Vision Is More Than 20/20

Great vision care isn’t just about the outcome. It’s about the entire experience.

In this episode, the Wise EYES Guys welcome their first guest, Shareef Mahdavi, a longtime leader in refractive surgery and the creator of PX90, for a conversation about something medicine doesn’t always get right: the patient experience.

Shareef joins Dr. Sonny Goel, Dr. Jonathan Solomon and Dr. Andrew Holzman to talk about what patients really remember about their care—from the first phone call and the waiting room to the way they’re treated by the doctor and staff. They explore why great technology and great surgical results are only part of the equation, and why the best practices think differently about the role they play in their patients’ lives.

The conversation also looks at how AI could change healthcare, why human connection may become even more valuable as technology advances, and a simple idea that reframes the entire patient experience: the patient is the hero.

Because when it comes to better vision, there’s a lot more to it than 20/20.

Fear Factor: When Fear Gets in the Way of Better Vision

When it comes to better vision, the biggest obstacle often isn’t the procedure—it’s fear. Fear of something going wrong. Fear of making the wrong choice. Fear of regret. Or simply fear of the unknown.

In this episode of Wise Eyes Guys, Dr. Sonny Goel, Dr. Jonathan Solomon, and Dr. Andrew Holzman take an unfiltered look at the anxiety surrounding LASIK, RLE (refractive lens exchange), and other vision-correction procedures—and why even people who want better vision can spend years putting off exploring their options.

They tackle some of the questions and misconceptions they hear every day: What if I blink? Could I lose my vision? What if I’m the rare complication? How do I know which procedure is right for me? And how do I know who I can trust?

Along the way, the guys explore how social media and misinformation can amplify fear, why not everyone should be a surgical candidate, and why great outcomes involve more than surgical skill. Education, experience, communication, bedside manner, and trust all play a role in helping patients understand their options and make decisions with confidence.

The conversation also gets personal when Andy shares his own anxiety as he prepares for hip replacement surgery—and what being on the other side of the doctor-patient relationship reminded him about choosing a surgeon and the importance of feeling genuinely heard and cared for.

Because fear isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re making the wrong decision. Sometimes it’s a sign that you’re making an important one. The goal isn’t to eliminate fear—it’s to replace fear of the unknown with understanding, perspective, and confidence.

Your eyes are getting older. If you've started holding your phone farther away, or needing a candle to read a restaurant menu ... welcome to the club. But could your eyes actually reveal what's happening inside your brain?

In Episode 2 of Wise Eyes Guys, our hosts (three ophthalmologists—Sonny, John, and Andy) dive into one of the most fascinating (and surprisingly hopeful) areas of modern eye care: the connection between vision, aging, and brain health. The conversation explores the emerging field of oculomics, where researchers are discovering that your eyes may provide valuable clues about your overall health—including dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The guys also discuss intriguing research suggesting cataract surgery may be associated with slower cognitive decline, while breaking down today's best options for staying glasses-free as we age. Along the way, they tackle questions like:

• Can better vision actually help keep your brain healthier?
• What exactly is oculomics, and why are researchers so excited about it?
• Why does everyone suddenly need reading glasses after 40?
• LASIK, PRK, SMILE, or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)—which option is right for you?
• Do peptides and today's "biohacks" really work, or are they just hype?

As always, expect plenty of laughs, good-natured debate, and practical advice from three ophthalmologists who've spent decades helping people see—and live—better. Whether you're starting to notice your arms aren't long enough to read your phone, considering vision correction, or simply curious about the latest breakthroughs in eye care, this episode is packed with insights that just might change how you think about your eyes—and your health.

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