Have a Safe and Happy July 4th Celebration

 

This may seem like a lot of rules and regulations for going to have fun, but having fun safely is how you keep from turning these fun activities into a nightmare. 

FIREWORKS SAFETY

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Many states have outlawed most fireworks. Leave any area at once where untrained amateurs are using fireworks. Always assign a responsible sober adult to supervise activities. Fireworks cause over 19,000 fires every year. Take the proper precautions when using fireworks. 

If you are setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:

1. Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
2. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
3. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
4. Light only one firework at a time and never try to relight "a dud."
5. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
6. Never disassemble or try to make your own fireworks.
7. Don't point sparklers, or fireworks at yourself or others, especially when lighting them.

PICNIC & FOOD SAFETY

July is one of the peak months for grilling fires. Enjoy grilling your favorite meals this summer while also keeping your family safe.

1. Wash your hands before preparing the food.
2. Don't leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler packed with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.
3. If you are going to cook on the grill, never grill indoors. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
4. Always supervise the grill when in use. Don't add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
5. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill. Check gas grill hoses for cracks, holes, and leaks. Gas leaks, blocked tubes, and propane tanks can cause grill fires and explosions.

BEACH AND WATER SAFETY

As July is one of the hottest months, many families turn to water activities to beat the heat. However, even fun water activities have serious risks if you don't take the proper precautions.

1. Watch the weather and get out of the water at the first sign of lightning or the rumble of thunder. Stay indoors and away from water for 30 minutes after the last lightning flashes or thunder roars.
2. Swim only at a beach with a lifeguard, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards and ask them about local conditions.
3. Always designate a "water watcher" whose sole responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
4. Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
5. Protect your neck – don't dive in headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters. Watch out for and avoid aquatic life.
6. If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and don't fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Then, turn and swim to shore. If you can't swim to shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore. Draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help.
7. If a child is missing near a pool or body of water, ALWAYS check the water first

OUTDOOR SAFETY

1. Stay hydrated with lots of water
2. Apply and reapply bug spray and sunscreen (with proper SPF)
3. Prepare for the weather and avoid being outdoors during high heat indexes or storms.
4. Wear other protective apparel for the activity, such as bicycle helmets, hats, sunglasses, footwear, safety vests, life vests, etc.
5. Always wear life vests when boating and jet skiing
6. Use caution around bonfires, fire pits, or sparklers.
7. Check outdoor toys, seats, and equipment for snakes and other critters hiding in the heat.
8. Test the temperature of playground equipment before children play
9. .Check for bees and wasps (and nests) in playground equipment, especially if a child has a known allergy

PET SAFETY

The safest place for your pets is at home where it's familiar, quiet, and comfortable. You should also be on the lookout in the days leading up to Independence Day since many people shoot off fireworks a few days before and after July 4th.

1. Ensure your pet's microchip and ID tags have the correct information. If your pet isn't microchipped, now is the time to do it! IDs are added to insurance and can help you find your pet if a neighbor grabs them. Microchipping can help you if your pet escapes and is dropped off at a vet or shelter.
2. Fill your pets' prescriptions before July.
3. Tire out your animals, either with exercise or play. 
4. Watch out for signs of heat stroke during the day. And always make sure your pet has a shaded area to escape the sun.
5. If you know you will be away from home during the 4th of July, consider hiring a pet sitter or getting a friend to watch your pet.

 

Keeping these tips in mind and using a little common sense during your celebrations will keep you, your kids, and your pets healthy and happy.

#visionsourcesouthhills

#DrClaudiaWendel

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist 

#HappyJuly4Th

Sources:

www.redcross.org

www.lifeguardambulance.com

www.adt.com/

Happy National Sunglasses Day

 

Happy #NationalSunglassesDay

Protect your eyes and elevate your style with your favorite pair of shades. Whether you're lounging at the beach, driving in the car, or just enjoying the great outdoors, make sure to wear your sunglasses to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays. Not to mention, they make a great fashion statement.

#visionsourcesouthhills

#DrClaudiaWendel

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

Eyedioms

 

1. “Passing through the eye of a needle” is a phrase used to describe an exceedingly tricky situation.

2. Keep one's eye on the ball is to concentrate fully on doing something

3. Not a dry eye in the house means everyone is emotional and or crying

4. A wandering eye is when someone tends to look at and desire another other than one's committed partner.

5. A ball that has eyes, in baseball, is a weakly hit ground ball that barely evades the infielders, allowing the batter to take a base.

#visionsourcesouthhills

#DrClaudiaWendel

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

Safety For Father's Day

 

So, you have finally decided on the perfect Father's Day gift for Dad. You walk into the hardware store and see the display of beautiful, shiny new tools, and the best accessories to go with your gift choice, but is the best accessory there? Probably not, most people forget safety, glasses, or goggles. These could be the most important gift of all.

2.5 million Americans suffer an eye injury, and more than half of those occur at home. 

10,000 injuries occur each year that require medical attention, related to power tools. Most injuries occur when eye protection is worn, but not properly fitted or not worn at all.

Shavings from wood or metal flying into the eye is the most common type of injury associated with power tools. Dirt, dust, pollen, and wood can irritate your eyes and cause long-lasting damage.to your sight. It is highly recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, that every household have at least one pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear. 

If you use a lawnmower, leaf blower, drill, or similar power tools, you need protective eyewear. These glasses should have a snug, wrap-style frame, to decrease the likelihood of small, airborne particles getting behind the lenses. 

If you wear corrective lenses, you can buy goggles that fit over your glasses. But a better and more comfortable choice is to buy a pair of customized safety eyewear with polycarbonate lenses from an optical shop. 

Sources:

www.preventblindness.org

www.centracare.com

www.safevision.com

#visionsourcesouthhills

#DrClaudiaWendel

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

Side Effects of Under-Eye Filler

 

Under-eye filler, also known as dermal filler, is a cosmetic procedure that uses hyaluronic acid to treat dark circles and bags under the eye. Treatment consists of injections and is widely considered a safe procedure.

The under-eye area may have a hollowed look due to:

• Genetics
• Volume loss due to aging
• Environmental and health factors such as excessive sun exposure.
• Habits such as cigarette smoking can affect the skin internally and externally.

Any medical procedure involves risks, but the risk can be minimized by having a highly trained and experienced doctor do the procedure.

 

After the procedure, some bruising is expected, since the under-eye area is thinner with lots of blood vessels. Swelling is also common. Infection, allergic reaction, and the development of nodules and bumps under the eye are a possibility. There are more serious, but rare side effects including blindness.

Some of the signs of serious side effects include:

• Pain or itching
• Headache
• Tenderness
• Numbness
• Although it is rare, filler can be injected into a blood vessel or artery causing blindness (Ophthalmic Artery Occlusion).
• Tyndall Effect (describes the way light scatters under certain conditions. In the case of under-eye fillers, the filler is injected too close to the skin's surface can cause the area to have a light bluish hue as well as swelling under the eyes).

HGTV star Christina Hall revealed she had experienced an inflammatory reaction to under-eye filler last year. "Some of my issues include Inflammation, autoimmune issues, unexplained skin rashes, joint and muscle pain, dry eyes, GI issues, SIBO [small intestinal bacterial overgrowth], acid reflux, brain fog, hormone imbalances, swollen lymph nodes, and adrenal fatigue. I had all my under-eye filler dissolved as it was causing an inflammatory reaction."

Sources:

www.oppenheimermd.com

www.goodhousekeeping.com

www.myvision.org

#visionsourcesouthhills

#DrClaudiaWendel

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

No Tobacco Day

The World Health Organization's World "No Tobacco Day" occurs on May 31st every year. It was created to bring awareness to more people about the dangers and health risks of smoking tobacco.

We have heard for many years about the damage smoking can do to the heart and lungs. Smoking can damage other organs of the body, including the eyes.

Studies have shown smoking increases the risk of damage from eye diseases such as:

• AMD
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Dry Eye Syndrome

Smoking causes retinal blood vessels to constrict veins and then cannot drain blood from the retina. This leads to hemorrhages (bleeding) and leakage of fluid from the blocked blood vessels. This is called retinal vein occlusion. Retinal vein occlusion happens when a blood clot blocks the vein. 

Secondhand smoke has been shown to be just as harmful as actual smoking when it comes to eye health and vision.

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, which can lead to the baby having a serious eye problem called retinopathy of prematurity causing severe vision loss or blindness.

The American Cancer Society has resources to help a person quit smoking. If not for yourself quit for the loved ones in your life.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking.html

Sources:

www.who.int

www.cdc.gov

www.health.ny.gov

www.clevelandclinic.org

#NoTabaccoDay

#visionsourcesouthhills

#DrClaudiaWendel

#PittsburghEyeCare

#PittsburghOptometrist

Careers in Vision Care-Pediatric Ophthalmologist

 

As of March 2022, there was only 1056 pediatric ophthalmologist in the US according to JAMA Ophthalmology.

The AAO researchers found 90% of US counties and four states had no pediatric ophthalmologist. Most of the pediatric ophthalmology practices are in metropolitan areas and around academic institutions. rural populations, disproportionately, lack access to this type of care, which can impact the diagnosis, treatment, and management of serious eye conditions in children.

One reason for the disparity is the environment independent healthcare providers must operate in today, they face these are some of the factors that deter specialists from locating in certain areas:

• Higher education costs

• The cost of start-up and the cost of “doing business.”

• The minimal amount of payment independent providers receive from insurance companies and government medical assistance.

Children are not just small adults; pediatric ophthalmologists are specially trained to diagnose children in a way that helps them feel comfortable and cooperative. 

They use vision tests specifically designed for the children's developmental stage and special equipment that is appropriately sized for children.

Pediatric ophthalmologists treat children whose eyes are not developing correctly, with serious eye, injuries, or infections. Other conditions they diagnose and treat:

• Juvenile arthritis

• Type one diabetes

• Pediatric cataracts

• Babies born prematurely.

• Down syndrome

• Strabismus (crossed or wandering eyes)

• Amblyopia (lazy)

• Blocked tear ducts

• Any number of other illnesses that affect the eyes and vision associated with genetic diseases, metabolic conditions, nervous system, and immune system.

Often a pediatric patient is referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist by a PCP, pediatrician, or optometrist if one is even available to a patient.

Treatments do exist for some childhood eye diseases. The danger lies in whether there is early detection and quick treatment. It is often a lack of eye care, specialists that delay the start of treatment.

Sources:

www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com

www.webmd.com

www.geisinger.org

www.healthychildren.org

#visionsourcesouthhills

#DrClaudiaWendel

#PittsburghOptometrist

#PittsburghEyeCare