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.
Style Series: The Short White Coat
After one of my #fashionFriday posts last month, a medical student reached out for tips styling her short white coat. Great question! 💡(and when you are too busy figuring out virtual school for your kids on Friday, we fall back on #styleSaturday! ❤️😉)
A short white coat is notoriously tough for a few reasons: 1) It is one size fits all so tends to be on the boxier side, especially for us ladies, and 2) It is an awkward in between length - not cropped, nor long... 🤔
The key here is contrast - short of altering the coat, it's easiest to stick with slimmer and/or longer silhouettes underneath to balance the wider white coat. Here are my top 6 tips:
1. Roll up the sleeves - this will help the coat appear less boxy.
2. Invest in well fitting scrubs - definitely not necessary as a student, but if you are on a hospital heavy rotation, scrubs are an easy option (especially if hospital scrubs are always too big/small/long/etc).
3. Slim dark pants - This was my workhorse go-to during school and training. A slim style will balance the boxy white coat, and a cropped length will keep the hems from dragging on a dirty hospital floor.
4. Pointy toes flats - Styles and trends change, but in general a pointy toe will elongate your legs. Comfort is also key when you're running around the hospital or clinic (to this day, I never wear heels to work).
5. Fitted pencil skirt - If you don't want to wear pants every day, a pencil skirt is another option. The same rules apply - something more fitted and in a darker color is easiest for contrast.
6. Midi skirt/dress - You can also play with lengths and pair a longer skirt with the shorter white coat.
These are just some tips. In the end, as long as you are presentable (i.e. no rips or stains), on time, and ready to learn, I consider you good to go.
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼#doctorstyle
“What is Ophthalmology?”
A new follower messaged me the other day, "What is ophthalmology?" 👁 Sometimes I forget that not everyone knows exactly what I do, so here goes!
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor 👩🏻⚕️ who has completed 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school, 1 year of internship, 3 years of residency training, and an optional 1-2 years of fellowship (in glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics, retina, uveitis, pediatrics, or neuro-ophthalmology. Mind-blowing that a little body part has so many subspecialties right? 👁).
On any given day, I can be in clinic seeing patients and helping them with their medications; or doing laser procedures; or in the operating room performing surgeries. I see lots of different eye issues, from dry eye and infections to cataracts and diabetes inside the eyes.
As a glaucoma specialist, the majority of my patients come to me for help managing their eye pressures (I liken glaucoma to systemic hypertension; it's often asymptomatic, but if unmanaged for a long time, can cause major issues like vision loss). I absolutely love what I do. Patients can literally "see" the difference oftentimes 👀 - and it's a privilege to be able to help.
Love what you do. ❤️ Do what you love.
Because those who can see the world are the ones who will change it...
(and yes, that is a Sofia the First remix. 😂👑 “So much to learn and see...!”)