Effect of posterior juxtascleral triamcinolone acetonide on choroidal neovascular growth after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin.

Objective: To assess if posterior juxtascleral application of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide (TA), given at the same time as initial photodynamic therapy (PDT) for predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) related to age-related macular degeneration affects lesion growth at 3 and 6 months.

Design: Comparative (nonrandomized) interventional study.

Participants: The study group consists of 38 eyes of 38 patients.

The effect of contrast reduction on pattern-reversal VEPs in suspected multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis.

A retrospective study was conducted to investigate whether the use of low-contrast stimuli in addition to the standard high-contrast stimuli would increase the sensitivity of the pattern-reversal P100 when testing for multiple sclerosis (MS) and optic neuritis (ON). We found that there was a statistically significant increase in the number of abnormal results when using 25' checks, but not for 50' checks. Examination of patient records showed that VEP abnormalities to low-contrast stimuli only was not prognostic for subsequent development of multiple sclerosis.

A modified method for measuring uniocular fields of fixation: reliability in healthy subjects and in patients with Graves orbitopathy.

Objective: To assess the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of recording uniocular fields of fixation using a modified perimeter technique in healthy subjects and patients with Graves orbitopathy (GO). Patients with restrictive myopathies, particularly GO, require accurate measurement of monocular excursions. These ductions are recorded in 4 to 12 directions of gaze using a perimeter, producing a plot known as a uniocular field of fixation.

Improved illumination for the Perkins applanation tonometer.

Aims: To improve the Perkins tonometer measurements by using an augmented, monochromatic solid-state light source of 470 nm wavelength.

Methods: This prospective study comprised 44 patients of our ophthalmic department who were split into two groups of 21 and 23 patients, and were tested by two independent ophthalmologists. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in both eyes, comparing the instrument with augmented source against the standard Perkins for both observers.