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In some ways, its appropriate that Im getting my vision fixed in the year 2020.

However, I started 2019 with a column talking about my upcoming operation to fix my cataracts. I wrote about how disconcerting it was seeing my vision get worse and to know that, in another time and place, I would be going blind.

At the time, however, I believed I would be having my cataracts fixed in July. July came without a call from my eye surgeon.

Thanks to some prodding from my eye doctor, I was advised to be patient, and recently I finally got my dates for surgery. My eyes will be fixed with two visits to the surgeon over a two-week period this coming January.

I am overjoyed at getting my eyesight back to normal. Im less overjoyed at the prospect of the operation itself, though Ive been told by those with experience that its nothing to be afraid of.

I am frustrated at the length of time it has taken to go from diagnosis to correction.

This is the situation that critics of Canadas health-care system point to when they deride its shortcomings. Canadas health care is largely based on a triage system. If you are hit by a truck, or suffer a heart attack, and need immediate and serious health care, you get it promptly.

If, on the other hand, your condition is not life-threatening, then you may have to wait, because health care costs money, even if Canadian taxpayers pay less for their system than American taxpayers pay for their far less comprehensive version.

There are limited resources to go around, so the tasks that can wait need to wait for the funding to make them happen. And we end up with waiting lists.

While it makes sense for a health-care system to focus on the person suffering a heart attack ahead of someone who needs arthroscopic surgery on their knee, frustration still builds for the person who has to wait months in knee pain, or lean closer and closer to computer screens he can now hardly read.

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Opinion | Glad to be getting eyesight back, frustrated with wait time - Waterloo Chronicle

This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire

Hallandale Beach, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/29/2019 -- Most people have eye problems at one time or another. But some people have had a common vision condition, usually present from birth. There could a variety of reasons for early age eye problems and left untreated, they can cause serious damage to an individual's eyes. There are many patients who recognize their eye problems later in life. The 60-year-old south Florida resident, Lydia Harris had spring time cataract surgery to correct High Myopia and cataracts in both eyes by Braverman Eye Center in Hollywood. Before she got to see Dr. Stanley Braverman and his staff in their state-of-the-art office - or be referred by her Optometrist Dr. Dan Llewellyn in Fort Lauderdale, who is the official eye doctor for the Florida Panthers - Harris had endured a lifetime of vision problems.

"Since I was in pre-school, I wore glasses. My eyesight got progressively worse through the years - and even had to wear bifocals that looked like Coke bottles. It was not an easy childhood" Lydia Harris pointed out. "The meeting with Dr. Braverman and his great staff was the beginning of something special. Every question I had, he had an answer for. I can't talk enough about the procedure on both eyes and the way I was treated. A positive experience" she further added.

A month after the procedure was done, she is doing well and enjoying her life like never before. She had an amazing experience at Braverman Eye Center and now recommends people having eye problems to visit this eye center in Hollywood.

Talking about Lydia Harris' eyes problems, Dr. Braverman said "Ms. Harris had two problems. She had cataracts, but she also had highly nearsighted eyes since birth. With today's methods of cataract surgery, we are able to not only correct the cataract, but also, we can change the power of the crystalline lens so that nearsightedness can be eliminated.

About Braverman Eye CenterBraverman Eye Center has built their reputation on integrity and the highest standards of care. They provide high quality eye care to patients throughout South Florida, primarily serving the eye care needs of patients in Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, and many more; however, they do see many patients from other surrounding communities in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County, Florida. They pride themselves on providing the most efficient, professional and personal Optometric and Ophthalmologic care possible. They will do their best to honor one's trust by providing their patients excellent care and valued respect.

For more information, please visit- https://www.bravermaneyecenter.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/a-lifetime-battle-for-lydia-harris-the-60-year-old-south-florida-resident-comes-to-a-happy-end-with-a-visit-to-braverman-eye-center-1266560.htm

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A Lifetime Battle for Lydia Harris, the 60-Year-Old South Florida Resident, Comes to a Happy End with a Visit to Braverman Eye Center - Press Release...

Nov. 27 To the Editor:

Dear Cousins,

I have never written a holiday letter. I will turn 80 (!) in a few weeks, so we can all agree I'm overdue. And, having experienced a big loss just six months ago, the fact that I have chosen to give thanks for my first ever holiday letter may seem strange.

Forty years ago, as I was approaching my 40th birthday milestone and could anticipate my nest emptying, I reached out to a lifestyle coach named Wynne, who became a mentor and lifelong friend. Every year Wynne would send a note of profound thanks sharing how her life had been enriched that year. She is now into her eighties and is nearly blind due to a progressive degenerative ocular disease. She is still coaching, however. As her eyesight continued to fail, her son said, you may be losing your sight but you will always have vision!

What better time is there to acknowledge vision than as we look to 2020! I have always heard that hindsight is 20/20 but if we revisit the foresightedness combined with courage of those who came before us, that's 20/20 vision! When the four generations of cousins gathered at Jill's wonderful home in July, there were countless thankful moments for me. First, of course, is our mutual gratitude that our ancestors acted upon their vision more than a century ago, when violence was spreading in eastern Europe, and crossed the Atlantic to a life of unknowns. After our lunch, as we listened to the recording of my father's journey to Ellis Island, I looked around the dining table and thanked my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins for their collective visions of welcoming everyone into our family no matter his or her race, religion or creed! That was pace setting for their generations and we are all better for it. I am thankful that 20/20 vision is in our genes!

This was a difficult year but I am thankful for having had 57-plus years of marriage and for my two wonderful children who have blessed me with amazing, attentive families. And, there is deep appreciation to all of you who have participated in the collecting and documenting of our history so that future generations will always know how it all began.

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, whatever you observe or choose not to observe and a healthy, happy 2020.

Lots of love, Linda

Linda Tober

Exeter

See more here:
So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving - Foster's Daily Democrat

Theres a lot of talk about what cannabis can and cannot do. The herb surely comes with many health benefits from alleviating chronic pain to reducing the severity and frequency of seizures. Now that weed has finally been added to the legal list in most states, it has become more accessible.

This brings us to what the substance can do for the eyes. There are mixed opinions in this regard some say cannabis can improve eye health while others disagree. Several research works show that CBD can be a treatment worth exploring for glaucoma. However, the American Academy of Ophthalmology doesnt favor the use of cannabis for glaucoma.

Ever noticed the red, almost bloodshot eyes of pot smokers? Thank cannabis for this effect. Cannabis lowers ocular pressure which causes capillaries to widen and pupils to dilate. While such reddened eyes look horrifying, the visual organs are actually relaxed. Other than this, cannabis also improves night vision. This gives some hope that the herb may help with eyesight as well.

This benefit of improved night vision is not due to CBD though. In fact, tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of cannabis, takes the credit for that. One study found that the THC in cannabis interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the eyes. By doing so, it can improve the ability to see at night.

Another indication that cannabis may improve vision is that it can reduce age-related blindness. Science shows that cannabis contains antioxidants that can reduce the risk of or slow down neurodegenerative blindness. Back in 2004, a group of fishmen claimed that they were able to see better when they consumed cannabis. Testing showed that they werent wrong.

Can you add cannabis to the list of foods that can improve your eyesight likes nuts, legumes, and carrots? Not much can be said about this. Research is scarce on the subject. In fact, if you look at the overall studies conducted on cannabis youll find that evidence on its effect in other areas of health is also limited.

One JAMA research concluded that cannabis can harm your sight overtime. Furthermore, some folks might also find that they are allergic to the herb. Since the long-term effects of what cannabis does to your eyes on the whole or your eyesight in particular are not known, its best to not use the herb. Some say that marijuana can only improve vision when you take it in high amounts. And intake of huge quantities of weed is not good for health.

Theres some research that shows that cannabis can be useful in some ways in the eye health department. It may help with glaucoma, but experts still dont agree on its use here. Weed can relax your eyes and also may improve night vision. However, since research is limited it is best to not use cannabis for vision or eye health.

Continued here:
Cannabis For Your Vision - Can It Improve Your Eyesight? - ProsperCBDNews

Since 1971, the incidences of nearsightedness in the U.S. have nearly doubled, accounting for almost half the population.

But parents and eye doctors are seeing more than just nearsightedness in kids and teens today. The culprit? Most likely digital screens.

Teens spend, on average, seven hours a day on their phones, tablets and computers. For a tween, ages 8-13, its a little less, at 5 hours a day, according to a survey by Common Sense Media, which has been tracking this since 2003.

Ive always wondered how staring into a little screen for hours affects eyesight, Victoria Leibman said. I have two teenage daughters that are active in school sports and other activities in addition to a lot of homework. This has limited their time on social media.

Leibman reached out to CPR News after reading parts of Teens Under Stress, CPRs in-depth series on teens in Colorado. The first package focused on phones the way kids use them, the impacts on their brains and how teens can use their phones more responsibly.

Dr. Barbara Horn, president of the American Optometric Association, said kids are staring at screens for extended periods of time both in the classroom and at home.

Everybody needs to know, but children especially, that staring at a screen for too long can cause you to get headaches and eye strain, Horn said. You may not be blinking properly so your eyes may get dry there are a number of things that can occur when youre using a device for too long.

That eye strain can also impact young people in the classroom, said Dr. Tara DeRose, a pediatric optometrist at the Mountain Vista Eyecare and Dry Eye Center in Littleton, CO.

Theyre getting fatigued by the end of the day and that oftentimes correlates into them avoiding reading or avoiding doing homework because theyve just been focusing and straining all day long, DeRose said.

When the eye muscles are tired, some kids struggle to keep their eyes aligned and tracking to do things like read.

Their muscles just say I cant stay aligned all day, I cant stay focused all day, Im just going to give up and not do it, she said.

While a child or teen may avoid reading or doing schoolwork, they dont always avoid the screens that are making their eyes tired in the first place.

Dr. Glen Steele, an optometrist at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn., said kids will push through the pain to keep playing games or scrolling on social media. He thinks its leading to prolonged enlarged pupils, a phenomenon Steele calls defocus.

Steele's been tracking enlarged pupils for the last two years in his patients the worst case was in a 4-year-old. The kids will come into his office with dilated eyes that wont constrict for the entirety of the appointment, but hes not sure how long they stay dilated because he hasnt systematically tracked them outside the office.

Nonetheless, hes concerned about what hes been seeing.

Thats a persistent sympathetic response, he said. The sympathetic system controls heart rate, blood vessels, bronchial passageways, perspiration, blood pressure all those kinds of things. My concern now is, what is happening in the rest of the body if this is what Im seeing in the eye?

Steele said more research is needed to better understand what else is happening in the body and what the long term side effects may be.

Kids and teens arent the only ones who are impacted by too much screen time adults often fall into habits like checking Twitter first thing in the morning while still in bed which can cause smartphone-induced blindness.

When one eye is exposed to the light of a phone, and the other eye stays closed while the person in lying on their side, they may experience temporary blindness in the eye that was adapted to the phone screen light.

Start with the 20-20-20 rule. Take a break from staring at a screen every 20 minutes, and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. DeRose said she recommends her patients program reminders in their phones.

For kids, Steele recommends more frequent breaks, and that parents set reminders and hold kids accountable. The World Health Organization released guidelines earlier this year that have recommendations for allotted screen time by age, but also on physical activity and sleep for children.

Steele recommends taking the WHO guidelines and going one step further, he offers parents and patients a few tips:

Visit link:
Staring At Screens All Day Hurts More Than Just Eyesight. Here's What To Do To Keep Your Vision Healthy - Colorado Public Radio

A lot of people dont know a lot about eyes or how interesting they can be. They are the window to the body and there are so many illnesses that cause complications in the eyes. As a surgeon, when you specialise in eyes you get to work with a great variety of patients and to interact with lots of clinical groups and physicians.

When I started studying medicine, I hadnt decided on a speciality. I went to school in Geelong and became interested in medicine and general surgery when my mother had breast cancer. But it wasnt until my internship at the Royal Melbourne Hospital that I decided to specialise in eyes.

When I applied for a vitreoretinal surgery fellowship, all of the vitreoretinal surgeons in Australia were men. It was suggested that I should do medical retina rather than surgery. That was because surgery can be very busy and unpredictable and there is lots of after-hours and emergency work. It wasnt considered family friendly.

I had a great mentor. Gerard Crock, the first Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne, was very encouraging of my career path and supported what I wanted to do. In 1995, I went to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London to do my final year of training. At the time, there was only one female vitreoretinal surgeon in the UK, and only one other woman training with me.

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I like the precision of surgery. Vitreoretinal surgery involves operating on the very intricate structures of the vitreous humour and retina the lining of the back of the eye.

When you repair a retinal detachment, you are either preventing someone from going blind or restoring their sight. I also like treating patients who have had eye trauma. Its unpredictable, but you can get some wonderful outcomes.

I never imagined I would one day work with a bionic eye. Then in 2008, the Australia 2020 Summit happened, and the bionic eye was identified as a goal for the Australian community.

The timing was perfect. Teams from the Bionics Institute, Centre for Eye Research Australia, the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne and NICTA had just got together and Professor Hugh Taylor had approached another surgeon, Mark McCombe, and myself to help develop a surgical technique that enabled the safe insertion of the device.

The bionic eye takes images from a tiny camera on the persons glasses. It converts them into electrical signals that travel to an electrode array implanted in the wall between the eye and the retina.

The idea of the device is to provide what we call a sense of vision. Its not detailed vision its little flashes of light that can help people to detect edges, outlines and movement, which helps them to navigate the world and identify objects around them.

Its exciting to offer hope of restoring some sight and independence to people. These are people who have lost their sight because of inherited retinal diseases. For many years, people with these conditions were told there was nothing that could be done to help them.

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All of our trial patients are altruistic and incredibly brave. In 2012, Dianne Ashworth was the first Australian patient to have a bionic eye implanted in our proof-of-concept trial. When she asked me if I had done the surgery on a person before, I had to say no, but she still decided to take the leap of faith and go ahead.

We are now progressing with another trial using a new second-generation device. We have four patients using the device at home and are really thrilled with the early results. After many years of having no sight, they are now able to do things like distinguish between dark and light items in washing or tell if someone is standing at a shop counter.

A project like the bionic eye is a huge collaboration. I still remember the first surgery in 2012. It couldnt have happened without the collaboration of the entire team at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, especially Robert Briggs and theatre staff who made a huge effort to lay out the theatre and get it ready for surgery.

Weve also relied heavily on the expertise of the Bionics Institute, who have worked really closely with our team at the Centre for Eye Research Australia to develop the first bionic eye and a second-generation device that we are now trialling.

There are now some really exciting developments in vision processing software. Right from the outset weve worked with Associate Professor Nick Barnes from the Australian National University (ANU). His research will continue to improve how the visual information is provided to patients.

Wed also like to investigate ways of using implanted devices to prevent vision loss, and also how these devices might be used together with gene and cell therapies to restore sight.

In the future we hope to be able to bring the bionic eye to more patients. We hope it will be something they can use to navigate the world independently in their daily lives.

- As told to Janine Sim-Jones

Associate Professor Penny Allen is presenting the Centre for Eye Research Australias 11th annual Gerard Crock Lecture on 21 November. The event will be live streamed from 6pm here.

Banner: Getty Images

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A vision for the future - Pursuit

Share on PinterestChildren with nearsightedness often develop more serious eye problems later in life. Getty Images

Help is on the way for young children who have nearsightedness.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first contact lens designed to slow the progression of myopia in children between 8 and 12 years old.

The MiSight contact lens is a soft, single use, disposable lens thats discarded at the end of each day without overnight use.

This is a big deal, because we hope this will finally put myopia control management in the spotlight, Dan Press, OD, FCOVD, an optometrist at Park Ridge Vision in Illinois, told Healthline.

There is a mountain of evidence supporting multiple options to slow the progression of childhood myopia, but the uptake has been slow since none of the treatments were FDA approved to specifically slow down myopia. Our hope is that this brings the discussion into the mainstream, and doctors that have not been on board in the past will get on board now, he said.

According to the FDA, myopia is the most frequent cause of correctable visual impairment across the world.

Myopia happens when the eye grows too long from front to back. Instead of focusing images on the retina, images are focused on a point in front of the retina.

People with myopia frequently have whats considered good vision, but they struggle with poor distance vision that usually must be addressed with glasses or contact lenses.

Myopia first occurs in primary and elementary-age children and progresses until about age 20, Dr. Rupa K. Wong, a pediatric ophthalmologist based in Honolulu, told Healthline.

In childhood, uncorrected myopia may impair childrens ability to fully participate in everyday activities, such as school, extracurriculars like sports, dance, and music, she said.

Myopia isnt just about improving a childs performance or limiting vision-related injuries on a field.

Theres a real question of health. And the sooner its dealt with, the better.

The prevalence and severity of myopia are increasing, especially in our current reading devicefocused culture, Wong said. Theres widespread acknowledgement that progression can be managed, but there needs to be more urgency to act earlier.

As if myopia alone isnt enough to deal with, research shows it can lead to other eye problems later in life.

Evidence has demonstrated that higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risk of retinal detachment, cataracts, glaucoma, and other vision-threatening issues later in life, Wong said.

She says not only can the new contact lens address the sight problems, it can also affect the elongation of the eye.

Individuals who are nearsighted typically have a longer eyeball than those who are not. Their higher axial length means that their retina gets stretched more compared to people who are not myopic. It could mean that these kids will be much less at risk for the development of retinal detachments, retinal tears, or even cataracts, as adults, Wong explained.

The approval of MiSight was based on data gathered from four clinical sites, according to the FDA.

Its safety and effectiveness were studied in a 3-year, randomized controlled clinical trial of 135 children, ages 8 to 12 years, who used MiSight or a conventional soft contact lens.

The trial showed that for the first 3-year period, progression of myopia in those using MiSight was less than those wearing conventional lenses.

MiSight participants also had less change in the axial length of the eyeball at each annual checkup. There were no serious ocular adverse events reported during the study.

Though those trials were done for use in the United States, theres also plenty of anecdotal evidence from around the world, where MiSight has already been in use for a significant amount of time.

This is terrific news for our eye care practitioner colleagues in the United States, Damon Ezekiel, B Optom, FAAO, FCLSA, an Australian optometrist and the president of the International Society of Contact Lens Specialists, told Healthline.

We are very fortunate that we in Australia have had access to the MiSight lens, along with Canada, United Kingdom, and Spain. This brings the United States in line with so many countries.

Personally, I have quite a number wearing MiSight. All of our patients who have been wearing the MiSight lenses are very happy. Their visual acuities are stable, and they love the convenience of wearing a daily disposable lens, Ezekiel said.

Link:
Contact Lens That Helps Children with Nearsightedness FDA Approved - Healthline

New research has shown that up to 82 per cent of drivers have experienced poor vision due to weather.

Commissioned by lens specialist ZEISS Vision Care into the impact of the clocks going back on motorists it revealed that 61 per cent reported their vision has been impacted by glare from headlights, and 41 per cent struggling to see due to bad light conditions.

More than three quarters of driver (73 per cent) drivers reported feeling concerned about driving in winter - however the survey also found that millions of drivers are not taking effective steps to combat the poor driving conditions, relying instead on rudimentary methods to improve their vision.

For example, 23 per cent of those polled admitted to simply using their hand to shield their eyes from winter sun.

Twenty-eight per cent found they needed glasses for driving as a result of a regular eye test however with eye tests currently not compulsory for motorists, and only half of UK adults undertaking these, millions of drivers are leaving their eyes untested.

Despite current requirements, 81 per cent of those polled believed all learner drivers should have an eye test before getting behind the wheel.

And more than seven out of 10 felt an eye test should be a formal requirement of the driving test, and nearly three quarters (73 per cent) felt drivers over 60 should be subject to an annual eye test.

Professional services associate ZEISS Vision Care UK, Paul Hopkins said:Driving in low light conditions is challenging for your eyes. In low light, the pupils dilate and image contrast is reduced making the task of driving more difficult.

"Also, bright headlights from oncoming vehicles can cause discomfort glare. This is not only uncomfortable, but distracting to the driver, making it more difficult when driving at night time or in bad weather conditions.

"Most drivers will be aware of this effect when a car with bright headlights drives past; your eyes take time to adjust following exposure to this glare.

"When practising as an optometrist, I regularly saw patients who complained of difficulties with their vision when driving. This could often be easily rectified with a new pair of spectacles.

"I recommend that all drivers should see their optometrist for a regular eye test - although not currently a legal requirement for driving, this is the easiest and best way to make sure your vision is as good as possible, particular important for driving in the more challenging winter conditions."

Dispensing Optician at Gloucester Medical Eye Centre, Gloucester, Peter Slepertas said: Our research shows that 76 per cent of drivers feel more concerned about driving in the winter months, whether that be due to bad light, headlight glare, or unpredictable weather.

"There are steps that motorists can take to make them as safe a driver as possible, and consideration for the quality of their vision when taking to the road is one that can improve their confidence and comfort too.

"ZEISS DriveSafe lenses are an everyday lens that have been designed to meet the visual challenges involved with driving.

"The lenses innovative technology optimises vision in low light conditions, anti-glare coatings reduce discomfort from on-coming headlights and help with difficulty switching focus between the road, dashboard and mirrors.

"As a result, 77 per cent of DriveSafe users report feeling safer when driving and over three quarters felt more comfortable driving in all weather conditions.

"Whilst regular eye tests are not a legal requirement for motorists, were calling on UK drivers to consider the impact that winter weather conditions have on their vision behind the wheel, and take this opportunity to ensure their eye sight is up to scratch by booking an appointment with their optician."

To read more about health in Gloucestershire, click here.

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More than four-fifths of motorists in South West have poor driving vision due to the weather - Gloucestershire Live

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CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Like many southern Californians, Pete Gustin loves to surf. The Carlsbad resident spends a lot of time in the water, and while he may look like most others out there, he doesn't see himself that way -- because he can't see much at all.

Gustin began surfing three years ago in an effort to soak up the southern California lifestyle, but the Massachusetts native admits learning was a lot harder than he expected.

"I'd been skateboarding my whole life. I used to sail and I felt like I was coordinated. I just wanted to hop onto a board and start riding waves," Gustin said. "I thought it would be that simple."

But unlike most beginners, Gustin had another challenge: learning to surf while being blind.

"I have a degenerative eyesight disease, which really means that my whole world has been getting smaller and smaller and smaller as it gets really bad. These days, my functional eyesight is only as far away as my hand," he said.

Gustin was born with macular degeneration, an incurable eye disease.

"That old question, do you want to know the day you die? I don't necessarily want to know the day that my eyesight is going to shut in or if it's going to shut in," Gustin said. "I just live every day; this is what it is today, might be a little worse tomorrow. I try not to think about it too much."

Instead, Gustin focuses on surfing, one of the few remaining activities his eyes can handle. "To be able to go out into the wide open ocean and harness the power of the waves, and get up on a board and continue to get better at a skill that I eventually hope to compete at has really changed my outlook on life and everything that I do," Gustin said.

In order to surf, Gustin typically wears a hat that narrows his point of view, allowing him to make out the difference between light and dark.

"Light is the sky, dark is the ocean, and I try and keep the field real tight so that when a wave comes there's more dark than light," he said.

He also gets verbal help from his coach and friend, Josh Servi. "The biggest thing is timing because surfing is a lot of timing," Servi said. "So just being in the right spot at the right time." Servi's help often comes in the form of encouraging Gustin to move in one direction or another. "So like, 'Hey, go paddle 10 feet to your left and start paddling for the wave,' or, 'Don't go right, there's somebody right there,'" Servi said.

Aside from his limited vision, Gustin said the hardest part about surfing isn't the waves, the water or the surfboard. It's learning how to surf with other people in the water.

"I might get in someone's way," he said. "It's not intentional, I'm not out there trying to be agro or intentionally get off my wave. I just literally didn't see you. That's why I started putting the shirt on that says 'blind surfer,' so that hopefully someone might notice."

But being blind doesn't define Gustin, a surfer who plans to keep riding waves however long that may be.

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Blind surfer finds passion in riding waves - fox5sandiego.com

There are a lot of households that use a mixture of fennel seed and almonds to fight early signs of eye problem. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock Images)

Increase in screen time has led to many people experiencing eye problems at an early age. Watery eyes, blurry vision and constant headaches are some of the symptoms. According to the World Health Organizations first report on vision, more than one billion people worldwide are living with vision impairment because they do not get the required care for conditions like short and farsightedness, glaucoma and cataract. The report found that ageing populations, changing lifestyles and limited access to eye care, particularly in low and middle-income countries, are among the main drivers of the rising numbers of people living with vision impairment.

The unmet need of distance vision impairment in low and middle-income regions is estimated to be four times higher than in high-income regions, read the report.

Symptoms that are indicative of eye problem include:

1. Blurry and unclear vision.2. Pain, swelling, itchiness in and around the eyes.3. Redness and inflammation.4. Seeing small spots and floaters.

Main reasons for these problems are:

1. High pollution levels leading to dirt accumulation in the eyes.2. Irritation caused by using too many cosmetic products on or around the eyes.3. Prolonged use of technology that leads to dry or excessively watery eyes.

Some foods items that might help your eyesight naturally:

* Consuming amla or Indian gooseberry, which is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, helps keep eye problems at bay. Vitamin C helps in promoting healthy capillaries and maintain appropriate functioning of retinal cells, which helps to improve the eyesight.

* Fish, particularly salmon, can be a great choice when it comes to eye health. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it can help in maintaining a healthy retina. They can also help prevent dry eyes.

* Egg yolks contain vitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc, which are all important for eye health.

* Like egg yolks, carrots have vitamin A and also beta-carotene which helps the surface of the eye and can also help prevent eye infections and other eye conditions like dry eyes.

* Oranges and other citrus fruit contain vitamin C, which is important for the health of the eye.

Many people also consume a simple mixture of fennel seeds and almonds to fight early signs of eye problem. Fennel or saunf consists of antioxidants and nutrients which help in slowing down the progression of cataract and promote healthy eyes. Fennel is also known as the herb of sight, whereas almonds are very rich in omega-3 fatty acid, antioxidant content and Vitamin E which are very useful for improving the vision. Almonds help in enhancing concentration and memory power.

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Vitamin-rich foods to keep eye problems at bay - The Indian Express

When Vince Hill took to the stage last month to sing his 1967 hit Edelweiss, his iconic voice was as smooth and unmistakable as ever.But few could have guessed that the legendary singer was struggling under the bright lights at his farewell show earlier this year at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, because of a degenerative eye condition which has been slowly robbing him of his vision.

Ive spent my life on stage but now I can only see the audience sometimes, he admits today.

Lights are a menace for me, shining brightly into my eyes. The audience were so wonderful, absolutely fantastic at least I could hear their appreciation.

But I need people to help me get on and off stage. I should have got an Oscar for getting down those steps. I love it when Im on stage but Ive been doing this for 60 years.

Ive lost that rush of excitement I used to get. It takes so much effort now to get around that I think, maybe its finally time to stop.

It would be a great loss to his devoted fans.

The singer had a string of Top 20 hits during the 1960s becoming record label Columbias most prolific recording artist, producing 14 albums of traditional melodies in nine years.

Edelweiss, from the musical The Sound Of Music, spent 17 weeks at No 2 in the British charts and became a platinum-seller.

A move into television followed, hosting popular BBC shows such as They Sold A Million and The Musical Time Machine.

He has performed regularly ever since.

But a routine eye test eight years ago revealed that Vince, now 85, was suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a debilitating and progressive condition which is the UKs leading cause of blindness.

It occurs when cells in the retina at the back of the eye gradually die off and devastatingly there is no cure.

I started to notice I was struggling to focus, and going a bit cross-eyed, Vince recalls. It was a slow, creeping thing in my right eye, which felt weak and misty.

Id reach out for a cup or glass and close my fingers around it only to realise it was miles away. That started to happen more regularly, and I was struggling to judge distances when driving.

Figures show as many as 1.2 million people in Britain may be suffering from AMD.

Most, like Vince, have the dry form but, when it becomes more advanced, it can turn into wet AMD when abnormal blood vessels leak into the eye.

This can be stabilised with injections, which can slow the progression of the disease.

Vince accepts that he has, to an extent, been lucky. He can still see the faces of his grandchildren now aged 21 and nine if they are close enough.

I still have some vision, although its patchy. Its like looking through a real pea-souper. I cant read and the words swim around the page, he says.

Ill often throw things across the room in frustration. I cant recognise faces and Ive had to give up driving. I cant go out on my own any more as Im a danger to myself and other people.

The one positive thing is that it doesnt affect the rest of my body. I can walk, stand up, all of that.

His eyesight has deteriorated to such an extent that, just five months ago, he was officially registered as partially sighted.

Vince wears glasses with an opaque lens on his worst-seeing right eye to force the left eye to do all the work.

But even the sight in his best eye is like dark, shadowy blobs.

I find it all so aggravating, he sighs. Ill take them off for a break and a glass of wine and end up putting them back on again. If theyre off I see two of everything.

The doctors have said there is nothing they can do, but I dont buy that. I dont want to give up just yet.

The loss of his sight comes on top of several years of heartache for the singer.

His only son, Athol, died suddenly aged 42 of an accidental overdose in 2014, and his beloved wife Annie, whom he married in 1959, died following a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis three years later.

It slowly destroyed Annie, which was hard to watch. Its been three years now, and I still cant believe it.

After Athol died I actually did feel like packing it all in. Then you think, I cant go on like that.

So I got myself back on to the stage. But Im at a point now where it takes a lot of effort to get up there and do it.

Vince has sought support from charity the Macular Society, which has provided telephone counselling.

It has been really helpful just to talk about it, he says.

Cathy Yelf, the chief executive of the Macular Society, said: We must fund much more research until a cure or treatment is found which can stop it in its tracks, so no one else like Vince has to live with this terrible disease.

Its hardly surprising that Vince is reluctant to slow down given the decades he has spent in the spotlight.

He performed with Cilla Black and Tony Christie at venues like the Royal Albert Hall, London Palladium and Sydney Opera House.

But it was featuring on This Is Your Life in 1976 with Eamonn Andrews which remains a highlight. He nearly didnt make it.

Annie told me I was going to sing some songs at an old folks home in the East End, he recalls.

Id been doing some digging that day in my vegetable plot and Annie came out and said, I think you should get a decent jacket on the cars comingany minute.

So I grudgingly got changed. As I was sitting down with a cup of tea, I felt this hand on my shoulder and it was Eamonn. I was so knocked out by it. It was a great moment.

One famous fan was reportedly Princess Margaret.

I always found her very nice and very charming, Vince says. But one evening in the 1970s, he was performing at the Theatre Royal in Windsor, with the Princess in the audience, when there was a blackout.

We decided to do the soliloquy from Carousel, as that just involved me and a piano. Its quite long and dramatic, but it was wonderful in the dark.

We all lined up to meet Princess Margaret afterwards and I expected her to say, you know, Well done, considering the circumstances. Actually, she said, What a long song, wasnt it?

I never forgot that moment.

His only regret is never singing with his idol Tony Bennett.

Todays musicians dont hold as much appeal, although he admits to quite liking British singer George Ezra.

His career isnt over yet. Warner Music is releasing a greatest hits album, Legacy, as a digital download to commemorate his 85th birthday year.

And next month, Vince will appear for one night only as Baron Hardup in Cinderella at the Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon.

Reading the script has been a challenge, but he says proudly hes the only one whos so far learned their lines.

Theyve decided theyre going to put me in a wheelchair, which will be part of the comedy. Its a bit naughty, but it should be fun. After that, who knows? I think Ive had enough.

For his audiences, at least, Vince will always be a sight for sore eyes.

Contact the Macular Society on 0300 3030 111, or macularsociety.org. Legacy is available on CD from vincehill.co.uk, price 5.99. A download comes out later this month.

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Vince Hill: After losing my wife and son, blindness will cost me my career - Express

GAHANNA, Ohio Theres an old phrase that goes: "What you see is what you get."

In some instances, that phrase holds true. But, at the Locker Soccer Academy of Gahanna, theres a team of people who believe what you see is not at all what you get.

With any sport, we say that its more than a sport, said Katie Atkinson, a coach for the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. She is the head coach and creator of Ohios first and only blind soccer team.

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Vision-wise, they are all legally blind, but when it comes to sports, there's actually different classifications, Atkinson said.

Some of the players have varied light perception and can see certain shapes or shadows. So, the players use eye shades which helps cancel out any independent sight the players may have.

Its a 5v5 game, Atkinson said. So, four individuals with visual impairments on the field and then one sighted goalie.

The players use a ball with bells in it and there are guides on the field who use clapping and verbal cues to help the players aim and shoot.

It's very challenging, said Rylie Robinson, a player on the team. You have to run around everywhere and be very orientated to everybody else. And, there's a lot of communication.

Robinson was born with Lebers Congenital Amaurosis.

I am totally blind with a little bit of light perception, Robinson said. Im a very team-based player. So, I really like being on a team and having to communicate with other people.

Noah Beckman is also on the team. He says hes been playing sports most of his life.

My vision has gotten worse over the years. So, I used to be able to see a little bit better, Beckman said. I played soccer in elementary school and in middle school for a little while. I just go out there, and I just wing it and hope for the best.

Beckman says the game not only promotes athleticism for people with visual impairments, but also serves as a community builder.

It helps inclusion, said Beckman. It makes it that its a sport that blind and sighted people can play together. It's yet another activity that encourages team collaboration.

Erica Cooper, also on the team, was 24 years old when she lost her sight.

I lost my vision due to diabetes, Cooper said. At first, it was kind of hard for me to deal with it.

Cooper says she now uses athletics to keep her active. Many times, she takes her 8-year-old daughter with her to practice to help guide and cheer her along.

I help her walk around. I walk her places, said Phinelope Austin. I do that because I know that she can't see, so I decided to help.

Little Phinelopes guidance comes in the simplest forms: a hand touch or just a few words.

Step up, or step down turn left and turn right, Phinelope demonstrated.

Ohio Blind Soccer team is about so much more than just playing sports. Its about building community and giving people with visual impairments a sense of independence.

I'm happy that she knows that she can do things, instead of just give up and sit on the couch, Phinelope said about her mommy.

If you or someone you know would like to participate in blind soccer, click here for more information.

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Ohio league giving those with visual impairments a chance to play soccer - 10TV

Second Sight Medical Products (NASDAQ:EYES) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, Zacks.com reports. The brokerage presently has a $1.00 price target on the medical device companys stock. Zacks Investment Researchs price target would suggest a potential upside of 20.48% from the companys previous close.

According to Zacks, Second Sight Medical Products, Inc. is a medical device company. It develops, manufactures, and markets implantable prosthetic devices to restore some functional vision to blind patients. The Company provides Argus II system, an implantable neurostimulation device for the treatment of outer retinal degenerations, such as retinitis pigmentosa. Second Sight Medical Products, Inc. is headquartered in Sylmar, California.

Separately, ValuEngine downgraded shares of Second Sight Medical Products from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th.

Shares of EYES stock traded down $0.03 on Wednesday, hitting $0.83. 40 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 204,239. The firm has a market cap of $104.32 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.60 and a beta of 2.27. Second Sight Medical Products has a 52 week low of $0.63 and a 52 week high of $1.21. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $0.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 2.83 and a quick ratio of 2.66.

Second Sight Medical Products (NASDAQ:EYES) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 14th. The medical device company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter, meeting the Thomson Reuters consensus estimate of ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $0.47 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $0.94 million. Second Sight Medical Products had a negative net margin of 743.86% and a negative return on equity of 201.34%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Second Sight Medical Products will post -0.29 EPS for the current year.

About Second Sight Medical Products

Second Sight Medical Products, Inc develops, manufactures, and markets implantable visual prosthetics that are intended to deliver artificial vision to blind individuals. It develops technologies to treat the population of sight-impaired individuals. The company offers the Orion Visual Cortical Prosthesis System, an implanted cortical stimulation device, which is intended to provide useful artificial vision to individuals who are blind due to various causes, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic nerve injury or disease, and eye injury.

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Second Sight Medical Products (NASDAQ:EYES) Stock Rating Upgraded by Zacks Investment Research - Riverton Roll

First-of-its-kind contact lens delivers superior visual performance with seamless adaptation to light day and nightThe UK is the first market in EMEA to make the contact lens widely available amidst findings that 70% of Britons eyes are bothered by light

Johnson & Johnson Vision today announced the national availability of ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology in the UK. The first-of-its-kind1 photochromic contact lens offers superior visual performance indoor and outdoor, day and night.

Named one of TIME magazines best inventions, ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions combines the proven comfort and vision performance of ACUVUE OASYS, with the ability to reduce the stressful impact that light can have on your eyes. The lens also reduces halos and starbursts around bright lights at night, delivering more effortless sight with less squinting.

A recent survey commissioned by Johnson & Johnson Vision found 70% of Britons eyes are bothered by light, which can result in feelings of eye tiredness, distraction and discomfort. The survey revealed driving is the most common situation causing Brits to be bothered by light (56%), followed by the change of moving from dark to light environments, such as leaving a cinema or shopping centre (51%).

The awareness of the impact of light on eye health is also growing, with half of UK respondents (52%) indicating they are concerned about the impact of light on their eyes.

In response, 94% of UK adults who are bothered by light are turning to solutions to cope and protect their eyes, by shading their eyes (74%), squinting (71%) and turning down screen brightness (47%).

Speaking about the new product, Jakob Sveen, Director Northern European Cluster and General Manager UK & Ireland, Johnson & Johnson Vision said: We are excited to bring ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology to the UK. In Europe, 64% of those who stop wearing reusable contact lenses do so because of performance and comfort issues. Consumers are demanding more from their contact lenses beyond improved sight alone which is what makes this contact lens so great.

We believe this technology will be a game changer for the health and eye care industries, giving contact lens wearers superior visual performance over any other contact lens on the market.

The creation of the ground-breaking lens follows more than a decade of work by Johnson & Johnson Vision in partnership with Transitions Optical Limited, the leading provider of photochromic (smart adaptive) eyeglass lenses worldwide. The two organisations are working together to research and deliver best-in-class vision care innovations.

Johnson & Johnson Vision is collaborating with UK influencers and athletes, such as marathon runner Matt Rees, to share how light affects their eyes and visual performance every day, and the benefits that ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions can bring to a range of situations, whether it is commuting in and out of the office, attending an event, playing sports or driving at night.

ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions is a two-week reusable contact lens. It is now commercially available at select retailers in the UK and is being rolled-out to other markets in EMEA. Anyone interested in the lens should speak with an eye care practitioner for a prescription. For more information or to find an eye care professional near you, visit https://www.acuvue.co.uk. Follow the conversation on Instagram and Facebook.

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First-of-its-kind contact lenses released giving superior visual performance - The Scarborough News

Since the inception of combat, darkness has limited the ability of soldiers to operate and complete missions, but with modern optics technologies, troops and vehicles can see further, and in more detail, than ever before.

At DSEI in September, Qioptiq showcased a suite of vision enhancing technologies, from dismounted soldier sights and heads up displays for fighter aircraft to long-range surveillance tools deployed on armoured fighting vehicles and supporting equipment.

The companys sights and cameras use a combination of cooled and uncooled thermal imagers and image intensifiers which are either used exclusively or in what is referred to as blended systems.

To see at night, several methods have been developed, Qioptiq explains. You can illuminate the scene you wish to observe; you can use intensification of the visible light reflected by the scene; and you can use thermal imaging or a combination of these.

While most night-vision systems use image intensifiers, thermal imagers work in complete darkness using heat, rather than available light to find and locate targets. In these systems a lens detects infrared energy emitted by the target, which is then converted into a picture, usually using blue to red colours to indicate hot and cold areas. The ability of these systems to work in no-light is essential, allowing users to find and locate targets in total darkness, but with the drawback of lower fidelity.

Image intensifiers, on the other hand, do just that, intensifying the light received by the sensor and cleaning up the picture to reveal more details than what would normally be seen by the human eye. The picture is reconstituted using colours from green to black, as the human eye is more sensitive to green than other colours. One drawback is that this is a low-light system and needs some reflected light to function, as the company explains.

Blended scopes require more power but offer the best of both worlds, giving users an intensified view of their surroundings which can be overlaid with an in-picture thermal view for greater fidelity and situational awareness. Qioptiq says it developed these systems to overcome the shortfalls of both systems and to maximise the advantages of each system.

Our systems are used wherever dismounted users, law enforcement professionals or security services require an enhanced detect, recognise, identify, and engagement capability, 24 hours a day, in poor visibility, in total darkness or through battlefield and natural obscurants, the company says.

The companys mounted sights are in use across NATO and other countries. Image: Qioptiq

Qioptiqs range of soldier based optics varies in scale, from uncooled in-line sights to long-range cooled optics capable of supporting marksman missions using a blend of image intensifiers and in-picture thermal optics. These tools allow operators to seamlessly transition and continue operations from day to night.

The optics focus in the close range below 5km. They are far less powerful than their mounted equivalents but vital nonetheless for ground forces intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

At the top end of the range is the Dragon-S, an uncooled thermal imager capable of detecting a human-sized target at around 3km distance. Qioptiqs UK sales and marketing manager David Lever explained the inner workings of the scope including a hot-swappable battery system allowing an operator to constantly keep eyes on their targets. The in-line sight is billed by Qioptiq as providing snipers with 24 hour surveillance and target capability, all powered by four AA batteries.

On the lower end of the scale sits the companys Kite image intensified weapons scope, which is available as a stand-alone scope or an inline optic to maintain accuracy during the day. The mounted sight is already in use across NATO and other countries, and in peak conditions allows users to detect a person at up to 2.5km distance. The Maxkite-1 version, meanwhile, is capable of detecting targets at up to 4.5km.

Other soldier systems include helmet-mounted night-vision binoculars and handheld surveillance tools designed to give a marksmans spotter the same capabilities as they have on their scope. The Phoenix-H handheld thermal imaging unit has a detection range of about 11km for a vehicle and 6km for a human target.

This system can also connect to the companys Phoenix sight allowing the transfer of marked targets from the handheld spotting unit to the marksman site directly.

The Phoenix-H handheld thermal imaging unit has a detection range of about 11km for a vehicle and 6km for a human target. Image: Qioptiq

Qioptiq also produces a range mounted night-vision systems which are deployed, for example, on the UKs AJAX platform of vehicles and US LAV.

The companys mounted offerings have a significantly wider detection range of well over 10km and are designed for a range of uses. One of them is the PanthIR uncooled continuous zoom camera that Qioptiq touts as suitable for everything from border surveillance to remote weapons stations and anti-drone uses.

Another mounted system is the CheetIR-L which can spot a vehicle at just shy of 40km away and is built for long-range ISR, targeting and naval use, where engagements can be at great distances.

A special focus of both of these optics is a focus on detecting small UAS, which have recently emerged as a new threat to infrastructure and vehicles. Small UAS are hard to spot at the best of times and at night this becomes even more challenging.

Qioptiqs offering also includes heads up display systems for pilots, which are deployed in a range of aircraft including the Eurofighter Typhoon, the F-22 Raptor and the C-130J Hercules. The company also supplies some of the technology embedded in the $400,000 helmets of F-35 pilots, making a vital contribution to the workings of the worlds most advanced helmet, worn by those who fly the worlds most advanced fighter jet.

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Qioptiq and the art of seeing - Army Technology

TUCSON, AZ A week after the University of Arizona in Tucson announced its withdrawal of recognition of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity on hazing charges, the U of A announced Wednesday its revocation of recognition of its Theta Chi fraternity, too, also on hazing charges.

While the specifics of the Alpha Epsilon Pi hazing case remain undisclosed by the university, Theta Chi's loss of recognition follows its Sept. 4 interim loss of recognition stemming from an alleged April 12 hazing incident that resulted in a $1 million lawsuit against the university.

The withdrawal of recognition of Theta Chi was explained in a Nov. 8 letter from U of A assistant dean of student accountability Rosanna Curti to the university's Theta Chi president, whose name is redacted in the letter provided to Patch Media. The letter references the notice of claim the U of A received from a new (and former) fraternity member regarding the alleged April 12 hazing circumstances.

What The Former Theta Chi New Member Alleges

The former Theta Chi member's amended notice of claim pertaining to the incident was published by KOLD near the end of October. The claimant's letter says that when he got to the Theta Chi house on April 12, three active fraternity members and the chapter's social chair took away the initiates' cell phones and ordered them to lie on the ground face down. An active member then picked up and slammed down the bodies and heads of some of the pledges, the letter states. Next, the pledges were forced to recite Theta Chi's creed while being choked by an active fraternity member, according to the letter.

The pledges were then reportedly asked to identify the chapter members' hometowns. The claimant said he gave the wrong answer and was shouted at in an effort to force him to drink a shot glass of hot sauce, which he hesitantly did. Then the claimant was asked the same question and said he couldn't remember. This time, the claimant said, a fraternity member filled a shot glass with an even hotter El Yucateco Habanero Sauce and flung it at the claimant's face from only a few inches away, and it got into the claimant's eyes.

The pledge's eyes were so intensely burning, the notice of claim says, that he couldn't stop screaming or stand up for a few seconds. He then went to the bathroom and washed his eyes for 15 minutes, then heard someone yell that he must get out of the bathroom in two minutes.

The lawyer's account continues by saying that the pledge's eyes were nearly closed shut from the persistent burning when he went back into a dark room. He was then ordered to do pushups alongside the other initiates. But when he got on the floor, he said, he felt scattered, broken glass shards. The active members commanded that the pledges continue to exercise while the members dumped odorous garbage near and underneath them, the account states. Active fraternity members didn't allow the initiates to return to their homes until about 5 a.m. the next day.

The claimant said he awoke to pus coming from his right eye and sharp pain, then went to an urgent care that morning. The doctor said that the claimant's right eye's selera, conjunctiva and lid were infected and had developed chemical conjunctivitis. He was given eyedrops.

On April 15, the claimant woke up screaming in the middle of the night, the attorney's notice said, with the claimant's right eye sealed with pus and swollen, and it couldn't be opened. This time, he went to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, where he was given morphine for extreme pain. He was also diagnosed with a blood infection resulting from cuts on his elbows and palms from the incident. He was given antibiotics.

Two days later, the claimant went to Hodges Eye Care and Surgical Center in Tucson. The vision in his right eye wasn't getting any better, and the optometrist said the claimant's right eye had swelling and dilated blood vessels of its conjunctiva. The right eye was also diagnosed with superficial punctate keratitis, which, according to merckmanuals.com, is "an eye disorder caused by death of small groups of cells on the surface of the cornea The eyes become red, watery, and sensitive to light, and vision may decrease somewhat." The claimant's right eye was also now deemed infected, and its cornea had a 100 percent epithelial defect, according to a doctor.

In mid-May, the claimant was still having eye symptoms, and his eyesight was measured at 20/150. A referred doctor said the claimant had an acid chemical burn. The claimant then underwent an amniotic membrane placement procedure in the right eye and had numerous follow-up appointments, the attorney said.

His attorney's claim letter states, "It is difficult to measure the damage that UA has done in failing to protect [claimant] from hazing. UA was or had reason to be aware of how vulnerable students are to physical, mental, and emotional harm in connection with hazing activity. UA failed to provide adequate supervision of the pledging process and failed to be properly vigilant in seeing that supervision was sufficient to ensure the safety of students."

The notice of claim also says the claimant's eyesight is still blurred and that it isn't known if the damage is permanent. Additionally, a corneal scar tissue removal procedure was recommended.

What's In the U Of A's Letter To Theta Chi's President?

Curti's Nov. 8 letter to Theta Chi's president states she has finished her investigation of the hazing allegations pertaining to the April 12 incident as described in a notice of claim from the pledge's lawyer. Curti also refers to an Oct. 10 administrative hearing and reiterates what her letter's redacted addressee, as Theta Chi's president, said at the hearing:

Curti also reiterates that when she inquired about the claimant, the president said the claimant shared some information with him in early May pertaining to the April 12 incident, including that the claimant said hot sauce got on his face and he had rubbed it into his own eye unintentionally. The president also said the claimant told him he had to get his eye examined at the hospital after the incident. The president also reported that the claimant downplayed his eye injury's significance and continued to pay dues and was actively participating in Theta Chi.

The fraternity's president additionally said at the October hearing that a Theta Chi judicial board meeting was scheduled in May 2019 but that no action resulted from it. Curti said in her letter to him, "This was, what you described as a point of desperation due to one of the responsible members being the social chair."

The April 12 alleged hazing incident wasn't reported to the university's Dean of Students by the fraternity president right away, Curti wrote, because he didn't think it was "that big of a deal." However, the president did work with the fraternity's parent organization in August once the fraternity learned more details.

Curti says that her investigation included talking with other new members present at the April 12 incident and with fraternity members who were said to have organized the event. Those there that night told Curti that new members had to repeat the Theta Chi creed many times, and that the claimant didn't accurately state the creed. This resulted in hot sauce in a Dixie cup being thrown at a nearby wall and splashing on the claimant's face close to his eye. Those in attendance then said the same thing the president did that the claimant rubbed it into his own eye.

The letter from Curti then states:

"In making a determination in this matter, I considered all of the relevant information gathered by the Dean of Students Office, including:

The fraternity was deemed, therefore, to have violated various hazing codes of conduct, Curti reported. The U of A's revocation of recognition of Theta Chi is in effect through May 31, 2025. That means the organization can't take part in university-sponsored events and no longer has access to U of A's resources and facilities.

This isn't the first time the U of A has withdrawn recognition of its Theta Chi fraternity on hazing allegations, however: It was also shut down in May 2015, the Arizona Daily Independent reported.

However, it might not be the end of the road for Theta Chi just yet. Curti's letter ends with a ray of hope for Theta Chi fraternity members:

"Should Theta Chi present a viable plan to return to recolonize at the UA, a request can be made to the Dean of Students Office and Fraternity and Sorority Programs (FSP). Any mitigating or aggravating factors present from the date of this notice to the time of the request to recolonize will be considered. Theta Chi must be in good standing with FSP including payment of any outstanding fees.

"Theta Chi may appeal the sanction of loss of recognition to the University Hearing Board by filing a written request for appeal with the Dean of Students Office."

But Curti also concludes with a warning to the Theta Chi president:

"I also emphasize the importance of not taking any action that might be construed as retaliatory. The University prohibits retaliation of any kind against anyone who has made a discrimination claim or cooperated in a resulting investigation."

Meanwhile, the U of A continues to assert its claim of enforcing a "zero-zolerance hazing policy."

The university's Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kendal Washington White expressed her approval of the revocation of Theta Chi's recognition. "I am pleased that the Theta Chi Fraternity's board of directors and national leaders recognized the need to revoke the charter of the Arizona chapter," she said. "Greek-letter organizations provide brotherhood, scholarship, leadership, philanthropy and community service; however, it is imperative that we ensure the health and safety of our students. Unfortunately, the actions of a few mean a lost opportunity for the other young men who sought a brotherhood."

To thwart hazing and bring it into the light, the U of A offers a hazing reporting hotline and a Greek organization listing, showing students and parents which sororities and fraternities are being investigated or are under sanction. The list is updated every semester.

Originally posted here:
U Of A Withdraws Recognition Of Second Fraternity: Theta Chi - Patch.com

Eyes are very vital organs because they enable us to see. Damage associated with eyes can lead to total or partial blindness.

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Many people are not aware of these habits that tend to damage the eyes. They include;

1. Staring on your smartphone or computer

The tiny texts in your computer or smartphone subject you to straining in order to read. The longer you strain the the bigger the damage to your eyes. It causes blurred vision and dizziness.

It is advisable to put away your phone after every 20 minutes and also enlarge the font on your phone to avoid straining.

2. Smoking

Everyone is aware that smoking causes heart and lung problems but miss out on the eyes. Smoking affects eye tissues since they cause macular degeneration. A smoker also risks getting other eye conditions such as cataracts, vision loss and uveitis.

3. Failure to protect your eyes when swimming

This is common among many people. Swimming without goggles expose your eyes to water containing chlorine and other salts. This will cause eye irritation.

4. Having a poor diet

Just like other organs, eyes require food enriched with nutrients for its well being. Vitamin A, C, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc are good for your eyes and they are found in leafy green vegetables and fruits. Water is also essential as it prevents your eyes from dehydration and it is also a raw material for tear production.

Thank you for reading my article! You have contributed to my success as a writer. The articles you choose to read on Hivisasa help shape the content we offer.-Ramadhan nassir

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Daily habits that damage your eyesight - Hivisasa

SHOPPERS in Cwmbran will have the chance tomorrow to view the world through the eyes of a driver with impaired vision, as part of an innovative Road Safety Week project.

The aim is to raise awareness of the dangers of driving with impaired vision, and the town's Specsavers store will host a virtual reality (VR) simulation to replicate what it is like to look through the eyes of someone with glaucoma.

Participants will be asked to navigate their way as if driving along a road, while avoiding potential hazards.

The simulation is touring across the UK and will also appear in London, Lakeside in Essex, and Manchester, to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye tests, not only to ensure good eye health but good vision on the roads.

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The event in Cwmbran takes place tomorrow, Friday November 22, with customers and passers-by able to stop and take part.

Mark Edwards, store director at Specsavers Cwmbran, said: "We all know how important it is to stay as safe as possible on the roads, for both drivers and pedestrians, but for so many people they are not ensuring they can see clearly to spot potential hazards.

"This simulation is so important to highlight how vital our sight is to staying safe on the streets, and we think many will be shocked to learn that there are some people with this level of vision who are out on the roads.

"That is why we are encouraging everyone in Cwmbran to have regular eye checks so they can avoid these dangers and ensure their vision is in the right condition to get behind the wheel."

Specsavers has worked with the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) to create the look of the VR experience.

IGA chief executive Karen Osborn said: "The VR simulation shows what it is like to look through the eyes of someone with quite a severe level of glaucoma - one of the largest causes of blindness in the world.

"Often the condition develops slowly over several years and as it effects the peripheral vision first, many do not even realise they have it.

"However, the effects can be devastating, not only to your own health but if you were to get behind the wheel without adequate vision, then for others too."

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What are the dangers of driving with impaired vision? Find out for yourself at a virtual reality event in Cwmbran tomorrow - South Wales Argus

There is no limit to learning and when one has the vigour to give it a shot, age becomes just a number. 105-year-old Bhageerathi Amma from Kerala has set a new milestone by appearing for the fourth standard examination. She appeared for Malayalam, Mathematics and Environmental examinations at her own residency.

Since she faced difficulty in writing, she had to take one day for each exam. She was accompanied by her 67-year-old daughter to ensure that she takes her examination without any hassle.

Bhageerathi Amma gave up her formal education at the age of 9 after her mothers demise. Despite her zeal, she couldnt continue her education as she had to take care of her siblings. She lost her husband in her mid-thirties and took care of her 6 children without any help. This left her with no chance to go back to her formal education again.

Now Bhageerathi Amma is the oldest equivalency learner in Kerala State Literacy Mission. Missions Resource person, Vasanth Kumar told the media that Bhageerathi Amma was very excited and happy to take her examination. Even after crossing 100 years, her eye-sight and memory are still sharp.

Bhageerathi Amma gave birth to 6 children and one of them is no more. She has 15 grandchildren out of whom 3 have passed away and has 12 great-grandchildren. She is looking forward to the government authorities taking a step to get her widow or old age pension. She was deprived of a pension facility as she did not have an aadhar card.

Bhageerathi Amma is also giving a strong competition to 96-year-old Kathiyayani Amma who scored 98 out of 100 in Malayalam. She was the oldest person to take the examination under Aksharalaksham, a flagship programme of the state-run Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority launched to eliminate illiteracy.

These women are breaking all the stereotypes and setting a perfect example to the younger generations that it is never too late to live life on ones own terms.

Also Read:Kerala: At 96, Karthyayani Amma Aces Literacy Test By Scoring 98%

Original post:
Kerala: 105-Year-Old Bhageerathi Amma Gives Her Class 4 Exam, Proves That Dreams Are Ageless - The Logical Indian

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Excerpt from:
Trying to Get the Right Supplemental Vision Insurance Plan? Consider These Helpful Tips! | PVP - PVP Live