Four Eyes

97. End-of-Year Reflections From the Optometry Trenches

As 2025 comes to a close, Deepon and Amrit are hitting pause to reflect on the year that was, including the lessons learned and the advice they wish they’d heard earlier in their careers.In this wrap-up episode, they each share their top three takeaways from 2025, touching on clinical growth, practice ownership realities, and what it really takes to build a sustainable, fulfilling career in optometry. From navigating change in the profession to staying grounded in your “why,” this episode is equal parts honest reflection and practical guidance.Whether you’re a student, new grad, associate, or practice owner, this conversation is meant to leave you feeling encouraged, grounded, and ready to step into 2026 with clarity and confidence.Thank you for being part of our podcast community–we’re excited for what’s ahead!The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect [https://youngodconnect.com/home]

96. BV in Primary Care: The Tests That Actually Matter

In this episode, Deepon and Amrit break down the pediatric binocular vision skills every new grad needs to confidently crush a primary care eye exam. We cut through the noise and highlight the handful of BV tests that matter most when you’re tight on time but want meaningful clinical data. You’ll learn: * The essential BV tests every primary care OD should prioritize in a pediatric exam * When BV findings signal something deeper, including the red flags that warrant a neurology referral * Practical management strategies you can confidently use in-office before deciding on VT or referral This is the episode we wish we had as new grads—simple, actionable, and clinically game-changing!  The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect [https://youngodconnect.com/home]

95. Uveitis Curveballs: Lessons from the Exam Room

In this case reflection episode, Deepon walks us through uveitis cases that didn’t exactly go as planned, because let’s be honest, not every case fits neatly into the textbook.We share what went right, what went sideways, and how we navigated the unexpected twists that come with managing inflammatory eye disease in the real world.From differentiating anterior vs intermediate vs posterior uveitis, to grading inflammation clearly in your charts so your associate ODs can easily follow your management, we cover practical strategies you can apply in the clinic tomorrow. We’ll also break down when and how to order lab workups.Whether you’re a new grad still getting comfortable with the slit lamp or an OD looking to refine your charting and workup flow — this episode will help you feel more confident tackling your next uveitis case (even the tricky ones)! The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect [https://youngodconnect.com/home]

94. Case Reflection: Rethinking High Astigmatism in Pediatrics

High astigmatism in pediatrics is one of the most common challenges optometrists face in the exam room. In this Case Reflection episode, Amrit walks through a case where she approached a young patient’s high astigmatism in a way that went beyond the standard playbook. Instead of reaching straight for a full cycloplegic refraction and prescribing the high numbers, we undercorrected strategically and focused on the binocular vision issue driving the child’s visual symptoms. The result? The child’s acuity improved, their visual system developed more efficiently, and they didn’t have to rely on an unnecessarily high refractive error. In this episode, we explore why high astigmatism often shows up in pediatric exams, talk about the limitations of relying only on cycloplegia, and share how functional prescribing and binocular vision treatment can transform outcomes. If you’ve ever wondered how to manage high pediatric prescriptions in a way that supports long-term visual development rather than just clearing up the chart, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! You can learn more from the following resources: 1. Lens Power in Action by Robert Kraskin 2. Optometric Management of Nearpoint Vision Disorders by Martin H. Birnbaum  3. Pediatric Eye Care Masterclass course [https://dramritbilkhu.thinkific.com/products/courses/pediatric-eye-care] 4. OEPF Art & Science Course [https://www.oepf.org/the-art-science-of-optometric-care-a-behavioral-perspective-2/] The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect [https://youngodconnect.com/home]

93. Thriving, Not Just Surviving: A Mental Health Check-In for New Grads ft. Dr. Meenal Agarwal

In this refreshingly honest episode, we chat with Dr. Meenal Agarwal, an Optometrist and private practice owner, about the mental health challenges that often come with life after optometry school. Geared toward students and new grads, this conversation covers: * What burnout really feels like and when to hit reset * How to build a sustainable work/life balance by aligning yourself * Setting boundaries with staff, patients, and even yourself * Why it’s okay to not have it all figured out Dr. Agarwal shares her own story, red flags to watch for, and her best advice for navigating your early years in practice with compassion and perspective. The Four Eyes Podcast is brought to you by YoungOD Connect [https://youngodconnect.com/home] Learn more about Dr. Agarwal by listening to her podcast, Uncover Your Eyes:  [https://www.youtube.com/@UncoverYourEyeswithDr.Meenal]