“You’re ruining your Eyes…”
As an ophthalmologist, I realized early in my training that some of the things my mom told me would "damage" or “ruin” my eyes weren't quite true... 👀
The truth is, your vision/need for glasses depends on the size and shape of your eyes. If you are myopic or nearsighted, that means your eyes are too long/large. If you are hyperopic or farsighted, that means your eyes are too short/small. An astigmatism means your eyes are not quite round, more of a football shape.
And no amount of reading in the dark, watching TV, wearing your glasses, using your phone/computer, or crossing your eyes is going to change your eye size and shape.
So instead, I tell my kids that too much TV/iPad time rots their brains 🧠... better right? 🤣
Ophthalmology Match 2021
Today is the ophthalmology match. 👁 This is the day that medical students across the US find out at which program they will spend their 3 year ophthalmology residency.
What is the match process like?
Back in July, ophthalmology-hopeful 4th year medical students submitted their applications online - including their grades/scores, CVs, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. Programs and hospitals then offered and conducted interviews between October and January (this year they were mainly virtual, but I remember flying all across the country for mine - all the while trying to complete my hospital rotations).
This past January 25th, medical students and programs submitted their rank lists - number 1 being the program or candidate they each most desired and on down. I remember scouring over mine - checking and double checking to make sure mine was correct. Because once these lists get submitted and put into the computer system, the results are binding. 😳
The matching algorithm then goes through a whole mathematical process to match candidates to programs - optimizing rank list preferences but giving the medical students' choices priority.
Today, medical students and program directors find out how it all shook out. Some students matched, some didn't. Some got their first choices, some did not. All in all, today is a huge milestone in the medical journey, and something to be celebrated and acknowledged. 👏🏼
Congrats to everyone who matched! Welcome to the ophthalmology family!!!
all HAnds on Deck
Because of the COVID surge here in Los Angeles, many sub-specialty doctors have been called in to help in the wards and/or screen patients in the hospital. Typically, we are in our outside clinics or operating rooms, but with many shut down or down-booked for safety, we have been diverted to help our overwhelmed primary care and emergency colleagues.
Today was my turn in the "surge pool," and I am not going to lie - I was incredibly nervous. As an eye doctor, it's been a while since I last had to deal with respiratory issues, back pains, or tonsil stones (yep, dealt with some of those today). Plus dealing with COVID and vaccine questions are not my primary specialty.
Was it daunting? Yes. Was it outside my comfort zone? You bet. I had to admit more than once that I didn't have all the answers, and I asked a lot of questions myself... But in the end, I was honored to help my colleagues.
Throughout this pandemic, I have always felt that we were all in this together. (Literally) getting together over the holidays is likely what worsened this surge here in LA, but working together to educate, protect, and help one another is what will get us through... 🙏🏼
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼
My Favorite part about Ophthalmology
I often get asked: What is my favorite part about ophthalmology? 👁
It's easy: I love the variety.
I spend most of my time helping patients in clinic - counseling them and giving them tips to improve their vision and eye health. I do eye examinations and interpret testing and images. And I prescribe drops and medications for eye diseases.
If warranted, I can also do lasers and procedures, and when necessary perform surgery to improve or save someone's vision. I love being able to “do it all” for most of my patients.
Because every day and patient can be different, and I rarely feel bored. It’s what drew me to the specialty as a student and it keeps me sharp to this day. I couldn't SEE myself doing anything else.
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. 🩺
"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyways." - Earl Nightingale
myopic progression in children
Did you know that the prevalence of myopia, or nearsightedness, is on the rise in school aged children?
Refractive error (aka need for glasses) is typically determined by genetics - a myopic eye is long, while a hyperopic or farsightedness eye is short. The exact etiology for this rise in myopia is still to be determined. Possible factors could be the increase near work or decreased outdoor time over recent decades.
Treatments for myopia include glasses or contacts - but while they can help clear vision in the short term, they don’t really slow down the progression. And methods to slow down progression like prescription eye drops can further blur children’s vision.
Given that my husband and I are both nearsighted, it will be just a matter of time before our children will have these issues.
But good news! The FDA has recently approved CooperVisionUSA’s MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses that can do both - help vision immediately AND slow down progression. Ask your optometrist for more information!