Concerns Hold Down Doctors’ Use of E-mail

Most U.S. doctors don’t use e-mail with their patients, the Associated Press (AP) reported April 23. The AP cited recent studies that show fewer than one-third of doctors e-mail patients, but when they do it can save time. Patients who used e-mail were less likely to phone or visit. Doctors also responded faster to e-mails than to phone calls. But doctors are concerned that e-mail may increase their work without payment, AP reported. They also worry about privacy and getting e-mails about problems that are urgent. Experts told AP that training can help expand e-mail use between patients and doctors.

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Prognosis for Astigmatism Without Corrective Lenses

I have been diagnosed with astigmatism (-0.75 in the right eye; -2.00 in the left). My vision is not perfect, but I don’t feel I need glasses. I don’t have headaches even though I read a lot and work on a computer. Occasionally, I skip a line of the text I’m reading, but that doesn’t bother me. My doctor told me I must wear glasses, otherwise my condition could worsen. Is that true? Is there any health risk to not wearing glasses?

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