EYE HEALTH, LIFE & WELLneSS + ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Educational resources on the Blog, YouTube, Podcast, & more
Most recent blog posts
Learn how to prevent and manage childhood myopia (nearsightedness) with expert advice from pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Rupa Wong. Watch videos, explore tips, and get evidence-based guidance for your child’s eye health.
Learn how to prevent and manage childhood myopia (nearsightedness) with expert advice from pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Rupa Wong. Watch videos, explore tips, and get evidence-based guidance for your child’s eye health.
Screens can be a lifesaver some days, but too much time on devices can affect kids’ vision, focus, and even sleep. The good news? There are plenty of engaging, screen-free activities that kids actually love. From brain-teasing puzzles to classic card games and creative outlets, here are my favorite options that keep little hands (and minds) busy—without a screen in sight.
As a pediatric ophthalmologist—and a mom—I completely understand the worry that creeps in when it comes to your child’s vision. There’s so much information (and misinformation) floating around, and one question I get asked a lot is:
“Is it true that using a nightlight can cause my child to become nearsighted?”
As an ophthalmologist, I often encounter patients seeking quick fixes for eye issues. One common concern is the stye—a red, tender bump on the eyelid that resembles a pimple. While it might be tempting to treat it like a skin blemish, it's crucial to understand what a stye truly is and how to address it properly.
As a pediatric ophthalmologist and a mom, I’m constantly thinking about how lifestyle choices impact our kids' health—not just their eyes, but their minds and bodies too.
As a pediatric ophthalmologist and a mom, I often notice kids squinting—sometimes it's just a quirky habit, but other times, it can signal an underlying vision problem.
Blue light has been a hot topic in recent years, with many people turning to blue light-blocking glasses to protect their eyes from digital screens. But how much of a concern is blue light from devices? And do these glasses actually work?
As a pediatric ophthalmologist (and a mom!), I get so many questions about screen time and its effects on young kids. We all know screens are part of our everyday lives, but how do they really impact early brain development? A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics gives us some insight. While this study doesn’t prove that screen time causes brain changes, it does show some interesting connections that we need to pay attention to.
I’m a reformed eye rubber. There, I said it. Nothing felt better to my allergy-prone eyes than a good knuckle rub. It was instant relief—at least, that’s what I told myself. But here’s the truth: eye rubbing, especially when done frequently, can do more harm than good.
And if you’ve ever wondered what it actually looks like when you rub your eyes—spoiler alert—it’s pretty crazy.
Makeup can be a fun and creative way to enhance your features, but when it comes to eye makeup, there are some risks you should be aware of.
As a parent, seeing your child struggle with myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, can be concerning. Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing distant objects to appear blurry.
Ever wondered if your child might need glasses? Here are some signs…
Here are some practical pointers I've learned as an eye doctor to smoothly administer eye drops to children without any fuss or kicking.
Have you ever wondered how rare your eye color is? Find out today!
Many kids get nervous for their first eye exam, but with a little preparation, their anxiety can be reduced.
Imagine this - you are going about your normal day and suddenly, your vision begins to change, causing you to feel like you might be going blind.
Most recent podcast episodes
We all live in a ubiquitous digital world, and while we can't change that reality, we can change how we navigate it with our kids. In this episode of In Focus, host Dr. Rupa Wong sits down with double board-certified pediatrics and preventative medicine specialist Dr. Stephanie Lee to look far beyond simple eye fatigue and vision strain. Together, they explore the profound, daily impact that digital devices have on a child’s mental health, behavior, and physical well-being. Dr. Lee shares real-life parenting advice and a brilliant, modern framework designed to help families replace rigid time limits with intentional, healthy strategies.
When a midday email from her son’s kindergarten teacher revealed he had broken down in inconsolable tears over an art project, Dr. Rupa Wong faced a stark realization. She and her husband, both high-achieving ophthalmologists, had fallen into the modern trap of over-scheduling, mistakenly believing that constant opportunity equated to optimization. On this episode of InFocus, Dr. Wong shares how that painful wake-up call prompted them to completely dismantle their family calendar and rebuild it using neuroscience and practical psychology. By moving away from cultural pressure and focusing on what children actually need biologically, she offers a refreshing, guilt-free look at how pulling back can protect your child's development and restore peace to your household.
Two board-certified pediatric ophthalmologists, Dr. Rupa Wong and Dr. Robert Clark, sit down to unpack the startling truth behind the modern explosion of nearsightedness in children. Moving past the outdated notion that blurry vision is just a minor inconvenience solved by a simple pair of glasses, they dive into the structural reality of why early intervention is a lifelong health priority. This conversation explores the actual mechanics of why young eyes are deteriorating faster than ever before and how proactive parents can actively change the trajectory of their child's vision.
Dr. Rupa Wong, a pediatric ophthalmologist and mother of three, opens up about the raw and often exhausting reality of medical compliance in the home. This episode dives into the "battle of wills" parents face when delivering essential treatments like eye drops or patches, acknowledging the guilt and trauma we feel when we have to restrain our own children. Dr. Wong bridges the gap between clinical necessity and the messy, tear-filled kitchen island moments to explain why your child fights back and how to reclaim your role as the chief medical officer of your family.
Dr. Jennifer King—a board-certified sports medicine physician, former NFL cheerleader, and lead author of the AAP policy statement on cheerleading injuries—joins host Dr. Rupa Wong to dive into the invisible world of head injuries. This episode explores the human side of sports medicine, shifting the focus from rigid protocols to the nuanced reality of how a young athlete's brain actually heals. It’s a conversation about why "rest" isn't always enough and why protecting our kids' potential matters more than the final score.
In this episode of In Focus, Dr. Rupa Wong, a pediatric ophthalmologist and mother of three, pulls back the curtain on the "logistical disaster" of trying to do it all. She shares a raw look at a moment she found herself hiding in a car to maintain a professional facade while her family life swirled in chaos just outside the window. This conversation is for every parent who has ever felt the physical weight of an "automatic yes" and is ready to reclaim their time and mental peace from the grip of toxic productivity.
The eye is often the first place an autoimmune story begins, yet many people spend years dismissed by the medical system before getting an answer. In this episode, host Dr. Rupa Wong sits down with board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Hillary Norton to bridge the gap between vision health and systemic disease. Dr. Norton shares her unique perspective as both a specialist and a patient living with ankylosing spondylitis, explaining why that stubborn "dry eye" or sudden light sensitivity might actually be a signal from your immune system. It’s an essential conversation about why listening to your body - and finding a doctor who listens back - is the ultimate game-changer for long-term health.
Dr. Rupa Wong is standing at a major crossroads—her 50th birthday—and she’s marking the milestone by stripping away the fluff and getting honest about what actually works. After five years of hosting In Focus and decades spent as a pediatric ophthalmologist and mother of three, she’s synthesized her most downloaded advice into ten non-negotiable systems for modern life. This episode is a masterclass in why we feel so burnt out and how understanding our own neurobiology can finally help us reclaim our time, our parenting, and our sanity.
Dr. Rupa Wong sits down with cataract and glaucoma specialist Dr. Michael Chua to pull back the curtain on why viral eye myths are currently outperforming medical advice in our social media feeds. This conversation digs into the real-world friction between "Dr. Google" and the exam room, exploring how curiosity-driven care can bridge the gap between patients and providers. Whether it’s navigating the fear of surgery or the allure of "miracle" supplements, this episode focuses on why clear communication is the ultimate tool for preserving sight in a digital age.
Dr. Rupa Wong invites you into her kitchen—the real one, cluttered with size 12 Crocs and lingering mail—to dismantle the "never enough" trap that plagues high-achieving parents. After a sudden encounter with a neighbor’s pristine, magazine-ready home sparked a wave of inadequacy, Rupa realized how easily we weaponize someone else’s highlight reel against our own behind-the-scenes reality. This episode explores why our brains are biologically wired to feel threatened by digital perfection and how we can reclaim our mental energy from the mirage of the "perfect" life. It is a necessary gut-check for anyone tired of the manic hustle and ready to embrace a life that is beautifully intentional and unapologetically lived-in.
In this episode of In Focus, Dr. Rupa Wong sits down with Paige Brattin, a mother who turned a challenging medical diagnosis into a mission to help families everywhere. After her daughter was diagnosed with severe vision issues at age five, Paige navigated the grueling reality of long-term patching and the emotional toll it takes on a household. Their conversation dives into the "why" behind the struggle, moving past clinical labels to explore how a parent's persistence can transform a child’s future.
Dr. Rupa Wong sits down to unpack why our modern habit of continuous partial attention is wearing us out and tricking us into feeling productive when we are actually just busy. She looks at the friction between wanting our kids to focus on their homework while we simultaneously model a life of digital distraction at the kitchen island. By digging into the core principles of deep work, this episode explores how clearing visual noise and setting physical boundaries can help both parents and children reclaim their concentration and their peace.
Do you know the hidden emotional and physical toll of a wandering eye? Whether you are an adult managing it yourself or a parent terrified of putting your child through surgery, the physical misalignment is only half the story.
Dr. Rupa Wong invites you into a "no-shame zone" to discuss a silent struggle every modern parent faces: the magnetic pull of the smartphone during floor time. Drawing from a massive 2025 JAMA Pediatrics study involving 15,000 children, this episode explores why those "quick glances" at a notification are reshaping child development more than we realized. Dr. Wong shares her own vulnerable history with "passive media exposure" to help you understand the science of the interrupted parent and how to reclaim your child's attention without going off the grid.
In this episode, I sit down with 16 year old Ashlyn Hirota to explore how social media is shaping teen body image from the inside out. Through powerful peer data, original artwork, and a teen’s real world perspective, we unpack how filters, comparison, and online beauty standards are quietly impacting confidence and mental health.
In this episode, I share a simple, science-informed morning routine that starts with your eyes - not with your phone. You’ll learn how tiny shifts in light, hydration, and phone habits can transform your energy, focus, and sleep, even if you’re a busy parent, professional, or both.
In this episode, I sit down with glaucoma specialist Dr. Vicki Chan to explain the "flow in, flow out" mechanics of eye pressure. Learn how to move from reactive worry to intentional prevention for your children, your aging parents, and yourself.
In this episode of In Focus, I walk you through what I call the Sunday Focus Protocol: a simple system designed to reduce chaos, prevent decision fatigue, and bring peace back into your week.
As a pediatric ophthalmologist and mom of three, I spend a lot of time thinking about screens — not just what they do to kids’ eyes, but how they shape the world our children live in. Kids today aren’t just watching content once a month like we did with magazines — they’re scrolling through thousands of images and videos every day. And that constant exposure is impacting how they think about themselves.
In my clinic, I’m often asked whether using a night light will worsen a child’s vision. It’s a question that comes up again and again, usually tied to an old study that still circulates online. As both a pediatric ophthalmologist and a parent, I want families to know that the concern is understandable—but the fear is outdated. When we look at higher-quality data, night lights are not the driver of nearsightedness, and parents can make this choice without worry.
I thought we were doing a pretty good job keeping our kids safe online — until this conversation with Detective Michael Chun. It made me realize that safety today isn’t just about filters and screen limits. It’s about teaching our kids how to notice what feels off, even on a screen. As a mom, that shift felt both sobering and empowering.
Every January, I watch people overhaul their diets, their workouts, and their budgets—but almost no one thinks about their eyes. As a pediatric ophthalmologist and a mom of three, that scares me. Because unlike weight gain or missed workouts, you can’t undo damage to the eye later. Once certain cells are gone, they’re gone for good. That’s why I want parents to stop relying on marketing and start understanding what the eye actually needs—real food, real light, and habits that protect vision for decades, not just this year.
Cataract surgery is often called “routine,” but what keeps patients safe happens long before—and far beyond—the few minutes in the operating room. In this final episode of my cataract surgery series, I sat down with Dr. Uday Devgan to talk about the real factors that reduce complications: recognizing subtle warning signs early, responding calmly when something changes, and continually learning from surgical experience. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what truly makes cataract surgery safe.
Cataract surgery today looks very different from what many patients remember their parents or grandparents going through. We now have advanced lens technology that can reduce dependence on glasses—but only when it’s chosen carefully. That’s why understanding the decision-making process behind lens selection matters so much.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most recent Youtube Videos
A total solar eclipse is pretty amazing. But make sure you’re protected.