Near-sightedness; Fish and the Brain; Defibrillators vs. CPR | Medical Watch | WGNTV.com | WGN TV

Near-sightedness; Fish and the Brain; Defibrillators vs. CPR

Tuesday, April 1

In tonight's Medical Watch -- why your birth month may affect your vision.

Summer Births and Near-sightedness
Israeli researchers are examining the link between summer births and cases of near-sightedness. Scientists say light exposure before or just after birth alters biological signals and changes the eye's ability to focus and refract light. While genes play the biggest role in nearsightedness ... natural light levels make June and July babies even more susceptible.

Fish Brain
Babies born to moms who ate lots of fish during pregnancy are smart tots according to a new study. Three-year olds whose mothers consumed more than two fish servings per week performed better on verbal, visual and motor tests than those whose moms did not have fish during pregnancy. The American Journal of Epidemiology reports fish is a true brain food ... but only if its low in mercury. Oily fish like tuna, salmon and sardines are important for fetal and child brain development.

Home Defibrillators
No need to invest in a home defibrillator -- even though the technology is available -- home CPR works as well as the heart shock devices at saving lives. A Seattle Institute for Cardiac Research study of 7,000 heart attack patients found having a portable defibrillator did not imprive survival rates. The defibrillators worked when used but often weren't needed at home. And in the control group where spouses performed CPR ... that worked for a lot less money.