Community Magazine October 2010

• Health 66 Community magazine MENREALLY DO FORGET FASTER The old joke about men not having to remember their mistakes – because their wives never forget them – may actually be scientific fact. In a recent study of men and women in their 70s and 80s, men were found to suffer mild cognitive impairment (MCI), at a rate that was 1.5 times higher than women. People with MCI have memory or thinking problems that are more serious than the cognitive difficulties associated with normal aging. Many – though not all – MCI patients also go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in Neurology, found that about 10 percent of the participants had dementia, 14 percent suffered from MCI and 76 percent had normal memory and thinking skills. This is the first study of its kind to reveal that men lose their memory faster than women. Another notable finding of the study suggested that MCI was more common among those with less education and those who were never married. FDA SEEKS TOCLEAR THE AIRON ELECTRONICCIGARETTES The Food and Drug Administration sent a letter of warning to distributors of electronic cigarettes which claim to help users quit smoking, that their products are considered unapproved new drugs and thus in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Any product whose label claims to help stop or reduce smoking, or makes similar claims, is a “smoking deterrent drug product,” and under the jurisdiction of the FDA, according to the agency. Companies selling these products, which have thus far escaped government oversight, must now file an application for drug approval, provide an ingredient list, and pass testing – which may include animal or human trials. The companies were given until the beginning of October to notify the FDA in writing of the corrective actions they plan to take. A PHYSICAL TEST THAT PREDICTSMORTALITY RISK? People who measured poorly on basic capabilities such as grip strength, walking speed, rising from a chair, or balancing on one leg, were found to have a higher risk of death than their counterparts, according to a study from the University College London. The study, published in the Biomedical Journal, examined 14 other studies that included more than 50,000 people. They discovered that those who could walk fast, for example, had three times less risk of death than those who could only walk slowly. The research found the same general results in both young and older adults. The findings could prompt screening tests that assess physical abilities in order to identify people at increased risk of death who might benefit from targeted interventions such as strength training, the researchers said. A New Look at Laser Vision Correction Dr. Ezra E. Cohen, Optometrist Nearly seven million Americans have undergone laser vision correction since the FDA approved the procedure almost 12 years ago. The results have been very impressive, and I can attest to its success myself, having personally undergone Lasik in 1999. My vision has remained stable and I have never regretted this life-enhancing decision. There have been significant improvements and advances in the procedure over the past several years. First, the laser is faster: my laser procedure was a quick 47 seconds long, but the same prescription today would take only 25 seconds! It’s also more accurate, and results are more predictable. We now have the ability to help patients who in the past were not eligible candidates for the traditional Lasik procedure. Patients with high prescriptions, thin corneas or farsightedness now have a myriad of options for laser correction. Custom laser treatments using advanced computer technology have proven successful for these and similar complex cases. Of particular note, is the development of bladeless Lasik procedures using a femtosecond laser. The process uses a laser, rather than a mechanical device, to prepare the cornea. It is a little more costly, but for some patients well worth the extra expense. This procedure is safer, faster, less complicated and less painful than traditional Lasik. Younger patients (at least 19 years old) may consider laser vision correction if their prescription is stable for 6-9 months. We are even considering patients younger than 18 in very specific cases where contacts and or glasses have not worked and early correction will prevent lazy eye development and enhance depth perception. If you’re ready to experience a new dimension in your life free from glasses and contacts, now is a good time to consider – or perhaps reconsider – laser vision correction.