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Dealing with High Performance Medicine With Dr. Jonathan Carrere | #TheLastZebraPod

Published on: 10th February, 2026

He thought he was going to play professional soccer.

Instead, he ended up restoring sight.

In this episode of The Last Zebra, I sit down with Dr. Jonathan Carrere, a board-certified ophthalmologist from South Louisiana, to unpack a journey that’s equal parts unexpected and extraordinary.

We talk about how a childhood dream of playing for Arsenal slowly gave way to medicine, why ophthalmology wasn’t even on his radar until his third year of medical school, and how one case in the OR instantly changed everything. Dr. Carrere breaks down what ophthalmologists actually do, why eye surgery happens on structures smaller than a human hair, and how vision loss can often be prevented—if it’s caught early enough.

We also explore the art and science of restoring sight, the misconceptions people have about eye surgery (no, your eyeball is not removed), the future of ophthalmology with AI and minimally invasive techniques, and what it feels like to give someone their independence back in a procedure that takes less than 10 minutes.

This is a conversation about precision, trust, balance, and why medicine—at its best—is both deeply technical and profoundly human.

💬 Comment “ZEBRA” if this changed how you think about vision and eye health.

🎧 Watch or listen to the FULL conversation with Dr. Jonathan Carrere on The Last Zebra Podcast:

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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112

Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/

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Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra explores the human side of medicine—where precision, purpose, and perspective matter as much as outcomes.

#TheLastZebra, #TheLastZebraPodcast, #Ophthalmology, #EyeSurgery, #VisionHealth, #CataractSurgery, #LASIK, #MedicalPodcast, #DoctorLife, #HealthcareStories, #MedicineExplained, #PatientTrust, #MedicalEducation, #BeTheZebra

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About the Podcast

The Last Zebra
Nuanced conversations about different walks of life and those who live them
“The Last Zebra” draws its essence from the timeless medical adage:

“When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.”

Coined by Dr. Theodore Woodward in the 1940s, this maxim reminds us to prioritize common diagnoses over rare and improbable ones.

In a medical world often defined by seeking the most likely causes, “The Last Zebra” podcast takes a different approach. Here we are looking for the common in all of us.

The common focuses on the unique, diverse, and individual experiences of medical professionals. We hope to showcase the stories of these individuals, highlighting how they infuse their backgrounds, beliefs, and characteristics into their medical practice. By doing so, they add an artistic and personal touch that goes beyond the clinical norms and transforms their work into a deeply profound and meaningful endeavor.

Through these stories, “The Last Zebra” aims to reveal the extraordinary side of medicine— "heavy on the ordinary".

The stories that deviate from dogma and delve into the exceptional. It seeks to capture the essence of these medical professionals’ journeys, shedding light on their challenges, triumphs, and the remarkable ways they shape the landscape of healthcare.

In each episode, we delve into the non-clinical nuances that define the day-to-day lives of medical professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. This podcast will start and go beyond the clinical, shedding light on the intricate artistry, mosaicism, and diversity in medicine.

We explore how every guest crafts their unique personality and characteristics into the very fabric of their practice.

These stories not only celebrate individuality but also embody the soul of healthcare.

In a world where uniformity is prioritized, “The Last Zebra” podcast honors the rare and unique elements that medical professionals bring to their work. Together, we’ll discover how these exceptional individuals are shaping the future of healthcare, one personalized interaction at a time.

So, come along as we embrace the zebras — the extraordinary stories that make medicine a true art.
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Ugo Ezema