A physical model demonstrating Schachar's hypothesis of accommodation.

Schachar's hypothesis of accommodation states that there is increased zonular tension during accommodation and the observed in vivo changes in lenticular curvature that occur during accommodation are the result of zonular forces. To demonstrate that there can be steepening of the central curvature of the lens with increased zonular tension, profile photographs of an equatorially unstretched and stretched gelatin-filled balloon and profile photographs from the literature of an unstretched and equatorially stretched human lens were digitized. Their radii of curvature were determined.

Sustained-release ganciclovir therapy for treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis. Use of an intravitreal device.

A surgically implantable device for sustained intravitreal release of ganciclovir has been developed. The device delivers ganciclovir intraocularly over approximately 4 to 5 months. Eight patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and associated cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis were recruited as part of a phase 1 study.

Tunable passive colliding-pulse mode locking in a linear dye laser.

We demonstrate the versatile operation of a linear femtosecond dye laser that terminates in an antiresonant ring for passive colliding-pulse mode locking. The system combines several advantages of a conventional ring laser with those of a linear laser and in addition offers the unique possibility of continuously tuning the pulse-repetition rate over a 1-GHz band. Moreover, the geometry allows a commercial linear laser to be mode locked easily without significant cavity changes.