Sunglasses aren’t just for summer

7 Tips On Protecting Your Eyes From The Sun

Styles of sunglasses may change each year, but one thing remains constant: sunglasses are key to protecting your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can harm the eyes and affect vision. Cataracts, one of the primary causes of vision loss in older adults, are linked to long-term exposure to the sun’s harmful rays.

Here are some tips to protect your eyes from sun damage from the vision experts at Lighthouse Guild, a nonprofit that helps people who are visually impaired attain their goals through coordinated eye care, vision rehabilitation and other health services.

1. CHOOSE SUNGLASSES CAREFULLY

Select only sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays and are clearly labeled 100% UV protection or UV400. Consider wearing wraparound frames that wrap all the way around your temples so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.

Don’t get caught up on the color of the lenses, the price tag or the brand. The ability to block harmful UV light is not dependent on the cost or the darkness of the lenses.

2. HAVE YOUR SUNGLASSES TESTED

Not sure whether your sunglasses provide enough protection? Have an eye care professional test them with a photometer, which can gauge how effective the UV protection is on sunglasses.

3. REPLACE DAMAGED SUNGLASSES

Glasses that are scratched, damaged or have faded tints may no longer be effective. Replacing sunglasses every few years is a good idea.

4. SUNGLASSES ARE NOT JUST FOR SUMMER

Remember to wear your UV protective sunglasses whenever you spend time outdoors.

Sun damage to the eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summer.

And while it may be tempting to skip sun protection on cloudy days, the harmful rays of the sun can pass through thin clouds and haze.

5. WEAR A HAT

In addition to sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat or a cap to protect your eyes.

6. NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN

Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can cause damage to the retina of the eye from solar radiation.

7. CHILDREN ALSO NEED SUN PROTECTION

Young children and teenagers should also wear sunglasses and hats or caps to protect against the harmful rays of the sun.

“Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can damage the eyes and cause vision loss later in life,” said Dr. Susan Weinstein, low vision optometrist at Lighthouse Guild. “Wearing well-fitted sunglasses that block UVA and UVB radiation is essential for protecting your eyes.”

For more information, call 800284-4422 or visit LighthouseGuild. org. ■

We are proud to announce that Dr. Robin A. Salley has joined us to perform Eye Exams on Location! Get ready for summer with a New Eye Exam and Sunglasses! CALL TODAY!

Are you looking for something meaningful to do?

Your time and wisdom are valuable. Become a Foster Grandparent Classroom Volunteer. You can share your skills and experience while children shower you with curiosity and hugs. Get involved with Volunteers of America’s Foster Grandparent Program.

Could you use a little extra money each month?

• Do you love children and enjoy spending time with them?

• Are able to volunteer 15-40 hours per week helping children learn and succeed?

• Are you 55 years old or older? Do you live in El Paso County?

• Is your income under $29,160 for a single person household, or under $39,440 for a two-person household?

• Could you use an extra $200 - $400+ per month, plus travel reimbursement? If you answered YES to these questions, call (719) 632-1448 todayto get involved in the Foster Grandparent Program.

Elvis Has Left The Building

Submitted by Kathryn Hermanstorfer

In August 1977, I was a church secretary. One day the minister came to my office and said that his 9-year-old son had been watching television the evening before and broke the news to him that Elvis Presley had died.

His father asked him what Elvis had died of, and as the text scrolled across the bottom of the screen that read “Elvis dead at 42,” his son said, “I don’t know. Old age I guess.”

Let The Master Work

Submitted by Randal Hill

A teacher walked around her kindergarten classroom, looking at the artwork the students were creating. She stopped by one girl’s desk and asked, “What’s that you’re painting?”

“God,” said the girl. “I’m making a painting of God.”

The teacher smiled. “That’s nice,” she said, “but nobody knows what God really looks like.”

The girl, keeping at her task, said, “They will in a minute.”

Wedding Checklist

Submitted by Ben Kuckel Jacob and Miriam are two seniors who met at a Florida retirement home and fell in love.

One day they go for a stroll to discuss their wedding, and stop by a drugstore on the way.

Jacob addresses the man behind the counter: “Are you the owner?”

The man answers, “Yes.”

“We’re about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?”

“Of course we do.”

We’ve thought of everything! Our all-inclusive resort lifestyle is packed with amenities and services that make every day feel like a vacation. The best part — everything is included for one monthly price with no buy-in fee or long-term lease. So relax and live life to the fullest - we’ll take care of the rest.

“How about medicine for circulation?”

“All kinds.”

“Medicine for rheumatism?”

“Definitely.”

“How about suppositories?”

“You bet.”

“Medicine for memory problems, arthritis and Alzheimer’s?”

“Yes, a large variety.”

“What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, or medicines to help with Parkinson’s disease?”

“Absolutely.”

“Everything for heartburn and indigestion?”

“We sure do.”

“Do you sell wheelchairs and walkers and canes?”

“All speeds and sizes.”

“Adult diapers?”

“Sure. How can I help you?” the drug store owner asks.

Jacob replies, “We’d like to use this store for our bridal registry.”

Word Play

Submitted by Rhonda Wray

My three favorite things are eating my family and not using commas.

How many optometrists does it take to change a light bulb?

Is it one... or two? One...or two?

It’s never safe to drop wordplay around a kleptomaniac because they’re always taking things literally.

A priest, an Imam and a rabbit walk into a clinic to donate blood. The rabbit turns to the nurse and says, “I think I’m a Type-O.”

What’s the difference between a hippo and a Zippo?

One weighs a ton and the other is a little lighter.

New Meanings

Submitted by Shari Wells

The newspaper published a contest for readers in which they were asked to supply alternate meanings for various words. The following were some of the winning entries: Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon.

Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

Pokemon (n.), a Jamaican proctologist.

Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.

Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightie.

Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp. Gargoyle (n.), an olive-flavored mouthwash.

Flatulence (n.) the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.

Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.

Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified demeanor assumed by a proctologist immediately before he examines you.

Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddish expressions.

Circumvent (n.), the opening in the front of boxer shorts.

Frisbeetarianism (n.), the belief that, when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there.

Only The Truth

Submitted by Victoria Lamb

While reading the newspaper, a husband came upon a study that said women use more words than men. Excited to prove to his wife his long-held argument that women in general, and his wife in particular, talk too much, he showed her the study results, which stated, “Men use about 15,000 words per day, but women use 30,000.”

His wife thought awhile, then finally she said to her husband, “It’s because we have to repeat everything we say.”

Super Bowl Tickets

Submitted by Larry Ball

Bob receives a free ticket to the Super Bowl from his company. Unfortunately, when Bob arrives at the stadium he realizes the seat is in the last row in the corner of the stadium—he is closer to the Goodyear Blimp than the field!

About halfway through the first quarter, Bob notices an empty seat 10 rows off the field, right on the 50-yard line. He decides to take a chance and makes his way through the stadium and around the security guards to the empty seat.

As he sits down, he asks the gentleman sitting next to him, “Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?” The man says no.

Very excited to be in such a great seat for the game, Bob says to the man next to him, “This is incredible! Who in their right mind would have a seat like this at the Super Bowl and not use it?”

The man replies, “Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Super Bowl we haven’t been to together since we got married in 1967.”

“Well, that’s really sad,” says Bob, “but still, couldn’t you find someone to take the seat? A relative or a close friend?”

“No,” the man replies, “they’re all at the funeral.”

Thoughts On Time

Submitted by Sue Glover

A guy said to God, “God, is it true that to you a billion years is like a second?” God said yes.

The guy said, “God, is it true that to you a billion dollars is like a penny?” God said yes.

The guy said, “God, can I have a penny?”

God said, “Sure, just a second.” ■