Your Eyes and Cataracts

The Signs, Symptoms and Causes of Cataracts

Your Eyes and Cataracts

The eyes have a natural lens made up mostly of water and protein. This lens is found behind the pupil and the iris, and is very similar to the lens of a camera because it focuses light onto the retina. It is also what allows the eye to adjust and focus so you can see things clearly at all distances.

Cataracts (sometimes incorrectly spelled “cateracts”) are described as a clouding which forms over this natural lens. Sometimes, as a person ages,  the protein that makes up this lens begins to clump together causing this part of the lens to become cloudy. Over time the clouding can spread and cover more of the lens making it very difficult to see.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts Symptoms

Cataracts normally develop gradually over a long period of time. This is one reason it may be difficult to notice the symptoms right at first. However, there are several symptoms that are associated with cataracts that you can be aware of. They are listed below.

  • Blurry or hazy vision
  • Items look cloudy
  • Lights seem to glare or be extra bright
  • Double vision
  • Colors become more dull-looking

The symptoms you experience will depend on the type of cataracts you have. You may notice that you need to change your glasses often when a cataract is developing which may also be a warning sign.

Types of Cataracts

Studies have determined that there are three different types of cataracts, they are as follows:

    1. Cortical Cataract – This type forms in the cortex of the lens and then slowly moves towards the outside of the lens. It is usually caused by being diabetic.
    2. Nuclear Cataract – This type is the most common and starts in the nucleus or center of the lens. It is usually caused by aging.
    3. Subcapsular Cataract – This type will start at the back of the lens and is usually found in people with retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes and farsightedness. It sometimes occurs in people that have taken very high doses of steroids as well.

It is important to know that the symptoms you experience will be based on the type of cataracts that you have. For example, a person may experience an improvement in their sight when they first start developing a nuclear cataract. This improvement is referred to as “second sight” but it only lasts for a very short period of time.

The nuclear cataract comes on slowly with age and you may not have any symptoms at all with the subcapsular cataract until after it is well-developed. If you suspect that you have cataracts, you should see an ophthalmologist or optometrist right away. Your doctor can recommend the appropriate type of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct blurry vision.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is a simple, painless procedure, and can significantly improve a patient’s vision. The eye surgeon makes an extremely small incision and inserts a tiny instrument, that breaks up and gently removes your cloudy lens. The cloudy lens is replaced with a clear, artificial lens. Cataract surgery is safe and substantially improves vision for more than 9 patients. Below is a video that further explains the procedure.


For special cases when intraocular lens implantation is not done after the surgery, ophthalmologists can prescribe cheap yet surprisingly comfortable contact lenses to enhance vision.

Wedding Traditions and Their Origins

Where Do These Wedding Customs Come From?

Marriage is all about traditions these days. Where do these wedding traditions come from?

An ABC of marriage traditions and their origins:

Bridesmaids

In ancient times, brides and bridesmaids wore the same dresses so that evil spirits who wished to destroy the bride’s happiness were confused.

Bridal Veil

Marriages were often arranged by family members and the bride and groom were not allowed to see each other before the actual marriage. The reason for this is that family members were afraid that the groom would refuse to marry the bride if he didn’t find her attractive. The veil was lifted only after the couple got married.

Flowers

Flowers were used in wedding ceremonies because they represent fertility, purity and never-ending love. In the old days, wedding bouquets were a mixture of flowers and herbs. Orange blossoms were a symbol of fertility and dill was supposed to promote desire.

Handkerchief

Early farmers believed that the tears a bride shed on her wedding day would bring luck and rain for their crops. In later times, people believed that the bride would never shed another tear about her marriage if she cried on her wedding day. Most brides now carry the handkerchief to dab away tears of joy.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue…

According to tradition, a bride should wear all of these four things. In ancient Europe, it was believed that these things warded off evil spirits.

  • Something Old: This symbolizes the ongoing continuity of the bride’s family life and bond while making the transition from single to married life. Many brides choose to wear a piece of family jewelry.
  • Something New: Wearing something new marks the transition from single to married life and symbolized the new life of the couple. Nowadays, the wedding dress is almost always the ‘new’ thing.
  • Something Borrowed: People believed that borrowing something from a happily married couple would bring them good fortune. Suitable items are handkerchiefs or jewelry.
  • Something Blue: Contrary to what people believe these days, white was not the color representing virginity, fidelity, and purity, but blue was. Lots of brides choose a blue garter for ‘something blue’.

…and a Penny in Your Shoe

The rhyme is actually one sentence longer than we think, it ends with the words: ‘and a penny in your shoe’. The penny brings good luck and fortune.

Wedding Cake

Sharing the first piece of the wedding cake stems from Roman times. Roman wedding cakes were made of wheat or barley which represented fertility. By eating the first piece of the wedding cake the couple would be blessed with fertility.

How to Choose the Right Color Wedding Veil

White, Diamond White, and Ivory, Oh My!

With so many names for dress colors, it can be confusing to choose the right color veil to match a wedding gown.

The bridal industry can present many confusing options to the newly engaged bride. Once the dress had been chosen, a bride might wish to purchase a veil somewhere other than the bridal salon to save money. But what color to order? With the many color names and veil fabric options, ordering a veil online can seem intimidating. These guidelines will allow a bride to navigate the confusing terminology of bridal accessories and find the perfect match.

White Wedding Veils

White seems pretty simple, right? Not really. Only choose a white veil if the wedding gown is made from a synthetic material. If the gown is silk, a true white veil, made from synthetic bridal illusion (the most common veil material), will not match. Real silks, like real pearls, don’t come in true white. Instead, it’s a slightly warmer, more natural color. It may look like pure white to the eye—until it’s held up next to the true white of a white bridal illusion veil.

Any silk tulle wedding veil will be either silk white/diamond white (even if it is just labeled “white”), or ivory. It is impossible to buy a true white silk bridal veil.

Diamond White Bridal Veils

The color of bridal illusion called “diamond white” was created to match the slightly warmer color of real silk gowns. If the wedding gown is made from real silk and the designer calls the color “white,” then diamond white is the color of veil needed to match the gown. If the wedding gown color is called “candlelight,” “warm white,” “oyster,” or “silk white,” regardless of what fabric the gown is made from, the appropriate veil color is diamond white.

Ivory Wedding Veils

Ivory is pretty straightforward. If the dress designer calls the color of the gown “ivory,” an ivory veil should be bought to match the gown. Here’s where it gets tricky. Some ivory gown is such a very light ivory color, that brides fool themselves into thinking that an ivory veil will look too yellow against their light ivory gowns. Not so. Stick to ivory, no matter how pale the ivory of the gown is. Ivory bridal illusion is typically very light ivory, and the fabric is extremely sheer, but any ivory gown needs the warmth of true ivory tulle to look right.

Other Wedding Veil Colors

These days, wedding dresses are available in a much larger range of colors than in past decades. Shell pink, dark ivory, and even bold colors like red are available. In these cases, it is best to consult with a custom veil maker to determine what veil color will look best with the rest of the ensemble.

Request a Tulle Sample

If there’s any doubt or confusion, request a tulle sample. Many veil manufacturers, especially those who specialize in quality, handcrafted veils, are happy to provide fabric samples so brides can be certain that the fabric will match the gown. This is especially important when dealing with high-end fabrics like silk tulle, which aren’t available from most veil designers, and typically can’t be seen in person at the bridal salon.

Wedding Gown Fashion

Determining the Best Wedding Dress Style for Your Body Type

Every bride wants to look her absolute best on her wedding dress. Find out which wedding dress style is best suited for your body type.

Before choosing a wedding dress style it’s crucial to first determine which type of body type you are. Some dress will look stunning on one body type, but simply wrong on another. Basically, there are four body types that are described below: pear-shaped, rectangle shaped, triangle shaped and hourglass shaped.

You may already know what body type you are. For others, it may take a bit of investigation. To determine your body style you’ll need to stand in front of a floor length mirror and take a good long look at yourself.

Determining Your Body Type

Drawing an imaginary line across your shoulders and hips, you need to determine if your hips are wider than your shoulders, or vice versa. Next, you need to determine if your waist is well defined or not. Once you know these facts, you can use the information below to determine which body type you are and consequently which dress styles are best suited for your body.

Pear Shaped

Pear-shaped is the most common body type of most woman – meaning that the width of the shoulders is smaller than the hips. There is usually some definition at the waist.

  • What to Try: An A-line dress is usually the best shape, as it floats away from the lower half of the body. For the neckline, strapless, V-neck and scooped necklines work best. Diagonal draping across the bodice can look quite flattering.
  • What to Avoid: Avoid and skirts that are too full or bulky, as they will add weight to the body. Mermaid style dresses will be unflattering. For the top, halter and high-cut necklines should be avoided as they can make the hips look bigger.

Rectangle Shaped

Women with rectangular body shapes have hips and shoulders that are generally the same width across. There may not be many definitions at the waist.

  • What to try: Look for dresses with structured corsets and full skirts which will help to add shape to the body. Keep necklines wide and add detailing above or below the waist. A V-shape around the waistline will also help to define the waist and hips.
  • What to avoid: Avoid halter necks and high necklines which make the shoulders look small and will not flatter the waistline. Straight cut skirts run the risk of making the body look “boxy”.

Triangle Shaped

This is really an inverted triangle shape, where the shoulders are wider than the hips.

  • What to try: Straight cut or bias cut can look quite lovely in this body type and will look great with full ball gown styles. Bustles and bows around the hip area can also add shape to the lower body. Halter and higher-cut necklines can flatter the shoulders and make them appear smaller.
  • What to avoid: Avoid tops with fancy sleeves or wide necklines as they will emphasize the width of the shoulders. A very low-cut neckline should also be avoided to not look “all top” and no bottom.

Hourglass Shaped

With the hourglass shape, the hips and shoulders are about the same width and there is a well-defined waist.

  • What to try: A strapless, V-neck or scooped neckline will flatter this body type. Off the shoulder, styles can also work but keep the neckline low. An A-line skirt is always a good choice for this body type. The mermaid style dress can also work on thinner, hourglass-shaped women.
  • What to avoid: Bias cut or straight cut won’t enhance the natural curves of the hourglass shape unless you are very tall and slim. Bulky, gathered skirts can also make the hips appear too big. Empire styles will hide the best features of the body.

By determining which body type you have, you can easily figure out which dress style is best suited for your body. With the dress style in mind, you can focus all of your attention on finding the right dress design. This should make dress shopping that much easier.

Wedding Style, Length, Cut: Bridesmaid Dress Fashion Favourites

You can check our new styling services from our Kleinfeld Bridal Consultant.

Factors to consider for wedding coordination include letting bridesmaids pick their own dress fashions to suit their individual lifestyles and body shapes.

 

During an uncertain economic climate, practical choices for bridesmaids in length, fabric, and style may be wise. Agreeing to dresses that the girls can wear again for social occasions, fashion classics, could be the way forward.

What if the bride’s chosen friends are all different shapes, sizes, and skin tones? It is worth considering that identical style dresses will not have wardrobe longevity. Identical dresses also may not look so good on the final photographs. Uniformity of color rather than style may be the most useful strategy.

Bridesmaid Dresses Style and Cut

Factors to consider when ringing the changes on a tradition with bridesmaid attire include:

  • Neckline
  • Sleeves
  • Length

Brides need to consider whether to make it clear if sleeves, strappy or strapless are what is preferred for her bridesmaids. Different necklines need careful consideration; straps, halters, asymmetrical shoulder detail may all be fine among the same group. If the girls all choose different styles, various strappy styles would combine well with strapless, but not perhaps with sleeves.

Flattering styles for larger girls are often sleeveless, but with a pashmina shawl or a shrug. For larger girls are preferred frills, although full skirts and with few tweaks in waist may suit some.

Length tends to be around knee length or slightly longer rather than excessively short or touching the ground. A knee length dress can be worn again at regular social events after the wedding. A dress hem that is touching the ankles rather than the floor is better than full length and keeps clean.

Bridesmaid Fabric and Drape Choices

Consideration should also be given to:

  • Fabric
  • Silhouette
  • Wearability

Fabrics readily available are satin, silk, organza, taffeta, silky soft draped jerseys, and chiffon. Jersey lends itself to soft ruching and cross-bias draping while taffeta weaves hold shape more strictly. Chiffon will gather or flare prettily, yet is less easy to control than some other fabrics.

The softness or crispness of the fabric will influence the silhouette of the gown. An A-line taffeta dress will stand out at the hem, a soft jersey one may cling to the body line. Bridesmaid style for the twenty-first century allows for top fashion shapes such as a chic shift shape rather than bouffant and frilly.

No Halloween or Costume Party Bridesmaid Styles

Avoid buying into a dress style that will later survive only as a fancy dress party or Halloween costume – avoid frills, flounces, patterned fabrics, bold appliques that only a bridesmaid’s mother could love. A wedding may seem as fairytale as Cinderella, but the central characters do not want to look back and see themselves like caricatures.

Bridesmaid Style Co-ordinated Footwear

Shoes are an important accessory to the bridesmaid outfit. They would traditionally be of light colored leather or fabric, either of which can be dyed the same color as the dress. Leather can be dyed again to a more durable color for later everyday use, so consider wearing classic court shoes, especially at a cold-weather wedding.

Silver or gold sandals or pumps look good with most colors of the dress and can be worn again afterward. Generally, if your girls can find their most comfortable style in the same color, differences in heel height or strap detail will not spoil the co-ordinated look.

Shoes often add the finishing touch for the bridesmaid outfit.

Wedding Flowers – Finding a Florist

Choosing the flowers can be one of the most enjoyable parts of planning a wedding. Find out more here about some important practical considerations.

Before beginning the task of looking for a florist, read on to find out more about how the flowers can enhance the occasion, what percentage of the total budget should be spent on them, how to get started and a few things to watch out for when visiting potential florists.

What Flowers Can Bring to a Wedding

By definition, a wedding is a celebration of the union of two kindred spirits, and it goes without saying that celebrations require decoration. Flowers can breathe life into any special occasion. They can be used to reflect the personal style of both bride and groom, to symbolize the nature of the relationship and the shared hopes and expectations of the happy couple, to provide a topic of interest for guests and quite simply to enhance the aesthetic beauty of the day. They can evoke vivid recollections of times past and help build the foundation upon which future shared memories will be formed.

How Much to Spend on Wedding Flowers

Experts at the wedding planning website, The Wedding Garden, recommend that between 5 and 15% of the total wedding budget be spent on the flowers. The exact percentage will ultimately depend on the priorities of the individual. Set the budget as early on as possible, so that it is clear what funds are available to work within the lead up to the big day.

Finding the Right Florist for the Wedding

It is important to find the right choice of florist for the big day to ensure that expectations are met and disappointment avoided, so if time allows trying to visit at least three before making a final decision. Of course, this can be very time consuming so if instincts scream out to go with a particular florist and all the credentials have been explored, then just go for it!

Useful resources for finding a florist in the area include telephone directories, online directories such as the one listed in the resources below, bridal magazines and maybe best of all, friends and family. A personal recommendation can be a great comfort when there is a lot to choose from. Also, be sure to ask the people at the venue for any florists that they regularly work with. Bridal fairs provide fabulous opportunity to make contacts and gather inspiration but are prepared to tackle any persuasive and persistent vendors and do not feel pressurized to rush into anything.

Visit the Wedding Florist Before Booking

Visiting the florist’s workspace is an excellent way to find out if they’re the one. The right florist should:

  • Have previous wedding experience.
  • Be able to show you a portfolio of their work.
  • Ensure you that they will be there on the day, setting up the arrangements and making sure that everything is in order.
  • Have a backup plan for if the flowers don’t arrive in time for the wedding day.
  • Maintain a clean and productive working space.
  • Be open about all additional costs.
  • Demonstrate style that suits the taste of the bride and groom.
  • Be available on the day!

Once, the florist has been chosen the working relationship can begin. Prepare a few questions prior to any meetings to get the most out of any time spent together…..and enjoy the process, as it will only be happening once!

How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress

Four Steps to that Dream Bridal Gown

Turn that wedding dress fantasy into a real-life dream dress! There’s no reason to settle for something second-rate, no matter what the budget!

Not just any beautiful dress will do – only the ones with “wow” factors need to apply when it comes to walking down the aisle. All eyes should be glued on the dress that has the bride’s name on it – the perfect fit. And it can happen, regardless of taste, style or even budget. Read on!

Research the Options

Vera Wang, Lazaro or Priscilla of Boston? Halter, strapless or sweetheart? A-line, ballgown or mermaid? This is the most important dress most girls will ever wear so it’s important the bride knows what she wants before hitting the bridal salon. It’ll make for less frustration and the opportunity to see more dresses that are absolutely to die for!

Figure out the Dress Budget

Dresses can range anywhere from $100 to $10,000. Some are even more expensive! So before hitting that bridal salon, make sure that their price range matches the wedding budget. There’s nothing worse than trying on that perfect dress and then realizing that it costs three times more than expected. And make sure the bridal consultant is aware of the budget. Usually, alterations and extras (veil, shoes, undergarments) can push the price up even higher, so it’s worth it to keep that in mind as well.

It might seem fun to play dress up, but saying no to that dream dress is anything but. And after that, nothing can compare and those bridal gown fantasies that were there may end up going down the drain. Or, if that out-of-price-range dress is splurged on, the stress on bride and groom, or Mom and Dad could cause lasting friction.

A Bride Knows When It’s “The Dress”

Know when to stop. Just like when the bride knows the groom is “the one,” she doesn’t need to try on every guy in the world before coming to a decision. Trying on too many dresses will only lead to confusion and frustration.

This is why that initial research step, and knowing off the bat what to look for can really come in handy. In addition, bring a limited support group with to avoid having too many cooks in the kitchen. And regardless of opinions, the bride should always choose the dress she feels best in. When the bride has found the perfect dress, say “I do!” There won’t be any regrets. Promise.

Be the Most Gorgeous Girl in the Room

This step is the easiest! Once a bride is decked out from head to toe, all she’ll hear are the oohs and aahs of her guests and onlookers. Revel at this moment and enjoy! And most of all – congratulations!

Most wedding gowns can’t be returned, but with these easy to follow steps, that won’t be an issue. Way to be a smart bride! Now that the perfect dress is within reach, it’s time to look forward to that special day that just belongs to lovers – and the honeymoon that follows of course!

How to Have an Inexpensive Economical Wedding

You can have a beautiful wedding without spending too much money. This article provides you with ideas on how to plan an inexpensive lovely wedding.

A wedding can be a very expensive event. However, if you take the time to look for deals and consider other inexpensive options for your wedding, you can have a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank.

To keep your wedding cost low, consider keeping your guest list at a minimum. Having a smaller guest list will help you to achieve your dream of having a beautiful wedding but at a reasonable price.

The following is a list of some things that you can do to have your beautiful, but an economical wedding.

Do-It-Yourself Wedding Decor and Invitations

Visit online stationery stores such as budgetweddinginvitations.com, minted.com and lowcostinvitations.com. Performing a simple search on the internet will provide you with a host of low-cost, online bridal invitation stores. You can compare prices so that you can get the best for your buck.

You can, also, visit craft stores or dollar stores for invitations to design and print yourself. If you are good at crafting things, this may be a good idea to save you extra money. Dollar stores, craft stores and discount party stores, often, carry invitations and decorative items that you can use to decorate the church and make centrepieces for the reception.

Silk flowers are a good option for decorating the church and reception areas. You may, also, be able to find items for wedding gifts at these locations.

Use silk flowers to create a beautiful bouquet for yourself instead of buying real flowers. You can, also, use silk flowers to create the bouquets that your bridesmaids will carry.

Wedding Planning for the Ceremony and Reception

If you desire to have an outdoor wedding, having your wedding in a local park or in a beautiful backyard is a great idea and an inexpensive one. You will, however, need to decide on who you will have to perform your wedding ceremony.

To cut additional cost, you can have your reception in your backyard or a friend or relative’s backyard. Having the reception at your house or someone else’s house is, also, an inexpensive option. If you have your wedding at a church, you may be able to have your wedding in the reception hall at your church for a small fee or, possibly, at no cost to you at all depending on the requirements of your church.

Who Should Take the Pictures and Make the Video

Ask a friend or family member take pictures and another friend or family member to make a video of the wedding for you at little or no cost to you. It’s a good idea to choose someone whose work you’ve seen before and is pretty good with using a tripod for the pictures and a video camera. Prior to the wedding, let each of them know what kind of pictures you want and what you would like to see in your video footage.

Who Should Cater the Food and Make Your Cake

Make a decision about the kinds of foods you would like to serve at your reception. If you have a relative or a friend whose recognized for their excellent cuisine, ask him to prepare the food for your wedding as a gift to you or ask several friends and family members to prepare specific dishes for the reception to cut cost.

If you know of someone who can make a good wedding cake, ask her to make your wedding cake for you. If your wedding is small, you won’t need a very big cake.

Where to Get Discount Wedding Dresses

Visit online discount wedding stores such as bestbridalprices.com and other discount wedding stores to compare prices and gown availability. You can, also, visit your local wedding shops to compare prices as well. Bridal shops, generally, lower their prices during the fall and winter seasons because fewer weddings are occurring during these times.