22 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • MAY 2, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com health s Beware of outdoor hazards Heading out for an afternoon in the park and a good book? Few things beat whiling away the warm summer hours immersed in a spine-tingling mystery or engrossed in a heart-warming romance. And while enjoying the latest best-seller curled up in the sun like a sleeping cat is a great way to help your body relax and unwind from all of life’s stresses, you should still be aware of the dangerous health factors. While your body is relaxing, the sun and other natural elements could cause irritation and even harm to your skin and eyes. As you’re preparing to unravel the “who done it?” mystery, make certain you prepare for your great afternoon of reading at the pool, beach or even in your own backyard with these precautions: Skin damage - Curling up in summer sun can make you feel warm and cozy, but a potential sunburn can turn a fun afternoon of reading a romance into a painful evening. To enjoy your reading afternoon, fi nd a shady spot for your read-a-thon and apply a good dose of sunscreen before settling down with your book. Also, before you head out, consider donning sun-protective clothing and bring along a shade hat to keep the sun’s glare off your face. Eye strain - As we age, it often becomes more diffi cult to read regular print. Carrying a pair of readers can help prevent eye strain. But when outside, traditional readers don’t help protect your eyes from the sun. Usually, it’s just the opposite, and they magnify the glare of the sun. Coppertone invisible bifocal Sunreaders, available through Select-AVision and at Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond and Harris Teeter, conveniently tackle both problems. These Sunreaders provide the best sun protection blocking both UVA and UVB rays on both the bottom lens portion, which contains the reading magnifi cation spot, as well as the rest of the lens that functions as a safe sunglass. They also have a stylish curvature that adds additional protection from side light. Dehydration - The old adage is that if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Laying out during the warm summer months - on the beach or in your own backyard - can quickly lead to a case of dehydration. Keep a water source nearby like a water bottle or canteen, or enjoy a summery drink like lemonade to keep hydrated. Avoid alcohol, which could increase the risk of dehydration. Bug bites - Sitting still for too long outside can make you a magnet for bugs. Protect your skin with insect repellant, protective clothing and even a spritz bottle fi lled with water. An added bonus is the spritz bottle can help cool you down when the sun gets too hot. The beautiful outdoors are tempting, but it’s a good idea to be prepared for the dangers Flushing House(BWwoman):Layout 1 2/10/11 12:27 PM Page 2 they offer. Keep these safety factors in mind the next time you head to the beach, the local pool or a nearby park for a little bit of peace, relaxation and a good story. Using Lasers in Cataract Surgery By Dr. Barry Drucker During my career as an ophthalmic surgeon, I have seen the wonderful advances in performing cataract surgery go from the use of magnifying glasses for performing large incision surgery which required multiple suture closure and days in the hospital to the present, sutureless outpatient procedure. Patients have asked me for years if this surgery is done by laser. Up until now, the answer was “NO”, because we utilized incisions made under the microscope with a blade followed by ultrasound removal of the cataract. However a paradigm shift has occurred. Now, no blade, laser assisted surgery is available which has increased the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery. In this new procedure, the patient need not be injected for anesthesia. Eye drops are utilized to numb the eye. The operating table is rolled to the laser and in about 5 minutes all incisions are carefully performed by a “Femtosecond Laser”, precisely and consistently. The precision is greater than that of the most skilled surgeon and reproducible such that the need for spectacles is lessened. This same Femtosecond laser can, if so indicated, make certain corneal incisions that will reduce or eliminate astigmatism, if present preoperatively. Finally, another laser can be used to measure or confirm the power of the needed intraocular lens during the operation, after the cataract is removed. This is called “Intraoperative Aberromertry”. It is particularly important if the calculation is difficult before surgery because of an extremely dense cataract or if the patient had undergone Lasik years before. At present very few surgical centers have the machinery for these two new lasers. Certainly in the future, I feel this is the way ophthalmologists will be doing routine cataract surgery. When friends or relatives of mine need cataract surgery, I recommend and prefer doing laser assisted cataract surgery and Laser aberrometry for safety and precision. Dr. Barry L. Drucker Dr.Barry L. Drucker is a board certified ophthalmologist and a Fellow of the American College of Surgery. He has practiced in Bayside, Queens for over 25 years and can be reached at 718 224-5500 Dr. Drucker’s Office is located at 58-47 Francis Lewis Blvd (Suite 202), Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 11364. Is it time to help your parent enjoy a new independent lifestyle? For the best value in senior independent living, take a closer look at Flushing House! Not-for-Profit Flushing House 38-20 Bowne Street Flushing, New York 11354 Seniors enjoy freedom, friendship and support in a lively, congenial atmosphere at Flushing House, the dedicated, not-for-profit senior community in the heart of Queens. It's everything you could ask for in a quality, affordable senior residence. Private apartments with kitchenettes and services from $2250/month. • 24-hour security • Continental breakfast, lunch, dinner • Weekly housekeeping/linen services Onsite home health agency Ongoing activity programs Computer learning & fitness centers Frequent trips in our own van Flushing House celebrate living every day™ For the best value in senior living, call us today! www.flushinghouse.com 718-762-3198 Seniors enjoy freedom, friendship and support in a lively, congenial atmosphere at Flushing House, the dedicated, not-for-profit senior community in the heart of Queens. It's everything you could ask for in a quality, affordable senior residence. Private apartments with kitchenettes and services from $2400/month. • 24-hour security • Continental breakfast, lunch, dinner • Weekly housekeeping/linen services • Onsite home health agency & clinic • Ongoing recreation/activity programs • Computer learning & fitness centers • Frequent trips in our own van • Call 800-345-4571 to learn about United Lifeline -- our personal emergency response service gives seniors independence and safety
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