The Eye-Q Podcast

Dr. Rani Banik
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Oct 24, 2025 • 40min

Episode 046: Eye on Perimenopause: What’s Really Happening to Your Body

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jen Pfleghaar, DO, ABOIM, to explore what really happens to women’s hormones during perimenopause—and how to navigate it with grace. We talk about hormone imbalances, migraines, liver detox, cycle syncing, fasting, and how faith and integrative medicine can help restore balance, energy, and peace of mind.Dr. Jen Pfleghaar is a double board-certified physician in Emergency and Integrative Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed residency at St. Vincent’s Mercy Hospital, and fellowship at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. She believes true wellness thrives when body, mind, and spirit are aligned with God’s design. Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, she became passionate about autoimmune healing, hormone balance, and root-cause medicine. Dr. Jen co-authored Eat. Sleep. Move. Breathe., serves on the boards of the Invisible Disabilities Association and American Board of Integrative Medicine. Through her practice, Healthy by Dr. Jen, she provides virtual care and shares education as @integrativedrmom. She lives on a mini farm in Tennessee with her husband and four children. She loves cheering at her kids’ games, lifting weights, reading Scripture, and tending to her chickens. Her newest book, The Perimenopause Reset, was written on a mission to change the health of 500,000 women navigating perimenopause—empowering them with faith-based, science-backed strategies to reclaim their energy, clarity, and joy.Jen Pfleghaar, DO, ABOIMWebsite: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmom Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenpfleghaar YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmom Connect with me Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drranibanik.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mIi8P9tXSRXXwEdNX6aRw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC/?_rdc=1&_rdr#⁠⁠⁠⁠ -----Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/
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Oct 17, 2025 • 31min

Episode 045: Eye on Ergonomics: Optimizing Your Workstation and Posture for Your Vision

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, Dr. Rudrani Banik chats with physical therapist and ergonomics expert Margie Bissinger about how posture and workstation setup influence eye health. Learn the science behind digital eye strain, discover small adjustments that prevent fatigue and headaches, and find out how simple awareness can protect your vision and body during long hours at the computer.Margie Bissinger is a physical therapist, integrative health coach, author, and happiness trainer.  Margie has over 25 years of experience helping people with osteoporosis and osteopenia improve their bone health through a comprehensive integrative approach. She hosts the Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast and has hosted four summits on Natural Approaches to Osteoporosis and Bone Health.Margie believes that happiness plays an integral role in our bone and overall health. She has been teaching her patients and class participants happiness habits for over 40 years and has seen the powerful effects happiness has on chronic pain and recovery.Margie has lectured to Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, hospitals, and women’s groups throughout the country. She has been featured in the New York Times, Menopause Management, OB GYN News and contributed to numerous health and fitness books.  lives.------Website: https://margiebissinger.com/ Podcast Website: https://margiebissinger.com/happy-bones-happy-life-podcast/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hzmthaZCoK3hq9YYVLKQg?si=1b483d0e31814b0dApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-bones-happy-life/id1475261223-----Connect with meShop: https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com/collections/all Website: https://www.drranibanik.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mil8P9tXSRXwEdNX6aRw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/
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Oct 10, 2025 • 32min

Episode 044: The Eye-Brain Connection - Understanding Optic Nerve Issues

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Andrew Lee, one of the world’s leading neuro-ophthalmologists, to unravel the mysteries of the optic nerve. We cover conditions like optic neuritis, optic nerve strokes, papilledema, and optic atrophy—how they’re diagnosed, what treatments exist, and when to seek a neuro-ophthalmologist. Whether you’re a patient or practitioner, this episode will expand your understanding of how the brain and eyes work together.Dr. Andrew Lee is a world-renowned neuro-ophthalmologist, researcher, and educator with decades of experience diagnosing and treating complex eye-brain conditions. He has authored hundreds of publications and trained specialists globally, making significant contributions to advancing the field of neuro-ophthalmology. Through his clinical work and education, Dr. Lee is dedicated to helping patients and providers alike understand the intricate link between the visual system and the brain.Andrew Lee, MDLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lee-839334a/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5HcfsELV0W9AqtvJvpQQSgConnect with me Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drranibanik.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mIi8P9tXSRXXwEdNX6aRw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC/?_rdc=1&_rdr#⁠⁠⁠ -----Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/
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Oct 3, 2025 • 31min

Episode 043: Eye on Healthy Aging through Homeopathy and Lifestyle

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Elise Brisco—an integrative optometrist, clinical homeopath, and international model. We explore natural strategies to keep your eyes vibrant, the role of homeopathy in everyday eye care, and the empowering lessons Dr. Brisco has learned blending health, beauty, and science.Dr. Brisco is an integrative optometrist and certified clinical homeopath. She practices in a multi-disciplinary wellness group in Los Angeles. She is the founder of NearSight, for which she holds a patent. Dr. Brisco is a fitness enthusiast who loves to box and is a wellness content creator. She is the chief medical advisor for Natural Ophthalmics and serves as a key opinion leader for Lumenis.Elise Brisco, ODInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodeyes/ Connect with me Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drranibanik.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mIi8P9tXSRXXwEdNX6aRw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC/?_rdc=1&_rdr#⁠⁠ -----Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/
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Sep 26, 2025 • 37min

Episode 042: Eye on Cataract: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Kenneth Rosenthal, a world-renowned cataract surgeon, to demystify everything about cataracts. We explore who gets them, why they happen, and how to slow their progression. Dr. Rosenthal also reveals how cataract surgery has transformed into one of the safest, most effective procedures in medicine, with innovations like advanced intraocular lenses, lasers, and customized options for patients.Kenneth J. Rosenthal, M.D., F.A.C.S., Surgeon Director, has been in private practice in New York City and Great Neck, Long Island, NY since 1980 and is the Surgeon Director of Rosenthal Eye Surgery and Fifth Avenue EyeCare and Facial Plastic Surgery. He is also the Medical Director of Eye Diagnosis of Greater New York, the largest and most comprehensive free-standing diagnostic center in the tri-state area.Kenneth Rosenthal, MDWebsite: https://eyesurgery.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nutritionalfrontiersConnect with me Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drranibanik.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mIi8P9tXSRXXwEdNX6aRw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC/?_rdc=1&_rdr#⁠ -----Produced by DrTalks: ⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/
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Sep 19, 2025 • 30min

Episode 041: Eye on Contact Lenses: Comfort and Safety

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Christopher Lievens to dive deep into contact lenses—their evolution, safety, and future. We discuss how modern designs make lenses comfortable and effective even for older adults, and why habits like showering or swimming in them can be so dangerous. Whether you’ve worn contacts for years or are considering them for the first time, this episode is your guide to protecting and maximizing your vision.Chris Lievens is the Director of Research and Professor at Southern College of Optometry. Dr. Lievens has been employed in private practice at an ophthalmology referral center, and he served in the United States Air Force. Dr. Lievens was the Chief of Aerospace Optometry at the Pentagon before joining SCO. Dr. Lievens is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and was the Region Chair of the Academy’s Admittance Committee. He is a distinguished fellow in the National Academies of Practice. Dr. Lievens is the co-creator of the fundus grading card and currently conducts research in glaucoma, dry eye, uveitis, and contact lens care. Dr. Lievens has a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a PhD from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the British Contact Lens Association, the Association for Vision and Research in Ophthalmology, and the Royal Society of Medicine. You can see Dr. Lievens on his monthly podcast on the Defocus Media host network called the 4eyedProfessor.Chris Lievens, OD, MS, PhDLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lievens-od-ms-phd-19113612/Connect with me Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drranibanik.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mIi8P9tXSRXXwEdNX6aRw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC/?_rdc=1&_rdr# -----Produced by DrTalks: https://drtalks.com/podcast/
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Sep 12, 2025 • 31min

Episode 040: Eye on Migraine: 5 Ways Your Vision May Be Affected

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with Dr. Kathleen Digre, one of the world’s leading neuro-ophthalmologists, about migraine and vision. We explore the most common visual symptoms—from aura and light sensitivity to dry eye and pupil changes—plus the myths around “ocular migraine.” Dr. Digre also shares practical lifestyle tips, treatment options, and why there is more hope than ever for people living with migraine.Kathleen B. Digre, MD, specializes in neuro-ophthalmology and headache and practices at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. She evaluates and treats complex visual complaints, which can be due to optic nerve or brain disease. Dr. Digre sees patients with complex neuro-ophthalmic disorders such as papilledema, photophobia, visual loss, and diplopia. She also treats migraine headaches and other unusual headache disorders. She is listed in Best Doctors in America.-----Connect with me Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drranibanik.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mIi8P9tXSRXXwEdNX6aRw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC/?_rdc=1&_rdr# -----Produced by DrTalks: https://drtalks.com/podcast/
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Sep 5, 2025 • 25min

Episode 039: Red Eyes Explained: Dry Eye, Allergies, Infections & More

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Chua to decode the many causes of red eyes. We cover dry eye, allergies, subconjunctival hemorrhage, infections, and eyelid mites—plus simple strategies for relief like eyelid hygiene, artificial tears, and antihistamine drops. If you’ve ever wondered why your eyes are red and irritated, this conversation will give you clarity.Dr. Michael Chua is a board-certified ophthalmologist practicing in Los Angeles, California. He attended medical school at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. After medical school, he completed his ophthalmology residency at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he was elected Chief Resident.Dr. Chua enjoys teaching others about vision and eye health. He has a YouTube channel with over 15,000,00 views and 150,000 subscribers.Connect with me Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drranibanik.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mIi8P9tXSRXXwEdNX6aRw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC/?_rdc=1&_rdr# -----Produced by DrTalks: https://drtalks.com/podcast/
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Aug 22, 2025 • 39min

Episode 038: Eye on Kids: The Top 3 Vision Issues in Infants and Children

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with Dr. Rupa Wong about the essentials of pediatric eye health. We cover amblyopia (“lazy eye”), the myopia epidemic, and groundbreaking treatments like low-dose atropine drops, specialized contact lenses, and even VR headsets. We also dive into screen time rules every parent should know and why early diagnosis makes all the difference for lifelong vision.Dr. Rupa Wong is a board-certified pediatric ophthalmologist, wife, mom to 3 kids, entrepreneur, and the managing partner of Honolulu Eye Clinic for the past 16 years. She has been featured on the Best Doctors Lists since 2010. She also serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine. She is the co-founder of Pinnacle, an innovative medical education company. She is active on several committees of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors of Make-A-Wish Hawaii and Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii.-----Connect with me Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com/collections/all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.drranibanik.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mIi8P9tXSRXXwEdNX6aRw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC/?_rdc=1&_rdr# -----Produced by DrTalks: https://drtalks.com/podcast/
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Aug 15, 2025 • 36min

Episode 037: Eye on A Natural Approach to Blood Sugar Control

Dr. Beverly Yates, a renowned naturopathic doctor, dives deep into type 2 diabetes management. She discusses how high blood sugar impacts eye health and outlines her Yates Protocol—a five-step lifestyle program designed to reverse diabetes. The conversation reveals the connections between blood sugar regulation, stress, sleep, and nutrition. Dr. Yates emphasizes the importance of continuous glucose monitoring and personalized strategies, ensuring listeners leave empowered to take control of their health and protect their vision.

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