The role of bimatoprost eyelash gel in chemotherapy-induced madarosis: an analysis of efficacy and safety.

Objectives: Breast cancer patients suffer from madarosis (loss of eyelashes) due to chemotherapy side effects. An effective treatment or prevention for alopecia or madarosis induced by chemotherapy is not available. Potential drug side effects of bimatoprost solution include increased eyelash length, darkness, and number.

A histological analysis of the Müllerectomy: redefining its mechanism in ptosis repair.

Background: The goals of this study were to determine whether the surgical target amount of Müller's muscle removed is consistent with the histological amount obtained, to assess the clinical outcome of ptosis repair based on these amounts, and to evaluate the role of the levator aponeurosis in the procedure.

Methods: The Müllerectomy procedure was performed on eight eyelids of four cadavers and eight eyelids of seven patients (six unilateral, one bilateral). Histologically, the dimensions of the Müller and levator muscles were measured in the specimens removed.

Development of a community mobility skills course for people who use mobility devices.

Objective: We assessed mobility device skills in a lived-in environment on a community mobility skills course (CMSC) and related those skills to previously demonstrated skills in a controlled environment on an inside mobility skills course (IMSC).

Method: Six mobility device users were selected from 91 adults who had previously completed the IMSC. Each of the following device groups was represented: power wheelchair, manual wheelchair, scooter, cane, crutch, and walker.

Enhanced enlargement of silicone ocular prostheses achieved by silicone gel (MED-361).

Recently, silicone prostheses have been used instead of acrylic ocular prostheses. The authors sought to assess the ability of silicone gel to facilitate the growth of an ocular silicone prosthesis and to determine the best application modality to achieve maximal possible growth. Two ocular prostheses with similar baseline dimensions and contour were used for comparison of growth environment.

The allocation of time in decision-making.

We study the allocation of time across decision problems. If a decision-maker (1) has noisy estimates of value, (2) improves those estimates the longer he or she analyzes a choice problem, and (3) allocates time optimally, then the decision-maker should spend less time choosing when the difference in value between two options is relatively large. To test this prediction we ask subjects to make 27 binary incentive-compatible intertemporal choices, and measure response time for each decision.

Influence of a Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Services Program on the lives of persons with mobility impairments.

Objective: To examine the effects of a consumer-directed personal assistance services (CDPAS) program on the lives of persons with disabilities.

Methods: Thirteen individuals receiving paid agency-directed PAS services before enrollment in a CDPAS program (Agency Group) and 40 individuals receiving only unpaid PAS before enrollment (Informal Group) participated in this prospective study. In-home interviews were conducted just prior to CDPAS enrollment and again 6 months after CDPAS enrollment.

Intraocular pressure change in orbital disease.

Intraocular pressure change has been found concurrent with many orbital pathologies, particularly those involving proptosis. The objective of this review is to offer an inclusive classification of orbital disease-related intraocular pressure change, not only for oculoplastics and glaucoma specialists, but also for general ophthalmologists. Various orbital conditions associated with increased intraocular pressure and glaucoma are comprehensively summarized, and pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment options of these diseases are discussed.

Individual laboratory-measured discount rates predict field behavior.

We estimate discount rates of 555 subjects using a laboratory task and find that these individual discount rates predict inter-individual variation in field behaviors (e.g., exercise, BMI, smoking).

The influence of verbal training and visual feedback on manual wheelchair propulsion.

Purpose: To determine if verbal training with visual feedback improved manual wheelchair propulsion; to examine propulsion differences between an individual with paraplegia and an individual with tetraplegia.

Method: Quasi-experimental study: Nine manual wheelchair-using adults participated in propulsion assessments and training. Baseline propulsion performance was measured on several tasks on different surfaces.

Safety and efficacy of silicone rod frontalis suspension surgery for childhood ptosis repair.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of silicone rod frontalis suspension surgery for childhood ptosis.

Methods: The authors retrospectively studied 89 consecutive children (110 eyelids) who had silicone rod frontalis suspension surgery for ptosis at Duke University Eye Center from 1983 to 2004. Marginal reflex distance1 (MRD1) elevation of 2 mm or more (vs preoperative MRD1) was considered satisfactory.

Patient-preferred sites of restylane injection in periocular and facial soft-tissue augmentation.

Purpose: To determine patient-preferred injection sites and frequency for facial volume augmentation with nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid (Restylane).

Methods: : The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 145 consecutive patients who received 0.4 ml or 1.

Stage IV primitive-appearing sinus and orbital rhabdomyosarcoma presenting in a 68-year-old female previously treated for breast cancer.

A 68-year-old female who had undergone treatment several years previously for breast cancer presented with diplopia and unilateral proptosis and exposure keratopathy related to biopsy-proven rhabdomyosarcoma of the sinus and orbit. Further evaluation revealed multiple metastatic lesions felt to have originated from the primary sinus and orbital tumor. Histopathologic examination showed primitive-appearing rhabdomyosarcoma with some features suggestive of the alveolar subtype.