Stirling Eyecare April May 2019
APRIL 2019
Optometry Exams Have Improved Haven’t ‘Seen’ Us in a While?
Dr. Gonzalez has a confession: Anytime someone or something gets close to her eyes, she gets a bit squeamish. In fact, she used to get nervous when she had her eyes examined! That might seem like a strange fear for an optometrist of more than 25 years, but it hasn’t hindered her ability to diagnose, treat, and aid her patients. She works to help her patients see better and thoroughly enjoys finding solutions to vision and eye health problems. In optometry school, when students were guinea pigs for one another and were practicing exam techniques, no one wanted Dr. Gonzalez as a patient (including her husband, Dr. Higgins). She already had small pupils, and her jumpy reactions to the eye tests made perfecting the skills even more difficult for her peers. (Though, it was great practice.) Luckily for patients like Dr. Gonzalez, technology has made going to the eye doctor a breeze. Dr. Gonzalez comments, “We’ve seen a significant improvement in patient care since we began our careers due to better technology. So, this is for everyone who hasn’t been to the eye doctor in a while or is nervous about their first exam: It’s gotten better. “For starters, we no longer have to blow a puff of air into your eye to check for glaucoma. This has been replaced with an instrument that is fast and painless. Furthermore, we have new technology that can take a photo of your retina, giving us better access to your overall eye health without intrusive testing. “Additionally, we’ve done away with the big pair of glasses in front of your face and tirelessly asking you if Lens 1 or 2 looked better. Not only does the exam no longer rely on your anxiety-induced judgment, it utilizes actual eye measurements to formulate an individualized glasses prescription. This also helps us when we have a young child who can’t quite speak yet or someone with a disability who makes communicating difficult.
“For parents who have always been calm about the eye doctor, subduing a child who loathes the visit can be a difficult task. We often explain to children that this appointment will be easier than the regular doctor and there are no shots or vaccines to worry about. We explain and show them what we have to do, and most learn there’s nothing to be afraid of. “Our job is to check the health of your eyes and that of your family’s, but our new instruments and technology can do so much more than that. Through your eye exam, we can spot signs of multiple sclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other health conditions. Going to the eye doctor after years away from any kind of medical check-in is a great first step toward improving your wellness, and it can ease you into healthier habits. “So, if it’s been a while since you had your eyes checked, come see how we’ve improved and how we can help you move toward better health. Take it from an optometrist who had a fear of getting her eyes examined: It’s worth it.”
–Dr. Claudia Gonzalez and Dr. Michael Higgins
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The History and Cultural Significance of Native American Rain Dances Dancing to Bring the Rain
While traditions and dances vary between Native American tribes, many of them feature rain dances. Because water is essential to life, and because many tribes lived in agrarian societies, these dances were important rituals, pleas for the survival of the tribe for another season. These dances have existed for hundreds of years, and many tribes still perform them today. Rain dances are notably common in the Southwestern U.S., where the dry climate means water is scarce and every bit of rainfall is essential for survival. Generally, rain dances are performed to ask the spirits or gods to send rain for the crops. Tribes such as the Hopi, Navajo, Pueblo, and Mojave perform rain dances often. An old Cherokee legend says that the rain is filled with the spirits of past chiefs, and the rain is an indication of their battle with evil spirits beyond the natural world. One interesting fact about rain dances is that both men and women — not just men — participate in the ceremony.
Dancers wear special regalia, sometimes including headdresses, masks, body paints, and jewelry. What is worn varies from tribe to tribe, but turquoise is very important in rain dances for many tribes and is often incorporated into the jewelry. The rain dance regalia is not worn at any other point or for any other purpose during the year, and participants dance in a zigzag pattern, unlike all other dances, which feature a circular motion. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, when the U.S. government was relocating Native Americans all over the country, they banned the practice of many ceremonial dances on reservations, sometimes including rain dances. However, rain dances continued undercover: Native Americans simply performed the ritual as a different, unbanned ceremony. The dances and the traditions continued, and today many tribes still perform rain dances, even if only in reverence for their heritage.
What Some People Are Saying Our Patients Say It Best
“Longtime customer. Great care. Great doctors! Thank you for all you do. In the past when I’ve had issues with my eyes, Dr. Higgins always gets me in and takes care of the problem, even on the weekends. Best optometrists and staff in Butler.” –Roger A.
“Very friendly and knowledgeable. Everyone was very nice, and the doctor made sure I didn’t need have any questions and explained everything thoroughly. Love it here.” –Jessica M.
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The Connection Between Allergies and Your Eyes Dreading Spring? Ah, springtime. After a long, harsh winter, blossoming plants and melting
secretion. Since the lining of your nose and eyes are the same skin type, these symptoms can also appear in the form of an itchy, sneezy, and runny schnoz. Treatment for allergies can vary by person, depending on if you’re a seasonal- or perennial-allergy sufferer. Seasonal allergies crop up at the same time every year, and they’re usually a signal as to what you’re specifically allergic to. Allergens in the spring are different from those in the summer, so taking note of when your reactions appear can help you mitigate them in the future. Seasonal sufferers can generally relieve their short-lived allergies through at-home treatments and optometrist- prescribed eye drops. Unfortunately for perennial-allergy sufferers, symptoms can last year- round. The best way to manage your allergies when you live with them all year is to figure out what causes the symptoms and work to either avoid these substances or find forms of relief. Both optometrists and allergists can help you nail down what causes your symptoms and how you can manage them. It’s important that you adhere to regular appointments when you have perennial allergies, because your body can change, and the side effects of the allergies can have a lasting effect on your eyes. Don’t let allergens leave you feeling itchy and watery this season. Find out how Stirling Eyecare can help you enjoy spring again by calling (724) 285-2618. Pasta Primavera This pasta is so perfect for spring, its name literally translates to “spring pasta.” ‘Nuff said.
snow provide refreshing reminders of new life. Unfortunately, this season and those same blossoms can leave you feeling itchy, sniffly, and clogged, and your eyes may take the brunt of it. Our eyes can display signals from the rest of our bodies that something is wrong. (As we mentioned on the cover, we can identify severe conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, through your eyes!) Among these signs, allergy symptoms can be the most apparent. Patients often report itchy, watery, red, and sometimes strained eyes while they experience an allergic reaction to dust, pollen, pet dander, and various other allergens. In more severe cases, these symptoms can cause tearing, burning sensations, blurred vision, puffy eyes, and mucus
Have a Laugh
Ingredients:
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12 ounces pasta, ideally fusilli 1/2 pound broccoli florets
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1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano- Reggiano Kosher salt, for pasta water and to taste
2 carrots, shredded
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1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
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1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Directions: 1. In a large pot, liberally salt water and bring to a boil. Add fusilli and cook according to package directions. Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper during the last 2 minutes of cook time. 2. Drain the pasta and veggies, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta and veggies to pot. 3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil to medium heat. Add garlic and cook until translucent and golden, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until tomatoes are wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in reserved pasta water. 4. Add tomato mixture to pasta pot, stirring to coat evenly. 5. Divide into bowls, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve.
www.StirlingEyeCenter.com • 1
A Total Focus on YOU!
166 Point Plaza Butler, PA 16001 (724) 285-2618 www.StirlingEyeCenter.com
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Inside This Issue 1 Don’t Fear Getting Your Eyes Checked
The Importance of Rain to the Survival of Cultures
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Our Patients Say It Best
Find Relief From Your Allergies
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Pasta Primavera
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The Origin of the Easter Egg
THE ORIGIN OF THE EASTER EGG The Symbol of Resurrection
These days, most of us know the Easter egg as a little plastic container. We can walk into any store after Valentine’s Day and buy a colorful assortment of eggs by the hundreds. We stuff each egg with a treat and hide them for our kids and grandkids to find. This is a tradition many of us grew up with, but the Easter egg is part of a much greater tradition, rich in history and religious significance that goes back to the earliest days of Christianity. As Christianity spread through the Mediterranean and the Middle East, many traditions did as well, including the Easter egg. One story says that Mary Magdalene brought cooked eggs to the tomb of Jesus. On the day of the resurrection, the eggs turned a vibrant red when Mary witnessed Christ reborn. Because of this, early believers began to color their eggs red, and over the years, the practice spread. In Christian churches across Greece and Mesopotamia, people decorated eggs in dark red to symbolize the blood of Christ as it was shed at the time of crucifixion. Eventually, the tradition of coloring eggs spread north and into Russia, where Easter egg decorating became a major part of the holiday. As the tradition grew in popularity, it spread through much of Eastern Europe. Colors and designs became more elaborate, to the point of becoming literal works of art.
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