In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I break down how glaucoma is properly tested and monitored. We explore eye pressure measurements, visual field testing, optic nerve cupping, and OCT scans—explaining what each test reveals and why no single test tells the whole story. This episode empowers you to understand your eye exam and protect your vision before damage becomes permanent.

Dr. Rani Banik is an ophthalmologist and the host of The Eye-Q Podcast, where she educates listeners on eye health, vision preservation, and disease prevention. Through clear explanations and visual analogies, she breaks down complex eye conditions like glaucoma, so patients can better understand their risks and take proactive steps to protect their sight.

Dr. Banik is passionate about early detection, prevention, and patient education, emphasizing that understanding how eye diseases develop is one of the most powerful tools for preserving long-term vision.

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

Glaucoma doesn’t warn you. It slowly takes vision from the outside in. In this episode, I explain what glaucoma really is, how it damages the optic nerve, and why peripheral vision is the first to disappear.

I break down how glaucoma progresses over time, the differences between open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma, who is most at risk, and why relying on symptoms or eye pressure alone can be misleading. Early testing and timely care are the key to protecting long-term vision.

Dr. Rani Banik is an ophthalmologist and the host of The Eye-Q Podcast, where she educates listeners on eye health, vision preservation, and disease prevention. Through clear explanations and visual analogies, she breaks down complex eye conditions like glaucoma, so patients can better understand their risks and take proactive steps to protect their sight.

Dr. Banik is passionate about early detection, prevention, and patient education, emphasizing that understanding how eye diseases develop is one of the most powerful tools for preserving long-term vision.

Connect with me!

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode, I talk with glaucoma expert Dr. Constance Okeke about what glaucoma really is, how it damages the optic nerve, and why early detection is critical. We break down eye pressure, cupping, the main types of glaucoma, and the tests used to diagnose it. Dr. Okeke also explains today’s treatment options—from drops and lasers to surgical innovations—and shares practical tips on prevention, lifestyle, and communication with your doctor to help protect your vision.

Dr. Constance Okeke is an Ivy League-trained, board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma and cataract surgery.

She has two decades of glaucoma experience, ranging from cutting-edge research, mastering micro-invasive surgical techniques, to training other doctors, speaking, and writing about her techniques and innovative ideas.

Dr. Okeke has also passionately prevented blindness through medical missions, glaucoma awareness campaigns, and public speaking.

Constance Okeke, MD

Website: https://www.drconstanceokeke.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/constance-okeke-md-msce-17277027

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I talk with Dr. Daniel Chille about how gut health, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and genetics influence eye disease. We explore the gut–eye axis, leaky gut, oxidative stress, and why stool testing and nutrigenomics can reveal hidden triggers behind chronic symptoms. If you’ve struggled with dry eyes, autoimmune issues, or unexplained vision changes, this conversation shows how healing the gut may help protect your sight.

Dr. Daniel Chille is a distinguished healthcare professional specializing in Integrative and Functional Medicine, with a mission to reverse chronic disease and optimize human health through a root-cause approach. He is the founder of TBD Fitness, a holistic wellness clinic based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, serving patients both locally and across the country.

Dr. Chille began his academic career at Northwestern University, where he earned his degree while also playing NCAA Division I soccer. After college, he pursued a professional soccer career in Europe—an experience that shaped his holistic perspective on performance, recovery, and whole-body health.

Through TBD Fitness and his broader clinical practice, Dr. Chille leads a team of wellness professionals who integrate functional medicine, nutrigenomics, cellular and microbial medicine, and advanced lab diagnostics to deliver highly personalized care. Diagnostic services include in-depth testing such as blood, hormone, genetic, gut microbiome, micronutrient, and neurolymphatic assessments.

Dr. Daniel Chille

Website: https://www.tbdfit.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TBDfit/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbdfit/

🎧 TBD Fit Podcast with Dr. Chille

Where fitness meets lifestyle—exploring health, performance, and the mindset shifts that help you thrive.

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I talk with functional nutritionist Laurie Hammer about amino acid therapy and how neurotransmitter imbalances affect mood, cravings, energy, and stress. Laurie shares her personal healing story, explains how she assesses serotonin, GABA, and other pathways, and walks us through her Calm Mom Method—a brain-first approach to restoring balance for overwhelmed women.

As a Functional Nutritional Therapist and founder of the Calm Mom Method, Laurie Hammer focuses on helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other neurological conditions. Her work is driven by her own healing journey—overcoming cancer, celiac disease, bulimia, and depression through holistic approaches. Today, she supports clients around the world, both virtually and in person, offering hope and practical strategies for moms facing anxiety, depression, and the overwhelming demands of daily life.

Guest Speaker: Laurie Hammer, FNTP, NNTS

Website: https://www.lauriehammer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takebackmybrain

Facebook: https://facebook.com/takebackmybrain/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-hammer-ab84ab8/

Take Back My Brain with Laurie Hammer

A compassionate, empowering journey into brain health, trauma recovery, and whole-body healing:

• ⁠⁠Listen on Spotify⁠⁠

• ⁠Listen on Apple Podcasts⁠

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• Watch on YouTube

  
  

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I talk with functional health coach and bestselling author Missy Chase Lapine about how food shapes our energy, focus, gut health, and mood. We break down blood sugar swings, simple fixes for morning crashes, and the surprising power of plant diversity. Missy also shares quick recipes, smart kitchen shortcuts, and how community helps turn health knowledge into lasting habits.

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Missy Chase Lapine is a New York Times bestselling cookbook author and certified as The Functional Health Coach™, working with Gary H. Goldman, MD, one of the top functional medicine doctors in NYC. Missy is also certified in culinary medicine and chef coaching by Harvard Medical School. Missy’s mission is to help people optimize their health, prevent illness, and live a balanced, energized life.

In her private practice, she coaches clients to end cravings and sugar addiction, boost energy, reduce anxiety, design delicious meals, and achieve their optimal weight and highest health goals. Missy also supports the road to recovery for patients with chronic conditions like arthritis and autoimmune issues, and she helps people break the sugar and processed food habit so they can reduce inflammation and resulting aches and pains.

Missy is also the founder of The Sneaky Chef® cookbook series and products. Missy’s unique and creative method of recipe development has earned her the title of Top 20 Most Influential Moms in Food (Daily Meal).

Missy loves to nourish her family and friends, husband, Rick, and children, Emily and Sam.

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Guest: Chef Missy Chase Lapine

Website: https://www.missychaselapine.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesneakychef/

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I speak with Dr. Pat McShane about women’s health and how to protect healthspan after menopause. We explore why women have been left out of research, the importance of protein, muscle, balanced nutrition, sleep, and social connection, and the practical steps women can take to stay strong, independent, and well for decades to come.

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Dr. McShane is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She earned her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She then pursued her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Boston Hospital for Women, followed by completing her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

In addition to Dr. McShane’s extensive experience with treating infertility, she has dedicated decades of her career to educating the next generation of reproductive endocrinologists. Dr. McShane has served as an instructor in OB/GYN at Boston Hospital for Women, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, UMass Medical Center, and University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

After her initial practice with reproductive-aged women, mostly seeking fertility, Dr. McShane became focused on the health of postmenopausal women following her own life journey and founded a video series.

She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). To further pursue her deep interest in women’s health in developing countries, Dr. McShane completed her Certificate in Global Public Health in May 2014 at Colorado School of Public Health. Dr. McShane has authored reports and abstracts on topics such as in vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic testing, and fertility preservation.

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Guest: Pat McShane, MD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-mcshane-0535ba3/

Website: www.womenshealthspan.net

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mcshanepmcshane9303

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Women’s Healthspan Voices with Dr. Pat McShane

Clear answers and real conversations to help women thrive after menopause—because aging isn’t decline, it’s living smarter, longer, better:

• ⁠⁠Listen on Spotify⁠⁠

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• ⁠Listen on iHeart Radio

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Eye-Q Podcast, I talk with vision scientist Dr. Deshanie Rai about the macular carotenoids—lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin—and why they’re essential for lifelong eye health. We break down their role in filtering blue light, supporting retinal resilience, improving visual performance, and even boosting cognition. We also explore diet, supplementation, and new research in both adults and children.

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Dr. Deshanie Rai, Ph.D., vice president, global science, regulatory, and advocacy at OmniActive Health Technologies and adjunct professor at Tufts University, has made consumer self-care a focus of her career contributions through the development, translation, and dissemination of rigorous science in compliance with regulatory guidelines. She has leveraged her technical skillsets across multiple therapeutic areas and her strengths as a cross-functional partner to bring several meaningful product and messaging innovations to global markets. These included gastrointestinal health and the microbiome, eye health and vision performance, women’s health, and pediatric allergy management. Dr. Rai is adept at connecting the dots and troubleshooting and has successfully identified and implemented strategies to accelerate regulatory pathways while still prioritizing product integrity and consumer safety. While the products she has worked on have reached consumers in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia, she has also made an impact in Africa through her volunteer efforts in promoting food security.

Dr. Rai was recently honored as the winner of the 2025 Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award, presented by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Radicle Science.

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Guest: Dr. Deshanie Rai, PhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deshanie-rai-phd-facn-69348a3/

Website: https://omniactives.com/

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Produced by DrTalks: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast/