Livingston Reporting - page 144

Differences Between LASIK and PRK

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

If you’re considering eye surgery for better vision without the need for glasses or contacts, you might have already started researching your options and come across LASIK and PRK. Although you’ve probably heard of LASIK, not many know what PRK is and the major differences between the two. Here’s a breakdown of the two and how each of the procedure differ from another so that you can make an informed decision as to which one is best for your vision needs:

What is PRK?

PRK is short for Photo Refractive Keratectomy, which is a type of laser eye surgery that is supposed to help with vision problems, such as astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness. It was created before the now popular Laser-Assisted-In-Situ Keratomileusis, aka LASIK, and is still a popular choice for many when it comes to eye surgery. LASIK does the same thing to correct eye vision problems, but the technique is different than the one used for PRK. However, the goal of both procedures is to change the shape of a person’s cornea.

The Differences Between the Two

Although both aim to correct vision problems, the methods and techniques during surgery is what differentiates them. For LASIK, an eye surgeon will make an incision in the person’s cornea in order to create a flap that’s lifted up so that the laser can reshape the insides of the cornea. The surgical laser is controlled by a computer that will carefully reshape and repair any imperfections in the cornea’s curvature that lead to the vision problems in the first place. Then the flap is placed back and will heal over the reshaped part of the cornea after a couple of days.

When a person undergoes PRK, there is no flap inside the corneal tissue. Instead of the flap, the eye surgeon removes the outer layer of the cornea to expose a small area for a laser to reshape. Because of this, PRK is usually a better option for those who meet criteria like having chronically dry eyes.

But the biggest differences between the two types of vision surgeries are discomfort and how fast one’s vision recovers after the surgery. Those who underwent PRKs usually recover a bit longer than LASIK because the outer layer of their cornea needs more time to heal. After PRK eye surgery, patients are given prescription eye drops to reduce discomfort and promote healing.

The time it takes to heal from LASIK is much faster, with discomfort after surgery usually mild and short. Many can start to see normally after a few hours coming out of surgery, but it will take a few months before their vision reaches peak quality.

Contact Us

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.

 

Michigan Lasik

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3 Signs You May Need a Water Softener

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Are you noticing stains in your kitchen sink?  Is your skin dry and itchy?  These are both signs that you might have an issue with hard water.  The fix for hard water is most often the installation of a whole house water softener.  The installation of a water softening system will improve the natural life of the plumbing within the home, your appliances, your clothing and more.

A water softening system are designed to take out an increase in calcium and magnesium ions be means of an exchange with either sodium or potassium ions.  After this occurs the softening unit will regenerate and cleanse the systems of excess ions until they have been rejuvenated with new sodium or potassium ions.  It is important to know the level of your waters hardness when setting up the rate at which your family uses water.  It is important that the water you use every day is replenished in order to keep the build up of scale within your plumbing at a minimum while helping to improve your water heaters lifespan.

Here are some signs to help you determine if you need a new water softener installed or an older water softener replaced:

There is build up on appliances:

Can you see mineral deposits forming on coffee pot, the dishwasher, or other appliances?  If you can visually see this scale occurring, then image what is happening inside the pipes where you cannot see.  This scale will clog your homes plumbing and make it so that the water is not passing through the pipes as intended.  Hard water brings on a buildup of scale, eventually creating inefficient plumbing.  The hard, chalky substance, scale, is created from a build up of calcium and magnesium bicarbonate.  The technology within water softener systems helps reduce the scale build up with ions exchange technology.

Dry skin and hair:

Extra calcium and magnesium salts within your homes water causes itchy, dry skin and hair.  This is not something that can be overcome with soap and shampoo.  When the build up is too much the water will no longer bring nourishment to your skin and instead it dries it out.  The extra minerals found in the unsoftened water create an environment that doesn’t allow soap to be completely removed from the skin.

Clothing, sheets and blankets:

Are the fabrics within your home looking faded and feeling scratchy on your skin?  This can be do to hard water which contains an excess amount of mineral substances.  It will not matter what kind of laundry soap, softener, or fabric sheets are used while doing laundry, if you are doing your wash in untreated, unsoftened water.  The installation of the right water softener for your home and water can change this.

If you sense an issue with your homes water, it is probably time to have the water tested.  A professional water conditioning company will do a detailed analysis of the water coming into your home and prepare a report offering water treatment solutions to fix the issues with the water in your home.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

 

Reynolds Water

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Advantages of Purchasing Refurbished Radiation Oncology Equipment

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Purchasing refurbished medical equipment is never a bad idea. Despite the allure of buying new radiation oncology equipment, purchasing a refurbished linear accelerator for your practice might be a better choice. There is a lot to consider when you’re getting ready to purchase radiation oncology equipment for your practice like space, budget, and personnel impacts.  Before you purchase all-new equipment consider just a few of the advantages of buying refurbished medical equipment below:

  1. Costs

The biggest advantage when buying refurbished linear accelerator equipment is the cost. Buying new can really blow your entire budget, but used ones can actually make your budget stretch more, allowing you to do other things for your practice. By going for the cheaper option, you still get a quality piece of equipment at a fraction of the cost of what you would pay for a new model.

 

  1. Buy More Equipment

If you’d like to offer more services to your patients, you can easily buy two or more pieces of radiation oncology equipment for your practice instead of just buying one new linear accelerator. This allows you to treat more patients for the price of what you would have spent if you only bought one machine. This way your practice can offer more appointments, getting more patients on the books and increasing your ROI.

 

  1. Use That Money Elsewhere

For the price you’ll buy for a refurbished linear accelerator, you can use that extra money to do other things that will benefit your practice. You can use that money to redesign the patient waiting room area or hire more staff for better customer service. If buying a used machine is just as good as a new one and will get the job done, why not use that extra money for good somewhere else? This way you’ll be able to grow your practice and expand its success.

 

  1. New Equipment For Half The Price

Refurbished pieces have been fixed by professionals to function like new, so you’ll get a practically brand-new linear accelerator affordably! Every refurbished piece is seen by a skilled medical technician before getting discharged back into service, so everything that needed fixing was fixed and you get something practically new without the new price tag.

As with any piece of medical equipment new or refurbished, there are times when equipment fails or needs maintenance.  For these instances there are professionals offering service and parts to repair and maintain linear accelerators.  Companies such as Radparts offer a huge selection of linear accelerator parts and innovative replacement and repair solutions that in many cases can save you up to 50% or more on your linear accelerator parts costs.

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.

RadParts

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Do My Spouse and I Carry the Same Medigap Insurance Policy?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medigap Insurance is a supplemental insurance policy to Original Medicare since it doesn’t cover everything. Where Medicare Insurance falls short, Medigap is used to fill in the gaps. You can purchase Medigap from a private insurance company and use it to cover any expenses you might have under Medicare like deductible and co-pays left by Medicare Part A and Part B.

Medicare doesn’t cover things like dentures, long-term care like assisted living, hearing aids and exams, acupuncture, routine foot care and more.  Medigap supplemental insurance can cover these sorts of expenses, which is why many seniors opt to obtain Medicare supplemental insurance. To qualify for Medigap insurance enrollees must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.

Medigap plans are no different than Medicare plans since they both over only cover one person’s health care coverage and not their spouse. Medigap only covers one person. Although you may be able to enroll in a Medigap insurance plan if you already have Original Medicare, your spouse can’t enroll under you. Your coverage does not extend to them. If your spouse is also eligible for Medicare, then they’ll have to enroll in a separate Medigap policy to get the same coverage as you. If you choose they can enroll in the same Medigap coverage that you are enrolled in.

If you want your spouse to be covered by Medigap, the best time for them to enroll is during their own Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is a six-month time frame that starts on the first day of the month when they turn 65 are both enrolled in Medicare. During this time, an insurance company can’t utilize medical underwriting to deny coverage. Also, beneficiaries have the right to enroll in whatever plan they choose or want, even though some waiting periods may apply.

Medigap policies are priced depending on a number of factors like where you live, your gender and more.  Since plans can be affected by inflation, there can be a big difference in premiums for the same plan between different insurance carriers so shop around for the best price.

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

 

Medigap Insurance Plans

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How Do I Enroll in a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medicare doesn’t cover everything, which is why many seniors look to Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans to get more from their insurance policy. Medicare is health insurance for those who are 65 years and older. As the largest health insurance program in the U.S., it covers more than 40 million people. There are four parts to Medicare – A, B, C and D.

Medicare part A is hospital insurance and covers any inpatient hospital care.  Medicare Part B is medical insurance, covering services like doctors, outpatient care, home care and medical equipment.  Medicare Advantage, Part C is a health care plan that covers similar aspects of Original Medicare along with prescription drug coverage, dental and hearing for an extra premium. Medicare Supplemental Plan D is considered Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, covering the cost of prescription drugs.

Medigap insurance covers the gap that Original Medicare Part A and Part B don’t cover.  If you’re interested in supplemental insurance like Medigap, the best time to purchase this insurance is during the 6-month Medigap enrollment period that starts the month a person turns 65.  Participants must also be enrolled in both parts of Original Medicare, Part A and Part B. After this enrollment period, you can’t purchase a policy without undergoing medical assessments and paying higher priced premiums.

If you purchase during Medigap enrollment, insurance companies can’t use underwriting to decide if they should accept you or not and how much they’ll charge you. And if you have any health problems, you’ll be able to purchase the same coverage at the same price as those in good health.  If you wait until after this period of time you may be required to undergo the underwriting policy.

To find Medicare supplemental insurance plans, do some research on providers near you. That way you can compare plans to see what’s best for you and your health needs, discuss any questions you might have with a representative and get professional insights from a licensed insurance agent.  This will allow you to compare policies and premiums before you sign up for Medigap insurance.

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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The Differences Between LTL and FTL Freight Shipping Options

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For businesses that ship out products throughout the nation it is important to know the differences between LTL and FTL freight shipping options. It is obviously important for businesses to save as much money as possible on shipping costs for products, but this is especially true if you want to save money on large shipments that weigh more than 100 pounds.

Your best two options in shipping large orders are Less Than Truckload Shipping (LTL) and Full Truckload Shipping (FTL).  It not only makes sense to look for an affordable trucking company to ship your products it is crucial to work with companies that offer personal customer service, on-time shipments, and guarantees that your products are delivered as intended.

Consider the following differences in shipping LTL and FTL in order to make an informed decision for your company’s products.

Full Truckload Shipping

One of two things are possible when you hire a full truckload:

  • You have a shipment that will fill an entire truck.
  • You have a shipment that will not fill the whole truck, but you want a truck dedicated to only your shipment.

Most business’s that choose FTL freight shipping do so because they are shipping more than ten pallets, any which are considered high-risk packages.  This option is also plausible if you are short on time to have your shipment delivered.  FTL is a faster shipping option than LTL.  Full truckload shipping usually costs more than less than truckload shipping mainly because it will get your shipment to where ever it needs to be much faster.

Less Than Truckload Shipping

Unlike FTL, LTL shipping is when you share one truck with multiple other customers. It’s a more budget-friendly option for companies who are shipping average or stable products. The cost of the transportation for the goods is shared with all the companies using the third-party logistics company and their freight truck.

Companies only pay for how much space their product is taking up and how far it takes to get their products to their final destination. But since the freight shipping truck will make multiple stops, it’ll take longer to ship your product.  Shipments that range from 100 pounds to 10,000 pounds can be shipped using this method, while those higher than 10,000 FTL will be the viable option.

Learn more about Matrix Transportation and the transportation services they offer including: dedicated truckloads, JIT truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), same day expedited FTL and LTL, full truckload, warehousing, cross-docking, and trailer rentals at www.matrixtransportation.com  To contact one of our trucking experts call toll free 888.896.2405 today.

 

Matrix Transportation

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Advantages of Replacing Your Home’s Windows

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Owning a home means continuous home improvement projects to make your place your dream home. As you tackle various projects, don’t forget about your home’s windows. They’ve probably been there since the house was built and are most likely in need of replacement.

Many times, homeowners forget that windows offer high returns on the investment, which could explain why some homeowners keep their homes windows in place well past their prime.  Homeowners know that windows can be expensive and therefore put replacing them out of their minds while renovating more visible aspects of the home.  Replacement windows do more than just bring up the cost of your home and have several advantages for your household in general. If you’re considering replacing your home’s windows, here are some of the benefits of doing so:

Lower Energy Bills

If you want to lower your energy bills, replacing your windows can greatly help. If you opt for well-insulated windows, they will keep extreme outside conditions from affecting the inside of your home. When it’s hot out, your home will remain cool, which means your air conditioner doesn’t have to run as long. And when it’s cold, you won’t have to run your heater all day and night since the windows will do a great job at keeping the heat in.

Protection from The Sun’s UV Rays

And there are even window replacement options that can block the sun’s ultraviolet rays to help reduce your energy bill while also increasing comfort. If you love natural light in your home, then you most likely have your blinds open all the time. But having too much sun means excessive ultraviolet rays that can fade your home’s interior space. With the right window replacement, you can protect your floors, walls and furnishings by opting for windows that feature Low-E insulating double-pane (or triple-pane) glass.

Easy to Maintain

Windows can be a pain to clean, but not if you choose some with advanced designs like easy-clean features, quality construction and durability. With new designs like between-the-glass blinds or shades, you won’t have to spend as much time cleaning and they can reduce the allergens or dust in your home.

Noise Reduction

Newly installed windows throughout your home can greatly reduce the outside noise, allowing you peace and quiet when you need it most!  Peace and quiet within your home is much needed.

Increased Curb Appeal

New windows can also enhance your home’s curb appeal, providing it with visual interest that will increase your home’s value.   Homeowners should be well versed on their homes curb appeal as it is one of the most important aspects.  People’s first impressions are of utmost importance.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700

 

Kearns Brothers

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Clever Bathroom Storage Items to Pull Your Renovation Together

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Now that your bathroom renovation is finished, it’s time to add additional storage to the space.  A bathroom can never have too much storage as it allows you to neatly organize everything while also providing a visually pleasing space you’ll absolutely love. Although you might have asked for and gotten lots of extra storage space for your renovation, here are a few clever bathroom storage hacks that will really pull the whole renovation together!

Hanging Baskets

Get more space in your bathroom by hanging baskets on the wall that look like floating shelves.  They can be used to house things like towels and toilet paper. Choose baskets that you like and then anchor them to whatever wall you’d like to showcase them on. It’s an easy way to add both décor and storage to your bathroom!

Storage Ideas for Pedestal Sinks

If you have a pedestal sink in your bathroom, you already know that you can’t store anything under it or else it will show. To fix that problem, you can invest in a wrap-around shelf that is made especially for pedestal sinks. This stylish option will provide you space to organize your things while still being out of sight! Or you can dress up the sink in a skirt and simply hide baskets behind it!

Wine Rack for Towels

There are plenty of gorgeous wine racks you can use to hang on a wall that will visually add to the space and hold bath towels at the same time. This is a popular option for more rustic renovators with small bathrooms where a linen closet or under the sink cabinet are not possible.

Invest in an Expandable Organizer

Make the most out of the space under your bathroom sink by investing in an expandable organizer that will easily fit around your pipes and provides an easy way to organize your products under the sink. Other options are adding storage onto the side of the cabinet doors and stackable baskets.

Shelves Over the Toilet

Adding shelves over your toilet will allow you to have a number of everyday essentials within reach.  Shelves also add additional space for towels and small appliances like blow dryers, electric razors and such.

There are a number of ways that contractors will include storage for you within your bathroom renovation however, as you know there is never enough.  Anywhere you can sneak in some hidden storage you should take full advantage.  Storing items allows everything to have its own unique spot and ensures an uncluttered space.

JFC Remodeling, out of Howell, Michigan, offers a variety of construction services for the home including: kitchen and bath remodeling, flooring renovations, and home remodeling.  You can find out more information at http://www.jfcremodeling.com or by reaching out to our home renovation specialists at 810.923.1123.

Jason Foldenauer Construction

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Purchasing Refurbished Equipment Over New

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Running a business of any kind can be an expensive endeavor, especially when it comes to companies offering any kind of manufacturing.  Manufacturing equipment has a number of pieces that are constantly in motion which leads to components needing to be replaced and maintained frequently.  One way to stay within a budget while purchasing and maintaining equipment is to look into refurbished products.   Purchasing and using refurbished equipment and replacement parts can save upwards of sixty percent when compared to new.  The best part, it is as equally as reliable especially with regular maintenance.

Pros of Purchasing Refurbished

Low Upfront Costs:

When purchasing reconditioned equipment and reconditioned parts business’s can save a great deal of money.  Usually the cost of equipment, in any business, is the most expensive aspect of a new business venture.  You can start-up a new endeavor at a fraction of the cost without putting all of your money into equipment and leaving yourself without a financial cushion.

Overall Value:

Purchasing equipment that has been reconditioned, especially when it comes from a reputable source with proven knowledge and experience.  When equipment is well maintained, no matter if it was brand new or purchased refurbished, it will function for years.

Wear and Tear:

The biggest benefit of purchasing refurbished equipment is that the known wear and tear on the equipment can be addressed when it is reconditioned.  If we know that an axel always fails after 4 hours of constant use, then the issue can be addressed during the refurbishment process.  Although the exterior of reconditioned equipment can show wear and tear the internal aspects will be even better than new.

There are a number of reasons that purchasing refurbished electrical components and equipment makes sense for your business.    Reconditioned components allow you to save money without sacrificing quality.

Learn more about J & P Electrical Company and their vast line of new, surplus, and refurbished industrial electrical components including: circuit breakers, bus ducts, bus plugs, disconnects, fuses, panel switches, tap boxes, and transformers at www.jpelectricalcompany.com.  To contact one of our product reconditioning specialists, call 877.844.5514 today.

 

J & P Electrical Company

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Aluminum Fencing and Gates: A Versatile and Secure Enclosure to Your Swimming Pool

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

If your backyard features a swimming pool it is crucial that you add an aluminum pool fence and self-latching, self-closing aluminum gate. You’ll be able to keep your family safe and enhance the beauty of your backyard with a long-lasting and durable aluminum fence and gate. Not only is it an affordable option but you can customize your aluminum fence and gate since they come in a variety of colors and style. There are many reasons to choose an aluminum fence to enclose your backyard swimming pool.

Provides More Privacy to Your Backyard

To provide your family more privacy from the neighbors when you’re outside swimming, an aluminum fence and gate will hide what you’re doing from others, allowing you to enjoy some privacy from peeping eyes. Your family will feel comfortable going about their swimming routine without having to worry about nosy neighbors trying to see in to your backyard.

An Enclosed Area

If you have pets, you might want to enclose them somewhere so that they don’t access certain areas in your home or yard when you’re not home. Aluminum fences and gates provide a convenient enclosure for them to roam around in without having to cage them or place them in a tiny space somewhere else.  An aluminum swimming pool fence will also keep pets out of the pool area as well.

 Safety Measure

When you have small kids and a backyard pool, you’re always worrying about them going out alone and ending up in the pool. To ease your mind and provided added safety, aluminum fences and gates will act as a barrier for little rooms who wander out into the backyard alone. They won’t be able to reach the pool and your mind will be at ease knowing you decreased the risk of them drowning.

Add Space to Your Home

By sectioning off your yard with an aluminum gate and aluminum fence, you’ll be able to add space to your home, allowing you a private section to entertain guests or simply sit back outside and relax in comfort.

Any do it yourself homeowner can install an aluminum fence in their backyard; it’s really that simple! Installing aluminum fencing surrounding your pool can take as little as an afternoon or as long as a weekend.  Aluminum fence panels and gates will more than meet your expectations!

iFenceUSA is an online manufacturer and distributor of wholesale aluminum fencing. With over 18 styles of aluminum fence panels and gates to choose from, we have aluminum fences that will meet your wants and need.  Choose from custom aluminum fencing options including: Commercial Grade Aluminum Fencing, Residential Grade Aluminum Fencing, Pool Grade Aluminum Fencing, and Industrial Aluminum Fencing all at https://ifenceusa.com/.  For more information contact one of our aluminum fence experts toll free 800.762.2907 or via email at info@ifenceusa.com.

 

iFenceUSA

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