Up Close with Jaclyn Garlich, OD, FAAO

As you were figuring out your career path, was there another option besides optometry? Why did you this profession, and was there any particular experience that influenced your decision?

I initially wanted to be a veterinarian and actually graduated with a BS in agriculture. I was in my third year of undergrad when I decided that it wasn’t a good fit for me and started exploring other career options. After undergrad, I moved to Panama for a year and ended up volunteering at an eye clinic there. I fell in love with the immediate impact you could have on someone’s life by prescribing something as simple as glasses or contact lenses.

What made you specialize in dry eye?

I like the nuances of dry eye. I used to think that treating it was very straightforward, but I have learned how complex the disease process is and how rewarding it can be to treat it.

You founded 20/20 Glance, a weekly e-newsletter for optometrists. How did you come up with the idea?

I started writing 20/20 Glance because I couldn’t find an easy way to stay up to date with clinically relevant news. I attended all of my CE every year, but there were many things happening day to day that I was missing. I discovered that many of my colleagues felt the same.

Dr. Garlich and her To the Point podcast co-host, Leslie O’Dell, OD, FAAO, recording an episode at SECO 2020.

You are a Major in the Air National Guard. First, thank you for your service. Second, what made you decide to join? What have you learned from your position in the Guard and how do you balance those duties with running your own practice and family time?

My father was in the military, so I grew up hearing stories about his time in the service. I found it all very interesting. Then, when I graduated, I was burdened with student loan debt. The Air Force provided a great opportunity to pay down some debt while also serving my country. The balancing of it all is exactly that—a balancing act. Some days I do it better than others, but making prioritized to-do lists is my saving grace.

You have lived in Thailand and Panama. What did you enjoy most about those experiences?

I loved how they pushed me outside my comfort zone. It was a wonderful experience to see other cultures and to know what it feels like not to be able to communicate because of a language barrier. I remember feeling so grateful when I moved back to the United States where everyone could understand what I was saying!

What is your favorite thing to do when you have time to spend with your family?

Travel—when we used to be able to!