June 26, 2025
Knock Knock Eye: Should the Renaissance Fair Host a Bloodletting Blood Drive?
Knock Knock, Hi! with the GlaucomfleckensAbout this episode
Step right up to the medieval ophthalmology booth where your chalazion gets cured with garlic, mustard seeds, and just a dash of cow bile. This week, I take you on a Renaissance Festival-style journey through the weirdest eye treatments in history and how some of those relics have been rebranded for the modern wellness crowd. There’s leech therapy, eye “massagers,” and influencers promising vision miracles with homeopathic potions that would make a 13th-century snake oil vendor proud. Also: how do I keep my sanity posting online every day while avoiding ye olde digital burnout? Let’s joust. Takeaways: If your eye treatment sounds like something a plague doctor brewed—maybe don’t. Medieval eye salves made from onions and bile are more like Renaissance cosplay than science… unless you’re on TikTok. Some modern devices claim to fix your vision but operate with the same logic as 15th-century eye pokers. The FDA was practically invented to protect us from “miracle” eye tonics like these. Posting about medicine online can feel like performing in the town square—here’s how I avoid getting metaphorically pelted with tomatoes. — 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! knockknockhi@human-content.com 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. Today’s episode is brought to you by DAX Copilot from Microsoft. DAX Copilot is your AI assistant for automating clinical documentation and workflows helping you be more efficient and reduce the administrative burdens that cause us to feel overwhelmed and burnt out. To learn more about how DAX Copilot can help improve healthcare experiences for both you and your patients visit aka.ms/knockknockhi . To learn more about Pearson Ravitz go to http://www.pearsonravitz.com/knockknock . Upgrade your Summer. Go to http//www.cozyearth.com and use code KNOCKKNOCK for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more. Trust me—you’ll feel the difference the very first night. Produced by Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices