• A "spam" e-mail is generally defined as an unsolicited mailing, usually to many people. A message written for, and mailed to, one individual that is known to the sender is not spam, and a reply to an e-mail is not spam, unless the "reply" repeats endlessly.
• Using unsolicited email advertisements is unprofessional and violates the intent of US Code, Title 47, Chapter 5, Subchapter II, which prohibits unsolicited fax advertisements.
• By US Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer meets the definition of a telephone fax machine. By Sec.227(b) (1)(C), it is unlawful to send any unsolicited advertisement to such equipment. By Sec.227(b)(3)(C), a violation of the afore- mentioned Section is punishable by action to recover actual monetary loss, or $500, whichever is greater, for each violation.
• Broadcast Fax and Junk Email is also illegal under United States Public Law 103-414 Section 303(a)(11), it is unlawful "to use any telephone facsimile machine, computer, or other device to send an unsolicited advertisement."

1. Feature Article: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Reduce Risk of AMD
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    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of 
central vision loss in the elderly. Treatments are limited and 
hope lies in reducing the risk of the disease and preventing its 
development. A study reported at the Annual Meeting of the 
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, in 
Florida, May, 2003, provides new data supporting the effects of 
diet and nutrients, in lowering the risks of having a type of 
AMD that leads to blurred vision, and in severe cases, blindness. 
The study, carried out by Dr. IP SanGiovanni and colleagues, 
from the National Eye Institute, in Bethesda MD, showed, that 
after taking into account other nutrient and non nutrient 
factors, that may affect the risk of AMD, a higher intake of 
omega n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) and fish was 
associated with decreased risk of having neovascular AMD.

    Approximately 1.7 million people over 64, suffer from the 
severe form AMD, that leads to blindness. The macula is an area 
located in the center of the retina and is responsible for fine 
and detailed central vision. The degenerative changes associated 
with AMD include alterations in the retinal tissues and atrophy 
of the cells, that account for a number of different types of 
AMD, and the formation of new blood vessels (neovascularization) 
under the retina, that accounts for another type, called 
neovascular AMD, where leaking blood vessels distort the retina 
and cause blurred vision and loss of eye sight.

    The studies indicate an independent association between fish 
intake and omega-3 fatty acids intake and neovascular AMD, 
showing that high intake of fish, or omega-3 fatty acids, 
halves- the risk of having the disease.




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1. Feature Article: Apt Pupils
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 If you are talking to your doctor about laser surgery, make sure 
you discuss the size of your pupils.  The reason? Patients with 
large pupils are more likely to suffer side effects after LASIK 
surgery than patients with smaller pupils. According to 
University of Rochester research, most LASIK problems occur when 
physicians zap too small a section of the eye during laser 
surgery.  At night, when pupils get bigger, they can expand past 
the portion of the eye where vision was corrected, triggering 
halos, glare, and other night-vision problems.



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1. Feature Article: The Latest in LASIK
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   Thinking about going LASIK?  A guideline: Be leery of any 
medical procedure with an advertised price ending in 99 as in 
$499 per eye.  We are talking about your eyeballs, not ground 
beef.  More important, ask the doctor if they use either, or 
both of the latest FDA-approved techniques.

Wavefront or WaveScan:
----------------------
   It uses light refraction to make a precise 3-D map of your 
eye.  This procedure customizes the surgery for your eye, 
checking 200 prescription points.  Previously, doctors took an 
average measurement.  Wavefront also reduces night-vision 
problems, halos around lights. Go to www.visx.com for more 
information.

Intralasik:
-----------
   A laser, not a scalpel, creates the flap on the eye's 
surface.  This procedure appears safer.  Most complications 
arise from the initial incision. This technology creates flaps 
with far more precision than a blade, which makes laser 
correction available to people with thin corneas who previously 
could not get standard LASIK.

1. Feature Article: Here's Selenium In Your Eye
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   A new permanent coating currently in development may allow you
to wear contact lenses for as long as 2 months without having to
take them out to clean or disinfect.  The coating, which is made
from selenium, kills bacteria on contact.  Lenses with the
solution should be available within several years.
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1a. Right for Sore Eyes
-------------------

    My eyes are always red, and eye drops do not seem to do
anything for my. Why?

After about a month, your eye will become habituated to red-out
drops, and they will stop working, says Robert Abel, M.D., and
Ophthalmologist and author of The Eye Care Revolution.  Plus,
these drops limit blood flow to the eyes, causing a lack of
nourishment and potentially increasing that blood-hound look. 
Dr. Abel recommends using artificial tears.  Brands like Hypo
Tears, Tears Naturale, Gen Teal, and Refresh work by increasing
your tear formation and watering down the other components of
your tears, such as mucus and oil, without causing unwanted side
effects.

Feature Article: Dark Leafy Greens for Eye Health
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   While light-colored lettuce is a nutritional lightweight, dark
leafy greens are packed with vitamins and high in calcium and
magnesium.  They are also a great source of lutein, a nutrient
that appears to protect the eye against macular degeneration, a
common cause of blindness among the elderly.  Perhaps most
important, they are among the strongest in levels of antioxidant
activity.

    One study found that those consuming lutein-rich foods five
days per week were eight times less likely to develop macular
degeneration.  Studies indicate that consumption of lutein can
actually help restore macular pigment density in human subjects.

     Choose fresh looking bunches.  When shopping for kale and
collard greens, the stemmed ends should be clean, with no dark
patches, and the leaves should be bright, without any wilting or
yellowing.

Dough-Eyed
   A new study may explain why so many more adults have vision
problems now compared with 100 years ago.  Researchers at
Colorado State University place the blame on kids eating too much
bread during adolescence.  Too much, they say, spikes blood-sugar
levels, causing abnormal eye development.
www.menshealth.com
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An Electronic Eye
    There may be help for millions of people with impaired
vision.  Scientists are currently developing an electronic eye. 
The device is designed to stimulate undamaged cells in the
impaired eye to restore sight.  Preliminary tests have proven
successful and the new product could be developed in as little as
3 years.  www.news.bbc.co.uk
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Blinded by the Light
    Unfiltered fluorescent overhead lighting is one of the
leading causes of eye problems for office workers, according to
research from the Southern California College of Optometry.  But
the remedy is simple: Stick a tinted UV filter over the lights in
your office and you may eliminate any eye strain you've been
suffering.  In a test, researchers placed tinted UV filters over
the lights above 49 computer user's desks.  Within weeks, the
workers claimed to have significantly less blurry vision, eye
fatigue, and sensitivity to light than before the trail.  To
reduce glare in your office, look for a prismatic, tinted
fluorescent-light cover designed to mimic natural sunlight.

Bilberry for Macular Degeneration
-----------------------------------------------
  According to herbalist James Duke Ph.D., macular degeneration
affects more than 25 percent of Americans older than sixty-five,
and is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.  Bilberry
is a useful plant for improving visual acuity.  The herb is high
in potent antioxidants known as anthocyanosides, which help
strengthen capillaries in the retina and slow macular
degeneration.  Bilberry's relatives-blueberry, cranberry,
huckleberry, blackberry, grape, plum, and wild cherry are useful
for the eyes, also.

Diabetes
-----------------------------------------------
   Half of all diabetics experience retinopathy, in which high
blood sugar causes retinal blood vessels to swell and leak. This
can lead to retinal detachment, in which the retina and optic
nerve separate-a bit like pulling the plug on the whole system.

   Warning signs include spots, floating specks, light flashes,
shadowing and blurred vision. Laser photocoagulation can seal
vessels and prevent new growth, but prevention is better. Monitor
both your blood sugar and blood pressure, keeping them low,

    Diabetics also have double the risk for cataracts, a clouding
of the eye's lens that accompanies age and is hastened by smoking
and overexposure to sunlight. If you're diabetic, or have
diabetes in your family, chisel an annual eye exam into your
calendar.

It's all looking relative for eye disease study
-----------------------------------------------
Eye specialists in Edinburgh hope to identify which genes are
involved in Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - the biggest
cause of blindness in the over-50s.

  Experts at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion expect that the
planned nationwide study, the first of its kind in Scotland, will
confirm their belief that there is a genetic cause to the
condition, putting relatives of victims of AMD at greater risk of
developing it.

  Swift treatment can stop sufferers losing their sight but few
people are aware of the tell-tale signs and, if left untreated,
AMD can cause blindness within two years.

  If researchers are right, they will be able to use the study
findings to alert families to the dangers and teach them how to
spot warning signs early - preventing them from going blind.

 Information could also help scientists create new drugs to
target specific genes to improve treatment for victims.

 AMD, which is also linked to poor diet and high smoking levels,
is a growing problem in Scotland where doctors see about 10,000
cases every year in Lothian alone. 

Lutein for Eye Health
------------------------
The role of lutein in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was
first suggested by epidemiological observations, and subsequent
internventional studies.  For the first time, the benefit of
lutein supplementation for eye health was shown by a study known
as the "Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial" (LAST).  This
study showed a statistically significant improvement in visual
function, glare recovery, and contrast sensitivity.

The authors of this study suggest that AMD is, at least in part,
a nutrition-responsive disorder, and that supplementation,
particularly with lutein, can improve eye function and slow the
progression of the disease.  Other studies have supported the
role of lutein in AMD.

Eye on Mutli's
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you are on the lookout for ways to decrease your risk of 
macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Americans 
older than 55, try focusing on vitamin supplements.  Scientists 
at the National Eye Institute report, that people in the 
intermediate stages of the dry form of age-related macular 
degeneration lowered their risk of developing the advanced 
disease by about 25% when treated with a high-dose of Vitamin C, 
Vitamin E, beta-carotene and Zinc.  The researchers point out 
that while these nutrients aren't a cure, they do play a key role 
in helping slow or delay the progression of the disease.  If you 
are older than 55, see your eye doctor to determine if you are at 
risk of macular degeneration; if you have it, ask your eye doctor 
whether taking antioxidants and zinc supplements might help.

Here are a few tips to keep your eyes healthy
---------------------------------------------
Up your Vitamin E intake.
  Vitamin E supplementation has been linked to a reduced risk of 
nuclear cataract progression.  Nuts and some oils are a great
natural source of Vitamin E.

Eat Vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies.
  Long-term studies have shown that vitamin C can help slow the 
development of cataracts.

Eat your greens!
  Green leafy vegetables are high in lutein and zeaxamthin; 
nutrients the human lens needs to preserve density, strength and 
clarity.

Lastly, Do not Smoke!!

A Salmon a Day Keeps the Eye Doc Away
------------------------------------------
   High  intake  of  several types of fat have been linked to an
increased  risk  of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but
one  specific  fat decreases that risk.  Researchers at Harvard
Medical School found that those who consumed higher amounts of 
polyunsaturated  fats  (margarine,  peanut butter) and linoleic
acid  (corn and safflower oils) had more than twice the risk of
AMD than a control group. 

    However,  individuals  whose diets were low in linoleic acid
but rich in omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, tuna, mackerel
and  other  cold-water  fish,  had  less  association  with the
disease.   Even  at  high  levels,  a mono unsaturated-fat diet
(olive oil) was 18 percent less risky than a polyunsaturated-fat
diet. 

Archives of Ophthalmology

   In a Harvard study of more than 70,000 men and women,
those who ate a canned tuna more than once a week had a
40% lower risk of age-related macular
degeneration than those who ate it less than once a month.

   Tired of canned stuff? Tuna steak and tuna
burgers are other options, but be aware that
fresh tuna can be especially vulnerable
to contamination with histamine-producing
bacteria.  To minimize the risk of histamine
poisoning at home, store fresh fish in the coldest
part of the refrigerator and eat within a day of purchase.

Sources: BW Healthwire; Environmental Nutrition

Any questions, comments, or suggestions Support