About

UnOccluded

An occluder, commonly used during eye exams, is the paddle that covers one of your eyes. This website aims to help my patients better understand the topics I discuss provide answers to questions they might not even realize they had.

The Why

While working for a surgeon in Bellevue, WA, I saw an octogenarian for a post-operative appointment for glaucoma surgery. During the visit, she shyly asked, "Can I ask a silly question? Why did I have surgery?" As doctors, we pride ourselves on knowing a lot and being able to communicate that (we are very smart after all), yet this patient had trusted the surgeon without fully understanding her condition, the, and the reasoning behind it. I’m grateful she trusted us, but I believe it highlights a shortfall in our communication.

The How

I would like to share this website as a source of information, and I plan to keep it updated. However, it should not be seen as a replacement for an actual exam with an actual Optometrist or Ophthalmologist; rather, consider it an additional resource or a starting point for discussion.

Me

My name is Carl

I'm an optometrist in Washington State. I love to learn and I find great joy in being able to take the journey of eye care with my patients. I love to feel a connection with people, so I have learned Spanish and am currently working on Russian and Arabic.

I am married and have five kids, and they are the most important aspect of my life.