VISIONURI NURILENS

Stress is an emotional and physical response to challenges and pressures in our lives. It leads to various health issues, including impacts on our eyes. Listening to our eyes and keeping up with regular eye checkups helps us catch potential issues early on and prevent them from becoming more serious. This can be the first step towards a clearer, healthier vision and a happier, stress-free life.


In this episode, Dr. Juliette and Karl will discuss the crucial importance of proactive eye care, the potential consequences of neglecting regular eye checkups, and explore the broader impact of stress on eye health. They share personal stories that stress the importance of regularly updating prescriptions to ensure optimal vision and prevent potential complications. Tune in as we uncover the intricate details of ocular migraines and how open communication about such experiences fosters a deeper understanding of eye health.
 
"If you can describe the pain as descriptive as you can be, you can help the doctor put the pieces together because they're at the mercy of the information you provide." – Karl Florestal


Topics Covered:
(00:01:51) Keeping the 2024 promise
(00:06:26) Eyeglasses pricing based on prescription strength
(00:10:32) The advancements in eye pressure measurement technology
(00:16:02) Eye test stories
(00:19:25) Driving without eyeglasses is an extreme hazard
(00:21:39) Changes in vision prescription
(00:24:04) You choose your refraction
(00:27:10) Dr. Juliette’s ocular migraine experience
(00:31:06) The importance of describing symptoms to the doctor
(00:33:07) How  stress impacts your eyes
(00:36:43) How your eyes reset during your sleep
(00:38:27) Listen to your eyes
(00:39:50)  Effects of neglecting regular eye checkups
(00:44:34) Get your vision check now!
(00:48:15) The eye joke: Why do beekeepers have such beautiful eyes?
(00:50:39) Outro 


Key Takeaways:


"Driving without your glasses is like driving drunk because you really can't see." – Dr. Juliette Nelson


"People with some retinal issues will notice things that are supposed to be straight appear wavy." – Karl Florestal
 
"It's important to be mindful of how you manage stress so that you can help manage and alleviate the symptoms." – Karl Florestal
 
"When we’re stressed, our bodies release adrenaline and a response to stress, and that adrenaline is a dilation of your pupil." – Karl Florestal


Connect with Karl Florestal:
https://www.instagram.com/_karlflo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-florestal-m-a-8317971a9/


Connect with Dr. Juliette Nelson:
https://linktr.ee/JulietteNuriNelson


Connect with NURILENS:
Website: https://nurilens.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurilens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurilens/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nurilens
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nurilens
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@visionuri/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0YqgkEW7zqvumTiO8zxZun


About NURILENS
As an Afro-Caribbean woman, through NURILENS, Juliette seeks to celebrate the culture and identity of her customers. Her brand also encourages customers to "see through the lens of their purpose" by stepping out as their best, authentic selves, making healthy decisions about their vision, and seeking to be purpose-oriented in what they do.


NURILENS combines style, performance, and sustainability by creating an experience that encourages self-expression, impact, and improved eye health. We envision a world where people are empowered to express their identity, history, and culture with visibility, performance, and fashion through a pair of eyewear.

As the famous quote goes, “The eyes are the window to the soul,” and eye health education can help us keep our windows clear and bright. However, not everyone has equal access to this since there is a gap between the number of eye health professionals and the population they serve, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Hence, the lack of representation in the eye health field encourages us to do more to ensure that the professionals who serve our communities mirror the diversity within them. To bridge this gap, mentorship and education must play a central role, guiding young minds towards a future where they see themselves represented in the eye health profession.


In this episode, Dr. Juliette and Karl will retrace the amazing path of the Visionuri Podcast from the early days of Season One to the vibrant Season Three and share the evolution of their mission to empower individuals through eye health education. You'll gain unique insights into the challenges they've encountered and the lessons they've learned while striving to bridge the information gap in eye health. Join us as we uncover the groundbreaking 'State of the Eye' survey and how it promises to revolutionize the way we approach eye health. 


Topics Covered:
(00:00:51) Visionuri Podcast’s Third Anniversary
(00:02:38) The Haitian Ladies Weekend and the New Jersey Women’s Expo
(00:06:17) What is the State of the Eye survey?
(00:10:24) The need for eye health education
(00:11:46) How do we increase representation in the eye health field?
(00:15:09) Finding solutions helpful for everyone
(00:17:38) What impacts the delays of proactive eye health?
(00:20:30) The importance of educating the youth about opportunities in the eye health field
(00:24:14) Outro 


Key Takeaways:


"If you don't know or you don't think it's as important, you're not going to realize it before it's too late." – Karl Florestal


"We need to be able to really educate young people on the different avenues within the health field on the different lanes and paths they can take." – Dr. Juliette Nelson


Connect with Karl Florestal:
https://www.instagram.com/_karlflo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-florestal-m-a-8317971a9/


Connect with Dr. Juliette Nelson:
https://linktr.ee/JulietteNuriNelson


Connect with NURILENS:
Website: https://nurilens.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurilens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurilens/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nurilens
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nurilens
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@visionuri/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0YqgkEW7zqvumTiO8zxZun


About NURILENS
CEO Dr. Juliette Nelson founded NURILENS as a fusion of her love for eyewear and her lifelong appreciation for deep-rooted culture and timeless natural materials. Having traveled to different countries and lived in South Korea for one year, she was exposed to various fashionable and affordable eyewear options that allowed her to express her colorful personality and individuality.


As an Afro-Caribbean woman, through NURILENS, Juliette seeks to celebrate the culture and identity of her customers. Her brand also encourages customers to "see through the lens of their purpose" by stepping out as their best, authentic selves, making healthy decisions about their vision, and seeking to be purpose-oriented in what they do.


NURILENS combines style, performance, and sustainability by creating an experience that encourages self-expression, impact, and improved eye health. We envision a world where people are empowered to express their identity, history, and culture with visibility, performance, and fashion through a pair of eyewear.

Investing in proactive eye care today ensures a brighter, more transparent future tomorrow. August marks National Eye Exam Month, a crucial reminder to prioritize our eye health. However, one misconception about eyecare says it is only necessary for those with vision illness. Many of us fail to recognize the need for regular check-ups. It is important to raise awareness about the value of regular eye exams for everyone, regardless of their current level of vision, to overcome this harmful thinking. We must watch out for one another. We must take charge of our eye health, especially in our community. Remember, investing in our vision today ensures a brighter, clearer future for us all. Together, we can make proactive eye care a fundamental part of our well-being. 
In this episode, Dr. Juliette and Karl will reflect on the valuable insights shared by our guests in the past season, covering a range of eye-related topics, including glaucoma awareness, representation in eye care, and age-related macular degeneration. Join us as we dig deep into the importance of early check-ups to detect and address eye issues before they get even worse. Tune in as we discuss critical National Eye Exam Month topics and practical tips for maintaining eye health.


Topics Covered:
(00:00:55) Welcome to our listeners!
(00:03:24) Reminiscing on the Black Excellence Expo and CurlFest pop-ups: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7TLSCL_M5Q
(00:05:34) Customer unboxing testimonials: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cvuy_O4AEVq/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
(00:07:05) How motivational quotes on products influence people to make a purchase
(00:09:04) Challenges and uncertainties of running a small business
(00:10:55) The customer experience matters
(00:11:15) Reviews of the season
(00:12:50) The importance of regular eye check-ups: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0Ah2Agqrc
(00:14:36) How Black-owned eyewear brands impact the black community
(00:16:24) Age-related macular degeneration
(00:19:16) Drunk vision
(00:21:00) Breaking the generational cycle of undiagnosed eye conditions
(00:23:10) Word from our Sponsor: https://nurilens.co/
(00:25:07) National Eye Exam Month
(00:28:40) The 20-20-20 rule for eye health
(00:30:04) Preventing dry eye by blinking
(00:32:50) The impact of blue light on eye health
(00:35:01) The limitations of using water-based solutions for dry eyes
(00:39:02) Outro 
 
Connect with Karl Florestal:
https://www.instagram.com/_karlflo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-florestal-m-a-8317971a9/


Connect with Dr. Juliette Nelson:
https://linktr.ee/JulietteNuriNelson

Connect with NURILENS:
Website: https://nurilens.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurilens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurilens/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nurilens
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nurilens
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@visionuri/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0YqgkEW7zqvumTiO8zxZun


About NURILENS
NURILENS was founded by CEO Dr. Juliette Nelson as a fusion of her love for eyewear and her lifelong appreciation for deep-rooted culture and timeless natural materials. Having traveled to different countries and lived in South Korea for one year, she was exposed to various fashionable and affordable eyewear options that allowed her to express her colorful personality and individuality.


As an Afro-Caribbean woman, through NURILENS, Juliette seeks to celebrate the culture and identity of her customers. Her brand also encourages customers to "see through the lens of their purpose" by stepping out as their best, authentic selves, making healthy decisions about their vision, and seeking to be purpose-oriented in what they do.

In this episode, Denis Maronga will inspire us on how he makes a meaningful influence on his community by providing a range of resources across medical, financial, and legal aspects to support predominantly Afro-immigrant communities. Tune in today as he shares his unique story about career, community, and health and how he gives emphasis on the significance of eye health awareness to help our next generation be ready for potential future challenges
 
Dubai Denis Maronga formerly known as General Mutombo, is a program manager, actor, producer, media entrepreneur, and an award-winning Kenyan stand-up comedian. He has been a big name on the diaspora stand-up circuit for 7 years, despite flying under the radar of most mainstream and international audiences. Denis is the founder and CEO of The Kicheko Project Foundation based in Seattle, Washington. A non-profit that funds, promotes, and strengthens the creative capacity of our communities by providing all African people in Washington with diverse opportunities for arts participation.


Topics Covered:
(00:00:00) Episode Snippet
(00:00:52) Welcoming today's guest, Denis Maronga
(00:02:47) The Stand-up Comedian: Who is Denis Maronga?
(00:07:36) All refugees deserve safety.
(00:10:26) Be the most authentic version of yourself.
(00:20:26) Styling D.L. Hughley: Who’s wearing who?
(00:23:13) Advertisement: This podcast is sponsored by Nurilens, a handcrafted wooden eyewear company. Nurilens combines style performance and sustainability by creating an experience that encourages self-expression, impact and improve vision health visit. https://nurilens.co/ for more information.
(00:25:31) The importance of eye health.
(00:33:50) You can’t walk around in fear.
(00:43:48) Eye health awareness: Getting it right.
(00:49:01) Our health must be our real flex.
(00:50:31) There's no investment like investing in your health.
(00:51:26) The eye joke: What do you call a fish with no eyes?
(00:52:59) Eye health is wealth.
(00:53:21) Connect with Denis Maronga.
(00:32:50) Connect with Nurilens: Feel free to visit our website at https://nurilens.co/. Remember to see through the lens of your purpose and we look forward to chatting with you next time.

Connect with Denis Maronga:
Website: https://thekichekoproject.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DubzDenisMamba/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DubaiDenisMamba
Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh...
YouTube:    / @freshprinceofafr... 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/denis-maronga-6650703b
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DubaiDenis

Connect with NURILENS:
Website: https://nurilens.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurilens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurilens/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nurilens
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nurilens
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@visionuri
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0YqgkEW...

About NURILENS
NURILENS was founded by CEO, Dr. Juliette Nelson, as a fusion of her love for eyewear and her lifelong appreciation for deep-rooted culture and timeless natural materials. Having traveled to different countries and lived in South Korea for one year, she was exposed to a variety of fashionable and affordable eyewear options that allowed her to express her colorful personality and individuality.
 
At NURILENS, they believe that every pair of their handcrafted wooden eyeglasses has a story to tell. As a proud Black woman-owned business, they create one-of-a-kind and environmentally friendly eyewear that promotes diversity, self-expression and a sustainable lifestyle for all. Thus, their unique and handcrafted eyewear is not only fashionable but also helps to preserve the planet for future generations. Choose NURILENS and tell the world your story through your eyewear.

February is mostly known as the Black History Month, acknowledging its significance and celebrating the contributions of African Americans. Paying tribute to those who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in America. With regards to the event, we also recognize the achievements of black eye health professionals and eyewear companies for breaking barriers in the field of eye health.


In today’s episode, Dr. Juliette and Karl focus on the Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Karl as the eye health expert, provides insights and importance of timely intervention to prevent potential blindness. Tune in today as they give us informative eye care discussions and enlighten us of what it means having representations in the field of eye health.


Topics Covered:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:01:07) February: Pop up season
(00:02:34) Black History Month: Amplifying voices, experiences, and the contributions of black people.
(00:05:48) Black Eye Health professionals and their impact.
(00:07:50) The importance of representation in eyewear companies.
(00:08:23) February 13: Black Love Day.
(00:09:38) February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
(00:10:40) Karl talks about Age Related Macular Degeneration: Forms and Significance
(00:13:27) Injections as treatment for Macular Degeneration
(00:18:43) Symptoms we should be mindful for Macular Degeneration
(00:22:43) Who's Wearing What segment: Rihanna at half-time show for Super Bowl.
(00:26:50) Who's Wearing What segment: The Second choice
(00:28:27) Advertisement: This podcast is sponsored by Nurilens, a handcrafted wooden eyewear company. Nurilens combines style, performance and sustainability by creating an experience that encourages self-expression, impact and improves vision health visit. https://nurilens.co/ for more information.
(00:28:53) The First Nuri-letter of the season.
(00:31:09) Can alcohol consumption impact your eye or your vision health?
(00:34:36) Karl highlights the importance of addressing eye concerns.
(00:40:00) Pun of the Day segment.
(00:45:58) See through the lens of your purpose.
(00:46:10) Outro
 
Connect with Karl Florestal:
https://www.instagram.com/_karlflo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-florestal-m-a-8317971a9/


Connect with Dr. Juliette Nelson:
https://linktr.ee/JulietteNuriNelson


Connect with NURILENS:
Website: https://nurilens.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurilens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurilens/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nurilens
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nurilens
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@visionuri/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0YqgkEW7zqvumTiO8zxZun


About NURILENS
NURILENS was founded by CEO Dr. Juliette Nelson as a fusion of her love for eyewear and her lifelong appreciation for deep-rooted culture and timeless natural materials. Having traveled to different countries and lived in South Korea for one year, she was exposed to various fashionable and affordable eyewear options that allowed her to express her colorful personality and individuality.


As an Afro-Caribbean woman, through NURILENS, Juliette seeks to celebrate the culture and identity of her customers. Her brand also encourages customers to "see through the lens of their purpose" by stepping out as their best, authentic selves, making healthy decisions about their vision, and seeking to be purpose-oriented in what they do.


NURILENS combines style, performance, and sustainability by creating an experience that encourages self-expression, impact, and improved eye health. We envision a world where people are empowered to express their identity, history, and culture with visibility, performance, and fashion through a pair of eyew

Glaucoma comprises eye conditions that harm the optic nerve, responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain. While elevated eye pressure is often linked to optic nerve damage, glaucoma can occur even when eye pressure is normal. In recognition of January being Glaucoma Awareness Month, Juliette, Karl, and special guest, Rebecca Mirville, talk about her experience studying and working in the eye health field. Rebecca shares how her experiences as a medical student triggered her specific interests in the medical field.  She emphasizes the importance of eye health awareness such as in minority communities, particularly among Black and Latino individuals.

Tune in as she shares insights from her experiences, discussing glaucoma, representation in the medical field, and the significance of early detection in preserving vision.
 
Topics Covered:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:01:08) The First VisioNuri, Rebecca Mirville
(00:01:25) Who is Rebecca?
(00:02:28) Rebecca's connection with Dr. Juliette and Karl. 
(00:04:06) What it is like to see through NURILENS
(00:08:46) Who's Wearing What segment
(00:14:17) A word from our sponsor
(00:14:55) January as Glaucoma Awareness Month
(00:17:55) Factors contributing to Glaucoma
(00:18:50) Rebecca's research project on glaucoma as a summer scholar
(00:26:51) Glaucoma’s impact on Black and Latino communities versus other races
(00:30:35) The significance of having representation and diverse doctors in the field
(00:32:47) The importance of observing early stages of Glaucoma
(00:41:25) What representation means for Rebecca
(00:43:55) Eye Joke Segment
(00:45:47) Looking forward to Rebecca seeing through the lens of her purpose.
(00:46:44) Keep in touch and share your feedback.
 

About Rebecca Mirville
Rebecca Mirville was recently selected as a Johnson and Johnson National Medical Fellowship scholarship recipient where she will be working on acquiring the skills needed to address and mitigate health inequities that disproportionately affect communities of color. As a Wilmer Eye Institute summer diversity scholar at Johns Hopkins University, she explains her role which involved shadowing a glaucoma specialist, attending journal clubs, and conducting research on glaucoma. Her research project focused on developing a biomarker for glaucoma by studying the strain of the Lamina Cribrosa under different pressure conditions. She also witnessed various eye surgeries, including cataract surgeries and a corneal transplant, during her time at the institute.


Connect with Rebecca Mirville:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-mirville-671738105?trk=people_directory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautybecca__/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeautyBecca__

Connect with Karl Florestal:
https://www.instagram.com/_karlflo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-florestal-m-a-8317971a9/
 
Connect with Dr. Juliette Nelson: 
https://linktr.ee/JulietteNuriNelson

Connect with NURILENS:
Website: https://nurilens.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurilens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurilens/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nurilens
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nurilens
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@visionuri/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0YqgkEW7zqvumTiO8zxZun


About NURILENS
NURILENS was founded by CEO Dr. Juliette Nelson as a fusion of her love for eyewear and her lifelong appreciation for deep-rooted culture and timeless natural materials. Having traveled to different countries and lived in South Korea for one year, she was exposed to various fashionable and affordable eyewear options that allowed her to express her colorful personality and individuality.