Brigit Len Tabuena ’27: Clinical Eye and Diabetes Care Intern at Hardt Eye Clinic

Hardt Eye Clinic & Diabetes Education Center's mission is to preserve and improve vision, while providing exceptional care, and enhancing the lives of patients in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The clinic offers comprehensive eye exams, advanced vision care, personalized patient services, and specialized programs for diabetes education and management.

As a Clinical Eye and Diabetes Care Intern, I gained hands-on experience in a clinical setting, working closely with patients every day. One of my key projects was designing and conducting a study to assess diabetes management and related eye complications in the CNMI. This included providing free HbA1c tests funded by the CXD fund, reviewing past Pacific Island studies, and ensuring the study was accessible and understandable for patients from diverse backgrounds. I also learned to operate clinical instruments such as retinoscopes, phoropters, slit-lamps, OCTs, autorefractors, and lensometers, as well as administer HbA1c tests. Over time, I became more confident in reading fundus photos and performing refractions, while also deepening my knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and etiology of the visual system and its diseases and disorders.

I learned that I am naturally curious, love learning, and am driven to seek detailed answers. I enjoy connecting with patients, making them feel comfortable and at home, and I realized I am capable of stepping outside my comfort zone to take on new challenges. I also discovered how deeply caring and inclusive I am, with a strong desire to help my community. This internship confirmed my decision to pursue optometry rather than ophthalmology, as optometry combines what I value most: patient care, continuous learning, science communication, outreach, and research. I was inspired by the impact optometrists can make when they listen, build trust, and even learn new languages to understand patients better. 

I strengthened my technical skills in charting, instrument operation, diagnostic testing, and clinical procedures, while also improving communication, teamwork, and empathy. My favorite parts were connecting with patients, learning from doctors and nurses, building relationships within the clinic, and gaining practical experience: from creating glasses to performing refractions. I loved seeing patients' smiles and found joy in studying anatomy, physiology, pathology, and etiology, and in learning something new every single day.

Internship funded by Scott and Anne Perper Internship Fund