Baby Boomer’s Checklist
For Healthy Vision

An eye examination provides doctors of
optometry with information about the health of the eyes, and also offers indications about an individual’s overall health. In some cases, diseases that affect the whole body, like diabetes and hypertension, can be detected with an eye exam. In the case of glaucoma, vision damage and blindness may occur without ever experiencing any
symptoms.

The Baby Boomer’s Checklist for Healthy Vision, created by the American Optometric Association, offers a variety of visual symptoms and scenarios to gauge the well-being of your eye sight. Check yes to the questions that apply to your vision.

Are you:

 Someone with diabetes, hypertension or
any other systemic or chronic disease?

 At risk for certain systemic or eye diseases because of family history or other factors?

 Having more difficulty reading smaller type such as books and newspapers?

 Experiencing frequent headaches after working on a computer?

 Doing a great deal of reading and other
close work?

 Rubbing your eyes frequently or having tired or burning eyes?

 Losing track of a person or objects in your peripheral (side) vision?

 Avoiding close work?

 Having difficulty driving at night?

 Experiencing frequent near misses, accidents or parking when driving?

 Experiencing difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination?

If you checked yes to any questions on the checklist, or you have not seen your doctor of optometry in over a year, be sure to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye examination.

Your eyesight and eye health deserve to be protected and monitored. Even if you didn’t check yes to any of the questions, keep in mind that symptoms of vision problems aren’t always apparent. Regular eye exams can help you be certain that your eyes are functioning properly and are healthy.

Volunteer SPOTLIGHT:

New Advisory Board Members

Minds Eye has recently added many new members to our
Advisory Board. This month, we’d like you to meet Fr. Greg Gallagher, O.M.I., Walt Nathan and Donna Neal.

Fr. Greg Gallagher, O.M.I. is the new Director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and will be filling Fr. Lou Studer’s place on the board. Fr. Greg is the
tenth of eleven children of Neil and Phyllis Gallagher. Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, Fr. Greg began thinking about becoming a Priest when he was in high
school. “The Missionary Oblates have served the parishioners of my home parish, St. Casimir’s, for many years. I was able to witness their service and knew I wanted to become a part of their community. I realized that I, too, was being called to serve others,” remembers Fr. Greg. Fr. Greg was most recently serving as Pastor of
his native parish, St. Casimir’s. He says it was difficult to leave his parish but he is excited about his new assignment. “I am looking forward to the new experiences and friends that await me at the Shrine.”

Walt Nathan worked as a radio and television announcer/weatherman while attending Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State). After graduation, he began a twenty-year career in the U.S. Army. Upon retirement, Walt spent ten years in the computer industry, holding technical and sales management positions at three major corporations. After retiring again, he became a real estate broker, followed by seven years devoted to conducting sales training seminars and teaching Missouri-accredited real estate educational courses. A year after final retirement, Walt became a Minds Eye volunteer which he describes as “one the most gratifying and rewarding experiences of his life.” Walt’s wife, Pam, is a Director in the IS Division of Edward Jones. They have one daughter, Sharon, who is a Professional Counselor, and their son-in-law, Ken, is an appliance technician. Walt and Pam have two grandchildren, Christopher (12) and Taylor (7), who according to Walt, are beautiful, talented, well behaved and brilliant, and one dog, Buddy (3-1/2), who is a
Dalmatian—enough said.

Donna Neal is a native of St. Louis and has been legally blind since birth. She is the oldest of nine siblings. When she is not listening to Minds Eye, Donna participates in a variety of activities at the St. Louis Society for the Blind including craft classes and monthly recreational outings. She also enjoys the social gatherings hosted by the Service Club for the Blind and participating in programs offered by the Monsanto YMCA. Donna belongs to three book clubs, two of which are held at local libraries and one she formed herself specifically for blind readers. This book club is in its 4th year and the group is reading its 44th book. “Oprah can’t have all the fun!” says Donna. She is also a fan of live theater, attending many productions at
the Muny Theater in the summer months. She hopes to find time to enjoy additional theatrical performances this winter.

In the next edition of the Radio Reader Newsletter, we will feature three additional new board members, Tom Shea, Sue Bolen and Maria Amann.

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