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In today’s episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, host Angela Jenkins sits down with Dr. Rana Taji, an optometrist with a strong focus on dry eye and patient advocacy, as well as founder of the non-profit, “Eye Really Care”. In this episode we explore Dr. Taji’s path into optometry, what drew her to dry eye specifically, the gaps she sees in the current system, and how advocacy and education can meaningfully change patient outcomes.

🎧If you want to learn more about advocating for yourself and others when it comes to dry eye, this episode is for you! 🎧

Dr. Rana Taji is a Canadian optometrist and respected clinical leader in dry eye disease. She is the Owner and Medical Director of Toronto Medical Eye Associates in North York, Ontario, where she provides full-scope optometric care with a strong focus on ocular surface disease, patient education, and personalized treatment. Dr. Taji has been in clinical practice since 2010 and brings deep expertise in dry eye disease, glaucoma, blepharitis, and diabetic eye disease.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Taji is an adjunct faculty clinical supervisor, mentoring optometry students from both Canadian and U.S. programs. She lectures nationally, collaborates with industry on dry eye research and innovation, and is the Founder of Eye Really Care, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to improving access, education, and advocacy in eye health.

Her work is grounded in evidence-based care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a deep commitment to improving quality of life for patients living with dry eye disease.

Welcome to Dry Eye Girlfriend.

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If you liked this episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes,Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit our website dryeyegirlfriend.com, and connect with Angela on Instagram (@dryeyegirlfriend) and TikTok (@dryeyegirlfriend). Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References

• www.eyereallycare.ca
• Info@eyereallycare.ca
• www.instagram.com/eyedrtaji

Show Notes

0:52 - Angela introduces today’s special guest, whorecounts her journey into optometry and advocacy

8:17 - Dr. Rana gives us an example of advocacy in action

11:48 – Dr. Rana shares where “Eye Really Care” is in its growth stages and where she sees advocacy leading the dry eye revolution

15:52 – Dr. Rana runs through the core pillars of “Eye Really Care” and its effects on the community so far

20:58 – Dr. Rana shares her thoughts on moving away from mass lectures to small-group, individualized approaches

24:00 – Dr. Rana divulges the works she has planned for 2026 (and how she is going to ground herself in and through that work)

30:52 – Angela and Dr. Rana discuss the importance of the involvement of industry

33:10 - Dr. Rana shares some final advice, and Angela wraps up the episode!

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In today’s episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, host Angela Jenkins sits down with Ashley Noonan, psychotherapist, yoga instructor, dry eye patient, and friend, to talk about her dry eye journey. From diagnosis to IPL, and every treatment in between, Ashley has taken the last 5 years to learn everything she can about dry eye, its symptoms and treatments, and is sharing her findings with us TODAY!

🎧If you are ready to remedy your dry eye disease, or are starting your journey in relief, this episode is for you! 🎧

Ashley Noonan is a psychotherapist, yoga instructor and grateful new mom who is also a dry eye patient. Ashley has been to many doctors & down her own rabbit hole to understand dry eye disease while improving her quality of life since she began her support journey in 2020. She educated herself on the many facets of dry eye disease, and is very informed through her commitment to learning. Ashley supports other dry eye patients online who are just beginning their journey to diagnosis and choosing aligned treatment options through Facebook groups and private messages. Ashley loves to spend time outdoors, attend workout classes and enjoy small cafes.

Welcome to Dry Eye Girlfriend.

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If you liked this episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit our website dryeyegirlfriend.com, and connect with Angela on Instagram (@dryeyegirlfriend) and TikTok (@dryeyegirlfriend). Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References

• Register for Ashley’s virtual event: Focus on Relief
• Find Ashley on Instagram - @oneluvash

Show Notes

1:39 - Angela introduces today’s special guest, who dives into her journey story with dry eye

3:55 - Ashley recalls how she connected the dots with her symptoms and experience to reach her diagnosis of dry eye

10:34 - Ashley describes what her thorough work up and diagnoses looked like when she was finally able to find a dry eye specialist

12:25 - Ashley divulges us on her journey with IPL

18:39 - Ashley advises: try different things at the start of your journey to find the best relief for you!

25:43 - Ashley shares what upcoming virtual dry eye event she is co-hosting (linked above in resources)

27:09 - Ashley runs down additional treatments she has tried for dry eye

28:31 - Ashley describes where she is right now from a relief standpoint - and the importance of air quality to eye health

33:28 - Ashley discusses how she eats for dry eye symptom management - as well as some things she would like to get back to since giving birth

36:21 - Ashley describes how she has adjusted her daily activities as a person with dry eye

38:24 - Ashley shares what she does to get through this and thrive

41:09 - Ashley shares her advise for folks who are at the beginning of their dry eye journey

44:24 - Ashley divulges us with some final advise, and Angela wraps up the episode!

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In today’s episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, host Angela Jenkins sits down with Andrea Maczenko, owner and certified technician at medical aesthetics company, Your Perfect Skin Inc, to discuss the growing issue of dry eye and the role of ocular hygiene in combatting it. Andrea, an ocular hygienist, explains the importance of lid hygiene, and the advanced treatments available for dry eye, include radio requency and IPL

🎧If you are looking for at-home eye care tips, this episode is for you! 🎧

Andrea Marczenko is the owner and certified technician at Your Perfect Skin Inc., a medical aesthetics company located in downtown Burlington. For ten years Andrea has been a noteworthy leader in the medical aesthetics space with over 10,000 hours specializing in skin tightening and body contouring. Your Perfect Skin Inc. has fostered her inspiration for empowering people to feel better about themselves. In 2022 Andrea received her Ocular Hygienist certification and the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Patricia Fink Optometry / Vision Therapy to assist with the dry eye treatment program. This beneficial treatment not only aligns with Andrea’s skill set but also with her mission. Outside of work, Andrea most cherishes her time being a mom to daughter Tayah.

Welcome to Dry Eye Girlfriend.

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If you liked this episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit our website dryeyegirlfriend.com, and connect with Angela on Instagram (@dryeyegirlfriend) and TikTok (@dryeyegirlfriend). Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References

• Instagram for Your Perfect Skin, Inc
• yourperfectskin.ca
• ZocuFoam

Show Notes

1:39 - Angela introduces today’s special guest, Andrea Marczenko, and dives into her story with dry eye

4:58 - Andrea describes what an ocular hygienist is and does, and if it’s possible to clean your eyes at home

9:26 - Andrea reveals where radiofrequency and IPL come into the protocol and what the processes encompass

14:57 - Andrea chats Demodex - what they are, what they do, and how to combat them

16:35 - Andrea discusses treatment protocols and their personalization

18:20 - Andrea lists some of the beauty benefits of radiofrequency and IPL treatments

21:05 - Angela and Andrea discuss why we should all go see someone who specializes in IPL for dry eye, and describe what the treatments are like

30:10 - Andrea divulges recommendations for at home eye care in between treatments to maximize the impact of treatments

33:30 - Andrea shares where she thinks ocular health and beauty are headed in the future

35:53 - Andrea lets us know where we can find her and what she’s up to right now!

37:12 - Angela wraps up the episode!