Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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Page 20 - shelby shopper & info - 704/484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Thursday, December 29, 2022-January 4, 2023 ANSWER KEY CHRISTMAS WORD SEARCH CHRISTMAS WORD SEARCH CAROLS CELEBRATION CHRISTIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES DECEMBER EVE EVERGREEN FAMILY GATHERING HOLIDAY JESUS LIST MIDNIGHT ORNAMENT PRESENTS REINDEER ROAST SHOPPING STORES TINSEL VACATION WREATH YULETIDE SUDOKU Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column, and each 3 by 3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9 using logic. Answers ? ? ? ? As we age, so do our eyes. Though weakened vision is inevitable and the chance of disease increases, there are pre- ventive steps you can take to strengthen your eye health and solutions available to help alleviate declining eyesight. VSP, the only na- tional not-for-profit vision care company, suggests what you can do to pro- tect your vision as you age. Though aging eyes will always be working against you, there are preventive measures you can take to maintain good eye health. Many eye problems can be prevented or corrected if caught early. The most crucial step is making sure you get regular eye exams and set up an ap- pointment with your eye doctor if you have addi- tional vision concerns. Here are six of the most common vision challenges and eye prob- lems you may run into as you age, as well as sim- ple treatments for relief. • Dry eyes. Dry eyes are a symptom of aging eyes and can be itchy and uncomfortable. This occurs when eyes stop producing enough tears or quality tears. If you feel you are experiencing dry eyes, you can try using a humidifier in your home or see a doctor to obtain eye drops. • Excessive Tear- ing. Tears may build up a little more easily as you age, especially in bright lights, in wind or with temperature changes. To prevent tearing, use sun- glasses or shield your eyes when in such condi- tions. You may consider seeing a doctor if tearing occurs outside of these conditions, as it could be a more serious problem, such as an eye infection or a blocked tear duct. • Eye Floaters. Some people may experience floaters, or small specks that float in front of their field of vision. This is nor- mal for aging eyes; how- ever, it can also signify more serious eye prob- lems. If you notice eye floaters, it would be wise to visit the eye doctor for a checkup as soon as possible. • Presbyopia. The most common sign of aging eyesight is Pres- byopia, difficulty seeing close objects or small print. Many devices could be helpful in easing this sight obstacle. You can find, for example, tele- scopic glasses, lenses that filter light and magni- fying glasses to enlarge print. Electronic devices are also helpful, as they can be adjusted to pro- vide larger fonts. • Cataracts. Cataracts form slowly and pain- lessly, but over time, the cloudy areas that develop in the eye lens can keep light from pass- ing through to the retina, which can cause blurry vision. If you suspect that you have cataracts that are contributing to blurry vision, reach out to your eye doctor to dis cuss treatment options. • Glaucoma. Glau- coma is often related to increased pressure in the eye. The concerning as- pect of Glaucoma is that there are no early symp- toms or pain that would indicate that you have Glaucoma. Those at risk of developing this eye disease have risk factors associated with heredity, race, age, diabetes, and some types of medica- tion. Your eye doctor can detect whether you have Glaucoma and provide treatment ranging from prescription eye drops to surgery. Many diseases can be treated if they are caught quickly, however there are eye emergency signs that you'll want to watch for, such as: • Sudden onset of blurry vision • Increase in new eye floaters • Eye pain • Double vision • Redness and/or swelling of your eye or eyelid If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, reach out to your eye doctor as soon as possible. Whether or not you are concerned about aging eye issues, one way to stay on top of any de- veloping eye problems is to have an annual eye exam. Taking care of aging eyes For the 123rd year, the National Audubon Society is organizing the annual Audubon Christ- mas Bird Count (CBC). Between December 14 and January 5, tens of thousands of bird-loving volunteers will participate in counts across North Carolina and the Western Hemisphere. The twelve decades' worth of data collected by participants contribute to one of only two large ex- isting pools of information notifying ornithologists and conservation biologists of what conservation action is required to protect birds and the places they need. The Audubon CBC is one of the longest-run- ning wildlife censuses in the world. Each individual count takes place in a 15-mile-wide circle and is led by a compiler respon- sible for safely organizing volunteers and submit- ting observations directly to Audubon. Within each circle, participants tally all birds seen or heard that day—not just the spe- cies but total numbers to provide a clear idea of the health of that particu- lar population. Abiding by state and local COVID-19 guidelines is mandatory. "The Audubon Christ- mas Bird Count is a great tradition and opportunity for everyone to be a part of more than 12 decades of ongoing community sci- ence," said Geoff LeBaron, Audubon CBC director, who first started leading the community science ef- fort in 1987. "Adding your observations helps scien- tists and conservationists discover trends that make our work more impactful. Participating in the Audu- bon CBC is a fun and meaningful way to spend a winter for anyone and ev- eryone." W h e n c o m b i n e d with other surveys like the Breeding Bird Survey, the Audubon CBC pro- vides a picture of how the continent's bird popula- tions have changed in time and space over the past hundred years. The long- term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat and helps identify environmental is- sues with implications for people as well. F o r e x a m p l e , i n 2019, Science published a study using decades of Audubon CBC data and other datasets to describe a grim picture: a steady loss of nearly three billion North American birds since 1970. Over the years, Audubon CBC data have been used in more than 300 peer-reviewed articles. Last year, the 122nd Audubon CBC included 2,621 count circles world- wide. In total, 76,880 ob- servers out in the field and watching feeders tallied up more than 42 million birds representing about 2,500 different species. To observe the trends of any particular species over the last twelve de- cades, please take a look at the CBC Trends Viewer. The Audubon CBC is a community science project organized by the National Audubon Society in part- nership with Birds Canada. There is no fee to partici- pate. The Audubon CBC is open to birders of all skill levels, and Audubon's free Bird Guide app makes it even easier to learn more. To sign up for an Audu- bon CBC and ensure your bird count data make it into the official Audubon data- base, please find the circle nearest you and register with your local Audubon CBC compiler. All Audu- bon CBC data must be submitted through the of- ficial compiler to be added to the long-running cen- sus. For more information and to find a count near you, visit www.christmas- birdcount.org. Audubon invites volunteers to join 123rd Christmas bird count