Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/57122
Friday, March 2, 2012 – Daily News 5A FEATURES Truth vs. fiction when it comes to eye health DEAR DOC- TOR K: I've heard so much advice on keeping your eyes healthy. Can you help me sort it out? DEAR READ- ER: Not all of the advice you've heard about eye health is true. Here are some common myths: Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. Myth: Doing eye exer- cises will delay the need for glasses. Fact: Eye exercises will not improve or preserve vision or reduce the need for glasses. Myth: Reading in dim light will worsen your vision. Fact: Dim lighting will not negatively affect your eyesight. However, it will tire your eyes more quick- ly. Position your reading light so that it shines directly onto the page, not over your shoulder. Myth: Eating carrots is good for the eyes. Fact: Carrots are good for the eyes. But fresh fruits and dark-green leafy vegetables are even better. However, no vegetables or nutrients will prevent or correct basic vision prob- lems such as nearsighted- ness or farsightedness. Myth: It's best not to wear glasses all the time. Taking a break from glass- es allows your eyes to rest. Fact: If you need glass- es for distance or reading, use them. Using your glasses won't worsen your vision or lead to any eye disease. Myth: A sudden, tem- porary loss of vision is not a serious problem if it lasts just a minute or two. Fact: Even a brief loss of vision, in just one eye, can be a sign of a serious problem. You should always call your doctor immediately. It may be caused by something as sim- ple as a migraine headache (that happened to me once). However, it also can be a warning sign that a stroke may be coming. This is called a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, or pre-stroke. And it can be an early sign of multiple sclerosis. Myth: Staring at a com- puter screen all day is bad for the eyes. Fact: Using a computer won't harm your eyes. But it can contribute to eyestrain or tired eyes. Adjust lighting so that there's no glare or harsh reflection on the screen. And rest your eyes briefly every hour or so to lessen eye fatigue. Finally, make sure to blink regularly so that your eyes don't dry out. We have more informa- tion on keeping your eyes healthy in our Special Health Report, "The Aging Eye: Preventing and Treating Eye Dis- ease." You can find out more about it at my web- site. As you get older, get regular eye exams. Don't wait until your vision deteriorates to get your eyes examined. Finally, if you smoke, stop. Smoking increases the risk of several eye dis- orders. Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. Go to his website to send questions and get additional information: www.AskDoctorK.com. PATH winter shelter Jan. 27 - March 2 First Church of God, 1005 S. Jackson St. David Ave. David Ave. St. The North State's premier supplier of stoves STOVE JUNCTION The Over 25 years of experience Accessories with purchase of any stove 20% OFF Stove Good through March 31, 2012 Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com March 2-16 United Methodist Church, 525 March 16-APR 13 North Valley Baptist, 345 Dinners on Wednesdays March 21, 28, April 4 and 11, Sunrise Bible Fellowship, 956 Jackson St. April 13-30 Presbyterian Church, 838 Jefferson Constant collection calls create conundrum Dear Annie: Our son's first marriage ended in divorce 10 years ago. From that union, we have a won- derful 13-year-old grand- son. Our ex-daughter-in-law, ''June,'' remarried quickly, and that marriage failed about 18 months ago. Apparently, she used our names as a credit reference, because we've been getting calls from several collection agencies asking for June by her most recent married name. After the first call, I told the agency I would not give out her phone num- ber but would have June call them. I sent her a letter with the pertinent information. She phoned and said I should tell these callers I don't know her. Lately, I've responded to these agencies by saying June hasn't been in the family for 10 years and I don't know how to reach her. Lying isn't my normal operating procedure, but in this instance, it seems the safest. I don't know what type of retribution there would be for our son, our grandson or us if June thought we turned her in. The calls are getting more frequent, and we're tired of them. What do you suggest? — Ex- In-Laws Dear In-Laws: There are laws in place to prevent harassment of third parties by collection agen- cies. Keep in mind, however, that if the collection agencies have reason to believe you are lying to them A Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. What better way to cel- ebrate Dr. Seuss's birth- day then to spend the day exploring The Art of Dr. James W. Tysinger, Jr. M.D. Eye Physician & Surgeon Fellow American Academy of Ophthalmology We accept Medical, Medicare & most Insurances Office Hours: Tues-Wed-Thurs 8am-4:30pm Mon & Fri 1pm-4:30pm For Emergencies, After Hours, Week-ends, Call 530-567-5001 345 Hickory St. Red Bluff Tel: (530) 529-4733 Fax: (530) 529-1114 $85 in Discount Coupons were published last week in the D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY … And that does not count all the ads offering percentage discounts, two-for-ones and Free-with-Purchase offers! Don't miss a Day of it! Subscribe Today 527-2151 It pays for itself. Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar about June's location, you might not have much recourse in getting them to stop. But please report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state attorney general's office and the Federal Trade Commis- sion (www.ftc.gov). Dear Annie: My husband recently retired, but I still work full time at an office. My problem? My husband does not feel he should have to help me in any way with the household chores. He absolutely refuses. I have asked him numerous times to please put dinner on before I get home from work, but it falls on deaf ears. I might add that he's an excel- lent cook when he is so inclined. A number of his friends are also retired, and they joke among them- selves about how domesticated they have become around the house, but my husband just won't budge. I even mow the lawn in the summer and shovel the snow in winter. I may as well be living on my own. I'm not getting any younger and am simply too tired to keep up with everything along with my full- time job. All I ask is that he take over a couple of chores so I can have a little downtime on the weekends. Is this too much to ask? Don't sug- gest a housekeeper. He would never allow it. Nor would he ever go for counseling. — Tired and Worn Out in Canada Dear Tired: Might your husband Seuss, listening to his amazing stories read by local celebrities, and tak- ing part in fun Seuss- inspired activities (includ- ing Oobleck, tic-tac-toe and more). Seuss Celebrity Read- ing Competition Partici- be depressed since retiring? It is not uncommon and could explain his lethargy and intransigence. But you should not be exhausted because he cannot or will not help out. If you are earning enough to hire house- keeping help, we recommend you do so whether he approves or not. You also could minimize your efforts around the house so that you handle your own laundry and meals and leave him to cook and clean for himself. Of course, he still may not lift a finger, but at least you won't be doing his work as well as your own. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ''Heartbroken Mother,'' whose daughter thinks her family will be an embarrassment at her upscale wed- ding. I chuckled because, recently, a friend was extremely worried about her ''rough and tumble'' blue-collar family behaving properly at her well-planned and expensive wed- ding to a wonderful professional man. Well, liquor can even the playing field. Her family behaved perfectly. The groom's upscale family, howev- er, nearly ruined the event. — Michigan Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Celebrity readers to help celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday pants; Park guests will select the winners! 11 a.m. - Doni Cham- berlain (anewscafe.com), Silas Lyons (Record Searchlight), Jennifer Scarborough (KRCR, Channel 7), Sue McLain (KLXR Radio) 2 p.m. - Kira Klapper (KNVN, Channel 24), Mike Warren (Turtle Bay), Rich Healy (Results Radio) Park Admission is half price through Sunday, March 4. Cost is $7 for Adults and $5 for Chil- dren/Seniors.