In this episode of The 20/20 Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Meenal Agarwal, a multi-practice owner, speaker, podcast host, and now author of the upcoming book Stuck in a Flat World. But more than her resume, this conversation is about perspective.

We go deep into something many of us have noticed in clinic but haven’t fully connected the dots on… why patients (especially kids) are changing. Less eye contact. More anxiety. Avoidance of driving. Difficulty engaging socially. We’ve blamed screens for years… but Meenal takes it further.

She introduces the concept of Spatial Awareness Processing Disorder (SAPD), a framework connecting excessive screen use to changes in how the brain processes space, fear, and human interaction. It’s a powerful lens that links optometry to broader neurological and mental health conversations.

But this episode isn’t just clinical… it’s personal.

Meenal opens up about:

• The drive (and trap) of constantly chasing growth
• Burnout and the search for fulfillment beyond business
• Rejection early in her speaking and podcast journey
• Being told she “wasn’t the right fit”—and pushing forward anyway
• A recent experience with online criticism and how the profession rallied behind her

This is a conversation about identity, resilience, and what it really means to show up—not just as an optometrist, but as a human being.

If you’ve ever questioned your direction, your value, or your voice in this profession… this one’s for you.

Key Moments

• Introducing SAPD – Connecting screen use, spatial awareness, and rising anxiety in patients
• Why behavior is changing – Kids avoiding driving, social interaction, and eye contact
• The “Costco effect” – Understanding sensory overload and spatial processing challenges
• From growth to burnout – Building multiple practices and realizing it wasn’t fulfilling
• Pushing through rejection – Starting a podcast and speaking career despite being told “no”

Memorable Quotes

“You can blame everybody else, but you need to believe in yourself.”

“If we feel our profession isn’t worthy, what are others going to think of us?”

“Don’t focus on the people who weren’t there. Be grateful for the ones who were.”

bout Dr. Meenal Agarwal

Dr. Meenal Agarwal is a Toronto-based optometrist, entrepreneur, and thought leader in modern eye care. She owns three practices, hosts the Uncover Your Eyes podcast, and is the author of the upcoming book Stuck in a Flat World, exploring the connection between screen use, brain function, and spatial awareness.

She is passionate about expanding the role of optometry within healthcare and advocating for a more holistic understanding of vision.

What You’ll Learn

• A new framework for understanding behavioral changes in patients
• The neurological link between vision, space, and anxiety
• Practical ways to support kids struggling with spatial processing
• How to push through rejection and build something meaningful
• Why communication and vulnerability matter in our profession

Connect with Dr. Meenal Agarwal

• Instagram: @drmeenalagarwal
• Podcast: Uncover Your Eyes
• Newsletter: Available via Instagram link in bio
• Book Waitlist: https://www.drmeenal.com/book-waitlist-entry

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