Knock Knock Eye: Should We Worry About Organ Procurement Organizations?

I spent this week untangling one of the wildest New York Times stories in recent memory about organ donation. The article set off a firestorm online, and the clickbait headlines had everyone ready to rip “organ donor” off their driver’s license. But is it really that bad? I break down what’s true, what’s exaggerated, and what it means for a system that saves thousands of lives every year. Then I get fired up about neonatal conjunctivitis and the nonsense being spread by wellness influencers who think erythromycin ointment is more dangerous than gonorrhea (spoiler: it’s not). Throw in some eye speculum nightmares, an unexpected syphilis diagnosis, and a listener Q&A that went completely off the rails, and you’ve got one wild ride through eyeballs, ethics, and misinformation. Takeaways: Why that viral organ donation article might not be as scary, or as wrong, as it first looked. The eyebrow-raising system that pits organ procurement groups against each other. How one strip of erythromycin can save a baby’s vision (and why influencers are getting it wrong). The surprising risk of squeezing too hard during cataract surgery. How an ophthalmologist once diagnosed syphilis just by looking into someone’s eyes. — To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live  We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! [e-mail] Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: ⁠https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/⁠ If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken⁠ If you want more information on models I use: Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: ⁠https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14⁠ Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15 -- A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information.  Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices