Q: WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY?
I knew I wanted to go into this field early on, but I guess it didn’t really click until high school. I always enjoyed math and sciences and my dad made contacts, so I already knew a little about the industry. Then one day in high school I was trying to figure out what I wanted to go to school for, and a friend of mine reminded me about a report I did in 5th grade on wanting to be an Optometrist when I grew up. I had completely forgotten, but that’s when it clicked.
Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE PROFESSION?
Being able to make a difference in somebody’s life is the best part. Some patients have vision problems that make daily life a struggle. It’s great working with patients to find treatment options or vision solutions that improve their quality of life.
Q: IS THERE A SPECIFIC STORY YOU CAN SHARE?
I saw a patient that was struggling with severe photophobia. He was wearing sunglasses all the time, both indoors and outdoors. Using special tinted contact lenses, we were able to help the patient with his sensitivity to light without being tied to sunglasses all day. He couldn’t wait for his girlfriend to see him without sunglasses for the first time.
Q: WHY DO YOU LIKE PRATICING AT METRO EYE?
Dr. Jankowski genuinely cares about her patients and puts an emphasis on being up on the latest technologies. We have some of the best resources and technology I have ever worked with. Giving our patients the best level of care possible is definitely the focus here.
Q: DO YOU SPECALIZE IN A SPECIFIC AREA?
One area of focus for me is therapeutic contact lenses. Most people think of the traditional soft contact lenses, but there are many other options that help correct vision or treat eye conditions. I specialize in RGP lenses, scleral lenses, corneal reshaping therapy (CRT), keratoconic lenses, and post refractive surgery lenses.
Q: WHAT’S ONE EYE ISSUE THAT PATIENTS DO NOT TAKE SERIOUSLY ENOUGH?
A statement that I commonly hear from patients is, “I haven’t been in for 5+ years because I can see well but now and I thought it was time” or “now my glasses broke.” I think theses patients are under false pretenses that if my vision is good my eyes must be healthy. Many eye conditions (glaucoma, retinopathy, etc) can be asymptomatic but it’s important to catch these conditions early in order to prevent future vision loss. So I would strongly recommend yearly eye exams in order to explore retinal health.
Q: WHAT’S ONE EYE ISSUE THAT MAKES PATIENTS ESPECIALLY NERVOUS BUT IS ACTUALLY A QUICK FIX?
A lot of patients are concerned about the change in their prescription over time. In reality, prescription fluctuations are normal as you age. As long as you have regular eye exams and update your prescription for contacts or glasses, you are on track to enjoy clear, comfortable vision.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKNG IN THE THIRD WARD?
The Third Ward has a great vibe that everyone seems to respect. Plus, I love being close to all the restaurants, cafes, and shops. There is just a great energy in this neighborhood.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBYS?
I like to think I’m pretty crafty. I love to paint and I just got a sewing machine. Painting and sewing are therapeutic for me and allow me be creative. They’re a great way to activate a different side of my brain and exercise my creative mind.
Also, in the summer my husband and I spend a lot of time around the lake. Having the lakefront so close makes Milwaukee such a fun place to live when the weather is nice.
Want to learn more about Metro Eye? Get to know the other optometrists or schedule an appointment online today!