Path to Becoming an Ophthalomologist
How long does it take to become an ophthalmologist?
Here in the US, all doctors must complete undergraduate college (typically 4 years) and 4 years of medical school. Ophthalmology training consists of 1 year of internship (which can be done in medicine, surgery, or a transitional combination), followed by 3 years of ophthalmology residency.
Many ophthalmologists go on to do an optional 1 to 2 years of a subspecialty fellowship. This can be in oculoplastics, cornea, uveitis, cataract/refractive, retina, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, or pediatrics/strabismus. I personally did 1 year of glaucoma fellowship.
I cannot tell you how many times people have scoffed, "You wasted your 20s!" or exclaimed, "It's not worth it!" True, I didn't finish my training until I was 30.
But I was going to be 30 regardless, might as well have the MD I wanted to show for it. đź©ş
"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyways." - Earl Nightingale
A few of my favorite things
Christmas is just around the corner, so I wanted to share a few of my favorite things (if you are looking for a last minute gift, or better yet something fun/special for yourself):
Barefoot Dreams Robe - This was a gift a couple years ago, and I have not gone a day without wearing it. It's soft, cozy, and has great weight (even through all the machine washings). I highly recommend for anyone who appreciates luxury or even as a gift to yourself (because you definitely deserve it!)
Instawave Hair Curler - I naturally have stick straight hair, and this hair curler has been a game changer. It makes curling my hair fast and easy. Most importantly, the curlers last for a few days in between washes. Bonus, you can get it on Amazon and it's affordable.
iPhone Car Holder/Clamp - OK who gets excited over a car iPhone holder? Me! I do. So I have a popsocket on my phone which makes it incompatible with the typical flat iPhone holders. So I used to use jelly pads or prop up my phone on the dash (not good, do not recommend), until I found this claw-like holder that allows for phones of various widths and thicknesses. It's like the Holy Grail of iPhone holders!
Lash Boost - As an Asian "blessed" with short stubby lashes, Lash Boost is like magic. And as an ophthalmologist, I have tried my fair share of lash serums (including prescriptions), and Lash Boost is hands down the best (because of the results and lack of side effects). Contact me when you place your order for 10% off and free shipping.
Fitz Frames Glasses - Again as an Asian, I've been blessed with a flatter nose bridge, which often causes glasses to slide down my nose. For most of my life, I've struggled with nose pads and/or unconsciously tightening my ear muscles to hold up my glasses (yes, I can move my ears!) giving me headaches. Enter Fitz Frames, which measures your features through their app, custom prints glasses to perfectly fit your face, and uses super lightweight materials in a variety of colors and shapes. I am spoiled; I cannot wear anything else now. You can check out their app in the Apple app store. (use VICKI15 for 15% off your order)
Clothing Rental Services - For several years now, I have used a variety of clothing rental services like Rent the Runway and Nuuly for special occasion dresses, event wear, and more recently everyday clothes. It gives me that "new thing" rush without actually having to buy anything, in an affordable, sustainable way. Check out my discount section for discount codes.
#memeMonday
Funny (not so funny) story. This video kinda blew up on Instagram. Super fun, but I actually had no clue, because someone had taken it without my permission, cropped out my info, and published it as their own... (Good thing you can’t crop out my face )
While there is no official reposting etiquette and sharing is definitely caring when it comes to social media, here are a few of my tips to stay out of trouble (and not upset any creators):
Repost from the creator’s original post - This is the most ideal way to share content. This not only gives proper credit, but drives traffic to the original post.
Tag the creator - If you are not able to share directly, tagging the creator directs viewers to their page to learn more about them and view more of their content.
Do not edit the content - This includes but not limited to cropping out the creator’s information, logo, or name.
Do you have any other tips? Has this every happened to you?
#liveVICTORIOUS #doctorlife #doctormemes #medicalmemes #doctormom #doctors
COVID VACCINE APPROVED
The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization for a COVID vaccine here in the US. The UK approved one last week and has already begun vaccinating its citizens.
This is monumental - not only for the field of medicine and vaccine development, but for life as we know it, marking hopefully the beginning of the end of this prolonged pandemic.
What to expect.
Who will get the vaccine first? High risk healthcare professionals and nursing home inhabitants will be likely prioritized first. As production ramps up and more vaccines get approved, it will be more widely available early 2021.
Is it safe? Will there be side effects? Yes, the vaccine is safe. In over 70,000 participants in US vaccine trials, there were no serious adverse events. Up to 10-15% of people will experience transient side effects - fevers, fatigue, headaches, and body aches (which are actually good signs that your immune system is revving up). Again, longer term side effects have not been found and are not expected as the vaccine degrades from your system over 1-2 weeks (but will be monitored for).
Why should I get it? Getting the COVID vaccine will not only protect you from getting sick - up to 95% effective after the second dose - but will also prevent you from spreading it to others. Given mortality of COVID is about 2%, with a much higher risk of long term morbidity, experts are recommending everyone get the COVID vaccine as soon as it is available to them.
I for one cannot wait for this vaccine to be distributed. The sooner the public can get access, the sooner we will all be protected and this pandemic can end. Here’s to a safe holiday season and bright 2021.
Growth Mindset
I was helping my daughter with her math homework this weekend. And as exasperating as the CGI strategies and mistakes were (I am only human, not a teacher or saint), what really frustrated me the most was when my daughter would read a problem and immediately give up, " I just can't!"
I know that my daughter can do anything she puts her mind to (she takes after her mother after all). But this also includes when she decides she CAN'T. đź’” And so homework time evolved from solving word problems to encouraging my 7 year old that everything (especially elementary math) is figure out-able.
Now, you and I both know multiplication is hardly impossible. But have YOU ever told yourself you "just can't"? Maybe there was a task a little too tough. Or a change a little too risky. Or a dream a little too big or crazy...
Well - I'll ask you the same thing I asked my daughter - How do you know you can’t if you haven’t even tried?
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼 #growthmindset #figureoutable
A vaccine at warp speed
I have heard some concerns about the upcoming COVID vaccine: "It was too rushed. No thank you.” (The comments are usually more colorful.)
First and foremost, I have no doubt that these vaccines were properly researched for safety and efficacy. Yes, they were developed relatively quickly, in a year versus several years - How was that possible? I did a little research, and here is what I found:
1. Researchers drew on pre-existing data and technology - It's not like the researchers started from scratch. mRNA vaccine technology has actually been around for decades, and while this COVID-19 strain is novel, similar coronaviruses in general have long existed. It was about taking existing information and applying it.
2. There was good communication between the vaccine companies and regulators - I'm no professional researcher, but during medical training, I knew that every research project had to endure lengthy, back and forth application processes with review boards to make sure everything was in order. Now imagine instead of submitting paperwork and waiting months among hundreds of other applications, you could just pick up a phone and discuss protocols, materials, and approval criteria in real time - you know, because there is a global pandemic and everyone wants THIS research to happen ASAP.
3. Funding and participants were ready to go - For most projects, securing a grant or funding can take months. And once research is underway, gathering enough willing participants can take years. These were non-issues with the COVID vaccine trials.
So yes, development of these COVID vaccines happened at seemingly warp speed - but due to increased efficiency of the cumbersome process, not by cutting any corners in the research.
What do you think? Are you as excited as I am?