The Eye-Q Podcast

What does everyday life really look like when you're born with severe vision loss? In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast , Dr. Rani Banik, MD speaks with her patient, Milica Milić , who lives with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) . Milica shares her remarkable journey—from childhood diagnosis to becoming a teacher of students with visual impairments and an advocate for accessibility and i...

Can an eye stroke be treated? What causes sudden vision loss in one eye? And what should you do if it happens? In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast™ , Dr. Rudrani Banik interviews retina specialist Dr. Gareth Lema about central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), commonly known as an eye stroke. Dr. Lema explains the difference between retinal artery occlusions and retinal vein occlusions, why sudden...

What should you do if you scratch your eye? Can contact lenses cause blindness? What exactly is keratoconus? In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast™, Dr. Rudrani Banik interviews cornea specialist Dr. Amita Vadada about some of the most common and potentially serious conditions affecting the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. They discuss corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers, contact lens safet...

Can autoimmune disease affect your eyes? In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast™, Dr. Rani Banik sits down with uveitis specialist Dr. Deep Parikh to discuss uveitis, a potentially sight-threatening form of eye inflammation that is often linked to autoimmune disease. They explore how conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and other inflammatory disor...

Could dim vision, optic neuritis, or unexplained vision loss be one of the first signs of multiple sclerosis? In Episode 76 of The Eye-Q Podcast™, Dr. Rani Banik welcomes Dr. Darin Ingels, ND, a naturopathic doctor, Lyme disease expert, author, and international speaker, for a fascinating conversation on the eye-brain-body connection. Dr. Ingels shares his personal journey with Lyme disease and mu...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with Dr. Harsha Reddy about oculoplastics, surgical training, medical education, and global ophthalmology. We discuss how eye care can restore function, confidence, and dignity, and how his nonprofit Lokana brings exams, glasses, and surgical access to remote tribal communities in India. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Harsha Reddy is an associate profe...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with neurosurgeon Dr. Raj Shrivastava about how brain tumors can sometimes show up through vision changes, headaches, hormone symptoms, or loss of smell. We discuss benign skull-based tumors, pituitary tumors, when to seek care, why guided testing matters, and how modern neurosurgery now focuses on effective treatment with quality of life in mind. - -...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Risa Ryger to explore how our beliefs, mindset, and emotional awareness shape the way we navigate midlife and beyond. We talk about the difference between reinvention and expansion, how to identify limiting beliefs, and why resilience is about bending, not breaking. This conversation offers a powerful reminder that growth, clarity, and meaningful change are alw...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with Dr. Jennifer Tsai about dry eye through a clinical, root-cause lens. We discuss how dysfunction in the tear system drives symptoms, why conventional treatments often fall short, and how newer approaches like IPL, radiofrequency, and regenerative therapies are shifting how we manage dry eye for more sustained results. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr....

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sonny Goel to break down the world of refractive surgery, from LASIK and PRK to newer options like SMILE and implantable lenses. We explore how these procedures work, who qualifies, and what risks patients need to understand before making a decision. If you've ever considered vision correction, this conversation will help you see the full picture. - - - - -...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum to unpack digital eye strain and the deeper connection between your eyes and brain. We explore why screens aren't the real problem, how visual stress affects your nervous system, and what you can do to improve focus, reduce fatigue, and build stronger visual habits for daily screen use. Go beyond carrots and supercharge your vision! In her b...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brian Campolattaro to break down what double vision really means and why it happens. We explore how to tell the difference between types of diplopia, what causes eye misalignment in both kids and adults, and why modern screen habits are changing how often we see these conditions. We also walk through treatment options, from simple exercises to surgical solution...

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Ken Sharlin about how Parkinson's disease develops and why conventional medicine often falls short. We explore the role of lifestyle, nutrition, environmental factors, and mitochondrial health in brain function. He shares how a functional medicine approach helps uncover root causes and empowers patients to take control of their health journey. - - - - - About...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with Marc Grossman, OD, about how Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture can support eye health. We explore how the eyes connect to the rest of the body, why root-cause thinking matters, and how acupuncture, herbs, acupressure, and simple home practices may complement conventional care for conditions like dry eye, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with Dr. Ashish Markan about the urgent warning signs behind floaters, flashes, retinal tears, and retinal detachment. We break down what's normal, what's dangerous, why timing matters, and how treatments like laser repair, gas bubbles, and vitrectomy can preserve vision. This is a must-listen for anyone who's ever wondered whether their sy...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I explore how concussions can disrupt the brain’s visual system—even when the eyes themselves appear healthy. I walk through the most common post-concussion vision symptoms, including reading difficulties, light sensitivity, eye discomfort, and double vision. I also explain why many eye exams appear normal despite real symptoms and how an integrative approach...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I sit down with my patient, Mev Markashi, to unpack how subtle brain fog, fatigue, and "jiggling" vision led to the discovery of a large meningioma. We talk through the shock of diagnosis, her 12-hour craniotomy and residual tumor near the optic nerve, and the months of fear and healing that followed. Her biggest message: listen to your body and prioritize eye...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I break down the landmark AREDS and AREDS-2 studies and explain why these formulations, while groundbreaking at the time, are now incomplete. I discuss what they actually showed, why they only reduce progression risk by about 25%, the missing nutrients modern research highlights, and the potential dangers of high-dose zinc. Most importantly, I share how to cho...

In Part 2 of my macular degeneration series, I break down the root cause cascade behind AMD—oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and abnormal blood vessel growth. I share practical strategies you can start using now, including UV protection, carotenoid-rich foods, omega-3s, red light therapy, and movement. This episode is about taking action before vision loss becomes irreversible...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I walk you through the foundations of macular degeneration. We explore retinal anatomy, the role of the macula and fovea, what drusen are, and how dry and wet AMD develop over time. I also explain why vision loss can occur without early symptoms, how to detect changes at home, and which risk factors matter most—so you can protect your central vision before irr...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with leading retina specialist Dr. Avnish Deobhakta about macular degeneration. We break down dry versus wet AMD, why genetics and lifestyle both matter, and how new treatments—from supplements to injections and light therapy—are changing outcomes. This conversation offers clarity, reassurance, and practical steps to protect vision at every stage. Dr....

In this final episode of the glaucoma series on The Eye-Q Podcast, Dr. Rudrani Banik focuses on the role of nutrition, lifestyle, and emerging therapies in protecting optic nerve health. She explains how diet, hydration, exercise, sleep habits, and carefully selected supplements can help reduce oxidative stress, support mitochondrial function, improve blood flow, and slow glaucoma progression—empo...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I break down the medical and surgical treatments used for glaucoma. We explore how different eye drops lower pressure, why side effects matter, and how punctal occlusion can reduce systemic absorption. I also explain when lasers like SLT or LPI are used, and how surgical options—from MIGS to trabeculectomy and tube shunts—fit into glaucoma care when disease pr...

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I break down how glaucoma is properly tested and monitored. We explore eye pressure measurements, visual field testing, optic nerve cupping, and OCT scans—explaining what each test reveals and why no single test tells the whole story. This episode empowers you to understand your eye exam and protect your vision before damage becomes permanent. Dr. Rani Banik i...

Glaucoma doesn’t warn you. It slowly takes vision from the outside in. In this episode, I explain what glaucoma really is, how it damages the optic nerve, and why peripheral vision is the first to disappear. I break down how glaucoma progresses over time, the differences between open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma, who is most at risk, and why relying on symptoms or eye pressure alone can be misl...