The "Mite" Problem: Why You Need to Treat Eyelids Before Surgery | Dagny Zhu, MD
Over the years, I’ve learned that some of the biggest vision problems don’t come from inside the eye at all—they come from the eyelids. I see patients every day who are preparing for LASIK or cataract surgery and feel completely fine, yet their eyelids are quietly inflamed and their tear film is unstable. When that happens, vision can fluctuate, measurements can be off, and recovery can be more uncomfortable than it needs to be. Once you understand how much the eyelids influence the surface of the eye, it changes the way you think about eye surgery altogether.
What to Expect After Cataract Surgery: Recovery, Results, and Red Flags
After cataract surgery, the most common question I hear is, “Why is everything still blurry?” And truly — that’s normal. Your eye is adjusting, healing, and getting used to a new lens. The scratchiness, light sensitivity, and even those sudden floaters are all part of the process. What matters is steady improvement. And if something feels off or suddenly changes, I always want you to reach out. Your healing is uniquely yours, and I’m here to walk you through it.
Had LASIK? Here’s What You Need to Know Before Cataract Surgery | Neda Nikpoor, MD
When patients who had LASIK years ago come to me with new cataracts, the first thing they ask is whether that old surgery changes anything now. And the answer is yes—but not in the scary way they imagine. LASIK permanently reshaped their cornea, which means cataract surgery requires a little more nuance, a little more precision, and the right lens choice. It’s one of the reasons I love bringing experts like Dr. Neda Nikpoor into these conversations—because there are fantastic options. You just need to understand how your past eye history shapes your future vision.
Choosing the Right Lens: What to Know Before Cataract Surgery
Somewhere between caring for my pediatric patients and helping my own parents navigate aging eyes, cataracts stopped being an abstract “later in life” problem and became very real. Sitting down with Priya, who lives in the cataract world every single day, shifted even my perspective as an ophthalmologist. It reminded me that cataract surgery isn’t just a procedure—it’s often the turning point that gives people their confidence, independence, and joy back.
Is It Time for Cataract Surgery? How to Know—and What to Ask First
When my dad started having trouble driving at night, he brushed it off the same way every time: “My cataracts aren’t ripe yet.” It wasn’t until I examined him myself that I saw how much he’d been adjusting without noticing — and how that old idea of “waiting” keeps so many people from getting help sooner.
Is Your Makeup Causing Your Dry Eye?
A 38-year-old woman came into my clinic with red, irritated eyes that felt dry no matter what she did. She was using artificial tears every couple of hours, taking omega-3s, and still miserable. When I examined her, I noticed two things — eyeliner right on her waterline and retinol in her eye cream. That combo was quietly damaging the tiny glands that keep her eyes comfortable. As someone who loves makeup myself, I get it. But eye health and beauty don’t have to be at odds — you just need to know what to look out for.
Tiktok Dermatology: The Good, The Fad & The Ugly | Kristina Collins, MD
As a mom of three, I get it — my own 11-year-old has a skincare fridge that puts mine to shame. She doesn’t even have a phone, yet she already knows the brands, the routines, and the influencers. It’s wild. But as a doctor, I also know that not everything trending on skincare TikTok is safe for kids’ skin. That’s why I wanted to talk with Dr. Kristina Collins — to separate what’s harmless and even healthy from what’s just hype.
Lash Serums Explained: What Works, What’s Risky, and What to Avoid
One of the questions I get most often—usually asked in a whisper—is about lash serums. And I get it, it feels trivial. But it’s not. Lash serums are medicated, and they can cause real changes to your eyes. I used them too—and learned the hard way why that matters.
Digital Detox for Kids: Resetting Screen Time Habits | Michael Jacobus
As a mom of three, I see how much screens shape my kids’ world — from homework to friendships to how they relax. But lately, I’ve noticed something deeper: screens aren’t just stealing time; they’re reshaping how kids feel. In this week’s episode of In Focus, I sat down with Michael Jacobus, founder of Reset Summer Camp, to talk about what screen addiction really looks like in teens — and how families can help kids reconnect with the real world again.
How to End Screen Time Tantrums Without Power Struggles
As a mom of three and a pediatric ophthalmologist, I’ve seen screen time from both sides — the medical and the emotional. I don’t believe in banning screens, but I do believe in setting thoughtful, science-backed boundaries that help kids learn self-control and protect their vision. In this post, I’m sharing the exact checklist, apps, and daily systems that have made screen time more peaceful (and a lot less guilt-filled) in our home.