Morning News Fix
Get it while it’s hot:
Snuffdate
Earlier I reported on the news that snuff is safer than cigarettes. This is presenting an ethical conundrum for physicians, but also presenting me with an opportunity to post pictures of frolicking kittens. It’s feelings versus facts, friends: recommending a switch to snuff feels wrong, of course, but it would take between 14 and 25 new users to offset the reduced cancer risk one smoker would gain from making the switch. On balance, a smart idea, but certainly uncomfortable moral territory for doctors. (HT: Thanks to Morgan at Slate!)
FDA Approves New Bifocal LASIK Device
Nobody approves like the FDA. This is great news for bifocal wearers: the FDA has given the O.K. to a new bifocal LASIK device. Cool! Though contemplating LASIK may disturb the squeamish, it is actually a completely safe, rather banal procedure. In another life in another health writing job, I happened to interview one of the doctors involved in the early development of LASIK. His concern was that you absolutely get what you pay for - that’s where the horror stories come in. If you are thinking of LASIK, do not go for the shady clinics offering deals and discounts. Come on, it’s your eyes. Not the place to be cutting costs. (I will never forget that conversation. He was 15 minutes late for the interview, but he had a great reason: “Sorry, Sara, one of my patients just came in with a metal shard in his eye, so I had to take care of it really quick.” Now that’s a rough day for somebody.)
Harry Potter Suffers from Migraines
Good thing the peer-reviewed medical journal Headache is all over it! Please pray for Harry.
The first bifocals. Invented by Ben, natch.
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POSTED IN: FDA, Medicine, Morning News Fix, Oddities, Smoking
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