Eye examination: what is it, symptoms and treatment

Eye Examination: Definition

An eye exam can be defined as a series of tests conducted by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) or optometrist to check on the patient’s eye health (vision) and detect potential conditions, diseases, or abnormalities. The eye exam includes measuring the visual acuity of both eyes (individually and together), binocular vision assessment, depth perception, eye coordination, eye movements, and eye-hand coordination, among other tests. When you visit Eye Care Centers, the doctors (ophthalmologists) will ask you to describe any visual problems you may have and your medical history. Under normal circumstances, the ophthalmologist may have to measure your eye pressure and shine a light to examine both the front and inside the eyes.

How Often Should I Have My Eyes Examined?

It is important to have your eyes examined professionally regularly or as part of your routine health checks. For healthy adults, ophthalmologists recommend taking an eye test once every 5 to 10 years, especially if you are between 20 and 30 years, and once every 2-4 years if between 40 and 54. Those aged 55 and above should have their eyesight checked every other year. The tests will however be more frequent if you have a history of eye disease or already wear prescription glasses or contact lenses. Individuals with chronic illnesses also have a higher risk of developing an eye disease, hence should have their eye health examined regularly.

Most Common Eye Conditions, Symptoms, And Treatment Options

According to research, 2 in every 3 adults has some degree of vision impairment. Although dozens of disorders and diseases can affect the eyes, they all come down to 5 major conditions, namely:

1. Refractive errors

2. Age-related macular degeneration

3. Cataracts

4. Diabetic retinopathy

5. Glaucoma

 

1. Refractive Errors

Refractive errors mainly consist of astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. These conditions occur when light is improperly refracted through the cornea, resulting in a flawed image. The most common symptom of refractive errors is the inability to focus on objects, which can sometimes be accompanied by headaches. Refractive errors are however easy to correct through surgery, contact lenses, or eyeglasses. However, a comprehensive eye exam is required to determine the best corrective measure or lenses.

2. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is most prevalent in adults over the age of 55. It is a result of thinning of the macula, one of the main components of the retina. Age-related macular degeneration is mainly characterized by reduced ability to make out fine details in objects and may lead to complete loss of central vision over time. Regular exams can help diagnose this condition early, making it possible for the ophthalmologist to manage or slow down the condition.

3. Cataracts

A cataract can be defined as clouding the otherwise clear eye lens, making things seem less colorful, hazy, and blurry. Blurred vision, double vision, glare, and light sensitivity are some of the most common symptoms of cataracts. Cataracts are easy to identify as they form a whitish cover on your eye lens. Left untreated, cataracts can lead to total blindness. Thankfully, cataracts can be corrected in simple cataract surgery.

4. Diabetic Retinopathy

This condition is most prevalent in people with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs due to high blood sugar levels causing damage to blood vessels in the retina. Left unchecked, this condition can lead to irreversible loss of vision. Regular eye health monitoring and early diagnosis can however help prevent/manage the condition.

5. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is mainly characterized by damage to the optic nerve caused by increased eye pressure. The damage to the optic nerve interrupts the proper transfer of visual information to and from the brain. The first signs and symptoms of glaucoma (in its early stages) include severe eye pain, tunnel vision, gradual peripheral vision loss, vomiting, and nausea. Early diagnosis can help manage/slow the condition, maintaining overall vision.

Eye exams are particularly important for the health and wellness of your overall health. Make an effort to visit approved eye care centers for eye exams tests and help manage these conditions and more. Early diagnosis makes managing a condition and maintaining your vision easier than when done too late.

Susan Sloan
Dr. Susan M Sloan is an Optometrist in Sarasota FL, who has been committed to providing professional, personal eye care to adult and children for over 30 years.

Hair Restoration Surgeon doctors in Minnesota

When it comes to non-surgical hair restoration, you’ll want to know what your options are. The truth is there might be more options than you think. With that said, here are a few tips to help you find hair restoration options that don’t involve surgery.

Find An Expert

The very first thing you should do is research hair restoration surgeon doctors in the state of Minnesota. Surgeon doctors often offer non-surgical methods for restoring hair. They can also discuss the pros and cons of non-surgical and surgical methods.

First, choose an expert with plenty of experience. Experience shouldn’t be judged based on how long a hair restoration doctor has been in business. Instead, judge experience by how many clients the professional has worked with over the last 6-12 months. To get a better idea of the experience they possess, ask to see examples of their past work, such as a portfolio of the results they’ve helped their clients achieve.

Secondly, ask the hair restoration expert about after-care. The best doctors will advise you on what to do after you’ve received your non-surgical procedure. Different treatments requires different levels of care.

Finally, the best hair restoration professionals will go over all of the hair restoration options they offer. They’ll discuss the pros and cons of each method, as well as recommend which ones they think you should get. They may even go over their surgical options, but only if you inquire about them.

Non-surgical Options

You’ll want to know what the top non-surgical options are. There are many options and treatments out there. However, the best ones tend to be the following:

1. PRP Therapy- This is a procedure that stimulates hair growth by encouraging a number of growth factors that are found in our bloodstream. It consists of taking a patient’s platelet-rich plasma, or PRP for short. Once the plasma is collected, it’s injected into the scalp.

2. LLL Therapy- This is short for low level light therapy. The goal of this procedure is to improve blood flow to the scalp or within the scalp. Not only does this procedure has a good success rate of stimulating hair growth, but it does a good job at stopping hair loss.

3. Scalp Micropigmentation- This procedure involves tattooing the scalp. The dermis is tattooed, and the end result is hair loss being disguised. This procedure is increasingly becoming popular because it can deliver results that last for up to a decade.

4. Supplements- A hair restoration doctor might recommend specific supplements to their patients. However, if they do this they may recommend supplements alongside another procedure they offer. Everyone is different, which is why specialized supplements is not given to every patient.

Those are four popular hair restoration options. None of them require surgery. However, each one does come with their own set of pros and cons. Discuss what they are with a professional before deciding which one to get.

Price

Finally, price is important when deciding which hair restoration treatment you should receive. Don’t go for the cheapest one solely because it’s the cheapest. Instead, choose one that falls within your budget, but will deliver the best results possible. Also, contact a few hair restoration professionals to book consultations and then request a quote for the treatments they offer.

There are plenty of hair restoration methods to choose from. This includes surgical and non-surgical methods. Whatever route you decide to go down, make sure you find highly qualified hair restoration surgeon doctors in Minnesota. A skilled surgeon will discuss all of your options, the pros and cons of each option and how much you can expect to pay.

Angie Byboth
Angie Byboth has a Master Certification in permanent makeup through AIIC, and also has a BS in Bio-medical science. Angie also specializes in correction of permanent makeup procedures.

4 Tips to Prevent Your Pond Pump from Clogging Up

Pond pumps are responsible for circulating water in a pond and keeping it oxygenated. Over time, however, pond pumps can become clogged with debris such as leaves, twigs, and weeds. This can happen for a number of reasons. First, if the pond is located under trees, it is more likely to become clogged with leaves and other organic matter. Moreover, if the pond does not have a good filtration system, debris can build up over time. Most long-lasting pumps require regular cleaning to function better. Here are a few tips that you can follow to ensure that your pond pump doesn’t clog up frequently:

1. Vacuum the pond sludge

Sludge can clog your pond pump, thus diminishing its efficiency and potentially damaging the pump. One way to prevent this from happening is to vacuum up the pond sludge on a regular basis. This will not only keep the pond pump from clogging, but it will also improve water quality and prevent the build-up of harmful toxins. Additionally, vacuuming up pond sludge can also maintain proper water level, as well as prevent the formation of algae blooms. While it may take some effort to vacuum up pond sludge on a regular basis, it is well worth it in order to keep your pond pump functioning properly. If you can’t do it regularly, at least find time to do it once a week.

2. Use a pre-filter for your pond pump

The pond pump pre-filter prevents debris and other foreign objects from clogging up your pump, thus keeping the water circulating properly. As a result, your pond will have better oxygenation and filtration, and you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come. The pre-filter can also prolong the life of your pump by preventing wear and tear. When shopping for a pre-filter, be sure to choose one that is specifically designed for use with pond pumps. This will ensure that it is the right size and has the proper fittings.

3. Remove floating debris

Debris can come in many forms, including leaves, twigs, and even dead fish. It’s important to remove floating debris from your pond on a regular basis to prevent the pump from clogging up. While some pond owners use nets to remove debris, this can be time-consuming and tedious. Instead, consider using a pond skimmer. A pond skimmer is a device that sits on the surface of the water and collects debris as it floats by. Skimmers are very effective at removing debris and are much easier to use than nets.

4. Soak your pond pump in vinegar

As any pond owner knows, a pump is essential for keeping the water clean. However, pumps can quickly become clogged with debris, making them less effective and even damaging the pump itself. An effective way to prevent this from happening is to soak the pond pump in vinegar. The vinegar will help to break down any debris that has accumulated on the pump, making it easier to remove. Soaking the pump in vinegar will also help to prevent new debris from accumulating. As a result, this simple process can keep your pond pump running smoothly for years to come. You can do this at least once in three months to keep your pond pump free from debris.

Keeping your pond pump clean is an important part of maintaining a healthy pond. Not only does it keep the water looking clear and pristine, but it also ensures that the pump is working properly and doesn’t experience any problems. Follow these simple steps to clean your pond pump and keep your pond looking great all season long!

Joe Cadieux
Joe Cadieux is the Senior Biologist for Midwestponds.com. Midwestponds was started to provide the products and advice needed to build and maintain water gardens and large ponds as naturally as possible. Joe consults and manages many lakes and ponds throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. He also takes special pleasure as a judge at the University School of Milwaukee’s Spring Science Fair.

Complete Guide to Running a Successful RV park

Running a campground or RV park may seem fun at first glance. But operating an RV park involves effort and hard work. There are many things to consider when operating a campground. This article provides a complete guide to running a successful RV park.

The most important thing is to understand the basics of the industry. Many potential campground owners don’t familiarize themselves with the consumer’s point of view though it seems pretty straightforward. They forget to do proper research and learn what the consumer expects of an RV park. Hence, most of them fail at running a campground successfully. You should know what the consumer expects of your campground – starting from staying at an RV park to working in one for at least a few weeks. You should understand both sides of the aisle when planning to operate a campground.

If you don’t know anything about plumbing and electricity, it is best to take a class or two to learn the basics of these subjects. If you hire a professional to do the work, the cost can quickly add up and make your venture unprofitable at the beginning. When you know the basics of plumbing and electricity, you can save thousands of dollars as well as your precious time when operating a campground. That way you can quickly offer solutions to customers to keep them happy and come back to stay in your RV park.

Your campground needs to have clean facilities to attract more customers in the long run. If your campground doesn’t have clean toilets and bathrooms, you will lose customers in the process. Hence, you should do your best to guarantee the cleanliness of the park if you want to operate it successfully and make a handsome profit in the long run. On the other hand, streamlining everything as much as possible is important to offer easy check-in and check-out facilities to the customer. In fact, easy check-in and check-out could mean the difference between a good and great customer experience. The customer’s first interaction with you occurs when he or she checks in. The first impression is important in maintaining a good campground like every other thing in life. Whether the customer books through phone or online, making the process as simple and comfortable as possible is important.

Another important piece of advice is to do it right the first time around when building the campground. For example, if you don’t get the correct permits to build the park at the initial stage, the consequences can be costly afterward. For example, what should have been just a $50 permit may cost you $500 later on once the fines are added on top of it. If you get the proper paperwork the first time, you will save a lot of money and time down the line.

A campground should have all the necessary facilities to attract and retain customers in the long run. Consider adding features like a playground, an outdoor theater, and frisbee courses will make your campground stand out from the rest of the competition in the region. Not every addition needs to cost you money. Research how your competition is running their campgrounds to know what you should include in your RV park.

Finally, marketing is an important aspect of running a successful campground or RV park. Running Google ads, a strong social media presence, and ranking your website on the first page of search results are important strategies to market your campground to customers across the state and country. The aforementioned article provides a complete guide to running a successful RV park.

Patrick McDonald
Patrick is one of the owners of Beach RV Park and is an experienced manufactured housing operator, having successfully turned around multiple parks within the Pacific Northwest and is passionate about providing Washington residents with an affordable housing option.

Training, How To Better Understand Dogs   

Do you know that a skilled dog trainer can decipher your dog’s body language? This is an important aspect of dog training because that’s how you’ll be able to effectively communicate with your dog. Since dogs obviously can’t talk they use body language, facial expressions, and posture to communicate. If this is your first time owning a dog, we completely understand your struggle when trying to understand what your dog wants. As you may have observed, dogs usually growl, whine, and bark. These are their ways of expressing their emotions. A dog trainer would know what these sounds mean. In most cases, dogs express themselves through nonverbal communication. If you’re not aware of the ways they communicate, you’ll end up misunderstanding your dog and vice versa. Here are a few tips from experienced dog trainers that will help you decode your dog’s signals.

Tail Wagging

All dogs wag their tails but do you know why they do it? You’ve probably been told that when you see your dog wagging its tail it means your dog is happy, right? We’re sorry to burst your bubble but it doesn’t always mean they are happy. This misconception has caused dog owners to misinterpret their pets. When a dog is wagging its tail it could mean a lot of things but the principle behind tail wagging is that your dog is emotionally stimulated. They can be extremely frustrated or very excited. To give you an idea what it. This means we suggest you check the speed of their tail wagging and its direction. When your dog’s tail wags fast it means your dog is aroused. When its tail is sweeping side to side at a slow pace it means your dog is relaxed but if the tail is twitching too fast it means your dog is negatively aroused. Several studies also show that if a dog wags its tail to the right they feel positive but when they wag to the left it means something negative.

Hackles Raised

What does it mean if your dog’s hackles are raised? If the hairs at the back of its spine are raised all the way to the tail it means your dog is aroused but it’s not always in a negative way. It means your dog is either excited or stressed.

Posture

Another way your dog communicates is through posture. When a dog is hunched to the ground it means your dog is stressed or afraid. It’s usually because your dog is trying to avoid someone and the reason why it hunches to the ground is that it wants to look small. If your dog rolls in its back to expose its belly it means it’s comfortable and relaxed and just really wants you to rub its belly. When your dog leans forward it means it wants to go near something. When its body is shifted in a forward direction it can be a sign that your dog finds interest in something that’s in front of it.

Facial Expressions

Dogs also have facial expressions but they don’t show it as humans do. For example, when a human yawns it means he is bored or tired but when a dog yawns it means it’s stressed. Usually, they yawn to keep themselves calm during tense situations. Another thing dogs do is lick their lips. This body language could mean your dog is satisfied after a good meal or it could also be indicated that your dog is stressed.

Takeaway

You will learn all these from a qualified dog trainer. Not only will it teach your dog new tricks but your dog trainer will also give you helpful tips to strengthen your bond with your dog and so that you will understand your dog better at home.

Nick White
Nick White is the owner of Off Leash K9 Training. He has over 80 dog training franchise locations throughout the United States. He currently hosts the A&E show, America's Top Dog.

Investigators Seek Recovery of Tom Brady Super Bowl Jersey

This year’s Super Bowl between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots was one of the more dramatic Super Bowls of all times. For the first time ever, the Super Bowl went to overtime and the New England Patriots defeated the Atlantic Falcons with a stunning come from behind victory. After the game, Tom Brady was chosen as the best player and won the Lombardi trophy. Unfortunately, there was some sad news associated with the vhttp://www.onhoops.com/wp-admin/plugins.phpictory.

It appears that someone stole Tom Brady’s official Super Bowl jersey. The theft became a law enforcement issue on the following Monday. Via a twitter, the Houston police and the major offender division started to work with the NFL security along with other local and state agencies to investigate this criminal offense. The number 12 jersey was not seen soon after Tom Brady had taken it off. Brian McCarthy, an NFL spokesman, commented to a sports media network that the disappointing disappearance of the jersey will continue to be investigated by the above law enforcement agencies. However, to date, no conclusive leads have been named. Perhaps Mr. Brady should hire a Houston private investigator to work on the case, as well.

The confirmation from the NFL and from Houston law agencies was provided by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. On Monday, Tom Brady confirmed that the jersey had not been located and therefore the investigation continues. There is a long list of potential suspects that include coaches, family members, teammates, league/team staffers, sports news media members, gate crashers, and law enforcement officials. Although Patriots owner Robert Kraft says the jersey will turn up in the future, it is interesting to note that this jersey was not the first jersey that Tom Brady has had go missing.

What makes his case difficult to investigate is that there were more than 100 people on Sunday night who were closely crowded into the locker room of the New England Patriots after they had won Super Bowl LI. Tom Brady made a comment that he had taken off his jersey and put it into one of his sports bags but a few minutes later he realized that it had disappeared. He also commented that this type of victory jersey was particularly special and that he would like to have had it for his trophy case.

Dan Patrick released a statement that he had contacted the Texas Rangers to help the Houston police with the investigation. He also commented that the state of Texas puts a very high value on football and hospitality. He recognizes that this particular Tom Brady jersey would have a tremendous historical and monetary value. He implored the thief who took it to please return the jersey as soon as possible. It should be also noted that a locker room, especially for a Super Bowl, has a tremendous layer of security and it would be difficult for whoever took it to take it out through the front gate.

This has been a sad event for not only Tom Brady but for the NFL and the 51st Super Bowl. Hopefully, the person who has taken the jersey will realize how important it is to return it. Besides, this type of sports memorabilia would be very difficult to sell and therefore it does not make a lot of sense for someone to receive a criminal record in return for this type of theft.

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How Acupuncturists are Helping Athletes

If you are an athlete, it is essential that you take good care of your health, including utilizing a wide range of medical professionals to ensure you are in peak condition. An acupuncturist is a great choice to add to your team of support if you are an athlete.

You might be wondering if it is really a necessary thing for you to use an acupuncturist, particularly if you are already using other support persons who focus on holistic health. However, the use of acupuncture brings unique benefits to the table that should not be underrated. Once you have thought about it, you will see that virtually every athlete can benefit from regular acupuncture sessions.

Adult male acupuncturist is doing acupuncture on the back of an athlete. Patient is lying down on a table.While you are already aware that your body is a complex and amazing machine, you might not have given much thought to the energy pathways as described in ancient medicine. If you remember from high school, all matter is made up of energy, including people. When the energy is in the proper balance, you will be in great shape. You will feel awesome and perform at your very best. However, when you experience any type of disruption to your energy flow, your ability to function is diminished.

Injuries heal faster when you are able to provide the right nutrients and energy to your body. Good nutrition, visits to the acupuncturist and massage therapists, along with proper rest are all great steps to getting your body back on track when you have suffered a setback. John Barnett, an acupuncturist in Orlando, FL, provides care for a wide range of conditions, including acupuncture for tennis elbow. From broken bones to sprained joints, athletes are bound to be injured from time to time. Expedite the healing process with a great acupuncturist.

You might be thinking that you are in great shape and in the prime of your life so it shouldn’t really matter. However, athletes need every single competitive edge possible. Just as you repeat moves that you have already mastered in order to become a fraction of a second faster, you can improve your energy systems, tweaking yourself to peak performance. Don’t you deserve that?

During training, you want your body in great shape. This will allow you to perfect your moves with skill and grace. However, minor injuries and general wear and tear might prevent you from accomplishing all that you can during these essential periods.

Likewise, when it comes time for actual competition, you need to be ready. You can have an acupuncturist who is familiar with your case help you treat any minor ailments. This will give your performance a great boost that might make the difference between taking home a win and admitting defeat.

As you can see, there are multiple benefits associated with athletic use of acupuncture services. If you are an athlete, manager, trainer or otherwise concerned individual, you can check into the ones in your area today. Find one familiar with sports medicine to ensure that you are able to have the treatments needed to keep you or your team on the right track and ready for the big event!

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Basketball sports- faster than faster

Basketball is the second fastest game in the world after ice hockey. Basketball is an excellent way to exercise and to have fun. One can choose it as a past time and also as a profession. Basketball started in Mexico about five hundred years ago. From the time it was launched till date, the rules have changed. Earlier there were thirteen rules of which nine have been modified while the rest has been dropped. Earlier there were eighteen players which meant nine to a team. Two baskets were placed at either end of the court, and when the first ball was put in the basket, the game was known as Basketball.

Basketball as a game has five players on either side and needs players to run up and down the playing area. Each team has players that are in the offense and defense. Thos players in the offense move towards the basket of the opposite team and score a point or baskets while the defense stays back to defend their basket. That is why it is so important to have basketball drills for the players to execute.

Rules of the Game: As mentioned earlier there are five players on each side.  Here are the rules

  • The ball can be thrown or received in any route within the playing area with one or both hands.
  • A player cannot run with the ball in his or her hand. It needs to be bounced along with runner.
  • No pushing, holding, elbowing or tripping of the opponent is allowed. If there is intent in hurting the player, then he or she is taken off the ground, and no substitution is allowed.
  • Striking the ball with the fist is considered a foul.
  • A goal is made when the ball is thrown into the basket. Two points are awarded if the goal is made closer to the basket. However, if the goal is made from a distance that is much further away from the basket, then one isawarded three points.
  • When the ball goes out of bounds, then the opponent gets the chance to throw it in. However, if the opponent holds the ball for more than five seconds, then the ball is handed over to the opponent.
  • The referee is the judge and will decide when the ball is out of play. When any player from either side has made three fouls he or she is asked to leave the playing area and sit on the bench.
  • The time is of two fifteen minute halves with a five- minute break in between.
  • The side making the most [points at the end of the schedule of the game is considered the winner.

Basketball trainers have a lot of drills to go through. While some trainers may teach how to pass, the ball others may learn how to dribble the ball and keep it in motion. They also teach how to do man to man check. These drills are meant to empower oneself with the basketball drills

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Javas Data Structures and Collections Explained

In Java, there are actually data structures and collections, and it is vital that you realize the visible difference between these matters and anything they mean.

A data structure is how information is represented – the structure the data has with your machine’s memory. As opposed, the term ‘collection’ identifies just how the data could be accessed.

This distinction is essential since the choices you will be making about data storage may affect the performance of your application. Sorting a linked list, by way of example, will likely be slower than sorting an array list. That’s why it’s essential to find the right data structure for the task.

Collection representations can be used to access your data – you can use an index, or step throughout the data with all the getFirst, get Prev, or some other commands, as an example.

Collections are an issue that other programming languages have, however in Java the phrase will refer specifically towards the Java collection type of class, and that is a highly specific list of classes. Interestingly enough, though, the Java Map class is not going to implement Collections.

Data Schema

Each Java data structure will depend on a form of schema. You can have a home data structure, for example, which could include information including the measurements of the construction, the volume of bathrooms and the quantity of bedrooms, and so on. The data structure describes all this, so you are aware what you can get through the data.

Java collections, as opposed, have a structure – but the structure can there be purely to spell out how the objects from the collection are organized. The objects might be anything – so a collection could include objects that contain a specific structure.

That’s something which confuses a number of people, but if you consider about this, it is in reality a serious powerful tool – a zone mob list for the game may well be a linked list that also includes multiple NPCs. Each NPC can be a single part of data using a data structure that features health, level, damage and special attack information, as well as its name and other characteristics.

Because there are so many several types of collection, therefore a number of ways of getting together with them, it can be difficult to get a developer to make a decision how to access a collection, or which collection type is the best for the info that they are handling. This is certainly something that you may need to experiment with for some time to genuinely understand and get an understanding for, but there are several algorithms that only be more effective for common tasks.

Remember, though, that in case you are writing a multithreaded application you will have to ensure that the threads act on your data in the correct order to prevent unpredictable bugs and errors. Synchronization of multithreaded applications is vital. Utilizing a monitoring and locking based system you can ensure that each thread takes it in turns to behave on your data, and that each thread is working on accurate information.

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