Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Summer 2018

14 VITALITY Summer 2018 Citizens Memorial Health Care (CMH) Foundation Home Medical Equipment (HME) offers a variety of equipment, including items that are easy to transport and efficient to use. These items are carried at all seven of CMH’s HME locations, including Ash Grove, Bolivar, Buffalo, Hermitage, Stockton and Warsaw. For more information, call HME at 417-326-3584 . Looking forward to a bright future? Be sure your view isn’t blurred by a common age-related eye problem: cataracts. Cataracts cloud the lens, the light- focusing structure near the front of the eye. As we age, proteins in the lens can slowly clump together. Over time, that clump can form a cataract. By age 80, more than half of all Americans will either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them, experts say. A CATARACT CURE How do you know if you have a cataract? Cataracts can cause your vision to become blurry, cloudy or dim. Things that once looked bright or colorful can look faded. Seeing at night may become difficult. Cataracts can also make your eyes more sensitive to light and glare. And when you look at lights, you may see halos around them. If a cataract isn’t having a major impact on your ability to do things such as read or drive, then you may be able to cope with just getting updated corrective lenses, better indoor lights and glare-cutting sunglasses. But if those measures aren’t enough, you may need surgery. Surgery involves replacing the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens. It’s a common, usually outpatient procedure. For most people, it’s very safe and effective. Sometimes, the new lens can be crafted to address other vision problems you may have, reducing your need for Keep an eye on cataracts Save your sight » » Eat a healthy diet. » » Don’t smoke. » » Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to help block the sun’s ultraviolet rays. It’s also important to get regular dilated eye exams, especially after age 60. During these tests, your doctor can also check for other eye problems, including age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Cataract surgery is performed at the CMH Eye Specialty Center. Call 417-328-7000 to learn more. eyeglasses or contact lenses. There’s usually no reason to rush into cataract surgery. In fact, experts often advise waiting until vision loss limits daily activities. Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology; National Eye Institute INVACARE PLATINUMMOBILE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR The Invacare Platinum Mobile Oxygen Concentrator is lightweight and makes it easy for patients to travel freely. The Platinum is also designed to function in the real-world environment and is FAA-certified for use on commercial flights. One charge can last four hours with one battery and eight hours with two. There are four different settings, which you can choose after you meet with a respiratory therapist to discuss your oxygen needs. The price with one battery is $2,495 or $2,664 with two batteries. CMH Home Medical Equipment offers new equipment EYE HEALTH ➜