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Could my glasses be making my eyesight worse?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-armitage-399647">James Armitage</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-hockley-1517162">Nick Hockley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p>So, you got your eyesight tested and found out you need your first pair of glasses. Or you found out you need a stronger pair than the ones you have. You put them on and everything looks crystal clear. But after a few weeks things look blurrier without them than they did before your eye test. What’s going on?</p> <p>Some people start to wear spectacles for the first time and perceive their vision is “bad” when they take their glasses off. They incorrectly interpret this as the glasses making their vision worse. Fear of this might make them <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140513-do-glasses-weaken-your-eyesight#:%7E:text=A%20study%20from,they%20are%20right%3F">less likely to wear their glasses</a>.</p> <p>But what they are noticing is how much better the world appears through the glasses. They become <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2576117X.2022.2033588">less tolerant</a> of a blurry world when they remove them.</p> <p>Here are some other things you might notice about eyesight and wearing glasses.</p> <h2>Lazy eyes?</h2> <p>Some people sense an increasing reliance on glasses and wonder if their eyes have become “lazy”.</p> <p>Our eyes work in much the same way as an auto-focus camera. A flexible lens inside each eye is controlled by muscles that let us <a href="https://www.aao.org/museum-eye-openers/how-does-eye-focus">focus on objects</a> in the distance (such as a footy scoreboard) by relaxing the muscle to flatten the lens. When the muscle contracts it makes the lens steeper and more powerful to see things that are much closer to us (such as a text message).</p> <p>From the age of about 40, the lens in our eye <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-we-lose-our-hearing-and-vision-as-we-age-67930">progressively hardens</a> and loses its ability to change shape. Gradually, we lose our capacity to focus on near objects. This is called “<a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/presbyopia">presbyopia</a>” and at the moment there are no treatments for this lens hardening.</p> <p>Optometrists correct this with prescription glasses that take the load of your natural lens. The lenses allow you to see those up-close images clearly by providing extra refractive power.</p> <p>Once we are used to seeing clearly, our tolerance for blurry vision will be lower and we will reach for the glasses to see well again.</p> <h2>The wrong glasses?</h2> <p>Wearing old glasses, the wrong prescription (or even someone else’s glasses) won’t allow you to see as well as possible for day-to-day tasks. It could also cause <a href="https://headaches.org/readers-mail-glasses-causing-headache/">eyestrain and headaches</a>.</p> <p>Incorrectly prescribed or dispensed prescription glasses can lead to vision impairment in children <a href="https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2126392">as their visual system is still in development</a>.</p> <p>But it is more common for kids to develop long-term vision problems as a result of <a href="https://www.cera.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Healthy-Young-Eyes-Guide-ACC.pdf">not wearing glasses when they need them</a>.</p> <p>By the time children are about 10–12 years of age, wearing incorrect spectacles is less likely to cause their eyes to become lazy or damage vision in the long term, but it is likely to result in <a href="https://www.cera.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Healthy-Young-Eyes-Guide-ACC.pdf">blurry or uncomfortable vision</a> during daily wear.</p> <p><a href="https://goodvisionforlife.com.au/">Registered optometrists in Australia</a> are trained to assess refractive error (whether the eye focuses light into the retina) as well as the different aspects of ocular function (including how the eyes work together, change focus, move around to see objects). All of these help us see clearly and comfortably.</p> <h2>What about dirty glasses?</h2> <p>Dirty or scratched glasses can give you the impression your vision is worse than it actually is. Just like a window, the dirtier your glasses are, the more difficult it is to see clearly through them. <a href="https://www.optometry.org.au/wp-content/uploads/GVFL/Brochure_PDFs/Care-for-Glasses-2018-A4-single-page-final.pdf">Cleaning glasses regularly</a> with a microfibre lens cloth will help.</p> <p>While dirty glasses are not commonly associated with eye infections, some research suggests dirty glasses can <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0207238">harbour bacteria</a> with the remote but theoretical <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6628431/#:%7E:text=59%2C60%5D.-,S.,39%2C40%2C41%5D.">potential to cause eye infection</a>.</p> <p>To ensure best possible vision, people who wear prescription glasses every day should clean their lenses at least every morning and twice a day where required. Cleaning frames with alcohol wipes can <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0207238">reduce bacterial contamination by 96%</a> – but care should be taken as alcohol can damage some frames, depending on what they are made of.</p> <h2>When should I get my eyes checked?</h2> <p><a href="https://goodvisionforlife.com.au/faqs/">Regular eye exams</a>, starting just before school age, are important for ocular health. Most prescriptions for corrective glasses <a href="https://www.ahpra.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD16%2F20156&amp;dbid=AP&amp;chksum=676U2aH1QM4XJ6ICVAVaKg%3D%3D">expire within two years</a> and contact lens prescriptions often expire after a year. So you’ll need an eye check for a new pair every year or so.</p> <p>Kids with ocular conditions such as progressive myopia (short-sightedness), strabismus (poor eye alignment), or amblyopia (reduced vision in one eye) will need checks at least every year, but likely more often. Likewise, people over 65 or who have known eye conditions, such as <a href="https://goodvisionforlife.com.au/vision-problems/glaucoma/">glaucoma</a>, will be recommended more frequent checks.</p> <p>An <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6706420/">online prescription estimator</a> is no substitute for a full eye examination. If you have a valid prescription then you can order glasses online, but you miss out on the ability to check the fit of the frame or to have them adjusted properly. This is particularly important for multifocal lenses where even a millimetre or two of misalignment can cause uncomfortable or blurry vision.</p> <p>Conditions such as <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/diabetes-vision-loss.html#:%7E:text=Diabetic%20retinopathy%20is%20caused%20when,vision%20or%20stopping%20blood%20flow.">diabetes</a> or <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525980/">high blood pressure</a>, can affect the eyes so regular eye checks can also help flag broader health issues. The vast majority of eye conditions can be treated if caught early, highlighting the importance of regular preventative care.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225169/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-armitage-399647">James Armitage</a>, Associate Professor in Vision Science, Optometry Course Director, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-hockley-1517162">Nick Hockley</a>, Lecturer in Optometric Clinical Skills, Director Deakin Collaborative Eye Care Clinic, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-my-glasses-be-making-my-eyesight-worse-225169">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Drinking olive oil: a health and beauty elixir or celebrity fad in a shot glass?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hazel-flight-536221">Hazel Flight</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edge-hill-university-1356">Edge Hill University</a></em></p> <p>In the ever-changing world of wellness trends and celebrity endorsed health fads there is a new trend on the scene: daily olive oil shots.</p> <p>Celebrities such as <a href="https://poosh.com/why-kourtney-kardashian-drinks-tablespoon-evoo/">Kourtney Kardashian</a>, Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow and <a href="https://www.womanandhome.com/life/news-entertainment/jennifer-lopez-credits-her-grandmas-crazy-beauty-secret-for-glowing-skin-and-chances-are-you-already-have-it-at-home/">Jennifer Lopez</a> all extol the virtues of swigging extra virgin as well as slathering it on their skin, crediting olive oil for their glowing complexions.</p> <p>Lopez even based her JLo Beauty brand around the kitchen staple, claiming that her age-defying looks were not the result of botox or surgery but the family beauty secret: <a href="https://graziamagazine.com/us/articles/jennifer-lopez-skincare-routine/">moisturising with olive oil</a>.</p> <p>And she’s in good company. Hollywood star <a href="https://jnews.uk/goldie-hawn-swears-by-olive-oil-for-perfect-skin-at-76-best-life/">Goldie Hawn reportedly drinks olive oil</a> before bed and uses it topically as a moisturiser, while <a href="https://www.redonline.co.uk/beauty/a31184313/julia-roberts-olive-oil-hair-skin/">beauty icon Sophia Loren</a> really goes to town by bathing in the stuff.</p> <p>While these celebrities swear by the skin beautifying properties of olive oil, some skin types should <a href="https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1182&amp;context=jdvi#:%7E:text=Background%3A%20Dry%20skin%20or%20xerosis,water%20in%20the%20stratum%20corneum.">give it a swerve</a>. Those <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.14436">prone to acne</a> or eczema, for example, might find the <a href="https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(21)00813-7/fulltext">olive oil exacerbates their problems</a>. Some <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22995032/">dermatologists warn against</a> using it as skin care altogether – bad news for JLo.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3F7uc9jV9V4?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Thanks largely to celebrity promotion, drinking olive oil has now become a <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/lifestyle/tiktok-dua-lipa-ice-cream-olive-oil-b2479725.html">worldwide TikTok sensation</a>. Viral videos show influencers tossing back shots of cult olive oil brands, and proclaiming a wide range of health benefits from improving digestion to clearing up acne.</p> <p>Celebrity and influencers are sold on liquid gold but what about the rest of us? Can drinking olive oil really work on miracles for our health?</p> <h2>The benefits of olive oil</h2> <p>There’s no doubt that olive oil is full of good stuff. It’s high in polyphenols and antioxidants, which have protective qualities for the body’s tissues. It’s also a rich source of essential fatty acids, including oleic acid, which is known for <a href="https://foodrevolution.org/blog/olives-and-olive-oil-benefits/#:%7E:text=Compared%20with%20olives%2C%20olive%20oil,in%20polyphenols%20and%20antioxidants%2C%20however">lowering cholesterol</a> so reducing the chances of heart disease.</p> <p>Research has found that the inclusion of olive oil in the diet shows encouraging effects in a variety of <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu11092039">inflammatory and medical diseases</a> and can <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffnut.2022.980429">support weight management</a> if used correctly.</p> <p>Replacing butter, margarine, mayonnaise and dairy fat with olive oil has been linked to a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jacc.2021.10.041">lower risk of mortality</a>. There’s also evidence to suggest that the protective compounds in olive oil may help <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0261649">guard against cancer</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10376491/">dementia</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29141573/">support the liver</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7916323/">and kidneys</a>.</p> <p>But none of this is new information to health professionals. The health benefits of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7466243/">extra virgin olive oil</a> are <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu11092039">well researched</a> and nutritionists have promoted olive oil as a swap for saturated cooking fat for years.</p> <p>After all, the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7536728/">Mediterranean diet</a> has been touted as one of the healthiest diets in the world for decades. The diet itself can vary from region to region, but <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu15092127">virgin olive oil</a> is a <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu11092039">consistent element</a>. It’s used as the <a href="https://www.themediterraneandish.com/cooking-with-olive-oil/">main source of cooking fat</a> and included in everything from salad dressings to bread.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/krFcE5IPT7g?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>Can fat be healthy? Yes and no</h2> <p>Fats are crucial for a balanced diet, aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A,D,E,K and enhancing the nutritional value of meals.</p> <p>However, fat of any kind is also dense in calories and excessive consumption <a href="https://doi.org/10.1159/000336848">can lead to weight gain</a>. According to the <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/17-07-2023-who-updates-guidelines-on-fats-and-carbohydrates">World Health Organization</a>, to prevent unhealthy weight gain, adults should limit their intake of fat to 30% of total energy intake with no more than 10% coming from saturated fats.</p> <p>Two tablespoons of olive oil – the standard amount in the shots taken by celebrities and social media influencers – contain 28g of fat (238 calories) and 3.8g of saturated fat equating to <a href="https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171413/nutrients">19% of the recommended daily intake</a>.</p> <p>That daily shot of extra virgin, then, might not be the best idea. Adding small amounts of olive oil to meals throughout the day is a more balanced – and appetising – approach to incorporating healthy fats into your diet.</p> <p>But what about Kourtney Kardashian’s <a href="https://poosh.com/why-kourtney-kardashian-drinks-tablespoon-evoo/#:%7E:text=First%20things%20first%2C%20it's%20recommended,a.m.%20(every%20other%20day).">claim that</a>: “It’s recommended to consume extra virgin olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach so the oil can coat your system and neutralize your stomach walls for optimal benefits?”</p> <p><a href="https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/briefs/consuming-olive-oil-on-an-empty-stomach-health-benefits/91503">Some brands</a> have also echoed the idea that consuming olive oil on an empty stomach offers unique health benefits. But no. There’s no scientific evidence to suggest this is true.</p> <p>For a healthy but more satisfying snack, Kourtney might try including a handful of olives into her daily diet. Olives offer the same rich array of nutrients, including vitamins E, A and K, alongside essential minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and amino acids.</p> <p>Unlike olive oil, olives have the added benefit of a high fibre content. The combination of fat and fibre enhances feelings of satiety, making olives a nutritious addition to the diet.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224018/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hazel-flight-536221">Hazel Flight</a>, Programme Lead Nutrition and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edge-hill-university-1356">Edge Hill University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/drinking-olive-oil-a-health-and-beauty-elixir-or-celebrity-fad-in-a-shot-glass-224018">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Do blue-light glasses really work? Can they reduce eye strain or help me sleep?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-downie-1469379">Laura Downie</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>Blue-light glasses are said to <a href="https://www.baxterblue.com.au/collections/blue-light-glasses">reduce eye strain</a> when using <a href="https://www.blockbluelight.com.au/collections/computer-glasses">computers</a>, improve your <a href="https://www.ocushield.com/products/anti-blue-light-glasses">sleep</a> and protect your eye health. You can buy them yourself or your optometrist can prescribe them.</p> <p>But <a href="https://mivision.com.au/2019/03/debate-continues-over-blue-blocking-lenses/">do they work</a>? Or could they do you harm?</p> <p>We <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013244.pub2/full">reviewed</a> the evidence. Here’s what we found.</p> <h2>What are they?</h2> <p>Blue-light glasses, blue light-filtering lenses or blue-blocking lenses are different terms used to describe lenses that reduce the amount of short-wavelength visible (blue) light reaching the eyes.</p> <p>Most of these lenses prescribed by an optometrist decrease blue light transmission by <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/opo.12615">10-25%</a>. Standard (clear) lenses do not filter blue light.</p> <p>A wide variety of lens products are available. A filter can be added to prescription or non-prescription lenses. They are widely marketed and are becoming <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/opo.12615">increasingly popular</a>.</p> <p>There’s often an added cost, which depends on the specific product. So, is the extra expense worth it?</p> <h2>Blue light is all around us</h2> <p>Outdoors, sunlight is the main source of blue light. Indoors, light sources – such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the screens of digital devices – emit varying degrees of blue light.</p> <p>The amount of blue light emitted from artificial light sources is much lower than from the Sun. Nevertheless, artificial light sources are all around us, at home and at work, and we can spend a lot of our time inside.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549210/original/file-20230920-16-tsb23b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Blue light-filtering lenses block some blue light from screens from reaching the eye" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Screens emit blue light. The lenses are designed to reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the eye.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/blue-light-blocking-ray-filter-lens-2286229107">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Our research team at the University of Melbourne, along with collaborators from Monash University and City, University London, sought to see if the best available evidence supports using blue light-filtering glasses, or if they could do you any harm. So we conducted a <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013244.pub2/full">systematic review</a> to bring together and evaluate all the relevant studies.</p> <p>We included all randomised controlled trials (clinical studies designed to test the effects of interventions) that evaluated blue light-filtering lenses in adults. We identified 17 eligible trials from six countries, involving a total of 619 adults.</p> <h2>Do they reduce eye strain?</h2> <p>We found no benefit of using blue light-filtering lenses, over standard (clear) lenses, to reduce eye strain with computer use.</p> <p>This conclusion was based on consistent findings from three studies that evaluated effects on eye strain over time periods ranging from two hours to five days.</p> <h2>Do they help you sleep?</h2> <p>Possible effects on sleep were uncertain. Six studies evaluated whether wearing blue-light filtering lenses before bedtime could improve sleep quality, and the findings were mixed.</p> <p>These studies involved people with a diverse range of medical conditions, including insomnia and bipolar disorder. Healthy adults were not included in the studies. So we do not yet know whether these lenses affect sleep quality in the general population.</p> <h2>Do they boost your eye health?</h2> <p>We did not find any clinical evidence to support using blue-light filtering lenses to protect the macula (the region of the retina that controls high-detailed, central vision).</p> <p>None of the studies evaluated this.</p> <h2>Could they do harm? How about causing headaches?</h2> <p>We could not draw clear conclusions on whether there might be harms from wearing blue light-filtering lenses, compared with standard (non blue-light filtering) lenses.</p> <p>Some studies described how study participants had headaches, lowered mood and discomfort from wearing the glasses. However, people using glasses with standard lenses reported similar effects.</p> <h2>What about other benefits or harms?</h2> <p>There are some important general considerations when interpreting our findings.</p> <p>First, most of the studies were for a relatively short period of time, which limited our ability to consider longer-term effects on vision, sleep quality and eye health.</p> <p>Second, the review evaluated effects in adults. We don’t yet know if the effects are different for children.</p> <p>Finally, we could not draw conclusions about the possible effects of blue light-filtering lenses on many vision and eye health measures, including colour vision, as the studies did not evaluate these.</p> <h2>In a nutshell</h2> <p>Overall, based on relatively limited published clinical data, our review does not support using blue-light filtering lenses to reduce eye strain with digital device use. It is unclear whether these lenses affect vision quality or sleep, and no conclusions can be drawn about any potential effects on the health of the retina.</p> <p>High-quality research is needed to answer these questions, as well as whether the effectiveness and safety of these lenses varies in people of different ages and health status.</p> <p>If you have eye strain, or other eye or vision concerns, discuss this with your optometrist. They can perform a thorough examination of your eye health and vision, and discuss any relevant treatment options.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/213145/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-downie-1469379"><em>Laura Downie</em></a><em>, Associate Professor in Optometry and Vision Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-blue-light-glasses-really-work-can-they-reduce-eye-strain-or-help-me-sleep-213145">original article</a>.</em></p>

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What your glasses are secretly revealing about your personality

<p><strong>Colourful frames are for creative types</strong></p> <p>Glasses frames come in every imaginable colour nowadays. While black and brown frames still exist, they are no longer the only options. Those who do dare to colour their vision are typically very creative, says optometrist Lynn Green. “Artists love colour,” she says. “They are very particular with what they like and they know what they like.” But artists aren’t the only ones who gravitate towards colour frames. Both the extrovert and the introvert veer toward this kind of eye wear. </p> <p>“Usually bright, bold colours are somebody that’s fun and outgoing,” Green discerns, “but what’s nice about fun colours is somebody…who’s always been neutral and blends in, they’ve gotten to a point in their life where they’re like, ‘You know what, I need a change.’” While it is very natural for an outgoing person to pick up a pair of attention-grabbing glasses, shy people who are trying to break out of their shell can use these glasses as a means of putting themselves out there.</p> <p><strong>Thick black frames are trendy </strong></p> <p>Thick black frames go largely to the young, hipster crowd. The people who wear these glasses are definitely trying to make a statement about themselves. Green describes this type as, “That bold, ‘look-at-me’ frame.” It has been her observation that the dark, thick, heavier frames have been the favourite of people in the late teens to 20s age range. </p> <p>These are the glasses that are one of the biggest trends. A person that has a pair of these glasses is probably young, bold, opinionated, and trendy.</p> <p><strong>Patterned frames are cheerful </strong></p> <p>In terms of demographics, Green has also surmised that it is mostly women who tend to opt for colour and different patterns on their frames. Not only that, but bright colours with patterns are also preferred by older people who want to feel the fun of youth again. </p> <p>Sometimes they even have designs by the temples, like little flowers. These cute and stylish glasses express a cheerful nature and someone who doesn’t like to take life too seriously.</p> <p><strong>Aviators are for the adventurous </strong></p> <p>Another person who has an intimate relationship with fashion and eye wear is fashion designer Larisa Ginzburg. According to her, those who have a penchant for aviators are quite the adventurers. “If you’re a fan of the aviators frame, chances are you’ve always been a risk taker. Just like you, this style is classic, but not concerned with respecting the rules and will stand out in its modern reinterpretations. </p> <p>The wearer is an active, devoted person who knows what they want and they’re not afraid to live for the moment. An undying staple of coolness, aviator glasses are a favourite among outspoken people who don’t just talk, but walk the talk.” If you’ve got at least one pair of aviators, you’re the kind of person whose presence is always felt. You enter a room and people notice, and you usually end up being the life of the party.</p> <p><strong>Fake glasses are a confidence boost </strong></p> <p>Yes, people really do wear fake glasses, and it’s more common than you’d think. According to Green, the whole “glasses make you look smart” thing still applies. “I had a patient come in,” Green shares, “[and] she was going for a very important job interview. She did not have a prescription. She wanted glasses that made her look very confident, and we found the perfect Tom Ford classic look. She brought us all chocolate because she got the job, and she said it was the glasses that did it.” </p> <p>Other than just for career, there are a lot of reasons that people wear fake glasses. As Green observes, glasses are now just as much an accessory as they are a necessity. Like shoes or purses or earrings, people buy glasses to intentionally convey something about themselves. People who wear fake glasses are very concerned with how the world sees them and may be somewhat insecure. At the same time, they could also be fashionistas who want to complete their perfect look.</p> <p><strong>Simple, clean lines are pragmatic </strong></p> <p>We’ve talked a lot about the creative person, but what about people who are more logically, mathematically, or scientifically driven? In her two decades of being an optician, Green has noticed that these types of people tend to pay less attention to style and more attention to function. </p> <p>“They go for structure,” she says. “They’re very detail oriented. They usually go with a more simple, clean line look.” For this type of person, glasses are more about pragmatism and not so much about showing off.</p> <p><strong>Big round frames are quirky </strong></p> <p>These are the glasses that Green refers to as “The Harry Potter frames.” They’re not as common as they used to be, but people do still rock that big, circular frame. “In that round shape is a very classic style,” she says. “It’s old Hollywood.” </p> <p>People who wear these glasses in the modern era tend to be men in their 30s to late 40s, she explains. They’re a little bit quirkier then your average person and might have an appreciation for history or vintage style.</p> <p><strong>Browline frames are for those who mean business</strong></p> <p>Last on the list are browline frames (aka club masters or semi-rimless frames). Just because they appear at the end of this list doesn’t mean they aren’t popular, though. These are the glasses that have a bold upper frame and a thin bottom frame. </p> <p>Ginzburg says, “[They] are both smart and stylish, and they say that you mean business! They are a classic power accessory for your professional life, and a favourite among knowledgeable hipsters who aim high in life. This style reflects the fact that you are quick on your feet, and have a well-rounded personality.” Browline frames are the great compromise between being bold and being simple. If you wear these, you’re not afraid to make a statement but you also don’t let your ego get you in trouble.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/what-your-glasses-are-secretly-revealing-about-your-personality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Beauty & Style

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What your glasses are secretly revealing about your personality

<h2>Colourful frames are for creative types</h2> <p>Glasses frames come in every imaginable colour nowadays. While black and brown frames still exist, they are no longer the only options. Those who do dare to colour their vision are typically very creative, says optometrist Lynn Green. “Artists love colour,” she says. “They are very particular with what they like and they know what they like.” But artists aren’t the only ones who gravitate towards colour frames. Both the extrovert and the introvert veer toward this kind of eye wear. “Usually bright, bold colours are somebody that’s fun and outgoing,” Green discerns, “but what’s nice about fun colours is somebody…who’s always been neutral and blends in, they’ve gotten to a point in their life where they’re like, ‘You know what, I need a change.’” While it is very natural for an outgoing person to pick up a pair of attention-grabbing glasses, shy people who are trying to break out of their shell can use these glasses as a means of putting themselves out there.</p> <h2>Thick black frames are trendy</h2> <p>Thick black frames go largely to the young, hipster crowd. The people who wear these glasses are definitely trying to make a statement about themselves. Green describes this type as, “That bold, ‘look-at-me’ frame.” It has been her observation that the dark, thick, heavier frames have been the favourite of people in the late teens to 20s age range. These are the glasses that are one of the biggest trends. A person that has a pair of these glasses is probably young, bold, opinionated, and trendy.</p> <h2>Patterned frames are cheerful</h2> <p>In terms of demographics, Green has also surmised that it is mostly women who tend to opt for colour and different patterns on their frames. Not only that, but bright colours with patterns are also preferred by older people who want to feel the fun of youth again. Sometimes they even have designs by the temples, like little flowers. These cute and stylish glasses express a cheerful nature and someone who doesn’t like to take life too seriously.</p> <h2>Aviators are for the adventurous</h2> <p>Another person who has an intimate relationship with fashion and eye wear is fashion designer Larisa Ginzburg. According to her, those who have a penchant for aviators are quite the adventurers. “If you’re a fan of the aviators frame, chances are you’ve always been a risk taker. Just like you, this style is classic, but not concerned with respecting the rules and will stand out in its modern reinterpretations. The wearer is an active, devoted person who knows what they want and they’re not afraid to live for the moment. An undying staple of coolness, aviator glasses are a favourite among outspoken people who don’t just talk, but walk the talk.” If you’ve got at least one pair of aviators, you’re the kind of person whose presence is always felt. You enter a room and people notice, and you usually end up being the life of the party.</p> <h2>Fake glasses are a confidence boost</h2> <p>Yes, people really do wear fake glasses, and it’s more common than you’d think. According to Green, the whole “glasses make you look smart” thing still applies. “I had a patient come in,” Green shares, “[and] she was going for a very important job interview. She did not have a prescription. She wanted glasses that made her look very confident, and we found the perfect Tom Ford classic look. She brought us all chocolate because she got the job, and she said it was the glasses that did it.” Other than just for career, there are a lot of reasons that people wear fake glasses. As Green observes, glasses are now just as much an accessory as they are a necessity. Like shoes or purses or earrings, people buy glasses to intentionally convey something about themselves. People who wear fake glasses are very concerned with how the world sees them and may be somewhat insecure. At the same time, they could also be fashionistas who want to complete their perfect look.</p> <h2>Simple, clean lines are pragmatic</h2> <p>We’ve talked a lot about the creative person, but what about people who are more logically, mathematically, or scientifically driven? In her two decades of being an optician, Green has noticed that these types of people tend to pay less attention to style and more attention to function. “They go for structure,” she says. “They’re very detail oriented. They usually go with a more simple, clean line look.” For this type of person, glasses are more about pragmatism and not so much about showing off.</p> <h2>Big round frames are quirky</h2> <p>These are the glasses that Green refers to as “The Harry Potter frames.” They’re not as common as they used to be, but people do still rock that big, circular frame. “In that round shape is a very classic style,” she says. “It’s old Hollywood.” People who wear these glasses in the modern era tend to be men in their 30s to late 40s, she explains. They’re a little bit quirkier then your average person and might have an appreciation for history or vintage style.</p> <h2>Browline frames are for those who mean business</h2> <p>Last on the list are browline frames (aka club masters or semi-rimless frames). Just because they appear at the end of this list doesn’t mean they aren’t popular, though. These are the glasses that have a bold upper frame and a thin bottom frame. Ginzburg says, “[They] are both smart and stylish, and they say that you mean business! They are a classic power accessory for your professional life, and a favourite among knowledgeable hipsters who aim high in life. This style reflects the fact that you are quick on your feet, and have a well-rounded personality.” Browline frames are the great compromise between being bold and being simple. If you wear these, you’re not afraid to make a statement but you also don’t let your ego get you in trouble.</p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/what-your-glasses-are-secretly-revealing-about-your-personality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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8 nifty uses for leftover glass jars

<p>If your recycling bin is building up with leftover jars, scoop them out and salvage them. There are so many uses for leftover jars that you never need crowd out the rubbish again.</p> <p>Here are our eight favourites:</p> <p><strong>Vase</strong> – Leftover glass jars, especially long narrow ones (like the ones tomato passata come in) are ideal for small flower arrangements. Wild flowers or natives look especially good in these vintage inspired vessels.</p> <p><strong>Candle-holder</strong> – Forget expensive candle holders. Small glass jars are excellent for holding your tea-lights. Try different shapes and sizes grouped together for an eye-catching effect.</p> <p><strong>Hold-all</strong> – Need somewhere to store your pens/pencils or even the bits and bobs that make up your sewing kit? Try using a large glass jar. Added bonus? You can see everything you’ve stashed.</p> <p><strong>Drinking glass</strong> – If you’ve been to a trendy café recently, you may have had your drink served in a glass jar. It’s the new ‘in thing’ to do. Why not create the same vibe at home and serve your drinks in your leftover jars? Smoothies especially are great in jars. You can even cap them with the lid for drinks on the go.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/diy/2014/12/diy-polka-dot-drinking-glasses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Related link: Make your own polka-dot drinking glasses</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><strong>Planter</strong> – If you’re a keen gardener, especially one with a small space to green up, you’re no doubt always on the lookout for planters. Larger sized glass jars can make a beautifully eye-catching display for small plants with succulents.</p> <p><strong>Storage container</strong> – If your jar still has a tightly fitted lid, why not use it to store other foods? Homemade foods like pesto and nut butters are especially good stored in air-tight glass containers while large jars make the perfect biscuit tin.</p> <p><strong>Gift</strong> – Bear with us! While handing over an empty glass jar probably isn’t the best idea, filling a pretty jar with some homemade goodies makes for an excellent gift. The dry ingredients for biscuits, a favourite slice or even something like homemade tea or dried herbs and spices can all be placed in a jar festooned with some ribbon and a card. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/at-home/2014/08/a-guide-to-homemade-candles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A guide to homemade candles</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/diy/2014/12/diy-3-fab-ways-to-upcycle-mason-jars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Great uses for Mason jars</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/at-home/2014/06/how-to-create-your-own-flower-arrangements/%20%20%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to create your own flower arrangements</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home & Garden

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How to clean your glasses the right way

<p dir="ltr">Is there anything worse than dirty glasses? We already can’t see properly without them! Many people believe glass cleaner is the best way to clean your eyeglasses, but we’re here to tell you it’s not.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Clean your eyeglasses with soap:</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Cleaning glasses with soap is scratch-free, cheap and easy. You need to wash them gently, but it’s a method that will not harm your eyewear.</p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rinse your glasses in warm water</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Add a drop of gentle dish soap to the lenses</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Smear the soap on both sides, including the earpieces</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rinse off the soap</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Dry them with a lint-free or microfibre cloth</li> </ol> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Things to avoid:</strong></p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Paper towels</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tissues</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Shirttails</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Acetone</li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Windex</li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">Although Windex and other glass cleaners may seem like the best way, the chemicals in these formulas have the potential to remove coatings you’ve paid to put on your lenses. The safest, best way to give your glasses that brand-spanking-new shine is to use basic dish soap!</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Why the size of your glasses matters

<p>It can be frustrating when you’ve picked up your news glasses only to find the frame presses against your head or the glasses keep slipping down your nose. Getting the right pair of glasses isn’t just about the right prescription, finding a comfortable frame is also key to enjoying relaxed and (almost) perfect vision. So if you’ve ever suffered buyer’s remorse after a glasses purchase, here are the tips to follow so you always get the perfect fit for your new glasses.</p> <p><strong>The lens</strong></p> <p>In general, the thinner and lighter the lens, the more comfortable the spectacles will be to wear. If possible, choose a thinner lens so your glasses won’t feel as heavy on the nose and ears.</p> <p><strong>The nose bridge</strong></p> <p>As one of the few points of contact with your face, it’s important to carefully consider the comfort of the glasses’ nose bridge. You want the nose pads to sit solidly on your nose, otherwise they can quickly lose their grip and keep sliding down.</p> <p><strong>The sides</strong></p> <p>The sides of your spectacles shouldn’t press into your temples. Some people mistakenly believe pressure means the glasses fit properly, but there should never be any heaviness felt on the temples. You might feel some pressure behind the ear, but that’s ok as this keeps the weight of the glasses from being borne wholly by your nose.</p> <p><strong>The frame</strong></p> <p>As a general rule, when you look through your glasses it should be at the middle of the lens. The top of the frame should sit below the eyebrows but above the fold of the eye and the frame should not be much wider than your face.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Eye Care

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Raise a glass: Warne farewelled in intimate ceremony

<p dir="ltr">Cricketing legend Shane Warne has been farewelled by his closest friends and family in a private ceremony at the grounds of his favourite footy club.</p> <p dir="ltr">Around 80 gathered at St Kilda Football Club on Sunday, with guests encouraged to don St Kilda scarves in honour of Warne's lifelong association with the club.</p> <p dir="ltr">The service ended with a final lap for Warnie around the Moorabbin Oval, the homeground of The Saints AFL team, to the <em>Dirty Dancing</em> hit <em>(I've Had) The Time of My Life</em>. Warne's hearse, also decorated with footy scarves, was followed by a small group, including his three children Brooke, Jackson and Summer, and his parents Keith and Brigitte.</p> <p dir="ltr">As the hearse left the arena, Tina Turner's <em>Simply the Best</em> played and attendees applauded.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/shane-warne-funeral.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Attendees raised their glasses to Warnie, who died aged 52 of a heart attack in early March. Image: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Eddie Maguire, the event's MC and Warnie's close friend, asked that everyone raise their glasses to the cricketer after his coffin toured the ground.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other guests included cricketing stars Mark Taylor, Glenn Maxwell, Michael Vaughn and Glenn McGrath, as well as businessman James Packer and AFL identities Sam Newman and Aaron Hamill.</p> <p dir="ltr">Coldplay's sombre tune <em>Fix You</em> was played during the service, as well as an original piece the band's frontman Chris Martin wrote for Warne, titled <em>Eulogy</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The private service comes just under two weeks before thousands are expected to arrive at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for Warne's state funeral on March 30.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

News

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Cracking the code of unbreakable phone screens

<div class="copy"> <p>Unbreakable phone screens might seem too good to be true, but some chemical engineers reckon they’ve cracked the secret, developing a new material that combines glass with nanocrystals to make a resilient screen that would produce high-quality images in phones, LEDs and computers.</p> <p>The breakthrough substance could even be used to make phone screens that double as solar panels.</p> <p>The technology revolves around <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/overcoming-atomic-level-perovskite-defects/" target="_blank">perovskites</a>: nanometre-sized crystals that have a range of exciting electrical properties, making them prime candidates for better solar cells, LEDs and touchscreens.</p> <p>While perovskites have had a few early commercial successes, their physical properties have mostly stopped them from getting far out of the lab.</p> <p>“The stability of perovskites is the most difficult challenge which has hindered their commercialisation,” says Professor Lianzhou Wang, a materials scientist at the University of Queensland and co-author on a paper describing the research, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abf4460" target="_blank">published</a> in <em>Science.</em></p> <p>Lead author Dr Jingwei Hou, also from UQ, says the material is “super sensitive to almost everything – oxygen, water, gas, temperature, and even sensitive to light.</p> <p>“I think it’s a fantastic material, but it doesn’t really make sense if we want to use it on a solar panel, or display, if it’s sensitive to light.”</p> <p>The researchers have overcome this sensitivity by figuring a way to encase lead-halide perovskites in glass.</p> <p>“We created a lot of very small, nano-sized pores within the glass,” explains Hou. “That offers a very nice host material environment for the perovskite.</p> <p>“If we just put those very small nanocrystals within the pores, they will be not only stabilised against all of the external environment…it also makes the perovskite somewhere between 100 to 1000 times more efficient.”</p> <p>At the level of nanometres, the material resembles a chocolate chip cookie. “The perovskite nanocrystals are the chocolate chips, and the glass surrounds them,” says Hou.</p> <p>The material is also much more durable than normal glass. “Conventional glass is so brittle [because] it’s really dense. If you zoom in and look at the molecular structure, it’s silicon, aluminium, oxygen – very densely packed atoms,” says Hou.</p> <p>“Once you apply any pressure or any mechanical force to it, there’s no way to get it relaxed, and that’s what leads to the breakage of chemical bonds.”</p> <p>The pores, on the other hand, allow the glass to absorb more stress.</p> <p>“This is really a kind of platform technology,” says Hou. “The pore size can be tuned, the chemistry can be tuned. So that means it can be used to host a different type of perovskite.”</p> <p>In the paper, the international team of researchers – who are based at the University of Leeds and the University of Cambridge in the UK, and Université Paris-Saclay in France – demonstrate several different types of “lead halide perovskite and metal-organic framework glasses”, all of which they’ve been able to create.</p> <p>As well as their potential applications in screens and LEDs, the glasses could be used to make higher-quality X-ray images and more efficient solar panels.</p> <p>“We’re looking at trying to combine a solar panel with a display,” says Hou.</p> <p>“Think about mobile phones, for example – when you use it, it will become a display. When you don’t use it, put it in the sunlight, it will charge the battery. So it’s one device for two functions.”</p> <p>Manufacture of the material is scalable, according to Hou, and the researchers are currently looking at building prototype devices with it.</p> <p>“We’re really confident that we’ll be able to generate devices in the next stage,” says Hou.</p> <p>“We are also looking for some industrial collaborators who are really interested in bringing this exciting material into the real world.”</p> <em>Image credits: Shutterstock            <!-- Start of tracking content syndication. Please do not remove this section as it allows us to keep track of republished articles --> <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=171112&amp;title=Cracking+the+code+of+unbreakable+phone+screens" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> <!-- End of tracking content syndication -->          </em></div> <div id="contributors"> <p><em>This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/materials/unbreakable-phone-screens/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Ellen Phiddian.</em></p> </div>

Technology

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How to stop your glasses from fogging up while wearing a mask

<p>The COVID-19 pandemic brings with it a problem unique to those who wear glasses: The moment the face mask goes on, those lenses instantly fog up.</p> <p>It’s an annoying quirk that boils down to the difference in temperature between your body and your glasses. When you breathe, the warm air that leaves your mouth and nose escapes through the top of your mask, turns into condensation, and fogs up the cool surface of your lenses.</p> <p>Though foggy glasses are inconvenient, widespread mask-wearing remains one of the most important public health measures we have to protect ourselves against the novel coronavirus, says Dr Anna Banerji, an associate professor at the University of Toronto. Since the virus is airborne, wearing a face covering like a mask creates a physical layer of protection between you and any air droplets from infected people. “And, if you wear a mask properly, it protects someone else because your droplets aren’t going to the nose or mouth of someone and potentially infecting them,” Banerji says.</p> <p>The good news? There are measures you can take to ensure your vision remains crystal clear throughout the pandemic. Here are five tips to help you avoid foggy glasses while wearing a face mask.</p> <p><strong>Use soap and water</strong><br />Banerji suggests washing your glasses with soapy water and then wiping them dry. “There’s a film of soap that’s left over which might reduce the risk of fogging,” she advises. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, glasses get foggy because of the surface tension between the water molecules in your breath. The thin film left behind by the soapy water reduces the surface tension and causes the water molecules to spread out evenly, rather than cluster on your lenses to create fog.</p> <p>It’s best to use dishwashing detergent or a basic hand soap – anything that is for sensitive skin or contains lotion might get stuck to your lenses and smear.</p> <p><strong>Wear your glasses over your mask</strong><br />Changing the position of your glasses might divert the warm air away from your lenses. If you’re finding that your vision gets cloudy with every breath you take, try pulling the top of your mask higher onto your face so that your glasses are sitting on top of the material.</p> <p><strong>Mind the gap</strong><br />You might be having trouble with foggy glasses because your mask doesn’t fit tightly enough. The result is a gap at the top of the mask, by the bridge of your nose, that lets warm air escape behind the lenses of your glasses. Make sure that your mask fits securely over your nose. If you have a mask that has an adjustable nose bridge strip, mould the strip to follow the contours of your nose for a tighter seal.</p> <p><strong>Tape it down</strong><br />Another way to close the gap at the top of a mask is to tape it down across the bridge of your nose. Even before the pandemic, some health care professionals who regularly wear glasses would put a strip of surgical tape along the top of their masks to prevent the warm moist air from escaping. Just make sure you’re using medical tape or sports tape that’s safe for use on skin.</p> <p><strong>Use a tissue</strong><br />If you’re still having problems with your glasses fogging up, try folding a facial tissue horizontally and placing it under the top of your mask at the bridge of your nose. The moisture from your breath should be absorbed by the tissue instead of escaping behind your glasses.</p> <p class="p1">Written by <span>Rebecca Gao</span>. This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/how-to-stop-your-glasses-from-fogging-up-while-wearing-a-mask"><span class="s1">Reader’s Digest</span></a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.co.nz/subscribe"><span class="s1">here’s our best subscription offer</span></a>.</p>

Body

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Why we all need glasses as we age

<p>Changes in your eyesight can creep up on you. One day everything might be fine – perhaps your phone screen seems to be getting smaller, and your arms might be getting shorter – but nothing to worry about.</p> <p>And then, you might be enjoying an evening in a dimly lit restaurant with a group of friends and suddenly the menu seems incredibly hard to read. And it’s not just you. Take a look around the table and realise that everyone is squinting at the menu and/or holding it at arms’ length.</p> <p>Yes, it happens to all of us, usually sometime in our 40s, as our eyesight seems to deteriorate. Indeed, there is nothing more satisfying than watching the Academy Awards and seeing your favourite movie star resort to their glasses while reading the teleprompter. It seems not all parts of ageing can be solved with cosmetic surgery.</p> <p>This condition, called presbyopia, is a gradual, age-related loss of the eyes’ ability to focus actively on nearby objects. Simply put, your lens inside your eye is not as flexible as it once was. Colloquially, it’s when your arms seem to get shorter.</p> <p><a href="http://www.optometry.org.au/">Optometry Australia’s</a> resident optometrist, Luke Arundel says that presbyopia is extremely common – “because pretty much everyone over 40 has it”.</p> <p>“It’s a misunderstood, very prevalent and very important condition,” he says. It’s also why prescription glasses are a big business for the over 40s.</p> <p>Presbyopia is a Greek word meaning ‘old eye’ and is a progressive condition. “To some extent, presbyopia starts the day we are born,” says Arundel. “We are slowly getting changes in the lens, inside our eyes. It’s just around that 40 to 45 window when it’s actually starting to become noticeable or having a functional effect on us.”</p> <p>And, while it seems that there can be a variation in ages at which the condition becomes noticeable, Arundel says that’s more to do with your lifestyle.</p> <p> “Sometimes it is a bit related to what you are doing with your eyes,” he says. “If you are in an occupation where you are very much near-based, looking at things up close all day, you will notice it earlier than if you are a gardener, or something that is more distance-based.</p> <p>“The condition is changing at the same rate, it’s just that it’s more noticeable for you, depending on what visual tasks you are doing day to day.”</p> <p>Arundel also says that he notices that men often ignore the condition for longer than women. “I think they just hope it goes away,” he says, laughing.</p> <p>Other factors also can play a part in the early onset of presbyopia, including if you have spent more time outdoors or been (or are) a smoker.</p> <p>Arundel agrees that the almost ubiquitous use of smartphones by people of all ages has added to the awareness of presbyopia. Trying to read a small screen is a particular challenge for the over 40s (even if you have changed the settings to the largest-sized font). In previous decades, you might have got away with the condition for longer.</p> <p>“For us from a technical point of view, or from the vision science point of view, it comes down to working distance… how close you hold something,” he says. “And the reality is we hold our phones at about 30cm. The closer you hold it, the more you need help.</p> <p>“With the onset of presbyopia, the more people hold things further away because they are unable to focus on things up close and that lens is unable to change its shape to let them change focus on things up close and that’s where it does become harder with the mobile phones.</p> <p>The most common solution to the condition is what are commonly called ‘reading’ glasses and Arundel is quick to point out that glasses will not hurt your eyes. It is not possible to treat presbyopia by surgery.</p> <p>“One of the really common misconceptions is that if you get glasses, it will make your eyes worse,” says Arundel. “The reality is that your eyes change regardless and getting glasses is not going to make your eyes better, it’s not going to make them worse; it’s just going to make you see clearly.”</p> <p>Glasses should have a prescription calculated for the distance at which you do your close tasks. This generally makes near objects clear but distant objects blurry. Sadly, this also means that if you have a pair of spectacles just for reading, you will not be able to watch television while wearing them.</p> <p>You can also get bifocals, which are special lenses that have a prescription for distance vision in the top half of the lens and the prescription for near vision (reading) in the lower half. Another form of glasses is 'look-overs' (half-glasses). Other options include the use of trifocals, progressive lenses and some special contact lens prescriptions.</p> <p>Optometry Australia recommends having your eyes examined every two to three years to review your prescription and your general eye health. If you experience vision problems within two or three years of your previous examination, you should make a review appointment with your optometrist.</p> <p><em>Written by Lynne Testoni. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/why-we-all-need-glasses-as-we-age.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Caring

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Tourists who buy cheap glasses overseas are putting themselves at risk of eye cancer

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new study has found that tourists who buy cheap sunglasses from beach sellers overseas are putting themselves at risk of blindness and eye cancer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A total of 35 per cent of the rip-off of famous brands offer zero protection against UV rays, which means that wearing them in bright sunlight could cause irreversible damage. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to </span><em><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/9825387/cheap-sunglasses-blind-eye-cancer-warning/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sun</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">travellers should be hyper aware of cheap fakes, including “Ray-Bon” which are on sale at many international destinations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">High UV exposure can cause photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis — a kind of sunburn to the eyeballs or eyelids, insurance company Direct Line said. It said drivers should always use good eyewear.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A survey by insurance company Direct Line found that 18 per cent of those buying sunglasses did not check for UV protection and 11 per cent said they would still purchase the sunglasses even after finding out that they offered no UV protection.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An added problem for drivers was that many who normally wear prescription glasses wear non-prescription sunglasses in bright sunshine. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Steve Barrett, head of motor insurance at Direct Line, said: “We urge all motorists to wear appropriate eye protection and prescribed lenses including prescription sunglasses while driving.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If people cannot see to drive safely, either through not wearing the correct prescription lenses or sunglasses to protect from glare, they pose a real danger to themselves and everyone else on our roads.”</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>

Travel Trouble

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"Dangerous": Kmart hack slammed for being an extreme fire hazard

<p>A Facebook group that is known to criticise people for their Kmart “hack” fails has gone into overdrive after the latest “hack” has proven to be an obvious danger.</p> <p>A photo shared on Wednesday showed a weird way a Kmart fan has repurposed the $25 Glass Base Lamp that comes with a white lampshade.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FcleanyourdamnhouseBrenda%2Fphotos%2Fa.356323744881043%2F676242099555871%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="638" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>The glass base lampshade is clearly a hit as Kmart “hackers” have taken to putting plants in the base.</p> <p>The image reads: “Kmart $25 lamps, plants from Bunnings”.</p> <p>Many were quick to point out that the plants inside the base probably won’t survive.</p> <p>“I bet the plant is enjoying the intense light and heat it’s subjected to every time the lamp comes on,” one user wrote.</p> <p>Someone saw the obvious risks with watering the plants and decided to make a pun.</p> <p>“It would be shockingly difficult to water them,” they said.</p> <p>Another user saw the immediate downside to having a plant in the glass base lamp.</p> <p>“Who wouldn’t want a lamp filled up with dirt?” they wrote.</p> <p>Another fan sent through a glass base lamp with a fish inside.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FcleanyourdamnhouseBrenda%2Fphotos%2Fa.356323744881043%2F700397330473681%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="675" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>One fan was quick to point out that the fish is suffering from the risk of electrocution from being in the lamp.</p> <p>“I don’t care about the painting on the lamp or how they decorate their homes, don’t even care if someone is silly enough to mix water and electricity, but if any of the above results in the suffering of a fish or animal then yes it makes me angry.”</p> <p>Another asked if the people who make these designs “have a brain”.</p> <p>“I think I’m about to have a heart attack do these people not have a brain!!”</p>

Technology

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Why not all glass can be recycled

<p>When it comes to recycling, glass is one of the few materials that can be recycled over and over again.</p> <p>However, this does not mean that all glass can be put in the recycling bin. In fact, most experts say only jars and bottles should be thrown in as recyclables.</p> <p>This means other glass items in the house might be better off going to the trash.</p> <p>“Microwave turntables, ovenware, crystal glass, mirrors and light bulbs can't be recycled,” said Craig Mynott, from glass recycling plant O-I Asia Pacific in an interview with the <span><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-22/can-all-glass-really-be-recycled-war-on-waste/8541048"><em>ABC</em></a></span>. “We prefer if people don't put them in the recycling bin.”</p> <p>This is because different kinds of glass go through different types of manufacturing processes. According to the <span><a href="http://www.gpi.org/recycling/glass-recycling-facts">Glass Packaging Institute</a></span>, while glass containers for food and beverages are 100 per cent recyclable, the same cannot be said for other kinds of glass, such as windows, ceramics, Pyrex and crystal. These kinds of glass may contain products that cannot be reused.</p> <p>Furthermore, other glass types are often more fragile as they are designed to be transparent or heat resistant.</p> <p>That is why, the GPI said, adding these materials in the recycling process may cause production problems and defective results.</p> <p>So, what should you do with glass products that you want to dispose of? For lightbulbs, check with your local council to see if they have a recycling program. Otherwise, for incandescent and halogen globes, you can simply wrap them in paper and put them in the waste bin.</p> <p>When all else fails, selling or donating glass products is a good idea. You can also get creative and repurpose the glass products – for example, using old drinking glasses as a plant pot.</p> <p>How do you recycle your glass items? Share with us in the comments.</p>

Books

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The genius coffee jar hack that will blow your mind

<p>Before you next go to toss your empty coffee jar in the recycling bin, there is one clever hack that might stop you in your tracks.</p> <p>The hack, shared on parenting website <a href="https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/home/home-solutions/the-genius-coffee-jar-hack-that-will-blow-your-mind/news-story/4b5281476c84d111cf4d1760b7e84461" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Kidspot.com.au</span></strong></a>, reveals how one person found the perfect use for their growing pile of empty coffee jars.</p> <p>Just as Leah Goulis was about to throw her empty coffee jar in the recycling bin, her husband Jerry urged her to stop.</p> <p>“Wait … we can use that!” he said.</p> <p>Jerry then discovered that the plastic part of the coffee jar lid comes off, allowing it to be used as an individual container. The separate small container is the perfect size for sugar or tea bags.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="289" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818265/1_499x289.jpg" alt="1 (135)"/></p> <p>Excited with her new life hack, Leah announced the tip on the New Mums Australia Facebook group – and her joy was shared by other mums across the country.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="294" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818266/2_499x294.jpg" alt="2 (77)"/></p> <p>“I vote that this is a HACK! You could also put hummus in the lid and cut up carrots for a picnic in the main bit. Hipster picnic hack!” one mum wrote.</p> <p>“Hack. Now I have to buy Moccona …” wrote another.</p> <p>An impressed mum asked, “I didn’t even know they did that. I wonder if it would still seal effectively or possibly spill out everywhere when you take the lid back off?”</p> <p>Leah confirmed that the lid does seal perfectly again once it is taken off, so there is no spillage.</p> <p>One person suggested that the clever coffee jar hack was perfect to put chopped fruit in the main jar compartment and then put yoghurt in the smaller section to mix later. The coffee jar is also a great size for a salad and the small lid can store the salad dressing.</p> <p>The lid can also be used on its own for sultanas or other small snacks.</p> <p>What are some ways you could use this hack? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Leah Goulis </em></p>

Food & Wine

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Woman appalled as in-laws bill her $280 for a broken glass

<p><span>A mum-to-be was shocked to find that her father-in-law had emailed her a $280 bill for a wine glass she accidentally broke.</span></p> <p><span>The pregnant woman posted on parenting forum Mumsnet to ask others whether it was necessary for her to pay the hefty bill or not.</span></p> <p><span>“Went to PIL’ (parents-in-law’s) home last weekend, had a glass of wine and I accidentally dropped it,” the mum wrote online.</span></p> <p><span>“No big deal, they shrugged it off. I get on well with both FIL (father-in-law) and MIL (mother-in-law), have been with DH (darling husband) for 4 years now and we are having our first child in 4 months.”</span></p> <p><span>The woman explained that her in-laws are “well off… very well off” and that she lives in a rental and is “definitely not as well off”.</span></p> <p><span>“I didn’t know at the time, but said wine glass apparently happens to be pretty high end,” she said.</span></p> <p><span>According to her father-in-law’s email, the glasses cost $280 each.</span></p> <p><span>“FIL has this morning sent me an e-mail saying that I can just transfer the $280 to him or buy the glass online. He even attached a link and included their address, should I not know it by now(!),” she said.</span></p> <p><span>The woman claimed that she thought the email was initially a joke but then remembered that it was out of character for them to have a sense of humour.</span></p> <p><span>She decided to get recommendations on the parenting forum before explaining the situation to her husband.</span></p> <p><span>Most people thought it was “bad taste” for the father-in-law to ask for money.</span></p> <p><span>“Glasses often get broken, so you shouldn’t expect to get the cost of it reimbursed. And if you do expect reimbursement, you shouldn’t use stupidly expensive wine glasses for your guests,” one person said.</span></p> <p><span>However, one person suggested that she should have offered to replace the glass after she broke it.</span></p> <p><span>The woman said she didn’t think about offering to pay for it because they “shrugged it off as nothing”.</span></p> <p><span>“FIL is a bit of a snob in general but MIL is usually lovely so I wouldn’t be surprised if she had no idea about this e-mail,” she said.</span></p> <p><span>“She calls me every day to ask how I am doing and if we need anything whereas this is the first time FIL has initiated contact with me through phone/e-mail.”</span></p> <p><span>Others suggested for her to let her husband know so he could deal with the situation.</span></p> <p><span>What would you do in this situation? Let us know in the comments below.</span></p>

Family & Pets

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6 factors to consider when buying new glasses

<p><em><strong>Described by the </strong></em><strong>Daily Telegraph</strong><em><strong> as one of the ‘women over 40 influencing the internet’, Alyson Walsh is a freelance fashion journalist, author and founder of the popular blog That’s Not My Age.</strong></em></p> <p>When we meet, Marie Wilkinson, design director at Cutler and Gross, is wearing a beautiful pair of 1950s-style brick-red frames. ‘They’re called A Day at the Races,’ she tells me, ‘I was thinking about jockeys and how they want to be distinctive but don’t wear logos, just vivid colours. The colours are very dense, very high pigment, so you can see them from far away.’</p> <p>Having worked with the eyewear brand for 33 years, and worn glasses since the age of eight (when her mother noticed she was sitting very close to the television), Marie has experimented with a range of different styles: from pink 1960s ‘kitten eye’ to round acetate frames in glittery black. Eulogising over eyewear as a glamorous fashion accessory rather than a mere ‘medical appliance’, she offers advice on what to look for when buying new frames.</p> <p><strong>Fit, size and shape</strong></p> <p>First, the basics: ‘Ensure the glasses frame the eyes and the eyes are the focus and sit centrally in the eye rim.’ Then you can start thinking about shape. ‘If you want something to open up your face, choose frames with a wider shape. For a small face, I would suggest an oversized, fine-rimmed metal frame for a playful take on proportion, or an immaculately fitting acetate frame. If you go for something bold then make sure it follows a natural line on the face – it could be a fringe, your eyebrows, jawline or cheekbones. There is something to celebrate on everyone’s face. The classic kitten eye is a recurring theme for me; it works with my hairstyle. If it’s the eyebrows, then ensure the frame follows the brow line, and runs just underneath the brow line to emphasise its sweep.’</p> <p><strong>Complement your look</strong></p> <p>Glasses are part of your complete look, so consider how they work with your make-up and clothes. ‘Choose a colour that makes the eyes pop and enhances the iris colour. Like make-up, eyewear is a positive way to add colour to your face. If your signature lipstick is non-negotiable, then work with the lipstick. Make sure the frames are an opposite colour or it’s a red that’s in tune.’ It’s important to consider the bigger picture. ‘Glasses should flow. We always have full-length mirrors in our stores so that customers can step back and look at the whole silhouette.’</p> <p><strong>The je ne sais quoi</strong></p> <p>As with all things style-related, following your heart or your gut instinct is often the way to go. ‘You should feel something, feel curious and want to try them on. Apparently there’s something like 10 per cent nostalgia – the frames remind you of someone and give you a warm fuzzy feeling – and the rest of it should be new and exciting.’ And when you find the perfect pair of specs, don’t be afraid to make a serious investment: ‘Having bespoke eyewear is a bit like having a suit made to measure: you’re looking for longevity. It’s an investment. Glasses can be re-polished and realigned – you can keep them forever.’</p> <p><strong>And what doesn’t go</strong></p> <p>Wilkinson is not a fan of glasses on chains. ‘I don’t like it and it doesn’t look right at any age. It’s dangerous because your glasses are vulnerable.’ She suggests going for varifocals instead. And, of course, the only thing worse than bad glasses is no glasses at all. ‘Don’t read the menu with a mobile phone light. It’s more chic to have a pair of glasses.’</p> <p><strong>How to wear glasses with hats</strong></p> <p>People often think that because they wear glasses, they can’t wear hats. That it feels fussy and hemmed-in and there’s too much going on. But there’s no need to go for the full-on Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady approach. Simply avoid hats where the rim sits on the top of the glasses frame and look for simple styles that allow a bit of space. Show the face in a beret, cloche or turban. For special occasions, doff your cap to the Advanced Style set whose flamboyant outlook often involves the combination of Schiaparelli-inspired shapes and statement specs, or big hats and big glasses. After all, no one thinks twice about wearing a big floppy straw sunhat or a Stetson and sunglasses in summer, do they? As Wilkinson says, ‘Glasses and hats are a yes! A wonderful opportunity for colours and shapes to play together.’</p> <p><strong>Earrings that you can wear with glasses</strong></p> <p>Small to medium hoops, studs, cuffs and diamonds – and various combinations of all of the above – go with glasses. Chandeliers? Well, Jenna Lyons does it, usually with her hair tied back. I’m not a glasses-wearer just yet (though long overdue an eye test), but I can see that the tendency is to go for a necklace or strong lips over doorknocker earrings. Keeping it sleek means less clutter around your chops and often statement glasses are enough.</p> <p><img width="127" height="154" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7266073/know-your-style-cover_127x154.jpg" alt="Know Your Style Cover" style="float: right;"/></p> <p><em>This is an edited extract from </em>Know Your Style<em> by Alyson Walsh published by Hardie Grant Books RRP $24.99 and is available in stores nationally. Photographer: © Ayumi Takahashi.</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Exploring the ancient Plain of Jars in Laos

<p><em><strong>Justine Tyerman learns about ‘bombies’ and sticks to the path as she explores the ancient Plain of Jars in Laos…</strong></em></p> <p>We stood in Tham Thonghai Neung cave in the Xieng Khuang province of Laos, once home to many families. They sheltered there during the Vietnam war from 1964-1973, and 20 of them died there when US bombs struck their hiding place. </p> <p>A shaft of light shining through an opening in the roof of the cave illuminated a Buddhist shrine erected in memory of those whose lives were lost in the attack. The Kiwis in our small tour party stood in stunned silence as our Innovative Travel guide Fhan explained that Laos had the unenviable distinction of being the most heavily-bombed country in the world, per capita. Our knowledge of Lao history was sketchy at best and most were shocked and moved at what he told us.</p> <p>For nearly a decade, Laos was subjected to intensive bombing by the United States as part of the wider war in Indochina. Xieng Khuang province, being close to the Vietnam border and the headquarters of the Pathet Lao (the Lao communist movement), was one of the prime targets. Bombs fell every eight minutes, 24 hours a day, “like rain from the sky,” said Fhan.</p> <p align="center"><img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/45059/image-5_500x375.jpg" alt="Image 5"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>Justine at the Plain of Jars, a vast archaeological site in Xieng Khuang province, Laos, dotted with mysterious 2000-year-old stone urns.</em></p> <p>In another cave, Tham Piew, about 50km away, 374 people died in a US rocket attack.</p> <p>Based on US bombing records, at least two million metric tonnes of ordnance was dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973. Included in this figure were 270 million submunitions — the bomblets dispersed by cluster munitions — known in Laos as “bombies”.</p> <p>An estimated 80 million, 30 percent, failed to detonate and remained potentially dangerous after the end of the war. Some were dropped at so low an altitude, the fuse didn’t have time to arm, and some simply malfunctioned. These are called UXO (unexploded ordnance.)</p> <p>As a result of extensive ground fighting during the war, some parts of Laos are also littered with other types of UXO such as artillery shells, anti-tank rockets, mortar rounds and grenades.</p> <p>More than 40 years after the bombing ended, UXO continue to kill and maim people as they go about their everyday work. There have been more than 20,000 casualties since 1974.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/45060/image__500x333.jpg" alt="Image_ (14)"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>The green countryside is littered with bomb craters, a reminder of the pounding the area suffered from 1964-1973.</em></p> <p><strong>UXO incidents</strong></p> <p>Most UXO incidents in Laos are caused by impact — farmers who hit an UXO beneath the soil’s surface while digging, ploughing or planting. Other causes of accidents include lighting fires over hidden UXO, building houses, collecting food from the forest or breaking open bombies in order to sell the scrap metal or explosives inside. Bombies are sometimes trapped in bamboo plants as they grow and explode if disturbed.</p> <p>Children are highly at risk. In recent years, more than 40 percent of casualties have been children. Bombies are the same size and shape as tennis balls, and sometimes bright yellow in colour so they are tempting to play with.</p> <p>Tragically, in this impoverished country where 44 percent of the population live on less than $1.25 a day, many children are involved in the scrap metal trade, most of which is war-related scrap.</p> <p>It’s like playing Russian roulette but they take the risk to help generate an income to buy food in times of shortage.</p> <p align="center"> <img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/45061/image__500x333.jpg" alt="Image_ (15)"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>Working in paddy fields can be a dangerous occupation in heavily-bombed areas of Laos like Xieng Khuang province.</em></p> <p>There is a strong link between UXO contamination and poverty — 41 out of the 45 poorest districts in Laos are those most affected by UXOs. Many rural communities cannot grow sufficient food for their needs because the land area they farm is too small — but they are frightened to expand it. Experience has told them that ploughing new fields can be lethal. The land best suited to agriculture is often the most heavily contaminated.</p> <p>Communities would often benefit economically from basic infrastructure such as irrigation systems that would help them grow more crops, and roads and bridges that would make it easier to transport and sell any surplus — but the risk from UXO prevents them from building such things.</p> <p>We also visited the MAG (Mines Advisory Group) Centre in Xieng Khuang where our guide Vieng described the work of the bomb disposal teams.</p> <p>MAG, an international non-governmental organisation founded in 1989 with headquarters in the UK, has been operating in Laos since 1994. Working alongside community liaison teams, MAG chooses project areas based on a comprehensive assessment of what difference UXO clearance will make to communities in that area.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/45062/in-text-two_499x665.jpg" alt="In Text Two (1)"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Inside Tham Thonghai Neung cave in the Xieng Khuang province of Laos, Innovative Travel guide Fhan explains that the area was one the prime US bombing targets.</em></p> <p><strong>Land to benefit community</strong></p> <p>This ensures that priority is given to clearing the land most likely to directly benefit the community, and therefore most likely to alleviate poverty. MAG hires and trains members of rural communities and actively recruits women because of their dexterity in handling delicate and unstable UXO.</p> <p>According to the most recent figures, MAG has destroyed 212,455 explosive items; cleared 58,526,823 square metres of land and surveyed 58,482,966 metres of land thereby helping 954,978 people.</p> <p>Needless to say, when Fhan and Vieng told us to stick strictly to the pathways as we explored the nearby 2000 year-old Plain of Jars, we did precisely that.</p> <p>Working in conjunction with UNESCO, MAG has cleared seven of the most important archaeological sites to ensure the safety of both local people and tourists. However, I was not prepared to take the risk. I followed exactly in their footsteps, passing many huge bomb craters that still scar the peaceful, green landscape.</p> <p>The clearance of such a significant site is an important achievement as it will enable the Lao government to apply for World Heritage status. This will boost tourism and reduce poverty by providing more employment for local people.</p> <p>The clearance work has also increased the amount of land safe to use for agriculture, enabling farmers to grow sufficient food to meet their needs and even generate a surplus to sell.</p> <p>At one of the three most important archaeological sites, we Kiwis were immensely proud to see a NZAID sign alongside the UNESCO one.</p> <p>It read “MAG cleared UXO from site 3 in 2005 with funding from NZAID.”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/45063/in-text-three_500x333.jpg" alt="In Text Three (1)"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>I was immensely proud to see this NZAID sign alongside a UNESCO one saying MAG cleared UXO from the Plain of Jars site 3 in 2005 with funding from NZAID.</em></p> <p><strong>Emotional and sobering</strong></p> <p>While the experience was emotional and sobering, it was also uplifting to see the international community getting behind such organisations as MAG and COPE (Co-operative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise), a rehabilitation service offering orthotic devices, prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs to those disabled and injured by UXO.</p> <p>COPE assists 1000 people a year but there are many who are not even aware that help is available. They struggle by using homemade wooden or bamboo stumps to replace limbs lost in explosions. Our Innovative Travel-Singapore Airlines tour group combined to donate a lump sum to help fund COPE’s work.</p> <p>During our 12 days in Laos, the information enabled me to reflect on, admire and respect the indomitable spirit of the Lao people, who — despite having to live with the ongoing lethal legacy of a war that ended four decades ago — are joyful, positive and incredibly hospitable.</p> <p align="center"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/45065/image__500x333.jpg" alt="Image_ (17)"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><em>A bomb casing has been recycled as a foundation on this house.</em></p> <p>I loved the irony of their recycling efforts, using war scrap as building materials — turning deadly into useful. We saw many houses propped up on bomb-casing foundations with tank tracks for fences. And outside Meaung Khoun Restaurant and Guesthouse in Phonsavan, Xieng Khuang, where we lunched one day on delicious local dishes, there was a display of bomb art.</p> <p>I’ve never encountered such universal good humour, warmth and cheerfulness. Without exception, we were greeted everywhere with smiles and genuine affection. In response, I found myself beaming all day long. Very therapeutic… and sorely missed when we left Laos and returned home to the somewhat sombre faces of our fellow Kiwis.</p> <p>Have you ever been to Laos?</p> <p><em>Image credit: Justine Tyerman</em></p> <p><em>*Justine Tyerman travelled with <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.innovativetravel.co.nz/" target="_blank">Innovative Travel</a></strong></span>, a Christchurch-based boutique tour operator with 27 years’ experience offering travellers the opportunity to explore historically and culturally unique destinations worldwide that provide a challenge but with the security of a peace-of-mind 24/7 wrap-around service. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.innovativetravel.co.nz/travel_companions.club" target="_blank">Travel Companions’ Club</a></strong></span> creating new horizons for social travellers.</em></p> <p><strong>Getting there:</strong></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.singaporeair.com/" target="_blank">Singapore Airlines</a></strong></span> flies from Auckland to Singapore daily, from Wellington four times weekly, and from Christchurch daily. Singapore Airlines and its regional wing SilkAir operate 139 weekly flights from eight Australian cities to Singapore Changi Airport with Singapore Airlines and SilkAir.</em></p>

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