Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 19, 2024 avavvyvy avvy S iorn oreniioor a avvy iori by Jim Miller Are You at Risk of Developing Glaucoma? Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about the eye disease glaucoma? My older brother was recently diagnosed with it and lost some of his vision, but never had a clue anything was wrong. Could I be at risk too? Stressed Sibling Dear Stressed, Yes! Having an immediate family member with glaucoma signifi cantly increases your risks of developing it, but there are other risk factors you need to be aware of too. Here’s what you should know. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss and blindness if it’s not treated. This typically happens because the fl uids in the eye don’t drain properly, causing increased pressure in the eyeball. But the scary thing about glaucoma is that with no early warning signs or pain, most people that have it don’t realize it until their vision begins to deteriorate. While there are two main types of glaucoma, the most common form that typically aff ects older adults is called open-angle glaucoma. This disease develops very slowly when the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over time, leading to blind spots in the peripheral or side vision. By the time you notice it, the permanent damage is already done. Are You at Risk? It’s estimated that more than 3 million Americans have glaucoma today, but that number is expected to surge to more than 6.3 million by 2050. If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you’re at increased risk of developing it. • Are you African American, Hispanic/Latino American or Asian American? • Are you over age 60? • Do you have an immediate family member with glaucoma? • Do you have diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, migraines or have extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness? • Have you had a past eye injury? • Have you used corticosteroids (for example, eye drops, pills, inhalers, and creams) for long periods of time? What to Do Early detection is the key to guarding against glaucoma. So, if you’re age 40 or older and have any of the previously mentioned risk factors, especially if you’re African American, you need to get a comprehensive eye examination every 18 to 24 months. Or, if you notice some loss of peripheral vision, get to the eye doctor right away. If you’re a Medicare benefi ciary, annual eye examinations are covered for those at high risk for glaucoma. Or if you don’t have vision coverage, contact EyeCare America, a national public service program that provides free glaucoma eye exams through a pool of more than 4,600 volunteer ophthalmologists. Visit AAO.org/eyecare-america or call 877-887-6327 to learn more. While there’s currently no cure for glaucoma, most cases can be treated with prescription eye drops, which reduce eye pressure and can prevent further vision loss. It cannot, however, restore vision already lost from glaucoma. If eye drops don’t work, your doctor may recommend oral medication, laser treatments, incisional surgery or a combination of these methods. For more information on glaucoma, visit the National Eye Institute at NEI.nih.gov, and the Glaucoma Research Foundation at Glaucoma.org. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Advocate Call now! 617-387-2200 advertise on the web at www.advocatenews.net MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 for years. Eddie’s death was tragic for the family and had a rough impact on the city as a whole.” • Speaking of one of the most horrifi c days in Malden history – the 1963 murder of Eddie Callahan by evil incarnate – whose name I will not write; a short conversation with current Malden Police Commissioner and local bon vivant Sal “Butch” Gennetti reveals that Butchie is the last man standing, so to speak. The last offi cer on duty that fateful night in ’63 who is still alive today. I love it when I run into Butch. Such an inspiring man whom I have looked up to my entire life. I’ll never forget the fi rst time Butchie called me by fi rst name! I had a (expletive deleted) eating grin on my face the rest of the weekend. I was somebody in Edgeworth! As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – “An Empty Bottle, A Broken Heart, & You’re Still on My Mind”...back in the “shake it off ” late 1950’s at the University of Miami, Ernie Ardolino Sr. outran some of the biggest, some of the baddest, some of the most vicious linemen playing college football. In the ensuing years, navigating an ever-changing society, Ernie was also able to stay one step ahead and outrun the crazies and their “cancel culture” breathing down his neck (insert smiley face). But he was not able to outsprint the great equalizer nipping at his heels, “Father Time.” Ernie is no longer with us, but we will hold his memory and the thousands of stories – most of which cannot be printed in a family newspaper – near and dear to our hearts. For those who believe, he now resides in the Highland Cafe in the sky. Alongside wife Anna at the Keno machine, mother-in-law Anna (Puleo) on those busy Friday nights taking pizza orders over the phone, father-in-law John (Puleo) preparing the manicotti for the unwashed masses, and cousin-in-law (?) Paul Gennetti trying to keep his sanity as the Highland regulars make their way through those hallowed portals of the place where most of us grew up, the cozy confi nes of the last of a dying breed, Malden’s “Archie’s Place” – the Highland Cafe. Though no longer amongst us physically, Ernie’s presence ain’t going anywhere, anytime soon. Papa Ardolino – we salute you, my friend, and I am pretty sure you would have loved the sendoff your family threw for you! Postscript 1: Just for the rePUBLIC HEARING Malden Board of Health City Council Chamber January 31, 2024 215 Pleasant St, 6:00PM The Malden Board of Health will be conducting a Public Hearing on January 31, 2024, 6:00 PM, at Malden City Council Chambers, 215 Pleasant St, First Floor on Amendments to Section 21 of the Board of Health Rules and Regulations, Nicotine Delivery Systems, relative to; “Prohibition of Sales – No person, firm, corporation, establishment, or agency shall sell tobacco or e-cigarette products to anyone born on or after 1/1/2004. Any person, firm, corporation, establishment, or agency who or which shall violate any provisions of this regulation and upon written notification shall be fined and suspended in accordance to the schedule set forth under the Regulation of the Malden Board of Health Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products.” Prior to January 31, 2024 at 3:30 PM, persons may submit written commentary regarding the proposed ordinance to the Malden Board of Health, City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Third Floor, Malden, 02148. Attention: Chris Webb, or by e-mail at: cwebb@cityofmalden.org Following the public hearing, the Malden Board of Health will take up the consideration of the proposed ordinance for purposes of adoption at the next scheduled Board of Health meeting. While considering the proposed ordinance for adoption, the Malden Board of Health may modify, amend or revise the ordinance. January 19, 2024 cord, fear not Big Papa, I know for a fact that Ernie’s two boys – Aiden and Andrew – will remember your name and hear all the stories (when they are old enough, of course) that made you famous. Postscript 2: My father Solomon (aka Zulick) wore his Star of David proudly – right up until the day he departed this mortal coil in 2021. A voracious reader, he had a saying after scanning the “Irish Sports Page,” noticing the passing of yet another landsman, he’d say to nobody in particular, “We lost another friend today.” Zulick, we lost many friends last year...May their memory be a blessing: Burt Bacharach, Richard Belzer, Chaim Topol, Seymour Stein, Jerry Springer, Alan Arkin, Paul Reubens, Diane Feinstein, Norman Lear, Louise Glick and Malden’s Bernice Neicei Degen. Postscript 3: Happy 93rd to Zulick aka Jerry who, I hope, had that long-awaited reunion with his father, Harry. Mom, pops and grandpa having eternal lunch at the G&G Deli in the sky. What a wonderful, comforting thought. —Peter is a long-time Malden resident and a regular contributor to the Malden Advocate he can be reached at PeteL39@aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms. Classifieds
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