Beyond the Eye Exam: Dr. Jacquelyn O’Banion on Vision & Health Equity

What if protecting your vision depended on more than just seeing an eye doctor? Access to care, affordability, awareness, and the healthcare system itself can all influence whether someone receives the treatment they need. In this episode of Eyespiring, Dr. Jacquelyn O’Banion shares why vision health is essential to overall health, and why improving outcomes means looking beyond the eye exam. Dr. O’Banion is Director of Global Ophthalmology, Emory Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine and Chief of Ophthalmology at Grady Memorial Hospital. With a background in clinical medicine, global ophthalmology, and public health, she has dedicated her career to improving access to eye care for underserved populations locally and around the world. In conversation with host Heather Patrick, Dr. O’Banion reflects on how she found her way into ophthalmology, why staying connected to your “why” matters, and how public health changed the way she understands patient care. She explains how barriers such as cost, transportation, missed work, and limited access to providers can affect vision outcomes, and why patients should not be labeled noncompliant without understanding the challenges they face. The conversation also explores what the United States can learn from global eye care initiatives, why collaboration between healthcare organizations matters, and how trust and meaningful patient relationships can improve care. Dr. O’Banion offers a thoughtful perspective on prevention, screening, and the importance of ensuring that patients have a realistic path to treatment after a problem is identified. In this episode, you'll discover why better vision outcomes require more than identifying a problem, they require understanding the person, connecting the systems, and making care accessible. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Eyespiring 00:49 – Getting to Know Dr. Jacquelyn O’Banion 02:16 – An Unexpected Path to Ophthalmology 05:16 – Finding Opportunities in Global Eye Health 07:34 – Staying Connected to Your “Why” 11:21 – Why Combine Medicine and Public Health? 14:09 – From Individual Patient Care to Health Advocacy 18:09 – What Global Eye Care Can Teach the U.S. 22:22 – Understanding Health Disparities in the Clinic 24:08 – Barriers to Early Diagnosis and Eye Care 27:15 – The Challenges of Ongoing Treatment 29:29 – Why Vision Must Be Part of Overall Health 33:14 – Building Trust Between Doctors and Patients 37:12 – Patient Relationships, Time, and Physician Burnout 42:34 – Rethinking the Healthcare System 45:06 – Why Prevention Matters 46:49 – The Missing Link Between Screening and Treatment 50:13 – What Patients Teach Us Beyond Medical School 51:21 – Closing Thoughts and Getting Involved Links Prevent Blindness Texas https://texas.preventblindness.org Get involved with Prevent Blindness Texas https://texas.preventblindness.org/ge... Subscribe Enjoying Eyespiring? Subscribe to the channel for more conversations about vision, health, purpose, and the people working to make a difference. Like this episode, share it with someone who cares about eye health, and join us in helping more people protect their sight. Tell us: What is your vision? #Eyespiring #EyeHealth #HealthEquity #PreventBlindness