Meet Glenda Aleman

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Glenda Aleman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Glenda, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

What I’ve learned is that my uniqueness is one of my greatest strengths. Often, when I sit on advisory boards or participate in focus groups, I’m the only Latina woman in the room. In those situations, I’ve learned to be effective and successful by staying true to my purpose, my mission, and my vision. By being genuine and embracing who I am, my skills and expertise in the field naturally shine through.

Rather than seeing this difference as a disadvantage, I’ve come to recognize it as a powerful asset. As a single Latina woman and mother of five, I bring unique perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked. My diverse background allows me to contribute fresh insights, which enhances the conversations and decision-making in these spaces. I’ve realized that being different isn’t a barrier—it’s an advantage that gives me strength and allows me to stand out.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am an optometrist, which is essentially an eye doctor who functions similarly to a primary care doctor, but for eye health. In the field of eye care, there are three main roles: opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists. As an optometrist, I focus on primary eye care, while ophthalmologists are specialized in surgeries. Opticians, on the other hand, work in a role similar to pharmacists within the eye care system.

Over time, I’ve specialized in working with pediatric patients, particularly in myopia management. What I love about this area of practice is that it empowers me to make a tangible difference in my patients’ lives. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is when someone, often a child, has difficulty seeing objects at a distance. It’s not just a refractive error; myopia is a progressive and potentially degenerative condition. The great news is that we can manage myopia and slow its progression using various treatments.

One of my favorite methods is orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, which involves the use of special night lenses. These lenses reshape the cornea while the child sleeps, allowing them to see clearly throughout the day without the need for glasses or daytime contacts. It’s incredibly rewarding because not only does Ortho-K correct vision, but it also slows the progression of myopia. The other treatments include low-dose atropine eye drops, used before bedtime, and dual-focal soft contact lenses, which are designed to manage myopia as well.

In my practice, I focus on mitigating the progression of myopia by reducing the rate of axial elongation, which occurs when the eye becomes too long. What excites me most is the impact these treatments have on the children I work with. When they first come in, many are shy, introverted, and lack confidence. But after undergoing Ortho-K, their demeanor changes dramatically. They become more confident and outgoing, and you can see the joy on their faces. It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch them transform.

This passion for myopia management inspired the name of our office, OK Love. It reflects my love and dedication to orthokeratology, and I wanted the name to be simple, memorable, and heartfelt. By helping these children protect their vision and providing them with the freedom to enjoy life without limitations, I feel like I’m contributing to their future, giving them the ability to pursue their dreams and become whatever they aspire to be. And for me, that’s the most rewarding part of my work.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I believe one of the most important qualities for success is to be inspired and to follow your passion. Without a clear dream or vision, the journey can become incredibly difficult. It’s hard to pursue something if you don’t have that intrinsic drive. Inspiration, rather than mere motivation, is what sustains you over time. Once you’ve found that passion, the next step is to work hard—but when you’re working towards something you truly care about, the hard work feels much more rewarding.

That said, I don’t want to downplay the effort it took to become a doctor. Medical school requires a tremendous amount of dedication and discipline. It’s not an easy path, and anyone who has gone through it knows how challenging it can be. So, in addition to passion, you need resilience, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to your goal.

To sum it up, I’d say the key qualities for success are: be inspired, have a clear dream, work hard, be disciplined, and stay resilient. These are the qualities that will help you overcome obstacles and reach your goals, whatever they may be.

On a more personal note, one of the challenges I faced in my career was procrastination. I learned that effective time management is critical. My advice to anyone struggling with this is to tackle tasks head-on, especially those you’re not excited about. The sooner you get them done, the sooner you can enjoy the satisfaction that comes with completing them. It’s incredibly rewarding once you’ve overcome that initial hurdle.

So my advice is simple: find your passion, have a clear vision of your end goal, and don’t get overwhelmed by the entire journey. Break it down into smaller, achievable goals, and practice good time management to stay on top of your tasks. By doing this, you can enjoy the process and stay focused on your ultimate destination.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I firmly believe that focusing on your strengths is often the most effective approach. When you build on what comes naturally to you and what you’re passionate about, you’re more likely to achieve success. For instance, I excel at communication and enjoy public speaking. These are areas where I feel confident and energized, and they come naturally to me. Therefore, I invest time in honing these skills further, such as by learning advanced public speaking techniques and reading about effective communication. This allows me to leverage my strengths to their fullest potential.

On the other hand, I’ve learned that trying to become proficient in areas where I’m not naturally skilled, such as technology, can be less effective. While it’s valuable to have a basic understanding, it’s more productive to delegate those tasks to experts who are more knowledgeable in those areas. For example, while I may not be tech-savvy, I can work with talented individuals who excel in technology to complement my skills.

The reason I advocate for focusing on your strengths is that humans are naturally inclined to follow paths that align with their abilities and passions. By concentrating on what you’re already good at, you can become a master in that area and continually improve your expertise. This approach not only makes your journey more enjoyable but also more impactful.

In my experience, leveraging my natural communication skills has been highly beneficial. I’ve invested in learning advanced techniques and strategies to become an even more effective communicator. This focus on enhancing my inherent strengths has led to greater success and satisfaction in my career.

Overall, it’s about playing to your strengths and finding ways to refine and expand them, rather than forcing yourself to excel in areas that don’t align with your natural abilities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.orthoklove.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orthoklove
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stopthemyopiaepidemic/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenda-aleman-moheeputh/
• Other: Tiktok account: @orthoklove