Ocular injuries resulting from commercial cosmetic procedures.

The prevalence of potentially precarious cosmetic facial procedures appears to be on the rise. A significant amount of these cosmetic procedures are offered and performed by operators without formal medical training and anatomical knowledge, and with variable degrees of skill. Some of these procedures can result in devastating sight-threatening complications, and many of the individuals undergoing such treatments are relatively young and healthy.

iPhone applications for eye care professionals: a review of current capabilities and concerns.

Purpose: To quantitatively review and categorize the eye care-related iPhone(®) (Apple(®), Cupertino, CA) applications ("apps") currently available, evaluate qualified professional involvement in app development, and suggest future needs in this emerging area of mobile health.

Materials And Methods: The Apple iTunes(®) store was searched for iPhone eye care-themed apps using the general terms "ophthalmology," "ophthalmologist," "optometry," "optometrist," "eye care," and "ocular," in addition to terms based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's common eye conditions. Data collected from each app included publication date, target audience, category of app, estimated number of downloads, average user rating, and documented involvement of qualified professionals.

Nasolacrimal duct screening to minimize post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis.

Background: To examine unrecognized nasolacrimal duct obstruction as a risk factor for developing endophthalmitis post-cataract surgery in order to assess the value of preoperative lacrimal system screening.

Design: Prospective case-control study.

Participants: A random sample of patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery (control group) and a consecutive series of patients admitted to our hospital with post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis.

A vertical study programme for medical students: peer-assisted learning in practice.

Background: Monash University employs a vertically-integrated curriculum with cumulative knowledge testing throughout the course. To facilitate cross-year level revision, a vertical study programme (VESPA) was established using the principles of peer-assisted learning (PAL).

Aim: To implement and evaluate VESPA in relation to defined objectives.

A cost-analysis study of robotic versus conventional mitral valve repair.

Background: Robotic mitral valve repair has been performed in Australia since 2004. The aim of this study was to perform a cost-analysis of robotic mitral valve repair (MVR) with direct comparison to conventional MVR surgery.

Methods: All isolated MVRs performed within one metropolitan hospital network, between June 2005 and June 2008, were retrospectively compared.