Clinton Township Newsletter

8 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 7 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com t h a n k s g I v I n g p I e s a l e ! Your Thanksgiving will be that much easier when you buy our delicous pies or bring them to your family get together and your work is done! We're offering Apple and Pumpkin for $12 each and Pecan for $15 each. All are 100% homemade at our church! Order by calling: 908.968.3280 by November 13! Pickup on November 21, from 3:00 - 7:00 pm at: St Gregory Palamas Orthodox Church, 5 Church Street, Glen Gardner. D I a b e t e s a n D t h e e y e By Jaime Blyskal Marcolini, OD Diabetic Retinopathy is a condition that occurs in people who have diabetes. It causes progressive damage to the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. Diabetic Retinopathy is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes. D i a b e t e s i n t e r f e r e s w i t h t h e b o d y ' s a b i l i t y t o u s e a n d s t o r e sugar (glucose). The disease is characterized by too much sugar in the blood, which can cause damage throughout the body, including the eyes. Over time, diabetes damages the blood vessels in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when these tiny blood vessels leak blood and other fluids. This causes the retinal tissue to swell, resulting in cloudy or blurred vision. The condition usually affects both eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include: • Seeing spots or floaters • Blurred vision • Difficulty seeing well at night • Having a dark or empty spot in the center of your vision When people with diabetes experience long periods of high blood sugar, fluid can accumulate in the lens inside the eye that controls focusing. This changes the curvature of the lens, leading to blurred vision. However, once blood sugar levels are controlled, blurred distance vision will improve. Patients with diabetes who can better control their blood sugar levels will slow the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Often the early stages of diabetic retinopathy have no visual symptoms. That is why the American Optometric Association recommends that everyone with diabetes have a comprehensive dilated eye examination once a year. Early detection and treatment can limit the potential for significant vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. Treatment of diabetic retinopathy varies depending on the extent of the disease. People with diabetic retinopathy may need laser surgery to seal leaking blood vessels or to discourage other blood vessels from leaking. Your eye care professional might need to inject medications into the eye to decrease inflammation or stop the formation of new blood vessels. People with advanced cases of diabetic retinopathy might need a surgical procedure to remove and replace the gel-like fluid in the back of the eye, called the vitreous. Surgery may also be needed to repair a retinal detachment. This is a separation of the light-receiving lining in the back of the eye. If you are diabetic, you can help prevent or slow the development of Diabetic Retinopathy by: • Taking your prescribed medication • Sticking to your diet • Exercising regularly • Controlling high blood pressure • Avoiding alcohol and smoking For more information about about eyecare, please contact Clinton Family Eyecare located at 186 Center Street, Suite 170 in Clinton, by calling: 908.735.5712, or visit: www.ClintonFamilyEyecare.com. Nov. 7 is Election Day! Polls are open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Please take the time to VOTE – YOU can make a huge difference! Upcoming Events: Get Involved Today! Contact Clinton Township Democrats on Facebook or email: Clinton.Twp. Democrats@gmail.com committees to stock local food banks and running a donation drive for Family Promise of Hunterdon. Please help ensure that ALL of our neighbors enjoy a Happy Holiday Season. Contact us for information about how to get involved! We're collaborating with local Township Democratic a t t e n t I o n h I g h s c h o o l J u n I o r s : n e x t s t e p a D v I s I n g , l l c W I l l h e l p y o u f I n D t h e c o l l e g e s t h at a r e t h e b e s t f I t f o r y o u ! Finding the best fit college is not like running a sprint, it is like preparing for a marathon. It is a process that should take more than a year. Before students can begin looking at schools, they need to understand themselves, their goals and what gets them going in the morning. Sessions at Next Step Advising not only provide the space for students to sit back and reflect, but also provide structure and accountability. Nicole Smith, owner and primary counselor, is an expert in the field of College Advising in addition to being a Licensed Associate Counselor. Sessions are also very informative for parents and they are encouraged to have regular dialogue with Ms. Smith. Most are surprised to learn about how much the process has changed in the years since they attended college. "The process is supposed to be fun. Parents often tell me they immediately experience less stress at home because of my involvement and their decision to work with an Independent College Counselor." Born and raised in Clinton Township, Nicole is dedicated to the students in the community. "I am very excited to be working in Clinton and seeing students from all over Hunterdon and Somerset Counties in my practice!" The benefits – financial and personal – are immense. Please contact Nicole at: 908.642.8509 or by email at: info@nextstepadvising.com. "Don't wait until the fourth Thursday in November, to sit with family and friends to give thanks. Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!" ~ Charmaine J. Forde

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