'OHANA BRIEFS
Nip and tuck

Advertiser Staff and News Services

If money wasn't an issue, would you have cosmetic surgery to get back to your pre-childbirth body?

In a recent poll by Parenting magazine and AmericaOnline, a whopping 77 percent of moms said yes.

Contacts caution

Add one more item to the list of potential Halloween dangers: cosmetic contact lenses.

Statistics show that last year there were nearly 1,100 contact lens-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms, said Daniel Garrett, spokesman for Prevent Blindness America.

Cosmetic contact lenses come in a variety of patterns and colors — one style makes you look like you have scary cats' eyes. They look cool but can cause serious problems, including bacterial infections, swelling, eye pain, sensitivity to light, conjunctivitis (pink eye), corneal scratches and loss of clarity.

If you want cosmetic lenses, experts suggest you visit a licensed eye-care professional to be fitted. Always clean and disinfect lenses according to instructions. Never share or trade contact lenses with others. And never wear opaque lenses if you have problems with night vision.

|Get involved

Looking for simple ways to be involved in your child's school? Here are some suggestions:

• Speak to the class about a job or hobby. To spice it up, bring a small project for the kids.
• Help the teacher decorate the classroom for the holidays.
• Put together a phone or e-mail list for parents.
• Make calls to help arrange a class trip, or make a supply run before a party.
• Share videos of school events with other parents in the class.