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SOLTIMES MAY 2011
...remember to say you saw it in the SOL TIMES
eYe advice for over 60s: YearLY eYe test can detect gLaucoma, cataracts, macuLar degeneration
free eYe tests with purchase at specsavers opticas in the costa BLanca
Specsavers, the UK’s “most trusted” opticians, are advising Costa Blanca residents over the age of 60 to have an eye test at least once a year. Older eyes are susceptible to diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts, which can be detected during an eye test. Early diagnosis can help prevent further damage in many cases. To encourage residents to have an eye exam, Specsavers Opticas stores in Calpe, Jávea and Torrevieja are offering their signature, UK standard eye test free with every glasses purchase until 21st May, 2011. Optician Colin Evans of Specsavers Opticas in Torrevieja explains “Some people wait until their vision becomes impaired before having an eye test. This can be risky because some eye diseases have few noticeable symptoms until they reach an advanced stage.” Store director Mike Stone of Specsavers Opticas in Calpe and Jávea adds: “Our advice to those over 60 is – Make an annual eye test a part of your normal healthcare routine.” Common problems for the over 60s Cataracts - The lens becomes opaque, blurring vision and even leading to loss of sight if left untreated. Early on, the condition may cause near-sightedness and the reduction in perception of blue colours. Glaucoma - A build-up of fluid within the eye can increase pressure, which in turn damages the optic nerve. The loss of visual field often occurs gradually and slowly, and may be recognised by the sufferer only when at an advanced stage. This loss of vision can never be recovered, so prompt diagnosis is essential. Macular degeneration - In older people, the macula – the centre of the retina which is used for detailed vision – thins and occasionally bleeds. This can lead to distortion, or even loss, of central vision. The sufferer may also have trouble discerning colours. Peripheral vision remains unaffected, but central vision loss is serious, so early diagnosis and treatment is vital. Specsavers was voted Britain’s “most trusted” brand of opticians for the tenth year in a row by the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands survey 2011. For Specsavers Opticas store locations, visit www.specsavers.es
Life with Linda... “focus on the positive”
Positive thinking is certainly a powerful thing, but positive expression is equally important. Many people, especially marriage partners and parents of small children, seem to believe that the best way to get somebody to change for the better is to consistently point out to them what they are doing wrong. These authority figures criticize, day in and day out. Eventually the people they are talking to become frustrated and often start to feel angry, because they see that nothing they say or do has any positive effect, and sometimes things even get worse. Has this ever happened to you? If so, there’s a principle of cognitive psychology that I teach in my seminars you’ll want to know about. It’s simply this: We move toward and become like what we think about. And we automatically behave in ways that match the image we have of our capabilities and ourselves. When you focus on what is going wrong, you tend to experience more of the problem. And when you focus on the solution, you move toward it, as surely as day follows night. So instead of telling folks what they are doing wrong, why not tell them what they are doing right? Instead of telling them what the problem is, why not tell them what the solution looks like and how it will benefit them personally? And while you’re at it, why not tell them how much you enjoy and appreciate the thoughtful or bright or funny things they say and do. Remember the behavior that you focus on and praise tends to be repeated. I used to cringe when I was walking round the supermarkets in the UK, you don´t here it so much here, there again
there are not as many children here as there!! But I would hear parent after parent telling their child “if I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times”, so it seems neither the child nor the parent got the picture!!! How many times were they going to say the same thing one thousand and one, one thousand one hundred and one, one million????’ Einstein´s theory on insanity is to repeatedly do the same thing, in the same same and expect a different outcome.....sound familiar? If a pattern of behaviour or a way of life is not working for you, why keep at it? If something does not make you happy, why keep trying it? If the person you are with is not who you want to be with, why stay? I can hear all the moans and groans, but there are circumstances. Then that is a choice you are making, if you do not want to end something or change something then you don´t need to keep telling people or yourself about it. A change of attitude and approach is needed though. Keeping a positive attitude in these times when people are in “crisis” or “life is not the way it was”, is paramount, life is never going to be as it was, time moves on and changes are inevitable. If the whole world was in crisis then nobody would be making any money, and we know that is not the case. Adapt, apply and learn, you are never too old, or too late. People are living longer and better lives now than just a generation or two ago. Is it worth it if you are sad and miserable, if you are living in the past or waiting for somebody else to make you happy. Gratitude, attitude and open mindedness will be the tools of the generations to come, but there is no good reason why not to start now!!!! How many times have I got to tell you??????
By Linda Sage Ba ed(Hons), dip ReBT, dip CST ~ www.lindasaqementoring.com ~ Tel: 966 716 919 Member Toastmasters international