Taking Control of Your Eye Health with Dr. Tiffany Hollenbeck
Check out Go Long’s recently updated YouTube channel, where we have a ton of new content. You’re going to find all of the episodes of the Go Long show plus 1-minute clips. We’re going to continue to add more and more shorter form videos to the channel as time goes on.
If you are more of a listener than a reader, check it out and let me know what you think!
In my discussion with Dr. Jennifer Rubin Frisch on “How Oral Health is an Indicator of Your Overall Health”, we talked about a common problem with perimenopause around declining estrogen. She made a passing comment around how those declines increase dryness throughout your body - your mouth, your eyes and the much talked about vaginal dryness.
When she talked about the eyes, it put me on a quest to find an eye doctor who could speak to this and many more issues that occur during perimenopause. Drum roll…
About Dr. Tiffany Hollenbeck
Thanks to a friend, I was connected to Dr. Hollenbeck, who recently founded Valley Vision Source after practicing at the University of Washington and Valley Medical Center for 12+ years.
Dr. Hollenbeck received her B.S. in Biology and Natural Science Teaching from Gustavus Adolphus College and then her Doctor of Optometry at Pacific University, College of Optometry. We covered a lot of ground, so listen up!
Contact Dr. Hollenbeck here or follow her content on Facebook.
NOTE: This podcast does not establish a provider-patient relationship and is for informational purposes only. Before starting any kind of program, always check with your own medical team first.
Major Topics Covered
Understanding the roles of opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists is crucial
Diabetes affects blood vessels, impacting eye health
Progressive lenses can be challenging but necessary for many
Blue light exposure can damage the eyes over time
Regular eye exams are essential for early detection of not just vision issues, but other health concerns
Over-the-counter glasses may not provide the best fit for everyone
Children should have eye exams before starting school
Makeup can lead to eye health issues if not removed properly
Nutrition plays a significant role in maintaining eye health
Some eye conditions can be covered under your regular health (medical) insurance vs. your vision, which may be less comprehensive
Go Long recommends listening to the entire podcast for context, but knows you are all busy people so below you will see timestamps.
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Quick Takeaways
Dr. Hollenbeck: Eye exams are not just about your eyes. In many cases, optometrists can flag health issues for you to follow-up with your primary care physician. Also, while over-the-counter lenses may seem like a good “quick fix” for reading glasses, they may not address other issues that may be more subtle going on with your eyes. While more costly, getting a prescription is generally a better way to go for readers.
Jill: Trying to avoid using the phrase “eye-opening” (ahem) but it was insightful to find out that some of conditions for your eye can be covered under your medical insurance vs. your vision insurance. The former tends to cover more of the expense, so good to know. I also need to check out the damage from blue light given I stare
Watch and/or listen to the full episode here.
Timestamps
00:00 — Empowering Women in Midlife Health
02:55 — Understanding Diabetes and Eye Health
06:01 — Navigating Eye Care Professionals
08:55 — The Importance of Progressive Lenses
11:47 — Protecting Your Eyes from Blue Light
15:00 — Eye Health and Technology
17:46 — The Role of Over-the-Counter Glasses
21:07 — Eye Care for Children
22:59 — Makeup and Eye Health
25:49 — Sunscreen and Eye Protection
29:13 — Nutrition for Eye Health
32:01 — Understanding Eye Diseases
35:00 — Menopause and Eye Health
38:51 — Hormone Replacement Therapy and Eye Care
43:07 — Navigating Insurance for Eye Care
45:59 — Lasik Surgery: What to Know
50:12 — Final Thoughts on Eye Health
