Modern Solution Newsletter Articles
The following articles were written for Invision, a monthly newsletter for Modern Solution, which specializes in marketing for ophthalmology practices.
“If you read in dim light, you’ll ruin your eyes”. –Mom
As a public service, Anderson Ophthalmology would like to keep you informed about good eye health. So what about the above warning from your favorite font of wisdom? Sorry, Mom, it’s probably not true. There’s little evidence that reading in low light causes permanent damage to the eyes, but it can, however, cause eye strain.
When you read, your iris, as well as the muscles that control the shape of your lens, must contract to keep the focused image on the retina. When the light is low, your visual muscles get mixed signals. They have to relax to collect the most light, but at the same time, they have to contract to maintain the focused image. When the light is poor, that’s hard work and your eye muscles can be strained, resulting in sore eyeballs, headaches, and blurred vision. Hey, nobody wants that!
Most doctors will simply tell avid readers to focus on something far away every 15 minutes or so. This will help prevent eye strain. On the other hand, there are a few docs who point to evidence that prolonged eye strain can possibly lead to nearsightedness. So it may be Mom was right after all. (You have to admit, she was on the money with that “eat your vegetables” line). No matter who you listen to, sharp, clear eyesight is precious to those who have it. If you have friends or family members who might benefit from LASIK, be sure to give them a referral card. You should always give advice to those you love. Right, Mom?
Should I worry about a terrorist attack?
The quick answer is “no.” Worrying yourself to the point of losing sleep is never healthy. The truth is, terrorism is a real threat, but only a remote one. According to Michael Borne Jenkins, senior advisor on terror and homeland security for the RAND Corporation, it’s important to distinguish between threats to our national security and danger to individual citizens. The threat to you as an individual is very low.
Consider this: each year the average American has about a one in 7,000 chance of dying in a motor vehicle accident, and a one in 18,000 chance of being murdered, most likely by a relative or friend. Compare that to about a one in 600,000 chance of dying at the hands of terrorists. So are you going to permanently park your car or avoid the family picnic? Of course not. Accordingly, you certainly shouldn’t obsess about terrorism.
Remember that terrorism is calculated to create an atmosphere of fear and alarm, so the last thing you want to do is play into the hands of those whose main purpose is to cause worry. Better to use your brainpower trying to get your myopic sister Jean to consider LASIK. But don’t stew over that either. Just hand her a LASIK referral card and let nature take its course. Life is too short to worry—or to live with anything less than clear, unaided vision.
What do I say if I burp?
Does anybody care about manners anymore? When you sit down with a group of kids (or a lot of other demographic groups, for that matter) one tends to wonder. So, here, according to the Family Education website, are a few rules to offer kids—of all ages.
What do I say if I burp? Say “Excuse me” to no one in particular and go on eating. Don’t make a big deal out of it.
What do I do if somebody at the table is a sloppy eater? This is tricky. With a good friend, you can take the offender aside and tactfully point out the error in his ways. Never, however, tell a stranger. Just try to finish your meal without gagging.
What about finger foods? Use common sense. With things like ribs and tacos and corn on the cob, fingers are fine. For most foods, use cutlery. When traveling, do as the Romans do.
Should I help clean up? Offer. Whether you are at a dinner party or a picnic, the offer is the important thing. Sometimes the host will not want you to help. If so, don’t insist.
What if I don’t like what is being served? If eating at someone else’s house, don’t reject food outright. Eat a little of everything that is serviced. If you don’t like a certain food, eat some and move the rest around on your plate as if you were eating it. This skill will serve you well through the years.
What if I can’t finish my food? When you’re a guest at someone’s home, never take more than you know you can eat and always leave plenty for the others. If someone is serving you, you can always say, “Just a little, please.”
Should I bring a gift when I’m invited to dinner? Yes, but something simple and small. Plants are nice because they remind people of the giver as they grow. Lovely paper napkins, small books, candy and fine nuts are also good ideas.
Should I refer a friend for LASIK? Recommending LASIK is always in good taste. Hand out your Referral Cards and bring the joy of clear, unaided vision to someone you care about. Who knows, it might get you a future dinner invitation—if you’re not a sloppy eater.