Fungal isolation from disinfectant solutions of contact lens storage cases among asymptomatic users.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of fungal contamination of store disinfectant solutions contained in contact lens storage cases belonging to asymptomatic contact lens users.

Methods: Asymptomatic contact lens users were asked to bring their storage cases, lenses included, without having opened the lid of the cup after placing lenses inside. The following information was recorded: age, sex, type of refractive error, contact lens material, schedule of wear, and brand of disinfectant solution.

Opacification of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens attributable to calcification: investigation on mechanism.

Purpose: To identify the nature and to investigate the biochemical mechanisms leading to late opacification of implanted hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Design: Retrospective laboratory investigation.

Methods: setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Patras and FORTH-ICEHT, Greece.

The effect of nasal steroid administration on intraocular pressure.

The effect of systemic steroid administration on intraocular pressure (IOP) is well established. However less attention has been paid to the effect of steroids when administered in a nasal spray. We conducted a study to investigate a possible association between nasal steroids and elevated IOP in 54 patients who were being treated for allergic rhinitis.

Ocular trauma in a Greek population: review of 899 cases resulting in hospitalization.

Purpose: To determine the annual hospitalization rate and risk factors of eye injuries requiring hospitalization in an area of Greece.

Methods: Retrospective case analysis of 899 consecutive patients with ocular injury admitted at the Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital at Patras Medical School, Greece, over a 9-year period.

Results: The average annual rate of hospitalized ocular injuries was 71.

Ulcerative keratitis in contact lens wearers.

Purpose: To determine the clinical microbiological characteristics of corneal ulcers in contact lens wearers.

Methods: A retrospective study of 23 patients admitted to our department with contact lens-related corneal ulcers during a 43-month period. Detailed demographic data, the type of contact lens, duration of lens wear, and wearing schedule were derived from a self-administered questionnaire.

Severe ocular injuries in Greek children.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological characteristics of severe eye injuries in childhood, in a mixed urban and rural Greek setting.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 95 cases (103 eyes) of eye injuries in children younger than 17 years of age admitted to the Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Patras, Greece, during a five-year period. The data were analyzed with respect to age, sex, type, cause and mode of injury, method of management, duration of hospitalization and final visual deficit.