Cataracts Diagnosed

How are cataracts diagnosed?
During a comprehensive, dilated eye exam, your Eye M.D. uses several tests to check for cataracts:

• Slit-lamp: This device uses an intense line of light to illuminate the eye’s cornea, iris, lens and the space between the iris and cornea. The doctor is able to examine the eye in small sections, making it easier to detect abnormalities.
• Retinal exam: When your eye is dilated, the pupils are wide open so the doctor can more clearly see the back of the eye. Using the slit lamp and/ or an instrument called an ophthalmoscope, the doctor looks for signs of cataract and if present, the extent of the clouding. Your Eye M.D. will also look for signs of glaucoma and other potential problems with the retina and optic nerve.
• Refraction and visual acuity test: This refers to the sharpness and clarity of your vision. Each eye is tested individually for the ability to see letters of progressively smaller size. The doctor determines whether you have 20/20 or less acute vision with the best possible glasses during the refraction.

Once I know I have cataracts, what should I do?

• Have an eye exam every year if you’re older than 65, or every two years if younger.
• Protect your eyes from UV light by wearing 100 percent UV blocking sunglasses and a hat.
• If you smoke, quit; smoking can increase cataract progression.
• Use brighter lights for reading and other activities; a magnifying glass may be useful, too.
• Limit night driving once night vision, haloes or glare become problems.
• Take care of any other health problems, especially diabetes.
• Get the right eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision; when it becomes too difficult to complete your regular activities, consider cataract surgery.

Do not use eye drops or other treatments that claim to dissolve or remove cataracts. There is no proven way to dissolve cataracts with eye drops. Surgery is the only way to remove cataracts.

Something a coffee snob can love

My dad is kind of a coffee snob so when I remembered that his birthday was soon, I wanted to get him something that would go along with his obsession. But so many people do that already that he has every kind of expensive coffee maker known to man, has tried every kind of gourmet imported fair trade coffee and has enough coffee mugs to build the great wall of China. So my options were limited.

Then I got the great idea to get him something that would complement his coffee. Or better yet I would make him something. I remembered his love for biscotti and started looking up some recipes to make it online with hughesnet. I found lots of varieties and finally narrowed it down to one that I thought he would like.

I have a lot of experience cooking and baking so it wasn’t a hard task for me to do. I wrapped it up in a nice little basket and he loved my biscotti! He said that no one had ever made it for him before, but now I just have to step it up for his next present again.