#behavioral optometry

[jinko-hellhound]

“cancer eater” ch 1 — bungou stray dogs — atsushi, dazai, akutagawa, ensemble

True to name, Atsushi is the Man-Eating Tiger. All at once he develops fangs, a love of raw meat, and a horrible craving for his friends.

“Very dry air can make the tiny capillaries in your nose burst randomly, including in your sleep. One late, dry night in the dying days of fall, the sharp scent of copper drew Atsushi out of his closet. Barefoot and sleep-addled, he stood on the cold tatami and watched Kyouka sleep. Blood dripped down her nose, her cheek, the gentle bow of her lip. In the dark, the blood looked black.”

words: 3,559

first published: 9/3/24

characters: nakajima atsushi, dazai osamu, akutagawa ryuunosuke, edogawa ranpo, ada ensemble

relationships: nakajima atsushi/akutagawa ryuunosuke, nakajima atsushi & dazai osamu, nakajima atsushi & the armed detective agency

tags: dead dove do not eat, cannibal nakajima atsushi, graphic gore, hurt/comfort, hurt/some comfort, angst, self harm, eating disorder themes, cannibalism as a metaphor for love, armed detective agency as family

crossposted on ao3

* THIS IS NOT A DAZATSU FIC, Dazai and Atsushi’s dynamic is central and weird and toxic like in canon but firmly platonic. **NOBODY dies or is attacked by Atsushi in this fic.

warnings for this chapter: self harm, references to suicide/attempts, eating disorders/eating disorder-like behaviors, off-screen vomiting, gore, a cat dies

asks, replies, reblogs appreciated and encouraged! ask to be put on tag list!! 💕💞

It started with a dull pang in Atsushi’s stomach, a heaviness to his tongue, and an incessant craving for lentils and beef and spinach. He couldn’t stop eating, taking down two helpings for every meal, jerky sticks in between cases, protein bars while he worked. None of it satisfied him; even as his stomach bloated until he thought he’d burst, he put on no weight and his appetite only grew, and grew, and grew.

It started with his teeth becoming, somehow, too big for his mouth, forcing his lips to always hang ever so slightly open. Dazai loved this development. He liked to lean over their desks and pry Atsushi’s mouth open with his fingers and declare Look at those chompers! Hot embarrassment and overwhelming love would flood Atsushi’s cheeks when Dazai broke the monotony of work to bring the rest of the office into his jokes, or when Kunikida asked him how his gums were feeling in the mornings, or Kenji offered him a chewable necklace to ease the pain. Belonging had him floating as he walked. Belonging settled the growing pit in his stomach, or rather, belonging distracted him from how the pit was expanding exponentially each day.

The day Dazai discovered Atsushi’s growing-in teeth, Atsushi was forced to pose for a polaroid with his mouth wide and a ruler held up to his new canines. Then Yosano, with a gleeful spark in her eyes that had Atsushi shuddering, ushered him into the infirmary. She measured his canines, his nails, used some strange machine to examine his pupils. (Was she an eye doctor? Was she trained in optometry at all?) She had concerns about his braces, although it seemed like they wouldn’t pose an issue. (As always, he was embarrassed to even address his braces.) She asked after his diet and his height and his sleep patterns until she had reams and reams of notes on him. Feeling like an awful liar, he decided to keep his recent constant hunger to himself, for a reason he couldn’t quite place.

At the end of it all, she said, Be right back here when you come in next Monday. Then, taking his hand in hers, she smiled and continued, We’ve all got you, Atsushi. His fingers laid over her wrist, where her pulse was steady and hot. Its rhythm echoed through him, from his hands to his heart to his stomach to his teeth.

It started with a gaze that lingered on soft thighs, on meaty arms, on the long curves of necks and the fine details of ears. Kunikida’s broad shoulders when he stretched at his desk. Fukuzawa’s strong hands when they flexed over the hilt of his sword. Atsushi could not stop staring at everyone around him, in a way he never did before.

On the third day of Atsushi’s teeth adventure, he went on a date with Akutugawa. Which was — a recent thing. Less recent than the cravings and the teeth. But recent enough that Atsushi’s heart still fluttered when he and Akutugawa’s knees knocked underneath the cafe table.

After — well. They’d barely kissed and they’d hardly held hands. Everything between them was all new and precious, previous forced amputations and vampirisms and clawing attempts notwithstanding. Akutugawa was only just managing to choke out genuine compliments, and Atsushi was still learning how to reign Byakko’s temper in. They were still getting to know each other casually despite understanding each other intimately; they were figuring out how to be kind and couldn’t help but explode on each other still, every once in a while, until Chuuya or Dazai or Kunikida intervened in their own strange ways.

Today, everything was nice. Atsushi could not believe his luck to be sitting on this quiet cafe patio downtown, the gentle sun on his face, Akutugawa focusing on him with something like softness.

Akutugawa was in a tight turtleneck and sleek pants and designer sunglasses, his long, slender fingers resting on his mug, and Atsushi could not look away from him. Byakko caught Akutugawa’s regular heartbeat, the slight wheeze of all his breaths, the jingling of his keys whenever he shifted in his seat.

“So you’re growing fangs.” Akutugawa was stirring cream into his coffee but not looking at it. His gaze was always so intent as to discomfort. Atsushi could never handle holding Akutugawa’s eye contact too long, his eyes dark and focused; Atsushi always broke first.

Atsushi laved his tongue over his fangs, which were now always pressing into his bottom lip. “Yeah,” he sighed, spilling more sugar into his mug. “Dazai’s excited about it, at least. Yosano thinks I’m becoming more tiger-like because I’m finally eating enough, and safe, and not about to die all the time.”

Akutugawa hummed. He took a long drink of his coffee; Atsushi tracked the bobbing of his throat, mouth suddenly very dry. The white of Akutugawa’s thyroid cartilage peeked over his dark turtleneck, skin tight over delicate muscle. His shirt hugged his clavicle so that the bone stuck out like a handle. “Just don’t start eating people, jinko.”

“Right,” Atsushi said, laughing. Sticky sweat gathered at the small of his back. “How’s Gin?”

It started with canines that casually grazed his friends’ skin, playing with the idea of puncturing, a touch so light as to raise no one’s suspicion but his own. He couldn’t help it. It was instinctual that when another’s flesh neared Atsushi’s face, he’d twist his head, open his mouth, and let his teeth rest. Junichiro’s forearm, when he slung his arm over Atsushi’s shoulders. Kyouka’s jugular, when she fell asleep on his chest. He was transfixed, frozen, his teeth always hovering.

Atsushi discovered himself doing this for the first time while joking around with Dazai and Kunikida. Well, mostly with Dazai — Kunikida didn’t seem to think it was very funny, the way Dazai and Atsushi were bantering back and forth, tossing paper airplanes and erasers and crumpled reports, cursing dramatically every time they were hit. Kunikida berated Dazai, who pinned it on Atsushi, who started shooting back how he knew how many stacks of paperwork Dazai had hidden in his locker. Dazai scrambled across the desk, slapped his hand over Atsushi’s mouth, and started rambling out his explanations.

Atsushi did not fight. The heat of Dazai’s palm shocked him. He only needed to open his mouth a millimeter to rest the points of his canines on the full, calloused pade of fat there, his breath shaking with the threat of sinking down. Atsushi swore he could feel Dazai’s soul marching under his rough armor of skin, could feel it in his tongue and in his gums.

Dazai was still going back-and-forth with an increasingly irate Kunikida, but his eyes slid over to Atsushi. His fingers twitched, his index pressing purposefully into Atsushi’s cheek, and Atsushi realized he should have been sputtering and stammering and swatting Dazai away that whole time. So he did — with all the drama and indignance he could — but Dazai was still watching him, in that way he did when he wanted Atsushi to know he was being studied.

It started with his cuticles.

With him curled up in his closet, his canines digging into the tough skin around his nails, his pupils blowing wide at the copper taste of his own hot blood. It was Lucy’s wrists — the sight of them twisting as she poured his tea, the sudden, horrific, desperate thought of those fragile veins bursting on his tongue — which sent him here.

It was dark and dusty in the closet in which he slept. But his pupils were as blown as they could be, and Byakko had no problem watching the trickle of blood catch in the grooves of his knuckles. She chased it with her rough tongue, bit into his fingerbones, punctured the web between pointer and middle like paper.

Everything was quiet but for soft whimpers and the gentle sound of suckling on one’s own blood. Atsushi’s mouth trailed down, down, until he hit the meat of his forearm. His jaw opened wider, the points of his teeth settled on his flesh. A breath in, a breath out. Heady anticipation. He sank in. Bliss.

Tough meat, tender fat. Move up towards his wrist, find veins — hook his teeth into them, pull them out like licorice. Dizzy with it. Blurry vision, a pounding in his temples. Byakko’s regeneration made quick work of it, and he went again, until he no longer wished it was Lucy’s cephalic vein which he worked into the gap between his two front teeth.

At some point Byakko grew tired. He stood and found that she did not regenerate blood nearly as quickly as she regenerated flesh; gasping for air, he collapsed back down and laid there, yellow fat and drying blood smeared across his cheeks.

Eventually he realized his own flesh wasn’t enough.

Well, he says eventually. But the moment he first sank his teeth into his arm, he knew it wouldn’t work. It did its job — at first — but it left him numb, and desperate, a pit still in his stomach.

He was eating a lot of raw meat, these days. He tried sushi and sashimi to satisfy that urge, but it wasn’t bloody enough, wild enough, to replace — well. It didn’t satiate Byakko. Grocery store beef and chicken worked for a while, so long as he gnawed on his own arms every few days.

When Kyouka wasn’t home Atsushi would crouch over his counter, shovel the meat into his mouth, relish in the endless chewing of the tougher bits, the fat melting on his tongue, the cartilage crunching. There was lots of cartilage, lots of bone, lots of tough bits. He always bought the cheapest stuff. And he never got sick from it.

Afterwards Byakko would rumble approval and rest. She’d curl into the back of his mind, happy as a cat with cream, and Atsushi would find himself a beast, breathing ragged in the middle of his kitchen, blood and juices dribbling down his chin, the sun sinking low in the window.

But she would always be hungry again within the hour. So he dug into himself more, and more, and more. His thighs suffered too. He was drawing more and more blood, circling it back through himself, catching his own flesh and bits of bone.

Byakko worked hard but Atsushi knew he was starting to look a little anemic — always ghastly pale like he was when Dazai first found him, stumbling wherever he went. The others noticed. Ranpo was always squinting at him these days. Where’s your lunch, Atsushi? He was Atsushi’s worst nightmare right now — asking him about blood loss, iron deficiencies, diet. Always whispering to Yosano.

Atsushi tried local farmers and hunters, buying straight from the source. Then he’d had to haltingly explain to Kyouka why there was half a deer in their freezer, and anyway, it didn’t help much. And it drained his wallet.

So all of this was just… stopgaps. Preventative measures that became more and more desperate as that persistent ache made a home in his stomach.

He began to develop a horrible craving for his friends.

Not that strangers didn’t catch his eye. He’d go on jobs and stop and stare at murder victims, mouth flooding with saliva. He’d claw down a suspect and stop himself with his teeth scant inches from their jugulars. It was becoming harder and harder to be in public for the way his gaze couldn’t help but stick. Kyouka told him he was becoming a hermit.

But murder victims and murder suspects and waitresses and bus drivers… they just didn’t appeal to him nearly as much as his coworkers. Lucy’s cheeks were wonderfully full when she smiled, he noticed over a cup of tea. Kyouka’s shoulder was birdbone frail, but if he shifted his head the right way when he leaned on her he could feel the sweet rhythm of her pulse at the base of her neck. Yosano’s calves were beautifully accentuated by her heels, and Atsushi couldn’t help but track her graceful steps. When Ranpo offered candies to Atsushi, hands outstretched, Atsushi took special note of the soft plumpness of his wrists.

And Dazai, who was always touching Atsushi — arm around his shoulders, cheek leaning into the top of his head, sides flush together when Dazai was curious about Atsushi’s work — was just so very warm.

One day, Dazai came to work smelling of blood. Dazai said nothing of it. He was walking fine; the blood smelled not like it was old, but like it was clotting, and there wasn’t much of it. This was far from abnormal from Dazai. Atsushi had long since given up on expressing any concern, because Dazai always dismissed him, and all it ever served to do was shutter Dazai’s expression and make him all closed off and fake for the rest of the day. All Atsushi could do was watch, and try to prevent.

No one else noticed the blood, except Byakko was yowling.

When they worked, Dazai was usually only a few feet away from Atsushi. Their desks were corner-caddy; this was usually wonderful. Usually, Atsushi used their position to his advantage to always spy. He liked to watch Dazai and his unpredictability out of the corner of his eye, attempt to force Dazai into something understandable.

Today, their proximity was torture. Every man’s blood, Atsushi found, had a slightly different scent to it. Atsushi had smelled Dazai’s a million times and until recently it had never smelled so sweet that he needed to chug it.

The smell was clogging his throat. Atsushi kept forgetting his work, hunched over his desk like a freak, outright staring at Dazai for tens of seconds at a time. Dazai had to have noticed, but Dazai was good at acting like he had not noticed things in a way that told you he had absolutely noticed.

Desperately, Atsushi brought one of his hands up to his face to stifle the scent. He was able to work for ten, fifteen minutes. That smell of blood — of liquor and something heavy, of wet dog and cigarette smoke — crept in, but it was slow about it, sneaky; Atsushi didn’t realize his hand had stopped being effective until his teeth were already sinking into the hill of his palm. And then helplessly he bit, and bit, unable to stop himself, to even think about stopping himself.

And Kunikida shouted, his sharp voice ripping Atsushi’s teeth out of his own flesh. Not without carnage: bits of his own flesh caught on his canines and plopped onto the desk.

This was the first time Atsushi really had to lie. With his own blood pooling in the cracks in his lips, he stammered out something about zoning out, didn’t realize my teeth had gotten so sharp! Then he stumbled off to his lunch break.

The President had a gaggle of stray cats which gathered on the windowsills and in the halls and on the front stoop. Atsushi loved them from his first day at the Office. Helped Fukuzawa name all the new ones, volunteered to feed them, spent his breaks with them.

There was a convenient alleyway behind the Agency to which Atsushi often disappeared. When work and socialization got too much, the cheap metal chair and table someone had put out here were his lifeboat. The cats were a lovely bonus.

Lady, the fat black Maine-coon Atsushi had once nursed back from starvation, was the only cat around today. As soon as Atsushi sat down Lady jumped up onto the table, shoving her head under Atsushi’s trembling hands for pets; Atsushi admired her utter lack of shame.

“Hi, love,” Atsushi said, his head ducking low so Lady could hear the tremoring softness of his voice. Lady’s face tilted up to meet him. The top of her skull met Atsushi’s nose and lips. Byakko had healed Atsushi’s palm, but when he pushed his fingers into Lady’s fur, flecks of his drying blood caught.

That morning, Atsushi had eaten three steaks. His stomach did not seem to know this. Dazai, Dazai, Dazai, Byakko was thinking. Lady purred as though attempting to distract Atsushi so he shoved his face into her neck. He took deep breaths that smelled of dirt and fish and wet cat, trying to chase out Dazai.

Atsushi’s phone chirped — it was Akutugawa texting. Ryuunosuke, Atsushi thought to himself. They were trying first names, now. It was nice. New. And kind. But this text was an awful development, not for its content but for the way Atsushi’s blood ran hotter when he saw the name.

Despite all he’d eaten, he was still so hungry. Byakko heard him think Ryuunosuke and all her crooning of Dazai became screaming, wailing for Ryuunosuke, Ryuunosuke, Ryuunosuke, for that pale throat, that handle-bar clavicle. For his adam’s apple. Byakko wanted — Atsushi wanted — to roll it around his mouth like a ball.

It was entirely unconscious, sinking his fangs into Lady’s neck. Atsushi did not realize he had done it until he was already tearing out a chunk of flesh and fur and Lady was yowling, then whimpering, then nothing. And then Lady was still warm when Atsushi found her trachea and esophagus, and then her tiny heart and lungs.

Atsushi cried with it, shook with it; Byakko trembled in pleasure. The tender meat of Lady’s thigh was Yosano’s. The dying thrum of her heart was Kyouka’s. The warmth of her was Dazai’s. And the blood was Ryuunosuke’s, all Ryuunosuke’s.

He laid Lady’s bones to rest in a dumpster, then washed off in the cafe restroom, keeping his head ducked and eyes far away from Lucy’s. He was thirty minutes late back from his break. In the office he was silent, and heavy, and kept his back to Ranpo always.

Of course, Atsushi knew Ranpo knew. Ranpo held the fatal stopwatch — he could decide, at any millisecond, that Atsushi’s secret was up. This was only a matter of time.

It was late the night after Lady’s death that Ranpo appeared at Atsushi’s front door, a cage full of rats in his hands. Pale and hovering in the soft light, Ranpo looked, as he always did, a little otherworldly. His face was carefully calm. The rats squeaked a symphony that struck cold fear up Atsushi’s spine.

“Ranpo,” Atsushi laughed unconvincingly, “what’s this?”

Ranpo set the cage on the counter with a strong degree of solemnity. The lights weren’t on in the dorm, except for the nauseous yellow glow emanating from the bathroom, where Atsushi had just been hunched over the toilet, fingers down his throat, forcing himself to throw up his own blood. He thought his knuckles might be glaringly raw. And despite his regeneration, he was sure there was still blood on his thighs and forearms and the soft white cotton of his pajamas. But he was too scared to look down and check.

“You need to eat living things,” Ranpo said in lieu of how are you. His mouth was tight, eyes sharp.

Atsushi swallowed. Ranpo was — he was always very — wonderful. Amazing. At the start of things — the very start, when Atsushi was brand new and always swinging wildly between a ravenous appetite and complete self-starvation, it was Ranpo who left candies and chips and chocolate in his desk drawers. Ranpo who always knew when Atsushi was going home feeling off, who called Kunikida to make sure someone checked on Atsushi’s dorm late at night. Ranpo who knew when Atsushi was — when he would need Yosano to come and clean him up from his own messes even Byakko couldn’t fix.

And it was Ranpo who set the cage of rats on his living room table.

Haltingly, Atsushi said: “I need to eat people.”

“…But you won’t, will you, Atsushi?” Ranpo said it softly, with the intonation of a question; But it was Ranpo, and he was absolutely assured in his own correctness. Confidence was there in the set of his jaw.

Atsushi thought this wildly hopeful, even for Ranpo. It was rare that he doubted the Agency’s greatest detective, but — Atsushi had already started to eat himself.

Gesturing to the rats, Ranpo said, “You can be like a vegetarian.”

If it was anyone else but Ranpo, and if it were any other situation, this would come off as a lighthearted joke. But it was Ranpo, and he said it with complete earnestness and self-esteem. And while Atsushi thought Ranpo was, for once, wildly off base, he realized his heart was warm with love, for the kindness of this gesture — even though really Ranpo was probably only doing it to keep Atsushi from having Kenji for lunch.

His heart was absolutely white-hot with it, and all that love swirled in him until he found that he wanted to take his claws to Ranpo’s shoulders and lap up the blood.

“Let,” Ranpo started haltingly, a hand hovering over Atsushi’s upper arm, the pads of his fingers grazing copper-stained skin, “Let Dazai or the President — or myself — know, if you need anything.”

And then because Ranpo was no more a paragon of emotional intelligence than the rest of them, he left. And Atsushi went back to his bile-yellow bathroom, where his own blood in his own toilet seat. Over the cracking porcelain bowl, he bit into a squealing rat.

[mvsvision]

5 Vision Habits to Model for Your Children

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, a perfect time to focus on habits that can keep your child’s eyes healthy. But where do you start? At Modern Vision Solutions (MVS) and all practices under our Modern Vision Omaha umbrella, we believe that good vision habits begin at home. Here are five simple yet effective habits you can model to ensure your children develop a lifetime of good vision practices. 1. Limit screen time. Spending too much time on screens can strain your child’s eyes and cause discomfort. Encourage your children to take regular breaks from their screens. For every 20 minutes of screen time, suggest they look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This 20-20-20 rule helps reduce eye strain. Practicing this behavior yourself will show your children the importance of giving their eyes a break. 2. Encourage outdoor play. Playing outside is not only fun but also beneficial for your child’s eye health. Natural light and looking at objects at different distances help develop good vision. Encourage your children to spend at least an hour a day outdoors. Join them in outdoor activities to set a positive example. This can be as simple as a family walk or a game of catch in the yard. 3. Wear sunglasses. Just like skin, eyes need protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Make wearing sunglasses a habit for you and your children whenever you are outside, even on cloudy days and in winter months. Choose sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. This will protect their eyes from potential damage and reduce the risk of cataracts and other eye conditions later in life. MVS offers sunglasses from brands like Ray Ban and Oakley, in the latest fashions! 4. Eat eye-healthy foods. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports good eye health. Foods like carrots, leafy greens and fish are great for your eyes. Incorporate these foods into your family meals and explain to your children how these foods help their vision. By eating these foods yourself, you can show your children the importance of a nutritious diet for their eye health. 5. Schedule regular eye exams. Regular eye exams are essential for detecting vision problems early. Make sure your children have their eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year. These exams can catch issues like nearsightedness or farsightedness early, ensuring your children get the necessary treatment. Schedule and attend your own eye exams to demonstrate the importance of regular check-ups. MVS Omaha offers convenient family appointments to fit your schedule! Modeling good vision habits for your children is crucial in ensuring they maintain healthy eyes throughout their lives. By limiting screen time, encouraging outdoor play, wearing sunglasses, eating eye-healthy foods and scheduling regular eye exams, you can help your children develop habits that will protect their vision. If you have any questions about your own eye health or want more tips, please schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Modern Vision Solutions. Our team is here to help you and your family maintain excellent vision. via https://www.mvsvision.com/pediatric-optometry/vision-habits-for-children/

[tshirtprintingideas]

Best Optometrist Near Me Narangba QLD

Behavioral Optometrist In Narangba Brisbane! Behavioral optometry is a specialized field of vision care that delves into the connection between visual function and overall well-being. Unlike traditional optometry, which primarily focuses on correcting refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, behavioral optometry examines how visual performance impacts everyday activities and cognitive processes. This approach emphasizes the integration of the eyes and the brain in processing visual information. Behavioral optometrists assess a range of visual skills, including eye tracking, focusing, and coordination. They view vision as a learned skill that can be refined and enhanced through specific therapies and exercises. Taking a holistic perspective, these optometrists consider aspects such as posture, motor coordination, and cognitive development, particularly when working with individuals facing challenges in reading, learning, or concentration.

Vision therapy is a core component of behavioral optometry, involving customized exercises aimed at improving visual skills and efficiency. This therapy can significantly benefit children with learning disabilities by enhancing their visual processing abilities, which, in turn, can boost academic performance. Adults, too, can gain from behavioral optometry, especially those who experience vision-related issues due to extensive computer use or as a result of traumatic brain injuries. In summary, behavioral optometry is an essential aspect of vision care that addresses both the functional and perceptual elements of sight. It provides a comprehensive approach to improving visual performance and quality of life through targeted therapies. By developing better visual skills, individuals can interact more effectively with their environment, leading to improved daily functioning and overall well-being.

Read more>>

[andrewcstone]

Rhode Island Free Clinic Provides Preventative Care to the Uninsured

Founded 25 years ago, the Rhode Island Free Clinic (RIFC) has evolved into а comprehensive healthcare provider for the state's over 45,000 low-income residents lacking insurance coverage. Since then, RIFC has strategically expanded its services and mobilized resources statewide to address community needs more holistically.

As the sole safety net clinic, RIFC reduces preventable emergency room visits and associated costs by providing outpatient care for manageable conditions. By supporting this population's physical and financial well-being, the clinic contributes to statewide poverty alleviation efforts.

The clinic provides free healthcare services via a dedicated team of board-certified volunteer medical professionals. These services include primary care, dental and vision care, laboratory tests/diagnostic imaging, and prescription medications. It strongly emphasizes managing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. The clinic integrates behavioral health counseling, social services, and specialty care, including urology and optometry.

As a free clinic, RIFC relies heavily on its volunteer medical and healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality care across various specialties. The clinic actively seeks volunteers for medical assisting, medical recording, and patient check-out roles. It values non-provider volunteers equally and can contribute to vital support functions like interpreter services. Prospective volunteers aged 18 and above can apply, ensuring they meet the clinic's high expectations.

RIFC extends its reach by offering training opportunities via the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program. Closely aligned with AHEC's mission of equipping individuals to care for underserved populations, the clinic's volunteer model provides а valuable training ground for students pursuing careers in healthcare. AHEC's trainees comprise public health, gynecology, dermatology, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, social workers, and students.

Since 2013, the clinic has partnered with AmeriCorps VISTA to boost its capacity for community service. This national program empowers local organizations with the resources to drive impactful change. In addition to mobilizing national resources, AmeriCorps VISTA members contribute to RIFC's initiatives through data analysis, outreach, and frontline public health response efforts. AmeriCorps VISTA's involvement strengthens the clinic's ability to combat health disparities and deliver quality care.

Besides AHEC and AmeriCorps VISTA, RIFC has partnered with various other statewide organizations. Key community partners include Amica Insurance, Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island State Employees Charitable Appeal. The clinic also partners with renowned learning institutions, like the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the Rhode Island College, to train and mentor the new generation of healthcare professionals, fostering a continuum of care culture. Local restaurants and bakeries contribute by providing sustenance for RIFC's volunteer staff, enabling them to serve more productively.

Through these strategic alliances and dedicated volunteer force, RIFC has made great strides in expanding healthcare access for Rhode Island's underserved communities. The clinic recorded over 10,000 patient visits in 2022 and serves over 2,500 uninsured adults statewide. Moreover, it mobilizes over 500 medical volunteers annually.

RIFC's efforts have garnered recognition from various organizations and widespread support. The New England Patriots Foundation and Bank of America selected RIFC as its community captain. The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Quality Standards Program awarded the clinic a Gold Rating for quality and accessible healthcare.

Additionally, the Bank of America awarded RIFC with an Economic Mobility grant to expand its staff through more volunteer recruitment initiatives. The clinic also receives critical funding through community donations, including checks, employer matching programs, memorial gifts, and workplace giving campaigns, and invites more involvement from community members.

[nld-as-insights]

What is Behavioral/Developmental Optometry?

This is a revised post from 2013, retyped in a font that is easier to read.

A behavioral optometrist or developmental optometrist is a regular optometrist who has extra training to assess how well your eyes work together and track objects. They can recommend exercises or communicate with your occupational therapist who will recommend exercises to improve your visual motor skills.

When I first searched the internet to learn about behavioral optometry, I learned that many sources were skeptical about the idea. Some websites said that some behavioral optometrists think that they can cure children’s behavioral issues by giving them visual motor exercises. However, the two optometrists I have seen did not act unscientific like that at all.

To summarize my experience with the first behavioral optometrist I saw: He did a standard optometry exam and then watched my eyes while I watched some objects move and while I read a passage to him. He told me that I had a slower than average reading speed due to difficulty visually tracking objects and that I had trouble with figure ground. As I mentioned in another post, figure ground is the ability to see the foreground from the background, so it has to do with being able to find things, navigate crowded grocery stores, and notice obstacles while one is driving.

After I did exercises for visual tracking and figure ground, the world seemed less visually crowded and therefore less overwhelming.

To learn about my more recent experience with behavioral optometry, see my post, “What is Convergence Insuffiency?” I recommend behavioral or developmental optometry.

Cheers,

Julia

[austedu]

Unveiling Excellence: Pursue AUST's Optics & Optometry degree in Lebanon

Introduction:

Welcome to a world where precision meets vision, where excellence is nurtured, and where the pursuit of knowledge in optics and optometry leads to remarkable career opportunities. If you're passionate about eye health, visual science, and helping others see the world clearly, then the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Lebanon invites you to embark on a journey of academic excellence with its Optics & Optometry degree program.

Understanding Optics & Optometry:

Before delving into the specifics of AUST's program, let's first grasp the significance of optics and optometry. Optics is the branch of physics that deals with the behavior and properties of light, while optometry is the healthcare profession primarily concerned with eye and vision care. Combining these two fields opens doors to a range of exciting career paths, from diagnosing vision problems to designing cutting-edge optical technologies.

Why Choose AUST?

Academic Excellence: AUST is renowned for its commitment to academic rigor and excellence. With a faculty comprising experts in the field, students receive top-notch education and hands-on training.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: The university boasts modern laboratories equipped with the latest technology, providing students with practical experience essential for their future careers.

Industry Connections: AUST maintains strong ties with the optometry and optics industry, offering students opportunities for internships, research collaborations, and networking with professionals.

Curriculum Overview:

AUST's Optics & Optometry degree program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including:

Optical physics

Ophthalmic optics

Visual optics

Contact lens fitting

Binocular vision

Ocular diseases

Clinical optometry

Practice management

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences through laboratory sessions, clinical rotations, and internships, preparing them for real-world challenges in the field.

Career Opportunities:

Upon completion of the program, graduates of AUST's Optics & Optometry degree are well-equipped to pursue diverse career paths. Some potential career options include:

Optometrist: Providing primary eye care services, diagnosing vision problems, and prescribing corrective lenses.

Optical Engineer: Designing and developing optical devices, such as lenses, lasers, and imaging systems.

Ophthalmic Technician: Assisting ophthalmologists in conducting eye exams, measuring vision parameters, and operating diagnostic equipment.

Vision Scientist: Conducting research in areas such as visual perception, eye diseases, and optical imaging techniques.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, AUST's Optics & Optometry degree in Lebanon is a gateway to a fulfilling and rewarding career in the field of vision science. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, practical training, and industry connections, students can unleash their potential and become leaders in the optical and optometry industry. If you're ready to unveil excellence and pursue your passion for vision care, consider joining AUST's Optics & Optometry program today.

Remember, the future of eye health lies in your hands, and AUST is here to guide you every step of the way.

[mandyjane-lifedesign]

The Pioneering Brain Innovation Doctor

The Pioneering Brain Innovation Doctor Revolutionizing the Recovery Industry Worldwide Impactive Human Interest Dr. Kimberley Linert was destined to make a positive impact on the world from a young age. Born in Michigan to an engineer father and a teacher mother, her educational journey began in a five-room country schoolhouse. As she progressed through her Christian education, her talents continued to shine. The older sister to a younger brother and sister, Kimberley excelled in various areas. "I used to take three buses to school. I was a shy, observant child, but I soon found myself involved in some unconventional activities, like being part of a marching band," reminisced Kimberley. Her upbringing, filled with love and support, laid a strong foundation for her future. She pursued a major in biology and chemistry, showcased her talent in theater and radio, and even served as a newspaper editor for a time. This nurturing environment greatly influenced Kimberley, with the only challenge stemming from going through a divorce when she was pregnant with her third child. More information View Here!   Life journeys sometimes take a well-shaped course, and Kimberley moved to Chicago to study behavioral optometry.  With a strong academic background, she earned her Doctorate and swiftly became a leader in vision therapy and the behavioral aspects of brain function related to movement and eye health. She is a hands-on learner and discovered that she got exponentially faster sustainable results by revising her vision therapy into a process in which vision training comprises 30% and brain training and movement make up 70%. Thus began the creation of Optic BrainFit. Kimberley's work with athletes and individuals engaged in high-performance activities produced groundbreaking results. In 1999, a devastating event struck as her father was involved in a near-fatal car accident on an icy road. While it was a tragedy for her family, Kimberley, who has always sought answers in the Bible, used the experience as motivation to change people's lives and help them reach their peak potential.   As a member of CEO Space alongside some of America's leading professionals, Kimberley has emerged as a sought-after expert, sharing her insights on prominent stages worldwide, and focusing on key peak performance topics. In 2017, her book, "Visualizing Happiness in Every Area of Your Life," captivated audiences and transformed the self-development industry's approach to this area. Kimberley continues to conduct powerful workshops across the globe, and her latest innovation, "Optic BrainFit,” is a pioneering process that blends vision, movement, and mental exercises to help individuals achieve their highest potential. This innovative approach has gained recognition among celebrities, top professionals, and sports personalities. Kimberley Linert, who interviews major personalities on her platform "The Incredible Life Podcast Show, remains dedicated to her incredible journey opening up the world to provide people not only with opportunities for peak performance but also the skills to harness their gifts and reach their full potential.   Read the full article

[sacredcirclehealthcare]

Sacred Circle Healthcare Fairbourne Clinic

3535 Market St Suite 275, West Valley City, UT, 84119 (801) 396-4749 contact@sacredcircle.com https://sacredcircle.com/

Sacred Circle Healthcare is a medical clinic for Medicaid and underinsured patients in West Valley City, Utah. Services include primary healthcare, optometry and dentistry to physical therapy, recovery and behavioral health.

[opticalforum]

Best Impression Management Practices Optometrists Can Employ With Their Patients

Best Impression Management Practices Optometrists Can Employ With Their Patients Impression management tactics refer to the behaviors and strategies that individuals use to create and maintain a desired impression or image of themselves in the eyes of others. In the field of optometry, impression management tactics can play an important role in building a positive reputation, establishing trust…

[georgeandmatildaseo]

What is behavioural optometry?

Behavioural optometry is an extended area of optometry which considers visual motor and visual cognitive skills and assesses both the functioning of the eyes as well as the brain.

The holistic approach assesses how a child processes and interprets visual information and helps detect common eye problems that may accompany or contribute to learning difficulties.

[nld-as-insights]

Convergence Insufficiency and Developmental Optometry.

Note: Nothing on this blog replaces medical advice from a professional.

Convergence is the ability for the eyes to move inward towards each other to focus on close up objects. If someone has convergence insufficiency, their eyes don’t work together well. They can have eye strain even if they have 20/20 vision for close up objects. Convergence insufficiency can contribute to migraines in some people.

I got my convergence insufficiency diagnosed by an optometrist with training in developmental or behavioral optometry. Developmental or behavioral optometrists assess how people’s eyes move.

Neurodivergent people are more likely to have trouble with eye muscle coordination just as we are more likely to have trouble with muscle coordination in general. I personally recommend developmental optometry evaluations for neurodivergent people who also have migraines and suspect they have eye strain. It may require some networking to find a developmental optometrist.

I am currently doing exercises for convergence insufficiency. I will do an update post in the future to share how the exercises have helped me.

Cheers,

Julia

[captaincoffeegirl515]

What the hell was that last act???

So first of all I want to say that I did enjoy most of the movie. It was okay. The sex scenes didn’t do anything for me though since I’m just not interested in sex at all. But while I more-or-less liked the movie, I felt that the big plot twists in the last act and the ending were badly done because… how the fuck did ANY of them manage to get away with ANY OF THAT??? Like from a legal standpoint it’s just ???

This got so much longer than I anticipated, so the rest is under the read more. And yes, there are so many spoilers. So if you haven't seen The Voyeurs yet and don't want spoilers, please avoid this.

Seb and Julia literally confess to selling their old apartment in order to spy on the people who live there and use them for their art show. Like, yes, they put that clause in the Terms of Agreement for the apartment (which literally no one ever reads) but there is still the matter of Informed Consent. Informed Consent is usually in the form of a contract Pippa and Thomas both need to read and sign, or via verbal questions and answers which is filmed so Seb and Julia would have physical proof of an agreement. This is basically telling them what footage was taken, how it will be used, and if Seb and Julia have permission to share the footage publicly. In Thomas’ case, since he’s dead, his next-of-kin will be asked. Only then are Seb and Julia legally allowed to publicly share and showcase the Pippa and Thomas’ pictures. And Seb is a professional photographer! He should know that!

Have you ever seen prank shows? Like even the ones on YouTube. Have you noticed at the end of some videos, there would be a part where the filmers would approach the person who was pranked and ask if they could use their footage in the video. That’s Informed Consent. They need to ask permission to use a person’s footage in a video or if they need to blur out the person’s face for privacy. Seb and Julia even showed a picture of a dead man for chrissakes! Remember the outcry when that YouTuber posted a video of a suicide victim in Japan???

The Japanese interviewer was right to disapprove of their methods because even though there was a clause in the Terms of Agreement, the prank (because isn’t that what that whole show they did was?) or experiment still resulted with someone killing themself (yes I know it was murder, but the world doesn't know it). They can possibly still be held liable for causing Thomas to kill himself the same way a prankster can be held liable if their victim dies from a prank because of this thing in Law called the Eggshell Rule or Eggshell Plaintiff.

What this means is that a defendant is liable for any injuries caused by the defendant’s actions, regardless of how unforeseeable or uncommon the plaintiff’s reactions to the defendant’s actions are. So for example, there is a scary prank where the prankster jumps out of the bushes and terrifies people. One of them turns out to have a heart condition, suffers a heart attack, and dies. Regardless of the victim’s frailty, the prankster can be held liable for exacerbating the condition and causing the victim’s death. Likewise in the movie, they can say that Seb and Julia, by orchestrating the whole thing and making Thomas see his girlfriend cheating on him, could have caused him to become broken-hearted and kill himself. Therefore, Seb and Julia can be liable for Thomas’ death.

And then here’s the kicker! The famous photographer and his wife, a famous model, both suddenly end up blind AFTER their big art show where they displayed Pippa’s scandal. And not by accident. No. This was obviously surgically done. And NOBODY suspected foul play?? Nobody thought about revenge?? Nobody thought it strange how their blindness was clearly done with a surgical/medical precision nor suspected the couple’s subject, Pippa, who they thoroughly humiliated, who also worked as an optometrist technician at a lab that has the machines that could cause that kind of blindness??? And they're both still alive! They can easily tell the police who did it!

It should have been way too easy for the police to know that it was foul play. Blood tests can tell that Seb and Julia had been drugged. How they were blinded can be traced to the optometry lab. Pippa would be the easiest main suspect due to her connection to them with revenge as the main motivation after they humiliated her in that art show.

And yes, I agree that what Seb and Julia did was wrong. They used Pippa and Thomas, and then murdered Thomas so they can have some juicy story to tell!

Even so, what happened to Ethical Codes in the medical field? What happened to the Hippocratic Oath? Non-maleficience rule? “Do No Harm”? Pippa should have been slammed with, idk, medical malpractice or something, after using her knowledge of the LASIK machine and using it to permanently blind people (which is an actual fear real people have about LASIK surgery), have her license revoked, be fired from her job, and possibly serve jail time. Why is she walking free all willy-nilly and still being allowed to continue stalking Seb and Julia?

I’ll admit though that maybe I’m being more harsh towards Pippa because I myself used to be a Board Certified medical professional (my license expired last year because I hadn't been working in that field for a while) and because of that, her actions angered and horrified me more.

Normally, we as an audience are made to root for the main character or hero, but I found it difficult to do so because Pippa herself is a terrible person. She's a pervert and a creep. She was obsessed with the lives of other people, stalked them, and even went as far as committing crimes in order to fuel her obsession - trespassing, breaking and entering, destruction of private property.

And my goodness this actually makes me think of a few Ben Hardy stans who are like this. Well, idk if going to Ben's school so that she can get a copy of a school film he was in can be considered a crime, but it's still fucking creepy.

Pippa’s got that Savior Complex where she tries to rescue this poor neglected wife from her horrible cheating husband (the same one she herself wants to fuck because she’s obsessed with him). And then when it all goes south, she immediately turns around and blames THOMAS of all people because “he started it”. Like, so what if he did?? He still had enough maturity to realize when they were taking it too far, and decided to stop with the stalking. He told her to stop multiple times but she was too blinded by her obsession and lust for a man that she doesn’t even know.

AND THEN!! She stalked a grieving husband (I know we know that was a lie but Pippa didn't know that) and proceeded to cheat on her boyfriend with said grieving husband. And frankly, I don’t understand why she’s so vengeful about Thomas’ death considering how easily she forgot him so that she could cheat on him. Like. Who knows, maybe he still would’ve killed himself regardless of the poisoned drink because the last thing he saw was his girlfriend cheating on him with the man she’d been obsessed with for the past idk how long. Even in the scene after Thomas died, there was a momentary grief where Pippa was all “it’s my fault Thomas died” but it was all too brief and immediately after she went back to obsessing and asking about Seb. And they want me to believe that she’d want to avenge Thomas’ death? No. I think she blinded Seb and Julia because she was angry at being called out for her obsession. For being told that she was wrong to go that far. It wasn’t about her “love” for Thomas. It was about how humiliated she was about being wrong.

Can you believe that Pippa gave this whole speech with the fable about being content with what you have and not to try to be greedy by wanting more and then she just immediately DOES THE OPPOSITE OF THE MORAL by cheating on her boyfriend because she wanted more aka Seb???

The more that I think about it, I feel like the true villain of the movie is Pippa herself. Her obsession with Seb is what started the whole thing. If she had been able to keep a healthy distance, none of that would’ve happened to begin with. There would be no fights over how far things were going. Seb would have no scandal to tell. She worsened Thomas’ insecurities of not being enough for her, making him go to great lengths just to try to please her. Poor Thomas. He truly deserved better.

Pippa also has awful friends. Instead of stamping down the creepy behavior, they’re giving tips on how to listen in on other people’s private conversations! And then later try to excuse her cheating on Thomas. And then help with her obsession AGAIN.

Acting-wise, I felt that Natasha, Ben, and Justice were incredible and I loved them. I love how conflicted Ben played Seb and how you can see it in his eyes. My favorite scene was the one where Seb and Julia had that confrontation over the wine where Seb asks if she ever felt guilty and Julia just stares right back and stares him down. Natasha was brilliant as Julie pretending to be all friendly and vulnerable with Pippa. Justice was very emotional and I love the scenes where he was horrified at how far Pippa was taking everything. For me, Sydney was the weakest one at acting. While there were some okay parts, her face can be really stiff at some points, like during the sex scenes.

Overall, I thought the movie to be quite thought-provoking especially in this day and age where people can find the most intimate details of another person’s life so easily, be that through Carrd, Instagram stories, Facebook feeds, and other social media sites. It makes you think about parasocial relationships, how people can be so obsessed about people that they’ve never even met, and how that obsession can easily grow into something dangerous that can ruin lives. Good movie, terrible last act. Too much sex for my taste, but then it wouldn’t be called an erotic movie.

Outside of the movie, I really love the chemistry between the four of them. I love watching their interviews and seeing how they interact with each other.

Last but not the least, I know this may be random but my brain likes to zoom in on the weirdest things. How on earth did Pippa manage to get Seb on top of that operating table?? No offense but Pippa is fucking tiny. Seb’s like twice her size and mostly muscle AND unconscious. Like ??? Sorry but that threw me off so much it’s ridiculous.

[bboundless]

I got my first COVID vaccine jab on Tuesday! My second dose of the Moderna vaccine is in late May. My partner’s parents live on an island outside of Seattle and they helped us get appointments and drove us. We took Bruce and Douglas with us, Bruce sat in my lap in the car and the nurses fell in love with them at the vaccination site. We are incredibly grateful considering we are both immunocompromised and it’s unclear if the University of Washington is going to require vaccines which is totally bonkers considering, uh science and uh mass death. Anti-vaxxers don’t interact!

Anyway, my arm was a bit sore after. I also got a migraine Wednesday and Thursday, but I’m not sure if it was the vaccine or if it was stress that triggered it. Bruce was worried about me and guarded me for those two days, it was really sweet. Greyhounds don’t generally have guard behaviors, but I think Bruce is just especially empathetic. I ended up not working out a lot this week due to the day trip to get vaccinated, my migraine, as well as my optometry appointment Friday.

We studied the Eleusinian mysteries and katabasis myths this week in CLAS430. We read the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, Callimachus’ Hymn to Demeter, and the myth of Orpheus from Vergil’s Georgics. I really enjoyed the reading this week. Katabasis myths are myths where the protagonist, usually a legendary hero, goes into the underworld and comes back. Mystery religions, like the Eleusinian mysteries, are ancient religious secretive cults. I love mystery religions, they are totally wild. Apparently Augustus didn’t even divulge the secrets of the Eleusinian mysteries after he converted to Christianity.

I turned in my first paper as well as the letter of appeal assignment for ENG281. I’m a bit nervous about them. I hope the Professor thinks they are good. I’ll let you know when they get graded!

[crash-cinematic-universe]

Blurry

pairing: Peter Maximoff/plus sized!reader

summary:  Hi! Would you ever do a Peter Maximoff x plus size reader oneshot (if you're ok with it)? The reader always sees a blur in the corner of her eye, she thinks she needs her eyes tested but it's Peter chickening out from asking her out on a date (just him running away). She sees the blur again when she's upset (maybe she gets teased) and Peter gets the courage to comfort her. - @morganofthecoves1

warnings: bullying on the grounds of weight, language

notes: peter is a cutie pie and I intend to do that fact justice. this is kinda short (just over 1,000 words) so sorry

______

It’s been happening for weeks; I’d be reading a book or exploring the campus and I’d see it-- a silver-ish blur in my peripheral vision. I think I’m going crazy, it happens so often I’m beginning to believe that something’s wrong with my eyes. It’s odd; whenever I bring this up to Jean she just laughs and ensures me that nothing is wrong. Nevertheless, I’m getting worried. 

“Uh, Hank, how experienced are you in optometry?” I ask, catching the tall man’s attention.

“Depends on what you need done. I’m decently trained, but I’m not qualified enough to perform surgery or anything.” He explains, becoming more and more confused by the second.

“Well, something’s up with my eyes.” Hank’s confusion is joined by concern. 

“What’s happening?” He grabs a clipboard and leans against the counter, a pen gripped tightly in his hands. 

“I dunno, sometimes I see this weird blur in my peripheral vision.” Hank scribbles down some notes. “It’s only there for a second, but it happens a lot.”

I fiddle with the hem of my shirt. When I look at Hank, he’s got an amused smile on his face. 

“Well, there is something wrong, but not with you.” Hank says humorously, setting down the clipboard.

“Hank, what the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I spit, my patience running thin. “I’ve been seeing this weird fucking blur for weeks and no one seems to care!” 

“Y/n, have you seen Peter lately?” Hank asks. I’m flabbergasted at his behavior. Hank is usually very professional, and yet here he is asking stupid, unrelated questions?

“Hank, what does Peter have to do with this?” Hank just grins.

“Sleep on it. I’m sure it’ll go away with time.” I huff and stomp out the door. This is ridiculous! It’s almost as if I’m being set up. I round the corner and my stomach drops.

Now, a bit of context: I don’t exactly fit the beauty standards set for women. I’m bigger than most girls, but at this point, I learned to accept it. That’s not to say that I’m not insecure, but I’m not as insecure as before. However, it doesn’t help when my crude, cruel classmates deem it appropriate to harass me because of my weight. It hurts, of course, but today it hurt… more than usual. 

“Y/n, I feel oddly drawn to you.” Someone next to me snarls, “but that’s probably because you’re big enough to have your own gravitational pull.” Laughter erupted within the group, and I was quick to storm off.

“Hey, don’t stop too hard or you might break the wooden floor!” Someone calls after me, and I make a sharp turn into my bedroom. My day keeps getting worse as I look down at my feet, realizing the aglet at the end of my shoelace has broken, the shoelace itself frayed and torn to the point of no return. I plopped myself down on the floor, pulling my knees to my chest and backing into a corner. I just bury my face in my knees, letting the world around me fade away as I switch on my Walkman, losing myself in the music. 

I yelp when I feel someone grab my shoulder, my fight or flight responses causing me to kick outwards towards my attacker. It isn’t until I hear his voice that I realize my attacker isn’t an attacker after all.

“Woah, woah, woah, Y/n, chill.” Peter laughs slightly. “It’s just me, not Ted Bundy.” 

“Oh, hey Peter.” I say, quickly replacing my sad expression with my usual confident facade. “What’s up? Please tell me you didn’t get your goggles stuck on the roof again.” Peter chuckles nervously, his hands trembling a bit. 

“You okay, Maximoff?” I ask quietly, standing up to meet his eyes. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” 

“I just…” He trails off. “You know they’re just assholes, right?” At first, I’m confused. Was he referring to the guys in the hallway or Hank and Jean? “They’re just mean, you’re like… super hot.”

“Peter, are you talkin’ about those guys in the hallway?” Peter nods slowly. “Aw, don’t worry ‘bout them. I can take it, I’ve been taking it ever since I was a kid.”

“I just really want you to know that they’re jerks and that you’re super fucking cool and attractive and fun to be around and that I’d probably die for you and--” Peter rambles on and on, his nerves most likely getting the best of him.

“Hey, Maximoff, take a breath.” I laugh slightly, amused by his antics. “Just say what you wanna say.”

Peter does just that, he takes a deep and shaky breath before speaking. “Hank told me you went to see him today. He told me you thought you needed to get your eyes checked because your eyes would go blurry all the time.” I nod, and he continues. “That… that was me.”

“You were… the blur?” 

“Yeah. I, uh, I wanted to ask you out but I kept… I kept chickening out last minute. I ran away, and I didn’t think you could see me but I guess I was wrong.” 

The room is silent for a moment, Peter’s face desperately searching mine for some sort of reaction. Peter’s worry turns to confusion as I burst out in thunderous laughter. I can’t stop laughing at the present situation, at my own foolishness, at Peter’s adorably confused face.

“Uh, I think I’m gonna g-go now. Sorry for bothering you,” Peter says, his voice sad and slow. I try to compose myself enough to speak clearly.

“N-No Peter, wait,” I gently grab his wrist, urging him to stay. “I just think it’s funny, I thought I was going crazy but it was you the whole time, all because you wanted to ask me out.” He looks relieved, yet on edge.

“And, uh, i-if I were to ask you on a date would you be interested?” His fingers are timidly intertwined, his eyes trained on the floor. I gently move his chin, his eyes slowly meeting mine.

“Yes, Peter, I would.” he beamed up at me, grinning ear-to-ear and chuckling slightly. This isn’t exactly how I thought this day would turn out, but hey, I’m not exactly complaining.

[rayarmat]

A Scientific Analysis of Best Face Masks

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many facial mask products have flooded the marketplace. The debate on the efficacy of facial masks and shields often ignores the anatomy of human face and viral pathways. The three main considerations to keep in mind when choosing or wearing a face mask/shield are Eye health, impact on children, and long-term overall health impacts.

As the use of face masks spreads along with the spread of virus, there is concern over eye health such as dryness, irritation and keratopathy (damage to the cornea).  There are recent findings of dry eye symptoms among Covid-19-positive patients and while it is suggested that these symptoms are a result of the disease itself, a report proposes that it may also be associated with long-term use of masks. According to the NIH (the National Institute of Health): “This pathway may be further compromised by irritation from mask use. The tear film is an essential barrier against pathogenic invasion but may be compromised if mask use causes this barrier to evaporate more rapidly. Discomfort from dry eyes may also increase eye rubbing and face touching behaviors, with attendant fomite transmission. All of these factors together create an increased concern for ocular infections secondary to prolonged mask wear. This risk is particularly worrisome during the current pandemic due to a well-documented probability of the novel coronavirus spreading through contact with the eye.” The study provides some preliminary guidance, such as the use of “lubricant eye drops and eye protection such as goggles… used in conjunction with masks with additional care by those who wear masks for extended periods of time and by patients with prior history of dry eye disease, recent eye surgery and other eye diseases such as Sjogren syndrome.”

The report further recommends that mask wearers ensure that the mask is shaped around the nose to ensure that air is not being directed toward the eyes.  Furthermore, “patients experiencing dry eye symptoms from extended mask wear should take breaks every few hours to remove the mask, allow the eyes to recover, and reapply lubricant eye drops. Emollient eye drops may be the most effective in preventing symptoms by preserving tear film. Blinking exercises may also be beneficial.” 

The American Optometry Association further note, “Patients and staff described subjective worsening in symptoms measured by the Ocular Surface Disease Index. They also detected a decline in corneal staining and a “distinct” increase in post-operative dryness in cataract patients.”

Impact on Oxygen and Co2, How SARS-CoV-2 spreads, Effectiveness of Masks, Can a Mask become a Virus Trap?

Another perspective for consideration of mask wearing comes from the New York Times Best Selling authors of  “Plague of Corruption”, Dr. Judy Mikovits and Kent Heckenlively in their recent book,  “The Case Against Masks:  Ten Reasons Why Mask Use Should be Limited”.

The book begins with a quote attributed to the late Eric Arthur Blair, known by the pen name of George Orwell – “In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act”.   The authors outline 10 reasons for their argument to limit the use of masks:

This quick guide – only 56 pages - provides logic and science-based analysis on the mechanics of transmission and the impact of masks for concerns such as eye health, viral load, and much more.  The authors proceed to recommend the following guidelines for wearing masks: Wearing of masks outside of a health care setting is useless and that children should return to school without the need to wear a mask due to the low transmission rate unless the child is coughing and sneezing.

In a recent video post with the Academy of Nutritional Medicine, Dr. Mikovitz mentions that face shields such as “Shield of Glory”  (a brand) may be an acceptable option if mask wearing is mandatory or needed.  These type of see-through, transparent masks are seen as being more useful in communicating and not blocking airflow for the user.  Other authoritative bodies such as JAMA – Journal of American Medical Association, also note that,  “Face shields offer a number of advantages. While medical masks have limited durability and little potential for reprocessing, face shields can be reused indefinitely and are easily cleaned with soap and water, or common household disinfectants. They are comfortable to wear, protect the portals of viral entry, and reduce the potential for autoinoculation by preventing the wearer from touching their face. People wearing medical masks often have to remove them to communicate with others around them; this is not necessary with face shields. The use of a face shield is also a reminder to maintain social distancing, but allows visibility of facial expressions and lip movements for speech perception.”

[opticalforum]

The Effect of Eye Care Professionals' Sence of Self-worth on Entrepreneurial Behavior and Starting a New Business “Your self-worth grows when you fight for something you love.” #Optometry #OpticalForum https://www.instagram.com/p/CplEmM8NHqx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=