| Potential new post-laser refractive surgery complication identified
A new syndrome characterized by noninflammatory corneal opacification can occur in some patients within 9 days after undergoing LASIK or PRK, according to a study. The opacification gradually clears over several months and can also cause a possible hyperopic shift in refraction, the study authors said. Baris Sonmez, MD, and Robert K. Maloney, MD, identified 23 eyes of 14 patients with the syndrome, which they termed central toxic keratopathy. Four eyes had undergone PRK and 19 eyes had undergone LASIK. In all cases, eyes developed central corneal opacification in the laser-treated area 3 to 9 days after surgery, which persisted for 2 to 18 months, the authors reported. Eighteen of the 19 LASIK-treated eyes developed diffuse lamellar keratitis before the onset of the opacification, they noted.
Three Little Words Spell Independence For People With Dementia, UK
From today (April 12) people with dementia across the country can secure this same independence, with the launch of the Alzheimer's Society dementia helpcard.
Designed by people with dementia for people with dementia, the helpcard provides an effective and discrete tool for people to explain their diagnosis when they are out on their own. Carried inside a purse or wallet it includes contact details for a carer, friend or relative.
The helpcard from the charity's Living With Dementia project was put together following requests for something to support people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. During trials, volunteers like Mr Wilson, recorded how they used the helpcard to explain their diagnosis in shops, taxis and during trips to the dentist.
Consumer' CHECKBOOK rates repair services and HMOs in latest edition
This time the non-profit rates everything from cell phone providers to top doctors in the metro. The magazine also compares local HMOs, examines the pros and cons of laser eye surgery, and takes a closer look at heating and air-conditioning services.
CHECKBOOK makes its list of "best" and "worst" from customer surveys and from undercover price shopping.
One of the biggest areas of consumer dissatisfaction is computer repair service.
According to CHECKBOOK, General NanoSystems, Inc. tops the list when it comes to both price and quality. The locally-owned computer repair company credits its success with old-fashioned customer service.
"What we found out is that its all about customer satisfaction, listening to customers problems, and then trying to solve them," Shazad Mazhar says.
SurModics Signs Agreement with St. Jude Medical
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 12, 2007 - SurModics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRDX) , a leading provider of surface modification and drug delivery technologies to the healthcare industry, announced today the signing of an expanded corporate technology agreement with St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE: STJ). Under the agreement, SurModics has licensed multiple technologies for use in products being developed in St. Jude Medical's Cardiovascular and Cardiac Rhythm Management divisions. "We are very pleased to expand our relationship with St. Jude Medical," said Bruce Barclay, President and CEO of SurModics. "St. Jude Medical has been a valued customer of SurModics for over 16 years, and this license program takes our companies in exciting new directions. The agreement establishes a foundation for a broader deployment of our technology platforms.
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