Trends and correlated outcomes in population-level prescription opioid and transdermal fentanyl use in Israel.

Background: In the last twenty years, there was a documented increase in prescription opioid procurement in Israel. However, there is still little evidence of the association between opioid procurement rates, health service utilisation in secondary care, and enrollment rates to substance use disorder treatment programmes. In this study, we show trends in the reports of opioid-related hospitalisations, emergency department visits, enrollment to community-based outpatient treatment for Prescription Opioid Use Disorder and opioid-related mortality rates.

Second Primary Cancers After Primary Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Israeli Women, 1992 to 2006.

Purpose: Improvements in early detection and treatment have resulted in improved long-term survival from breast cancer, which increases the likelihood of the occurrence of second primary cancers. We calculated the risk of second primary cancers among Israeli women receiving a first primary breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods: By using data from the Israel National Cancer Registry, we identified 46,090 women with invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 1990 and 2006 and non-breast primary cancers diagnosed subsequent to breast cancer diagnosis.

Methadone maintenance and cancer risk: an Israeli case registry study.

Objectives: This study explored cancer incidence rates in a large cohort of Israeli (Jewish and Arab) opioid-dependent individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), and how the incidences vary by ethnicity and sex.

Method: The record linkage between the Israel National Addiction Registry (INAR) and the Israel National Cancer Registry (INCR) was performed. Information about the Israeli general population from the Central Bureau of Statistics was used for comparison to match sex and year of birth to the cohort under study.

A sharp rise in the incidence of Hodgkin's lymphoma in young adults in Israel.

Background: Hodgkin's lymphoma is a distinct primary solid tumor of the immune system that shows wide variation in incidence among different geographic regions and among various races. It was previously suggested that susceptible people living in certain parts of Israel had a higher risk of HL because of exposure to unidentified environmental factors in these regions. Compared with other parts of Israel, these regions were characterized by a higher proportion of Israeli-born Jews.

Short-term effect of topical dorzolamide hydrochloride on intrastromal corneal pressure in rabbit corneas in vivo.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of topical dorzolamide on the intrastromal corneal pressure (ICP) in rabbit corneas in vivo.

Methods: This is an interventional prospective study. Topical dorzolamide was applied to 7 eyes of 7 male New Zealand rabbits 3 times daily for 3 consecutive days.

The risk for cancer among patients with schizoaffective disorders.

Background: Several epidemiological studies explored the risk for cancer among both persons with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives, and among patients with bipolar disorder. No studies have yet explored the risk among persons with schizoaffective disorders.

Method: Linkage analysis was conducted based on the psychiatric and the cancer national databases.

Mirror telescopic intraocular lens for age-related macular degeneration: design and preliminary clinical results of the Lipshitz macular implant.

Purpose: To conduct a pilot study evaluating the visual and surgical outcomes of an intraocular mirror telescopic intraocular lens, the Lipshitz macular implant (LMI) (Optolight Vision Technology), for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and other macular pathology.

Setting: Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital and Eye Research Centre, Chennai, India.

Enhanced cancer risk among patients with bipolar disorder.

Background: In contrast to numerous epidemiological studies that explored the risk for cancer among persons with schizophrenic psychoses, analogous studies conducted on people with bipolar disorder are rarer, despite some commonalities in biological, treatment-related variables and unhealthy lifestyles. This study investigates the risk for cancer among psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Methods: Linkage analysis was conducted based on the psychiatric and the cancer national databases.

Cancer risk among parents and siblings of patients with schizophrenia.

Background: A reduced risk of cancer has been noted among people with schizophrenia. Given that genetic causes have been proposed as an explanation of this finding, one would expect that the risk of cancer among first-degree relatives would be equally reduced.

Aims: To investigate the risk of cancer among the biological parents and full siblings of people receiving in-patient care for schizophrenia.

Cancer in schizophrenia: is the risk higher or lower?

Studies exploring the relationship between schizophrenia and cancer have shown conflicting results. Our study explores this association in three Jewish-Israeli population groups defined by their continent/place of birth (Israel, Europe-America, and Africa-Asia). The identification of the patients was made through the linkage of the nationwide psychiatric and cancer registries.

Comparison of corneal flap thickness between primary and fellow eyes using three microkeratomes.

Purpose: To compare corneal flap thickness created in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in primary (right) and fellow (left) eyes (same blade for both eyes) using three microkeratomes.

Methods: The corneal thickness of 132 eyes (66 patients) was measured preoperatively and intraoperatively after flap creation. Corneal flap thickness was calculated by subtracting stromal bed thickness from total corneal thickness.

Predictability of corneal flap thickness in laser in situ keratomileusis using three different microkeratomes.

Purpose: To compare the accuracy and consistency of corneal flap thickness in the right and left eye created by three different widely used microkeratomes during consecutive laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: Corneal thickness of 132 eyes of 66 patients was measured preoperatively and intraoperatively. Corneal flap thickness was calculated by subtracting the corneal stromal thickness from the total corneal thickness.

Laser in situ keratomileusis to correct hyperopic shift after radial keratotomy.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) to correct hyperopic shift following radial keratotomy (RK).

Setting: Ophthalmic Health Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Methods: The study comprised 15 eyes of 12 patients who had uneventful RK and subsequently developed a hyperopic shift.

Bilateral comparison of photorefractive keratectomy for myopia using two excimer lasers.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the results of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in patients who underwent PRK using the Summit Apex (Omnimed) excimer laser in one eye and the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser in the other.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent PRK with the Summit Apex laser (Omnimed) in one eye and the Nidek laser (EC-5000) in the second and had at least 12 months of follow-up were included in this retrospective study (n=30). Uncorrected and spectacle-corrected visual acuity, final spherical equivalent refraction, and grade of subepithelial haze were compared.

Comparison of photorefractive keratectomy on one eye and laser in situ keratomileusis on the other eye of the same patient.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the results of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the same patient.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent PRK in one eye and LASIK in the second eye using the same excimer laser (Nidek EC-5000) and had at least 12 months of follow-up were included in this retrospective study (N = 23). Uncorrected and spectacle-corrected visual acuity, final spherical equivalent refraction, and degree of haze were compared.

Complications of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for myopia.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and complication rates of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Setting: Assutah Laser Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the complication rate after PRK in 825 consecutive patients who had PRK for myopia and had a follow-up of at least 12 months.

Macular hemorrhage after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.

We describe three patients with high myopia, 13.0 to 20.0 diopters (D), who had typical myopic macular hemorrhages 1 to 6 months after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

An intraocular telescopic lens for macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of visual loss in adults older than 60 years of age. Once vision has been seriously compromised, the only means of improving visual function are optical devices that produce magnification of images. These devices fall into three categories: (1) high-plus lenses, (2) external telescopes, and (3) a high-minus center intraocular lens combined with external high-plus glasses.

Excimer laser reablation.

Background And Objective: To evaluate the outcome of repeated excimer laser keratectomy after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study of 32 of 1000 consecutive patients who had a follow-up of at least 12 months and who underwent repeated PRK in the Assutah Laser Center.

Results: The mean spherical equivalent (SE) declined significantly as a result of the repeated treatment.

Patient satisfaction after 5.0-mm photorefractive keratectomy for myopia.

Purpose: To examine patient satisfaction following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in a large number of subjects.

Methods: We used a questionnaire to examine overall patient satisfaction in 173 patients (173 first-operated eyes) at least 1 year after they had undergone PRK. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -7.