Eye Exams Important Part of Back-to-School Preparation

One quarter of school-aged children have a vision problem. Of children ages 3-5, nearly one in 20 has a vision problem that could result in permanent vision loss if left untreated. Unfortunately, nearly 80 percent of preschoolers do not receive a vision screening. For children of all ages, back-to-school physicals often fail to include adequate tests to detect vision problems.

As if the risk of permanent vision loss wasn't enough, the link between learning and eyesight is compelling.

"The eyes really are the windows to the world," explains Kendra Windisch, Houston Branch program director of Prevent Blindness Texas. "Imagine the 'window' for a child with uncorrected vision. Kids only know what they see, so the world appears to be a distorted, blurry place."

Children have great coping skills, so they may learn to function fairly well within that distortion - until they get to school. In the classroom, vision problems can lead to difficulty when work is written on blackboards or computer screens. Self-image is fragile in children. It may be damaged by excessive frustration at school. If vision is the problem, proper correction can come just in time to prevent permanently negative attitudes toward school.

A professional examination for every child, including those who do not display any signs of eye trouble, is recommended shortly after birth, at 6 months of age, before entering school (age 4 or 5) and periodically throughout the school years. For more information on your child's eyesight, please call Prevent Blindness Texas at 713-526-2559 or toll free 1-888-98-SIGHT.

- From Prevent Blindness Texas

New Drug May Help Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence

A new study will determine if the drug, duloxetine, will significantly improve, or stop stress urinary incontinence in women.

Women suffering from stress urinary incontinence leak urine when they cough, sneeze, strain, laugh, or exercise. It is caused by damage to the pelvic floor muscles resulting from vaginal childbirth. Ninety percent of women who have stress urinary incontinence have had one or more vaginal deliveries.

"This is a major health problem in the U.S.," says Dr. Paul M. Fine, chief for the section of urogynecology at Baylor College of Medicine. "Twenty-five to 30 percent of women over age 40 report at least one episode of stress urinary incontinence at least once a week."

The six-month study will involve some 500 women, ages 18 to 65, from 50 medical institutions throughout the U.S., including Baylor. They will undergo a thorough examination of their stress urinary incontinence. Some women will be given a duloxetine pill twice daily, while others will receive a placebo.

"Many women are reluctant to seek treatment because of embarrassment," says Dr. Fine, one of the study's principal investigators. "Many refrain from normal activities and exercise, and gradually become more reclusive, letting their bladders run their lives."

- From Baylor College of Medicine

Is Ice Cream a Good Choice for a Child's Dessert?

Frozen dairy desserts are a great treat and a good source of energy and calcium for children and many adults.

Here's the scoop: 1 cup of most frozen dairy desserts contains at least 20 percent of the daily recommended value for calcium. Regular ice cream has approximately 16 to 18 grams of fat per cup. "Lite" ice cream has about half that amount. Low-fat ice cream has about 6 grams of fat per cup, while fat-free ice cream and frozen yogurt have no more than 4 grams of fat per cup. Sorbets are fat-free and sherbets contain just a small amount of fat. They can be high in sugar, but may also provide vitamin C.

Because fat contains essential fatty acids needed for proper growth and development, nutritionists don't recommend restricting the fat intake of a child under 2 years of age. For children over 2 years, using low-fat and fat-free dairy treats can help keep dietary fat intake at the recommended 30 percent of total daily calories. So, read the label and know what you are buying.

- From the Kids' Nutrition Q&A, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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