bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Graft survival and risk factors of penetrating keratoplasty for microbial keratitis
Authors: Lomholt Jeanet A. , Ehlers Niels 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTPurpose: To evaluate graft survival rates and prognostic factors in relation to penetrating keratoplasty for microbial keratitis.Methods: The records of 95 patients treated with penetrating keratoplasty for microbial keratitis during a twenty‐year period were reviewed. Data were analysed by construction of survival curves using the Kaplan‐Meier non parametric method.Results: The overall survival of a clear cornea was 72% after one year, 71% after two years and 52% after five years. A significantly lower survival rate (p<0.05) was found in the presence of preoperative local risk factors such as wear of contact lenses and trauma and in inflamed eyes. In contrast, systemic diseases like diabetes, cancer or rheumatoid arthritis did not affect survival and neither did recipient age nor the degree of vascularization of the eye. Male donor buttons showed superior survival compared to female ones (p < 0.05), while females seemed to constitute the best recipients. Recurrence rates of microbial keratitis postoperatively were 11%, 16% and 24% after one, two and five years, respectively. Corresponding graft rejection rates were 9%, 15% and 27%.Conclusions: Patients suffering from microbial keratitis have a relatively high risk of graft failure. To improve the prognosis care should be taken to minimize local risk factors. Surgery should whenever possible be performed on quiet eyes. The unexpected finding of a better prognosis for male donor buttons might suggest the preferred use of male donors in patients suffering from microbial keratitis, but the observation needs further documentation.
Senile entropion ‐ cure rate by retractor tightening and horizontal shortening
Authors: Hedin Anders 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTPurpose: In order to clarify the efficiency of two operations aimed at curing the principal causes of senile entropion, a consecutive series of patients were examined.Material: In 19 lids, the lower lid retractors were tightened transcutaneously and in 45 a simultaneous horizontal lid shortening was performed. Surgery was uneventful in all cases. The patients were reexamined 7–53 months after surgery.Results: In the group with mere retractor surgery were five recurrences; all lids that also had a horizontal shortening were satisfactorily cured.Conclusion: Lower eyelid retractor tightening with simultaneous horizontal shortening of the lid is recommended to correct senile operation with a lasting result.
Photographic detection of retinopathy in insulin‐treated diabetes
Authors: Kuiv Reet , Tein Pille , Algvere Peep V. , Bäcklund Lars B. , Holm Olle 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTPurpose: To perform a cross‐sectional baseline investigation of diabetic retinopathy prevalence and metabolic control.Methods: Using a register of insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus in Tartu (pop. 104,791), 175 patients were invited to fundus photography; 149 (89%) participated, 99 of them diagnosed with diabetes before the age of thirty. Four Kodach‐rome 64 photographs per eye were taken with a Canon CR4 ‐ 45NM camera through tropicamide‐dilated pupils; slides were projected and systematically graded. Capillary blood samples (n = 132) for HbA1c determination were mailed on filter paper. Following cysteine buffer elution, Mono S ion exchange chroma‐tography was performed (reference range 3.7 to 5.3%).Results: Any diabetic retinopathy was found in 114 patients (76.5%; 95% confidence interval, CI, 70 to 83%); mild to moderate non‐proliferative retinopathy in 59 (40%; 95% CI 32 to 48%); severe non‐proliferative retinopathy in 29 (19.5%; 95% CI 13 to 26%); proliferative retinopathy in 26 (17%; 95% CI 11 to 24%); 47 patients (32%) needed laser photocoagulation. Vitreous haemorrhage was observed in 9 (6%) of subjects. In patients diagnosed with diabetes before the age of 30 years, prevalence of any retinopathy was 82% (95% CI 73 to 89%) and of proliferative retinopathy 23% (95% CI 15 to 33%). Median HbA1c was 9.7% for women and 8.6% for men (95% CI for difference 0.7 to 2.1%).Conclusion: Retinopathy prevalences (76–82%) are the highest reported from population‐based studies. Glycaemia levels were very high and should be gradually lowered. Methods capable of validation can be successfully introduced for population‐based assessment of hyperglycaemia and retinopathy prevalences.
Corneal anesthesia in a case with Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada syndrome
Authors: Brouzas Dimitrios , Chatzoulis Dimitrios , Galina Eleni , Liaskou Aikaterini , Koukoulomatis Pavlos 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTPurpose: To add clinical features to the discription of the Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada syndrome.Method: Case report.Results: The case presented with a typical medical history of Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada syndrome, including headaches, low‐grade fever, nuchal rigidity, and from the eyes bilateral visual loss, a reaction from the anterior chambers, bilateral uveities with localized exudative retinal detachment from the left. In addition there were tonic pupils, anesthesia of the corneas, and an accommodative deficit.Conclusion: Corneal anesthesia, tonic pupils and accommodative impairment can be features of the Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada syndrome.
Metastatic bacterial endophthalmitis
Authors: Piczenik Yoa , Kjer Birgit , Fledelius Hans C. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTPurpose: To draw attention to the rare but severe entity of endophthalmitis as encountered due to metastatic spread of bacteria.Methods: We report our experience from four cases of metastatic bacterial endophthalmitis.Results: Systemic infection (Pneumococcus meningitis) was evident in two cases, but in the other two there was no early clue to systemic infection. Eventually, however, endocardial vegetations were disclosed as the source of bacterial emboli (E.coli, peptostreptococcus). In the most atypical patient, magnetic resonance scanning had indicated disseminated brain tumours, and only autopsy revealed the infectious nature of the disease. Ocular ultrasonography being part of the work‐up, the four eyes under study all showed marked morphological intraocular changes, including ‘solid tumour’ in the presumed neoplastic case.Conclusion: Our cases stress the severity of metastatic bacterial endophthalmitis and the easily missed early diagnosis, even where experienced clinicians are involved. The role of diagnostic ultrasound is discussed.
Assessment of visual acuity in adult patients with strabismic amblyopia: A comparison between the preferential looking method and different acuity charts
Authors: Rydberg Agneta 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Grating acuity values obtained with preferential looking techniques do not correspond to test results obtained with letter charts. The aim of the study was to investigate the agreement between grating acuity and other acuity tests.Methods: Twenty‐eight adult patients with strabismic amblyopia were assessed with the preferential looking‐method and other linear and single letter and symbol tests.Results: Assessment with preferential looking regularly led to an overestimation of the acuity values, but between preferential looking and single optotypes there was a much better agreement. This is most likely due to ‘crowding’ in strabismic amblyopia. A crowding ratio was calculated in the amblyopic eye, and crowding was found to be more prominent for comparisons of preferential looking with optotypes in rows, than for preferential looking and single optotypes.Conclusions: Strabismic amblyopia cannot be reliably identified with grating acuity. Preferential looking‐testing is therefore of limited use as a screening method for the detection of amblyopia, but preferential looking could still be useful in the assessment and treatment.
Measurement of thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer by scanning laser polarimetry and high‐pass resolution perimetry in patients with primary open‐angle or normal‐tension glaucoma
Authors: Shirakashi Motohiro , Abe Haruki , Sawaguchi Shoichi , Funaki Shigeo 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between neural capacity, determined by high‐pass resolution perimetry, and thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, evaluated by scanning laser polarimetry, in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma or normal‐tension glaucoma.Methods: Thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer was measured by scanning laser polarimetry in 19 eyes of 19 patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma and in 23 eyes of 23 patients with normal‐tension glaucoma. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean age, sex ratio, or mean neural capacity.Results: Neural capacity was significantly correlated with thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer in all 42 eyes (r = 0.31, P = 0.0429). Neural capacity was significantly correlated with thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer in the eyes of patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (r = 0.60, P = 0.0061), but not in the eyes of patients with normal‐tension glaucoma (r = 0.04; P = 0.8522).Conclusion: The degree of correlation between neural capacity determined by high‐pass resolution perimetry and thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer measured by scanning laser polarimetry appeared to differ in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma vs those with normal‐tension glaucoma.
Topography of corneal grafts before and after penetrating keratoplasty
Authors: Hjortdal Jesper Ø. , Ehlers Niels , Erdmann Lotte 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Refractive error after penetrating keratoplasty is a major clinical problem. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the topography of the donor cornea influence the topography of the graft after transplantation.Methods: Twenty‐five donor corneas were measured with a video‐keratograph (TMS‐1): in situ and before and after organ culture. Clinical video‐keratographic images of the transplanted grafts were subsequently obtained one week, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. The central spherical equivalent power and corresponding regular and irregular astigmatic powers were computed.Results: A statistically significant correlation between spherical equivalent central donor power and spherical equivalent central graft power after keratoplasty was found at all times up to two years after surgery. Only 13–50% of the variation in post‐keratoplasty spherical graft power could, however, be explained by the donor graft power. Corresponding 95% confidence limits for prediction of post‐keratoplasty power from donor graft power were approximately ± 6.5 diopters. Post‐keratoplasty regular or irregular corneal astigmatism did not correlate with astigmatism in the donor graft.Conclusion: Corneal donor graft spherical equivalent power does influence the spherical equivalent corneal power after keratoplasty, especially during the first months after surgery. The dependency is, however, not very strong and until other determinants of post‐keratoplasty corneal shape are known and controllable, ‘power‐typing’ of donor corneas appears to be of limited clinical use.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in normal human corneal epithelium: Detection and physiological importance
Authors: van Setten Gysbert B. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Corneal neovascularization is a major challenge following chemical burns and corneal inflammation. The factors triggering corneal neovascularization involve various growth factors. In the release and control of these factors the regenerating tissue plays a decisive role. Only recently has vascular endothelial growth factor been shown to be involved in the basic events of retinal neovascularization. From the cornea current knowledge allows only for the statement that corneal epithelium could be able to produce vascular endothelial growth factor. The present study was designed to show the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor‐like substances in the corneal epithelium of the normal eye in vivo.Methods: Using specific antibodies to the N‐terminus of human vascular endothelial growth factor indirect immuno‐histochemistry was applied to sections of normal human corneal epithelium and to five sections of enucleated human eyes with a morphologically normal anterior segment.Results: In all sections specific staining for vascular endothelial growth factor was found over the entire epithelium. Staining was most intense in the basal layer of epithelial cells. Only a weak staining was detectable in the cell layers closer to the surface. Here, however, the samples of corneal epithelium having been subject to traumatic erosion showed a slightly more intense staining than the sections from the undisturbed corneal tissue of whole globe sections.Conclusion: It was shown that vascular endothelial growth factor‐like protein is present in the human corneal epithelium. Observed differences in the staining pattern could suggest that the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor might be enhanced due to ocular surface trauma. It is suggested that corneal epithel vascular endothelial growth factor might be an important factor in the cascade leading to te onset of corneal neovascularization
Indocyanine green angiography and transmission defects
Authors: Schneider Ulrike , Sherif‐Adel Saleh , Gelisken Faik , Kreissig Ingrid 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Several reports have suggested that indocyanine green angiography is of value in identifying late hyperfluorescent subretinal tissue presumed to be choroidal neovascularization. However, fluorescein angiography may also reveal late hyperfluorescence from transmission defects caused by atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium. We studied the indocyanine green angiographic characteristics of transmission defects to determine if indocyanine green angiography can differentiate choroidal neovascularization from the retinal pigment epithelium atrophy.Methods: Indocyanine green angiograms of 23 eyes with geographic atrophy secondary to age‐related macular degeneration and without any signs or history of choroidal neovascularization were reviewed.Results: Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated late hypofluorescence of various degrees in the area of geographic atrophy. There was no evidence of late hyperfluorescence.Conclusion: Late hyperfluorescence evident on fluorescein angiography which can be caused by choroidal neovascularization or transmission defects is not seen in retinal pigment epithelium atrophy imaged by indocyanine green angiography. According to these results indocyanine green angiography is useful to differentiate occult choroidal neovascularization from areas of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy.
Pulsatile ocular blood flow in untreated diabetic retinopathy
Authors: MacKinnon Jane R. , O'Brien Colm , Swa Kenneth , Aspinall Peter , Butt Zahida , Cameron Donald 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To measure the pulsatile component of total ocular blood flow in patients with untreated diabetic retinopathy.Subjects and Methods: An adapted pneumotonometer attached to a slit‐lamp biomicroscope. 82 age‐matched subjects divided into 4 groups: non‐diabetic controls (n = 22); diabetics with no clinical retinopathy (n = 20); background diabetic retinopathy (n = 20); pre‐proliferative/proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 20).Results: The mean pulsatile ocular blood flow values were found to be increased in all grades of diabetic retinopathy (no retinopathy 818 μl/min, background 1015 μl/min, pre‐proliferative/proliferative 1097 μl/min) compared to the control group (644 μl/min). These pulsatile ocular blood flow values were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the background and pre‐proliferative/proliferate retinopathy groups compared to controls. Pulse volume and pulse amplitude were also higher in the diabetic subjects. Mean arterial blood pressure did not differ across the groups studied.Conclusion: Pulsatile ocular blood flow was found to be higher in diabetics compared to controls and appears to increase as the severity of retinopathy progresses. Such a hyperdynamic circulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic eye disease.
A perimetric learner's index
Authors: Olsson Jonny , Åsman Peter , Heijl Anders 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Certain individuals need earlier perimetric experience before producing normal fields on automated static threshold perimetry. Mid‐peripheral depressions and an unaffected central field are typical findings in such cases. We have devised a learner's index, to detect defect patterns that may be due to such perimetric inexperience.Methods: The central visual field was partitioned into 5 concentric zones and averages of deviations from the age‐corrected normal threshold values were studied in each zone. The third test session in 74 randomly selected normal subjects provided an experienced reference material. Visual field results typical of normal individuals lacking perimetric experience were represented by the first field test obtained from each of 7 subjects (‘learners’) from the same group, who showed significant learning during three test sessions. A linear discriminant function, learner's index, was constructed that discriminates between typically experienced and typically inexperienced field results in normals.Results: Average deviation from age‐corrected normal threshold increased with increasing eccentricity in the learner's initial fields. Clinical examples illustrate the intended use of the new index.Conclusions: The learner's index highlights those first field tests from eyes with normal visual fields, that deviate significantly from a normal experienced result in the direction of a learner's result. Patients showing significant learner's index are candidates for repeated visual field testing.
Management of ocular hypertension and open angle glaucoma: Clinical practice and computer‐assisted decision‐making
Authors: Wanger Peter , Martin Lene 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of computerized decision support in the management of patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.Method: Based on a Swedish consensus document a computer program was developed, which provided one of 25 different recommendations for appropriate action. In 373 patient visits to seven different eye clinics, the program's recommendations were compared to the actual decisions made by the responsible ophthalmologists.Results: Notable differences were observed between the clinics' management strategies, especially regarding follow‐up frequency and start or increase of anti‐glaucoma treatment. The program's recommendations conformed with the clinical decisions in 23 to 92% of the cases when a standard management strategy was simulated. The concordance increased to 93 to 100%, when policy differences between the clinics were taken into account.Conclusion: Clinical decision‐making in the management of patients with ocular hypertension or open angle glaucoma can be implemented in a computer program. The optimum management protocol remains to be defined.
Phacoemulsification trabeculectomy compared to other methods of combined cataract and glaucoma surgery
Authors: Anand N. , Menage M. J. , Bailey C. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To compare three methods of combined cataract extraction and glaucoma surgery.Methods: Retrospective review of 35 eyes of patients who had extracapsular cataract extraction and trabeculectomy using a corneoscleral incision (SAME), 54 eyes undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction and trabeculectomy using a separated corneal incision for cataract extraction and 43 eyes undergoing pha‐coemulsification and trabeculectomy.Results: Ninety‐one percent of the eyes in the SAME group, 85% of the SEPARATE group and 97% of the phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy group had an IOP <22 mmHg at 6 months with or without medication (NS). Postoperative visual acuity and astigmatism were not significantly different between the groups. The number of eyes requiring YAG laser capsulotomy was significantly greater in the extracapsular cataract extraction and trabeculectomy (same and separated incision) as compared to the phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy group (P< 0.001).Conclusion: Phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy was not significantly more successful than the other methods of combined surgery. Although complication rates were similar, visual rehabilitation was faster and there was a reduced incidence of early posterior capsule opacification.
Interferon α for ocular Behçet's disease
Authors: Pivetti‐Pezzi Paola , Accorinti Massimo , Pirraglia Maria Pia , Priori Roberta , Valesini Guido 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic role of interferon α in ocular Behçet's disease.Methods: Three patients with B‐ or C‐hepatitis and ocular sight‐threatening Behçet's disease unresponsive to steroids were treated subcutaneously with interferon α 3 times 106/unit three times per week for a mean period of 22 months (range: 12–31 months). The course of ocular and systemic lesions was recorded and compared with a similar pre‐treatment period.Results: At least a 50% reduction in the number of ocular relapses was observed in all the patients (mean relapse/month: 0.41 versus 0.16 in the pre‐ and in‐treatment period, respectively) while during therapy also each relapse lasted less in all subjects. A reduction of steroid dependence was observed in all patients, while no significant side‐effects were related to interferon α administration. Two patients who tried to stop interferon α therapy showed after a mean period of 12.5 days a recurrence of diffuse uveitis and, one of them experienced oral and genital aphthae as well.Conclusion: In patients with Behçet's disease interferon α seems to be a useful alternative therapy for sight‐threatening ocular involvement.
Retinoblastoma which developed in microphthalmia
Authors: Lee Jong Soo , Shin Young Kun , Geun Jung , Oum Boo Sup 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT.We report a rare case of retinoblastoma which developed in unilateral microphthalmia. A 4‐year‐old girl presented with a large, intraocular mass in microphthalmia without a family history of retinoblastoma. The eyeball was enucleated due to rapid growth of the intraocular tumor. Microscopically it proved to be a retinoblastoma with some Flexner‐Wintersteiner rosettes. This unusual case shows that retinoblastoma should not be excluded just because the eye is small, particularly if the family history is not available or is incomplete.
The importance of plasma polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase determination in patients with uveitis
Authors: Akyol Nurettin , Deĝer Orhan , Erdöl Hidayet , Gedik Yusuf , Örem Asim , Imamoglu Halil Ibrahim 
Published: May 2009

AbstractPurpose: Polymorphonuclear elastase is used as an important marker for inflammatory disease. We wanted to show whether polymorphonuclear elastase could be a marker in uveitis.Methods: Twenty‐two patients with uveitis and 30 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Polymorphonuclear elastase levels were determined by immunoactivation method before and after periods of corticosteroid and/or ciclosporin treatments.Results: The levels were high in all of the patients before treatment; the levels reached normal range with treatment. In some cases, however, uveitis could not be suppressed in spite of treatment; these patients had high polymorphonuclear elastase levels.Conclusion: It was concluded that determination of polymorphonuclear elastase level may be used for monitoring of uveitis.