Depth Perception Podcast : Episode 46

Defocus Media Eyecare and Optometry Podcast Network

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9d ago 32:52

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3 Key Takeaways

Practice cases relentlessly for Part 2. Use real clinic encounters, question banks, and case-based texts to strengthen differentials and management.
Be honest about the journey. School and boards are hard; your why, support system, and self-care matter as much as your study plan.
Eyes reflect systemic health. Hypertension and diabetes leave retinal clues—timely referrals and patient education can be sight- and life-saving.

In Episode 46 of the Depth Perception Podcast, hosts Svetlana Nunez, Dr. Nadia Afkhami, Dr. Jasdeep Singh, and Douglas Akidi answer listener voice notes about NBEO Part 2, TMod, whether optometry is “worth it”, and how genetics, blood pressure, and diabetes impact ocular health.

Conquering NBEO Part 2: Cases Are Key

One of the strongest messages from the episode was simple:

“Cases. Cases. Cases.” — Dr. Jasdeep Singh

Dr. Singh agrees that success on Part 2 requires immersion in cases, not just memorization. Real-life patient encounters during rotations reinforce learning in ways textbooks alone cannot. For students who may not have frequent clinic access, case-based question banks such as OptoPrep, KMK’s updated casebook, or Castillo’s review text were highlighted as essential tools.

Equally valuable is the Wills Eye Manual, described as “the Bible” by the hosts. The manual, particularly when paired with its mobile app, provides quick access to conditions, management protocols, and differential diagnoses. Using Wills Eye alongside cases helps students simulate the exact decision-making process required on the exam.

Mastering TMod with Targeted Study

Passing the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMod) section often requires a different approach. The hosts recommended drilling therapy content systematically:

Note cards: Write out drug classes, mechanisms, dosages, and contraindications.
Charts: Compare conditions with overlapping presentations, highlighting key differences.
Preferred Practice Patterns (AAO PPPs): Lean on evidence-based standards to ground treatment protocols.

Dr. Nadia Afkhami emphasized breaking down topics into differentials and writing out why one diagnosis is favored over another. This practice not only cements reasoning but mirrors the way exam graders review written responses.

Effective Study Habits: Recall Before Review

Several tips focused on active recall as a way to boost retention:

After reviewing a condition, write everything you remember without looking at the material.
Only then, go back and check accuracy against Wills Eye or Castillo.
Repeat this process daily, reinforcing weaker areas until they become strengths.

This method forces students to actively test themselves, ensuring that recall—not recognition—guides learning.

Balancing Stress and Mental Health

Preparing for boards is mentally exhausting, and the hosts did not shy away from acknowledging the toll.

Svetlana Nunez shared how her mental health declined significantly during optometry school, and how recovery and rediscovery took effort even after graduation. She stressed the importance of transparency with future students about the realities of the profession: the debt, the sacrifices, and the mental strain.

Dr. Afkhami reminds listeners:

“The tests don’t define how smart you are. It’s about reading carefully, taking your time, and remembering your why.”

The panel encouraged students to build a support system, pace themselves with consistent study habits, and recognize that exams measure resilience and reasoning under stress—not overall intelligence or professional potential.

Should You Still Recommend Optometry?

One of the listener questions asked if the panel would still recommend pursuing optometry, given board pass rates, tuition costs, and workload compared with medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy.

The responses varied but shared a common thread:

Be honest about the realities of the journey.
Know your why—whether it’s patient care, work–life balance, or legacy.
Understand the financial investment and research schools thoroughly, including board pass rates and clinical rotations.

While challenges exist, most agreed that optometry remains worth it for those passionate about the profession. As Dr. Singh noted, the discipline and problem-solving skills developed in school extend far beyond clinical care—they prepare graduates for lifelong adaptability.

Systemic Health and the Eye: A Life-Saving Role

The episode also shifted to how systemic disease intersects with eye care. Hypertension and diabetes frequently leave telltale signs in the retina, sometimes before patients realize they have a systemic issue.

Examples included:

A patient whose sudden refractive shift led to a diabetes diagnosis.
A case where blood pressure readings taken in the exam room revealed a life-threatening cardiac issue.

The hosts highlighted the importance of asking the right questions, reviewing A1c and BP values, and reinforcing that lifestyle changes—diet, exercise, glucose monitoring—affect vision as much as general health.

Dr. Akidi summarized it well:

“Optometrists save lives. Everything is connected.”

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