THE HAZARDS OF BLUE LIGHT HOW TO PROTECT YOUR EYES AND MINIMIZE EXPOSURE
You may have been warned about blue light and its impending threat to your eyes. It comes from your computer screen, your phone, and even from the sun. Why is this form of light harmful, and how can you keep your eyes safe? IS BLUE LIGHT A NEWTHING? Blue light occurs in nature and is nothing new. However, because many electronics emit blue light, it’s more of an issue now than it was just 10 years ago. Backlit LED screens emit strong blue light waves, so our use of devices like cellphones, tablets, and flat-screenTVs means we are exposed to more blue light than ever before. WHY ARE EYE DOCTORSWORRIED? Blue light isn’t inherently bad — it’s found in sunlight and lightbulbs — but our increased exposure to it might be. Our eyes are pretty good at blocking UV rays but not so good at blocking blue light. Blue light has a higher energy output than other forms of light, so instead of being filtered by the corneas and lenses, almost all of it reaches the more sensitive retinas. The high energy output of blue light and our eyes’ inability to protect the retinas from it appears to cause damage similar to macular degeneration, an eye disease mostly affecting people over 65 that can lead to blindness.
These similarities to macular degeneration have scientists worried that our increased exposure to blue light could lead to more cases of it. HOW CANYOU MINIMIZE EXPOSURE? Many computers and electronic devices have a “night shift” option built into them. Enabling this feature will dim the screen and lower the amount of blue light that your device emits. There are also removable filters you can put on your computer screen. Brands like RetinaShield/Tech Armor and Eyesafe are designed to limit the amount of blue light your eyes are exposed to. To avoid eye strain, talk to your eye doctor about blue light glasses. These tinted glasses, which come in prescription and nonprescription versions, reduce the amount of blue light that reaches your eyes. Remember, blue light itself is just a natural form of light and isn’t inherently bad. During the day, it can even be beneficial to get some natural blue light from sunshine — while wearing sunglasses, of course. But it’s also a good idea to take precautions to protect your eyes from artificial blue light, especially if your work environment and hobbies expose you to it frequently.
AN OUTLINE FOR DRAFTING YOUR OWN WILL
THE STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE
ASSETS Now that you’ve taken care of the “who,” you’ll need to allocate the “what.” List all of your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, tangible assets, and anything else you can think of. You can make specific bequests like “Jim Smith receives my baseball card collection.” Alternately, you can assign a percentage of your estate to each of your heirs. SIGNATURE ANDWITNESSES You must sign your will, even if it was created via online service, and it’s a good idea to have that signature notarized. You also need at least two witness signatures to validate the will. These witnesses cannot be beneficiaries in any capacity. Failing to perform this step could invalidate your will. You may be able to make a will on your own, but it won’t cover every aspect of the law. If you want to reduce taxes and avoid probate, you can work withThe Law Offices of DuPont & Blumenstiel for all of your estate planning needs.
Writing your own will may not be as simple as jotting down your assets and heirs on the back of a cocktail napkin, but it’s more straightforward than you might realize. Most people who want to create their own will either type it up themselves or use one of many online will-creation services. Provided that you stick to the following guidelines — and leave the cocktail napkins at the bar — your wishes will be respected by an Ohio court. INTRODUCTION
an alternate executor in the event that your primary choice is unwilling or unable to fulfill the role upon your death. Naming your heirs works similarly. Clearly state who they are so there can be no confusion in the eyes of the law. In Ohio, if you exclude your spouse, they may still be eligible to a portion of your estate under the elective-share law. Finally, if you have any children under the age of 18 or who are still dependent on your care, you’ll need to name a guardian for them. As with an executor, you need to make sure the guardian you select is aware of their role and responsibility. If you don’t choose a guardian, the court will appoint one.
Your will should be clearly labelled as such, with the title “Last Will and Testament.” Add some basic biographical info including your name, address, and date of birth. You need to state that your will was created while you were of sound mind and not under any duress. Indicate that this will is official and revokes any previously made documents. EXECUTOR, HEIRS, AND GUARDIAN An executor is the person who is in charge of carrying out the instructions in your will. It’s important that you select somebody you trust and discuss the role with your chosen person beforehand. You should also choose
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