General practitioner registrars' opinions of general practice training in ophthalmology: a questionnaire survey in the northern region.

Purpose: Approximately 6% of general practitioners have worked in ophthalmology but to our knowledge the relevance of this training has not previously been evaluated.

Methods: We sent an anonymous questionnaire to all doctors who had held general practitioner registrar (vocational training) posts in ophthalmology in the Northern Region during a 5-year period (1989-1994).

Results: Twenty-six of 48 (54%) questionnaires were returned.

Load bearing and deformation characteristics of monofilament nylon 66 and their implications for ophthalmic surgery.

The load bearing and deformation characteristics of monofilament nylon 66 have been examined. This material has been shown to have increased strength and altered deformation properties compared to bulk nylon. These features are beneficial in its role as a corneal suture.

Some mechanical properties of 10/0 monofilament nylon sutures.

A short pilot study is described which investigates some of the mechanical properties of ophthalmic sutures. The Alcon 10/0 monofilament nylon suture was found to behave in a mechanically consistent manner. Like all nylon it possesses the property of 'creep', which helps to compensate for overtightening of the section during surgery.