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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!

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In today’s episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, host Angela Jenkins sits down with renowned integrative and functional medicine physician, Dr. Dana Cohen. She discusses what piqued her interest about hydration, debunks common hydration myths, and shares her insights on the critical role of hydration in overall health.

🎧If you are looking for actionable tips for improving hydration - and overall health - this episode is for you! 🎧

Dana G. Cohen, MD is a renowned integrative and functional medicine physician who has dedicated her career to helping people understand hydration and its powerful role in overall health. She is the author of “Quench” and “Fuel Up,” and in her work, Dr. Cohen introduces us to this fascinating concept of structured water and cellular hydration. She makes hydration feel both approachable and transformative with simple everyday strategies. A New York native, she currently resides in Jackson Heights with her husband Henry and dog Frida and has a home in the Hudson Valley where she loves to garden.

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

• https://www.drdanacohen.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/drdanacohen

Show Notes

0:49 - Angela introduces today’s special guest, Dr. Dana Cohen, and dives into what got her interested in hydration, specifically

10:17 - Dr. Cohen reveals some myths and misconceptions around water intake, answering the question: how do people hydrate properly?

13:14 - Dr. Cohen lists symptoms of low grade dehydration

19:20 - Dr. Cohen details the best ways that we should be approaching hydration

23:39 - Dr. Cohen shares her opinion of commercial vs natural electrolytes

26:32 - Dr. Cohen discusses the theory of the fourth phase of water

29:05 - Dr. Cohen describes the reasoning behind her rule to drink a glass of water before each meal

31:00 - Dr. Cohen explains how coffee is hydration, too!

34:16 - Dr. Cohen lists easy-to-implement changes you can make to your hydration routine starting tomorrow

38:45 - Angela wraps up the episode!

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In today’s episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, Angela sits down with Executive Director of the Dry Eye Foundation, Aidan Moore. Aidan recounts the story of the Dry Eye Foundation, busting myths and sharing resources along the way. Together, they discuss the growing rate of dry eye, safety, and what people should know if they have recently been diagnosed.

🎧If you have been diagnosed with dry eye, or are supporting someone who has, this episode is for you! 🎧

Aidan Moore is Executive Director of the Dry Eye Foundation. He is a sympathetic listener, supporter, and advocate for dry eye patients, and he believes in using DEF’s platform to reshape the future for dry eye patients. He has been integral to DEF’s community support programs and educational initiatives like the Dry Eye Helpline, Dry Eye Zoom Groups, Eye Drop Safety, MyDryEyeData and more. His motto is “how can we help?”

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

• Donate to the Dry Eye Foundation: dryeyefoundation.org/donate
• Dry Eye Zone Guidebook (print and digital): dryeyezone.com/guidebook
• Community Support (Helpline, Zoom Groups, and more): dryeyefoundation.org/support
• Dry Eye Foundation YouTube Channel (Webinars, Symposium, and more): youtube.com/c/dryeyefoundation
• Eye Drop Safety: eyedropsafety.org
• How to check the Amazon seller of your eye drops: eyedropsafety.org/news/blog/check-amazon-seller-video
• Dry Eye Disease and Me Survey (2019-2021): mydryeyedata.org

Show Notes

0:49 - Today's special guest Aidan Moore tells us how the Dry Eye Foundation was started, detailing the development of its programs and resources

8:10 - Aidan details themes that are coming out of the millennial discussion group he leads

10:24 - Aidan details the connection between dry eye and mental health

13:40 - Aidan shares myths and misconceptions about dry eye and treatments

21:06 - Aidan details how the Dry Eye Foundation is helping advocate and push change in research and policy

26:17 - Angela and Aidan discuss the growing rate of dry eye

28:19 - Aidan dives into eyedrop safety, and how to trust the products you put in/near their eyes

34:49 - Aidan describes what Dry Eye Awareness Month (July) looks like for the organization

39:35 - Aidan shares his advice for those newly diagnosed

42:38 - Aidan details what happens if you reach out to the Dry Eye Foundation

46:43 - Aidan divulges how caregivers can get involved in supporting the work of the Dry Eye Foundation

48:35 - Angela wraps up the episo

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In today’s episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, host Angela Jenkins sits down with Educator and Ocular Hygienist Samantha Walters, to talk all about how to maintain a beauty/lash routine that is also hygienic for your eyes! Together, they discuss Samantha’s entry into ocular hygiene from the lash extension arena, her complete overhaul of everything she knew about lash extension protocols, and how everything culminated into her current program offering.

You do NOT have to give up on aesthetics and beauty to stay in line with your dry eye protocol! 🎧Listen in to find out how 🎧

Samantha Walters is an Ocular Hygienist, educator, and owner of a leading health-focused salon in the greater Fredericton region. With a deep passion for elevating standards in the eye enhancement industry, she specializes in eyelash and eyebrow rehabilitation—helping clients restore and maintain the health of their lashes and brows. Proudly accredited by the National Association of Lash Artists, Samantha combines artistry with ocular health expertise to promote safer, more mindful beauty practices. Through her commitment to education and innovation, she’s empowering the next generation of beauty professionals to prioritize wellness without compromising results.

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

• @eyegienist on Instagram

Show Notes

0:49 - We introduce today’s special guest, Samantha Walters, and how she got into dry eye

11:03 - Angela asks Samantha to recall what early connections she made between aesthetics and ocular wellness, as well as recount her first Dry Eye Conference experience

16:11 - Samantha divulges what made her overhaul everything she knew - and practiced - about lash extensions

19:54 - Angela shares how she first found Samantha online, and what she loves that Samantha is doing (partnering with eye doctors!)

23:03 - Samantha walks us through how she found out she had dry eye

26:52 - Samantha shares actionable steps to improve ocular hygiene (including eyelash flossing)

31:44 - Angela and Samantha talk eyelash extension preservation with ocular health in mind

35:29 - Samantha details what led her to develop her program

43:15 - 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 Dr. Mila Ioussifova, OD, CNS, FAAO, all about the gut-eye connection when it comes to your health. Together, they discuss Mila’s journey into eye health with a focus on nutrition, what to know about your eye microbiome and how outside factors affect it, and how to figure out what is best for YOU!

Dr. Mila Ioussifova graduated with honors from the New England College of Optometry and completed a residency in community health and ocular disease in Boston, MA. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and serves on the leadership team of its Anterior Segment Section. Dr. Mila has also served as adjunct clinical faculty at Pacific University College of Optometry and as an examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. Dr. Mila owns a private practice in Portland, OR, with special interests in advanced dry eye treatments, nutritional counseling, and aesthetic services.

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.eyethrivewellness.com
• @eyedoctormila on Instagram

Show Notes

0:49 - We introduce today’s special guest, Dr. Mila Ioussifova, and how she got into dry eye

2:49 - Dr. Ioussifova explains her bold statement: Everybody has dry eye until proven otherwise

3:29 - Dr. Mila defines what meibomian glands are and what we do on a daily basis that could affect how they function

9:13 - Dr. Ioussifova discusses what drove her to study and integrate the gut and eye connection into her practice

14:44 - Dr. Mila walks us through the gut-eye connection from a microbiome standpoint with ocular surface disease

18:44 - Angela asks what patients of Dr. Ioussifova notice about working with her vs. what they might have tried before, and they discuss some diet points and tips

26:39 - On breaking through the noise around diets, dieting, and what’s “good for you”

28:05 - Dr. Ioussifova shares how physical activity in your lifestyle affects dry eye

31:52 - Angela asks what type of testing is important for people to understand their microbiome and nutrient absorption, and the nutrition conversation continues

39:28 - Dr. Mila shares what she offers in her practice

45:18 - 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 yoga and barre instructor, friend, and dry eye girlfriend, Lisa Pisano. Together, they dive into Lisa’s dry eye journey - from what her doctor prescribed her early on, to quality-of-life considerations and tips for dry eye girlfriends everywhere. Self-care practices like reducing stress, yoga, meditation and journaling are so important on your dry eye healing journey - so make sure to tune in to listen to a self-care practitioner talk personal dry eye care!

Welcome to Dry Eye Girlfriend.

Lisa Pisano has a background in fitness and is also certified as a barre instructor. She offers online classes, workshops, corporate yoga, yoga for athletes and offers private sessions. She is known for her attention to detail and helping her students develop and maintain alignment in their bodies. She has an ability to clearly cue her students through movement without making things feel complicated or overly challenging, while at the same time, pushing you beyond your self-created boundaries. Lisa also hosts yoga and wellness retreats across the world as the co-founder of Soulfull Yoga and Wellness Retreats.

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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

• Lisa Pisano - IG @lisapyoga
• Retreats - IG @soulfullyogawellness
• www.soulfullyogawellness.com

Show Notes

0:49 - Angela introduces today’s special guest: Lisa Pisano!

2:50 - Lisa recounts where her dry eye journey began, and what her doctor prescribed her in her early dry eye journey

7:50 - Lisa shares how her dry eye is, and how picky she is with makeup these days

15:59 - Angela and Lisa discuss dry eye and genetics and the effect screens have on the future of dry eye

20:51 - Lisa and Angela address quality-of-life considerations when it comes to dry eye (including some helpful tips!)

28:15 - Angela inquires about how to reduce stress during these times (perimenopause, older kids, hormone changes, etc)

38:36 - Lisa shares the most important element for a reset

40:05 - Angela and Lisa discuss why its so important to talk openly about dry eye

44:34 - Angela wraps up the episode!