A Glaucoma specialist on Lash Serums

I've had MANY people ask me over the years: Are lash serums safe? 🤩

As a glaucoma specialist 👁, I may have a different opinion than some more conservative eye colleagues, but I think they are perfectly OK. 👌🏼

Most lash serums contain a variation of something called a prostaglandin analogue, which is the same drug found in common glaucoma medications (that I prescribe on the regular. The ladies have always appreciated this secondary effect. ❤️).

The most common unwanted side effects of prostaglandin analogues are: redness, irritation, and skin darkening. If you experience any of these issues, they usually resolve by simply discontinuing the medication. 🛑

Given my specialty, I see MANY patients on prostaglandin analogues, and I feel they are safe for the eyes 👁(especially since the drug concentration is much lower in most lash serums vs. a glaucoma drop). Just make sure you let your eye doctor  know and that you get your lash serums from a reputable seller (you'd be shocked at how many counterfeit medications are out there!). 😳

#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼 

How I Balance it all… (or do i?)

Many young doctors worry: "Is it possible to be a doctor AND have a family?"

Most definitely YES.

But is it easy? Nope.

I certainly don't have all the answers, but a few things I've picked up along the way:

1. Schedule your "fun" time - Just like you schedule your work meetings and calls, schedule in activities with the kids as well as your own relaxing time.

2. Delegate! - You cannot do everything yourself (nor should you try). Ask your partner to help; hire the cleaners; ask the nanny to stay late. It's not about whether you CAN do everything yourself (of course you can!), it's about whether you can be doing something BETTER (like cuddling with the kids or taking a bath).

3. Give up the guilt - Oh the mom-guilt is fierce. We SHOULD be doing this; we SHOULD be doing that. We end up SHOULDing all over ourselves! It's OK to say NO sometimes. It's OK to choose yourself!

4. Grant yourself grace - This one is tough for this perfectionist. It's become a choice - would I rather perseverate over this messy room and stress over laundry, or just let it be and play with the kids? Don't get me wrong, I like things to be tidy, but I'm getting better at not letting it get to me every time.

In the end, I don’t think there is ever true “work life balance” - there are seasons of life (some months you’ll be focused on your family, some you’ll be focused on your career, others on your marriage) and you just do the best you can in that moment...

All the other #workingmoms out there, what tips do you have???

To ALL OF THE QUEENS…

Last week, we felt angry and deflated. Female physicians felt targeted and shamed in a well respected medical journal for our choices in swimwear, alcoholic beverages, and political conversations. Insinuating that our normal, everyday choices somehow had any bearing on our professionalism, competency, or skills as a doctor.

Well, today, a few of my colleagues and I are standing up. I put out a call on my social media platforms, and the tribe arrived! Not in anger or retaliation, but in solidarity and strength.

HOw long does it take to become an ophthalmologist?

I often get the questions: How long did it take for you to become an ophthalmologist? 👁 How old were you? Was it worth it or would you have done anything differently?

I would typically say it’s rude to ask a lady about age 😉, but for the sake of education:
Middle and high school => 18 years old
4 years of College => 22 years old
4 years of Medical school => 26 years old
1 year Preliminary Internship => 27 years old
3 years Ophthalmology Residency => 30 years old
1 year Glaucoma Fellowship => (drumroll 🥁) 31 years old

We doctors often joke that we spend our prime years studying and stressing out. Many of us delay our love lives, our family lives, our “real” lives to pursue medicine.

Was it worth it? Definitely. Because I get to spend the rest of my life doing something I truly love. And I am happy with the life I’ve built (as unconventional as it may be).

Would I have chosen something different or easier in hindsight? Absolutely not. You cannot predict life or what will happen with the decisions you make. Whose to say that I would have been ”happier” or it would have been “easier” had I chosen a different path? You can’t, and - even with our infertility struggles, dealing with discrimination at my early job, and the uncertainty of medicine - I wouldn’t risk all the good I have today - like my husband, kids, and all the opportunities.

Instead of wondering “what if” about a past you cannot change or lamenting about the time sacrificed, focus forward on how you can take this life and make it the best it can be...

#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼
#doctormom #workingmom

Why does covid info keep changing?

I know there is a typo in there, SORRY!

I am tired of all the comments about how the CDC “messed up” or Dr. Fauci “lied” back in March or whenever.

Look, physicians and scientists make recommendations based on the information and data we have at the moment. But sometimes (often times actually) that information can change.

It’s called the scientific method. You take a plausible hypothesis (like asymptomatic people don’t need to mask or young people don’t seem to get sick) and test it vigorously to see if it holds true. During this process, you can find new information - including that your initial hypothesis was wrong! So you take that new data, reassess your hypothesis, adjust the methods, and try again until you can get reproducible and conclusive results that make sense... It’s all part of the science and research.

This process can take years (or even ongoing for decades), and usually you don’t have a whole country watching and critiquing your every move. 👀

So please 🙏🏼 - be patient, understand that science is a process, and our scientists and experts are working as fast as they can and doing their very best with the limited information we have.

p.s. What you DON’T do is be stubborn and change or manipulate the data to fit your thinking... Scientists would call that unethical and misleading.

You are making a difference

Like it or not, and despite what you believe, or don't... We are all in this together. In a pandemic where a virus and emotions are running rampant, your actions and decisions have impact.

Check out video I found on TikTok. This girl has since called the whole thing a "joke" and deleted all her social media accounts. But I have no doubt her actions have already affected many in that terminal and on that plane, not to mention her family and friends.

Conversely, to those of you who continue to mask and distance - THANK YOU. Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for your kindness and respect for those around you. What you do matters so much. We will get through this together.