bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CONTRAST SENSITIVITY IN EVALUATION OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT DUE TO MACULAR DEGENERATION AND OPTIC NERVE LESIONS
Authors: VÄRINEN LEAHY , LAURINEN PENTTI , ROVAMO JYRKI
Published: May 2009

Spatial contrast sensitivity was investigated in a group of 17 patients with macular degeneration or optic atrophy. It has been reported earlier that patients with optic atrophy may have reduced contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequencies without decrease of visual acuity, a phenomenon called ‘hidden visual loss’. The present study shows that also the opposite may be true: patients with macular degeneration or optic atrophy may have greatly decreased visual acuity and yet normal or nearly normal contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequencies and resonably good sensitivity at intermediate spatial frequencies. This phenomenon could be called ‘hidden vision’. In normal individuals and many visually impaired patients the spatial contrast sensitivity at high and intermediate spatial frequencies is equal when measured using grating fields of different size. In patients with central scotoma due to macular degeneration or optic atrophy contrast sensitivity is dependent on the size of the grating field: the maximal contrast sensitivity is higher when larger grating fields are used. The size of the smallest grating field that is needed for normal contrast sensitivity values at low spatial frequencies is one measure of visual impairment in this group of patients. Another measure of the function of the eccentric viewing area is the grating acuity which may also vary as a function of the grating field size.
EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF CATARACT SURGERY
Authors: BERNTH‐PETERSEN PETER , BACH ELSA
Published: May 2009

A 51% increase in number of cataract extractions during the period 1970‐79 is found. Neither population growth nor changes in age structure could alone account for this increase. Other factors such as economic resource allocation, changes in indications for cataract surgery and increased demand appear to be involved in this increase. Two large danish data sources were examined to determine the age and sex specific cataract extraction rates 1977‐79. These rates are found to be in part equivalent to rates reported from England but substantially lower than rates found in USA. The age and sex specific rates are used as basis for estimation of number of extractions year 2000. A 60 to 80% increase is likely because of population growth in the older age groups, extention of indications for cataract surgery and more demand for good vision in old age.
MICROCOMPUTER ANALYSIS FOR CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL CELL MORPHOLOGY
Authors: ALANKO HANNU I.
Published: May 2009

A method for individual endothelial cell analysis using modern microcomputer hardware and the program package “ENDO”, developed specially for this purpose, is described. To determine the areas and perimeters of individual cells the coordinates of cell apices are recorded directly from specular photomicrographs with a manual digitizer. To digitize 100 cells with this method takes on average 16 min. A new parameter for cell shape, called hexadev and derived from cell areas and perimeters, is introduced. The shapes of the individual cells are compared with the shape of an equilateral hexagon and the deviations from this reference shape are expressed in percentage. In addition, the program calculates 6 other morphological parameters for the cell sample analyzed. Accuracy and repeatability of the method are presented, Current status of individual cell analysis and previous attempts to describe cell shape are discussed.
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF CRYOPRESERVED, FUNCTIONING HUMAN CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM
Authors: EHLERS NIELS , SPERLING STEFFEN
Published: May 2009

The endothelium was studied by light‐ and electronmicroscropy in a cryo‐preserved cornea transplanted to a woman with herpetic keratitis and removed after 18 months because of wound dehiscence and epithelialization of the anterior chamber. The graft was perfectly transparent and of normal thickness. Light microscopy revealed the existence of a continuous layer of endothelial cells, showing pronounced pleomorphism when examined in flat preparation, with large multinuclear cells between smaller more normal looking mononuclear cells. The heterogeneous cell pattern resembled that observable in vitro after freezing and 24 h of culture. The cells therefore are not considered to be in a steady state. The ultrastructure of the majority of the cells was similar to that of non‐cryopreserved endothelium. Cell cohesion took place by tight junctions, the intercellular spaces were of normal width. Ultrastructurally there was, however, a cellular heterogeneity, due to the occurrence of light cells with few organelles, but always with intact cell membranes. These cells probably represent slow death of endothelial cells, demonstrated by falling cell density during the 18 months between grafting and examination. We conclude from this study that cells surviving the freezing can maintain a clinically normal endothelial function for 18 months by forming a continuous quasistatic monolayer of tightly bound living cells.
SERUM ALBUMIN, SERUM ANTIPROTEASES AND POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUCOCYTE NEUTRAL COLLAGENOLYTIC PROTEASE IN THE TEAR FLUID OF NORMAL HEALTHY PERSONS
Authors: PRAUSE J. U.
Published: May 2009

Using a micro‐electroimmune assay and a ‘non‐reflex stimulating’ method to collect normal tear fluid, the concentration of the serum proteins albumin (S‐A), alfa‐1‐antitrypsin (α1A), alfa‐1‐antrichymotrypsin (α1X) and alfa‐2‐macroglobulin (α1M) was determined in the tear fluid of 53 normal persons. In addition, the tear fluid was tested for the content of polymorphonuclear leucocyte neutral collagenolytic protease (PML‐c‐ase). PML‐c‐ase and α1X could not be detected in any tear samples. The concentrations of S‐A, α1A and α1M were constant over time, and showed no variation with sex, age or between the right and left eyes. There was no correlation between the concentration levels of the detected proteins in the tear fluid and correlation between tear fluid levels and corresponding serum concentration levels of the proteins could not be shown.
MACULAR HOLE AND RETINAL DETACHMENT
Authors: LAATIKAINEN LEILA , HARJU HELENA
Published: May 2009

Within a 4‐year period 6 eyes with a macular hole and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (1.7% of all rhegmatogenous detachments) were operated on. In 2 eyes no other retinal tears were found, 4 eyes showed additional peripheral tears. Three eyes were myopic (‐3.75 to ‐9.0 D) and one was aphakic. All but one eye were encircled, 3 eyes had a peripheral radial plomb and another 3 had a macular sling procedure using a silastic sponge explant in addition. Cryotherapy was applied on the macular hole in one eye and photocoagulation in one eye. In 5 of the 6 cases the retina reattached. The silastic sponge sling resulted in shallow indentation and caused little distortion at the macula. Coagulation of the macular hole seemed to be unnecessary.
INCIDENCE OF MYOPIA IN A POPULATION OF FINNISH SCHOOL CHILDREN
Authors: MÄNTYJÄRVI MAIJA
Published: May 2009

Vision defects due to myopia typically appear during the school years. The comprehensive surveillance system of vision impairments in school children (ages 7 to 15 years) in the township of Kuopio, Finland (pop. 74 200) offers an opportunity to study the incidence of school myopia. In the school year 1980‐81 out of 9635 school children 1383 (14%) had eye problems and were referred to the Community Health Center ophthalmologist (the author) for examination. Of the children who came for the first time to an eye examination 252 were found myopic. This gives an incidence of 2.6% per year. The incidence in different age groups as well as for boys and girls was caluclated. From the cumulative prevalences it was estimated that about 23% of the school children would be myopic at the age of 15 years.
A CLINICAL STUDY OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THICKNESS AND CURVATURE OF THE CENTRAL CORNEA
Authors: HØVDING GUNNAR
Published: May 2009

The right eye of 105 healthy subjects aged 14–48 years were examined. The mean central corneal thickness was 0.532 mm. The mean horizontal and vertical radius of central anterior corneal curvature was 7.86 mm and 7.66 mm, respectively. The results indicated that some weak, positive association probably exists between the thickness and curvature of the central cornea, the coefficient of regression between the 2 parameters being about 1.5. Thus a thick cornea tends to be slightly flatter than a thin cornea.
AMIODARONE INDUCED CORNEA VERTICILLATA
Authors: NIELSEN CLAUS EGE , ANDREASEN FREDERIK , BJERREGAARD PREBEN
Published: May 2009

Among 30 patients (17 men, 46–76 years and 13 women, 15–70 years), treated with the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone, 21 patients (11 men and 10 women) developed bilateral cornea verticillata. Total doses up to 494 g had been given and the duration of therapy was up to 113 weeks. In 14 patients samples of 50 μl tear fluid were analyzed for aminodarone. No amiodarone was present in the tears at low serum concentrations but a rapid increase in tear concentrations was seen at serum values above 1.2 μg/ml (P < 0.001). The grade of cornea verticillata was significantly correlated to total dose as well as to duration of treatment (P ≦ 0.001). On the day of examination at the eye clinic there was no significant correlation between se‐amiodarone, tear‐amiodarone concentration and the grade of cornea verticillata. One patient complained of coloured haloes. None had decreased visual acuity, fundus changes, cataract, exophthalmus, increased intraocular pressure, abnormal colour vision, or abnormal central corneal thickness, which could be attributed to the treatment of amiodarone.
CONTRAST SENSITIVITY IN MONOCULAR GLAUCOMA
Authors: HYVÄURINEN LEA , ROVAMO JYRKI , LAURINEN PENTTI , SAARINEN JUKKA , NÄSÄNEN RISTO
Published: May 2009

The results of this selected group of glaucoma patients demonstrate that the effect of glaucoma on the contrast sensitivity can be assessed only after careful exclusion of all other causes for decrease in contrast sensitivity. Further development of methods is necessary.
REDUCTION OF THE HYALURONATE CONCENTRATION IN RABBIT AQUEOUS HUMOUR BY TOPICAL PREDNISOLONE
Authors: LAURENT ULLA B. G.
Published: May 2009

Rabbits were treated topically with prednisolone for 5 or 10 days and aqueous humour removed immediately after treatment as well as 10 and 20 days later. The hyaluronate concentration was significantly lower in the treated eyes compared to control eyes. It returned to the normal level after withdrawal of the drug. Repeated sampling of aqueous humour at intervals of 10 days did not influence the hyaluronate concentration in the control group.
SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN RETINAL DETACHMENT IN NORTHERN FINLAND AND NOVOSIBIRSK
Authors: PAAVOLA MATTI , CHEHOVA S. , FORSIUS HENRIK
Published: May 2009

Retinal detachments have a tendency to occur more commonly in spring and summer than in winter. Two new series are presented here, the first collected in Northern Finland at latitudes 64°–70° and the second from Novosibirsk, at a much lower latitude, 55°N, but with an equally long winter. A statistically significant seasonal variation is found in both. The highest incidence peak is seen in June in Oulu and in July in Novosibirsk, the difference between the prevalence curves was, however, not statistically significant. The Oulu series shows a statistically highly significant seasonal variation in low refractive errors but no seasonal difference in high myopia and aphakia.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE EYE IN PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE UNDERGOING EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION
Authors: FUSCO R. , MAGLI A. , PANTALEO D.
Published: May 2009

We studied 76 patients with congenital heart disease, whose ages ranged from 2 to 39 years. The following investigations were carried out pre‐operatively and post‐operatively in all patients: visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction, orthoptic examination, examination of the fundus. Where collaboration was sufficient the following were also studied: kinetic and static perimetry, adaptation perimetry, colour vision, electroretinography. There were no differences before and after operation of visual acuity, adaptation perimetry, refraction, electroretinography or of the fundus. Post‐operative changes were only found in 4 of the 65 patients in whom perimetry was performed. By comparison, an identical study of patients with acquired heart disease showed the percentage of functional ocular changes to be higher in this group.
A MURINE MODEL OF CONGENITAL TOXOPLASMIC RETINOCHORIOIDITIS
Authors: LEE WILLIAM R. , HAY JOHN , HUTCHISON WILLIAM M. , DUTTON GORDON N. , SUM J. CHRISTIAN
Published: May 2009

A histopathological study of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in 39 eyes of mice infected in utero with Toxoplasma gondii and sacrificed at 16 weeks postpartum showed a wide variation in the pattern of tissue destruction. The changes in individual eyes were graded from mild to severe; Toxoplasma cysts were present in the retina and optic nerve in each grade. In the least affected eyes, Toxoplasma cysts were rarely seen and the disease was limited to a low grade uveitis and retinal lymphocytic perivasculitis. In the more severely affected eyes, there was focal, sectorial or total retinal destruction with secondary degenegration in the lens. In some eyes inflammatory destruction of the outer retina was associated either with a paucity of cells, or with lymphocytic infiltration or with plasma cell infiltration; giant cell granulomatous reactions were rare. In the most severely affected eyes the retina was necrotic and calcified. The findings illustrate the complexity of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis and suggest that autoimmunity may play a part in the disease process.
HEREDITARY BILATERAL RETINOBLASTOMA, PINEALOMA AND NORMAL CHROMOSOMES
Authors: EHLERS NIELS , KAAE SIGVARD , RASMUSSEN KIRSTEN , RATJEN ERLING
Published: May 2009

We report a boy with bilateral, familial retinoblastoma recognized at the age of 3 months. At the age of 2 1/2 years the patient developed a tumour in the pineal region. Both tumours were successfully treated by radiation. The chromosomes were normal when examined by the prophase technique, in particular there was no deletion of band q 14 of chromosome 13. We consider the simultaneous occurrence of retinoblastoma and pinealoma as more then a pure coincidence, probably a consequence of a generally increased susceptibility to cancer and of the histogenetic similarities of retina and pineal body.
CORTICOSTEROID INJECTION OF CHALAZIA
Authors: CASTRÉN JORMA , STENBORG TAPIO
Published: May 2009

Corticosteroid (triamcinolone acetonide) injection of chalazion intralesionally is an effective, easy and a safe method. Perfect recovery was achieved in 88% of 24 chalazion cases (22 patients). Most of them were cured with a single injection. The steroid therapy is most effective when the chalazion has not been secondarily infected. If this has already happened surgery is the method of choice. If the steroid injections are limited only to common non‐infected chalazia, the results will be excellent in about 100% of the cases. This treatment may be recommended especially for children and persons with allergy to local anaesthetics. It is particularly suitable for chalazia located close to the lacrimal punctum. Because of its simplicity, efficiency and almost non‐existent risks, this method should also be convenient to physicians other than ophthalmologists.
LATE RESULTS OF LASER TRABECULOPLASTY FOR INCREASED INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE
Authors: POHJANPELTO PEKKA
Published: May 2009

One hundred and eighty eyes of 161 patients with increased intraocular pressure resistant to medical therapy were treated with laser trabeculoplasty and were followed up for 18 to 42 months. In 97 eyes there was an exfoliation syndrome. In 93 of these there was an initial response. In 10 eyes pressure rose again during follow‐up. Of these, 7 were classed as late failures. 76 eyes had a primary open angle glaucoma or primary ocular hypertension, 58 responded to treatment. In one eye the effect worsened during follow‐up. In several eyes there was a deterioration of the visual field in spite of the fact that laser treatment resulted in good pressure reduction.
PSEUDOPAPILLOEDEMA WITH AND WITHOUT VERIFIED OPTIC DISC DRUSEN. A CLINICAL ANALYSIS I
Authors: MUSTONEN EILA
Published: May 2009

A clinical analysis of 200 patients (307 eyes with optic disc drusen, 40 eyes with pseudopapilloedema without verified drusen, 53 normal fellow‐eyes) was performed to document the characteristic findings in pseudopapilloedema with and without verified drusen. In 4 eyes optic disc drusen accounted for diminished visual acuity. Papillary or peripapillary haemorrhages were found in 6.1 % of 347 eyes. Peripapillary pigment epithelial derangement was present in 29.7% of the eyes, mostly with superficial drusen. Subjective symptoms caused by drusen were very rare. Changes in the appearance of the optic discs with drusen during the years could be documented in 15% of 153 patients. There were 5 patients with pigmentary retinopathy. The most usual of coincident disorders was migraine in 21 patients. The visual field findings are analysed in a companion report.
A CASE COMPARISON STUDY OF CARBON DISULFIDE RETINOPATHY AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY USING FLUORESCEIN FUNDUS ANGIOGRAPHY
Authors: KARAI ICHIRO , SUGIMOTO KANJI , GOTO SHIGERU
Published: May 2009

To clarify the pathological difference of retinal changes between carbon disulfide (CS2) and diabetic retinopathies, fluorescein fundus angiograms of 92 workers with CS2 retinopathy (Group I) were compared with those of 37 cases with diabetic retinopathy (Group II) and 40 workers who had not been exposed to CS2 (Group III). The results were: 1) Ellipsoid or loop‐shaped microaneurysms were observed in 25% of Group I, and in 5% of Groups II and III. 2) Fluorescein leakage from vessels was observed in Group II, but not in Groups I and III. 3) An avascular area of the retina was observed in Groups I and II. The avascular area in CS2 retinopathy was small and local and showed no tendency of enlargening. 4) Atrophic/degenerative changes of the pigmentary epithelium were observed in 40% of Group I, 11 % of Group II and 15% of Group III.
IS MYOPIA GETTING MORE FREQUENT? A CROSS‐SECTIONAL STUDY OF 1416 DANES AGED 16 YEARS +
Authors: FLEDELIUS HANS C.
Published: May 2009

A hospital material considered refractively unselected is made up by adult patients referred for general eye examination from other (non‐ophthalmic) departments (n = 1416; 2832 eyes). Thirty per cent of all eyes had negative refractive value. The highest myopia prevalence, about 40%, was seen in the age group 26–45 years. Glass‐demanding myopia (of at least ‐0.75 D) occurred in 14% of the elderly (66 years +) against 27–28% in younger adults. Up to the age of 45, more females were myopic than males. The present prevalences are considerably higher than expected from previous Danish studies. It is discussed to what extent this increase is real. The diabetics of the sample (representing 762 eyes) show a shift towards negative refractive values (37.9% with myopia) as compared to non‐diabetics (27.5%). The diabetic surplus is due to low degree myopia cases. The association between myopia and (well‐controlled) diabetes seems to be a new observation.
OCULAR FINDINGS IN FOUR SIBLINGS WITH PSEUDOXANTHOMA ELASTICUM
Authors: ERKKILÄ H. , RAITTA C. , NIEMI K. M.
Published: May 2009

In a family consisting of 8 surviving siblings, pseudoxanthoma elasticum was diagnosed in 4 sisters. One of them had a severe visual handicap, and another a slight decrease of the visual acuity because of the ocular lesions. The other 2 sisters also had fundal lesions, but they were visually symptom‐free. Great variation was also found in the appearance of the ocular lesions in the affected siblings. In addition to the angioid streaks, the fundal findings in the probands affected included changes of the retinal pigment epithelium, exudative maculopathy, optic disc drusen and ‘fire‐work’‐pattern of drusen of the Bruch's membrane. A similar variety of alterations was also found in the histopathology of the skin.
DETERMINATION OF PROTEIN CONTENT IN AQUEOUS HUMOUR BY HIGH‐PERFORMANCE GEL FILTRATION CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: SAARI K. M. , AINE E. , PARVIAINEN M.T.
Published: May 2009

High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to study the protein content of aqueous humour in 17 cataract patients. High‐performance gel filtration chromatograms (HPGFC) of the aqueous humour showed 7–12 peaks with low concentrations (mean 0.085 μg/μl) of high molecular weight proteins (peak 1, MW 250 000 or more) and low levels (0.01 μg/μl or less) of IgA (peak 2) and of IgG (peak 3). The fourth peak (MW about 65 000) containing albumin and obviously also trasferrin was the major peak (mean 0.596 μg/μl) at HPGFC of a normal aqueous humour. Lysozyme (peak 6, MW 35 000) occurred in small amounts in the aqueous humour (mean 0.064 μg/μl). The last 6 peaks matched for peptides and amino acids (MW 10 000 or less). It is concluded that HPLC may be a useful preparative method in characterization, separation, and partial purification of immunoglobulins, immune complexes, and other proteins of aqueous humour.
VISUAL ACUITY TESTING WITH PREFERENTIAL LOOKING IN MENTAL RETARDATION
Authors: LENNERSTRAND GUNNAR , AXELSSON ANNETTE , ANDERSSON GUNNEL
Published: May 2009

Twenty‐six mentally retarded children and young adults, most of them with severe neurological deficits, in the age range 5–24 years, were examined ophthalmologically, and their binocular visual acuities were tested with ‘operant preferential looking’ according to the technique of Mayer & Dobson (1980). Five of the subjects did not co‐operate sufficiently for visual testing, although 3 had no ocular abnormalities that would affect binocular acuity. The visual acuity levels determined with ‘preferential looking’ ranged from 1.29 to 0.03 in the 21 subjects that could be tested. Two children with high myopia showed substantial increase in acuity with appropiate correction (from 0.1 to 1.06 in one child and from 0.05 to 0.31 in the other). Inability to fixate light or objects was found in subjects, who at acuity testing showed values of 0.15 or less. In patients with suspected or definite optic atrophy, visual acuities 0.28 or less were obtained. In general there was a good correlation between ophthalmological abnormalities (in fixation, pupil reactions to light, ocular motility, fundus appearance and refraction) and poor visual acuity. It is therefore concluded that visual acuity testing with ‘preferential looking’ techniques can give valid information on central visual function in mentally retarded children and young adults.
THE INFLUENCE OF PREGNANCY ON DIABETIC RETINOPATHY WITH SPECIAL REGARD TO THE REVERSIBLE CHANGES SHOWN IN 100 PREGNANCIES
Authors: OHRT VAGN
Published: May 2009

A prospective study of the eyes of 75 diabetic women during the course of 100 pregnancies is presented as a contribution to the, as yet, still unresolved question concerning the influence of pregnancy on diabetic retinopathy. Fifty patients in the material had a retinopathy prior to pregnancy, proliferations were present in 2 of them. During the course of the pregnancy, proliferative changes developed in 4 patients, and a background retinopathy developed in a further 4 patients. Special interest is placed on the transitory changes in the retinopathy that occurs in a number of these patients. In the present material this has occurred in 23 patients, all of whom had a retinopathy. This is especially apparent in the form of soft exudates, haemorrhages and retinal oedema. In marked cases a characteristic feature was an obvious capillary change. This transitory capillaropathy is considered as being the cause of this temporary increase in the severity of the retinopathy. The changes regressed in all of the 23 patients. The results confirm that pregnancy can hardly be considered to influence the further course of a background retinopathy. Even though the question as to whether pregnancy can influence the course of a proliferative retinopathy still remains open, evaluation of both the present and previous materials suggest that pregnancy by and large does not aggravate the ‘average’ progression of a proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
THE IMMEDIATE IOP RESPONSE OF ND‐YAG‐LASER IRIDOTOMY AND ITS PROPHYLACTIC TREATABILITY
Authors: SCHREMS W. , EICHELBRÖNNER O. , KRIEGLSTEIN G. K.
Published: May 2009

The response of IOP in the normotensive human eye to Neodym‐YAG‐laser iridotomy was investigated in this study. In 2 series of 10 patients, each unilateral laser iridotomy was performed with a YAG‐laser prior to cataract surgery. In one group laser iridotomy was done without pre‐treatment, in the second group laser iridotomy was preceded by treatment with 1% pilocarpine. Close follow‐up of IOP before and after surgery was carried out with the Non‐Contact‐Tonometer. Laser iridotomy caused average IOP rises of 10 mmHg, which could be identified as early as 20 min after surgery, with a maximum of response after 80 min, and a declining IOP from 100 min post‐operatively onwards. Pre‐treatment with pilocarpine eyedrops could be reduce the laser‐mediated IOP rise to less than one fourth. These results recommend a mild miotic for routine pre‐treatment for iris laser surgery in order to cope with acute pressure rise as one of the major problems in these procedures.
SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE REDUCTION AFTER ARGON LASER TRABECULOPLASTY IN OPEN‐ANGLE GLAUCOMA
Authors: BERGEÅ BENGT
Published: May 2009

One hundred and thirty‐five eyes in 120 patients with open‐angle glaucoma were treated with argon laser trabeculoplasty and followed up for 6 months. The mean reduction in intraocular pressure in the whole material was 10.9 mmHg, 13.1 in eyes with capsular glaucoma and 7.2 in eyes with simple glaucoma. The possible influence of the degree of trabecular pigmentation, the pre‐treatment intraocular pressure level and the presence of exfoliative material on the amount of pressure reduction was analysed. The presence of some trabecular pigmentation was a prerequisite for the effect of ALT, but the degree of pigmentation did not influence the pressure‐reducing capacity of argon laser trabeculoplasty. The pressure reduction was found to be correlated to the pre‐treatment intraocular pressure level without influence of the presence of exfoliative material. Eyes with capsular glaucoma had higher pre‐treatment intraocular pressures and seldom had non‐pigmented trabecular meshwork, which may explain the greater pressure reduction in this group.
ONE‐ AND TWO‐SESSION LASER TRABECULOPLASTY. A RANDOMIZED, PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: HEIJL ANDERS
Published: May 2009

Seventy‐seven eyes with primary open angle glaucoma and exfoliation glaucoma were subjected to laser trabeculoplasty and followed in a prospective way. The full 360° circumference was treated, but the patients were randomized in two groups: In group 1 the full treatment was given in one session, and in group 2 it was divided into two sessions one month apart. During the follow‐up time of 3 to 18 (mean: 12) months both methods of treatment gave the same reduction of IOP. The only three cases with high post‐operative transient pressure spike‐occurred in group 1. Although this difference of course not is statistcally significant it is in agreement with other studies suggesting that a two‐session approach might be safer than treating the full circumference in one session. One month after the laser treatment the eyes of group 1, where the full circumference of the trabecular meshwork had been treated, showed only a slightly larger pressure reduction (not statistically significant) than the eyes of group 2 one month after treating 180° of the meshwork.
SURVIVAL OF ELDERLY OPHTHALMIC OUT‐PATIENTS
Authors: BENGTSSON BO
Published: May 2009

Elderly ophthalmic out‐patients that had visited an eye‐clinic were searched in a population register 7 years later. Observed numbers of survivors were compared with those expected according to appropriate life tables. Most observed numbers of survivors came close to the expected ones. Patients, aged more than 80 years when visiting the eye‐clinic, had, however, a consistently increased survival rate. Glaucoma patients, less than 80 years old, had a slightly (not significantly) lower survival rate than expected.
THE INFLUENCE OF AGE ON THE FRAGILITY OF THE CORNEA
Authors: MILLODOT MICHEL , OWENS HELEN
Published: May 2009

Corneal fragility was measured with the Cochet‐Bonnet aesthesiometer on 171 eyes of various ages. It was found to remain the same until about age 40. It increased significantly and progressively afterwards. It was compared to corneal sensitivity which diminishes significantly after about the same age.
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS RETINITIS IN THE ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)
Authors: JENSEN O. A. , GERSTOFT J. , THOMSEN H. KLEM , MARNER K.
Published: May 2009

The light‐microscopical, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings in the first reported European case of ocular changes in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are presented. The syndrome occurred in a 31‐year‐old homosexual man who died of Kaposi sarcoma in the skin and internal organs, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the larynx, the lungs and the small intestine, and mycobacterial infection of the lungs, the lymph nodes and the spleen. A right‐sided necrotizing retinitis was shown to be caused by CMV and was clinically and histopathologically similar to previously described changes in CMV retinitis. CMV was cultured from the left eye where no ophthalmoscopic changes were observed. It is stressed that in these cases regular ophthalmological examination is advisable, even if no ocular complaints are present.
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON TEN CASES OF METHANOL POISONING WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS
Authors: INGEMANSSON SVEN‐OLOF
Published: May 2009

Clinical observations on 10 cases of methanol poisoning, with particular reference to ocular manifestations, are reported. Four patients stated that they had blurring of vision, one of these also had a temporary loss of the lower parts of the visual fields and another one visual hallucinations. Hyperaemia or oedema of the optic discs were found in 5 patients. Two of the patients died, another was severely ill and suffered from impaired vision for a long period of time afterwards. In none of the surviving patients detectable remaining damage to the retina could be revealed by recording the a‐ and the b‐waves of the electroretinogram. Recording of the visual evoked responses showed that one patient had transient subnormal amplitudes in one eye. However, on follow‐up registrations all of the patients had values within normal limits. The results of the investigation show a considerable individual variation in susceptibility to methanol poisoning.
HETEROGENEITY, POLYDISPERSITY, AND PHYSIOLOGIC ROLE OF CORNEAL PROTEOGLYCANS
Authors: AXELSSON INGE
Published: May 2009

Gel chromatography, affinity chromatography, ultracentrifugation, enzymic fragmentation, and analysis of amino acids, hexosamines and neutral sugars were used to characterize a heterogeneous fraction of proteoglycans from bovine corneal stroma. The results indicate that the fraction largely consists of a mixture of the 2 main types of corneal proteoglycans described earlier, namely keratan sulfate proteoglycans and chondroitin sulfate‐rich proteoglycans with covalently bound oligosaccharides. Models for the structure of proteoglycans are suggested, an it is concluded that the molecular size of corneal proteoglycans makes them appropriate as ‘spacers’ between the collagen fibrils, a property important for corneal transparency. Cornea is softer than cartilage because corneal proteoglycans are less underhydrated than cartilage proteoglycans.
INCREASED CENTRAL CORNEA THICKNESS IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS
Authors: SERUP LISBETH , SERUP JØRGEN , HAGDRUP HANS K.
Published: May 2009

Central cornea thickness (CCT) was measured in 32 patients with systemic sclerosis by the Haag‐Streit pachymeter with improved centrality. Results were compared with measurements in 29 healthy adults matched with respect to sex and age. CCT was increased (P < 0.001) in patients with systemic sclerosis (mean 0.56 mm, average SD right and left side 0.0297 mm) as compared to the controls (mean 0.51 mm, SD 0.0109 mm). CCT of right and left eye was increased in 69% and 72% of patients with systemic sclerosis as compared to controls (mean 0.51 mm ± 2 SD). CCT increased during the first 8 years of the disease (correlation coefficient 0.593) reaching a plateau after 8 years (correlation coefficient 0.005). CCT did not increase during medical treatment with collagen inhibitors. Measurement of CCT may be useful as a supplement to other quantitative methods for diagnosis and control of systemic sclerosis.
GIANT PAPILLARY CONJUNCTIVITIS IN CONNECTION WITH CORNEOSCLERAL SUPRAMID (NYLON) SUTURE KNOTS
Authors: WILLE HENRIK , MØLGAARD INGE‐LISE
Published: May 2009

A material consisting of 27 patients had corneoscleral wound closure by 8–0 polyamide (supramid, nylon) sutures after intracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. A few months after surgery 16 patients had developed giant papillary conjunctivitis of the upper tarsus of the operated eye, associated with itching and blurring. The earlier stages of the condition, as described by other authors, could be defined in the remaining 11 patients. Cytologic tests — pipette samples of tear fluid and tarsal conjunctival scrapings — demonstrated eosinophil leucocytes and neutrophilia in most of the giant papillary conjunctivitis cases. The conjunctival scraping proved the more sensitive test for detection of eosinophils, the pipette test being mainly an indicator of inflammatory reaction. The condition seems to be allergic with an element of mechanical irritation. The use of polyamide sutures of the 8–0 size is not recommended.
LOCAL APPLICATION OF INDOMETHACIN IN HEALTHY EYES AND IN POST‐OPERATIVE CATARACT PATIENTS
Authors: KROGH E. , HENNING V. , GLUUD B.
Published: May 2009

The effects of locally applied Indomethacin were studied. Ten healthy subjects received 1 drop of a 1% watery solution 4 times a day in their left eye during 2 weeks, the right eye serving as control. Neither changes in visual acuity and refraction nor in the appearance and function of the external and anterior segment of the eye were found during this period. Sixty‐four patients underwent surgery for simple senile cataract. Half of the patients, by random selection, received Indomethacin solution locally during the first week. The remaining half received routine treatment with a compound preparation of antibiotics and corticosteroid from the third post‐operative day. An inflammatory score was calculated and was found to be significantly reduced in the Indomethacin group during the first week.
DEPENDENCE OF MAGNIFICATION UPON THE CAMERA‐TO‐EYE DISTANCE IN THE ZEISS FUNDUS CAMERA
Authors: LOTMAR W.
Published: May 2009

The magnification of the Zeiss type of fundus camera depends, except for the case of emmetropy, on the camera‐to‐eye distance. Its relative variation is equal to the product of the patient's ametropia and the difference in the camera‐to‐eye distance. Moreover, magnification is also affected by changing the diopter range scales on the camera.
LASER TRABECULOPLASTY AS PRIMARY THERAPY IN CHRONIC OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA
Authors: TUULONEN ANJA
Published: May 2009

Sixty‐three phakic eyes of 54 patients with early simple (21 eyes) or capsular (42 eyes) glaucoma treated with laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) as the primary therapy were followed retrospectively 12 to 18 months after LTP. In 59 of 63 eyes followed up for 12 months and 46 of 52 eyes followed up for 18 months the intraocular pressure (IOP) was constantly maintained below 22 mmHg with no medication. After a good initial response for 6 to 12 months, 6 eyes required medical therapy because of uncontrolled pressure or progression in the damage of the optic disc or visual fields. The mean pressure reduction of all eyes 18 months after LTP was 28% in simple and 37% in capsular glaucoma. No severe complications were seen. LTP seems to be an effective and safe procedure as the primary therapy for open angle glaucoma.
ARE OPTIC DISC HAEMORRHAGES A COMMON FINDING IN ALL GLAUCOMA PATIENTS?
Authors: AIRAKSINEN P. JUHANI
Published: May 2009

Disc haemorrhages are an important risk factor in development and progression of glaucomatous damage, but it is not known whether such bleedings can be found in all glaucoma patients. In this retrospective study of 1506 patients with manifest or suspected glaucoma, sequential optic disc stereo‐photographs revealed a disc haemorrhage in 94 cases. Distribution of the haemorrhagic and non‐haemorrhagic patients according to the frequency of photography indicates that the 2 groups of patients represent different glaucoma populations. Furthermore, patients who do not show a haemorrhage in 1 or .2 random examinations probably will not show a bleeding in the later follow‐up, either.
EARLY GLAUCOMA CHANGES IN PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT AN OPTIC DISC HAEMORRHAGE
Authors: AIRAKSINEN P. JUHANI , TUULONEN ANJA
Published: May 2009

Previous reports have shown that retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) observation is useful for detection of early glaucoma changes in patients with optic disc haemorrhage. Since disc haemorrhages are not a factor in all glaucoma patients this study was carried out in order to estimate the value of RNFL observation in patients whose first glaucoma damage developed without a haemorrhage. Evaluation of the retrospective data showed that RNFL defects were the first and only detectable glaucoma changes in 46% of haemorrhagic eyes and 26% of non‐haemorrhagic eyes. RNFL observation is useful in the follow‐up of ocular hypertensive patients for detection of very early glaucoma changes, regardless of whether the changes develop with or without an optic disc haemorrhage.
OPHTHALMOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN NEPHROPATHIA EPIDEMICA IN LAPLAND
Authors: SAARI K. M. , LUOTO S.
Published: May 2009

We report ophthalmological findings in 15 cases of nephropathia epidemica. The patients, 13 men and 2 women, were 20 to 62 (mean 30) years of age. The onset of the disease was characterized by high fever, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, backache, somnolence, red throat, proteinuria, and oliguria. The symptoms subsided rapidly during the polyuria stage. Transitory myopia occurred in 8 patients (53%). Conjunctival injection and haemorrhages were seen in 3 patients (20%). One patient had acute glaucoma with oedema in the cornea and shallowing of the anterior chamber, with subsequent anterior uveitis and haemorrhages in the ocular fundus, and another patient had acute glaucoma. Three patients had photophobia which occurred in 2 patients without any glaucoma or anterior uveitis.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY II
Authors: NIELSEN NIELS VESTI
Published: May 2009

The course of diabetic retinopathy was investigated in 273 out of 306 diabetics treated with oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) and 60 out of 72 diet‐treated diabetics in an epidemiological cohort study in a period of one year. In the OHA‐treated diabetics the allover prevalence of retinopathy did not change (P > 0.10) after one year (125/306 = 40.9% vs 122/273 = 44.7%). The one year incidence of new and deteriorated background was 3.7% and 6.6%, respectively. New cases of proliferative retinopathy developed in 1.1% and a worsening of pre‐existing proliferative retinopathy in 1.8%. Among diabetics with pre‐existing background retinopathy (n = 93) 14% progressed, and 2% became proliferative. A worsening of retinopathy occurred more frequently (P < 0.01) in diabetics with an onset age < 60 years and with a duration > 5 years. The incidence of partial sight and legal blindness due to retinopathy was 2.2% and 1.9%, respectively, among all diabetics. Among diet‐treated diabetics, 2 diabetics (3.3%) developed background retinopathy. None with preexisting background retinopathy showed any deterioration.
EXPERIENCES WITH IMPLANTATIONS OF THE SEMIFLEXIBLE McGHAN/3M, STYLE 70 ANTERIOR CHAMBER LENS
Authors: JENSEN KLAUS BO , EISGART FINN
Published: May 2009

A non‐selected group of patients totalling 174 eyes without contraindicating eye diseases had the semiflexible McGhan/3M, style 70 anterior chamber lens implanted as either a primary or a secondary procedure following intra‐capsular cataract extraction via a corneal incision. Three patients simultaneously underwent a penetrating keratoplasty. Vitreous loss and/or rupture of lens capsule did not contraindicate the lens implantation, and anterior vitrectomy was always performed when vitreous loss occurred. Initially lens implant diameter was calculated too high, causing a lens axial corneal astigmatism in 11 patients. In the remaining patients a reduced anterior chamber lens diameter was used, and corneal astigmatism was accordingly comparable to those of non‐anterior chamber implanted controls and did not differ significantly. Technical problems experienced in the procedure are reported and discussed. None of the implants had to be removed due to complications.
LASER TRABECULOPLASTY IN OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA
Authors: HOLMIN CATHARINA , BAUER BIRGITTA
Published: May 2009

In 23 eyes with glaucomatous field defects laser trabeculoplasty was performed. Applanation tonometry and computerized perimetry were carried out before and after the treatment. No favourable influence on the visual field could be demonstrated one month after the treatment, in spite of satisfying pressure regulation.
TWO CASES OF ACUTELY DEVELOPED CATARACT IN DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: VINDING TROELS , NIELSEN NIELS VESTI
Published: May 2009

A 14‐year‐old female with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus for 3 months, suddenly developed – in less than one day – a dense ‘snow‐flake cataract’ with severe visual impairment in the left eye. In hospital, 5 days later one morning, the patient experienced additional loss of vision in the right eye due to further rapid cataract development, in close relation to hypoglycaemia in the early morning. In another case, a 22‐year‐old diabetic woman, treated with insulin for 1 year, developed an acute diabetic cataract in less than one day with pronounced visual reduction. Previously, only a few cases of acutely developed and irreversible diabetic cataract have been published. The prevalence of this rare type of diabetic cataract is estimated to be below 1‰ among diabetics.
CORNEAL GRAFTS FOR ENDOTHELIAL DECOMPENSATION: THE INFLUENCE OF INTRAOCULAR LENSES ON CORNEAL GRAFT SURVIVAL
Authors: VÖLKER‐DIEBEN H.J. , ALPHEN C.C. KOK‐VAN , DE LANGE P.
Published: May 2009

Re‐examination of the fate of 136 corneal grafts for bullous keratopathy (secondary endothelial decompensation) revealed a decreased, but not significant, graft survival of those grafts compared to the total of 572 grafts in patients with a diagnosis other than bullous keratopathy, as well as a decreased graft survival when compared to the survival of the grafts for Fuchs dystrophy (primary endothelial decompensation). A statistically significant decreased graft survival (P = 0.015) was observed when corneal grafts performed in pseudophakic eyes with secondary endothelial decompensation were compared to those performed in aphakic eyes with secondary endothelial decompensation. An immunological explanation for this difference was not detected. The influence of an intraocular lens on corneal corneal graft survival was analyzed. Indications for removing or retaining the intraocular lens at the time of graft surgery are reported.
LONG TERM RESULTS OF CORNEAL GRAFTING IN FUCHS‘ ENDOTHELIAL DYSTROPHY
Authors: OLSEN THOMAS , EHLERS NIELS , FAVINI ELISABETTA
Published: May 2009

The long term results of grafting for Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy are reported in 25 patients with 33 penetrating keratoplasties, with a mean observation period of 50 months. 33% of the cases showed a visual acuity of 0.5 or better, while 42 % had a visual acuity less than 0.1. The cause of visual acuity less that 0.1 was largely permanent corneal oedema, which was observed to develop in 39% of the cases. Some of the causes of oedema were accounted for by graft rejection, glaucoma and other obvious causes, but in a significant number of cases (12% of all cases), the oedema developed as a quiet, slowly progressive oedema without any obvious aetiology. It is tentatively suggested that the recurrence of oedema might be associated with the primary disease in patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy.
THE THICKNESS OF THE HUMAN CORNEA AS DETERMINED BY A SPECULAR METHOD
Authors: OLSEN THOMAS , EHLERS NIELS
Published: May 2009

The thickness of the human cornea was measured by a simple accurate method which entails measurement of the distance between the anterior and the posterior corneal reflections when the cornea is illuminated at an angle. As compared to methods measuring the width of the optical section, the advantage of the method is that end‐points of measurement are clearly defined, providing a better basis for an exact estimation of the corneal thickness. The optical principle of the specular method is presented in a general form. The influence of physiological variation in corneal curvature and index of refracation is analysed and shown to cause an insignificant error on the standard thickness estimate. Using this method, the corneal thickness was measured in a random population sample of 115 normal subjects, aged 10–90 years. The corneal thickness was found to approximate a normal distribution with a mean value (± SD) of 0.515 mm (± 0.033). Asignificant decrease in corneal thickness with age of 0.0045 mm per decade was found.
EFFECT OF HEPES BUFFER ON CORNEAL STORAGE IN MK MEDIUM
Authors: HULL DAVID S. , GREEN KEITH , THOMAS LISA
Published: May 2009

Rabbit corneas were stored for 7 days in either MK medium containing gentamicin or modified MK medium containing HEPES buffer, gentamicin and phenol red. Corneas stored for 7 days in modified MK medium were thicker than corneas stored in MK medium. Corneal endothelial permeability to inulin and dextran was similar following 7 days of storage in either solution. Transmission electron microscopy of corneal endothelial cells stored in either solution showed intact cell membranes and organelles. In vitro perfusion of rabbit corneas in the specular microscope with Krebs Ringer bicarbonate containing HEPES buffer swelled at 17 ± 1 μm/h, whereas those perfused with Krebs Ringer bicarbonate alone swelled at 7 ± μm/h. Perfusion with Krebs Ringer bicarbonate containing phenol red did not result in an increased corneal swelling rate. The work indicates that HEPES buffer has an adverse effect on corneal endothelial pumping function, and this results in corneal swelling during storage as well as during perfusion in the specular microscope. The adverse effect appears to be, at least in part, transient: however, the ultimate, long term effect of HEPES buffer on corneas stored prior to penetrating keratoplasty is not known and deserves continued investigation.
CORNEAL FINDINGS IN A FOETUS WITH FABRY'S DISEASE
Authors: TSUTSUMI ATSUKO , UCHIDA YUKIO , KANAI TAKAO , TSUTSUMI OSAMU , SATOH KAZUO , SAKAMOTO SHOICHI
Published: May 2009

The cornea of a 22‐week foetus with Fabry's disease was examined biochemically and histopathologically. The α‐galactosidase activity in the cornea was very low compared with that of the normal control. Histopathologic examination revealed that intracytoplasmic: lamellar bodies surrounded by a single membrane were present in the epithelial cells. The lamellar bodies were thought to result from the abnormal accumulation of ceramide trihexoside. We conclude that ceramide trihexoside already has begun to accumulate progressively in the epithelial cells in the mid‐trimester of gestation.