GLAUCOMA RISK: Spending hours staring at a computer screen may raise the risk of glaucoma, a progressive eye disease that can lead to blindness.
A Japanese study has found a statistical link between heavy computer use and eye problems that presage glaucoma. The study of 10,000 workers with an average age of 43 found that eye problems were more common among staff with existing vision defects. The study was carried out by researchers at the Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo.
ACTION WEEK: Enable Ireland's Action Week on Disability runs from September 19th-25th. This year's aim is to encourage people with disabilities to join in sport and recreation activities. Planned activities include boccia and pool tournaments, beach and pool swimming galas, gaelic, hurling, camogie, rugby or soccer tournaments, dance marathons and novelty Olympics. To get involved, tel: 1850 204304 or see www.enableireland.ie
MIGRAINE SEMINARS: Finding out what triggers migraine attacks is the theme of a migraine information seminar on Sunday at 2pm in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel, Galway. Speakers include a neurologist, clinical nurse specialist and physiotherapist. Another information seminar on the same topic is on in the Red Cow Moran Hotel, Dublin on Sunday, September 18th at 2pm. Speakers include Dr Anne MacGregor from the City of London Migraine Clinic, a migraine nurse specialist and a yoga therapist. Booking for both events on tel: 1850 200 378 or email info@migraine.ie
VACCINATION TRACKER: Parents will now be able to track all of their child's vaccinations online. The Child Vaccination Tracker launched by irishhealth.com last week will send parents an email reminder that their child's vaccination is due or if there's a disease outbreak in their area. Publisher of irishhealth.com, John Gibbons, said: "By creating a permanent secure online record which parents can access from anywhere in the world at any time, we hope to make the task of managing a family's vaccination schedules a great deal less complex." According to a report published last year by a team from the then NDSC, up to one in three Irish children may be at risk of being infected with measles, whooping cough or other potentially deadly diseases due to the low uptake of vaccines in Ireland.
ARTHRITIS AWARENESS: Arthritis Ireland will host an Arthritis Information and Awareness Day on Sunday September 11th in Clontarf Castle, Dublin from 2pm to 6pm. Specialists and health professionals in the field of arthritis will give lectures on managing pain in oeseoarthritis; the role of physiotherapy; occupational therapy skills for living with arthritis; and the debate on anti-arthritic drugs. A panel of health professionals will be available for free consultations, the Irish Red Cross will provide therapeutic hand massages. For further information contact Arthritis Ireland on: 01 661 8188 or visit www.arthritisireland.ie
(Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson)