Questions & Eyes: Recent Episodes

Dr. Amy Ruzicka, OD

Questions & Eyes was designed to redefine Q&A in healthcare and share personal life inspiring stories.

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Special Guest: Dr. Amna Husain, MD, FAAP 

Tune in to hear more on the following topics:

  • What is Direct Primary Care?
  • Starting a practice right out of residency
  • When should a child see a pediatrician?
  • Thinking about being a parent while a resident?
  • Tips and Tricks on the School Year

Useful Links

Choose My Plate

Direct Primary Care

https://njdermcenter.com/amna-husain/ 

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Mini-Series Dig Deep into the Chosen topic.

This final episode of the mini-series discusses multi-disciplinary, Optometry & Ophthalmology mission trips. 

Special Guest: Dr. Eric Purdy, MD discusses the process and his own experience. He is an ophthalmologist that practices in Indiana. For the past 26 years, he has been involved in mission ~4 times per year. There is so much more to this story...so click play!

If you'd like the keynote presentation regarding medical mission Dr. Purdy mentions email me qande.doctor@gmail.com and I will send you the proper information.

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VOSH International

Restore Sight

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Mini-Series Dig Deep into the Chosen topic.

This episode talks about my experience on my first medical mission trip and mission trips at the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry.

Special Guest: Dr. Russel Coates, OD discusses the process and his own experience. You will get a sneak peek to part 3 of the mini-series and know the launch date. 

If you'd like to donate to RSO missions send me an email at qande.doctor@gmail.com and I will send you the proper information (The donated funds will be allocated to assist with RSO mission trip travel expenses for students and/or faculty (whichever the donator would prefer)). 

Contact your optometry schools and/or their optometry grad peers who may participate in optometric missions

Helpful Links:

Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) International  

Fellowship of Christian Optometrist (FCO) International  

Remote Area Medical Organization

See the Lord Organization 

Luxottica One Sight Program

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Mini-Series Dig Deep into the Chosen topic.

This episode talks about what optometry school looked like at the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry and why Dr. Ruzicka chose it. 

We learn about the importance of mission statements and how this relates to the vision of Dr. Ruzicka and the school she attended. You will get a sneak peek to part 2 of the mini-series and know the launch date. 

Helpful Links:

UIW RSO Optometry School

Business Dictionary Definition

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Hard Honest Conversations with Dr. Ruzicka.

Discussion on controversial and real topics; This episode gets to the bottom of the sun and its effect on our skin and eyes.

Dig deep into what the sun is, how its intensity is measured, and how to protect yourself and family.

Start a conversation with your skin care or eye care provider.

Here are some Helpful Links:

American Optometric Association - Sun and the Eyes

American Academy of Ophthalmology - Sun and the Eyes

American Academy of Dermatology - Protect Skin from Sun

Sunscreen that Doesn't Burn

Solar System - NASA

Elta MD - UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46

World Health Organization Fact Sheet on Cancer

UV Index - The World Health Organization

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Hard Honest Conversations with Dr. Ruzicka.

Discussion on controversial and real topics; This episode gets to the bottom of how often you need an eye exam.

Dig deep into how the decision is made of when an eye exam is needed and what role do your kids play. Start a conversation with your eye care provider.----more----Helpful Links:

American Academy of Ophthalmology | Children Eye Screenings

American Academy of Ophthalmology | Frequency of Eye Exams Clinical Guide

American Academy of Ophthalmology | Eye Exams 101

Prevent Blindness | How Often to Get an Eye Exam?

American Optometric Association | Frequency of Eye Exams for Pediatrics & Adults

Prioritizing Kids Eye Health

Risk Factors for Needing an Annual Eye Exam:

  • Prematurity, low birth weight, prolonged supplemental oxygen at birth
  • Family history of ocular disease, myopia, amblyopia, strabismus, retinoblastoma, congenital cataracts, metabolic or genetic disease
  • Infection of mother during pregnancy (e.g., rubella, toxoplasmosis, venereal disease, herpes, cytomegalovirus or human immunodeficiency virus)
  • Maternal smoking, use of alcohol or illicit drug use during pregnancy
  • Cortical visual impairment
  • Difficult or assisted labor, which may be associated with fetal distress
  • High or progressive refractive error
  • Strabismus
  • Anisometropia
  • Academic performance problems
  • Known or suspected neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Systemic health conditions with potential ocular manifestations
  • Wearing contact lenses
  • Having functional vision in only one eye
  • Eye surgery or previous eye injury
  • Taking prescription or nonprescription drugs (e.g., over the counter medications, supplements, herbal remedies) with potential ocular side effects
  • Belonging to certain racial and ethnic groups (Pertains to adults)
  • Systemic health conditions with potential ocular manifestations
  • Occupations that are highly demanding visually or have a high potential of being hazardous to the eyes (welding, mechanic, and other trades)
  • Other eye-related health concerns or conditions

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Guest speaker, Dr. Neil Renaud, is an optometrist that focuses on vision therapy at his practice. You'll become more familiar with what vision therapy is, how to look for the signs in a child, and if vision therapy is appropriate for you and more. 

Resources

Dr. Renaud's Practice: http://eagleeyevisiontherapy.com

COVD: covd.org

NORA: https://noravisionrehab.org

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VTparentsunite/

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Learn about the process of getting into optometry school and what challenges Dr. Ruzicka faced! Guest appearance by Zach Arambula. Zach was 2009 Offensive MVP, 2013 Offensive All-Tournament, 2014 Offensive All-Tournament at the Beep Baseball World Series. 

For more info on the San Antonio Jets: http://sajets.org/Default.aspx 

For more info on applying to optometry school: Deadlines and Other Information | OptomCAShttps://www.optomcas.org/information-about-schools.../deadlines-and-other-informati...

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Pilot Episode

Guest appearance by Richard Ruzicka; he shares his story of losing vision at 23 and how he has managed life since. Also learn about astigmatism and your host, Dr. Ruzicka's.

Go ahead and listen in! 

For more detailed information on astigmatism: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-astigmatism 

For more detailed information on LHON (Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy): http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/leber-hereditary-optic-neuropathy