Optometrists, ophthalmologists renew battle over optometrists' ability to perform medical procedures

Ophthalmologists renewed their fight yesterday against new rules "that would allow optometrists to perform more complex procedures that critics say will endanger patients," Mike Wynn of The Courier-Journal reports. The Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners held the hearing on regulations that would implement a law passed quickly by the General Assembly after a years-long lobbying effort by optometrists and their trade group's executive director, Darlene Eakin, left. (C-J photo by Pam Spaulding)

The law allows optometrists to do limited laser treatments, "injections of medicine and removal of benign lesions from eyelids," Wynn writes. The only other state that allows them to do so is Oklahoma, but critics say no problems have been reported in that state and have noted that only 41 Kentucky counties have ophthalmologists.

Ophthalmologists "charged that the rules are not stringent enough to ensure optometrists — who are not medically licensed — can perform the treatments without causing harm," Wynn writes. The rules would require optometrists who want to expand their practice to take classes on more than 20 medical topics, pass tests, get clinical experience and "demonstrate competency to a board-approved expert," Wynn notes. "Lexington ophthalmologist Ken Weaver said wording in the draft resembles 'vague ideas,' rather than medical standards, and could allow an optometrist to perform eye surgeries after a 16-hour course from an unqualified instructor." (Read more)

Former boss of troubled personal-care home is indicted

"Another former administrator of a troubled Letcher County personal care home has been indicted on charges of witness tampering and theft," Beth Musgrave reports for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

A county grand jury indicted Jonah Tackett, former administrator of Golden Years Rest Home, on two charges of bribing a witness, two of tampering with a witness, and three of theft by failure to make required disposition, all felonies punishable by one to five years in prison.

A spokeswoman for Attorney General Jack Conway, whose office is prosecuting the case, declined to tell the Herald-Leader whether the charges "relate to ongoing criminal and civil cases involving the Jenkins home that houses more than 34 people," Musgrave reports. A circuit judge barred the Tackett family and members of the home's board of directors from having contact with the facility.

The indictment was "the latest in a history of legal troubles at the facility and for the Tackett family," Musgrave reports. "Conway’s office has said that the office would like to keep Golden Years open but its primary concern is the safety of the residents at the facility." (Read more)

Resveratrol - Powerful antioxidant support for youthful, healthy aging

Resveratrol is one of the most amazing nutrients known to modern science. Known as a longevity nutrient that gives red wine it's amazing benefits on heart health, resveratrol continues to be widely studied for applications in treating cancer, diabetes, and even chronic inflammation. Several drug companies have already attempted to copy the resveratrol molecule and turn it into a "miracle drug" that would be patented and sold at huge profit margins.  While red wine is a good source of resveratrol, you would have to consume about 100 glasses a day which of course is never recommended.  Red wine is recommended in moderation of 1-2 glasses a day.  Resveratrol is now available in capsule form. 

Powerful antioxidant support for youthful, healthy aging

Resveratrol Youthful Aging™ combines the activated form of natural trans-resveratrol with red wine extract, green tea extract and grape seed extract. The research indicates that combining natural trans-resveratrol with other polyphenols provides greatest efficacy. 100% vegetarian product.

Each capsule contains the following youthful aging nutrients:

• Red Wine Extract
• Potent Natural Trans-Resveratrol
• Grape Seed Extract
• Green Tea Extract

The benefits of each of these nutrients are:

• Red Wine Extract
• Contains the group of polyphenols known to be the source of the French Paradox (a high fat diet but with much less cardiovascular health issues than Americans)
• Possess synergistic antioxidant and longevity attributes
• Nurtures healthy cardiovascular function
• Potent Natural Trans-Resveratrol

The most researched polyphenol found in red wine grapes, berries and Japanese Knotwood plant (polygonum) 

Includes only the bioactive form - natural trans-resveratrol

• Standardized for consistent efficacy in every capsule
• Promotes a healthy inflammatory response
• Positive impact on youthful gene expression
• Supports healthy dendrites formation in the brain
• Positive impact on healthy clotting levels

Grape Seed Extract

• Contains proanthocyanins (a class of polyphenols), which act as antioxidants and thought to be instrumental in combating oxidative stress
• Protect cells against free radical damage and resulting oxidative stress
• Animal studies indicate increased efficacy of resveratrol when combined with grape seed extract

Green Tea Extract

• Contains the powerful EGCg polyphenol
• EGCg is the polyphenol most closely associated with healthy cell expression