Blink Collective

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Latest Episodes:

Blink Collective - Episode 8 Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: You Never Stop Learning

MacKenzie and Lisa sit down with Dr. Carl Kramer to talk about what happens after optometry school—when you realize just how much there is still to learn.

From new treatments and technologies to specialty contact lenses, keratoconus, finding good CE, and those moments when you have to admit, “I don’t know… but I’ll figure it out.”

Plus, Dr. Kramer shares a memorable keratoconus case and why continuing to learn, asking for help, and staying connected to the profession matters throughout your career.

🎧 Listen to Episode 8 of Blink Collective.

#BlinkCollective #Optometry #OptometryStudent #YoungOD #OptometrySchool #Keratoconus #ScleralLenses #SpecialtyContactLenses

Blink Collective - Episode 7 Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

🎙️ New Episode of Blink Collective!

Do you ever feel like you’re supposed to have everything figured out by graduation? Spoiler: you’re not. And that’s okay. 👏

In this episode, McKenzie and Lisa talk about the transition from student to doctor, navigating the things you don’t know yet, finding people you can collaborate with, and building confidence with specialty contact lenses along the way.

Because being a good doctor isn’t about having every answer. It’s about knowing where to look, when to ask for help, and never stopping learning.

🎧 https://youtu.be/qbEhknERTps

#BlinkCollective #Optometry #OptometryStudent #NewOD #YoungOD #OptometryLife #SpecialtyContactLenses #ScleralLenses #ContactLenses #LifelongLearning #FutureOD #EyeCare

Blink Collective - Episode 6 Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Episode 6 is LIVE!

Thinking about a residency after optometry school? 👀

Hosts McKenzie and Lisa are joined by Dr. Megan Patterson for an honest conversation about residency—how to know if it's the right path, what the experience is really like, and how specialty contact lenses can make a life-changing difference for patients.

Whether you're a student, resident, or early-career OD, this episode is filled with practical advice, career insights, and inspiring clinical stories.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!

#BlinkCollective #Optometry #OptometryStudent #OptometryResident #Residency #YoungOD #EyeCare #SpecialtyContactLenses #ScleralLenses #ContactLenses #Cornea #FutureOD #ValleyContax #Podcast

Blink Collective - Episode 5 Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

🎙️ Episode 5 is LIVE! 🎙️

This week on Blink Collective, hosts McKenzie and Lisa tackle one of the most relatable hot takes in healthcare:

📚 "If your medical history reads like a novel… please bring the book."

From hilarious patient history moments to serious discussions about improving care through better communication, this episode is packed with practical pearls and real-world optometry conversations.

👁️ Highlights include:
✨ An inspiring Valley Contax Vision Project case where custom scleral lenses dramatically improved communication and quality of life for a patient living with ALS.
✨ A deep dive into Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) screening, including the latest AAO recommendations every student, new grad, and practicing OD should know.
✨ Why OCT and FAF are becoming increasingly important in detecting toxicity early.
✨ Clinical pearls on dosing, risk factors, communication with rheumatologists, and protecting vision while supporting systemic health.

Whether you're studying for boards, navigating externships, or already in practice, there's something in this episode for you.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!

💬 What's your biggest patient history challenge? Have a memorable Plaquenil case? We'd love to hear from you.

#BlinkCollective #ValleyContax #Optometry #OptometryStudent #NewGradOD #EyeCare #ScleralLenses #Plaquenil #Hydroxychloroquine #Retina #ClinicalPearls #OptometrySchool #ODLife #FutureOD #EyeHealth #ContactLenses #VisionCare #OptometricEducation #BoardPrep #OptometryPodcast #StudentDoctor #OptometryCommunity #BlinkCollectivePodcast

Blink Collective - Episode 4 May 26, 2026

Show notes

🎙️ 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 Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

🎙️ 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 Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

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 Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

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

Follow Blink Collective for new conversations every month.

Magicians, Mathematicians or Scleral Clinicians? Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ 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

Eye Health Texas on TikTok

Scleral Lens Education Society: Management of non-KCN Cases

Pooja linkedin

Shashi linkedin

Glance: Amneal

Glance: the Qualified Autologous Serum Eye Drops (qASED)

Try Not to Blink Podcast is powered by Valley Contax

Be the Beam of Light Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Try Not 2 Blink — your go-to podcast for all things vision care!

This week, Roya and Sheila are bringing you an episode packed with insights:

🔹 Breaking news on the latest in daily disposables — yes, a new *daily multifocal toric lens* is here! We’re breaking down what it means for you.

🔹 A compelling clinical case on how scleral lenses can transform lives—especially for patients with ALS and limited mobility. Because sometimes, vision care is so much more than 20/20!

🎧✨Plus, their guest this week is Dr. Tiffany Park, current cornea and contact lens resident at SCCO. She shares what residency life is really like, the advice she’d give her pre-residency self, and whether she thinks the residency path is actually worth it. We also explore her master's research on keratoconus and its impact on quality of life, and the insights that changed how she thinks about patient care.

💡We wrap with her Scleral Lens Pearl of the Day—a smart one about lens nomenclature—and go deeper into chair-time tips, fitting tricks, and success strategies for specialty lens wearers.

Whether you're a student, new grad, or industry veteran, this episode is loaded with practical advice to elevate your dry eye and scleral lens skills.

Got ideas or guest suggestions? Reach out at trynot2blinkshow@gmail.com!

SOURCES

Tiffany Park | Marshall B. Ketchum University

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyjpark?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Word of Wisdom From Corneal and Contact Lens Residents — We make lenses.

GP Lens Institute on Instagram: "Dr. Tiffany Park was one of our 2025 GPLI Alumni and Friends Award winners, and this is her wonderful video submission, highlighting her residency at SCCO and experience at the GPLI Cornea and Contact Lens Resident Symposium. Her video, poster, and abstract submissions scored very high, and we are so lucky to have great residents like her making the future of specialty contact lenses very bright!"

CLEK Study

SeaGreen

LensBase

EZI suction-less ring applicator

Try Not to Blink Podcast is powered by Valley Contax