Ryan Reflects with Dr. Ryan Corte | Optometry Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Kriti Bhagat , who shares her journey into optometry, the cultural expectations she faced, and her passion for specialty contact lenses. Dr. Bhagat discusses her experiences in residency, the transition from academia to clinical practice, and the challenges of opening her own private practice. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, navigating wo...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Will To , he shares his experiences navigating chaos in his optometry practice, including a robbery and subsequent challenges like a fire and flooding. He emphasizes the importance of mental health support for his staff and the role of tele-optometry in providing care to underserved communities. Dr. To reflects on defining moments in his practice that highligh...

Dr. Will To shares his journey in optometry, from his early days as an optician to becoming a successful practice owner. He emphasizes the importance of experience in various roles within the field, the impact of AI on optometry, and the significance of networking and mentorship. Dr. To also discusses his unique approach to practice ownership, focusing on creating a concierge experience for patien...

Dr. Erik Mothersbaugh shares his journey in optometry, from his early interest in the field to his current role as Dean of Student Affairs at the Illinois College of Optometry. He discusses the unique opportunities at ICO, the transition from student to resident, and the responsibilities of being in academia. Erik reflects on the challenges facing the optometry profession, including the applicant...

Dr. Ryan Corte , Dr. Nadia Afkhami , Dr. Jasdeep Soni , Dr. Doug Akidi , and the newly minted Dr. Svetlana Nunez discuss the challenges and experiences of transitioning from students to practicing doctors. They share insights on navigating the unknowns of early career stages, understanding contracts and compensation, managing financial stress from student loans, and the importance of community sup...

Dr. Ryan Corte talks with Dr. Katie Chu who shares her inspiring journey from being the first generation born in the U.S. in her immigrant family to becoming a dedicated optometrist serving her community. She discusses the pivotal moments in her life, including her decision to pursue optometry, the influence of her family, and her spiritual awakening that transformed her approach to patient care....

Dr. Ryan Corte speaks with Dr. Nicolas Vu and Dr. Elizabeth Davis about their incredible journey traveling the world for a year after completing their optometry education. They share their experiences teaching at an optometry school in Vietnam, the challenges and rewards of their travels, and the personal growth they experienced along the way. The conversation emphasizes the importance of pursuing...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Alma Regnault , who shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Venezuela to becoming a successful optometrist and business owner. She discusses the influence of strong women in her life, her experiences in optometry school, and the challenges she faced along the way. Dr. Regnault emphasizes the importance of human connection in patient care and the need for opt...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Benjamin Lickteig , who shares his journey in optometry, from his early experiences in Iowa to his current multi-location practice in Massachusetts. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the field, including navigating scope of practice, the importance of networking and mentorship, and innovative practices like myopia management and a four-day work week. Dr...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Pam Theriot , an optometrist and dry eye specialist, who shares her journey through a dynamic career shaped by frequent relocations due to her husband's military service. Dr. Theriot discusses her passion for dry eye treatment, the evolution of ocular surface disease management, and her recent TEDx talk focused on digital eye strain. She emphasizes the importance of p...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Ben Thayil , who shares his journey in optometry, the importance of residency, and the significance of leadership and culture in private practice. Dr. Thayil emphasizes the need for personal growth, patient-centric care, and creating a positive work environment for staff. He discusses the role of mentorship and the importance of defining success beyond financial metri...

Dr. Ryan Corte shares his personal journey into optometry, detailing the influences that shaped his aspirations, the challenges he faced during high school and college, and the pivotal moments that led him to choose optometry as a career. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, mentorship, and self-reflection in navigating the path to becoming an optometrist. If you're a pre-optometry student,...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Chris Lopez about the 2025 ODs on Finance report , discussing key findings related to optometry salaries, student loan debt, and the importance of financial education. They explore regional salary disparities, work-life balance, and the impact of gender on income. The conversation emphasizes the need for better financial literacy among optometrists and the potential b...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Harbir Sian , a multifaceted optometrist who navigates practice ownership, podcasting, and consulting. They discuss Harbir's journey, his role as an ambassador for the optometry profession, and the importance of balancing multiple responsibilities. Harbir shares valuable lessons learned from his experiences, the significance of being uncomfortable, and the exciting fu...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Maria Sampalis , a prominent figure in optometry, who shares her journey from a corporate optometry sublease to owning multiple practices. They discuss the evolution of corporate optometry, the importance of community among optometrists, and the future trends in the field. Dr. Sampalis emphasizes the significance of having a voice in the profession and offers valuable...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Gabriela Olivares , who shares her journey into the field of optometry, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance, fitness, and mentorship. Gabby discusses her experiences in a collaborative practice, her advocacy efforts for the profession, and her role as a consultant for Johnson & Johnson. She inspires future optometrists to continue learning and to be co...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Aaron Neufeld , an accomplished optometrist and entrepreneur, discussing his journey from optometry school to practice ownership and the founding of ODs on Finance . They explore the importance of business education in optometry, the challenges of early career choices, and the significance of work-life balance. Dr. Neufeld shares insights on expanding into specialty c...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Hardeep Kataria , an optometrist who shares her journey from London to California, her experiences in optometry, and her decision to open a private practice specializing in dry eye management. Dr. Kataria discusses the challenges of transitioning to a new culture, the importance of education in her career, and the autonomy she sought in her optometric practice. She em...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews fourth-year optometry student Josh Reese , who shares his journey into the field of optometry, his experiences with the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO), and the challenges faced by current students. Josh discusses his passion for vision therapy, the importance of creating educational content for pre-optometry students, and the need for transparency from th...

Dr. Ryan Corte continues his conversation with Dr. Shannon Joseph and Dr. Faten Edris , two successful optometrists managing multiple sublease locations. They discuss the dynamics of running practices across different brands, the importance of maintaining consistent protocols, and the challenges faced in the optometry field. The conversation also highlights the significance of corporate partnershi...

Dr. Ryan Corte hosts Dr. Shannon Joseph and Dr. Faten Edris , two successful South Florida optometrists who share their unique journeys into the optometry. They discuss the challenges and rewards of managing multiple sublease locations, the importance of mentorship, and their commitment to educating future optometrists. The conversation highlights the diverse paths within optometry, the significan...

Optometrists Dr. Ryan Corte , Dr. Haley Perry , and Dr. Casey Krug share their harrowing experiences during Hurricane Helene, which struck Western North Carolina unexpectedly. They discuss the chaos and devastation that ensued, their personal stories of navigating the storm, and the community's resilience in the aftermath. The doctors reflect on the importance of preparedness for natural disasters...

Dr. Ryan Corte shares his vision for the Ryan Reflects podcast and outlines key strategies for personal and professional growth in 2025. He emphasizes the importance of aligning with one's purpose, building healthy habits, setting intentional goals, surrounding oneself with supportive individuals, reflecting on past experiences, and believing in oneself to achieve success. Chapters 00:00 Introduct...

Dr. Ryan Corte speaks with ⁠Dr. Joseph Allen⁠ , also known as ⁠Doctor Eye Health⁠ , where they discuss the evolution of eye care, the impact of technology and social media on patient education, and the challenges faced in content creation. Dr. Allen shares his journey in building a trusted online presence, the importance of mentorship in optometry, and his recent decision to take a break to strate...

Dr. Ryan Corte speaks with Dr. Joseph Allen , also known as Doctor Eye Health , about his journey in optometry, the challenges he faced in patient education, and his successful transition into content creation on YouTube. Dr. Allen shares insights into his motivations for educating the public about eye health, the importance of residency, and the struggles and triumphs of building a YouTube channe...