Clarion Defender_1972-06-29

e 6 JUNE 29~ 1972 THIS NEWSAPAER IS THE OLDEST BLACK PUBLICATION IN .THE NORTHWEST . UNIVERSITY OF OREGON NEDICAL SCHOOL Blurry vision, accompanied py dark spots with a partial veil shrouding the eye, sporadic at first but returing with increasing .frequency--these are typical symptoms experienced by sufferers of many advanced vascular eye aflictions. Each time the blood vessels in the r~tina begin to leak or hemorrhage the affected individual is drawn closer to the permanent veil, blindness. Now in many cases, treatment with the argon laser at the University of Oregon Medical Scrrool can arrest deteriorating vision and in some cases' improve it. The only machine of its kind in Oregon, the $33,000 argon laser. photocoagulater is located in the Medical School's oph– thalmology department. The laser consists of electrically stimulated gas molecules which emit a beam of energized blue– green light one million times more intense than light of the same color released for the sun, In a manner similar to acauterizer, the laser can weld rips and tears in the retinal tissue of destroy abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye. According to Dr. Sam L. Meyer, associate professor ,f ophthalmology, "the laser can be concentrated into a beam size of 50 microns, " (approximately the size 0f the point on a needle). The minuteness of the ray allows exact treatment of the precise area involved with only minimal damage to sur– rounding tissue. Since the involved blood vessels often are located in or near the macula (a part of the retina respon- · sible for vision) it is important to destroy only the afflict– ed a-rea. Dr. Meyer explained that over 100 patients, many of them afflicted with the once incurable diabetic retinopathy, have received laser treatment at the UOMS. He eXpressed the im– portance of this. therapy because of the rapidly rising diabe– tic population. "It is estimated six percent of the populat– ion are diabetic with the total increasing five percent a year, he said. By the time a per~on has had diabetes tor 20 years, he has a 75 percent chance of developing retinopathy. ~The laser treatment is done on a outpatient basis, re– lieving the patient of the high costs of hospitalization and. freeing much needed hospital beds and personnel," said Dr. Me- yer. The Machine was purchased by two faculty members in the ophthalmology department because state funds were not avail– able. To defer the cost of the machine and maintenance, pat– ients receiving treatment with the laser are bill for the ser– vices. Patients treated with the laser are usually referred to the Medical School Physicians by their ophthalmologists but if the doctor has completed special training on .the use of the laser at the Palo Alto Medical Clinic in California, he may treat his patients with the machine at the School. # .# # # # # PACIFIC NORTHWEST BELL In its efforts to continually cut costs caused by in– flation and other factors, Pacific Nort~west Bell is starting a new program in the Portland metropolitan area that could result in annual savings of $1 million. Thatis the amount the company estimates it eosts to han– dle needless calls to its Directory Assistance operators from the Portland area. • "On an average business day," says E. L. Pfeifer, PNB Portland division manager, "we handle about 81,000 request from our customers for phone numbers. "And of that total, " Pfeifer contimred, "we estimate that two thirds of the numbers are l~sted in current direc– tories." The company calculates its costs---basically operator wages---to handle these "needless" calls at about $1 million. The figures are extracted rorm overall Oregon costs to PNB on its Directory Assistance service that are discussed in a bill insert being sent to Portland area customers over a month 1 s time starting June 28. Accompanying the bill insert is· a list of Portland telephone numbers that are frequently requested from Directory Assistance operators. Also included in the list are references to pages in the directories where numbers for certain businesses and organizations can be found. ·The co~pany is asking .its customers to stick the list to the first page~ of their directories and "start your own list of favorite ·stores and services on the sa'1le page." Portland represents about half the volume of calls to Directory Assistance operators in Oregon, Pfeifer points out. "And for that reason," he said, "we are trying this ap':' proach to cost cutting here first. "At the same time," he concluded, "we real,ized that in many instances, our customers have no alternative to calling out: operators for assistance in gettnng a new number, an o.ut– of town number, or for other service reasons. 11 We' er anxious to see what the res.ults of· this test will be over an extended period of time. Hopefully it w'ill help us cut back on our expenses while continuing to provide the required serVice to our· customers." 1971 Falling Into 1972 All things that have came to pass We have encouraged and indulged our lives to be forsaken to deal with them in a rational and civilized manner. · 1 Desiderata states that "life_can be a happier place, according to how you make it." All things that are evil shall be destroyed All things that are ignorant shall be~orgotten And all things that want to love shall be ioved. • lDesiderata,' found in an old cathedral during the late 1800's. '"chances Chances are you'll feel lucky Chances are you'll fall Chances are you'll feel that·you're stuck But, Chances are that you'll get up. Contemplating Sitting Back Listening to Roberta Flack Blowing up a storm While Black Moses is looking forlorn Time will tell Whether you succed or fail But don't give up For you have been down too long,· , Illusion of Love Thes·s are trying times Confusion all over the world People, . Don't share hatred amongst others See beyound the illusion of smiling faces Scream Shout Loud, Not of Bigotry But a Loud Cry of Love . BOTH for only Lynn A. Reed 1826 NE 3rd 288-1191 Gre111l11undry PAIR! Automatlc3· tCycleWashtr MODEL LVA..WOO ••• Ch®• from Normal, Gentle or Super Soak cycles. E~ SOCik Nt– ting< 2 Agitation, 2 $Pin speed ..a.ctions. 3 :water tlmp ..a.e. tions. Water IMI 'contiol. Suo ,....soalc cycle proviM an, ex– tra six minutes of scrQbing to itt atra dirty things rea... dean. . nT Aut0111atlc Dryer MODEl. LVE·3200 ••• RUIIS on tither 1l.s-'401t "ou,.holcl outlet or 220-voft i,.; Stalloti9n. Pro~ special ~iron care for ~ p.. fqblics. Air setting and~ Dry, letting for. extra c~with~~ riel. •308 :;... ..,. with trade SAt. •nL ' '·-"· USY•&Y.-K 30th arid.·S.E. DIVISION • 234-9351 iiiiiiiiiiliiiiiliii____