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Health and Wellness
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Bedminster Eye and Laser Center, P.A. • Cataracts • Glaucoma • Multifocal & Toric Lens Replacement Surgery • Eye Exams • Contact Lenses • Emergency Services THE OPTICAL SHOPPE AT BEDMINSTER EYE & LASER CENTER 400 Main Street • P.O. Box 103 • Bedminster, NJ 07921 908-781-2020 www.bedminstereye.yourMD.com NOW OPEN! A complete collection of quality eyewear for the entire family. 12 Ridge Street, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 908-766-SKIN (7546) www.ChoiceDermatology.com • Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the skin, hair and nails • Microscopic interpretation of skin biopsies • Laser removal of brown spots and leg veins Marc Meulener, MD, PhD Now Accepting: AmeriHealth • BlueCross BlueShield • Aetna Oxford • UnitedHealthcare • Medicare Call to get an appointment within one week! New Patients Welcome • Surgical excision of benign and malignant skin lesions • Cosmetic services including BOTOX injection, dermal fillers for deep wrinkles, and chemical peels • Laser hair removal 50 Units of BOTOX for $ 499 00 Expires 12/31/15. Buy 1 Juvederm or Voluma Filler & Receive 2nd 50 % OFF Expires 12/31/15. 20 % OFF All LASER Procedures Expires 12/31/15. Holiday Specials KEEP YOUR HOLIDAYS MERRY AND BRIGHT: SAFEGUARD YOUR SIGHT By: Lawrence V. Najarian, M.D. Bedminster Eye and Laser Center, P.A. In the 1983 film, A Christmas Story, Ralphie goes to great lengths to con- vince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift, despite his mother’s warning, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” Children ask for and receive all sorts of presents that are potentially unsafe for their eyes during the holidays. These include innocuous-appearing toys such as a popgun or a paddleball set. Before you begin your holiday shop- ping, consider these statistics. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that there were 256,700 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2013. Seventy-three percent of those injuries occurred among children under age 15, and nearly half affected the head or face. Common eye injuries from toys include corneal abrasion (scratch), ocular hyphema, traumatic cataract and increased intraocular pressure – injuries that may require sur- gical treatment. When buying toys: • Purchase toys that are appropriate for the child’s age, abilities and par- ents’ willingness to supervise the child’s use of the toy. • Avoid projectile toys such as darts, bows and arrows, and missile-firing toys. • Look for toys marked with “ASTM.” which means the product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials. • If you plan to give sports equip- ment, provide appropriate protec- tive gear, such as helmets or pro- tective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Adults should also safeguard their eyes when putting up trees and holiday decorations, as well as when opening champagne bottles. Getting poked in the eye by a pine needle or getting hit in the eye with a champagne cork can not only take the fizz out of your holi- day spirit, but result in a trip to the emergency room. A cork can fly up to 50 miles per hour as it leaves the bot- tle. Anything that travels with such momentum can have a devastating impact if it strikes your eye. When opening a bottle of champagne: • Chill the champagne to at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit before opening. The cork of a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly. • Don’t shake the bottle. Shaking increases your chances of eye injury. • To open the bottle safely, hold down the cork with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood. Point the bottle at a 45- degree angle away from yourself and from any bystanders. • Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle and grasp the cork. • Keep the bottle at a 45-degree angle as you slowly and firmly twist the bottle while holding the cork to break the seal. Continue to hold the cork while twisting the bottle until the cork is almost out of the neck. Counter the force of the cork using slight downward pressure just as the cork breaks free from the bottle. Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!! Bedminster Eye and Laser Center is open six days a week to handle emer- gencies. To schedule a comprehensive eye exam with one of our board-certi- fied eye care professionals, phone (908) 781-2020. And, check out our selection of fashionable frames at The Optical Shoppe. Lawrence V. Najarian, M.D. is a board- certified ophthalmologist and founder of Bedminster Eye and Laser Center, P.A., which has served the Bedminster commu- nity and beyond for more than 25 years. Dr. Najarian recently received a Gold Doc Award from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. This national award is given to doctors who demonstrate “exemplary skill, sensitivity and compassion” toward patients. Dr. Najarian has been a faculty member of both New York University (where he was recently honored with a volunteer service award) and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary for the past 25 years.