Primary Eye Care Associates - September/October 2019

Staying Connected HOW TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY CLOSE IN A BUSY WORLD

MAKE EVERY MOMENT COUNT

As cliche as it sounds, when you don’t have much time together, it’s crucial to be present for every minute of it. If you have a rare half hour at home with one of your kids, make a point to spend it in the same room and try to start a conversation. If you squeeze in a romantic dinner with your spouse, turn off your phones before the food comes. Listening to each other without distractions will strengthen your relationship. Physical contact is vital for closeness. When you get the chance, hug your kids, hold hands with your spouse, and do physical activities as a family, like hiking, biking, or even playing group sports. It’s been scientifically proven that physical closeness leads to emotional closeness, so if you’re low on time, take advantage of that shortcut! HUG IT OUT

If you feel like you’ve hardly seen your kids since the school year started, you’re not alone. Americans are way too busy — from childhood onward, we’re always running hither and thither, packing in as many after-school activities, work-related meetings, and social engagements as possible. It’s a problem so pervasive that it has a name: time scarcity. Families feel time scarcity keenly after school starts in September when children’s schedules explode with engagements. But all hope for close ties isn’t lost; there are ways to stay connected with your spouse and kids even in an increasingly busy world. Here are some ideas from counselors,

teachers, and psychologists who claim to have mastered the art.

REMEMBER YOUR RITUALS

Rituals make up the backbone of individual families and society at large. Most people wouldn’t dream of abandoning their holiday traditions, so why forgo the smaller rituals that bring families together? Whether it’s eating dinner at the same table each evening, watching a movie together every Thursday night, or going on a monthly getaway, make sure these traditions aren’t canceled. If your family doesn’t have many rituals, a great way to connect is to start some.

A WINDOW INTO YOUR OVERALL HEALTH Health Problems With Identifiable Symptoms in the Eyes

Eyes may be the windows to the soul, but they can also shed light on your physical health. Many different health conditions have symptoms that can be observed in the eyes, and identification of these symptoms could mean catching an illness early, preventing it from getting worse. Here are a few of the most common health conditions that show symptoms in the eyes. Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels over an extended period of time. Sometimes high blood sugar levels can cause the small blood vessels in the eyes to leak blood or fluid, leading to blurry vision, a loss of central vision, or an inability to see colors. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. While this would, in fact, indicate that you have diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is a condition that needs treatment on its own. Seek treatment as soon as possible if your eye doctor identifies this condition during an appointment. DIABETES

HIGH CHOLESTEROL

One of the primary characteristics of heart disease is the buildup of plaque in the arteries. However, in some cases, plaque buildup can be observed in the eyes when fat deposits form white rings around the edge of the corneas. This condition is common among the elderly, but it can indicate high cholesterol in patients under 40. Heart disease is the most common health problem in America, but, if you watch for symptoms indicating you may be susceptible, you can decrease the risk of developing this condition. Symptoms of heart disease observable in the eyes include swelling and narrowing of blood vessels, as well as swelling at the base of the optic nerve. Visits to the eye doctor can illuminate any steps you need to take to improve your vision, but they can also lead to insights into your general health. If you haven’t scheduled an eye doctor appointment recently, give Primary Eye Care a call today! HEART DISEASE

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