Defocus Media Podcast Network

What’s Covered :

Addressing the Demand for Flexible Staffing in Optometry

In recent years, the demand for optometrists has grown significantly, and practices often struggle to find qualified ODs to fill vacancies promptly. As Dr. Said noted, “As a clinic owner, finding full-time optometrists was always challenging. However, the demand for optometry services continues to rise.” The challenges are especially prominent in private practices, where finding part-time or temporary ODs is often critical for maintaining patient care during staff shortages.

This demand gave rise to the idea behind Day OD. Unlike traditional recruitment firms that seek full-time employees, Day OD functions as a matchmaking platform connecting clinics with ODs available for temporary work. The platform aims to provide practices and optometrists alike with a seamless way to cover patient needs, especially on short notice. Optometrists looking for work on their days off can use the platform to find opportunities, and practices needing additional help can quickly fill the gap.

Flexible Scheduling for a Varied Experience

Day OD offers ODs an opportunity to build diverse experiences by taking on roles in various types of clinics. Many optometrists, particularly recent graduates, may want to explore different work environments—whether it’s retail settings like LensCrafters or private practices—to identify what suits their career aspirations best. The platform’s flexible approach benefits optometrists by allowing them to work across different environments and gain firsthand insights into multiple practice models.

For instance, if a practitioner is interested in learning about managing a high patient load, they could work in a retail clinic. Alternatively, those inclined towards more personalized patient interaction could choose to fill in at private practices. By offering this flexibility, Day OD enables young professionals to build a robust skill set while understanding which practice model aligns with their long-term goals.

Transparency in Pay and Job Requirements

When signing up for Day OD, optometrists enter details, such as their availability, expected daily rate, and distance they’re willing to travel. As Dr. Saeed explains, “Each OD sets their rate and parameters for assignments. The clinic covers the OD’s full rate, and no administrative fees are deducted.” This transparency empowers optometrists to choose assignments based on their desired compensation and convenience, with Day OD providing a straightforward transaction.

Furthermore, each assignment includes clear job requirements, preventing surprises on the first day. Assignments are generally geared towards primary care optometry, allowing ODs to focus on routine services such as glaucoma management, red-eye treatments, and visual acuity testing without the need for specialized skills like scleral lens fittings or low vision therapy.

Improving Clinic and OD Match Quality through Ratings

One of Day OD’s standout features is the double-sided rating system, reminiscent of services like Uber, where both clinics and ODs rate each other after each assignment. Dr....

What’s Covered:

The Visionary Behind the Innovation: Dr. James Tsai

Dr. James Tsai, president of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai and system chair of ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is at the forefront of this transformation. A graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Tsai trained in glaucoma at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Moorfields Eye Hospital. He also holds a master’s in business administration from Vanderbilt University.

As the founding director of the Center for Ophthalmic Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Dr. Tsai leads a team dedicated to integrating AI into eye care. He explains, “It would be wonderful to form a center where we shared all our collective knowledge and understanding of AI.” The Center focuses on how AI can improve patient outcomes and address systemic health challenges.

AI in Eye Care: Transforming Diagnostics

Ophthalmic AI is already enhancing diagnostics. At Mount Sinai, non-mydriatic fundus photography—a non-invasive imaging technique—is paired with AI to screen for diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases without requiring dilation drops. Dr. Tsai notes, “By integrating AI into primary care settings, we enable non-ophthalmologists to screen for blinding diseases, expediting diagnosis and treatment.”

Applications extend to glaucoma, where AI helps predict changes in visual fields and disease progression. These tools empower clinicians to tailor treatments to individual patients, improving outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Personalized Vision Treatment Through AI

AI’s potential to individualize treatment plans is transformative. Using patient data, imaging, and history, AI generates tailored recommendations. Yet, Dr. Tsai emphasizes that the clinician’s role remains indispensable: “Only I as the physician can individualize therapy because I understand the history of the patient.” This collaboration ensures that AI augments rather than replaces clinical decision-making.

AI’s Role in Research and Global Health Equity

Dr. Tsai’s team also explores AI’s potential in predicting systemic diseases. For example, retinal imaging may reveal early signs of cardiovascular issues, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Globally, AI is bridging healthcare gaps. Tele-ophthalmology combined with AI allows rural and underserved areas to access screening and care. Organizations like Orbis International are already using these tools to improve global health outcomes.

Addressing Misconceptions and Challenges

While promising, AI is not infallible. Dr. Tsai warns of inaccuracies: “AI does sometimes get it wrong. It’s our responsibility as specialists to validate AI outputs.” Additionally, he highlights the need for validated AI databases to ensure reliability and accuracy.

The Future of Ophthalmic AI

In the next three to five years, Dr. Tsai envisions retinal imaging becoming a standard part of primary care vital signs, alongside blood pressure and heart rate. Further advancements in home monitoring devices equipped with AI will empower patients to track their eye health remotely, reducing barriers to care and enhancing health equity.

Conclusion and Call to Action

AI in ophthalmology represents a monumental shift in healthcare. By augmenting clinical expertise and improving access to care, it ensures better outcomes for patients worldwi...

The Defocus Media podcast recently explored this topic in a special episode featuring Dr. Trevor Miranda, a seasoned optometrist with over two decades of experience, and his daughter, Nyah Miranda, a third-year optometry student at New England College of Optometry. The discussion delved into how generational perspectives influence the profession and how they can be integrated to elevate the field of optometry.

Topics Covered:

The Current Landscape of Optometry

Optometry has evolved tremendously over the years. Where private practice ownership was once the ultimate goal for most graduates, today’s new optometrists focus on work-life balance, career flexibility, and diverse professional opportunities. The changes in mindset reflect the broader societal shifts in work preferences, with younger generations placing higher value on personal fulfillment and balanced living.

Dr. Trevor Miranda shared insights from his early career, where the traditional path involved opening or buying into a private practice soon after graduation. “When I graduated in 1995, everyone wanted to own a practice,” he recalls. “It was almost assumed you’d end up as an owner or at least buy into a practice after a few years as an associate.”

Fast-forward to today, and the younger generation—represented by students like Nyah Miranda—often takes a different approach. “Our generation really values work-life balance,” says Nyah Miranda. We want fulfilling careers, but we don’t want to burn out. We’re seeking workplaces that offer that balance while also providing opportunities for professional growth.”

This shift in perspective isn’t about laziness or lack of ambition; it’s about creating a sustainable career. Optometry students and young professionals are still driven and hardworking, but their focus on personal well-being reshapes the profession’s operations.

Mentorship and Growth Opportunities

One area where both generations agree is the importance of mentorship. Having a mentor is critical to success for young optometrists entering the field. Mentorship guides clinical skills and the business side of optometry, helping young optometrists navigate the complexities of practice ownership, patient management, and leadership.

Nyah Miranda emphasized that many optometry students actively seek mentorship when they enter the workforce. “We want to know there’s a path for growth, whether it’s leadership within the clinic or the potential for ownership down the line,” she explains. “Knowing that there’s room for advancement and that the clinic is invested in our future makes a big difference.”

For seasoned optometrists like Dr. Trevor Miranda, offering mentorship is just as rewarding as it is for the mentees. “It’s about recognizing the talent in the younger generation and helping them develop their skills,” he says. “Mentorship allows us to pass on our knowledge while learning from their fresh perspectives.”

Bridging the Gap: Leadership and Ownership

The question of ownership in optometry is another point where generational differences become apparent. Many young optometrists aren’t as eager to take on the responsibilities of running a practice. The financial bu...

What’s Covered :

The Connection Between Vision and Emotion

The eyes are often referred to as the windows to the soul. Emotionally charged situations can affect how we see the world—literally. Stress, anxiety, and trauma can alter vision, leading to issues such as headaches, double vision, and discomfort. Dr. Ban has found that patients who have suffered physical injuries often carry emotional trauma that manifests in their visual system. Addressing these emotional layers has led to astonishing results in improving not just their vision but their overall well-being.

For instance, trauma survivors may hold tension in their bodies that disrupts their visual system. Emotional states like fear or distress can exacerbate or create conditions like strabismus (eye misalignment) or convergence insufficiency, making it difficult for individuals to focus on near objects or coordinate their eyes. These emotional and psychological barriers block traditional vision correction methods.

Dr. Vi Tu Banh’s, V2 Method

The V2 Method is a holistic vision therapy approach developed by Dr. Vi Tu Banh . It integrates prism lenses, neuroplasticity, and emotional healing to address vision issues caused by physical trauma or emotional stress. The “V” stands for Vision or Victory, symbolizing the goal of achieving optimal visual function and well-being, while the “2” represents the synergy between emotional and physical health.

This method helps patients achieve both physical and emotional grounding, leading to long-term vision improvement. As Dr. Bahn puts it, “The person directs the motion, which directs the brain to get to a different pathway. Once they renew, they don’t need [the prisms] anymore.”

One case that highlights the power of this method involved a woman who had walked with her head tilted for 15 years due to double vision, following a severe cheerleading accident. After traditional surgeries failed her, Dr. Ban introduced prism therapy, and the results were immediate. Not only did her vision improve, but her posture corrected itself as if her body had released years of pent-up tension.The prism lenses, however, are not meant to be a long-term solution. Instead, they serve as a temporary training tool to rewire the brain, using neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections. Patients eventually no longer need the prisms as their brains learn to process visual information correctly.

A 5-step approach to Dr. Vi tu Bahn’s V2 Method:

1. Holistic Assessment

• Begin with a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s physical and emotional health, identifying any trauma or stress that may be affecting their vision. This includes understanding their emotional state and any past injuries (e.g., concussion, trauma).

2. Prism Therapy Application

• Use specialized prism lenses to temporarily correct visual imbalances. The prisms help stabilize the patient’s vision and body posture, allowing the brain to start adjusting. This process addresses both physical and emotional aspects of the vision problem.

3. Neuroplasticity Activation

• Encourage the brain to rewire itself through neuroplasticity. The prisms act as a training tool, guiding the brain to process visual information correctly. Over time, this leads to lasting improvements in vision without the need for continuous prism use.

4. Emotional and Physical Grounding

• Focus on “grounding” the patient emotionally and physically. The prisms provide a sense of stability, helping the patient feel more balanced both visually and in their physical posture, while also addressing underlying emotional factors.

5. Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment

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