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Theatrical Contacts
By Vivian Nelson Melle
Colored contact lenses hit the market in the eighties. Popular in the fashion industry, the lenses allowed brown-eyed consumers to blink blue. Recently, theatrical lenses have become the rage offering cat, zombie and vampire eyes.
What Are Colored Contacts?
There are different lenses available. Some choose a viability tint which does not change the eye color, but can be helpful if the lens is dropped. There are also colors that will only enhance the eye's natural colors. There are also more intense colored contacts that can dramatically change eye color.
What are Theatrical Contacts?
Theatrical contacts basically offer a picture, of sorts, on the contacts. Theatrical lenses are most popular during Halloween season. Some of the most popular picks are red eyes, cat eyes and vampire eyes. Many of these products are meant to help users look like specific movie characters.
How Do They Work?
Corrective lenses offer the same support as glasses. Unlike glasses, the lenses take a slightly different shape dependent on the needs of the consumer. When there is no medical need for the lens, a plano lens is offered. All contacts rest on the cornea and are held in place by the moisture of tears.
Do You Need a Prescription?
In order to purchase contacts lenses you are required to have a prescription. Consumers should meet with an eye care professional to make sure they are an appropriate candidate for contacts, as well as, having that professional show how to properly insert and remove the lenses.
Laws Regarding the Sales of Theatrical Lenses
When these type of lenses hit the market, they were considered cosmetic enhancers, but due to risks , the FDA placed contacts under the category of medical device.
Where Can They Be Purchased?
Most authorized dealers sell products approved by the FDA. These are the best places to make contact purchases. However, many online retailers and discount shops offer these products at lower prices and rarely require proof of prescription.
Most eye care centers offer theatrical lenses and are able to provide the appropriate consultation that can lower the risks of injury and infection. Some online sites sell the products but caution buyers to receive an eye care consultation once the lenses are received.
Still, the market is flooded with flea market stalls, internet shops and black market finds of products that, while cheaper, are made in less-than-sanitary conditions. It is a buyer beware market, especially when it comes to vision.
Precautions and Risks Associated with Contacts
A warning was recently made by the American Ophthalmology Association regarding the use of decorative eye lenses. The fact sheet discussed the potential for infections leading to blindness because of the lack of training and information on the care and appropriate use of lenses. This is a grave concern with adolescents who may not maintain proper sanitizing routines for the lenses and who are also more likely to share the lenses leading to contamination.
Research Before Making Purchases
Consumers should research companies carefully before making contact lens purchases, especially in the theatrical lens market. A visit to the FDA site can be very helpful in pinpointing shops to avoid and what to look for in a reputable store. While the look of these lenses can add a dramatic finish to a costume, vision safety should always precede fashion.
Improving Memory the Quick and Easy Way
By Gregory Frost
Now there is plenty of reason to celebrate for those of you out there who have been suffering from a poor memory, regardless of your age. You do not have to be stuck in that situation where you are constantly suffering from poor memory relapse, where your social and professional life suffers because of your poor memory. Here are some quick and easy steps for you to improve your memory. Even if it is simple forgetfulness, where you have misplaced a household item or forgotten that bank account number that you have had for years, there are so many ways that can help you to overcome the problems of memory loss.
One of the ways that has been gaining quite a bit of popularity is the ;state of mind; syndrome, in which that therapist regress the mind from believing that their memory loss is attributed to some sort of mental disease that they have. Once you resign yourself to this fact, your mind will slip into a state of regressive acceptance and that will only compound your short term or long term memory loss troubles, so you need to use your own will power and make yourself remember sometimes.
Do not accept the fact that you are forgetful but constantly remind yourself that you need to be sharper, more alert and thus remember the things you need to remember for your own good. Also, some people have found great success when they start making lists around their lives and associate these lists with thinking and memory. There is also much to be said for challenging yourself and playing games with your memory by trying to remember things on your list on a daily basis,
Once you are able to stimulate your mind on a daily basis to remember, the retaining power of the mind will be that much higher. Studies have also shown that imagery and association are some of the best ways for you to remember things. This has been proven quite extensively why kids and students who use ludicrous associations when trying to remember facts and figures from a textbook. By adding scenarios and sometimes by making their text into a song, they are able to better remember the things they should remember and thus pass their exams with flying colors.
Constantly stimulate your mind, that is the most important and look into the areas of your life that are slipping your brain into a level of complacency. For example, if your job is mundane and monotonous, bring along a crossword puzzle or even engage in some dialogue with your co workers on things that are separate from your job. Keep the mind active, and you will see a marked improvement on your memory.
These are just some of the ways you can improve your memory the quick and easy way, and as you can see, it is just a combination of self-determination and activity - the key ingredients anyone would need. If you're dedicated enough and willing to put the effort, you can beat memory loss, and quite easily so.
Healthy Happenings
Carbohydrate Counting
Ongoing. Class for individuals who want to improve blood sugar control through carbohydrate intake. Providence Tarzana Medical Center's Tarzana Campus, 18321 Clark St., Tarzana.
(818) 345-8955
Young Onset Parkinson's Disease Support Group
2nd Sat. each month, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. A free "Young Onset Parkinson's Support Group. Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge.
(866) 499-2732
Brain Injury Support Group
2nd Wed. each month. Free. Provides encouragement and education. Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge.
(818) 885-8500 ext. 2833
Mental Health Support Group
1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Free. Support group for family members of those with mental illness. Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge.
(818) 994-6747
Cancer Orientation
Every Tuesday, 12-1:30pm. New patients will learn about treatment, financel issues, directives and support. Northridge Hospital Medical Center at 18300 Roscoe Blvd. at the Leavey Cancer Conference Center.
(818) 885-8500 ext. 2855
Brain Tumor Support Group
Second Wednesday each month, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Support for those suffering with brain cancer. Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge.
(818) 885-8500, ext. 2833
Breast Cancer Support Group
Second and Fourth Tuesday each month, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Meet with other breast cancer patients to discuss treatment options and mental comraderie.
Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge.
(818) 885-8500, ext. 2833
Breastfeeding Support Group
Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Meet with other new mothers. Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge.
(818) 885-8500, Ext. 2298
Chronic Pain Support Group
Second and Fourth Tuesday each month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help dealing with chronic pain. Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge.
(818) 885-8500, ext. 3680