Medscape  (11/2, Lowry) reports, "HIV-positive patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have a prevalence of cataracts that is well above that of the general population and a plethora of other ocular diseases," according to a study presented at an ophthalmology meeting. Researchers "identified 44 different diagnoses among HIV patients receiving HAART. The most common was refractive error (58 patients), followed by nuclear cataracts (42 patients), suspected glaucoma (13 patients), and dry eye syndrome (10 patients)," while "other diagnoses included punctate epithelial erosion, blepharitis, hypertension retinopathy, posterior subcapsular cataract, primary open-angle glaucoma, exotropia, herpes zoster, superficial punctate keratopathy, myopic degeneration, chronic retinal detachment, HIV retinopathy, corneal abrasion, and central retinal vein occlusion."

Chronic Insomnia May Be Linked To Increased Risk Of Heart Attack.

The New York Times  (11/1, D6, Bakalar, Subscription Publication) reports in "Vital Signs" that "chronic insomnia may increase the risk of heart attack, according to a large new study" published in the journal Circulation. Investigators found, "after adjusting for numerous health and lifestyle factors, they found that compared with people who never had sleep problems, those who had trouble falling asleep had a 45 percent increased relative risk of heart attack." Participants "with problems staying asleep had a 30 percent increased risk, and those who woke up tired a 27 percent increase."

Experts Warn Of Dangers Posed By Decorative Nonprescription Contact Lenses.

HealthDay  (10/29, Goodwin) reported, "Contact lenses are medical devices regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)," and "it is illegal to sell them without a prescription in the United States." However, "Halloween is a time when sales of 'special effects,' 'theatrical' and 'decorative' contact lenses spike." Although "there's nothing wrong with buying decorative contacts from an optometrist...who will make sure the lens fits your eye properly, buying cheap contacts from flea markets, street vendors or beauty supply shops is dangerous, experts warn." If the contacts don't fit or are not cared for in the proper manner, those who wear them may be injured or develop an infection that could possibly lead to blindness.