Rudrani Banik, M.D.

09/07/2026

🧠 Test Your Neuro-Ophthalmic Knowledge!

Answer in the comments:

1. What is the finding?

2. What the first step in the work-up? 👀

3. Extra credit: what are you most worried about?

Answers in the comments below!

Credit: @

09/07/2026

What did you notice first—the glowing iris or the eye movements? Comment IRIS or NYSTAGMUS below!👇🏼

This video beautifully demonstrates two classic features of oculocutaneous albinism-

🔦 Iris transillumination defects: Because the iris has reduced pigment, light passes through it more easily—creating this striking glow during the exam and contributing to light sensitivity.

↔️ Pendular nystagmus: The eyes move rhythmically back and forth, often beginning in infancy, because the visual system did not develop typically.

Other associated findings may include foveal hypoplasia, reduced visual acuity, refractive error, strabismus, and abnormal routing of the optic nerve fibers.

Oculocutaneous albinism affects much more than skin and hair pigmentation—it can significantly affect visual development and function.

Early ophthalmologic care, appropriate glasses, low-vision support, and sun protection can make a meaningful difference. 💛



Credit: @

09/07/2026

🌟 SHARE THIS VIDEO 🌟

5 things a neuro-ophthalmologist wants you to know about IIH 👁️🧠

1️⃣ IIH most commonly affects women ages 18–55 who are overweight or have obesity. However, it can occur outside this typical group.

2️⃣ Untreated IIH can threaten your eyesight. Increased pressure around the brain can cause papilledema—swelling of the optic nerves—and potentially permanent vision loss.

3️⃣ First-line treatment has two important parts: weight loss and acetazolamide, also known as Diamox, to help lower intracranial pressure.

4️⃣ IIH can go into remission. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and consistent monitoring can protect vision and improve outcomes.

5️⃣ Atypical cases require additional investigation. Men, children, older adults, and people who are not overweight may need a more extensive work-up to look for an underlying cause of increased intracranial pressure.

Managing IIH often takes a team, which may include a neuro-ophthalmologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, nutritionist, and mental health professional. You don’t have to navigate this diagnosis alone.

Want my IIH guide? Comment IIH below, and I’ll send it directly to you! 💕

09/07/2026

↗️ SHARE to raise awareness! This is Double Trouble 👀

Thankfully, pterygia are usually benign! 👀

These fleshy, wing-shaped growths can develop on one or both eyes, often from years of UV exposure, wind, dust, dryness, and irritation. They may cause redness or discomfort—and if they grow toward the center of the cornea, they can induce astigmatism and affect vision.

Treatment may include lubrication and UV protection, but larger or progressive pterygia may require surgical removal. Your best prevention? Sunglasses with 100% UV protection—and don’t forget a hat! 😎

Not sure which sunglasses are best for your eyes and lifestyle? Comment SUNGLASSES and I’ll send you my guide to help you find your perfect pair! 🕶️

09/06/2026

🔖Save this itinerary for a perfect 7-day trip to Sao Miguel of the Azores!



Drive to the coastal town of Mosteiros to catch the rugged beach and natural swimming pools. Explore the tide pools and maybe even take a quick swim.

Along the path, there are lots of picnic spots plus some exercise equipment that I took advantage of!

There’s a little food truck that makes amazing veggie burgers, onion rings, and french fries – to die for!

After lunch, drive up to Sete Cidades - there are seven lakes within volcanic craters with spectacular landscapes. Stop by the viewpoint to enjoy the beautiful sites and also the drive is full of gorgeous hydrangeas along the way.

We decided to take a road less traveled and found this steep hike of a mountain past the grazing cows. This ultimately lead us to one of the best viewpoints on the entire island.

One caveat – there are cow herders in the area who carry guns and were shooting. I’m not sure exactly what they were hunting for, but I was terrified that they would shoot me by accident. 😆

From the top of the trail, they were the most spectacular views of both the north and south sides of the island. This was so worth it, though my legs were definitely sore at the following day. 😂

Tip: go around sunset so you can take full advantage of the island views and the sunset over the ocean.

After this hike, we headed back to town at Ponta Delgada for dinner and had amazing Mexican food!

09/06/2026

Ever have a good vision day and a bad vision day? 👁️

You may want to start paying attention to the pattern.

Naturally Clear vision coach Claudia Muehlenweg calls this tracking your “strains and gains.”

Notice when your vision feels clearer—and when it doesn’t.

Then ask:

Did you sleep well?
Are you stressed?
Are you hydrated?
What’s the lighting like?
How much screen time have you had?
What are you doing—and who are you around?

That doesn’t mean refractive error disappears with positive thinking.

But vision is a neurologic process, and visual performance can absolutely be affected by the state of the body and brain.

We dive much deeper into this in Episode 89 of The Eye-Q Podcast™.

Comment PODCAST and I’ll DM you the episode.🎙️

09/04/2026

📣To my colleagues specializing in Cataract, Retina, Glaucoma, Cornea, Refractive, Peds, Uveitis, Neuro, and Ocular Oncology:

Please step aside to make room for a new subspecialty in ophthalmology -

Integrative Eye Care 🌟

Published science has demonstrated that nutrition, lifestyle, and stressors can significantly impact the health of our eyes, both positively and negatively.

This is why it is critical for eye care providers to first learn about and then integrate these modifiable strategies into the care of their patients.

- Nutrients, therapeutic foods, and dietary patterns
- Cardiovascular and metabolic health
- Screen time
- Environmental toxins
- Movement and exercise (or lack thereof!)
- Sleep patterns
- Stress

As eye care providers, we already have incredible diagnostic and therapeutic tools in our toolbox that help us to save vision.

However, the best approach is to integrate these with preventable strategies based in nutrition and lifestyle.

The key word is to INTEGRATE, not replace.

In this next phase of my career, I am@on a mission to spread this knowledge.

I’ll be sharing a lot more on my feed about the science and these strategies so both providers and patients alike can learn how to protect, preserve, and in some cases, even restore their vision.

Let’s DARE to be DIFFERENT! Are you with me?

09/04/2026

08/31/2026

As tempting and satisfying as it may be to rub your eyes when they’re itchy, tired, blurry, or simply just bothering you, please don’t do it!

Eye rubbing can make problems worse, and even cause long-term vision complications!

Instead, to soothe your eyes, use simple strategies like cool compresses, artificial tears and saline rinses.

Pass it along to someone you know who’s an eye rubber!

08/24/2026

Taking a break from our regular scheduled programming this week ☺️

My family and I are doing a one week trip to the Azores, just off the coast of Portugal.

The Azores are an archipelago of 9 volcanic islands. They’re like the Hawaii of the Atlantic ocean, just cooler.

Our first day was quiet, given jet lag and rain, but stay tuned for some amazing adventures ahead…

Have you ever been to the Azores?

SAVE this itinerary if you’re ever considering going to the Azores!