What happens when an optometrist becomes a global connector, a storyteller, and a champion of innovation?
In this episode of Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman sits down with Dr. Ukti Vora, the founder and host of the Nerdy Optometrist podcast — a show that spotlights creative thinkers and innovators shaping the future of eye care.
Dr. Vora’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From her early career in India as an optometrist and lecturer to her reinvention in the U.S. as an MBA graduate and thought leader in business and innovation, she brings a truly international lens to what it means to evolve as an eye care professional. Together, Eugene and Ukti explore how optometrists can balance clinical care with entrepreneurship and why this moment in time might be the most exciting era in optometry yet.
Throughout their conversation, Dr. Vora and Eugene dive into what she calls the two biggest challenges facing today’s eye care professionals:
- Efficiency: How to leverage technology and systems to make practices run smarter and smoother.
- Adoption: How to choose which innovations truly make sense for your practice amid all the noise.
Drawing from her podcast interviews and global experience, Dr. Vora shares insights on how optometrists can think more like innovators — whether that means adding new clinical specialties like myopia management or dry eye, adopting AI scribes, or exploring wearable technologies that are redefining how patients interact with eye care.
The episode also contrasts the optometric landscape in India and the U.S., revealing how each system’s strengths can inspire new approaches to collaboration and patient care. From the faster clinical pace in India to the entrepreneurial independence of U.S. optometry, listeners gain a unique perspective on how cultural and systemic differences can shape innovation.
As the discussion unfolds, Dr. Vora and Eugene examine how optometrists can separate the signal from the noise — identifying meaningful technology from fleeting trends. They explore topics like AI-driven patient communication, the role of wearables in vision data, and how practices can claim their place in a rapidly evolving tech-driven industry.
Dr. Ukti Vora’s story is a reminder that optometry’s future belongs to those who embrace curiosity, creativity, and change. Whether you’re looking to innovate your practice, explore global perspectives, or simply better understand where the industry is heading, this episode offers valuable insight into how optometry continues to evolve — one idea at a time.
Key Takeaways
- Global Perspectives in Optometry: How practicing across countries shapes new ways of thinking about patient care and professional growth.
- Technology and Efficiency: How AI scribes, communication tools, and automation can streamline your practice without losing the human touch.
- Adopting Innovation Wisely: How to evaluate new tools and avoid feeling overwhelmed by every “next big thing.”
- Optometry as Entrepreneurship: Why today’s ODs are not just clinicians—they’re innovators, problem-solvers, and business leaders.
- The Future of Eye Care: What wearable tech, ocular omics, and data-driven patient engagement mean for the next decade of optometry.
- Collaboration and Adaptability: Why teamwork, flexibility, and continuous learning define the next generation of optometrists.
In This Episode
- 00:00 | Intro
- 03:05 | Ukti Vora’s Journey to Optometry
- 04:48 | Comparing Optometry Practices: India vs. USA
- 05:51 | The Evolution of Optometry in India
- 08:57 | Learning from Each Other: Insights for Optometrists
- 11:51 | Trends in the Optometry Industry
- 15:02 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Optometry
- 18:09 | Navigating the Noise: Effective Information Consumption
- 21:02 | Identifying Problems and Solutions in Optometry
- 27:00 | Collaborative Decision-Making in Practice Management
- 31:20 | Innovations in Eye Care Technology
- 34:54 | The Role of Wearable Technology in Eye Health
- 38:43 | Enhancing Patient Experience through Technology
- 42:44 | Evaluating Technology Maturity in Eye Care
- 56:18 | Embracing Failure as a Path to Success
Contact Information
Connect with Dr. Ukti Vora
Dr. Ukti Vora is an Indian-trained optometrist who transitioned to the U.S. and founded the podcast Nerdy Optometrist, a global platform aimed at students, new graduates and seasoned eye-care professionals exploring new opportunities in vision science and practice.
With a strong interest in technology, tele-health and international practice perspectives, she has spoken at national and international conferences and works actively in defining strategies for eye-care service innovation.
Through her podcast and outreach, she emphasizes entrepreneurial thinking, cross-cultural insights, and the importance of adapting to evolving roles in eye-care — helping listeners navigate a profession where clinical skill meets entrepreneurship and global opportunity.
In 2022, Dr. Vora won the prestigious “Rising Star” award in 2022 by Vision Monday, and the Theia Award for Industry Influencer in 2023 by Women in Optometry.
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uktivora/
- Website: https://www.nerdyoptometrist.com/
Connect with Eugene Shatsman (Managing Partner, NSG)
Website – https://www.eugeneshatsman.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugeneshatsman