How to safely view the solar eclipse without losing vision from solar retinopathy

Conditions
August 10, 2017

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming solar eclipse and how to safely view the eclipse without losing vision from solar retinopathy.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon casts its shadow, known as the umbra, on Earth. Partial or total eclipses occur somewhere on Earth about every 18 months as …

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How to safely view the solar eclipse without losing vision from solar retinopathy

The truth behind the 27 contact lenses stuck in the patient’s eye

Video
July 18, 2017

By now I’m sure you’ve heard about British woman who reportedly showed up for cataract surgery only to have her doctors discover that 27 contact lenses were unknowingly stuck IN her eye:

After this news story broke, many friends and family reached out to me asking how this could be possible! Here I will explain how this is (and isn’t) possible by clarifying some …

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The truth behind the 27 contact lenses stuck in the patient’s eye

Selfie-obsessed millennials can teach doctors a thing or two

Physician
October 21, 2016

Self-entitled, self-absorbed and selfie-obsessed. These are just a few adjectives critics use to describe the millennial generation of today’s 16-to-36-year-olds, born between 1980 and 2000. Born in the early 80s, I both understand the criticism levied against my generation and simultaneously empathize with many of my peers who were raised in the digital revolution and, thus, see the world differently. The unique and, at times, bewildering views of millennials pose …

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Selfie-obsessed millennials can teach doctors a thing or two

What doctors can learn from a professional photo shoot

Physician
August 26, 2015

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Have you ever had a professional photo shoot? I have had many, but not because I particularly enjoy being photographed. Actually, it is quite the contrary.

Photo shoots have always been a traumatic experience for me. You see, for some reason, likely as a creative form of cruel parenting punishment, my family of five siblings had a photo taken every year while growing up. …

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What doctors can learn from a professional photo shoot

Children with cancer are the real superheroes

Physician
August 6, 2015

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Recently I met a boy, a boy with leukemia, a young boy with comic-book worthy superpowers. This boy, this superhero, is one I will never, never forget.

When I entered the exam room, I was immediately struck by the sight of a young boy who should have been playing football with his friends at the park or jumping off the high-dive at the pool, but instead …

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Children with cancer are the real superheroes

Why academic medical centers should be on Twitter. Right now.

Social media
June 24, 2015

academicMedicalCenterTwitter

Ever since I began residency, I have been encouraging, prodding, and at times, persistently pestering department leadership of my belief that our ophthalmology department should have a dedicated Twitter feed. After months of persistence combined with good timing and supportive leadership, the Twitter feed was launched on June 1, 2015 for the University of Iowa department of ophthalmology and …

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Why academic medical centers should be on Twitter. Right now.

The medical truth behind #TheDress. And yes, it makes sense.

Conditions
February 27, 2015

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My mother-in-law texted me about The Dress, random friends are blowing up my inbox, and the nurses in the emergency department were huddled around the computer at 2 a.m. debating the color of the dress. Everyone in the world seems to be wondering what color the dress really is and why.

The best way to find the answer to such questions is to find …

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The medical truth behind #TheDress. And yes, it makes sense.