Four Eyes

Dr. Diana Chu is an optometrist at the Washington Eye Institute. In this episode, we learn about Dr. Chu’s first hand encounter with a concussion, exploring her path to recovery. She highlights the validity of symptoms even in the absence of physical injury, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one’s recovery journey. Dr. Chu also reviews biomarkers to detect nutritional and hormonal imbalances associated with a head injury, and the importance of seeing various allied healthcare professionals to ensure a comprehensive approach to recovery. The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Diana Chu Learn more about concussion-related vision challenges through the following organizations: VTC, COVD, NORA, and OEPF

Dr. Hardeep Kataria, a seasoned Optometrist practicing advanced dry eye at Avant Eyes in California, returns to the podcast to discuss the vital role of mentorship in the journey of optometry. We discuss the profound impact mentorship can have on shaping your career and personal growth at various stages. From guidance in clinical practice to navigating the anxieties of selecting a practice modality, mentorship from either seasoned Optometrists or your peers can provide support and knowledge.  For those seeking mentorship opportunities, check out YoungOD Connect's mentorship program, providing a structured platform for new grad Optometrists to connect with seasoned mentors and peers alike! Learn more about Dr. Hardeep Kataria Become a member for YoungOD Connect’s mentorship program

Amrit and Deepon chat with Dr. Arian Fartash, creator of GlamBaby, about her new line GlamBaby Dry Eye. Dr. Fartash combined her optometric knowledge and parenting experience to create dry eye products catered for infants and toddlers. Tune-in to hear more details about how she designed, manufactured, and marketed these products to other optometrists, online retailers, and big box stores across the world! The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about GlamBaby products here Follow Dr. Fartash on Instagram @glamoptometrist

Join Dr. Bilkhu in her discussion with Dr. Mila Ioussifova about taking a holistic approach to dry eye disease. Dr. Ioussifova is a residency-trained optometrist with a private practice in Portland, OR. She is dedicated to helping patients with dry eye disease and offers advanced dry eye therapies in her practice. Dr. Mila Ioussifova recently studied human nutrition and functional medicine at the University of Western States and is in the process of becoming a Certified Nutrition Specialist. She is passionate about treating dry eye disease while incorporating nutritional and lifestyle changes. The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Mila Ioussifova on Instagram Learn more about The Institute for Functional Medicine

In this special two-part episode, we're diving deep into the world of financial planning for Optometrists across Canada and the U.S. Whether you're a student OD, a recent graduate, or a seasoned professional still figuring out your financial strategy, this episode is made for you. Our panelists include Lainey Bokhaut from Winnipeg, Canada, and Evon Mendrin from Madera, California. These experts know the ins and outs of money management, and they're here to share their wealth of knowledge with you. In Part 2 of this series, Lainey and Evon begin a discussion on the importance of a professional corporation and when is the best time to incorporate, obtaining an occupational disability insurance plan early, and assembling the right team of professionals to kickstart your future financial planning.  Get ready for an episode packed with valuable insights, actionable advice, and a roadmap to financial success in the field of optometry. Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize your financial strategy, this is an episode you won't want to miss!  *Disclaimer: This episode is not intended to be professional advice, but purely for educational purposes.* The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Lainey Bokhaut on Linkedin and Bokhaut CPAs Learn more about Evon Mendrin on Linkedin, Optometry Wealth, and The Optometry Money Podcast

In this special two-part episode, we're diving deep into the world of financial planning for Optometrists across Canada and the U.S. Whether you're a student OD, a recent graduate, or a seasoned professional still figuring out your financial strategy, this episode is made for you. Our panelists include Lainey Bokhaut from Winnipeg, Canada, and Evon Mendrin from Madera, California. These experts know the ins and outs of money management, and they're here to share their wealth of knowledge with you. In Part 1 of this series, we sit down with Lainey and Evon to explore the crucial financial changes that come with transitioning from student life to providing professional services. They'll guide you through the decision-making process of whether to prioritize paying down student debt or making investments. Additionally, we delve into the world of long-term savings accounts, helping you identify the best options based on your income and life goals. Get ready for an episode packed with valuable insights, actionable advice, and a roadmap to financial success in the field of optometry. Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize your financial strategy, this is an episode you won't want to miss!  *Disclaimer: This episode is not intended to be professional advice, but purely for educational purposes.* The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Lainey Bokhaut on Linkedin and Bokhaut CPAs Learn more about Evon Mendrin on Linkedin, Optometry Wealth, and The Optometry Money Podcast

In this episode, Deepon interviews Amrit along with Dr. Manraj Fervaha to dive into the dynamics of their business partnerships within Northern Sight Optometry. They discuss what strategies they used to determine a suitable business partner, what qualities they look for in a partner, and the pros and cons to owning a private practice with a partner.  This episode offers great perspectives to help new grad optometrists and solo practitioners make decisions as to whether or not a business partnership is the perfect opportunity for them!  The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Manraj Fervaha

The Four Eyes hosts chat with Dr. Kambiz Silani, Optometrist and owner of Beverly Hills Optometry, on the importance of OD-to-OD referrals and how they play a pivotal role in dry eye management. Dr. Silani shares his treatment approach to ocular surface disease and how he has incorporated advanced tools and diagnostic equipment within his practice over the past decade to thoroughly address his patient’s concerns.  The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Silani

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Dr. Alison Bozung, a seasoned Optometrist and new parent, to explore the art of balancing a thriving career with the joys and responsibilities of parenthood. Tune in to hear about her experiences in family planning, the considerations that went into her decisions, and the challenges she has overcome along the way! The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect

Four Eyes is sharing an all-new Case Reflection episode where Dr. Bilkhu and Dr. Kar discuss a patient encounter that led to firing the patient from the practice. This is an important conversation that new graduates and young ODs can learn from, especially when working as an associate doctor within a corporate or private practice setting. The conversation dives into what could lead the doctor and staff to become uncomfortable with a patient, how a decision to break up with the patient comes to be, and what steps should be taken to ensure the procedure is handled appropriately and professionally. It’s rare to have these conversations openly with other Optometrists, so be sure to listen to the entire episode and take notes! The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Check out these resources mentioned in today’s episode: American Optometric Association - Ethics Forum; CPSO - Ending the Physician-Patient Relationship

In this hour-long episode, the Four Eyes hosts dive deep into a conversation with Dr. Davinder Sidhu, an Optometrist practicing in British Columbia, regarding business metrics that apply to business owners and associate doctors. This is a very rare topic of discussion for young Optometrists, as business training is not taught in most Optometry schools. Dr. Sidhu shares very detailed information about the numbers we should be paying attention to in a practice, and how we can use those numbers to increase profits as well as patient satisfaction. The best part about this episode is that Dr. Sidhu’s advice applies not just to business owners, but also young associate Optometrists who are wanting to grow and become more involved within their practice location.  You will not find the depth of this information anywhere else in the Optometry world, so be sure to listen to the entire episode and take down notes! The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Davinder Sidhu Check out these resources mentioned in today’s episode: Review of Optometric Business; ODs on Finance; Eyecare Business Magazine; Optometric Management; The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber; Key Performance Indicators by Bernard Marr; Measure School on Youtube

Amrit and Deepon sit down with Dr. Alexa Hecht, a new grad Optometrist from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry, to talk about her journey into practicing. Alexa shares the ups and downs of working in multiple practice locations six days a week, and how this work-life “imbalance” took a toll on her mental health and her attitude towards each location. Her story is very similar to many new grad Optometrists struggling to find their “perfect” practice setting while trying to balance student loan debt, networking, and managing stress. The end of the conversation ties in all of Dr. Hecht’s lessons which she kindly shares for other Optometrists who are going through the same situation.  The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Alexa Hecht on TikTok and Instagram

Dr. Dan Friederich joins the Four Eyes podcast to share how he elevates the patient experience by offering high-quality ophthalmic products that aren’t available through mass distribution, and how that unique patient experience then leads to better Google reviews for the practice. This is a great conversation that emphasizes the importance of setting expectations in the quality of care we provide to patients, encouraging staff members to believe in those expectations, and achieving a great reputation within the community by getting patients to share their experiences on Google. The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Dan Friederich and Eyeganics

Deepon and Amrit catch up on their week. Amrit shares her personal experience on the hiring process for her new private practice. The Four Eyes hosts then sit down with a fellow colleague from the Illinois College of Optometry, Dr. Manveen Bedi. Dr. Bedi is residency-trained in specialty contact lenses, and has successfully opened a new private practice where she offers specialty contact lens services to the communities within the Greater Toronto Area. The hosts chat with Dr. Bedi about her motivation to complete a residency program, what it was like to open a practice as a young OD, and how other new graduates can dive into offering specialty lens services early into their careers. The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Manveen Bedi and her practice Check out these resources mentioned in today’s episode: Four Eyes Episode 30. How to Add Scleral Lenses to Your Practice; GP Lens Institute; Scleral Lens Education Society; Modern Optometry;  Eyes on Eyecare

Dr. Ying Zhao, a Canadian Optometrist practicing at Avenue Eyecare in British Columbia, joins the Four Eyes hosts to discuss myopia control from the perspective of a young OD. Dr. Zhao answers questions on parent education, shares her treatment options for pediatric and adult onset myopia, and comments on the latest technology offered for myopia control. The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Ying Zhao Resources mentioned in the episode: Vision by Design 2023; World Council of Optometry; International Myopia Institute

Negotiating a contract as a new grad OD can be as terrifying as the first day of Optometry school. That’s why we’ve invited Dr. Emilie Seitz to the Four Eyes podcast to provide tips on negotiating contracts, identifying red flags, discussing money, and how to prioritize your needs. Dr. Seitz also shares her personal experiences when negotiating for job opportunities, as well as social media collaborations!  The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect Learn more about Dr. Emilie Seitz Resources mentioned in the episode:  ODs on Finance contract review and counseling; Gender and Optometry Wage Gaps by Dr.

Dr. Maharaj joins our podcast (for the third time!) to share the journey behind merging his successful dry eye specialty practice into a nationally recognized ophthalmology practice. The cohesive relationship between EyeLabs and the Prism Eye Institute is an excellent demonstration of how ODs and OMDs practice together as "heroes" to treat the common "villains" of eye disease. Dr. Maharaj shares not only his journey towards the Prism Eye Institute, but also his opinion on how Optometry is shifting. The landscape of Optometry is changing, and so we also discuss the importance of emphasizing medical specialties in Optometry. Resources: Listen to other Four Eyes episodes with Dr. Maharaj: Ep 19. Wisdom from the Dry Eye Jedi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEL7mn6Rk1I Ep 37. The Psychology of Optometry and Need for Self-Care: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fETE9lyC_5Y The 20/20 podcast with Dr. Harbir Sian: Episode 92 - The Future of Canadian Optometry - Dr. Richard Maharaj, The Independent Specialist https://aboutmyeyes.com/the-20-20-podcast/

Dr. Jasdeep Soni, also known as Optoturban on social media, returns to the podcast to share his personal experience with burnout through his optometric career and social media presence, and the steps he has taken to address mental fatigue. Dr. Bilkhu and Dr. Kar contribute to the conversation to bring a new graduate OD perspective on mental burnout that they have also experienced early into their careers. Check out Episode 32: Life as a New Grad with Optoturban to see what Dr. Soni was up to in the early stages of his career! Follow us on Instagram @foureyesoptom and listen to our podcast on all available podcast platforms.

We’re back with another season of Four Eyes! Dr. Kar and Dr. Bilkhu kick off the season by sharing tidbits they’ve learned over the early years of their career in hopes to help new graduate optometrists find their confidence and know their worth. Some of the tidbits also stress important tips on refractions and how to navigate Rx re-checks. Follow us on Instagram @foureyesoptom and listen to our podcast on all available podcast platforms. Resources mentioned in the episode: Four Eyes Ep 37 - The Psychology of Optometry and Need for Self-Care with Dr. Richard Maharaj: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/37-the-psychology-of-optometry-and-need-for-self/id1501087796?i=1000508456418 20/20 Podcast - The Future of Canadian Optometry Series by Dr. Harbir Sian: https://www.youtube.com/@HarbirSianOD/videos

We chat with Dr. Joanna Carter, who is a well known optometrist in the binocular vision world. She specializes in vision therapy and neuro-rehabilitation, and owns a specialty vision therapy practice in Oregon called Insight Vision Therapy. Dr. Carter comes on the podcast to talk about how vision therapy can benefit adult patients, and what visual conditions they can be referred for. Learn more about Insight Vision Therapy: https://insightvisiontherapy.com/