strategies for managing screen time—from toddlers to teens. Discover practical, compassionate ways to set healthy digital boundaries without the daily power struggles and help your kids thrive in a screen-filled world.

Key Topics:

1. The Early Years: Screen Time Foundations

- Creating a summer activity checklist

- Establishing clear expectations

- Balancing screen time with creative activities

2. Family Dynamics and Screens

- Strategies for mealtime boundaries

- Engaging alternative activities for restaurants

- Importance of family connection

3. Tech Tools for Screen Management

- Parental control apps and routers

- Screen time request systems

- Evolving with your children

4. Empowering Teens to Self-Manage

- Open conversations about digital habits

- Helping kids understand their screen time

- Supporting independent digital wellness strategies

Resources:

Screen time checklist template (both for reading and pre-literate children) - https://courses.drrupawong.com/screen-time

Blog post with links to restaurant activities and games - https://www.drrupawong.com/blogs/screen-free-fun-games-activities-kids-actually-love

Screen time agreement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (fillable version) - https://courses.drrupawong.com/opt-in-bdd10a04-8e45-474a-bc37-97279ba42e95

List of apps used for screen time management (Eero, Bark, Apple screen time restrictions) - https://www.drrupawong.com/tech-sign-up

Recommended activities and games for children - https://www.drrupawong.com/blogs/screen-free-fun-games-activities-kids-actually-love

Want to receive my newsletter? Join our community of health-conscious parents and all-around eye enthusiasts! https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about Pinnacle at ⁠learnatpinnacle.com

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Dr. Rupa Wong, pediatric ophthalmologist, and Dr. Gabie Izralson, clinical psychologist, unpack the emotional rollercoaster of screen time and its impact on children’s developing brains. Dr. Izralson explains how screens trigger dopamine, fueling instant gratification and even addictive behaviors that can lead to meltdowns during transitions. Together, they share practical, real-world strategies that empower families to manage digital overwhelm and foster healthier relationships with devices.

Key Topics:

1. The Emotional Science of Screens

- Brain chemistry and digital stimulation

- Dopamine triggers and mood swings

- Emotional regulation challenges

2. Screen Time and Mental Health

- Anxiety and digital connection

- Social media's emotional impact

- Recognizing unhealthy digital patterns

3. Family Dynamics and Technology

- Generational technology differences

- Communication breakdowns

- Setting healthy digital boundaries

4. Coping Strategies and Emotional Balance

- Mindful technology use

- Creating tech-free zones

- Developing emotional resilience

Want to receive my newsletter? Join our community of health-conscious parents and all-around eye enthusiasts! https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about Pinnacle at ⁠learnatpinnacle.com

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Dr. Rupa Wong, pediatric ophthalmologist, uncovers the surprising ways screen time shapes children’s eyes, sleep, and brain development. With research-driven insights and practical strategies, she equips parents with the tools to protect their kids’ health and set them up for lifelong success in a digital world.

Key Topics:

1. Screen Time and Vision

- Eye strain signals

- Distance matters

- Protecting young eyes

2. Sleep Disruption Dynamics

- Bedtime screen dangers

- Blue light's hidden effects

- Teenage sleep vulnerability

3. Neurological Development Concerns

- Early childhood brain changes

- Cognitive development risks

- Social-emotional implications

4. Practical Parenting Strategies

- Setting healthy boundaries

- Creating screen time agreements

- Age-appropriate guidelines

Listen to the epsiode about why so many kids are nearsighted!

Want to receive my newsletter? Join our community of health-conscious parents and all-around eye enthusiasts! https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about Pinnacle at ⁠learnatpinnacle.com

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Dr. Rupa Wong, pediatric ophthalmologist, is joined by Dr. Jesse Berry, an internationally recognized expert in pediatric ocular oncology, to discuss retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer in children. This episode dives into how parents and providers can navigate early signs, urgent evaluations, and life-saving interventions in children’s eye cancer care.

Key Topics:

1. The White Reflex Mystery

- When to worry vs. when to wait

- What parents can observe at home

- Simple screening techniques

2. Navigating Childhood Eye Cancer

- Understanding genetic risks

 - Treatment options beyond traditional approaches

- Emotional support for families

3. Advanced Detection Technologies

- Revolutionary diagnostic techniques

- Minimizing invasive procedures

- Future of pediatric eye health

4. Surviving and Thriving

- Long-term follow-up care

- Prosthetic advancements

- Inspiring patient stories of resilience

Follow Dr. Jesse Berry on Instagram @_moda_md

World Eye Cancer Hope website: www.weseehopeorg

Learn more at https://knowtheglow.org/

Want to receive my newsletter? Join our community of health-conscious parents and all-around eye enthusiasts! https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about Pinnacle at ⁠learnatpinnacle.com

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Dr. Rupa Wong, board-certified pediatric ophthalmologist, uncovers the surprising truth about children's nearsightedness and reveals groundbreaking insights into myopia management that every parent needs to know.

Key Topics:

1. The Prescription Progression

- The annual prescription change puzzle

- Why kids' vision seems to get worse every year

- The growing eye phenomenon

2. The truth about glasses

- What traditional lenses really do

- The hidden impact on eye development

- Why parents' suspicions might be right

3. Global Myopia Research

- Cutting-edge technologies from around the world

- How different countries are tackling myopia

- The future of vision correction for children

4. Empowering Parents

- Questions to ask your eye doctor

- Understanding your child's eye health

- Proactive steps for managing nearsightedness

Want to receive my newsletter? Join our community of health-conscious parents and all-around eye enthusiasts! https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about Pinnacle at ⁠learnatpinnacle.com

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Dr. Rupa Wong reveals her personal and professional strategies for preventing childhood nearsightedness, sharing insights from her experience as a pediatric ophthalmologist and mother.

Key Topics:

1. Understanding Myopia Risk

- Family eye health history

- Lifestyle factors affecting vision

- Early detection strategies

2. Prevention Techniques

- Low-dose atropine eye drops

- Outdoor activity recommendations

- Screen time management

3. Scientific Evidence

- Research behind myopia prevention

- Age-appropriate interventions

- Long-term vision protection

4. Practical Parental Guidance

- Questions to ask eye doctors

- Monitoring children's eye health

- Proactive vision care approaches

Want to receive my newsletter? Join our community of health-conscious parents and all-around eye enthusiasts! https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about Pinnacle at ⁠learnatpinnacle.com

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Dr. Shieva Ghofrany joins pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Rupa Wong, to share her raw, honest journey of navigating myopia treatments for her three kids - from the daily battles over contact lenses to the tough parenting decisions that changed everything. This isn't just medical advice; it's a real mom's story about protecting what matters most.

Key Topics:

1. Living Life as a High Myope

- The daily reality of severe nearsightedness most people never understand

- How vision problems affect confidence and everyday activities

- Why prevention becomes so urgent when you know what's coming

2. The Treatment Journey: From Hard Contacts to Eye Drops

- Navigating the world of myopia control options as a confused parent

- The nightly battles and why some treatments are worth the fight

- How technology has evolved to make things easier for families

3. Parenting Through Medical Decisions

- When to make treatments non-negotiable (and how to stick to it)

- Managing pushback from kids who don't understand the stakes

- Balancing medical necessity with normal childhood independence

4. The Knowledge Gap Problem

- Why many parents and doctors still don't know these treatments exist

- How to advocate for your child when professionals seem uninformed

- Finding the right specialists and asking the right questions

Follow Dr. Shieva Ghofrany on Instagram ⁠@drshievag⁠

Check out her website to learn more about Dr. Shieva Ghofrany. h⁠ttps://www.drshievag.com/⁠

Want to receive my newsletter? Join our community of health-conscious parents and all-around eye enthusiasts! https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about Pinnacle at ⁠learnatpinnacle.com

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Dr. Rupa Wong, pediatric ophthalmologist, uncovers the surprising reasons behind the rising trend of nearsightedness in children, why it matters, and what parents need to know to protect their kids' eye health.

Key Topics:

1. The Nearsightedness Epidemic

- Growing concerns among parents

- Increasing rates across different age groups

- Impact on children's vision development

2. Screen Time and Eye Health

- How digital devices affect vision

- The pandemic's unexpected eye health consequences

- Balancing technology use with eye wellness

3. Long-Term Vision Risks

- Beyond just wearing glasses

- Potential future eye health complications

- What parents can do to minimize risks

4. Practical Prevention Strategies

- Simple lifestyle modifications

- Outdoor time and eye health

- Creating healthy screen time habits

Want to receive my newsletter? Join our community of health-conscious parents and all-around eye enthusiasts! https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about Pinnacle at ⁠learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Rupa Wong, pediatric ophthalmologist, is joined by educational therapist, Dr. Dominique Marinello, to discuss when children with reading and learning struggles need educational therapy versus vision therapy. They dive into how to identify learning differences, the importance of executive functioning skills, and why early intervention matters for kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning challenges.

Key Topics:

1. What Educational Therapy Is and Who It Helps

- Educational therapist background and training

- Types of learning differences addressed

- Executive functioning challenges

2. Spotting Learning Differences in Your Child

- Warning signs at home and school

- The iceberg analogy for learning

- Individual differences between children

3. Educational Therapy vs. Tutoring and Vision Therapy

- Academic tutoring and coaching

- Vision therapy myths and limitations

- Skill-building versus content focus

4. Getting Help: When, Where, and What to Expect

- Timing for seeking help

- Finding certified educational therapists

- Supporting your child through the process

Find certified educational therapists by zip code at https://www.aetonline.org/

Learn more about - Dr. Dominique Marinello's practice in Orange County, CA - Reimagine Educational Therapy https://www.edtherapyoc.com/

Want to receive my newsletter? Join our community of health-conscious parents and all-around eye enthusiasts! https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up

If you haven’t already, please rate, review, and follow the podcast to be notified of new episodes every Wednesday. Plus, be sure to follow along on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@drrupawong,⁠⁠⁠⁠ check out Rupa’s YouTube channel Dr. Rupa Wong⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you're interested in becoming a patient, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Honolulu Eye Clinic.

Join the Learn at Pinnacle app ⁠to earn FREE CE Credit for listening to this episode!

This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about Pinnacle at ⁠learnatpinnacle.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices