by Defocus Media Podcast Network
Optometry's #1 Podcast Network
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3/5/2024
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April 29, 2025
<br /> In the ever-evolving landscape of eye care, practitioners are increasingly recognizing the critical role that nutrition plays in both systemic and ocular health. While pharmacological treatments and surgical interventions remain essential tools in managing eye diseases, a more foundational approach—centered on what patients eat—is gaining momentum. At the heart of this movement lies the plant-based diet.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.drranibanik.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Rudrani Banik</a> welcomes Ocean Robbins, CEO and co-founder of the Food Revolution Network, to explore how food choices—specifically a whole-food, plant-based diet—can serve as medicine. The episode delivered compelling insights into how diet impacts not just general well-being but also eye health, making a strong case for integrating lifestyle medicine into clinical optometry and ophthalmology practices.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> What’s Covered :<a href="#what-is-a-plant-based-diet">What Is a Plant-Based Diet?</a><a href="#whole-vs-processed-why-food-quality-matters">Whole vs. Processed: Why Food Quality Matters</a><a href="#the-role-of-diet-in-ocular-inflammation">The Role of Diet in Ocular Inflammation</a><a href="#plant-based-diet-and-eye-disease-prevention">Plant-Based Diet and Eye Disease Prevention</a><a href="#protein-a-common-misconception">Protein: A Common Misconception</a><a href="#fiber-phytonutrients-and-the-microbiome">Fiber, Phytonutrients, and the Microbiome</a><a href="#policy-access-and-the-bigger-picture">Policy, Access, and the Bigger Picture</a><a href="#takeaways-for-eye-care-professionals">Takeaways for Eye Care Professionals</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> What Is a Plant-Based Diet?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As Ocean Robbins explained, the term “plant-based” refers to a diet centered around foods that originate from plants—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. While often confused with veganism, a plant-based diet is less about strict exclusion of animal products and more about prioritizing plant foods in their most natural forms.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Robbins emphasized the distinction between simply plant-based and whole-food, plant-based eating. French fries and refined grains, for example, are technically plant-based but offer little nutritional value. Whole-food plant-based diets, by contrast, aim to minimize or eliminate ultra-processed foods, focusing instead on nutrient-dense, fiber-rich options.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Whole vs. Processed: Why Food Quality Matters<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The difference between eating plants and eating real plants is not just semantics—it’s the difference between health and disease.“Every step counts. That movement can create profound life-giving benefits.” – Ocean Robbins<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Research supports this assertion. A 2019 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that participants who consumed more healthful plant-based foods had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed more processed plant-based items. This aligns with Robbins’ emphasis on returning to foods “Mother Nature would recognize.”<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> In eye care, where diseases like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are tightly linked to systemic health, these dietary nuances matter deeply.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The Role of Diet in Ocular Inflammation<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> One of the most recurring themes in eye disease is inflammation—whether in dry eye, AMD, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. “One of the best ways to fight [ocular] inflammation is through antioxidants—and our best source of antioxidants is our diet.” – Dr. Rudrani Banik<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Plant-based diets are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids—all of which combat oxidative stress and systemic inflammation.
April 28, 2025
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The conversation around salary in optometry is more than just a number—it’s a reflection of value, negotiation, and growth within the profession. In this episode of “Lunch Date with Rachel and Kate,” the hosts dive into a data-driven discussion on optometry salaries, highlighting key findings from three major sources: Eyes on Eyecare, Review of Optometry, and ODs on Finance. This article unpacks their discussion, offering eye care professionals a comprehensive view of current salary trends, regional variations, wage gaps, and practical takeaways.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> What’s Covered: <a href="#eyes-on-eyecare-a-look-at-new-grad-starting-salaries">Eyes on Eyecare: A Look at New Grad Starting Salaries</a><a href="#review-of-optometry-what-the-data-suggests">Review of Optometry: What the Data Suggests</a><a href="#o-ds-on-finance-normalized-data-and-deeper-insight">ODs on Finance: Normalized Data and Deeper Insight</a><a href="#the-optometry-wage-gap-whats-behind-it">The Optometry Wage Gap: What’s Behind It?</a><a href="#factors-that-impact-salary-from-region-to-practice-ownership">Factors That Impact Salary: From Region to Practice Ownership</a><a href="#actionable-steps-for-negotiation-and-career-growth">Actionable Steps for Negotiation and Career Growth</a><a href="#final-takeaways-and-call-to-action">Final Takeaways and Call to Action</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Eyes on Eyecare: A Look at New Grad Starting Salaries<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> According to Eyes on Eyecare, the average starting salary for 2024 optometry graduates is $97,112. This figure, while informative, includes a broad range of values, potentially skewed by residents earning as low as $30,000. The survey gathered data from 375 optometrists, with respondents ranging from graduates in 1972 through 2023.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> "We advise that you don't want to aim for $97,000 when you're negotiating just because Eyes on Eyecare told you to. You want to aim a little higher than that." – Dr. Kate Hamm<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The report also noted a current average salary of $151,970 across all respondents. However, the data did not differentiate between practice owners and employed optometrists or account for full-time versus part-time work schedules.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Review of Optometry: What the Data Suggests<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Review of Optometry presents a more nuanced picture but also has limitations. With 422 respondents, this report includes both part-time and full-time optometrists. It cites an employed average salary of $156,819, closely aligning with Eyes on Eyecare.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> For optometrists in their first 10 years of practice, the reported average is a significantly higher $176,857. The report also highlights an income disparity by gender, though it does not delve into causative factors such as part-time work or career breaks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> "They're presenting the information in like, not the most nuanced way. They're just like, women said this, men said that." – Dr. Rachel Simpson<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Satisfaction levels were surprisingly high, with many optometrists expressing contentment with their income despite the wage disparities.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ODs on Finance: Normalized Data and Deeper Insight<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> With 2,203 respondents, the ODs on Finance survey offers the most comprehensive and methodologically robust data. It normalizes salary based on average workdays (4.22/week), revealing a more realistic average salary of $136,619.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The average for optometrists within their first five years of practice stands at $152,097, aligning with the other studies. ODs on Finance also includes median income ($155,000) and a breakdown of salaries by region and optometry school.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> "These are like real numbers...
April 18, 2025
<br /> What’s Covered :<a href="#1-what-is-ortho-k">1. What is Ortho-K?</a><a href="#2-the-revenue-potential-of-ortho-k">2. The Revenue Potential of Ortho-K</a><a href="#3-why-most-eye-care-providers-overlook-ortho-k">3. Why Most Eye Care Providers Overlook Ortho-K</a><a href="#4-adults-and-ortho-k-a-hidden-market">4. Adults and Ortho-K: A Hidden Market</a><a href="#5-the-key-to-scaling-an-ortho-k-practice">5. The Key to Scaling an Ortho-K Practice</a><a href="#use-the-right-messaging-in-your-marketing">Use the Right Messaging in Your Marketing</a><a href="#offer-a-free-ortho-k-consultation"> Offer a Free Ortho-K Consultation</a><a href="#6-overcoming-common-challenges-in-ortho-k">6. Overcoming Common Challenges in Ortho-K</a><a href="#7-actionable-steps-to-boost-ortho-k-in-your-practice">7. Actionable Steps to Boost Ortho-K in Your Practice</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> In this episode of The 20/20 Podcast, host Dr. Harbir Sian sits down with<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncarruthers/?originalSubdomain=ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Jason Carruthers</a>, a Canadian optician, ortho-keratologist, and founder of <a href="https://orthoklaunch.com" data-type="link" data-id="https://orthoklaunch.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OrthoKLaunch.com</a>, to dive deep into the untapped potential of orthokeratology (Ortho-K). With decades of experience in optical retail and specialty contact lenses, Jason shares his journey from being told that “there’s no money in contacts” to building a million-dollar Ortho-K practice without selling a single pair of glasses. This conversation is a goldmine for eye care professionals looking to grow their practice, attract more patients, and add $100K+ in revenue by fitting just one Ortho-K patient per week. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, Jason breaks down real-world strategies and mindset shifts to help you succeed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 1. What is Ortho-K?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) involves the use of custom-designed, gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight. These lenses temporarily reshape the cornea, allowing patients to experience clear, unaided vision throughout the day.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Ortho-K has been primarily marketed as a myopia management tool for children, but it also has significant benefits for adults, including those with:<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * Myopia up to moderate levels<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * Hyperopia (within a certain range)<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * Presbyopia (with monovision Ortho-K)<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * Post-LASIK regression<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Many patients are looking for an alternative to daytime contact lenses, glasses, or LASIK surgery, making Ortho-K a powerful offering.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 2. The Revenue Potential of Ortho-K<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> A single Ortho-K fit typically generates anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 per patient depending on the practice and geographical location. Let’s break it down:<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * One Ortho-K fit per week at $2,000 per fit = $104,000 per year<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * Two fits per week = $208,000 per year<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * Four fits per week = $416,000 per year<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> And that’s before factoring in annual follow-ups, lens replacements, and referrals.This is why many practitioners, once they refine their process, find Ortho-K to be one of the most profitable and rewarding areas of their practice.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 3. Why Most Eye Care Providers Overlook Ortho-K<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Despite its financial potential and patient demand, Ortho-K remains underutilized. Here’s why:<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> * Lack of Awareness: Many practitioners are not taught Ortho-K in depth during optometry sc...
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Christopher Wolfe, OD, FAAO, Dipl. ABO
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