Prevention, Advocacy, and the Future of Eye Health with Dr. Janet Garza

In this episode of Eyespiring, Heather Patrick welcomes Dr. Janet Garza, optometrist, board member of Prevent Blindness Texas, and national advocate for vision health. Together, they explore the urgent and inspiring work of protecting sight and preventing blindness.Dr. Garza brings forward real stories from her practice, including patients whose outcomes might have been different with earlier care, and she highlights the importance of prevention, education, and advocacy. The conversation spans from the role of nutrition in vision, to challenges in chronic diseases like diabetes and glaucoma, to the importance of mental health when facing vision loss.Listeners will also hear about Dr. Garza’s path into optometry, her early volunteer work with Prevent Blindness, and her growing involvement with the national organization, where she helps train primary care doctors on the importance of integrating vision into overall health.Finally, Heather and Dr. Garza discuss the future of vision care, the role of technology and access, and why collaboration across all of healthcare is the key to progress.Key Takeaways:Early action matters: prevention and timely care can save vision.Education and advocacy are essential to closing the gap between fear and action in eye health.Vision care must be integrated across all aspects of healthcare.Everyone has a role to play, from volunteering to donating to spreading awareness.Resources & Links:Learn more about Prevent Blindness Texas: https://texas.preventblindness.org/Follow Eyespiring on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/eyespiring/id1814699268 If you’re passionate about making a difference in vision health, this episode will inspire you to take action.Subscribe today and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!