A pilot study of topical treatment with an alpha2-agonist in patients with retinal dystrophies.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the neuroprotective effect of a topical alpha2-agonist in patients with retinal dystrophies.

Methods: This study was a prospective, placebo-controlled, double-masked, randomized clinical trial. A total of 26 patients with retinal dystrophies were included.

Epidemiologic relationship between fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis and the United States rubella vaccination program.

Purpose: To investigate an epidemiologic association between Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI) and the rubella vaccination program in the United States.

Design: Observational case series.

Methods: The percentages of patients with FHI, idiopathic chronic iridocyclitis, and idiopathic chronic granulomatous iridocyclitis at the University of Illinois were compared over time.

National Registry for the Blind in Israel: estimation of prevalence and incidence rates and causes of blindness.

Objective: To describe the population registered as blind in Israel and estimate the prevalence and incidence of blindness, by age, sex and the causes of blindness.

Methods: Israel has maintained a Registry for the Blind since 1987. Patients are identified by ophthalmologists and registered if they have a visual acuity of < or = 0.

The learning effect in visual field testing of healthy subjects using frequency doubling technology.

Purpose: To evaluate the presence, duration and magnitude of a learning effect in serial visual field (VF) testing, using the commercially available frequency doubling technology (FDT) instrument.

Patients And Methods: 21 healthy adults with no prior VF experience underwent 6 serial VF tests, using the full-threshold C-20 program of the Zeiss-Humphrey FDT analyzer, on one randomly chosen eye. Tests were spaced at least two days apart.