Be the Beam of Light

Blink Collective - Episode 4

🎙️ Episode 4 of Blink Collective is here — and this one dives deep into what it *really* means to care for patients beyond the eye chart 👁✨ This week, Lisa & McKenzie sit down with Dr. Madison Moss from Raleigh Contact Lens Institute — a residency-trained cornea & contact lens specialist passionate about specialty lenses, myopia management, and patient-centered care. 💬 In this episode: – Why Dr. Moss chose optometry after a life-changing mission trip to Africa – The hot take: “20/20 vision is overrated” 👀 – Why “20 happy” matters more than perfect acuity – The problem with online “express exams” & expired contact lens prescriptions – Real talk about patient education, compliance, and protecting ocular health – A fascinating scleral lens case that changed a patient’s quality of life – Advice for students and young ODs interested in specialty care One of our favorite reminders from this episode: 📌 Real patients don’t read the textbook. And that’s exactly what makes this profession so meaningful. 🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation. #BlinkCollective #OptometryPodcast #FutureOD #OptometryLife #ScleralLenses #CorneaSpecialist #ContactLenses #MyopiaManagement #EyeCare #ODLife #WomenInOptometry #PatientCare #SpecialtyLenses #DryEye #YoungOD #HealthcarePodcast #StudentDoctor

Blink Collective - Episode 3

🎙️ Episode 3 is LIVE, and we’ve got our first guest! From externship realities to confidence in clinic, this episode of Blink Collective dives into what it really feels like to step into the role of a future doctor 👁✨ We’re joined by a third-year student (aka @EyeOnThePrize 👀) who’s balancing externships, content creation, and everything in between — and keeping it real the whole way through. 💬 In this episode: – The scrubs vs. business casual debate (it gets passionate 😅) – Why confidence matters just as much as knowledge in clinic – Real talk about externships: the highs, the doubts, and growth moments – Advice for students stepping into their 4th year – A wild clinic case that proves “routine exams” are never routine Whether you’re a pre-optometry student, in school, or already in clinic, this one’s packed with relatable moments and real insight. 🎧 Tune in now & join the conversation. #BlinkCollective #OptometryLife #FutureOD #OptometryStudents #ExternshipLife #WomenInOptometry #ODLife #EyeCare #StudentDoctor #ClinicConfessions #ScleralLenses #DryEye #OptometryPodcast #HealthcareStudents #MedStudentLife

Blink Collective - Episode 2

Hot takes, real talk, and things we’re actually seeing in clinic 👀 From presbyopia drops to remote optometry… are we evolving—or losing something along the way? 🎙️ Episode 2 is live. This is what students are really talking about. Follow, listen, and if you’ve got something to say… grab the mic 🎤 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@BlinkCollectivePodcast) or TikTok (@blinkcollective). Listen to Blink Collective on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Blink Collective isn’t just something you listen to. It’s something you can be part of. If you’re a student or young OD with something to say, grab the mic. Visit: blink-collective.com #BlinkCollective #OptometryStudents #YoungOD

Blink Collective - Episode 1

Welcome to the very first episode of Blink Collective, a new podcast platform by Valley Contax designed to spotlight optometry students and early-career ODs. In this inaugural episode, meet our first hosts, Lisa and MacKenzie, both Fourth Year Optometry Student | Class of 2026 who helped open the door to this new concept and set the tone for what Blink Collective is all about. They share: • Who they are and their journeys through optometry school • What inspired the creation of Blink Collective • Honest reflections on life as optometry students • A few pearls they’ve learned along the way • And how YOU, as a student or young OD can grab the mic Blink Collective isn’t just a podcast you listen to. It’s a platform you can be part of. If you’re an optometry student or early-career OD with something to say, this is your invitation. 🎙️ The mic’s on. You in? Interested in hosting an episode? Submit your proposal at: blink-collective.com [https://www.blink-collective.com/] Follow Blink Collective for new conversations every month.

Magicians, Mathematicians or Scleral Clinicians?

🎙️ In today’s episode, Roya and Sheila explore some exciting innovations in ocular surface care! 👁️✨ They kick things off with the newly FDA-approved Prednisolone Acetate Suspension🧴 and personalized serum eye drops from Ocubio.  Then, are thrilled to welcome Dr. Pooja Alloju—a rising star in anterior segment disease and specialty contact lenses! 🌟 With her background in applied mathematics 📊 and a residency focused on cornea and contact lenses , Dr. Alloju brings precision, passion, and practical wisdom to the table. Tune in as we discuss hot topics like: 💧 Are artificial tears really tears? 🔬 When to switch from OTC to autologous serum drops 🤝 Tips for collaborating with corneal specialists 🩺 Knowing when to refer for cataract surgery, corneal crosslinking, or scleral lenses Whether you’re managing dry eye or enhancing your referral skills, this episode is packed with insights—and a reminder that sometimes, the best medicine is collaboration! 💡🤝 Got ideas or guest suggestions? Reach out at trynot2blinkshow@gmail.com! 📧 SOURCES Blog from Optometry School with Dr. Pooja Alloju [https://www.sco.edu/student-life-blogs/posts/my-brother-isnt-that-annoying] Eye Health Texas on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@eyehealthtexas] Scleral Lens Education Society: Management of non-KCN Cases [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-enSfXcXQM] Pooja linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pooja-alloju-od-faao-fsls-193bb289/] Shashi linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shashi-alloju-02842b173/] Glance: Amneal [https://glance.eyesoneyecare.com/stories/2025-06-13/fda-approves-amneal-s-prednisolone-acetate-ophthalmic-suspension/?utm_campaign=%5Bglance-marketing%5D%20weekly%20optometry%20newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--H_NiYogYwhVERoYQ2qxHbTRl3didRYrfIMYXdSONl45W6PAEUotftCEX4i-BuU6PFT4Yzqf6pOqUtLhGzRYFMlY1srmrxmV3Dsqu89yxeTuRc8CM&_hsmi=367644101&utm_content=367644101&utm_source=hs_email] Glance: the Qualified Autologous Serum Eye Drops (qASED) [https://glance.eyesoneyecare.com/stories/2025-06-24/jjv-launches-acuvue-oasys-max-1-mf-contact-lens-for-astigmatism/?utm_medium=eoe:infinite-scroll] Try Not to Blink Podcast  is powered by Valley Contax [https://www.valleycontax.com/]