Description

Even though Dr. Julie’s parents were both optometrists, and founded Helmus Optometry, she never felt pressured to pursue it as a career. It was only after completing her studies and experimenting with several different jobs and interests, that Dr. Julie decided to go back to school, become an optometrist, and take over the family business. Today on the show, Katie speaks with Dr. Julie about owning a small business, being an optometrist, and why she loves serving in her hometown. Dr. Julie describes what it was like studying to be an optometrist, and why being a slightly older student helped her connect with faculty members and get an added level of value out of her training. Tuning in you’ll hear about Dr. Julie’s typical day as a business owner and an optometrist, and why she makes an effort to be extra alert on days when she’s seeing patients. She also reflects on how optometry has become much more medicalized since her parents' time and explains how she helps various patients with medical conditions like glaucoma and dry eyes. To learn more about Dr. Julie’s work, as well as her advice for young people who want to pursue optometry as an option, join us today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s guest: Dr. Julie. 
• How Dr. Julie’s parent’s founded Helmus Optometry.
• Why Julie never felt pressured to become an optometrist.
• The studies that Dr. Julie had to complete to become an optometrist.
• How Helmus Optometry has changed over the years.
• Some of Dr. Julie’s previous work, including being a Spanish-English medical interpreter.
• The benefits of returning to your studies as an older student.
• How learning a second language can make you a better problem solver.
• What Dr. Julie loves most about being a small business owner.
• The fascinating mix of people that Dr. Julie has had on her team.
• The variety of ocular diseases that young optometrists are expected to treat.
• Dr. Julie’s observations on how optometry has become much more medicalized.
• How screen time can be related to dry eye symptoms.
• A breakdown of what a typical day at work looks like for Dr. Julie.
• How the glare from screens can affect your eyes.
• Insights into the special glasses that can mitigate these effects.
• Some of Dr. Julie’s hobbies outside of work, like her fondness for writing and journaling.
• Dr. Julie’s encouraging advice for anyone figuring out what they want to do.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Helmus Optometry