Meet Faheem Inayatali | Optometrist & Dry Eye Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Faheem Inayatali and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Faheem, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
The leading causes of blindness globally are cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors. Visual impairment
causes a burden on the global economy and has many challenges that must be overcome in order to make the
difference between opportunity and poverty. There are 1.2 billion people around the world who suffer from vision
impairment due to a lack of access to eye care and glasses.

Every step of formalized training has been pivotal in my professional development as an eye care doctor. After realizing the visceral gap in our healthcare system, I formed the organization called Eye Give Sight in 2016 to help restore sight to the Houston Community. This organization provides eyecare services for indigent populations, immigrants, and refugees. From individuals who have corneal disease to patients with a refractive error needing a simple pair of glasses, Eye Give Sight was designed to nourish the need for care for underserved populations hidden within our systems. Through the technological development of a tracker app, our organization has been able to serve over 2,500 indigent patients with a comprehensive eye exam, glasses, and surgical care if needed while acknowledging donors for their phenomenal efforts to change the lives of these individuals. Since its inception, Eye Give Sight has been able to reach thousands of patients served through Vouchers delivered to churches, schools, community clinics, and mission trips. My private practice and colleagues’ offices have all pledged to donate a percentage of revenue towards Eye Give Sight as well as collect donations in $10 increments that will provide a voucher to an individual for an eye exam and a pair of glasses. The donor receives an approved photo of the recipient when they first put on their glasses. At the end of the day, each practice that participates receives a message on their personalized LED screen that remotely updates the funds that have been donated to Eye Give Sight and the number of lives that have been changed as a result. This helps relay and protocolize their social responsibility to patients within their practice.

I created Eye Give Sight with the notion that creativity and technology are a powerful combination that can change the world, and since 80% of information is processed visually, it becomes my responsibility as a postgraduate professional to utilize my skill sets to create a paradigm shift for individuals who need a chance from a young age. Thus far, the pillars of Eye Give Sight have been contagious for my colleagues and have proved to be conducive to sustainable growth as an organization.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Known as “The Dry Eye Guy”™, I have carried the responsibility of being a leading eye doctor for this deleterious eye disease. More than 49 million people suffer from this condition. I have been fortunate to successfully treat and manage thousands of patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease who have been suffering physically and emotionally without any relief. Many patients endure years of using various eye drops that merely alleviate symptoms without addressing the underlying issue. Dry eye is a chronic and progressive condition that needs intervention to break the vicious cycle. The Dry Eye & Wellness Center is proud to be the first medical eye care office to utilize the FDA-approved IPL Steller, which employs advanced light technology to target the inflammatory causes of dry eye and bring the condition into remission. An often-overlooked cause of dry eye symptoms is bacteria hidden underneath the eyelids similar to the biofilm that builds up on your teeth, causing symptoms such as itching, burning, and redness. Our certified lid hygienists perform specialized treatments that thoroughly clean the lid margins. Patients nationwide seek our expertise for relief, and we are committed to continuing clinical trials to establish the gold standard for dry eye treatment. As the founder of the Dry Eye Center, I am proud to say we are a world leader in the field and always stay on the cutting edge of technology. We are the only dry eye clinic that offers hormone therapy to mitigate inflammatory biomarkers in certain types of disease. My ultimate ambition for all our patients is to have them “forget” about their eyes and live comfortably.

My life philosophy is to relentlessly pursue the highest level of knowledge to contribute to society at an exponentially greater scale. I have been uncompromising in ensuring that my skillsets are circulated to those in need. My doctorate in eye care has allowed me to directly impact patients with ocular concerns. Partnerships with vast companies through my nonprofit have enabled me to reach patients in financial need whose life trajectories could be altered with a simple pair of glasses. My return to the university setting on numerous occasions for board certification and surgical training laid the foundation for mission trips to places where patients cannot afford medications, but instead may benefit from a single laser treatment that provides three to five years of glaucoma relief. My colleagues are often intrigued by this determination, but it is simple to explain: we are put on this planet to work hard every day, sustain passion, and create blessings for others. That feeling and its rewards are extremely gratifying and, when achieved, is my true definition of success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The best time ever would start with a taste of Houston’s diversity. This would include areas such as Rice Village, Chinatown, and town centers in Sugar Land and Katy. We would start the week off in Galveston and work our way down through Moody Gardens into Houston. As we approach the main city, we would catch an Astros Game at Minute Maid Park or a Rockets game at the Toyota Center. We would have to then visit some of my favorite Restaurants including Peri Peri Factory, Paulie’s Italian, and Steak 48. It would be essential to visit the Galleria area and catch a view of Houston’s Waterwall. Of course, there is always room for dessert. Some places that are delectable for those with a sweet tooth include Sleek Chocolate, BJ’s Pizookie, and La Paleta. Some family fun places to visit include PopStroke, Top Golf, and Andretti Karting. It would be an incredible week!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My father, who passed away in 2022, was unequivocally the most influential person in my life. Growing up, he influenced my proclivity towards hard work and relentlessness and I utilized his guidance as my North Star. The growth of my private practices and technology company grew rapidly in part because of its intrinsic values and patient-centricity. Because of his amazing ability to stand his ground with his morals, I have remained true to my core strategy to optimize human health and well-being. My last big memory with him a few months prior was at my graduation from Harvard University where I witnessed his smile shine while he gleamed with pride. No matter what I can accomplish in my lifetime, my ultimate goal will always be to live with his core values and amazing strength as he always stood his ground for his core beliefs.

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