コンタクトレンズによる失明の危険性

Dangers of Contact Lenses
I wore contact lenses for more than thirty years. Suddenly one day, I noticed a blind spot in my field of vision. I didn’t hesitate for a second, and immediately went to see an ophthalmologist.
The doctor concluded that it was, in fact, due to a migraine. I was relieved, as he advised me not to worry about it. He did, however, recommend a different examination, just to be sure.
The doctor found that my epidermal cornea cell count was very low—
only 800 cells per square millimeter, while normal cell count is between 3,000 and 4,000 cells. A cell count of 500 or less would result in blindness, he warned me.
To my shock, the doctor told me that people who wear contact lenses over a long period of time run a high risk of losing their eyesight. I felt angry and resentful that such a product would be manufactured and sold, given the horrible risks associated with it. Consumers should be warned of this danger!
To put it bluntly, long-term use of contact lenses will eventually lead to blindness.
I am extremely disappointed that contact lens manufacturers would put profit before the health and safety of their very customers! And to think that contact lenses are sold directly to patients at
ophthalmologists and optometrists throughout the country!
On that day, I left the doctor’s office with a pair of glasses—and not contact lenses.
I urge everyone to think twice before getting a pair of contact lenses! If you currently wear them, throw them in the trash and get a pair of trusty eyeglasses instead.

コンタクトレンズの長期使用が、必ずと言っていいほど失明に繋がることは、殆どの人達が知らないことであり、医学界も決して告知しようとしません。市場原理主義は、社会的格差を招くだけでなく、人々の安全や健康を二の次に考える政策のように思われます。
コンタクトレンズを装着している方は、今すぐ眼科へ行って、表皮角膜細胞数を検査されることをお薦め致します。僅か片目1秒の簡単な検査です。表皮角膜細胞数は、通常は３０００〜４０００ですが、５００以下だと失明します。
因みに私は、８００でした。３０年間の使用でここまで落ちるとは思ってもみませんでした。
今日見えていても、急に明日、失明する可能性があるそうです。実際にそういう人達が増えているようです。
コンタクトを装着している人で、このブログを読まれた方は、ラッキーかも知れませんね。

　Autumn in Karuizawa

I went to Kumoba pond in Karuizawa to see the beautiful red leaves.
I went there on Monday,end of October, escaping the rush-hour and enjoyed a beautiful autumn day. In Tokyo area, from the middle of November we can see red and yellow leaves.

October 30, 2006
From Takuma

Cricket, the greatest game in the world!

Australians and English people everywhere are getting excited! We love cricket and the Ashes will begin on the 23rd of November. Cricket is an amazing game, loved all around the world. Traditionally the game would be played over 5 days but since the 1980's day/night games that go for about 8 hours are very popular. It is a similar game to baseball but for me, much more exciting!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket <- English
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88 <- Japanese

Pease go here for more information about cricket! Its a great game!

The most famous cricket series (apart from the World Cup), is called the Ashes. It is the oldest international cricket series and started in 1882. It is called The Ashes because the two teams compete to win the ashes of the stumps (the sticks in the middle of the field) from the first game. The Ashes travelled from England to Australia in a first class seat, handcuffed to a bodyguard! They are very valuable to us!

Japan wins 1st and 2nd in this year's Melbourne Cup!

Congratulations Japan! The horses that came in first and second in this year’s Melbourne Cup were both Japanese! The horse that won is called 'Delta Blues' and the horse that came second is called 'Pop Rock'! The two Japanese horses took both the first prize of AU$3 million and the second prize of AU$750,000. Katsuhiko Sumii, who is the trainer of both horses, is very famous in Australia now!

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most famous horse race. As a part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival it is known as "the race that stops the nation" because everyone in Australia stops what they are doing to watch or listen to the race. In Melbourne we even have a public holiday for it! It is held on the first Tuesday in November on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. It is the most prestigious "two-mile" (3200 metres) race in the world.

The event is one of the most popular spectator events in Australia, with over 110,000 people, some dressed in formal wear and others in exotic and amusing costumes, attending the race.

The first Melbourne Cup was held in 1861. The horses were racing for a gold watch and 170 pounds cash. It is said that the winner, Archer, walked 800km to the course from Nowra, New South Wales.

The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival successfully combines fashion with horse racing. As it is held in spring, it is conveniently placed between the football and cricket seasons. During the winter (where football is dominant), and summer (where cricket is dominant), racing takes a 'back seat' position in relation to the cricket or footy in terms of media coverage and attendances. However, in spring and autumn, the mass media turns its attention to the racing. The Melbourne Cup is a lot of fun and it gives everyone in Melbourne the chance to drink champagne for breakfast!

Have you heard of these horses or the Melbourne Cup before? Are there any horse races in Japan that are treated like this? I am looking forward to hearing your answers! Cya! .don

About African food Cooking

To Mr. Adam Stefan

Thank you for your advice of the Cambian cooking.
I read about the ingredients and directions.
I think that this food is similar to beef stew. I suppose the cooking is not difficult. But I found there were not the peanut butter and the tomato paste in my home. I will buy these ingredients and try this cooking near future.
But I think seeing is believing. Before trying the cooking, I want to go to African food restaurant and try to eat it.
Checking by internet I found the African restaurant near to Hamamatsucho station of JR yamate line.
November 4, 2006
From Takuma