Photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy: determinants of patient satisfaction and the patient-provider relationship.

Purpose: To assess satisfaction with photocoagulation treatment in diabetes patients and to investigate how it relates to patient-related characteristics and patients' visual ability. Further, to observe the interaction between physician and patient and suggest ways to improve the patient-provider relationship and, thereby, treatment satisfaction.

Methods: This open longitudinal study included 123 diabetes patients undergoing first photocoagulation treatment for diabetic maculopathy or proliferative retinopathy.

Primary silicone oil tamponade without retinopexy in highly myopic eyes with central macular hole detachments.

Background: In highly myopic macular hole central retinal detachments, the ideal treatment is still under discussion. In our study, we analyzed anatomic and functional outcomes for eyes undergoing vitrectomy with primary silicone oil filling without central photocoagulation, using the oil as inductor and scaffold for glial closure of the causative macular hole.

Methods: Eleven patients with central macular hole detachments and myopia ranging from -10.

Ten-year follow-up of epikeratophakia for the correction of high myopia.

Objective: To determine the long-term functional results of epikeratophakia for myopic patients.

Design: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

Participants: Twenty-two patients (32 eyes; average age, 43+/-6 years) who underwent epikeratophakia surgery for high myopia.

Cataract surgery and silicone oil removal: visual outcome and complications in a combined vs. two step surgical approach.

Purpose: To compare visual outcome and complications of two surgical strategies for patients who needed cataract surgery and silicone oil removal.

Methods: A prospective, nonrandomized study was performed to compare two groups of patients who had cataract surgery and silicone oil removal from April 1998 to January 2002. From April 1998 to November 1999, patients had two surgical sessions with cataract surgery before silicone oil removal (Group 1), and from December 1999 to January 2002, patients underwent combined cataract surgery and silicone oil removal in a single session (Group 2).

Corneal sensitivity 10 years after epikeratoplasty.

Purpose: To assess corneal sensitivity in patients 10 or more years after epikeratoplasty for myopia, aphakia, hyperopia, and keratoconus.

Methods: A total of 45 eyes of 33 patients (age range at examination 33 to 55 yr) were included in the study. Corneal sensitivity thresholds using an electromagnetic aesthesiometer (Draeger) were measured at various locations on the lenticule and the recipient cornea.