What is it really like to live with ocular albinism?

In this episode of Eye Got You, Dr Valarie Jerome explores ocular albinism, a genetic eye condition that can cause reduced vision, light sensitivity, nystagmus and other visual difficulties.

Dr Valarie is joined by Alice Christina-Corrigan, a visually impaired & neurodivergent artist, writer & access led creative. Alice is also the artistic director of LALA Arts, a company focused on creativity, community & change.

Alice shares her personal experience of growing up with the condition, from feeling different and lacking representation to developing a much stronger understanding of her disability and becoming an advocate for accessibility and representation.

She also talks about the practical adaptations she uses every day, working in television and theatre, accessibility on film sets, the assumptions people make about visually impaired people and why the idea that disabled people should be viewed as "inspirational" can be so frustrating.

Dr Valarie also explains some of the ways ocular albinism can affect vision and how people living with the condition can be supported.

Find out more about Alice Christina-Corrigan at https://alicechristinacorrigan.com

Please note: This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or eye-care advice. If you experience a sudden change in your vision, new flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, a shadow or curtain across your vision, or loss of peripheral vision, seek urgent professional eye-care advice.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome: https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome

Learn more at https://www.eyegotyoucare.com

Produced by: https://creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

Have you ever noticed tiny dots, squiggly lines, cobwebs or shadows moving across your vision? Or suddenly seen flashes of light in the corner of your eye?

In this episode of Eye Got You, Dr. Valerie Jerome explains what eye floaters and flashes actually are, why they happen and why you may notice them more against a bright sky, white wall or computer screen.

Most floaters are common and harmless, but a sudden increase in floaters, new flashes of light, a shadow or curtain across your vision, or a sudden change in your sight can be a warning sign that needs urgent assessment.

Dr. Valerie explains the role of the vitreous gel inside the eye, how changes to it can create floaters, why flashes can occur and why the story behind your symptoms matters when an optometrist is assessing your eyes.

She also answers some common questions, including whether floaters mean you're going blind, whether eye exercises can get rid of them and why your brain can eventually learn to ignore them.

If you've ever wondered what that strange shape floating across your vision actually is, this episode is for you.

Eye Got You with Dr. Valerie Jerome is all about helping you understand your eyes and look after your vision for life.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a review and share this episode with someone who might find it useful.

Please note: This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or eye-care advice. If you experience a sudden change in your vision, new flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, a shadow or curtain across your vision, or loss of peripheral vision, seek urgent professional eye-care advice.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome: https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejeromeLearn more at https://www.eyegotyoucare.com

Produced by: https://creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

What if your child could see clearly without glasses during the day, simply by wearing contact lenses while they sleep? In this episode of the Eye Got You podcast, Dr. Valerie Jerome explores orthokeratology (Ortho-K), an innovative approach to vision correction and childhood myopia control.

Ortho-K uses specially designed rigid gas permeable contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, helping many people see clearly throughout the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.

In this episode, we explore:

• What Ortho-K is and how overnight contact lenses work

• How Ortho-K can help manage childhood myopia (shortsightedness)

• Why slowing myopia progression matters for long-term eye health

• The potential benefits for children, adults and people who play sports

• How genetics, screen time and outdoor activity relate to myopia

• Ortho-K safety, hygiene and who it may be suitable for

• The differences between Ortho-K and laser eye surgery

• Other myopia control options, including specialist contact lenses, spectacle lenses and low-dose atropine

If your child's prescription seems to increase every year, this episode explains why myopia control is worth discussing with your optometrist.

Remember, Ortho-K is a customised medical treatment that requires professional assessment and ongoing care.

Listen to the Eye Got You podcast with Dr. Valerie Jerome for accessible conversations about eye health, vision and looking after your eyes.

This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Could your makeup bag be contributing to dry, red, itchy, gritty or watery eyes?

In this episode of the I Got You Podcast, Dr. Valerie Jerome explores the surprising relationship between cosmetics and eye health from waterproof mascara and fragrances to retinoids, lash serums and false eyelashes.

We look at why the ingredients in products used around your eyes matter, how old makeup can become a problem, why false lashes and extensions may contribute to irritation, and what you can do to give your eyes a little more protection.

Dr. Valerie's challenge this week: grab your makeup bag, check those ingredient lists, look at how old your mascara is and think about whether you really need waterproof or 24-hour makeup every day.

Because your makeup can be replaced. Your eyes can't.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have persistent or concerning eye symptoms, please consult an appropriate eye-care professional.

Useful resources

FDA – Eye Cosmetic Safetyhttps://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/resources-consumers-cosmetics/cosmetics-safety-qa-eye-cosmetic-safety

European Commission – Cosmetics Legislationhttps://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/legislation_en

European Commission – Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database_en

Research: The effects of eyelash extensions on the ocular surfacehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38171996/

Listen to the Eye Got You Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to the channel for more conversations about eye health, vision and looking after your eyes.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome: https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome

Learn more at https://www.eyegotyoucare.com

Produced by: https://creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

Loss is something every one of us will experience, yet it remains one of the most difficult topics to talk about.

In this episode of the Eye Got You Podcast, Dr. Valarie Jerome and Dr. Humberto Fallas have an open and deeply personal conversation about grief, resilience, self-care and maintaining balance in both life and healthcare.

They discuss their own experiences of losing loved ones, the emotional impact of grief, and how difficult life experiences can shape the way we care for patients and connect with others.

Find out more about Dr. Fallas’ work at https://www.fallasfamilyvision.com

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome: https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome

Learn more at https://www.eyegotyoucare.com

Produced by: https://creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only. If you have concerns about your vision or fall risk, please book an appointment with a qualified eye care professional or speak with your primary care provider.

Glaucoma affects millions of people worldwide and remains one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness.

In this episode of the Eye Got You Podcast, Dr. Valarie Jerome is joined by glaucoma specialist Dr. Paul Ajamian to discuss how glaucoma develops, why it often has no symptoms in its early stages, and how modern treatments are helping patients preserve their vision.

You'll discover:

✔ What glaucoma actually is

✔ Why routine eye exams are essential

✔ The importance of optic nerve health

✔ Eye pressure and glaucoma myths

✔ Risk factors you shouldn't ignore

✔ OCT scans and visual field testing explained

✔ New laser treatments and surgical options

✔ The future of glaucoma management

Whether you have glaucoma, have a family history of the condition, or simply want to protect your vision, this episode provides practical advice and expert insight from two experienced eye care professionals.

Find out about Dr Ajamian's work at https://omnieyeatlanta.com

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome: https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome

Learn more at https://www.eyegotyoucare.com

Produced by: https://creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only. If you have concerns about your vision or fall risk, please book an appointment with a qualified eye care professional or speak with your primary care provider.

Glaucoma is often called the "sneak thief of sight" because it can cause permanent vision loss without any obvious warning signs.

In this episode of Eye Got You, Dr. Valarie Jerome is joined by glaucoma specialist Dr. Paul Ajamian to break down one of the most misunderstood eye conditions. Together they explain what glaucoma is, how it develops, why routine eye examinations are so important, and the tests eye care professionals use to detect it before vision is affected.

They discuss the role of eye pressure, optic nerve health, family history, corneal thickness, visual field testing, OCT scans, and why regular eye exams remain the best defence against preventable sight loss.

Whether you have a family history of glaucoma, have been told you're a glaucoma suspect, or simply want to protect your eyesight, this episode provides clear, practical information to help you understand the condition.

In this episode:

What glaucoma actually is

Why glaucoma is known as the "sneak thief of sight"

The connection between eye pressure and optic nerve damage

Risk factors including age, family history and sleep apnoea

Why good vision does not necessarily mean healthy eyes

The importance of dilated eye examinations

Understanding OCT scans and visual field tests

Why glaucoma diagnosis is not always straightforward

The role of optometrists in detecting and managing glaucoma

How regular eye exams can help prevent avoidable sight loss

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with family members who may be at increased risk of glaucoma.

Find out about Dr Ajamian's work at https://omnieyeatlanta.com

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome: https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome

Learn more at https://www.eyegotyoucare.com

Produced by: https://creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only. If you have concerns about your vision or fall risk, please book an appointment with a qualified eye care professional or speak with your primary care provider.

Could your headaches actually be linked to your eyes?

In this episode of the Eye Got You podcast, Dr. Valarie Jerome explores the surprising connection between headaches and vision problems. From uncorrected prescriptions and digital eye strain to binocular vision issues and screen fatigue, Dr. Valarie explains how your visual system may be working harder than it should.

You’ll learn:

* How vision problems can contribute to headaches

* The symptoms of digital eye strain

* Why screen time affects your eyes and brain

* What binocular vision dysfunction is

* When headaches could signal a more serious issue

* The warning signs that need medical attention

* Simple strategies to reduce eye-related headaches, including the 20-20-20 rule

If you experience headaches after reading, using screens, driving, or concentrating, this episode could help you understand whether your eyes are part of the problem.

Connect with Dr. Valarie Jerome: https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome

Produced by: https://creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for information and entertainment purposes only. If you have concerns about your vision or fall risk, please book an appointment with a qualified eye care professional or speak with your primary care provider.