Analytic methods in assessment of optic nerve cupping.

The intent of this paper is to provide a systems-based analysis of the methods used to evaluate optic nerve cupping, identify potential flaws in these systems, and propose alternatives better to assess this anatomic quantity. Estimation of optic nerve cupping requires an analytic understanding of both the psychophysical as well as the mathematical bases inherent in this measure. When the (decimal-based) cup-to-disc ratio is used to quantitate optic nerve cupping, a one-dimensional, linear estimate is produced, which in turn is derived from two- or three-dimensional, non-linear physical quantities of area or volume, respectively.

Seeking innovation: incentive funding for biodefense biotechs.

In the current venture capital climate, it is easier to secure funding for late-stage, next-in-class therapeutic agents than for early-stage opportunities that have the potential to advance basic science and translational medicine. This funding paradigm is particularly problematic for the development of "dual-use" biothreat countermeasures such as antibiotics, vaccines, and antitoxins that target pathogens in novel ways and that have broad public health and biodefense applications. To address this issue, we propose the creation of the Drug Development Incentive Fund (DDIF), a novel funding mechanism that can stimulate the development of first-in-class agents that also possess the capability to guard against potential biothreats.

Novel electrophysiological instrument for rapid and objective assessment of magnocellular deficits associated with glaucoma.

Purpose: To introduce a rapid and objective electrophysiological technique that can assess visual function in the magnocellular pathway, which is thought to be affected in early-stage glaucoma.

Methods: Low-contrast bright or dark isolated-checks were luminance-modulated against a static background at 10 Hz in order to drive preferentially the magnocellular ON or OFF pathway. Visual evoked potentials were recorded during 1-s epochs of stimulation and responses at the stimulus frequency were measured.

Theoretical methods in the assessment of vision and automated perimetry.

An analytic understanding of automated perimetry requires an appreciation of the fundamental theories of vision and an understanding of the basic mathematical rudiments of signal processing theory. The theories of vision by Weber, Fechtner, and Stevens are evaluated and the mathematical bases of logarithmic, exponential, and power functions are considered as they relate to various models of visual functioning. Presenting perimetry results as actual, linear stimulus values, not theoretical, non-linear response values, could better allow clinicians to assess and examine the testing data directly to evaluate more correctly and accurately their patients' visual function.

The path from initial inquiry to initiation of treatment for social anxiety disorder in an anxiety disorders specialty clinic.

Efficacious treatments for social anxiety disorder have become increasingly available, with approximately three-quarters of treatment completers showing significant improvement [Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 55 (1998) 1133.

Foveal color and luminance sensitivity losses in glaucoma.

Background And Objective: Losses in color vision sensitivity are noted in patients with glaucoma and these losses can occur before the onset of visual field defects in ocular hypertensive patients. The authors incorporate a technique that measures foveal luminance and isoluminant-color thresholds.

Patients And Methods: This study included 31 patients with glaucoma, 10 patients suspected of having glaucoma, and 67 control subjects.

Blindness following retrobulbar anesthesia for astigmatic keratotomy.

Retrobulbar anesthesia has become the most common form of anesthesia used in ophthalmic surgery. Acute blindness is a rare but known complication of retrobulbar anesthesia given for intraocular surgery. I report a case of acute, permanent blindness caused by direct trauma to the optic nerve when retrobulbar anesthesia was used for an astigmatism correction procedure.

Fourier analysis of the nerve fiber layer by digital imaging techniques.

We introduce a new method to examine the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) that may detect early changes in its structure due to glaucoma. Viewed in the conventional manner, in a plane perpendicular to the retina, we get an estimation of the structural integrity of the RNFL. Viewed from a plane parallel to the retina, the RNFL forms a contour surface of hills and valleys.

Contrast sensitivity testing: a more complete assessment of vision.

Contrast sensitivity testing is a powerful tool for determining the capability of the visual system to process spatial and temporal information about the everyday objects we see. The current gold standard in the assessment of vision, visual acuity, provides only a limited amount of information, obtained under artificial conditions. Contrast sensitivity testing measures a range of visual performance under real-life conditions.

Open-angle glaucoma: diagnosis and management.

Open-angle glaucoma is not a benign disease; untreated, it can lead to total blindness. If intraocular tension is controlled early, before onset of visual field loss or optic nerve degeneration, the prognosis is good.