Defocus Media

What happens when a beloved children's television mascot becomes a ruthless killer? In this episode of the OD'ing on Movies Podcast, Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson review Buddy, a horror comedy that transforms the cheerful world of 1990s children's programming into a bloody nightmare. From its outrageous violence and dark humor to an unexpected discussion […]

Childhood myopia doesn't have to mean stronger glasses every year. Myopia management offers options designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, including MiSight contact lenses, orthokeratology (Ortho-K), atropine and myopia-control glasses. Dr. Jennifer Lyerly and Dr. Alicia Barnes share how optometrists and families can choose the right myopia control approach based on a child's vision, lifestyle and individual needs.

Dry eye care has become far more than recommending artificial tears and sending patients home. For practices willing to build the right systems around diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, it can become a sophisticated clinical service that improves patient care while creating a meaningful new revenue stream. On the 20/20 Podcast, Dr. Harbir Sian and Dr. […]

Burnout has become a familiar word in optometry, but Dr. Adam Ramsey believes it may not tell the whole story. In a solo episode of Play Chess Not Checkers, Ramsey challenges doctors to consider a different question: Are they truly burned out—or have stress, repetition and shrinking margins simply made the profession less enjoyable? When the […]

A flock of sheep solving the murder of their shepherd may not sound like an obvious starting point for a conversation about optometry. But on OD'ing on Movies, Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson welcomed Dr. Janette Pepper for a discussion that moved effortlessly from The Sheep Detectives to grief, belonging, ocular anatomy, optometry education, and the […]

Dry eye disease rarely presents as a straightforward clinical puzzle. Some patients report burning, grittiness and blurred vision despite showing few visible signs; others have significant corneal damage yet feel little discomfort. In a conversation with Dr. Darryl Glover, dry eye specialist and researcher Dr. Kaleb Abbott explains why this disconnect matters—and how recognizing it […]

Long before Phernell Walker became a master optician and the first Black chair of the American Board of Opticianry, a childhood encounter gave him a reason to care about sight. Speaking with Tarrance Lackran at the United Opticians Association Leadership Conference in Chicago, Walker traced a remarkable journey from poverty and limited expectations to national […]

In part two of their discussion of The Odyssey, Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson are joined once again by honorary co-host Dr. Morgan Jones. Together, they follow Odysseus through the darkest and most dangerous stages of his journey home. Between thoughtful analysis and hilarious side conversations, the three doctors explore the film's horror elements, […]

For optometry students and new graduates, choosing where and how to practice can be challenging—especially when reliable career information is difficult to find. Dr. Wynn Nguyen is helping close that gap through the Canadian New ODs report, a crowdsourced survey exploring compensation, career priorities, work-life balance, practice location, and professional goals among Canadian optometrists. Opportunity […]

Dry eye disease affects women at approximately twice the rate of men, yet the relationship between women's health and the ocular surface is often overlooked. In a conversation on The 20/20 Podcast, Dr. Harbir Sian and Dr. Janice Luk explored how hormonal changes, beauty routines and inflammation can influence dry eye throughout a woman's life and […]

In this episode of the Play Chess Not Checkers Podcast, Dr. Melissa Barnett joins Dr. Adam Ramsey to reflect on her evolution from a shy student into an internationally recognized optometrist, educator, author and coach. Their conversation explores how mentorship shaped her career, why individualized patient care matters, and how community, coaching and thoughtful leadership can […]

On a special episode of the OD'ing on Movies podcast, hosts Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson welcomed Dr. Darryl Glover, Dr. Ashley Johnson, and their children, Ariyo Glover and Rammona Johnson, to discuss Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic. For Ariyo, a devoted Michael Jackson fan who enjoys recreating his dance moves, seeing the film in theaters […]

A patient comes in with red, irritated eyes. Their eyelids are swollen. Maybe they have recurring styes, or perhaps they have tried several contact lenses and insist that every one of them feels dry. For an eye care professional, the natural response is to start thinking about treatment. But Amy Gallant Sullivan, executive director and […]

Dr. Jennifer Tsai's career does not fit neatly into the traditional definition of optometry. She is an optometrist, practice owner, content creator, and entrepreneur who has built a personal brand reaching hundreds of thousands of followers while developing two practices in New York City. But the polished version seen today was built through experimentation, setbacks, […]

Optometry is built on measurements, clinical findings, and treatment plans. But some of the most challenging patient encounters cannot be fully explained by what appears under the slit lamp. On The 20/20 Podcast, host Dr. Harbir Sian sits down with Dr. Richard Maharaj to explore a more human approach to care, one that considers pain, psychology, […]

Vision therapy has long occupied an interesting place in eye care. For some conditions, there is a growing body of research supporting its use. For others, questions remain about where appropriate treatment ends and overreach begins. On the 4-Eyed Professor Podcast, Dr. Chris Lievens sits down with Dr. Marie Bodack, Chief of Pediatrics at Southern College […]

What makes someone want to return to a store? It is rarely just the product. For eye care practices, where healthcare and retail intersect every day, the experience surrounding the product can be just as important. On 4theRecord, host Tyler Kemp speaks with Lea Wilhelm, owner of The Peacock, a three-location consignment business in Calgary, about […]

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has become one of the biggest cinematic events of the year, but for Dr. Jacobi Cleaver, Dr. Jacob Wilson, and Dr. Morgan Jones, the film offered much more than stunning visuals. Their conversation blended mythology, filmmaking, and optometry into an entertaining discussion that revealed why Homer's ancient story continues to resonate with modern audiences. […]

Choosing an optometry residency is about more than getting a match—it's about finding the residency that matches your long-term career goals. Dr. Whitney Powell explains how identifying the type of practice she wanted helped her choose a program that accelerated her clinical skills, confidence, and career.

When Dr. Cory Lapin opened his dedicated dry eye practice, he was not stepping into a polished operation with a large staff and years of established systems. Just four weeks in, the practice consisted largely of Lapin and a virtual receptionist, leaving him involved in nearly every part of the patient experience. Rather than seeing […]

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life, from chatbots to autonomous vehicles. In this episode of the OD'ing on Movies Podcast, filmmakers Erin Aine and Kyle Valle discuss their newest micro-horror series, Autonomous, a suspenseful story that explores what happens when technology becomes something we trust without question. Along the way, they reveal how a simple idea evolved into […]

Learn how to build an optometry practice with leadership, practice culture, and proven business strategies from Dr. Kurt Steele's journey to $4 million.

For nearly five decades, Alain Mikli has challenged the eyewear industry to think beyond function. In a conversation with Tarrence Lackran on EyeConversations, the legendary designer reflected on building one of the most influential eyewear brands in history, proving that success comes from originality, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship not simply following trends. Success Doesn't Happen […]

Myopia management in practice is no longer limited to specialty clinics. Learn how to start myopia management, overcome common barriers, educate parents, and confidently deliver myopia control across corporate optometry, private practice, and academic settings.

Learn how the Leonardo Learning Platform helps eye care practices improve staff education, leadership development, patient experience, and long-term practice growth.

For Dr. Ansel Johnson, a 40-year career in optometry has never been defined solely by prescriptions, practice ownership, or professional titles. His journey reflects something much larger: the power of representation, lifelong learning, community service, and using eye care as a gateway to better overall health. Speaking with Dr. Adam Ramsey on the Play Chess […]

Looking to build or scale an optometry practice? Jamie Rosin shares proven strategies for growing an eye care practice by improving leadership, patient experience, team accountability, and operational systems. Learn how to optimize your current practice before expanding and build a scalable foundation for long-term success.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, yet many patients are unaware they have it until significant vision has already been lost. In this episode of the Eye-Q Podcast, Dr. Rudrani Banik breaks down the fundamentals of glaucoma, explaining what every patient and every eye care professional should understand about this […]

What happens when a science-fiction movie about extraterrestrial life brings together conversations about iris color, specialty contact lenses, career growth, and the importance of having a life outside optometry? On the OD in Our Movies podcast, Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson welcomed Dr. Lisa Wahl, OD, to review Disclosure Day. The conversation moved from […]

Running a successful eye care practice requires more than clinical expertise. Practice owners must also lead teams, manage performance, communicate expectations, and build a workplace culture where employees can thrive—often without formal training in human resources. Dr. Alanna Wilson shares how her two-location practice is building a more proactive approach to HR, while Olivia Leduc, […]

Learn how to build a successful myopia management program with practical strategies for myopia control, including MiSight contact lenses, Stellest spectacle lenses, orthokeratology, and atropine. Explore clinical protocols, axial length monitoring, pricing, parent education, and team implementation.

Dry eye disease is no longer viewed as a simple problem solved with artificial tears. As Dr. Laura Periman explains, modern research is redefining dry eye as a complex, multifactorial disease that requires personalized diagnosis and targeted treatment. During her conversation on The 20/20 Podcast, she explores how innovations in molecular medicine, neuroscience, and ocular surface diagnostics […]

Nearly 30 years after its release, Independence Day remains one of the defining summer blockbusters. Starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and Vivica A. Fox, the 1996 sci-fi classic combined action, humor, and unforgettable visual effects to become a global box office phenomenon. Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson revisit the film, discussing why it continues to […]

Success is often portrayed as a straight path marked by perfect grades, ideal circumstances, and flawless execution. Dr. Cortez Lewis' journey proves otherwise. From growing up in a small Arkansas town and navigating academic struggles to overcoming unimaginable personal loss while pursuing his optometry degree, his story is one of resilience, faith, and unwavering determination. […]

Persol has spent more than a century building a reputation for timeless Italian craftsmanship, authentic design, and a deep connection to cinema. This summer, those values come to life through one of New York City's most iconic outdoor events. Beginning July 2 and continuing every Thursday through August, Persol will serve as the presenting sponsor of Movies With A View at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a free outdoor film series that has become a beloved summer tradition for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

Building a successful dry eye practice goes far beyond adding new technology. Dr. Ada Noh shares practical strategies for creating efficient systems, improving patient education, and delivering consistent dry eye care that benefits both patients and the practice. Learn how intentional workflows and evidence-based treatment can help optometrists build a sustainable and thriving dry eye practice.

As optometry continues to evolve, doctors have more opportunities than ever to specialize, adopt new technologies, and collaborate with industry, but lasting success is built on something far more important than equipment or titles: trust. During a conversation recorded at the British Columbia Doctors of Optometry (BCDO) conference, Dr. Harbir Sian, Dr. Julian Prosia, and […]

The latest episode of OD'ing on Movies took listeners on a deep dive into the indie horror sensation Obsession, a psychological thriller that explores what happens when admiration turns into unhealthy fixation. While the hosts unpacked the film's suspenseful twists and unsettling themes, the conversation also highlighted something equally compelling—a unique career path in optometry. Guest Dr. Lindsay Carroll shared […]

Key Takeaways Virtual assistants in optometry are becoming a critical solution for practices looking to scale across multiple locations without increasing operational complexity. For optometrists managing growth, the challenge is not clinical care, it is maintaining consistency in scheduling, communication, and patient flow. In this conversation with Dr. Adam Ramsey and Dr. Monica Miller, a […]

Dry eye is showing up in exam lanes every day—and for many practices, it represents one of the most consistent opportunities to improve patient comfort, visual stability, and long-term trust. In this Defocus Media Podcast episode, Dr. Darryl Glover and Dr. Jennifer Lyerly are joined by dry eye specialist Dr. Jackie Garlich to discuss real-world dry eye care, focusing on identifying symptoms, confirming diagnosis with practical tools, and addressing inflammation with therapies such as Xiidra.1* 

Myopia management is transforming pediatric eye care, but myths surrounding genetics, screen time, contact lenses, and treatment effectiveness continue to create barriers to early intervention. In this MythBusters edition, Dr. Jennifer Lyerly and Dr. Justin Kwan separate fact from fiction while exploring the latest evidence behind myopia control and practical strategies every eye care professional can use to protect children's long-term vision.

Opening an independent optometry practice has never been more challenging—or more rewarding. In a recent episode of the Depth Perception Podcast, Dr. Danielle Richardson shared her journey of launching Clarity on Melrose, a boutique private practice in West Hollywood that blends personalized patient care with intentional branding and business strategy. Rather than competing on volume, her approach […]

Dry eye disease (DED) impacts countless individuals, and while therapies like Xiidra® (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% have proven effective,1 ensuring consistent patient compliance remains a challenge for eye care professionals. Xiidra, which can improve signs and symptoms as early as two weeks,1* is most effective when used consistently. Based on insights shared in the Defocus […]

Learn how optometric metrics and optometry KPIs can help grow your practice through better business decisions and improved patient care. Discover the key performance indicators every optometrist should track including patient retention new patient growth revenue per patient optical capture rate dry eye services and myopia management to build a stronger more successful practice.

Children today spend more time looking at screens than any generation before them. Conversations about technology often center around digital eye strain, myopia progression, or limiting screen time, but an emerging perspective suggests the impact may reach much deeper than the eyes alone. During a recent discussion on the 20/20 Podcast, optometrist Dr. Meenal Agarwal […]

Optometry careers rarely follow a straight line. During a recent episode of the OD'ing on movies podcast, Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson welcomed Dr. Brian Sturgill to discuss the cult classic movie Predator, but the conversation quickly evolved into something much deeper: military service, traumatic brain injury care, entrepreneurship, and building a meaningful career […]

Artificial intelligence and clinical oculomics are transforming optometry and the future of eye care. Dr. Osama Said explains how retinal scans and AI may soon help optometrists predict cardiovascular disease, dementia, blood pressure, and other systemic conditions years before symptoms appear.

Financial wellness in optometry is becoming one of the profession's most important conversations. During a recent episode of the Depth Perception Podcast, Dr. Jasdeep Singh, Dr. Svetlana Nunez, and Dr. Chris Lopez explored the realities behind income, student debt, burnout, and long-term financial success in eye care. Using insights from the 2026 ODs on Finance […]

Dr. Julian Prosia is helping shape the future of dry eye innovation through advanced amniotic membrane technology, biologic therapies, and modern ocular surface disease management. In this conversation, the CEO of Ophthalogix Canada discusses the evolution of amniotic membrane treatment, emerging dry eye trends, IPL advancements, neurotrophic keratitis management, and the mindset required to become a leader in modern eye care.

The relationship between gut health and eye health is becoming one of the most important conversations in integrative medicine. In a recent episode of the Eye-Q Podcast, Dr. Rudrani Banik sat down with functional medicine expert Daniel Chille to discuss how inflammation, leaky gut, oxidative stress, and nutrient deficiencies may directly impact vision and long-term ocular health.  Key Takeaways Why […]

Getting accepted into optometry school involves much more than strong grades and a competitive GPA. Interviews allow schools to evaluate communication skills, professionalism, maturity, and a student's passion for patient care. During a recent episode of the Depth Perception Podcast, Dr. Svetlana Nunez and Dr. Douglas Akidi shared practical strategies to help pre-optometry students feel more […]