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In today’s episode of the Dry Eye Girlfriend podcast, host Angela Jenkins sits down with industry insider and founder and CEO of Blinkjoy, Justin Mendelson. Justin shares his personal journey with chronic dry eye, frustrations in finding effective treatments, and how he knew he had to leave his job in Silicon Valley behind to create what he – and so many others – desperately need to alleviate dry eye symptoms. Together, Angela and Justin discuss the importance of community support, advocacy, and what we can be doing to protect and clean our eyes, even before diagnosis of a chronic condition.

🎧If you are ready to be proactive with your eye health – or finally find some relief to your symptoms – this episode is for you!

Justin Mendelson is the founder and CEO of Blinkjoy, a fast-growing therapeutic eye-care company helping people better manage dry eye and eyelid conditions through modern, doctor-backed routines and devices. After struggling with severe dry eye himself for more than 15 years, Justin left a career in Silicon Valley product leadership to build the solutions he wished existed. Today, Blinkjoy serves customers worldwide and is helping redefine daily eye care. Based in Encinitas, California, Justin spends his time outside of work surfing, enjoying ice baths, and getting outdoors whenever possible.

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: @helloblinkjoy
• TikTok: @helloblinkjoy
• helloblinkjoy.com
• eyedropshop.ca

Show Notes

0:52 - Angela introduces today’s special guest, and different things we are looking forward to talking about today!

2:26 – Justin takes use through his dry eye journey thus far, and shares the cause for his diagnosis

9:43 – Justin shares what prompted him to leave his company and start a product line for those suffering with dry eye

12:38 – Justin details what products he offers, why, and how it makes him feel

20:46 – Justin reflects on how everything he is doing with and for dry eye is bigger than he could have ever imagined

22:55 – Justin shares what is being developed for people to keep an eye out for

27:27 – Justin divulges his closing thoughts with our listeners

29:54 – Justin shares where you can find him and his products online, 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 neuro-ophthalmologist, Dr. Rudrani Banik, to discuss her journey from traditional ophthalmology to integrative medicine, as well as the intricate relationship between eye health, brain function, and overall well-being, particularly for women in midlife. She highlights the role of meibomian gland dysfunction in dry eye and discusses various lifestyle and dietary changes that can help alleviate these issues.

🎧If you are ready for answers – and remedies – when it comes to your dry eye, look no further!

Dr. Rudrani (Rani) Banik is a board-certified neuro-ophthalmologist. Dr. Banik is certified in Integrative and Functional Medicine, and runs a private practice based in NYC and is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Mount Sinai. She focuses on the root cause of eye diseases and uses strategies based on nutrition, botanicals, lifestyle modification, and supplements.

Dr. Banik is often featured as an expert in her field, having appeared on Good Morning America, The New York Times, TODAY Online, and many more media outlets. She has been voted Castle Connolly Top Doctor and NY Magazine's Best Doctor in Ophthalmology annually since 2017.

Dr. Banik is the author of two best-selling books, Beyond Carrots - Best Foods For Eye Health A to Z and Dr. Rani’s Plant-Based Visionary Kitchen. She founded The Eye SummitTM, the first online FREE educational event focused entirely on integrative strategies to protect and preserve vision, and shares valuable insights on eye health and migraine on her podcast, The Eye-Q Podcast.

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.drranibanik.com
• www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik
• The Eye Q Podcast
• Bruder brand eye care products - https://bruder.com/

Show Notes

0:52 - Angela introduces today’s special guest, and different things we are looking forward to talking about today!

4:00 – Dr. Banik recounts her journey to neuro-ophthalmology and her niches within it

9:00 – Dr. Banik describes the root cause of dry eye in 85% of cases

12:55 – Dr. Banik shares a regimen she recommends to her patients to keep meibomian glands healthy and control mite overgrowth

19:52 – Dr. Banik discusses inflammation of the eyelid and ways to remedy that, speaking extensively on omegas (and not just omega 3 supplements)

32:19 – Dr. Banik addresses what she calls the “elephant in the room” and why she thinks eye health has more to do with testosterone than we think

39:06 – Dr. Banik shares her final message to listeners, 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 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!