PULSE MAKING CONTACT NEW TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS LONGER WEAR OF LENSES.

Harry Potter may single-handedly bring spectacles back into style, but for those who hate remembering where they put their glasses, read on.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Bausch & Lomb's PureVision contact lenses for up to 30 days of continuous wear. Instead of just a week, like the company's original patent, these have been tested for two years and been proven safe for an entire month.

According to company spokesman Mark Sieczkarek, PureVision's AerGel technology allows more moisture and air to permeate the lens, which is an important factor in long-term comfort and corneal swelling.

Now, we've not tried the new lenses but L.A. ophthalmologist Dr. John Funnell says, ``We've had great success with the new PureVision lenses, and found them particularly good for sports. They come with a slight noncosmetic tint in blue or brown so you can easily find them, and you just leave them in for 30 days and then throw them away.'' The eye doctor, whose 13-year-old son wears the lenses, says they cost about $30 a month in addition to your prescription and professional service fees. He adds that these new lenses also require more monitoring than traditional daily wear lenses. To get more information, contact your eye doctor.

- Barbara De Witt

SAN FRANCISCO TREATS: For a nutritious meal, stop over at San Francisco International Airport, where 24 of 25 restaurants were deemed healthy by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Of the 10 busiest airports surveyed, only 33 percent offer low-fat, high-fiber and cholesterol-free fare. Los Angeles International came in at No. 5 with 21 of 35 eateries deemed healthy.

- Daily News

RESEARCH

BREATHE EASIER IN FLU SEASON: A new study conducted by the American Lung Association's Asthma Clinical Research Centers Network shows the flu vaccine is safe for those with asthma. It had been thought the vaccine could induce an asthma attack, but the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine proved otherwise. ``This study found that people with asthma did not have any higher rates of side effects for the 14 days after receiving the influenza vaccine compared with those who received a placebo, or inactive shot,'' said the study's lead author Mario Castro. The American Lung Association is now urging people with asthma to get a flu shot. For more information, call [phone] or visit www.lungusa.org.

- Daily News

BOOKS

ALL-NATURAL KIDS: It's natural for parents to want their children to be healthy. Some, though, prefer to keep them naturally well. A new book will serve as an excellent guide for any mom or dad looking to use natural prevention methods and cures. ``Your Vital Child'' (Rodale; $19.95) by Mark and Angela Stengler explains in simple terms how to use nutrition, herbs, aromatherapy and other homeopathic methods. The first part of the book is a comprehensive guide to healthy foods, herbal solutions and supplements. The authors, both naturopathic doctors, cite studies and facts in the margins and emphasize that they have researched the remedies in the book. They caution against any herbs not in the book. The second part of the book lists more than 150 childhood ailments and tells how to treat them naturally. Even for those skeptical of some of the homeopathic methods, the book's diet tips are worth reading. Less sugar before bedtime, for instance, can prevent nightmares and you and your child can sleep well.

- Elizabeth Smilor

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(1) no caption (Contact lenses)

(2) no caption (Book: ``Your Vital Child'')