Up Close With Margie Recalde, OD, FAAO

What led you to want to establish yourself as a dry eye specialist?

I worked in a large MD-OD practice for many years. One of the optometrists in the office worked with the LASIK surgeon to open a dry eye clinic to help manage dry eye in patients before and after LASIK surgery. When that optometrist moved out of state, I stepped into the position and embraced the new role. Becoming a dry eye specialist has been the most rewarding part of my career.

What’s one tip you can offer your colleagues on how to enhance, grow, and maintain relationships with consulting ophthalmologists?

Keep the lines of communication open. Many years ago, California’s scope of practice law expanded to include glaucoma. I made the extra effort to reach out to the glaucoma specialist in the office and informed him that I had received my glaucoma certification. To help me transition into this new role, I proposed to shadow him for the day to make sure we were on the same page. This opportunity allowed us to work out questions and concerns that we both had about the role of optometrists in the management and treatment of glaucoma.

You are a member of the Intrepid Eye Society. Tell us about the organization and how you got involved.

I became involved with the Intrepid Eye Society when it was founded in 2015. I knew one of the cofounders, Michael S. Cooper, OD (a.k.a. “Coop”), from my consulting work with Allergan. We met while attending Allergan’s speaker training meetings and kept in touch through the years. Coop and his good friend, Justin Schweitzer, OD, were contacting optometrists from coast to coast to join a new society of upcoming key opinion leaders. Thus, the Intrepid Eye Society was born. The goal is to bring together the next generation of emerging optometric thought leaders from all types of practices and provide a network of support to promote our profession.

How did you transition from being an employee in an MD-OD group to the owner of a private optometric practice?

When I decided to take the leap and purchase my own practice, there were a lot of obstacles along the way. I was still working full time and had a difficult time juggling a heavy patient schedule, family time, and working out the details of purchasing a practice. I ended up hiring a practice consultant to help me navigate all the necessary paperwork. I wouldn’t have been able to succeed in the purchase without this individual helping me through each step.

After being an owner for more than a year, I still have a lot to learn. Thankfully, the previous owner helped mentor me into this new role. I also have support from my network of fellow Vision Source doctors in the area who have offered sound advice and encouragement.

It has not been an easy transition, and it’s been very stressful at times. However, without a doubt, my new role is more rewarding because I have the freedom to create my own ideas, and it’s satisfying to watch the business succeed.

you provide free vision screenings locally and in Peru and Cambodia. Why is it important for you to offer this service, and how do you manage it?

I believe vision screenings are important because they reinvigorate our passion for the profession. It truly is amazing to watch how someone’s life changes when you give them a pair of glasses. The local vision screenings are done either with a local nonprofit organization or with the California Optometric Association. Whatever organization is involved sets up all of the equipment needed for a comprehensive eye examination. After the vision screening, patients receive free prescription glasses sponsored by that organization.

In Peru and Cambodia, I traveled with a group of 60 people, including my family, as part of high school mission trips. We provided dental, medical, pharmaceutical, and construction services, as well as a vision clinic. I usually bring an autorefractor and hundreds of eyeglasses. The best place to purchase new over-the-counter readers is from RestoringVision.org. They support missionary trips by providing low cost reading glasses and plano sunglasses. I also have connections with the local Lions Club to obtain used prescription glasses.

My most recent trip was to Lipa, Philippines, and it was a great success! With the help of high school students from Fresno and Lipa, we were able to see 150 patients per day. We were exhausted by the end of the week, but it was well worth it. We helped hundreds of patients see better and changed lives!