Symptoms include: sensitivity to light and glare, difficulty driving at night, dull color perception, vision distortion or “ghost” images, painless blurring or dimming of vision, frequent eyeglass prescription changes.
Cataracts are very common and cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgical procedure in the world. Hundreds of people in the CNMI have had their sight restored with cataract surgery by Marianas Eye Institute’s Dr. David Khorram.
When is it Time for Cataract Surgery? Almost everyone who lives a long life will develop cataracts at some point. Most people, when they hear about surgery, get scared. Cataract surgery, from your perspective, is an easy process. You come into the hospital in the morning, have your surgery, and go home the same day. The procedure takes about 20 minutes or so. We give you medication to numb the eye, so there is rarely any pain, and we give you medicine to help you relax so you’re not scared. With the modern techniques we use at Marianas Eye Institute, most people are back to work or their regular activities that afternoon or the next day.
Here are a few simple tips will help you maintain healthy vision and make the right choices if you develop a cataract.
Get a baseline eye exam if you’re over 40. The American Academy of Ophthalmology, recommends that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline screening exam at age 40–the time when early signs of disease and vision changes may start to occur. During this visit our doctors will advise you on how often to have follow-up exams. People of any age with symptoms or risks for eye disease, such as a family history, should us to determine a care and follow-up plan.
Know your risk factors. In addition to having a family history of cataract, having diabetes, or being a smoker, other factors can increase your risk of developing a cataract. These include extensive exposure to sunlight, serious eye injury or inflammation, and prolonged use of steroids, especially combined use of oral and inhaled steroids. Because of the high incidence of diabetes in the CNMI and the exposure to sunlight, we see cataracts much earlier here than in other parts of the world. That’s why it’s even more important to get checked at age 40.
Reduce your risks. Use UV-rated sunglasses when outdoors and add a wide-brimmed hat when spending long hours in the sun. One of the best things anyone can do for their eyes and overall health is to quit smoking or never start. People with diabetes can reduce cataract risk by carefully controlling their blood sugar through diet, exercise and medications if needed.
Cataract Surgery at Marianas Eye Institute. At Marianas Eye Institute Dr. Khorram uses the latest in technologies to provide the advanced techniques for vision restoration through cataract surgery. If you have blurred vision, or if you are 40, it’s time to get your eyes examined. You’ll receive a thorough evaluation. You may simply need glasses, but if you do need cataract surgery, you can be confident knowing that you’ll receive the most advanced techniques at Marianas Eye Institute. Visit our website www.MarianasEye.com, for more information. Or make an appointment for yourself or your parents today.
Do you think getting a new pair of eyeglasses is too expensive? Think again! For just $77 you can get a complete pair of frames and lenses, which is backed by our 1-year warrantee. With over 100 select frames to choose from, you are sure to find a stylish pair to fit your tastes. We are also offering bifocals, including “no-line” progressive bifocals for just $127. These prices apply to in house lenses and select frames.
Fluorescent lights are worse for your eyes than incandescent lights.
False. With routine use, neither type of light causes damage to the eyes or visual system. Some people may be more bothered by some types of lights than others. The most common complaints from lighting include eye strain and dryness.
FREE – Back to
school vision checks
All children should have their visual acuity tested by age five. Your children should be receiving vision-screening exams at the time of their well-child visits with their pediatrician or family doctor. They may also be getting vision screenings at school.
At Marianas Eye Institute we provide free vision checks to all family members. Russ Quinn, CEO, states, “We feel it is important to discover any problems early so that students have the best chance of succeeding in school.” If your child has no signs of eye problems, a routine complete eye exam is NOT necessary. But by age five, all children need to have their vision checked. And of course, your child has vision problems or symptoms, or if there are known risk factors for eye disease in your family, your children do need a complete eye exam. Walk-in for your free vision screening any time.
We’re open weekdays until 5 PM, and most Saturday mornings.
Green flag in Tinian and Managaha
(DEQ) — The Division of Environmental Quality has assigned the green flag to Managaha beach and Tinian beach sites.
None of the samples collected contained excessive concentration of fecal indicator bacteria nor did they exceed the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards.
DEQ analyzes samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 11 samples from the shore surrounding Managaha and 10 locations on Tinian island this week.
Marine Water Quality Reports are also provided at www.deq.gov.mp/section.aspx?secID=4 and http://www.cnmicoralreef.net/wq/beachcloseweeklyresults.htm.
The agency welcomes all inquiries as to the quality of the beach water.
The public is encouraged to contact DEQ at 664-8500 with any questions concerning this matter.
NMC foundation announces two-year scholarships
(NMC) — In its ongoing effort to advance higher education opportunities for CNMI students, the Northern Marianas College Foundation has announced a scholarship program for NMC students pursuing an associate’s degree at the College.
“The Foundation Board has been working extremely hard to ensure that we make these scholarship funds available in time for the Fall 2009 semester,” said NMC Foundation President Ben Babauta. “Given the economic difficulties that many families are experiencing at this time, we hope many students apply and take advantage of this financial opportunity.”
The NMC Foundation Scholarship program aims to provide recipients $625.00 per semester for up to four semesters or up to the completion of an associate’s degree, whichever is sooner. The College offers associate’s degrees in business administration, liberal arts, nursing, natural resource management, criminal justice, and hospitality management.
The NMC Foundation is a non-profit organization whose goal is to raise funds to support the Northern Marianas College, the CNMI’s lone post-secondary educational institution. The organization is composed of individuals who are dedicated and committed to ensuring that CNMI students receive the utmost support in pursuing their educational goals.
“In addition to the work of the NMC Foundation Board, it’s also important to acknowledge the generosity of many donors who have made this scholarship program possible,” added Babauta.
The scholarships are based on merit and financial need and will be awarded to the recipient on the bases of the candidate’s community involvement, academic background, letters of recommendation, and a written essay. An interview may also be required.
To be eligible, a student must be a U.S. citizen (or green card holder) and a CNMI resident for the past three years; be accepted and enrolled as a full-time student at NMC; have a high school or college cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better; and, be able to demonstrate financial need.
If selected to receive the scholarship, the applicant must also sign an agreement stating that he or she will work in the Commonwealth after graduating from the Northern Marianas College for a period twice as long as the period for which the applicant received the NMC Foundation Scholarship.
The NMC Board of Regents recently announced the launch of a scholarship program that provides financial assistance for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education at NMC.
The deadline for submitting applications for both the NMC Foundation Scholarship and the Board of Regents Scholarship is August 21, 2009. Applications and additional information can be downloaded from www.nmcnet.edu, or contact NMC’s Financial Aid Office at 234-5498 extension 1527.
Filipino community to hold mass for Aquino
(DIOCESE OF CHALAN KANOA) — On Friday, August 7, 2009, at 7:30 PM at Mount Carmel Cathedral, the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa will celebrate a Memorial Mass in honor of the late Philippine President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. His Excellency, The Most Reverend Tomas A. Camacho will preside at Mass concelebrated by the Clergy of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa.
In a spirit of solidarity and support to the Filipino community living in the Commonwealth, especially those who have served and continue to serve the people of God through the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, Bishop Camacho is inviting everyone to join him and the clergy in prayer for the late +Corazon Aquino through this Eucharistic celebration.
DYS mentorship program set
(DYS) — The Youth Development Program, Division of Youth Services, DCCA in partnership with the sports and recreation, DCCA is pleased to announce the Cycle 6: Man Amko’ Yan Man Hoben Mentorship- Summer Program- Session 3.
Registration will begin on Aug. 4 – 7, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 10, last day of registration no later than 11 a.m. at the DYS Family Service Office, Capitol Hill.
Please contact Ms. Zina Nekaifes to register your child at 664-2555 or Ms. Debra Inos at 287-1773/664-8657.
Ages: 6-13 years
Date: August 10-21, 2009, Monday-Friday
Time: 8:00am-11:00am
Location: Sports & Recreation, Ada Gym, Susupe
Slots: 1st 150
Activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Hip-Hop Dance- Spectrum, Hip Hop Dance-Icandy, Polynesian Dance.
Ages: 14-17 years
Date: August 24-September 02, 2009, Monday-Friday
Time: 8:00am-11:00am
Location: Sports & Recreation, Ada Gym, Susupe
Slots: 1st 150
Activities:
Softball, soccer, track & field, hip hop dance-spectrum, hip-hop dance-icandy, polynesian dance.
Free of charge and parents are required to bring their child’s snacks.
