Vitamin 'can prevent memory loss'

A vitamin found in meat, fish and milk may help stave off memory loss in old age, a study has suggested.

Older people with lower than average vitamin B12 levels were more than six times more likely to experience brain shrinkage, researchers concluded.

The University of Oxford study, published in the journal Neurology, tested the 107 apparently healthy volunteers over a five-year period.

Some studies suggest two out of five people are deficient in the vitamin.

The problem is even more common among the elderly, and recent moves to supplement bread with folic acid caused concern that this could mask B12 deficiency symptoms in older people.

The Oxford study looked at a group of people between 61 and 87, splitting it into thirds depending on the participants' vitamin B12 levels.

Even the third with the lowest levels were still above a threshold used by some scientists to define vitamin B12 deficiency.

However, they were still much more likely to show signs of brain shrinkage over the five-year period.

Professor David Smith, who directs the Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing, said he now planned a trial of B vitamins in the elderly to see if taking them could slow brain shrinkage.

He said: "This study adds another dimension to our understanding of the effects of B vitamins on the brain - the rate of shrinkage of the brain as we age may be partly influenced by what we eat."

Shrinkage has been strongly linked with a higher risk of developing dementia at a later stage and Rebecca Wood, the chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said further research was needed.

"This study suggests that consuming more vitamin B12 through eating meat, fish, fortified cereals or milk as part of a balanced diet might help protect the brain. Liver and shellfish are particularly rich sources of B12.

"Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common problem among elderly people in the UK and has been linked to declining memory and dementia."

Dr. Susanne Sorensen, from the Alzheimer's Society said: "Shrinkage is usually associated with the development of dementia.

"As vitamin B may be given as a food supplement, it may be useful to include tests of vitamin B levels in the general assessment of health of older individuals.

"This is another example of why it is crucial for people to lead a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet rich in B vitamins and antioxidants.

"The best way to reduce your risk of developing dementia is to keep active, eat a balanced diet, don't smoke and visit your GP to get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked."

Top nine food myths busted

Our mums are always telling us fresh is best, our friends insist carbs are evil and our boyfriends say oysters are an aphrodisiac. They're all wrong, writes Shelly Horton.

1.  Oysters are an aphrodisiac

Say it's not true! Everyone says oysters have aphrodisiac powers. However, oysters don't have a secret chemical agent that boosts your sex drive. Sure, they contain zinc, which is great for men (a bit of lead in the pencil) but will not make him toey. Sydney-based dietitian Susie Burrell says: "Zinc is linked to the sexual hormone but does not have an effect on libido. However, some people say oysters are an aphrodisiac because they look like parts of the female anatomy." Libido is mostly in the mind so maybe it's the romantic restaurant that's doing more work than the oyster entree.

2.  Long-life milk is full of chemicals

It makes sense to think if milk can sit on a cupboard shelf for months it would need preservatives but it's not true. The secret lies in the application of high-temperature technologies. Karen Fischer, nutritionist and author of The Healthy Skin Diet says, "Milk is heated to 135 degrees then quickly cooled. That makes 'bad' bacteria perish, but all the minerals are retained. So long life milk is great as a stand by if you run out of fresh milk."

3.  Light olive oil is "light" on calories

The "light" refers to the colour, not the fat content. "Shoppers are tricked into thinking light olive oil is better for you. That's impossible: it's still oil, it's simply lighter in colour. This is a case of really having to check the labels," Fischer says.

4.  It is not safe to refreeze meat after it has thawed

Most mums have trotted out this myth ... however, it is actually safe to thaw and refreeze meat. But you do have to be very careful. The meat must be thawed in a fridge at five degrees or less. At this temperature, most bacteria responsible for food poisoning cannot grow and those that can, do so very slowly and are killed by subsequent cooking. "Keeping it cold will keep it safer. I actually do this myself," Burrell says. So no defrosting on the kitchen sink then chucking it back in the freezer or you'll be driving the porcelain bus. And just a warning, thawing and refreezing meat makes it lose its juices and go tough.

5.  Carbohydrates cause you to gain weight

Carbohydrates do not cause weight gain unless they contribute to excess calorie intake. The same holds true for protein and fat. Burrell says it's all in the selection: "The trouble with carbs is they can be easy to overeat.

If they are highly processed, like white flour and pasta, it is turned into sugar quickly and means you don't stay full for long. So you need to choose the right sort."

Fischer adds: "I'm a big fan of carbs. They help you concentrate. It's a good brain food, just don't overeat. High-protein low-carb is a fad diet and not a life choice. So choose good-quality wholegrain carbs; they are more fulfilling and keep you satisfied longer."

6.  Fresh vegies are better than frozen

Many frozen vegies are just as nutritious, or in some cases even more nutritious, than fresh ones. Frozen vegetables are usually processed within hours of picking and few nutrients are lost in the freezing process, therefore they keep their high vitamin and mineral content. Fischer says: "Fresh vegies can take weeks or even months before they reach the dinner table and some vitamins are gradually lost over time." Burrell adds: "But vitamin loss also has to do with the cooking method. If vegies are boiled to within an inch of their life, they'll have no vitamins because it seeps out into the water."

7.  The healthier option at a restaurant is a vegetarian dish

Well, it depends on the dish, but some vegetarian meals are high in fat, especially if they're fried or are made with cheese or pastry. "There are a lot of unhealthy vegetarians out there so don't be fooled," says Fischer. Burrell agrees: "The problem with vegetarian meals is that cream-based sauce or butter is used to make them tasty. If you choose a pasta or risotto it has to be very plain tomato sauce to be the low-fat option." In fact, red meat can be low in fat if it's lean and all the visible fat has been removed. A great low-fat option is chicken without the skin, or fish that has been steamed.

8.  It's best not to eat after 7pm

It's not when you eat but what you eat that counts. Eat more calories than you burn and you'll get fatter. But late snacking can push your calorie intake over the edge. Burrell: "It's best to have regular mealtimes so you can keep track. And having 10-12 hours without food supports hunger so you start the day with a healthy breakfast." Fischer adds: "Eating just before you go to bed can hamper sleep patterns in that it messes with your insulin. I'd suggest you don't eat for two to three hours before bed."

9.  Fat-free equals calorie-free

Munching on fat-free foods may seem the guilt-free way to lose weight but a lot of fat-free foods have the same amount or even more calories than regular versions. Fischer says: "You're just as likely to gain weight from high-sugar products as high-fat products." Get the facts on fat-free foods by checking food labels for the serving size and number of calories per serving."

Fair Pharma succeeds with herbals

Fair Pharma (Pvt.) Ltd. is well known for creating sensations in the medical world for years.  It is an Indo-Sri Lankan BOI registered, ISO 9001:2000 QMS certified, Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine Manufacturing Company. They manufacture unique medicines which cures people of life threatening and crippling diseases.

All the medicines have been approved by the Department of Ayurveda.

The main herbal drug manufactured by Fair Pharma has played a major role in the recovery of the health of cardiac patients by removing the blocks in the arteries. By dissolving the plaques clogging the arteries, the patient is free of chest pain in a matter of days. Also this medicine is extremely useful to those who have undergone surgery. After using this medicine heart patients will feel the difference in their health within 30-50 days. After completing the 100-150days course, they may go for tests like Coronary Calcium Score Test, ECG, TMT or Angiogram, which will show the improvements.

Apart from these there are products of Fair Pharma (Pvt.) Ltd. for osteoporosis, osteo arthritis, rheumatoid and rheumatic arthritis, chronic back pain, liver problems, migraine headache, enlargement and inflammation of prostate gland,  bedsore, diabetic ulcers and burns.

Initially patients can get registered with the Fair Pharma head office and then they can buy the balance stocks from Dehiwala, Thalawathugoda, Gampaha, Negombo, Hikkaduwa, Benthara, Mawanella, Ratnapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Embilipitiya, Bandarawela,  Anuradhapura and Mardamunai.

Also patients can buy medicines from Fair Pharma by faxing a money order or crediting the bank account.

Fair Pharma will undertake free delivery within city limits for purchases over Rs. 25000.

These medicines while providing relief have absolutely no side affects and they are certified to be pure herbal without any chemicals.

Free consultation is available online. For more details visit the website: www.fairpharmasrilanka.com

Preview 'Junior' on 4D Scanning at Ninewells Hospital

One of Sri Lanka's premier maternity hospitals, Ninewells Care Mother & Baby Hospital (Pvt) Ltd  which has constantly been dedicated in providing the very latest in state-of-the-art  technology has now introduced 4D bonding scanning to the list of many services provided by the hospital for maternity care.

Even if a couple would know that a baby is on the way, it's always still hard to believe. Just imagine how wonderfully bonded they would feel if they could actually see their baby. Well, now expecting couples don't have to imagine. With the 4D scan offered at Ninewells Hospital they can actually see their baby as they would be able to experience an amazing three dimensional picture of their baby on the screen. The baby can even sometimes be seen moving, yawning, sucking the thumb and even smiling. A truly magical experience.

Here are some frequently asked questions about scans.

What are 2D, 3D and 4D Scans?

2D - Normal ultrasound machines produce a 2D (cross section) image which shows an outline of the baby and the internal organs. 3D - The three dimensional (3D) images show the outside of the baby. 4D - The recent advances allow the 3D reconstruction to occur so fast that the baby can be viewed in real time (4D scanning). Therefore 4-D scans are effectively moving 3-D images of the baby.

Are 4D Scans harmful to mother or baby?

These scans use the same technology as 2D scans therefore they are as safe as normal scans.

When can I have a 4D Scan performed?

The best time to have a 3-D or 4-D scan is between 10 - 14 weeks and 18 - 30 weeks.

What do you check in the 4D scan?

Doctor will check whether your baby is developing normally (NWC well being checklist) and the sex of your baby if requested (not between 10-14 weeks).

What preparation does one need?

No preparation is required. You do not need to have a full bladder for your 4D bonding scan.

How long will the scan take?

It will take approximately 45 minutes

What will you get to take home?

 A 4D scan DVD/CD in sleeve or USB pen drive including mini clips (AVI format) and still images (jpeg format)

 Thermal black and white prints

Is the scan always successful?

Not always. There are some factors that can affect the success of your scan, the most common being the position of your baby. If this happens the hospital will ask you to get up, walk about and have a drink to encourage your baby to move.

Early assessment ultrasound scan

This is done between 7 and 11 weeks of your pregnancy. The hospital will look for the following at this scan;

 The site of the pregnancy

 Check the baby's heart beat - (viability)

 Count the number o f babies (Single or multiple)

 Measure the baby to check if the dates are correct

What happens to the results of the scan?

The results will be fully discussed with you and you will be able to ask any questions that you may have. The results will also be sent to your gynaecologist and will be included in your antenatal notes to ensure continuity of care between Nine Wells and your doctor.

Down's Syndrome Screening-nuchal Translucency Scan

Why should I have this scan?

This scan together with a blood test is currently the most accurate way of assessing the risk of having a baby with Down's Syndrome when performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks and six days. The blood test will be done before or during your visit for the scan. Nine Wells will be looking for the following during this scan;

 Size of the baby - to ascertain the gestational age of the baby accurately

 General examination of baby and its environment - to exclude abnormalities

 Measure the depth of fluid at the back of the baby's neck (nuchal translucency thickness)

 Check for the nose bone - most babies with Down's Syndrome do not have a nose bone.

What do the results mean?

This is a screening test, therefore results of the scan and the blood tests would only give you the risk of your baby having Down's Syndrome. It does not give a definitive answer. However, depending on the risk you would be able to make an informed choice as to how you would like to manage the baby. Even with a high risk screening result most women still do have normal, healthy babies.

Detailed anomaly scan

This is done between 18 and 23 weeks. Nine Wells will check whether your baby is developing normally. The highest risk of abnormality is for those women over the age of 35 years. However, there are more pregnant women in the younger age groups therefore a greater number of younger women give birth to babies with abnormalities than older women. Therefore it is important that every mother has a detailed anomaly scan.

This scan is routinely offered to all expectant mothers in developed countries. Some of the things that are looked for are;

 The placenta site and fluid around your baby

 Your baby's head and brain structure

 The heart including the four chamber view and great vessels

 Your baby's spine, stomach, bladder and kidneys

 The umbilical cord and the abdominal wall

 All four limbs and the position of the feet

 Your baby's growth rate

 The hospital can also tell you the sex of your baby if you wish.

What are the advantages of having this scan?

 If your baby is normal it is reassuring

 If there is an abnormality you have time to prepare yourself psychologically, socially and financially.

 The medical staff and the facilities to care for the urgent medical needs of your baby can be organised so that it is available soon after a well planned delivery.

What happens to the results of the scan?

The results will be fully discussed with you and you will be able to ask any questions that you may have. The results will also be sent to your gynaecologist and will be included in your antenatal notes to ensure continuity of care between the hospital and your doctor.

If you would like to learn more on scanning and other maternity related services offered at Ninewells Care Mother & Baby Hospital you may visit www.NineWellsCare.com

Too much water can be dangerous

A Californian woman was reported to have died recently after taking part in a water-drinking contest, but why is too much water dangerous?

We are regularly advised to drink more water: it clears skin, reduces tiredness and aids concentration.

But the death of a woman in the US after taking part in a water-drinking contest shows you can have too much of a good thing.

Jennifer Strange had taken part in the "Hold Your Wee For A Wii" game, which promised the winner a Nintendo Wii. Afterwards she reportedly said her head was hurting and went home, where she was later found dead. Initial tests have shown her death is consistent with water intoxication.

Drinking too much water can eventually cause your brain to swell, stopping it regulating vital functions such as breathing, and causing death. So what happens?

Water enters the body when we drink and is removed primarily in the urine and sweat. The amount of water in the body is regulated to control the levels of certain compounds, such as salt, in the blood.

If you drink too much water, eventually the kidneys will not be able to work fast enough to remove sufficient amounts from the body, so the blood becomes more dilute with low salt concentrations.

"If you drink too much water it lowers the concentration of salt in your blood so that it is lower than the concentration of salt in cells," says Professor Robert Forrest, a consultant in clinical chemistry and forensic toxicology at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, UK.

Confusion

The water then moves from the dilute blood to the cells and organs where there is less water. Professor Forrest likens this to the effects seen in science-class experiments.

"If you put salty water on onion skin the cells will shrink, if you put too much water on it the cells will swell," he says.

This swelling is a problem in the brain.

"When the brain swells, it is inside a bony box so has nowhere to go," he says. "The pressure increases in the skull and you may get a headache. As the brain is squeezed it compresses vital regions regulating functions such as breathing."

Eventually these functions will be impaired and you are likely to stop breathing and die. Warning signs included confusion and headaches.

Symptoms would normally occur very soon after drinking the water, but if the gut is absorbing the water more slowly then it can take longer.

Drinking several litres over a relatively short period of time could be enough to cause water intoxication. Those most at risk include people taking ecstasy, as the drug increases thirst and facilitates the release of anti-diuretic hormones so more water is taken in but cannot be excreted. Also, elderly people because their kidney function may be impaired.

Treatment for drinking excess water is "relatively straightforward," says Professor Forrest. It includes giving patients diuretics to help decrease their water load, or using drugs to reduce the swelling caused by excessive water.

Hot

He says the real problem is diagnosis. Because patients can be very confused they are often mistakenly thought to have taken drugs.

Ursula Arens, of the British Dietetic Association, says water is essential for a variety of bodily functions, for example to excrete waste products such as urea.

We lose water all the time and so need to replace it and in normal circumstances should aim to drink about one and a half litres every day, she says. During hot weather or exercise more should be consumed as dehydration can lead to bad breath, tiredness and a higher risk of bladder infections.

"If you are going to the toilet more than once every two hours or so that might be too much, especially if your urine is clear," she says, but adds that drinking too much water is unusual.

Large waist 'an Alzheimer's risk'

A big waistline in your 40s could almost triple the threat of dementia in old age, according to US research.

Obesity is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's, but scientists found even those of normal weight were more at risk if they had a large waist.

However, the study of 6,500 people, published in the journal Neurology, found obesity and bulging stomach was still the most dangerous combination.

An obesity expert said waist size was a good guide to future health problems.

Research linking obesity to dementia does not reveal precisely why being overweight can affect your ageing brain, but many specialists believe that associated problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol levels may contribute.

Thickness of fat around the waist is thought to correspond closely with its presence around the major organs of the body.

The latest study suggests that while the standard measure of obesity - body mass index - can help predict those at risk, the lifestyles which produce large bellies may have a closer relationship with the long-term causes of dementia.

Researchers working for Kaiser Permanente, one of the biggest healthcare providers in the US, looked at 6,583 people aged between 40 and 45, measuring their abdominal fat levels with calipers.

They then followed all of these people into their 70s to see who became ill, and who managed to maintain relatively good health.

They found the 20% of people with the largest waistlines had a 270% greater risk of dementia than those with the smallest waists.

Even those reckoned to be normal weight using body mass index calculations had approximately an 90% increased risk of dementia if they had a large rather than a small waist.

People who were measured as overweight or obese using body mass index, but who didn't have a large belly, had an 80% increase in dementia risk but a combination of all these factors led to a bigger overall increase.

Being overweight and with a large waist raised the risk by 230%, but those who were large-waisted and were so overweight they could be officially classed as obese recorded a 360% rise in dementia risk compared to small-waisted people who met guidelines on normal weight.

Reliable measurement

Dr Rachel Whitmer, who led the research, said: "It is well known that being overweight in midlife and beyond increases risk factors for disease.

"However, where one carries the weight, especially in midlife, appears to be an important predictor for dementia risk."

She said that autopsies suggested that the changes in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer's disease started to appear decades before any symptoms became apparent.

Tam Fry, from the Obesity Forum, said that waist size was potentially a far better way to predict future illness than body mass index.

"Many doctors are now coming around to the idea that this is a more reliable indicator.

"The problem is that waist measurements have to be carried out very precisely, in exactly the right spot, so this is something that is better done by your doctor or nurse.

"So while calculating your body mass index at home might give you a clue that something is wrong, this could be confirmed by your doctor measuring your waist size."

Professor Clive Ballard, of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "This new study highlights that having a large abdomen, regardless of weight, also significantly increases your risk.

"This is an important piece of research but the results are not that surprising as a large stomach is associated with high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes - all major risk factors for dementia."

"We are learning more and more that what is good for your heart is also good for your brain."

Rebecca Wood, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, called for further studies to confirm the findings - and reveal how dementia develops.

Sleep Apnea linked to night heart attacks

A study has linked night-time heart attacks with the breathing disorder sleep apnea, which makes people gasp for breath every few minutes.

The link is not fully established, but it seems logical, said Dr. Virend Somers, a cardiologist from the Mayo Clinic who is lead author of the report in the July 29 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Most heart attacks occur in the day, generally between 6 a.m. and noon, Somers said. Having one during the night, when the heart should be most at rest, means that something unusual happened, he said. Somers and his colleagues have been working for a decade to show that sleep apnea is to blame.

Their studies have looked at the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, in which the tube carrying air to the lungs, collapses periodically, blocking the flow. "About 10 years ago, we showed that obstructive sleep apnea has a powerful effect on the sympathetic nervous system, causing an acute increase in adrenaline flow, high blood pressure and lack of oxygen," Somers said.

That study was followed by another showing that sudden death at night is more common for people with sleep apnea. An obvious cause of sudden death is a heart attack, so in this latest study, Somers and his colleagues studied the breathing patterns of 92 people admitted to the hospital after heart attacks.

"For those who had heart attacks at night, the vast majority had undiagnosed sleep apnea," Somers said. "So, perhaps sleep apnea is acting as a trigger for night-time heart attacks."

The "perhaps" is there because it is an observational study, not the kind of carefully controlled study that is the gold standard of medical research. Prospects for such a study, in which people with and without sleep apnea would be followed for months or years to determine their risk of night-time heart attacks, are dim, Somers acknowledged.

Several studies have shown a link between sleep apnea and cardiac problems, said Dr. Allan Pack, director of the sleep centre at the University of Pennsylvania. The largest, done several years ago, followed thousands of individuals. "It showed that people with sleep apnea who refused treatment had a three to fourfold increased risk of cardiac events," Pack said.

What the new study adds is "a relative difference in the timing of cardiac events," he said. In clinical practice, if someone has a heart attack in the night, "you would strongly suspect sleep apnea," Pack said.

If tests detect sleep apnea, there is an effective treatment available that can reduce the risk of future cardiac events, he said. Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) keeps airways open continuously by pushing air into the lungs through a face mask.

"It might be cumbersome, but it is effective," Pack said.

Naturee 400 - the way to natural beauty

Everyone loves to be beautiful and remain beautiful throughout their lifetime.

Since ancient times, women would apply various cosmetics to enhance their beauty, especially Asian women.

Although the women in ancient times used different herbal preparations to keep their face, nails and hair beautiful, women of today have got used to artificially prepared cosmetics.

Women who are on the threshold of marriage, in particular, become beautiful through the use of artificial cosmetics.

However, if a woman wishes to keep her natural beauty intact, it is essential to have balanced meals with proper nutrition.

Vitamins play a vital role when we talk of nutrition. Anyone who visits a beautician would invariably hear of Vitamin E. however, not many realise the hugely beneficial role of vitamin E.

There are three main types of Vitamin E available in the market:

* 100% artificial vitamin E

* Semi natural vitamin E

* 100% natural vitamin E

Of these, the best is 100% natural vitamin E. The absorption quality of 100% natural vitamin E is greater than that of their types. Since the potency of the natural variety is three times higher than that of other artificial varieties, it brings very high results.

It has been proved that Naturee 400 is the most effective and safest product in this regard, without any side effects.

Naturee 400 is prepared out of natural soya beans. If you take one Naturee 400 capsule a day continuously for a period of six months before marriage, you are assured of saving yourself from several embarrassing situations such as losing hair, premature graying, retarded hair growth and skin blemishes such as roughness, wrinkling, skin discoloration, dark circles under the eye, and premature ageing.

Harcourts has announced several benefits to the users of Naturee 400. You would be entitled to these benefits once you become a member of the Naturee Society. To become a member of the society, enter your name, address, telephone number and National Identity card number on an empty Naturee packet and post it to the address given on the packet.

In addition, if you wish to visit the Harcourts Skin care centre, you are free to do since Harcourts welcomes visitors to the centre, which is located at Harcourts Towers, No. 14, Station Road, Dehiwala. The newest branch is located at No. 11, 1st Floor, Municipal Shopping Complex, Kurunegala

Here, you could have your skin examined free of charge and obtain valuable guidance on improving your appearance. If you are a member of the society, you can get a discount of 10% for the treatment of skin ailments at the centre.

Naturee 400 is available at Harcourts Super Drugs and all pharmacies, supermarkets and beauty salons. More information could obtained and orders could be placed through the website WWW.harcourts.lk or by dialing 0773 833418 and 011 5432100-2

Revolutionary presbyopia treatment now in Sri Lanka

Are you around 40 years, and have difficulty in focusing? If so, don't panic because you are one of the millions the world over who may suddenly find that you can't read without straining your eyes or check out the time in your alarm clock.

You begin to lose near vision as part of the ageing process as the natural lens in your eyes begins to lose its flexibility. Naturally you would opt for assistance - perhaps in the form of spectacles or contact lens.

But now there is new technology available - called Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) conducted at Apollo Hospital (which now goes under the name The Lanka Hospital Private Ltd. - TLHP) which is a painless, revolutionary treatment of the affected eye/s through a procedure that involves no surgery per se - rather it is a process that takes only 4-5 minutes.

Head of Business Development at Apollo, Randika Perera said that this revolutionary treatment is available for the first time in Sri Lanka and presently, patients are being registered.

"Conductive Keratoplasty or CK is performed using radio frequency (RF) energy. NearVision CK can change how the eye focuses on light by reshaping the cornea to make it steeper. Performed under topical anaesthesia (i.e. with some eye drops) the process takes a few minutes and the patient can return to work the next day, minus a dressing over the eye that looks like a patch.

"However, this procedure is performed only on persons who undergo certain tests to ascertain if she/he is a suitable candidate for the procedure," explained Perera.

Speaking further Perera said that the person behind this innovative method of 'surgery' is Dr. Rajesh Fogla who is in Sri Lanka for the purpose of conducting NearVision CK.

Interestingly, the state of the art equipment brought down to Sri Lanka by TLHP was installed on Friday, August 29 and on Saturday, August 30, the first CK was performed on a walk in patient who had in fact come to Apollo for some other purpose.

The person in question - an airline officer, on being informed of the availability of this new and revolutionary eye treatment had opted for the procedure, having first being checked out on his suitability to undergo treatment. He had walked away a happy and contended man, a few minutes later.

Dr. Rajesh Fogla - Cornea and Laser Refractive Surgeon who is attached to the Apollo Health City in Hyderabad, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, is the only doctor in the region who performs all types of retinal surgery. "I performed Lasik surgery for the first time in Sri Lanka in 2002 and subsequently set up the Eye Centre at Apollo," he said.

Since then there are four local doctors who have been trained in this method of eye surgery and are practising in Sri Lanka.

Explaining the procedure further Dr. Fogla said that CK is a kind of treatment that helps shape the cornea. "As age progresses, the eyes get weaker. Therefore this treatment will help clear vision. Added to this, the person need not wear spectacles or contact lens and it would be so easy to read small print - be it a telephone directory, send a SMS or check out labels and prices at the supermarket," said Dr. Fogla.

But he stressed the importance of assessing a would be candidate for the procedure ensuring that all structures in the eye are in order and that she/he is not a patient with diabetes or hypertension amongst other ailments.   

As in any type of surgery, there can be no room for any error and refractive surgery has to be carried out by only surgeons qualified to do so. Explaining that there are a few temporary side effects like discomfort or foreign body sensation, tearing or halos, Dr. Fogla said that patients who have gone through NearVision CK should take some precautions post treatment which includes avoiding getting contaminated water in the eye from swimming pools, spas, lakes or the sea, keeping eyes closed during a shower so as to prevent soapy water from getting into the eye and keeping sweat running into the eye during exercising for the first week.

In addition, a patient should avoid rubbing the eye for two weeks after the treatment. And ladies are cautioned not to wear eye make up for a week after treatment.

In reply to a question on any guarantee on a 20/20 vision following NearVision CK, Dr. Fogla said that no honest doctor can absolutely guarantee a certain result from any vision treatment procedure. But FDA clinical studies in the USA reveal that nearly 87% of patients had 20/20 vision while looking at objects in the distance and were able to read telephone directory print.

Whilst the majority of patients do not need corrective lenses for most tasks after NearVision CK procedure, some may need additional vision treatment as one's eyes continue to become weaker as age progresses.

Apollo Hospital is continuing in the tradition it began in regularly introducing new and improved methods of technology and means of treatment with a view to making health care economically and readily available in Sri Lanka, to Sri Lankans, no matter from which strata of society one hails from.