Dry eye management continues to be one of the most important areas in optometry today, impacting nearly every patient who walks into the exam lane. While treatments continue to evolve, one of the greatest tools eye care professionals can leverage is education, helping patients understand the daily habits, products, and risks that affect their ocular health. In this episode of the Defocus Media Podcast, Dr. Darryl Glover sat down with Dr. Pam Theriot to unpack her journey in optometry, her expertise in doctor patient communication, and her passion for guiding patients through conversations about cosmetics, contact lenses, and the everyday decisions that can influence their eye health.

Dr. Theriot brings a unique perspective shaped by her own dry eye struggles and professional experiences. From her first pair of lavender eyeglasses at age 12 to her pioneering work on educating both patients and colleagues, she demonstrates how storytelling and personal connection can elevate clinical practice.

Every optometrist has a story of why they entered the profession, and for Dr. Theriot, it began with her first pair of lavender eyeglasses at age 12. For the first time, she could see the leaves on trees and read street signs, and she instantly realized the power of vision. That clarity sparked a lifelong mission to provide the same gift to others, a mission that carried her from Rice University into early roles in ophthalmology and eventually into optometry school.

Her career path also included unique experiences, such as harvesting corneas for the Lion’s Eye Bank during college, which deepened her appreciation for the gift of sight. Ultimately, she decided that optometry—rather than ophthalmology—would allow her to fulfill her dream without the surgical aspect of medicine. This balance of personal vision and professional direction has guided her career ever since, fueling her passion for helping patients not only see better but also understand the importance of protecting their ocular health for life.

One of the strongest themes in Dr. Theriot’s career has been her ability to connect with patients and colleagues alike. She emphasizes that eye care professionals are not just clinicians but communicators who must bridge complex science with relatable, everyday language. This skill led her to write her book Alleviate Dry Eye in 2018, designed as an eight-week guide for patients to learn small, actionable steps to relieve their symptoms.

Her communication journey reached a new height when she delivered a TED Talk focused on digital eye strain. Although limited in what medical jargon she could use, Dr. Theriot shifted her focus to universal experiences—such as blinking and screen habits—that resonated with global audiences. By translating optometric knowledge into accessible messages, she demonstrated how doctor patient communication can influence public awareness on a massive scale while still grounding patients in the importance of daily eye care.

Like many eye care professionals, Dr. Theriot’s clinical expertise in dry eye management grew out of her own struggles. When she relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, she experienced severe dryness that made contact lens wear intolerable and makeup application uncomfortable. These challenges pushed her to investigate not only medical treatments but also lifestyle factors—including cosmetics—that could exacerbate or alleviate symptoms.

This personal connection gave her empathy and credibility in the exam lane. Patients responded differently when she shared that she had walked in their shoes, experiencing the same irritation, redness, and discomfort. Today, that authenticity continues to guide her practice philosophy. By aligning clinical knowledge with personal understanding, she demonstrates how sharing one’s own experiences can make patient education more effective, compassionate, and impactful.

Discussing cosmetics can be tricky in optometry, especially for male practitioners who may feel uncomfortable navigating topics like mascara or lash serums. Dr. Theriot has mastered this conversation by focusing on ocular health rather than appearance. For instance, she often compliments patients on their lashes before asking if they use a lash serum or mascara, creating an easy entry point for education.

She emphasizes that certain ingredients, such as prostaglandins found in lash growth products, can cause inflammation when applied near the eyes. Rather than shaming patients for their choices, she reframes the discussion around “healthier alternatives” and positions clean, nourishing products as better long-term options. This approach allows eye care professionals to maintain trust while guiding patients toward products that protect their ocular surface and enhance their overall patient experience.

Terms like “paraben-free,” “hypoallergenic,” or “dermatologist approved” appear on countless cosmetic products, but Dr. Theriot cautions that these labels often serve more as marketing than meaningful assurance. In contrast, she encourages clinicians to use terms like “clean” and “eye safe,” both of which are supported by the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society’s lifestyle reports. These designations identify products that truly exclude harmful ingredients linked to ocular surface disease.

She highlights brands such as Eyes Are The Story, Twenty/Twenty Beauty, and We Love Eyes as examples of companies developing mascaras, removers, and serums that meet these standards. For eye care practices, carrying these products offers a dual advantage: ensuring patients use safe, supportive cosmetics while also creating an additional revenue stream. By leaning into clean beauty, optometrists can expand their role as trusted advisors in all aspects of ocular wellness.

Perhaps one of the most practical strategies Dr. Theriot offers is the use of educational handouts. Over the years, she has developed guides listing recommended products, harmful ingredients, and step-by-step routines to support dry eye management. She now provides a non-branded version of this handout, available for download at pamtheriot.com/defocusmedia, so clinicians everywhere can use it in their practices.

This tool not only simplifies communication but also extends the conversation beyond the exam lane. Patients can review the information at home, share it with family, and return with a deeper understanding of how their habits and product choices influence ocular health. As Dr. Theriot notes, sometimes the most impactful doctor patient communication happens after the appointment—when the patient has time to reflect and apply what they’ve learned.

Dr. Pam Theriot’s career illustrates how passion, personal experience, and communication skills can elevate dry eye management and reshape patient care. By addressing topics often overlooked—like cosmetics, makeup removers, and lifestyle habits—she empowers patients to take daily ownership of their eye health. Her emphasis on education, empathy, and healthier alternatives provides a model for every eye care professional seeking to strengthen doctor patient communication and build trust in the exam lane.

As she so powerfully summarized: “If patients learn to take care of their eyes today, their vision will last them a lifetime.” This message is both a call to action and a reminder that every conversation we have with patients can shape their long-term visual outcomes.