Beyond 20/20: An Ophthalmologist's Guide to Eye Health and Surgery
Send us a textOphthalmic surgeon Dr. Micheál O'Rourke takes us through the fascinating world of eye health, sharing insights from cataracts and macular degeneration to aesthetic procedures and vision preservation.• Eyes constantly move and blink even during sleep, requiring high energy and thin skin for optimal function• Cataracts are an inevitable part of aging, involving protein misalignment in the lens requiring surgical removal and prosthetic lens replacement• Macular degeneration comes in dry (less treatable) and wet (treatable with injections) forms that affect central vision but preserve peripheral sight• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is becoming popular at younger ages, removing excess skin around the eyes for a refreshed appearance• Women experience a dramatic drop in tear production during menopause, making HRT one of the most effective treatments for menopausal dry eye• Increased screen time reduces our blink rate and contributes to vision problems including the evolutionary shift toward myopia in children• Thyroid eye disease primarily affects young women, causing protruding eyes and altered appearance that can be addressed with surgery• Eye floaters result from changes in the eye's jelly-like vitreous humor and should be evaluated if they suddenly increase or appear with flashing lights• The eye cannot be temporarily removed during surgery as once believed, as nerve tissue damage is permanentFor more eye health insights, follow proper eye protection practices, get regular check-ups, and be aware of symptoms that might indicate serious conditions.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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From Devastating Loss to Renewed Purpose: Sinéad Hingston's Grief Journey
Send us a textSinéad Hingston-Green shares her heartbreaking journey of losing her husband Jeff while 19 weeks pregnant and how she rebuilt her life through grief, motherhood, and eventually finding love again. Her powerful story illustrates how we can honor those we've lost while still embracing new beginnings and finding purpose in our pain.• Sinead's husband Jeff died suddenly during a boat trip in Portugal when she was 19 weeks pregnant• The traumatic experience of witnessing his medical emergency and the aftermath of being kept away from him• Challenges of bringing Jeff's body home to Ireland and navigating funeral arrangements while pregnant• Birth complications resulting in severe physical trauma alongside the emotional trauma of grief• Finding love again with Michael ("Green") two years after Jeff's death• Balancing honoring Jeff's memory while building a new life and blended family• Multiple pregnancy losses before having their third child, which led to creating the "Spark a Life" initiative• The importance of finding the right grief counsellor and support system• How Ireland's culture handles funerals well but struggles with long-term grief support• Advice on trusting that your power is in your reaction to life's challengesJoin Sinead on the Camino walk this September with Good Grief, her initiative to help others through grief by creating community and understanding.Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Conversations about health, science, wellness, life, love, sex and everything in-between. Laura is a Pharmacist who loves to talk to interesting people about their unique life and work experiences. See @fabulouspharmacist on instagram for more information.
Ireland