S/e-PTFE episcleral buckling implants: an experimental and histopathologic study.

To investigate tissue changes induced by the implantation of a silicone band coated with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (S/e-PTFE) used as scleral buckling, an experimental and histopathological study was performed in rabbits. The right eyes of eight rabbits were implanted for 28-85 days with S/e-PTFE. No complications were encountered in any of the eyes, so histopathological examinations could be performed.

Is age-related macular degeneration associated with serum lipoprotein and lipoparticle levels?

Objective: The etiology of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is poorly understood. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been thought to be associated with ARMD. Our purpose was to measure the concentration of atherogenic apolipoproteins (apo) and lipoparticles in serum from ARMD patients.

[Corneal herpes: what's new?].

The prognosis of herpetic keratitis has been dramatically improved during the past years because of a better understanding of their physio-pathologic phenomenons, and mostly because of the use of very efficient antiviral drugs. Superficial keratitis are easily cured in most cases; deep stromal keratitis, that often require corticosteroid treatment, are more difficult to heal. Prophylactic treatment of the recurrences by oral antiviral drugs represents a promising new concept for herpetic keratitis.

Utilization of refractive surgery technology in keratoconus and corneal transplants.

Keratoconus is considered a contraindication for refractive surgery because of the potential corneal instability following surgery. On the other hand, penetrating keratoplasty is the usual surgical modality when the keratoconic patient cannot tolerate a contact lens. In some selected cases, when the central cornea is still transparent, refractive surgical procedures, particularly Intacs implantation, may be used to help the patient to improve visual function.

[Ligneous conjunctivitis: a case report].

We report a case of ligneous conjunctivitis in a young patient and we describe the clinical findings and the histological aspects of the lesions, which allows us to sum up the treatment of this rare disorder. We recommend the use of topical ciclosporine, heparin, and corticosteroids. To conclude we analyse the different way in which the disease can evolue.

[Pharmacologic stimulation of ejaculation with midodrine hydrochloride (Gutron) for medically assisted reproduction in spinal injury].

Introduction: Midodrine hydrochloride (Gutron) is proposed to induce ejaculation in spinal injury patients desiring paternity as an alternative to vibromassage, electrostimulated ejaculation and surgical collection of spermatozoa. The authors report their experience in 10 spinal injury patients.

Patients And Methods: 14 trials of pharmacologically-induced ejaculation were performed in a context of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) in 10 spinal injury patients (7 with paraplegia > T11; 1 with paraplegia < or = T11; 2 with quadriplegia) an average of 4.

Voices of hope. Hearing and caring for Haitian adolescents.

Although much research has been conducted on the effects of migration on the psychosocial evolution of various ethnic groups, only limited information exists about the meaning of migration for Haitian adolescents. Haitian adolescents, in addition to experiencing the trials of adolescence, often feel a sense of loss and confusion when they are forced to leave their homeland. This phenomenological study focuses on the experience of being a Haitian adolescent living in South Florida.

Intracapsular ring sustained 5-fluorouracil delivery system for the prevention of posterior capsule opacification in rabbits: a histological study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of an intracapsular ring releasing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in preventing posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in rabbit eyes.

Setting: Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA, and Chu Morvan, Department d'Ophtalmologie, University of Brest, France.

Methods: Seventeen rabbits were divided into 3 groups: Group 1, 6 rabbits (6 eyes), had phacoemulsification only (control group); Group 2, 6 rabbits (6 eyes), had phacoemulsification with implantation of an open-loop hydrogel intracapsular ring; Group 3, 5 rabbits (5 eyes), had phacoemulsification with implantation of a ring with sustained release of 0.

Ocular surface changes induced by contact lens wear.

Purpose: To evaluate subclinical inflammation and mucus production of the conjunctiva in asymptomatic contact lens (CL) wearers, and to obtain an estimation of the chronologic variations in each group.

Methods: Eighteen eyes fitted with rigid CL (RCL) and 28 eyes with soft CL (SCL) worn daily were compared with 10 eyes from five healthy non-CL wearers. Impression cytology (IC) specimens were collected after clinical examination and were analyzed by flow cytometry using antibodies directed to HLA DR and intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1) (CD 54), as inflammatory markers, and to the peptidic core of the conjunctival mucin (M1/MUC5AC) for mucus and goblet cell detection.

INTACS inserts for treating keratoconus: one-year results.

Objective: To evaluate the use of INTACS micro-thin prescription inserts (Kera Vision, Inc., Fremont, CA) for the treatment of keratoconus.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized (self-controlled) comparative trial.

[Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis].

Based on a case report and a review of the literature, the authors describe the features of bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis. This rare disease with a poor prognosis constitutes a difficult clinical diagnosis. The positive diagnosis is based on urgent computed tomography.

[Excimer surface photoablation versus Lasik for correction of mild myopia].

Introduction: Above -6 diopters, Lasik procedure has shown its superiority in term of predictibility, efficacy and stability. In the adverse, in the field of low myopia, Lasik and surface excimer photoablation (PRK) are very controversial. We compare quantitative and qualitative outcome achieved in series of 25 PRK operated patients and 25 Lasik.

Evidence for spinodal decomposition in nuclear multifragmentation.

Multifragmentation of a "fused system" was observed for central collisions between 32 MeV/nucleon 129Xe and (nat)Sn. Most of the resulting charged products were well identified due to the high performances of the INDRA 4pi array. Experimental higher-order charge correlations for fragments show a weak but nonambiguous enhancement of events with nearly equal-sized fragments.

[Motivation of candidates for refractive surgery].

Purpose: To determine the profile and motivations of patients who are candidates for refractive surgery.

Material: and

Methods: We studied 102 patients with low myopia (less than 6 diopters) in a single-center investigation.

Results: Among the total population studied, the motivation for refractive surgery was essentially comfort and appearance.

[Potential association of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)].

Purpose: Authors report an unexpected association between PEX and ARMD. It was an additional result of a study, that analysed possible systemic symptoms of pseudoexfoliation material in visceral organs. They reviewed literature data for both, concerning epidemiology and physiopathogeny.

Effect of left renal vein division during aortic surgery on renal function.

A total of 398 consecutive patients underwent surgery for an aneurysm or occlusive disease of the aorta at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital between December 1994 and October 1998. It was necessary to divide the left renal vein in 58 (14.6%) cases.

Correcting keratoconus with intracorneal rings.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of intrastromal corneal ring technology (Intacs, KeraVision) to correct keratoconus without central corneal scarring.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Brest University Hospital, Brest, France.

Methods: In this prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series, Intacs segments were implanted in 10 keratoconic eyes with clear central corneas and contact lens intolerance after corneal pachymetry was checked.

[Excimer photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) versus intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) for correction of low myopia].

Purpose: Theoretical differences between ablative and additive surgeries are obvious, but what about final outcome? We decide to compare surface excimer photorefractive ablation (PRK) with Intracorneal segments (Intacs or ICRS) for correction of low myopia.

Material: and

Method: Two homogeneous groups of 25 low pure myopic patients were considered: group A including patients operated with Excimer and group B corresponding to Intacs implanted eyes. Retrospective analysis was performed and compared data achieved at two years follow-up, in term of refractive results and qualitative vision.

Effect of intrastromal corneal ring segment shift on clinical outcome: one year results for low myopia.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) shift on clinical outcome.

Setting: Chu Morvan Ophthalmology Service, Brest, France.

Methods: Forty-seven eyes with myopia from -1.

Levels of collagen degradation products (telopeptides) in the tear film of patients with keratoconus.

Purpose: Levels of collagen degradation products (telopeptides) in the tear film of patients with keratoconus were measured to study the release of telopeptides in the tears.

Methods: Tear samples were collected from 26 keratoconus patients and 36 age-similar human control subjects. Levels of telopeptides were quantified and compared between the two groups.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of valaciclovir and acyclovir for the treatment of herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of valaciclovir and acyclovir in immunocompetent patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Design: A multicenter, randomized, double-masked study.

Participants: One hundred ten immunocompetent patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus diagnosed within 72 hours of skin eruption were treated; 56 were allocated to the valaciclovir group and 54 to the acyclovir group.