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
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
“As a medical student, did you have time for anything else?”
To my surprise, premeds (including high school students!) have been hitting up my inbox 📨 to ask for advice and seek encouragement in their medical school journeys. I love it, but it also makes me feel ooooooold 😂)
One of the most common questions revolves around the amount of work and studying that is involved becoming a physician: “Will I have time for anything else?” 👩🏻⚕️
This is what I tell them: Yes, there will be lots of studying 📖 and late nights. 🌙 So you will have to MAKE the time for your extracurriculars and PROTECT your outside interests. ❤️
In high school and as an undergrad, I loved hanging out with my friends and sorority sisters. I was involved in student government and clubs (sports , dance, and cultural). I also loved tutoring and mentoring other students.
But everyone knew I was a premed, and so when it came time to study and/or head home early from a party, they supported (and some even joined) me. 📚
This balance will also be important in medical school and beyond, where it will be so easy to get caught up in work and the rat race (of grades, residencies, promotions, research, etc).
Don’t forget about YOU - your interests and your passions. Because a happy, fulfilled, and well rounded physician is truly the best kind (and honestly what medical schools, residencies, and fellowships are looking for!).