Myopia in young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the proportion of young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who have myopia, as well as the risk factors associated with myopia in this group.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients aged < 21 years with T1DM for ≥ 1 year underwent a comprehensive eye examination. Presence of parental myopia, and average hours of near-work and outdoor activity were estimated using a questionnaire.

Pneumomediastinum diagnosed by chest radiography after centrifuge training.

A retrospective review of the human centrifuge training database in the Republic of Singapore Air Force was carried out for the period 1995-2006. Six cases of pneumomediastinum were reported in aircrew trainees who underwent ab initio human centrifuge training. Only two of the six cases presented with chest discomfort with or without neck pain, with the rest being incidental findings picked up during routine medical examination.

Glaucoma pharmacotherapy: implications for flying fitness.

The objective of lowering the intraocular pressures remains the main-stay of therapy in the management of glaucoma, and may be achieved by medication, laser, or surgery. For many years the pharmacotherapy available, while quite effective, were few in number; principally timolol, pilocarpine, and oral acetazolamide. Through extensive research in glaucoma treatment, ophthalmologists now have access to a dozen different medications to treat glaucoma.

Acceleration effects on neck muscle strength: pilots vs. non-pilots.

Background: Conditioning of neck muscles, if any, due to repeated exposures to +Gz forces has received little research attention.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the neck muscle strength of test volunteers representative of the general populations of fighter aircraft pilots and non-pilots.

Methods: The tests were performed using a special attachment device on a computerized dynamometer.

Neck muscle strength across the sagittal and coronal planes: an isometric study.

Objective: To determine the maximal isometric strength of neck muscles across different anatomical positions in the body sagittal and coronal planes.

Design: A descriptive study involving maximal isometric strength measurements of the cervical musculature in extension, flexion, and left and right lateral bending. Before measurements, the new device was tested for reliability.