| Clouding can follow laser eye treatment
Laser-based vision correction, such as LASIK, usually results in greatly improved visual acuity, but occasionally it can be followed by a clouding in the center of the cornea and poorer vision. Fortunately, the corneal opacification resolves on its own within a matter of months, according to two ophthalmologists in Los Angeles, and the related vision problem is safely reversed with a repeat laser treatment. Dr Baris Sonmez from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Dr Robert K Maloney from the Maloney Vision Institute describe their experience with what they term "central toxic keratopathy" following laser refractive surgery in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. The eye specialists note that such cases have been reported since 1998. To better characterise the condition, Sonmez and Maloney reviewed the charts and clinical photographs of 14 affected patients they had treated.
Federal squeeze forces a shift to private beds
THE number of public hospital beds has plunged almost 30 per cent in little more than two decades, forcing a substantial shift to private health care. A study in the journal Australian Health Review shows that the costs of rising health expectations, the ageing population and new health technology are being increasingly privatised. The number of public hospital beds fell 29 per cent in the 22 years to 2004-05, while the number of private beds rose 34 per cent, the study found. As health costs have skyrocketed, federal funding for public hospitals has remained capped at 2.4 per cent of gross domestic product. Bill Nichol, an assistant director in the federal Department of Health, argues in the article that budget constraints have squeezed patients out of the public system.
In this time of renewal, pastor looks forward to new beginning
In this season of renewal, Eagle Lake Lutheran Church welcomes a new full time pastor to the fold, the Rev. Tom Peterson. “I want to say a word of appreciation for the hospitably and the welcoming spirit that (my wife and I have) been received with," he said. “I am really excited about being here, and doing ministry together in the years ahead." He replaces the combined efforts of interim pastor Don Peterson and parish worker Gloria Flatten, both now retired. He officially started Feb. 15. The church had put out word that they were going to be transitioning to a full time pastor. It had been a number of years since they had one." The selection process, aimed at making good long-term matches, is very thorough. “It's a very in-depth process," he said. “The church put together a congregation profile, defining their vision and their needs.
Wacky in the USA
ACCORDING to the old adage, great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. Still, I think we should discuss the American people, because they do seem to be getting wackier by the week. You might have read that serious survey which showed that three out of four Americans who get pierced are women, and twice as many Democrats as Republicans get pierced. What's more, about one in three young adults sports a tattoo. Tattooed women favour the ankle, lower back and buttocks for their decoration, while men overwhelmingly prefer the arm. Why this exhaustive research, and what is the link between piercing and politics? It's anyone's guess. And as for the tattooing, I hope the folks have learnt from Angelina Jolie. She apparently had Billy Bob Thornton's initials tattoed on her arm, then after their break-up the tattoo had to be removed using laser-removal surgery.
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