PULSE.

Byline: Andy Wang

WATCH OUT!

A rash of eye infections in the U.S. has doctors scratching their heads. The infections, caused by a fungus called fusarium, have so far largely affected contact-lens wearers. Its symptoms include pain, blurred vision and sensitivity to light.

Detection of fusarium has been eluding doctors because of similarities in its symptoms to more typical corneal infections. Left untreated long enough, the fungus can cause scarring that results in vision loss.

Doctors have yet to understand why more people are getting infected now (fusarium is not transmitted from person to person), but West Hills ophthalmologist Dr. Jonathan Davidorf recommends adhering to basic contact lens hygiene: Clean your lenses every day in contact lens cleaning solution, don't use them beyond their recommended period, replace your storage cases every three months, and perhaps most importantly, keep a backup pair of glasses in case your eyes do get infected.

While it's been difficult to identify steps to specifically prevent fusarium infections, basic contact lens hygiene will keep other, more common corneal infections at bay.

"It's a big wake-up call to people," Davidorf said.

CHARLIE AND THE CALCIUM FACTORY: You're being good and paying attention to your calcium intake. You know that getting enough calcium now means preventing osteoporosis later. So what are you going to eat today to meet your USDA recommended daily dose?

How about five cups of cooked turnip greens? Or maybe 10 cheeseburgers. Three cans of sardines? Lucky you. Just have two pieces of Adora's gourmet chocolate, a candy that doubles as a calcium supplement designed for women. Each piece of chocolate has 500 milligrams of calcium and includes vitamins D and K to improve calcium absorption.

In a completely unscientific office taste test, the Adora chocolates, which come in milk and dark chocolate flavors, were found to be surprisingly good, even by a self-professed "chocolate snob." And although developed for women, men like them, too.

Still, if you're really concerned about your health, sticking to calcium supplements of the nonchocolate variety might be a better idea.

Adora chocolates come in bags of 30, retailing for $7.99. For more information, visit www.adoracalcium.com or call [phone].

SUGAR REHAB: "The Biggest Loser" meets "Super Nanny" in a 13-part series beginning at 9 tonight on educational channel TLC.

Every week, "Honey We're Killing the Kids!" follows the travails of a family with a dysfunctional diet as nutritionist Lisa Hark, PhD., a registered dietitian, prescribes measures to reform its sugar (or caffeine or fat) addiction.

The kids complain and sneak snacks, while the parents are either helpless to control their cookie monsters or complicit in not exercising more discipline themselves. The series sees Hark grappling with a dad who has his own deep fryer, a mom who downs an entire pot of coffee every morning, and kids who almost universally stare at the TV all day.

After a painful three-week regimen of diet and exercise (and tears and screaming), each family sees a light at the end of the tunnel - less sugar and caffeine means healthier and less hyperactive kids, and, ultimately, happier parents.

Tune in for tips your family might be able to follow as well; call your cable company for the channel.

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