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Well, my days of having perfect 20/20 vision are over.

I managed to do without glasses for the past twenty or so years, but those late hours on the computer finally caught up to my eyesight. During my most recent appointment, my friendly optometrist gave me a prescription to my first pair of glasses. Although I have been trying to deny my deteriorating eyesight for quite some time, I definitely noticed that my vision has been getting worse and worse over time. I used to be able to read the letters of the street sign from my bedroom window, but lately these letters became blurry and indistinguishable. It was only a matter of time before I had to wear glasses.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to me, since I have been spending hours doing overnight computer research for my medical internship. However, I am still getting comfortable to the idea of wearing glasses all the time. I guess I’m just not used to wearing something in between my ears, although my friends tell me that I’ll become familiar with the feeling after a while.

Shopping for new glasses was an interesting experience for me. I wanted something stylish yet affordable at the same time, but I never imagined that glasses would be so expensive. Luckily, a friend managed to refer me to a reliable online retailer that sells at reasonable prices. Note to self: take extra care of my glasses (and my eyes!) carefully so that I won’t need to buy another pair for a long while.

I am also shopping around for a pair of contact lenses for aesthetic purposes, but wearing contacts is like opening up a whole new can of worms. For someone like me, who does many prolonged hours of reading and researching, wearing contact lenses might put an unnecessary strain on my eyes. Nonetheless, I am careful about taking breaks in between my reading anyway, because I do not want my eyesight to get any worse.

Researching about optical ailments was also a very educating experience. I only have a basic understanding of optometry in my studies so far, but I read up on some pretty interesting fields like Ophthalmology (studying the anatomy of the eye), Orthoptics (treatment of eye defection) and the Bates method (eye exercise). This seems like a profession that I may be interested in learning more about. Perhaps I will pursue more into optometry after my residency.

Plastic surgery continues to grow in popularity everyday. As celebrities continue to lean on it for quick fix up so does the general public. There are two common types of plastic surgery, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, this post will provide the distinction between these two operations.

Cosmetic surgery is focused on enhancing one’s appearance. They are often referred to as elective surgery as they don’t necessarily have to get done nor do they pose any significant risk to one’s health if they aren’t performed.  On the other hand, reconstructive surgery is operations that have to be performed to improve the general functioning of an impaired body feature. Operations done on burns, facial bone structure or any other damaged or malformed bodily units require reconstructive surgery.

Most patients of cosmetic surgery often go under the knife due to low self esteem or self confidence. There have been several studies that show why individuals would spend lots of money on possible life threatening procedures and the number one cause appears to be body image problems they experienced while growing up. Most may have been teased about their physical appearance when they were kids which could have attributed to their negative body image.

The main benefit that cosmetic surgery provides patients is that it gives patients an opportunity to start a new chapter in their life. With their new and improved physical appearance, they feel better about themselves and consequently boosting their self confidence and self esteem.

Plastic surgery of any kind is not a fix all process. After the surgery is done, everything is not back to the way it was. In fact some after effects of surgery especially cosmetic surgery will not be felt till a year after the procedure. Cosmetic surgeries in general have shorter recovery periods compared to reconstructive surgery. For instance, an individual who had a laser hair removal Toronto or Botox Toronto procedure would be fully recovered within 3 months as oppose to another who had their tumor removed. These individuals would have to take extra repercussions in regards to their diet and leading a more active lifestyle becomes even more crucial.

The rising addiction to beauty and to being perfect contributes to the rising cosmetic surgery being performed every year. They are a simple remedy to fix insecurities but they are not the only solution. Though it may take more energy to eat a balanced diet and to exercise regularly, there is no better feeling in nurturing your own body and learning to love it.

Like always, Leonardo da Vinci was ahead of his time. In as early as 1508, with his power of brilliant imagination, his sketches depicted in detail of what is now known as the contact lens. Da Vinci was not the only person in the past fascinated with enhancing the human eye condition. In 1820, an English astronomer named John Herschel also made a similar proposal, suggesting that a lens be put and conformed precisely to the surface of the eye. Herschel adds that the lens must fit exactly to the person’s eyeball. Both Da Vinci and Herschel paved the way for A.E. Fick, who invented the first experimental contact lenses in 1887. While these lenses were clunky, heavy, and exerted too much pressure on the eyeball, it was the beginning of an innovative technology that would revolutionize the world forever.

Over the next century, there would be many researches and studies in order to understand the human eye condition. Finding the right material to make the contact lens was a problem. In its early development, glass-blown sclerotic lens were the favoured but ultimately ineffective solution. After many experiments and failures, including attempts with a material called polymethylmethacrylate during the 1930s, the real answer was discovered within the year 1949 when the first corneal lenses were developed. Smaller in size than the original sclerotic lenses, these contacts rested on just the cornea rather than the entire ocular surface. Furthermore, since it was so light and unobtrusive, the lens could be worn up to sixteen hours per day.

These enhancements increased the appeal for contact lenses, which was quickly becoming the convenient alternative to eyeglasses. However, the lenses were still somewhat costly and fragile, and it wouldn’t be until the mid-1990s before technology has made contact lenses affordable and easily replaceable.

Nonetheless, the design and development for contact lenses expanded over the next several decades. Manufacturers begin creating more elegant and sophisticated designs, such as non prescription coloured contacts. These became the perfect cosmetic accessories, especially for people who wanted to alter the natural colour of their eyes. Now it was possible to have baby blue eyes, jade green eyes, chocolate brown eyes, brilliant turquoise eyes, or even crimson red eyes if one so wishes. The possibilities for reinventing a person’s appearance and identity became almost endless.

Contact lenses also serve many practical purposes. Unlike typical eyeglasses, these contacts are less likely to steam up when moving in between contrasting temperatures. These lenses also give a clearer field of vision, because there is nothing obstructing the peripheral sight line. People who have previously worn spectacles their whole lives can now enjoy the freedom of wearing nothing in between their ears. It was a liberating discovery.

There are some disadvantages to contact lenses, however, such as the fact that they could not be worn for prolonged periods of time. In fact, it is highly recommended that the contact lenses are cleaned and disinfected for an ongoing basis. The process of putting contact lenses on and off is quite time-consuming. It also requires a person to develop discipline, for not following the guidelines can lead to an infected eye and hindered vision.

The silicon hydrogel has become the standard material for contact lenses since 1999. This cheap and inexpensive material has made wearing contact lenses so much more comfortable.  Unfortunately, they lack durability, which means contact lenses must be replaced more often. This, however, is not so much of a drawback, for it is recommended that you change contact lenses between time to maintain the health of your vision.

Let’s clarify one misconception at the beginning of this self-help health guide. There is no miracle overnight solution to resolve all your health issues. Health development is a routine process, in which you might not notice the results until a very long time, if at all. You are less likely to take notice that your body has no visible problem areas, but you are definitely alert to any pains or sicknesses that your body might experience.

In order to start living healthily, you will have to take several active measures in your day-to-day life habits. This includes your dietary plans. Not only should you eat every meal of the day (yes, breakfast too!), but you should also be aware of what you are consuming, and whether they are healthy for your body or not. You have to take calories, vitamins, and nutrients into account. Don’t let your body slack off.

Your lifestyle is also affected by your exercise routines. Keep the body active. Keep the body fresh and energized. Keep the body always moving. Working out helps build your immune system, making it stronger against viruses or any other illnesses. You are less likely to get sick if you exercise on a routine basis.

Another method to take into consideration is your sleeping habits. Your body should always get plenty of rest each night. In fact, experts say that you should get at least six to seven hours of sleep in order to lead a healthy lifestyle. Too little sleep can be fatiguing. Too much sleep, however, also has their consequences.

There are lots of health articles on the Internet, each offering their own version of advices and recommendations on how to lead a strong and vibrant life. Instead of parroting what was already said before, this entry will summarize all the health tips in short, sufficient points.

* Eat healthy foods
Food is a very important supplement to our health. Think of it as the energizing battery for the human body. By eating healthily, we build up our body to be strong against sickness and illnesses. Food also gives nutrients to other parts of the body, preventing most ‘malfunctions’ or the like.

* Exercise (almost) daily
Have a good workout everyday, or at least every other day. This keeps your body fit, active, and very much in shape.

* Get plenty of rest
Your sleeping habits are linked to your physical and even emotional well-being. Someone who gets lots of rest will be more energized for the rest of the day. Someone who doesn’t get enough rest will be groggy and more susceptible to illnesses.

These are the three core values from most health articles on the Internet - diet, exercise, and rest. As long as you maintain all three to a sufficient level, you should be able to lead a very healthy life.

Most health advice is just common sense phrased in an articulate manner with medical jargon. However, it is no coincidence that the people with common sense are often the ones leading healthy lifestyles. You should already know what is good and what is bad for your body. It is another matter whether you decide to follow the advice or not. Regardless, the best way to start living healthily is through effort and dedication, that much is guaranteed.