this is a reprint of an article I did for a couple of print publications. I thought the info so important I offer it to you here. Even if we’re all about health, we may neglect our eyes, and that’s crucial to your well-being. Ask your eye doctor some considered questions and learn the best way for you to manage vision correction.

Men don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses. Not true. Of men surveyed by Vision Council of America (VCA), 92% said women in fashionable eyewear are attractive. Women feel the same way about men in specs.

You can choose eyeglasses or contact lenses to bring vision back near 20/20 and it’s entirely possible to cure many seeing issues once thought to be permanent. Doctors can fix cataracts and glaucoma more effectively than ever before. Though there are vision problems that can’t be cured, many can be treated or arrested if caught early. Bottom line - beautiful eyes begin with healthy eyes.

Beauty comes from within

Eye docs say great nutrition and healthy lifestyle affect eyes and regular annual checkups is the way to go.

Essentials for protecting eyes:

1. Wear UV-blocking sun glasses all the time. Encourage children to do the same.
2. Use safety glasses anytime your eyes are at risk
3. Never let an unqualified person fit you with contact lenses - see a doctor.
4. Follow doctor’s instructions with contacts or eye solutions - to the letter.
5. Tell your doctor about any change in your vision.

Permanent vision repair

Don’t want glasses or lenses? You can consider Lasik surgery, laser-assisted, out-patient procedure that can repair vision for life.

Dr. George Thurber, MD, with the Center for Eye Care, Biloxi, MS says all Lasik isn’t the same. Equipment and process have improved. Expect to pay $1600 to $2000 per eye for top-quality, most insurance won’t cover it. But that price point ensures minimal risk of halo-vision, starburst images or other imperfections, once common. With computer-aided mapping of your eye and today’s lasers, 95% of patients have zero side effects and permanent correction.

Lasik is simple for the patient, says Thurber. A few seconds per eye, after initial consulting. You focus on a small red light - lasers painlessly remove microscopic cornea layers. Men and women, in general good health, from about age 18 to 70-something, are opting for Lasik, with great results.

How eyeware can help you express yourself

Some people prefer glasses. That can be a wonderful enhancement of your looks and personality statement. Frame design follows ready-to-wear clothing trends and nothing is more stylish than strutting your own stuff. New, surprising materials are on the scene. Everyone is accessorizing, according to Susan Martonik, spokesperson for VCA.

“The coolest thing is matching frames to fashion or function - a wardrobe of multiple pairs. It’s about eclectic individual style. Make a statement that’s all you,” she says.

Martonik sees women wearing flirty feminine frames for social or dress up events, chic designer frames for business and casual glasses everyday. Men choose stronger designs for rough sports, technologically enhanced eyewear like stylish safety glasses for on-the-job needs, and reds or brighter blues and sexier greys for social occasions.

Make your frames suit your face

If they don’t suit your face, frames won’t enhance your style. You could spend hours agonizing over every frame on those racks upon racks at the store, or you could go online and prescreen basic shapes and styles, right on your own face. Googling for “virtual eyeglass try on” will net you a number of options. Try framesdirect.com/framefinder for starters. You load a photo of yourself, then swap frames.

Experts say choices are almost unlimited and new frames come out every day. There’s a growing popularity with prescription sunglasses and designer frames for shades are another way to express yourself and perk up your look.

For some people, surgery doesn’t appeal and wearing glasses isn’t right either. Contact lenses are getting better and more comfortable than ever before. Lenses come in an array of colors and there are even special effects lenses. If you have the budget, they’re out there. Treat your eyes well - you don’t get second chances.

Discovery Channel Dinosaurs!

Slow down your holiday hysteria and gather around the flat screen with your family for some delightful Television programming. The Discovery Channel has new dinosaur programming that starts December 6 at 8 pm Eastern.

Dinosaurs fascinate all of us and it’s been some time since there was anything new about the dinosaurs either on pay TV or broadcast. I just previewed a four-part series from Discovery Channel which is worth seeing– Clash of the Dinosaurs.

Pop some corn or order up a pizza -

This is a family event. I tested the shows on a three year old boy, a three year old girl, and a four year old boy-genius.

All three of them were spell-bound. They didn’t flinch at the dinosaur eating another dinosaur themes, they just wanted to know if dinosaurs eat people. I answered unqualifiedly that that had never happened and never would. We had a nice discussion of when dinos lived, why they aren’t here any more and if they cause bad dreams (they did not, for us).

I also shared Clash of the Dinosaurs with a group of teens and other adults, and they loved it. Here’s why - the animation and special effects are nicely updated and positively thrilling. There’s quite a bit of repetition - scenes do double and triple duty in the programs, but the production must have been expensive and they wanted their money’s worth. Overlook that, and you’ll enjoy seeing the physiology of dinosaurs.

What’s different here is the biological information - you’ll see musculature, bones in action, how tissue is distributed through those huge bodies. There’s lots about reproduction, how eggs survive, and all about daily life of the animals.

Meeting Ankylosaurus — an herbivore specifically designed as a killing machine — was thrilling. He’s 30 feet long, has three layers of armor, and eyelids made of bone. Don’t even think you or your kids know all there is to know about dinosaurs! We learned a lot and had a terrific time. Highly recommended.

The series: Four parts - two per night on Sunday, Dec 6 and Sunday Dec 13 at 8 pm. 7 Central, of course.

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Where to donate your old computer hardware

Overcoming PTSD

If Cyber Monday was an indication, electronic gifts are huge for this year’s holiday gift lists. Before you buy more computer hardware, computer peripherals, and computer toys, go through what you have and donate it. It’s the green living thing to do. Most comm,unities do not allow you to put computer hardware out with the trash. iolo.com gave me terrific solutions!

Why donate computer stuff?

Donate a computer to a school, church, or non-profit and your accountant may be able to deduct the value from your taxes. The government (U.S.) has incentives for computer donations. Folks at iolo technologies remind you to consider the value of installed software when you estimate the value of your computer.

There’s still a divide in the U.S. between computer-haves and -have nots. Some kids, indeed, some school districts are hard pressed to provide even basic equipment. That isn’t to say they will put antiquated hardware into use. Recipients of your gift may turn oldest equipment over for cash to enhance their programs.

The environment benefits every time we choose to recycle or reuse instead of pitching something into a landfill. We all know computer stuff is dangerous to throw away and will never degrade. I saw an old monitor laying in a roadside ditch out in the country the other day. I’d like to get my hands on the “donor” of that one.

Who to donate the computers to

• If the equipment is less than 3 years old, you can give it directly to an organization since extensive upgrading may not be necessary.
• Three to 5 year-old computers should go to a refurbishing center that can repair and upgrade computers, making them useable.  TechSoup’s searchable list of refurbishing centers is a good resource.
• Computer older than 5 years? Recycle it through TechSoup’s searchable list of recycling centers. (Goodwill and the Salvation Army no longer accept donated computers.)

Call the organization before you take your stuff over to them.

iolo technologies smart tips for computer donations

• Keep the operating system intact - the organization won’t have to spend valuable funds to purchase and license a new operating system.*
• Keep any software installed. This may increase the amount your tax deduction, and help the recipient of your PC - older computers often work best with older software.
• Where possible, include the peripherals and accessories, such as the mouse and keyboard, and include any manuals and CDs that came with the computer.

Last details when donating

It’s critically important that you remove your personal and sensitive data from the computer before you turn it over to anyone else. Reformatting the drive or erasing the data does NOT remove your info. Any novice can recover it unless you dowhat’s called a “wipe” with software like DriveScrubber.

Think outside the computer box and consider donating printers, speakers, storage units, or any other computer accessories you aren’t using. Then go get your new stuff for the holidays and enjoy!

Keep a record of your donations, including original receipts if you have them. Ask the organization you choose for a donation receipt.

iolo is a PC tuneup company, makers of System Mechanic software. They care about our environment. Visit their site for great tips, reviews, and information.

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