Medical Mondays: Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50 years old in the developed world. It is estimated that more than 8 million Americans have this condition. Macular degeneration decreases our central vision, making the normal activities such as reading, watching TV and driving quite challenging. Learn what changes in the retina lead to a diagnosis and the difference between wet and dry macular degeneration. DR. RIZWAN BHATTI will review the different treatments for both wet and dry AMD and answer any questions you might have, such as -- do vitamins really help? Dr. Bhatti is the Director of the Retina Service of the Doheny Eye Institute satellite which serves the Coachella Valley in Southern California. He practices at the Doheny locations in Los Angeles, Arcadia, Pasadena as well as Rancho Mirage. He received his M.D. from the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, OH in 2000 and completed his internship and residency at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan from 2001 – 2002. He completed a medical surgical fellowship at USC/Doheny Eye Institute and joined the faculty of USC/Doheny Eye Institute in July of 2007. A co-investigator for several clinical trials, he has presented at international meetings and published in ophthalmic journals. Dr. Bhatti has a special interest in age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disease and retinal detachments. Join us for a fascinating look at a condition that is affecting so many. This program is free and reservations are recommended by calling the library reference desk: (626) 300-0777 ext. 579.

Adult Connections: Tai Chi For Health

Thursday, April 15, 2010 10:00 a.m. Tai Chi is one of the only forms of exercise to have been proven in controlled trials to reduce falls and the incidence of hip fractures in older people. It is a non-competitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching that emphasizes body awareness and improves balance. Originally developed in China as a martial art, it now has many different styles, with each style having its own subtle emphasis on various principles and methods. To do Tai Chi, a series of postures or movements are performed in a slow graceful manner, each posture flowing into the next without pause, ensuring the body is in constant motion. Tai Chi master SAM GUO will explain a bit about Tai Chi’s origins and variations. Then he will demonstrate some of the basic forms, and get us started on the road to greater flexibility, inner calm and enhanced coordination. Sam teaches Tai Chi classes in a number of different styles, including Hand Form and Sword Form, through the City of San Marino Recreation Department. Adult Connections is a new program being offered at the Crowell Public Library on the third Thursday of the month. Enjoy coffee, donuts and a new topic of interest to an adult audience each month. Upcoming “explorations” may include travel, exercise, digital cameras, de-cluttering, or any other topic of general interest.