Dish Network and DIRECTV both have a loyal base of customers. Millions of subscribers depend on these companies for their entertainment. Dish Network and DIRECTV are both sources of satellite television. The DVR (Digital Video Recorder) for both are different. The capacity of DVRs offered by Dish TV is about 2 TB, while DIRECTV's DVR offers only 1TB of storage space. However, for casual viewers, the main point of difference between these two networks would be their pricing. The prices for Dish Network range between $59.99 and $89.99 approximately, while the costs for DIRECTV's packages are somewhere between $35 to $110. Let us look at the plans offered by both of these satellite TV giants in detail. Affordable packages To compare the package prices of DIRECTV and Dish Network, let us start with the most affordable bundle. America’s Top 120 on Dish Network costs roughly $59.99 per month and offers 120 channels. The basic package on DIRECTV costs around $35 per month without taxes, and it provides 155 channels to its customers. However, the cost for the thirteenth to the twenty-fourth month varies, and the price could be around $78 per month. Therefore, in the long term, Dish Network is more affordable. Value for money packages Apart from the packages mentioned above, there are many other mid-range bundles which most people prefer. For instance, DIRECTV offers the Entertainment package which costs around $40 per month, but the price increases to around $90 per month from the thirteenth month. America’s Top 120+ on Dish Network would cost $69.99 per month approximately. Both of these packages have a variety of channels available. The other packages available with DIRECTV in this range are Choice, which offers more than 185 channels, and Xtra. These are priced at around $45 per month and $55 per month respectively. On the other hand, for roughly $80 per month, you can get America’s Top 200 package offered by Dish. Most expensive packages If you like to have several options available to you, and you can afford such plans, then choose America’s Top 250 package offered by Dish, which costs around $89.99 per month. The Premier package by DIRECTV provides more than 330 channels. It costs around $110 per month plus taxes in the first 12 months. From there onwards, it would cost you $181 per month approximately from the thirteenth to the twenty-fourth month. Additionally, you would have to pay a regional sports fee on that package.

A mattress is an essential part of any bedroom and to get some sound sleep at night you should use a mattress that is made of high-quality materials. And it should, therefore, be purchased only from the best-rated mattress stores. You can buy mattresses from local home furnishing stores or online e-commerce sites. However, both of them have their own set pros and cons. Local stores The major advantage of buying a mattress from a store is that you can try it out for yourself. So you can gauge if it offers proper comfort and support for your body. This is especially useful if you are already tackling any sleeping problems or spinal issues. Moreover, the stores always have trained and competent staff that will be able to help you to choose an appropriate mattress which fit according to your requirement. People who are good at negotiating can even look forward to getting some great price deals. At times, the stores also offer some discounts to the customers who have been buying products from their shop for a long time or are thinking of establishing a dependable relationship with the new customer who has come to the store for purchasing the mattress. Also, you can easily replace the mattress, if it doesn't meet your expectations. Unlike an online store, a single visit can do this trick, and you can quickly exchange the mattress for some other product. However, for people who are not good negotiators buying the mattress from a local store can be an awkward experience too as they might end up paying more in comparison to a mattress purchased from online store. Besides, sometimes people might not be comfortable in lying down on a mattress in a store to assess its quality. Online stores  If you intend to purchase the mattress from an online store it can be a completely different experience. There are basically two kinds of stores which sell mattresses online, i.e., brand stores which only sell mattresses produced by them and regular e-commerce retailers which can provide a range of mattresses on sale from different brands. While the stores which sell products from different manufacturers do have multiple varieties of options for the customers, yet the drawback is that the product in such online stores cannot be tried physically and even when you intend to return the product, the process can become cumbersome. The second option could be buying mattresses from an online store who sell mattress manufactured by them. In such cases, the stores give the customers an option of trying the mattress and returning the same if they find it unsuitable. However, a clear advantage of buying the mattress online is that the customers can get lucrative discounts. At the same time, they have an access an extensive selection of mattresses as compared to a local store. You can also look up consumer reviews which can help you make the best choice. You can always compare the price online before heading to the store to look out for a similar mattress. In case, you find that the prices are on the lower side in the store, it is a better idea to order it from the mattress store since it can be exchanged with ease in comparison to online stores. Buying online makes more sense when you know what mattress you exactly want or don't have any health-related issues.

With home automation systems, you can monitor and control your household appliances and devices like air-conditioning, garage doors, energy control units, motion sensors, blinds and curtains, and security camera remotely. At present, there are many house automation systems available which vary in their scope and functions, but the most popular one offers a central control panel or hub which works as a primary user-interface to control and manage devices remotely through the house Wi-Fi network. Such systems are expandable in future as you can connect more appliances to it. How does Home Automation work? With your Internet enabled Smartphones and tablets, you can control home utilities through home automation apps. You do not have to maintain different remote controls for every device. All you will need is an active Internet connection. The common tasks which you can perform smoothly with the installation of the automation system are; with a single click on your mobile you can activate individual or group of house lights as all the light switches, and dimmers are connected to the automation central control hub and save electricity expense. You can keep an eye on and around your home and build strong home security system by configuring smoke sensors, magnetic door sensors, motion sensors with the hub. Advantages of Home Automation Even when you are away from your home, you can manage the temperature of your air-conditioners. Most of the home automation systems even allow users to adjust cooling and heating systems by the temperature sensors. By connecting rain sensors, wind meters, UV sensors with the automation ecosystem you can be aware of neighborhood weather conditions and you can control the opening and closing of blinds and curtains when there is a storm or the day is very hot. A home automation system allows you to take control of your home appliances and customize controls. With the help of energy management automation systems, electrical devices connected to the hub generates reports on a daily, monthly, or hourly basis. By incorporating moisture sensors into the system, you can water your lawn when it’s required. These systems provide vital information which will help users to take an informed decision concerning household security, energy conservation, and management of public spaces in a shared structure.

Macular degeneration causes a loss of central vision in both eyes. It is a painless condition that normally affects people who are older than 50 years.

It is commonly known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). There are also rare cases of Juvenile Macular Degeneration, which affects young people. Certain genetic disorders are the cause of the development of juvenile macular degeneration.

When a person suffers from Macular Degeneration, the central vision is affected. So, there is difficulty in focusing on objects that lie straight ahead. The result is that everything appears blurred, it becomes difficult to read, the faces of people appear blurred and colors of objects around you look pale and dull.

Causes
The exact cause for macular degeneration isn't known yet. Aging can cause a person to develop this condition. In older people, the macula, which is a central spot in the retina, develops a problem and causes age-related macular degeneration.

AMD can develop as wet AMD or dry AMD.

Dry AMD
The macula has light-sensitive cells that gradually break down as you age. As the light-sensitive cells reduce in number, the central vision deteriorates. Waste products start to accumulate in the retina and cause small deposits called drusen. As the drusen increases in size, vision problems arise. Drusen is a characteristic feature of dry AMD.

Wet AMD
Tiny blood vessels form underneath the macula attempt to clear the drusen from the retina. These blood vessels cause fluid and blood to leak into the macula, leading to scarring and macular damage. This can lead to serious symptoms like blind spots and distorted vision.

Symptoms

• Macular degeneration escapes attention, till you experience diminished vision. The primary symptom is blurred central vision.
• Faces, writing, and images get distorted in the central view.
• You lose visual acuity. You cannot see the fine details, and it becomes difficult for you to read and drive.
• Contrast sensitivity is lost. It gets tough to distinguish objects against a background
• Those suffering from dry age-related macular degeneration, experience symptoms like—hazy vision, blurred text, dull colors, difficulty in identifying faces and the need for more light while reading.
• For those with wet AMD, the deterioration in central vision worsens. Other symptoms like blind spots, visual distortions and hallucinations also manifest.

Once the symptoms manifest, it’s time to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

Risk Factors
While the triggering cause for AMD is unknown, there are some factors that increase the risk of developing AMD. The family history of AMD and advancing age are the major factors that can increase the risk of suffering from macular degeneration. Other risk factors include—alcohol consumption, smoking, excessive exposure to sunlight, ethnicity, obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease.

New Treatment for Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration has no cure. The progress of vision deterioration is slow in dry AMD. You can get help in the form of large print books, more lighting and by the use of a magnifying lens. Additionally, a diet rich in Vitamins A, C, and E improves eye health and slows down the rate of progress of dry AMD.

Wet AMD has two treatment options—anti-VEGF medication and laser surgery. Laser surgery destroys the abnormal blood cells, and anti-VEGF medication prevents the new blood vessel growth.

Improved medical research has led to the development of two new surgical techniques to treat wet AMD. These new treatment for Macular Degeneration are better than laser surgery. These are macular translocation and lens implantation. In macular translocation, the macula is repositioned on the eyeball which is free from the abnormal blood vessels.

During lens implantation, the natural lens is removed and replaced by an artificial lens which offers a better central vision.

Another promising therapy that is doing rounds and under clinical trials is—stem cell therapy. Stem cells have the capability to transform into any type of organ cells. These stem cells can be used to create retinal cells and can be transplanted in the eye.

Prevention
While macular degeneration often is caused due to the natural aging process, some preventive measures can help to delay the onset. In case, you find any symptoms of AMD; it’s best to schedule an eye examination.

Quit smoking. Eat a balanced diet that has a lot of leafy greens. Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Look at the Amsler’s grid and check your vision every day. The Amsler’s grid is a pattern of straight lines, like in a checkerboard. Gazing at it can help you spot any changes in your vision.

Include supplements that contain zinc and antioxidants. Such supplements are proved to lower the risk of AMD. If you’re 65 years and older, check for AMD, when you visit your eye doctor for a routine eye examination.

An early identification of the symptoms can initiate timely treatment, and help to prevent deterioration in your vision.

Regular eye check-ups are a good way to diagnose any problems concerning the vision.

When was the last time when you looked around your garden, terrace or patio area and wondered about the most amazing things you could do with the space? We are here to help you bring together tasteful outdoor furniture ideas to satisfy your exterior decor needs. Whether you want clean modern lines or a rustic look, there is a lot you can choose from.

Begin with a dash of earthen-living look: Give the greensward in front of your patio a classy look by adding some aesthetic pieces. Pick from a wide variety of bamboo made furniture sets offered by patio furniture manufacturers, which are environment friendly and extremely good for health as well. Bamboo reduces the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere and provides you with cleaner and fresher air to breathe. This could be a smart and healthy choice for your garden area.

Experimenting with wooden blocks: Stretch your creative wings and floor your guests during hi-tea time. Flaunt your sensible styling sense by adding some elegant exquisitely-carved wooden furniture pieces that give the feeling of warmth and makes one feel closer to nature. Patio wooden furniture are generally waterproof and are coated with UV rays' protection film to help them from wearing away. Add some wooden sets to your patio to amplify their natural aura.

Convert your terrace area into a time travelling space: Don't time travel once, experience the future every day with some futuristic, elegant and edgy patio furniture designs. Assemble a few impressive fiberglass composite chattels and hi-tech furniture designs to create an alluring place that everyone can appreciate and enjoy.

Do not let the nights be boring at all: Dazzle your patio with fashionable and trendy bar units to enjoy your favorite poison. One can convert the outdoor area into a party place by simply adding some night-lights, comfy lounge chairs, sofas and high stools. On a pleasant evening, set up a music console, a bar and throw open your lovely outdoor space where one can swing to the tune of some amazing music and enjoy food and drinks while hanging out in the garden and enjoy the cool evening breeze.

Decorating gardens is an important asset for the beautification of any home. This is where landscape designs come into the picture. However, due to space constraints, sometimes people are disappointed that they could not execute as they had planned as most of the things they know cater to large scale gardens. Considering such limitations, here are some ideas for landscape designs, suitable for small scale spaces/gardens. View: With right placement of plants and shrubbery, one can create a more roomy and spacious feel for their garden. Ideally, pergolas and arbours are used, but other such compact plants can be easily used as well. Additionally, garden art can be added into the mix. Layout: With the help of a specific layout for the garden, a cosy and comfortable look can be created. Corners can be segregated with the help of fences and beautiful plantings can help add to the overall appeal of the garden and lend a chic look to such landscape designs. Color: When designing a small garden, make sure you have bright and aggressive colours in front so that an illusion of recession is created, as these colors catch the eye of the viewer first. This illusion helps make the garden look larger. Creativity: One of the biggest advantages of having a garden with limited space is to add elements into the mix, which would have gone unnoticed in a larger garden. This includes plants, creative motifs, and designing materials, which are small but intricate. Plants: Plants that are being grown horizontally are the most viable options. This is why these kinds of gardens are ideal for shrubs, dwarf plants, and similar plants of a smaller scale. Make sure that you use those plants that do not block the natural light in the garden. Foliage: In a small garden, foliage can play a very important role. Plants that are big and tropical with lush leaves are preferred. This is because they not only create the illusion of size, they also have a cooling effect and help create a good atmosphere. Landscape designs are not that hard to apply. One can design their small garden with the help of these tips.