Follow along for Dr. Michael Cymbor’s journey in optometry and his passions for glaucoma, dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (and the positive impact that exercise can have on each of these conditions).
Michael Cymbor, OD, FAAO, radiates with a passion for optometry, especially when it comes to the connection between exercise, muscle mass, and ocular health. He discusses the research and how different types and intensities of exercise should be considered for different conditions. He knows each patient will have a different reaction to “you should exercise more,” so he makes sure to meet them where they are regarding their exercise routine. Dr. Cymbor truly enjoys mentoring optometry students, as well as tapping into his creative side, which led to the creation of hid video: “Night of the Living DEModex.”
Key Moments:
2:49 Dr. Cymbor’s path to a career in optometry
5:13 What brought Dr. Cymbor to State College, PA (“Happy Valley” … home of Penn State University)
6:20 The story behind his video: “The Night of the Living Demodex”
11:46 Dr. Cymbor’s passion for glaucoma care and how it led to The Glaucoma Institute in partnership with his ophthalmologist partner
14:55 The types of optometrists who gravitate towards a glaucoma specialty
19:09 Current views on glaucoma research
21:08 Dry eye and ocular surface disease
27:30 Finding your sense of purpose
30:00 The value and importance of mentorship
33:10 Exercise and ocular health
38:09 How muscle mass impacts blood sugar levels
41:29 Exercise and eye pressure as it relates to glaucoma
44:05 Research into exercise and stress management
48:10 “Meeting patients where they are” regarding exercise
51:55 The Pickleball effect
54:00 The importance of earlier intervention to improve outcomes