Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, was involved early in the development of scleral lenses and is now considered a legend in specialty contact lens fitting. In fact, she was one of the authors to publish the first contemporary scleral lens textbook in 2017. She also spent four years in an ophthalmology practice, where she became certified in California to treat glaucoma. Currently, she serves as the Director of Optometry at UC Davis in Northern California. She believes every optometrist should get involved with their local and state optometry associations. Today, she is clearly passionate about discussing keratoconus with colleagues and patients on her Clearly KC podcast. After authoring 300+ publications and delivering numerous lectures, Dr. Barnett is honored that she is now able to advocate for colleagues, diversity and the industry, which resonates well with her personal why: “To elevate others through the power of connection.”

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Viola Kanevsky, OD, was born in the former Soviet Union, but after a family “adventure” they settled down in New York City when she was a child. Like most optometrists, she worked in several modes of practice early on, but today, she owns a specialty pediatrics practice in Manhattan. She loves seeing children and considers it “play time” rather than an exam. Her advice for working with kids is to think outside of the box, be patient, and follow their lead. She shares her tips on how to fit infants and small children with specialty contact lenses (psst... The secret is keeping the parent calm). Her practice does not take vision plans or medical plans (other than Medicare) because she wants to be able to prescribe what is best for each patient. She also discusses her family’s passion project called “The Ship of Tolerance.” You may have seen her witty posts and comments as a group expert in ODs on Facebook, but now it’s time to get to know Dr. Viola Kanevsky better.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

While optometry school was a last-minute decision for her, Dr. Julie Rodman knows it was the best decision she ever made. During her residency at the VA, she discovered her passion for working with students and watching them grow. Today, as a professor at Nova Southeastern University, she teaches the retina course and serves as the Chief of the Broward Eye Care Institute, exposing her students to a wide variety of pathologies in the real world. She also spent several years as the residency education coordinator and now runs a resident case report contest for the Optometric Retina Society. Her early introduction to OCT supercharged her passion for retina, so much so that she wrote a book about OCT-Angiography in 2019. Currently, she is working on two studies focused on geographic atrophy and diabetic retinopathy. 

Key Moments:

1:37 Dr. Julie Rodman’s path to optometry

3:38 From residency to academia

4:57 Teaching retina and running the clinic

6:55 The ‘sexiness’ of retina

9:30 Dr. Rodman’s research in retina

11:05 Why she loves optometry

13:59 A shout out to the power of OCT-A

18:38 The role of optometry

21:52 Residency programs

25:28 Dr. Allen’s learnings from his own residency

30:10 Dr. Rodman’s two current studies in geographic atrophy and diabetic retinopathy

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Sherrol Reynolds has three key passions: diversity and representation, mentorship, and high-quality eye health care. This has led her to become a strong voice in optometry focused on advocating for the profession’s role in overall healthcare with a goal of increasing communication and collaboration between optometrists and other members of their patients’ healthcare team. She has won numerous awards and held several key leadership positions for the National Optometric Association, Optometric Retina Society, the National Eye Institute, Prevent Blindness, and the Florida Optometric Society. As a leader in diabetes and diabetic retinopathy education, she is changing the narrative for patients with diabetes and their healthcare providers so that no one unnecessarily loses their vision due to diabetes like her aunt did. Ultimately, she wants every human to have access to high-quality healthcare. 

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Joshua Davidson has a clear passion for eye care and his patients as an optometrist, which has led him to help solve their problems through innovation and product development. He has become a national expert on Dry Eye Disease and specialty contact lenses. While seeing 30-50 dry eye patients a day and discussing the importance of drinking water, he realized there was a hole in the market. He pulled together a few doctors to formulate a drink mix specifically to help dry eye patients. He discusses the entrepreneurial journey with Dr. Joseph Allen and shares the lessons he learned along the way … from idea to product development to bringing it to market. 

Learn more about the Dry Eye Drink here: https://dryeyedrink.com/ 

Key Moments 

1:59 How Dr. Davidson got into optometry 

3:56 Where/how Dr. Davidson practices optometry today 

5:29 His path to focusing on specialty lenses 

8:07 The origins and development of the Dry Eye Drink 

12:52 Collaborating with five doctors on product development 

14:15 Bringing a new product to market 20:40 Flavor preferences. Does orange Dry Eye Drink taste like Tang? 

22:22 Adding a night-time version to Dry Eye Drink 

24:44 The research behind melatonin 

28:22 The importance of having a mentor as an entrepreneur 

30:25 The need for front-line doctors to create products that improve patients’ lives 

33:30 Where the best ideas come from 35:49 Future research on the Dry Eye Drink 

37:10 Thoughts on uniform licensing nationally

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

After getting her first pair of glasses at age 12 and seeing the individual leaves on trees for the first time, Pam knew she’d be an optometrist. As an adult, she struggled with her own dry eyes, which led her to focus on helping others alleviate their symptoms. Today, Dr. Pam Theriot advocates for 4 simple steps for a daily hygiene routine: Hydrate, Harmonize, Heat, Heal. Listen in to hear how Dr. Theriot is sharing her knowledge with the masses through her clinic, her book and now the metaverse: https://theomniverse.city/dry-eye-metaverse/

Learn more about Dr. Pam Theriot

Find her book "Alleviate Dry Eye"  

Key Moments 

0:48 Dr. Allen introduces Dr. Pam Theriot 

2:05 How Dr. Theriot found optometry 

3:17 Moving around as a military spouse 

5:38 Creating a dry eye clinic 

8:43 The path to self-publishing 

13:48 Preparing patients prior to initial consultation 

14:40 post-appointment follow-up communication 

16:43 Dr. Theriot’s 4 simple steps for daily eye hygiene 

18:11 Recommending nutritional supplements with Omega fatty acids 

20:57 Dry eye technology and treatments 

23:03 The future dry eye treatments 

25:48 The first dry eye clinic in the Metaverse 

33:07 Eye care should be part of your daily health care

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

When it comes to overcoming obstacles, Dr. Cecelia Koetting likes to tackle them head on. In her mid-thirties while training for a marathon, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer right before the world shut down for COVID. Luckily, her attitude has always been to never ask “why me?” but to find a path forward and roll with it. Her experience battling cancer led her to try to connect with each patient on a more human level. As for optometry and patient care, if Dr. Cecelia Koetting doesn’t have an answer to a question, she dives in to figure it out. This often leads to the creation of her CE lectures, including those on hormone replacement therapy and limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). This has also led to her current pursuit of a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistics which she hopes will allow her to find opportunities to further improve the profession of optometry.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Michael Cymbor, OD, FAAO, radiates with a passion for optometry, especially when it comes to the connection between exercise, muscle mass, and ocular health. He discusses the research and how different types and intensities of exercise should be considered for different conditions. He knows each patient will have a different reaction to “you should exercise more,” so he makes sure to meet them where they are regarding their exercise routine. Dr. Cymbor truly enjoys mentoring optometry students, as well as tapping into his creative side, which led to the creation of hid video: “Night of the Living DEModex.” 

 

Key Moments: 

2:49 Dr. Cymbor’s path to a career in optometry 

5:13 What brought Dr. Cymbor to State College, PA (“Happy Valley” … home of Penn State University) 

6:20 The story behind his video: “The Night of the Living Demodex” 

11:46 Dr. Cymbor’s passion for glaucoma care and how it led to The Glaucoma Institute in partnership with his ophthalmologist partner 

14:55 The types of optometrists who gravitate towards a glaucoma specialty 

19:09 Current views on glaucoma research 

21:08 Dry eye and ocular surface disease 

27:30 Finding your sense of purpose 

30:00 The value and importance of mentorship 

33:10 Exercise and ocular health 

38:09 How muscle mass impacts blood sugar levels 

41:29 Exercise and eye pressure as it relates to glaucoma 

44:05 Research into exercise and stress management 

48:10 “Meeting patients where they are” regarding exercise 

51:55 The Pickleball effect 

54:00 The importance of earlier intervention to improve outcomes

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Jeffry Gerson always knew he wanted to be in the medical field, but having an aversion to blood and finding a positive role model led him to pursue optometry. Today, he practices at a collaborative OD/MD practice and is a prolific lecturer and writer who enjoys encouraging young people to explore optometry. He also partners with industry to help advise on new products and technologies, treatment protocols, and patient care. Over the years, he has developed a clear passion for the retina, especially caring for patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. When it comes to patient education, Dr. Gerson is most excited about finding disease early so that he can start the conversation with his patients to put them on the right path. He and his wife also prioritize volunteering and giving back to their community, from going on missions and providing free eye exams to co-chairing a charity event that focuses on helping people with addiction.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own optometry private practice, developing a niche, inventing a new product, or giving back to the community, then take some time to be inspired by Dr. Janelle Davison’s story. Like many others, she found her path to optometry by speaking to her own optometrist then finding a mentor who was doing everything she wanted for her own life – owning a practice, growing a family, teaching, and loving life as a doctor. In 2010, She cold opened her own practice in Georgia and has never looked back. She and her business partner, who is also her husband, invented PARADEYEM software to help ODs take control of optical revenue, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. Today, Dr. Davison is known as the “Dry Eye Mentor” and enjoys customizing treatment plans for each patient by listening to their needs and addressing their goals.  As a natural extension to treating dry eye disease and based on a suggestion from a patient, Dr. Davison has evolved her clinic to provide full-service ocular aesthetics with an in-office spa. Finally, her true passion is mentoring high school students. She and her sister (a dentist) created S.C.O.R.E. INC. to “pay it forward” and encourage minority high school students to pursue careers in dentistry, optometry, or ophthalmology, as less than 6% of doctors in the US are African American or Hispanic American.

 

Discover more about Dr. Janelle Davison and her passions:

https://brillianteyesvisioncenter.com/

https://dryeyeinstituteofga.com/

https://thedryeyementor.com/

https://wescore.org/

https://paradeyem.com/

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Torn between math and medicine as an undergrad, Shalu Pal shadowed 10 different types of doctors to figure out which one was truly happy but didn’t find the joy she was seeking. Then, she walked into her optometrist’s office and heard laughter coming from patients, staff and doctor. At that point, she knew she had found her path forward. After optometry school in Southern California, Dr. Shalu Pal first specialized in specialty lenses at her residency in Oklahoma, which led to expanding her interests to dry eye disease, ocular aesthetics, and myopia management. Today, she focuses on her “why” of happiness as the owner of a thriving practice in Toronto, Canada, by fostering a warm, joyous environment for her staff and patients. Discover her strategies for building a robust clinic with the best doctors in each specialty focused on improving the lives of their patients. The doctors dive into current treatments for mastering myopia management as well as upcoming technologies in the pipeline. Dr. Pal also enjoys sharing her love for optometry with students, new grads and her colleagues through lecturing and co-editing the Mastering Myopia newsletter. 

 

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Parres Wright, OD, FAAO 

Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO, Diplo ABO (aka DoctorEyeHealth)

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO, is an international optometric educator with over 2000 lectures given to date. For 22 years, he has been with the same practice, where he’s now one of the partners. He shares with Dr. Joseph Allen how he entered the speaking world by developing dry eye and contact lenses CE courses for opticians. His keys to success include putting in the hard work to truly master the content and a commitment to getting raw, honest feedback and taking it to heart to improve. Working with industry partners, he’s had the opportunity to conduct research and consult on cutting-edge innovations in eye care, making him a better clinician as a result. Personally, he finds immense strength in his partnership with his wife, as they’ve grown together over the years to support each other’s professional pursuits. His current passion is his work on Optometric Insights with Dr. David Kading to help educate and inspire students to greater career enjoyment and success. Lastly, he implores all optometrists to be dues-paying members of their national and state optometric associations to create an even more powerful and unified profession.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

For more information about Optometry Giving Sight, visit: https://givingsight.org/

Key Moments:

2:41 Dr. Alan Glazier’s background story

4:30 The launch of a “little group” called ODs on Facebook

7:12 Blazing your own trail in optometry

9:38 Managing the largest online community of optometrists

11:15 Being mission led with ODs on Facebook

12:10 Giving back with Optometry Giving Sight

15:33 Expanding on ODs on Facebook to fill unmet needs  

17:39 Presbyopia research  

29:12 Protecting your ideas with patents

34:58 Accepting how each OD choices to practice

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Brianna Rhue, co-founder of Dr. Contact Lens
Dr. Joseph Allen, also known as Doctor Eye Health
Key Moments:
1:40 – Brianna Rhue’s backstory
3:39 – Her private practice journey from associate to “soul” ownership
7:58 – The genesis of Dr. Contact Lens
12:15 – The Dr. Contact Lens patient experience
14:37 – Building a technology company and driving change
20:12 – The value of investing in yourself, your team and your practice
22:55 – Learning from other industries and treating the patient also as a consumer
31:48 – The biggest fear and hope for the future of optometry

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Melissa Trego is a clinician, researcher, educator, and administrator who earned an OD as well as a PhD in cellular and molecular biology. As the Dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University and past president of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), she discusses some of the opportunities and challenges the world of academic optometry faces today. Dean Trego’s passion for optometric education is palpable and her main goal is to ensure her faculty and students have everything they need to succeed. She is truly inspired by the expansive breadth and depth of optometry and dedicated to bringing more students into the profession. Finally, she and Dr. Joseph Allen ( @DoctorEyeHealth ) touch on the future of AI and technology in optometry.Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media. For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/ Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, has practiced for nearly 30 years at Charles Retina Institute in Tennessee and Mississippi. He loves being about to closely co-manage his patients alongside his Retina Specialist MD colleagues, including his own son who recently joined that practice. Dr. Rafieetary has always been on the cutting edge of innovations in retina and is excited to see how advanced imaging and AI will continue to impact the future of patient care. The doctors discuss the challenges of caring for patients with diabetes and the new tools and treatments on the horizon. Most importantly, Dr. Rafieetary is passionate about giving back to optometry - whether that be lecturing, mentoring, working with industry, sitting on Boards, or serving as president of the Optometric Retina Society. He encourages more optometrists to “feed and care for the tree,” so that we can all benefit from the fruits of our labor.Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media. For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/ Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Hardeep Kataria

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

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The combination of a summer gig working for a local optometrist and a family history with eye disease led Tim Earley to pursue a career in optometry. He married a fellow PCO optometry student and moved to Ohio to build their family and a successful private practice career centered around a strong commitment to his community. Dr. Earley is now an accomplished and passionate lecturer and educator, as well as the director of the Bright Eyedeas Vision Clinic offering free eye exams and eyeglasses to people in need. Dr. Allen and Dr. Earley discuss the realities of decision making in clinic and the challenges/rewards of finding solutions for patients. Dr. Earley also discusses the importance of having a strong exit plan in place, as he recently went from practice owner to employee after extensively researching and finding the right private equity partner for his practice. Finally, he discusses his passion for diagnosing, managing and treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy; and how he now enjoys sharing his knowledge with his fellow optometrists.Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media. For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/ Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO

Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO, Diplo ABO

FluoreSCENE Media

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

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Dr. Nathan Lighthizer is an Associate Dean & Professor at the Oklahoma School of Optometry and a founding member of the Intrepid Eye Society. He is a top-notch lecturer who has a passion for diagnosing and treating ocular disease and performing advanced ophthalmic and laser procedures. He is also an advocate for scope expansion as part of the future of optometry, which leads to the discussion around how politics doesn’t always follow logic. Get inspired to get involved. Listen in as Dr. Joseph Allen ( @DoctorEyeHealth ) sits down with Dr. Lighthizer on this episode of Eye Give a Damn! Nathan Lighthizer, OD, FAAO Born and raised in Bismarck, ND, Nate Lighthizer, OD, FAAO, is a graduate of Pacific University College of Optometry. Upon graduation, he completed a residency in Family Practice Optometry with an emphasis in Ocular Disease through Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. Dr. Lighthizer has since joined the faculty at the Oklahoma College of Optometry and serves as the Chief of Specialty Care Clinics and the Chief of Electrodiagnostics Clinic. In 2014, he founded and now heads the Dry Eye Clinic at the College of Optometry. Also in 2014, he was named the Director of Continuing Education as well as the Assistant Dean for Clinical Care Services at the Oklahoma College of Optometry. He is a founding member, and currently serves as Vice President, of the Intrepid Eye Society which is a group of emerging thought leaders in optometry. He was named a member of PCON 250—a list of the top 250 optometrists in the country who practice progressively, provide innovative patient care, conduct optometric research or excel in academia and share what they have learned with other optometrists to advance the profession. Dr. Lighthizer lectures nationally on numerous topics, most notably advanced ophthalmic procedures, electrodiagnostics, and ocular disease.Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media. For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/ Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Dorothy Hitchmoth

Dr. Joseph Allen

FluoreSCENE Media

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Joseph Allen

Dr. Harbir Sian

FluoreSCENE Media

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

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Dr. Cory Lappin knew as an optometry student that he found his passion for dry eye, cornea and anterior segment disease as his fellow students commonly complained about symptoms of dry eye. After completing his residency at Cincinnati Eye Institute, he was fortunate to join Phoenix Eye Care and Dry Eye Center of Arizona, where he was mentored by the legendary Dr. Art Epstein. Since publishing the Ultimate Guide to Dry Eye, Dr. Lappin has continued to pursue his passion for writing and educating, putting an emphasis on scientific literacy. Dr. Lappin’s passion for the advances in ocular surface disease diagnosis and treatment is contagious.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Elsa Sheerer 

Dr. Joseph Allen

FluoreSCENE Media

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Jessica Steen

Doctor Eye Health

FluoreSCENE Media

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

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Amanda Legge, OD

Doctor Eye Health

FluoreSCENE Media

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

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Vittorio Mena O.D., M.S. is the sports vision director at Optical Academy in Clifton, NJ. He graduated from Seton Hall University with both a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Microbiology. He received his professional degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in 2014. He is professionally licensed in both life/variable annuity insurance and investments. He holds his 2-14, Series 6, and Series 63 financial licenses. 

https://odsonfb.com/user/vittorio-mena/

https://optical-academy.com/

Eye Give a Damn! Hosted by Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO, Diplo ABO 

Dr. Joseph Allen may be most well known as @DoctorEyeHealth on YouTube where he shares tips and education about eyes and vision for the general public. Now, with his Eye Give a Damn! Podcast series, Dr. Allen goes in depth with his colleagues to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing optometry. From finances, private equity and insurance headaches to specialty lenses and the frontlines of scope expansion, hear from leading optometrists and industry friends. They sit down with Dr. Allen to share their personal journeys in eye care, expertise and passions. Discover why so many of us give a damn about the future of optometry and the variety of ways we can drive our industry forward!

https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

 https://www.vancethompsonvision.com/doctors/brooke-messer

https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

www.optometrywealth.com

www.doctoreyehealth.com

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Jeff Varanelli, OD, FAAO, Dipl. AAO, ABO, ABCMO

From his early days in laser surgery to working with an ophthalmologist, Dr. Varanelli found his passion for the anterior segment to help his patients improve their overall eye health. For more than a decade, Dr. Varanelli has been an enthusiastic educator on all things related to dry eye and ocular surface disease. He is now taking the lead in Neurotrophic Keratitis (NK). Beyond herpetic eye disease, learn about other causes of NK and how to detect it, classify stages, and treat it more proactively. The doctors also discuss how they find ways to work within the system to advocate for the patient, even though insurance hurdles can be extremely frustrating for both patient and practitioner. 

Hosted by Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO, Diplo ABO

Dr. Joseph Allen may be most well known as @DoctorEyeHealth on YouTube where he shares tips and education about eyes and vision for the general public.  Now, with his Eye Give a Damn! Podcast series, Dr. Allen goes in depth with his colleagues to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing optometry. From finances, private equity and insurance headaches to specialty lenses and the frontlines of scope expansion, hear from leading optometrists and industry friends. They sit down with Dr. Allen to share their personal journeys in eye care, expertise and passions. Discover why so many of us give a damn about the future of optometry and the variety of ways we can drive our industry forward!

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Episode 2: Lisa Ostrin, OD, Ph.D, FAAO, FARVO

Dr. Lisa Ostrin teaches human gross anatomy, advanced vision science and physiological optics at the University of Houston College of Optometry. She also runs a research lab focused on blue light and the environmental and behavioral factors that contribute to the increasing prevalence of myopia. Hear how school faculty is discussing the impact of COVID on the student experience and clinical studies and how academia will likely be transformed forever as a result, including the use of Instagram and TikTok to reach her students. Finally, “geek out” a little bit and enjoy a deeper discussion into her extensive research on both myopia and blue light.  

Learn more about Dr. Lisa Ostrin here: https://www.opt.uh.edu/about/directory/profiles/lisa-ostrin/

Connect with Dr. Joseph Allen on Social Media: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctoreyehealth/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctoreyehealth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/doctoreyehealth

 

About Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO

Dr. Joseph J. Allen graduated Magna Cum Laude and Salutatorian from the Rosenburg School of Optometry in 2015 and completed his residency at the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center. 

Dr. Allen is a practicing optometrist in Minnesota and the founder of Doctor Eye Health, an educational YouTube channel with more than 750K subscribers. There he provides information about eye health, ocular disease and vision products. His videos cover a range of topics that his subscribers frequently ask about: eye floaters, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, contact lenses, eyeglasses, and more.

Dr. Allen is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the AOA Strategic Communications Committee, and he completed the AOA leadership training in 2022. He was also awarded the Media Advocacy award from the AOA in 2021. 

Dr. Allen has been featured in Ask Men and Oprah Daily and In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, running, cooking, playing video games, hiking, and biking.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Nick Colatrella, OD, FAAO, Dipl. AAO, ABO, ABCMO

In this first episode of Eye Give a Damn, Dr. Allen sits down with Dr. Nick Colatrella, his personal mentor and colleague. Dr. Colatrella discusses the challenges of practicing at the highest extent of his license while being at the frontlines of scope expansion for optometry through his involvement with the AOA. From their shared experience and frustrations with insurance and vision plans to how private equity is impacting private practice; the doctors go deep into the future of optometry. 

Learn more about Dr. Nick Colatrella here: https://pineconevisioncenter.com/about-us/doctors/nicholas-colatrella/

Connect with Dr. Joseph Allen on Social Media: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctoreyehealth/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctoreyehealth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/doctoreyehealth

 

About Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO

Dr. Joseph J. Allen graduated Magna Cum Laude and Salutatorian from the Rosenburg School of Optometry in 2015 and completed his residency at the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center. 

Dr. Allen is a practicing optometrist in Minnesota and the founder of Doctor Eye Health, an educational YouTube channel with more than 750K subscribers. There he provides information about eye health, ocular disease and vision products. His videos cover a range of topics that his subscribers frequently ask about: eye floaters, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, contact lenses, eyeglasses, and more.

Dr. Allen is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the AOA Strategic Communications Committee, and he completed the AOA leadership training in 2022. He was also awarded the Media Advocacy award from the AOA in 2021. 

Dr. Allen has been featured in Ask Men and Oprah Daily and In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, running, cooking, playing video games, hiking, and biking.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Welcome to Eye Give a Damn! – a new podcast series from Dr. Joseph Allen. After building a loyal following on YouTube as @DoctorEyeHealth to educate the general public about eye health, Dr. Allen is now taking a deeper look inside our profession. He discusses the challenges and opportunities facing optometry with colleagues who are on the frontlines. Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media. For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/ Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Mark Schaeffer, OD, FAAO, was born into eyecare and worked every job possible in the family practice before going to optometry school after earning an undergrad degree in marketing. As part of MyEyeDr, Dr. Schaeffer is the Clinical Excellence Captain, helping onboard new doctors in the group. He firmly believes that optometrists need to prioritize their expertise and invest in “chair time” with each patient to provide education and create value. Listen in as he and Dr. Allen discuss their approach to patient care, helping them understand the “why” behind their recommendations. Finally, they discuss how excited they are about the numerous innovations and new technologies in eyecare and how they are improving patient care. 

This episode is sponsored by Bausch + Lomb Blink™ NutriTears®

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

 Currently practicing at a multi-disciplinary brain injury center in Virginia, Dr. Theis discusses her personal journey to finding her clinical subspecialty. As an athlete who suffered a lot of concussions when she was younger, she had trouble reading for more than five minutes at a time. Then, while exploring other fields during her pre-med studies, she had her first visit with an optometrist who prescribed prisms and changed her career path. The doctors discuss various brain injuries and other neurological disorders, including the importance of creating a referral network and addressing the patient’s overall physical and mental health. Dr. Theis also discusses how she takes an individualized approach to prescribing prisms. This episode is brought to you by Altius Vision (https://altiusvision.com/)

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Whitley wears many hats as a practicing optometrist at Virginia Eye Consultants, where he also serves as Director of Professional Relations and Education and Regional Medical Director. Since graduating around the same time Restasis hit the market, Dr. Whitley has been at the forefront of recent research and innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease. In fact, he’s been involved in more than a dozen clinical trials and enjoys lecturing to share his key learnings. Dr. Whitley shares his dry eye workup including patient assessment and various testing he may or may not do based on symptoms. When treating dry eye disease, he feels it’s vital to know all the options and be able to set clear expectations for patients. Lastly, the doctors discuss some of the exciting new treatment options in the pipeline.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Justin Schweitzer, OD, FAAO, is a leader at Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, SD, focused on managing glaucoma, anterior segment disease, and pre-operative cataract and glaucoma care alongside his surgical partners. Since Dr. Schweitzer sees glaucoma diagnosis as a puzzle with multiple pieces beyond pressure, they discuss the latest in diagnostic tools, medications, drug delivery systems, at-home monitoring, and surgical procedures. They also consider the difference between patient-based treatments compared to physician-based interventions, such as SLT and MIGS. Finally, they discuss the importance of managing ocular surface disease to improve quality of life for patients and the potential impact of AI to improve efficiency for optometrists.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Bynum discusses the importance of incorporating new technologies and always learning to deliver the best care to your patients -- and build your practice and business. She realized early on that she had to be good at a lot things because referrals aren't always easy or convenient for her patients. She has developed strong relationships with other healthcare professionals in her town and surrounding communities to build her network. Dr. Bynum is excited for the future of optometry and the opportunities available to the next generation of optometrists.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Brianna Rhue's passion for myopia control runs deep as she grew up in a family of myopes and is married to a neuro-ophthalmologist who shares her passion for myopia research. From how to discuss myopia with parents to the latest research on atropine, these docs dig deep into the diagnosis, discussion, and current and future treatments for this growing epidemic. 

For more information on the STAR Study, visit: https://www.sydnexis.com/pipeline 

Key moments: 

1:32 Guest Intro 

2:48 Family history of myopia and its impact on Dr. Rhue’s journey 

6:07 Myopia control in the US vs. other countries 

7:47 Sharing insights with her neuro-ophthalmologist husband 

10:14 Explaining myopia to parents 12:41 Dr. Rhue’s approach to myopia diagnosis and management 

14:44 Atropine research 

16:16 Atropine safety and dosage 

18:15 The atropine concentration debate 

20:23 How atropine might be working 

23:02 Compounding and safety 

24:27 Changing the standard of care for myopia control 

25:38 Getting parents excited to enroll kids in a study 

29:22 Why formulation matters for atropine 

32:30 “Go outside!” 

36:20 What’s next?

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Listen in as they discuss the benefits of vitamins, supplementation, and lifestyle changes for preventing and slowing down many diseases, including age-related macular degeneration. Professor Nolan is a world-renowned scientist and researcher based in Waterford, Ireland where he established the Macular Pigment Research Group and founded the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland. His current research interests include the study of key nutrients for cognitive function, ocular nutrition, and brain health with a major goal of identifying ways to reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Topics include, but aren’t limited to, carotenoids, antioxidants, lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, blue light, and macular pigment. 

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Dr. Jill Saxon shares with Dr. Joseph Allen how her officer training in the Navy helped her become the leader she is today and she shares the story of a specific soldier that helped inspire her to think big and give back. She then transitioned to private practice in her hometown in New Jersey, where she had the opportunity to work with Bausch + Lomb as a consultant. Eventually, B+L approached her with the opportunity to join full time. She discussed her 10 years in industry and its global impact on optometry and patient care, starting with her early input on developing the INFUSE contact lens. Listen in and get inspired to move optometry forward!

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Andrew Kemp, OD, FAAO, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Houston College of Optometry and AOA’s 2022 Optometric Educator of the Year Award winner, who is providing hands-on education in a community-based clinic. Working with optometry students at a clinic in Dallas, Dr. Kemp is proud to provide a wide variety of care to an underserved population. His goal as an educator is to foster an environment where students are comfortable asking questions, going through the process, and making decisions in a clinical environment. His personal passions include glaucoma care, specialty contact lenses, and billing and coding. 

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

In this discussion with Dr. Joseph Allen ( @DoctorEyeHealth  ) he shares how getting fired from his first OD job was one of the best things that happened to him. He also discusses his journey to reinvent himself within the dry eye space to help his specialty contact lens patients. Learn about his practice’s core values, GIFTS: Generosity, Initiative, Faithfulness, Teamwork and Simplicity. Dr. Kading also goes in depth on how he uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a variety of ways from marketing and social media to practice metrics and ideas for articles.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

Roya Attar, OD, MBA, DHA, is a professor and director of optometric services at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mississippi Medical Center.  For instance, Dr. Attar utilizes AI to manage her emails and as a scribe to help her focus on her patient while the program takes notes and fills in the EHR, which she reviews afterward. She discusses some of her favorite AI programs and different ways they can be incorporated into your daily professional and personal life. Like any other new technology, she feels AI will augment healthcare professionals’ ability to diagnose, manage and treat patients. She is most excited about how AI will enable more personalized medicine going forward. On a personal note, this is another full circle moment for Dr. Joseph Allen as he interviews his former TA from the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry.

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

 As the AOSA president at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Maggie Dunn has worked alongside members of the Ohio Optometric Society to advocate for the profession. She discusses her passion for scope expansion and meeting with legislators to educate them on all that optometry students are learning and what optometrists are doing in practice. Her philosophy for speaking to elected officials is: “Speak from the heart and speak the truth.” Maggie shares her thoughts on how she and her cohorts feel about entering school during the pandemic, private practice, practice ownership, private equity, board scores, and more. 

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

J. Daniel Diaz, MD, and Diana Shechtman, OD, FAAO, work side by side at Retinal Consultants of Miami. In this episode, Dr. Allen interviews them both to learn how they work together to serve their patients. Dr. Diaz and Dr. Shechtman agree that success starts with mutual respect and trust in each other and feel that collaborative care is the only way forward. Listen in as they discuss their backgrounds and the patient population they serve. They also share their thoughts on how other optometrists and ophthalmologists can collaborate to better serve their patients. 

Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media.

For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/

Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

In this episode of Eye Give a Damn, Dr. Allen sits down with Dr. Jason Compton — contact lens guru, business owner, and passionate AOA volunteer — for an inspiring and practical conversation that covers the full spectrum of private practice success. Dr. Compton shares his journey of returning to the community where he was raised to open a clinic in a highly competitive area. He dives into how he builds strong patient relationships, leverages internal marketing strategies, and fosters a culture where everyone on the team understands and promotes the services they offer, especially when it comes to contact lenses and myopia control. You’ll hear how Dr. Compton’s clinic fits a high volume of contacts, how they communicate value to patients, and how technology and consistency play a key role in their approach. Plus, he reflects on what’s next for his clinic and how he’s finding the balance between offering innovative care and avoiding burnout. Whether you're looking to grow your clinic, improve your contact lens offerings, or learn how to build lasting patient trust — this episode is packed with wisdom, experience, and heart. Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media. For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/ Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

In this episode of Eye Give a Damn, Dr. Allen chats with Dr. Jessilin Quint, an optometrist, speaker, and industry leader known for her innovative approach to dry eye care. Dr. Quint shares how she built a successful dry eye treatment spa within her private practice, Smart Eye Care in Maine, designing it to feel more like a spa than a traditional clinic. From curating a relaxing patient experience to implementing cutting-edge treatment protocols, Dr. Quint walks us through how she’s made dry eye a standout service that both patients and staff are excited about. If you’re thinking about growing your dry eye services, creating a premium patient experience, or just want to hear how one OD is blending clinical care with creativity and strategy — this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media. For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/ Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media. 

In this episode of Eye Give a Damn, Dr. Allen is joined by Dr. Neal Troyer — optometrist, educator, and co-founder of the Eyecare Republic — for a powerful conversation about the future of eye care and the deeper connections between vision, nutrition, and wellness. They discuss why Dr. Troyer helped launch a new independent ECP alliance and the challenges facing traditional optometry in the age of tech and telehealth. With a shared passion for how lifestyle impacts eye health, Dr. Allen and Dr. Troyer also dig into the science behind nutrition and its role in preventing conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. They also explore the potential benefits (and limitations) of intermittent fasting, and what ODs can do to better educate patients about dietary choices that protect their vision. Eye Give a Damn hosted by Dr. Joseph Allen is produced by FluoreSCENE Media. For more information on Dr. Joseph Allen visit https://doctoreyehealth.com/ Visit https://odcommunity.com/ to learn more about FluoreSCENE Media.