Anterior approach ptosis surgery: comparison of absorbable polyglactin sutures and non-absorbable polyester sutures. Does Vicryl stand the test of time?

Purpose: To determine whether the long-term success of ptosis surgery is influenced by the use of absorbable or non-absorbable sutures to advance the levator aponeurosis onto the tarsal plate.

Methods: Multi-centre retrospective comparative study of re-operation rates in primary anterior approach ptosis surgery using absorbable polyglactin sutures (Vicryl) and non-absorbable polyester sutures (Ethibond). The Medisoft audit tool was used to identify all patients who underwent primary ptosis surgery for aponeurotic ptosis, performed by five oculoplastic consultants within a 7-year period, across two NHS Ophthalmology departments.

Pseudophakic negative dysphotopsia and intraocular lens orientation: a prospective double-masked randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To determine whether horizontal orientation of the intraocular lens optic-haptic junctions has an effect on the incidence of pseudophakic negative dysphotopsia.

Methods: Single-centre prospective double-masked randomized controlled trial. 220 eyes of 201 participants undergoing routine cataract surgery were randomized to receive their intraocular lens either orientated with the optic-haptic junctions at 180° ('horizontal') or without manipulation following implantation (control).

Treatment of diabetic maculopathy.

Diabetic maculopathy is an important cause of severe sight impairment. There has been a significant evolution in its treatment over the past decade and laser treatment is now largely being superseded by intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents or corticosteroids.

Bilateral sequential non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy following repeat influenza vaccination.

A 68-year-old man developed bilateral sequential non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, each episode occurring with a close temporal relationship to influenza vaccination.

Sensitivity to numerosity is not a unique visuospatial psychophysical predictor of mathematical ability.

Sensitivity to visual numerosity has previously been shown to predict human mathematical performance. However, it is not clear whether it is discrimination of numerosity per se that is predictive of mathematical ability, or whether the association is driven by more general task demands. To test this notion we had over 300 participants (ranging in age from 6 to 73 years) perform a symbolic mathematics test and 4 different visuospatial matching tasks.