Cycloplegia in African-American children.

Purpose: The selection of a cycloplegic agent depends on the desired outcome, the characteristics of the patient receiving the drug, and the associated risks. The Orinda Longitudinal Study of Myopia (OLSM) has used 1% tropicamide to assess the ocular components and cycloplegic refractions in a large cohort of predominantly Caucasian children. Although tropicamide has provided adequate cycloplegia and mydriasis for the OLSM cohort, conventional clinical wisdom and scientific investigations have suggested that tropicamide might not produce adequate cycloplegia and mydriasis for subjects with darker iris pigmentation.

The repeatability of tear mucus ferning grading.

Purpose: Rolando's classification system for tear mucus ferning patterns subjectively assigns grades based on the size and spacing between ferns. Grade 1 and 2 patterns are considered "normal," whereas grade 3 and 4 patterns are often associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This study was designed to examine the intraobserver and interobserver repeatability of Rolando's system.

Potential human and economic cost-savings attributable to vision testing policies for driver license renewal, 1989-1991.

Purpose: This study assessed the impact of vision-related relicensing policies on traffic fatalities in the United States. There is a limited empirical basis for state vision testing policies for relicensing. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether contemporary vision standards for driver licensing achieve their implicit goal of protecting the public's health, or inappropriately restrict the mobility of competent drivers.

Health care changes from a public health perspective: implications for optometry-ophthalmology relations.

Background: Within the past 20 years, the professional scope, predominant mode of practice, and methods of reimbursement for optometric services have evolved due to technological and professional growth, and external factors.

Methods: Public health constructs are used to discuss several influential external factors affecting optometry's evolution and future.

Results: The public health perspective provides insights on why certain changes in health care delivery have occurred, and are used to predict the structure of future eye and vision care in America.

A study of racial differences in age at onset and progression of presbyopia.

Background: This study investigated reported differences in age at onset and progression of presbyopia between black and white patients.

Methods: The records of 692 primary care patients (242 black and 450 white), ages 35 to 55 years, who received eye examinations at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry (December 1, 1992 and May 31, 1993), were reviewed retrospectively. Regression models were used to compare age at onset and progression of presbyopia of study subjects with respect to race.

Oxygen performance of a prototype nonconventional hydrogel.

Unlabelled: INTRODUCTION. Oxygen permeability (Dk) of available hydrogel materials used for soft contact lenses is currently restricted by the oxygen permeability of water at 80 Dk units. A predicted upper limit for conventional hydrogels amenable for use as a contact lens, has been 37 Dk units obtained with a water content of 80%.