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Biomedical subjects

D Goldblum

Publications and source records attributed to D Goldblum.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of rebound tonometry with Goldmann applanation tonometry and correlation with central corneal thickness.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Rebound tonometry (RT) is performed without anaesthesia with a hand held device. The primary aim was to compare RT with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and to correlate with central corneal thickness (CCT). The secondary aim was to prove tolerability and practicability of RT under "study conditions" and "routine practice conditions." METHODS: In group 1 (52 eyes/28 patients), all measurements were taken by the same physician, in the same room and order: non-contact optical pachymetry, RT, slit lamp inspection, GAT. Patients were questioned about discomfort or pain. In group 2 (49 eyes/27 patients), tonometry was performed by three other physicians during routine examinations. RESULTS: RT was well tolerated and safe. Intraocular pressure (IOP) ranged between 6 mm Hg and 48 mm Hg. No different trends were found between the groups. RT tended to give slightly higher readings: n = 101, mean difference 1.0 (SD 2.17) mm Hg; 84.1% of RT readings within plus or minus 3 mm Hg of GAT; 95% confidence interval in the Bland-Altman analysis -3.2 mm Hg to +5.2 mm Hg. Both RT and GAT showed a weak positive correlation with CCT (r2 0.028 and 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RT can be considered a reliable alternative for clinical screening and in cases where positioning of the head at the slit lamp is impossible or topical preparations are to be avoided.

Adult↗

[First experience with amniotic membrane transplantation].

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the outcome of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) performed at the University Eye Clinic Bern during the last 12 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine men (62.4 +/- 16.7 yrs.) and four women (78.3 +/- 22.3 yrs.) were treated with an AMT and grouped according to the ophthalmologic diagnosis: Group A, chronic corneal surface defect without limbal stem cell deficiency (n = 8); Group B, conjunctival fornix reconstruction (n = 7); Group C, filtering bleb defect (n = 2). RESULTS: 11/17 (65 %) AMT's performed in 14 eyes of 13 patients showed a favorable postoperative result after a mean follow-up time of 8.7 (+/- 2.9) months. In Group A (chronic corneal surface defect) 4/8, in Group B (conjunctival fornix defect) 7/7 and in Group C (filtering bleb defect) 0/2 showed an improvement of the basic ocular problem. 4/8 patients from Group A and 7/7 patients of Group B showed postoperatively a strong reduction of the ocular inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: In the present small study, favorable results were achieved in patients with chronic corneal surface defects without limbal stem cell deficiency and conjunctival fornix defects following AMT. In patients with fornix defects, the AMT seemed to be a valuable alternative to the more complicated transplantation of mouth- or nose mucous membrane. The two eyes with filtering defects failed.

Adult↗

[Retrospective analysis of deep lamellar keratoplasties].

BACKGROUND: Purpose of this retrospective study was to analyse the outcome of deep lamellar keratoplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 9 patients with deep lamellar keratoplasty were reviewed. Age, sex, systemic diseases, indication for surgery, pre- and postoperative visual acuity and findings, visual acuity and findings at last follow-up and complications were noted. RESULTS: Nine eyes of 9 patients have been operated with the "big bubble" technique described by Anwar. Indications for operation were keratoconus (4), keratoglobus (1), central corneal scar after keratitis (3) and after alkali burn (1). In 3 cases the intraoperative technique had to be changed to penetrating keratoplasty. The preoperative visual acuity was 0.2 to 0.3. All 9 patients showed a postoperative improvement of visual acuity: best corrected from 0.3 to 0.8. In one eye particles in the interface were found. At last follow-up all grafts were clear. There were no postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that deep lamellar keratoplasty is a technically difficult procedure, in 3 out of 9 patients the operation method failed. The postoperative course after deep lamellar keratoplasty did not show any severe complications. The patients who had to be changed to penetrating keratoplasty were not disadvantaged in respect of the final result (visual acuity and findings). The postoperative visual acuities after deep lamellar keratoplasty and after penetrating keratoplasty were comparable. Despite the small number of patients and the relatively short observation period, we noticed that after deep lamellar keratoplasty the sutures could tendentially be removed earlier and thus the duration of topic steroids therapy was shorter compared to penetrating keratoplasty.

Adult↗

The induction/impact tonometer: a new instrument to measure intraocular pressure in the rat.

Non-invasive intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement in rats can be performed with a variety of methods, none of which seems appropriate for scaling down for the mouse eye. In an attempt to develop such a method for non-invasive IOP measurement in mice, an alternative concept, that of rebound tonometry, was explored using an induction/impact (I/I) tonometer probe. IOP measurement using the rebound concept is based on bouncing a probe onto the eye and detecting its motion. Motion parameters of the probe, which vary according to eye pressure, are used to calculate the IOP. As a first step towards this goal a prototype I/I tonometer was evaluated for IOP measurement of the rat eye. Two similar instruments were constructed and tested for their ability to measure accurately and reliably rat IOP by comparing the measurements against the manometric (true) IOP as determined by cannulation ex vivo. Good correlation between the true IOP and the I/I measurements (R(2) = 0.95) was detected for IOP between 7.4 and 56 mmHg. Although individual eyes tested showed some variability in the relationship of the measured IOP with the true IOP, this variability was minimal. Starting probe-cornea distance between 3 and 5 mm, and angle of impact up to 25 degrees relative to the visual axis at the corneal apex, did not affect the reproducibility of the I/I tonometer. Comparison of I/I tonometer measurements to direct manometric determination of IOP by in vivo cannulation of eyes in anesthetized normal female Wistar rats correlated reasonably well (R(2) = 0.67) with manometrically determined IOP within the narrow range of normal rat IOPs (10-16.5 mmHg), underestimating the true (manometric) IOP by an average of 11.6%. The I/I tonometer is a reliable and accurate instrument for non-invasive IOP measurement in rat eyes that can potentially be adapted for IOP measurement in mice.

Animals↗

[Pharmacological therapy approaches in ocular traumatology].

Ocular trauma is the most common reason for unilateral blindness. In the last 15 years tremendous advances in diagnostics (CT, MRI, ultrasound) and surgery (pars plana vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, intraocular lenses) have been made. Furthermore new medical therapies to sustain treatment of eye accidents have been developed. On the basis of various traumatic diseases (abrasio, chemical injuries, hyphema, cataract, photothermal retina lesion and optic neuropathy) appropriate of these medical therapies are to be discussed.

Blindness↗

[Nocturnal measurements of intraocular pressure in patients with normal-tension glaucoma and sleep apnea syndrome].

BACKGROUND: About half of all normal-tension glaucoma patients and about one third of all primary open-angle glaucoma patients have sleep apnea syndrome. If sleep apnea syndrome causes some cases of glaucoma, the optic nerve damage could result from repetitive nocturnal hypoxias or from repetitive intraocular pressure elevations at the end of the apneas. In this study, we determined the intraocular pressure at the end of long apneas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In three patients having sleep apnea syndrome and normal-tension glaucoma we recorded in a sleep laboratory during at least six hours of sleep the respiration (oxymetry, nasal and oral air flow, and inductive plethysmography). The intraocular pressure was measured with a pneumatonometer at predetermined times and compared to the values measured at the end of prolonged apneas. RESULTS: The intraocular pressure during normal respiration was in the first patient 19.5 +/- 1.0 mm Hg OD and 19.3 +/- 1.7 mm Hg OS, in the second patient 25.0 +/- 4.2 respectively 25.5 +/- 4.9 mm Hg and in the third one 22 +/- 1.0 respectively 21.3 +/- 1.3 mm Hg. At the end of prolonged apneas the intraocular pressure was in the first patient 19.0 +/- 0.0 mm Hg OD and 19.5 +/- 0.7 mm Hg OS, in the second patient 26.5 +/- 0.6 and 26.8 +/- 0.1 mm Hg and in the third one 20.0 +/- 0.0 respectively 21.0 +/- 0.0 mm Hg. The difference between intraocular pressures during normal respiration and at the end of prolonged apneas was not significant (p > 0.1 for each comparison, paired t-test). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find an increase of intraocular pressure at the end of prolonged apneas compared to periods of normal respiration in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and normal-tension glaucoma. If sleep apnea syndrome causes some cases of glaucoma, it seems more probable that the the optic nerve is damaged by the repetitive hypoxias. Alternatively, an unknown factor might induce both, sleep apnea syndrome and normal-tension glaucoma.

Aged↗

Topical rivastigmine, a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, lowers intraocular pressure in rabbits.

Non-selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are known hypotensive agents. The purpose of the present investigation was carried out to ascertain whether rivastigmine, a selective carbamate-type inhibitor of AChE, which inhibits selectively an isoform of this enzyme found almost exclusively in the central nervous system, is able to depress the intraocular pressure (IOP) in normotensive rabbits. IOP was monitored with a TonoPen XL in conscious adult rabbits before and hourly up to 8 hr after administration of the drug. Baseline measurements without treatment and after one single topical application of rivastigmine [1% (n=8); 2% (n=4); and 5% (n=6)] to the right eye and of the vehicle alone to the left one were performed. Rivastigmine reduced the IOP of treated eyes significantly (p<0.05) in a dose-independent manner. Maximal effects of 23.2% (5% rivastigmine), 19.6% (2% rivastigmine) and 15.2% (1% rivastigmine) were achieved 1, 3 and 5 hr after application of the drug. A non-significant reduction of IOP in the contralateral eye was also observed. Rabbits evidenced no signs of discomfort after administration of rivastigmine. No conjunctival discharge or other signs of drug related local toxicity were found. Rivastigmine, a selective antagonist of AChE, lowers IOP significantly and may thus be of potential use in glaucoma therapy.

Animals↗

Treatment of postkeratitis fusarium endophthalmitis with amphotericin B lipid complex.

PURPOSE: The authors report the first case of Fusarium solani keratitis that progressed to fungal endophthalmitis and was successfully treated with amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC). METHOD: The case of a 34-year-old immunocompetent woman who developed a contact lens-related F. solani keratitis requiring emergency penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) was analyzed. The immunocompetent patient developed fungal endophthalmitis (anterior chamber tap positive for F. solani three months after PKP) and was eventually treated with ABLC. RESULTS: Systemic amphotericin B (total, 0.42 g) and ketoconazole in addition to topical natamycin and amphotericin did not prove to be effective in eradicating the mycosis in the anterior chamber. Under ABLC treatment (total, 8.79 g), the anterior chamber inflammation resolved completely. No recurrence was observed during an 11-month follow-up after treatment was discontinued. CONCLUSION: ABLC proved to be effective in treating F. solani endophthalmitis. It is an important addition to the ophthalmic armamentarium, and appeared to be a better therapeutic agent than standard amphotericin B in this patient.

Adult↗

Primary open-angle glaucoma is associated with sleep apnea syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The etiology of primary open-angle glaucoma remains unclear. Various risk factors, including vascular abnormalities, have been associated with this disease. Sleep-associated diseases, like sleep apnea syndrome, might also represent a risk factor. Sleep apnea syndrome is characterized by repetitive upper airway obstructions during sleep, inducing hypoxia and sleep disruption with the risk of cardiovascular and neurological sequelae. In this study, we determined the prevalence of sleep apnea syndrome in primary open-angle glaucoma patients. METHODS: Overnight transcutaneous finger oximetry was performed in 30 consecutive patients having primary open-angle glaucoma. We assessed the oximetry disturbance index during night sleep, a parameter used to diagnose sleep apnea syndrome and to grade its severity. RESULTS: Sleep apnea syndrome was more prevalent among primary open-angle glaucoma patients compared to normal historic controls of the same age and sex distribution (chi(2) = 9.35, d.f. = 3, p < 0.025). The oximetry disturbance index grade was significantly larger in the primary open-angle glaucoma group compared to normal controls (U = 3, 352, p = 0.01). According to the oximetry disturbance index, 20% (6/30) of primary open-angle glaucoma patients had sleep apnea syndrome. CONCLUSION: Primary open-angle glaucoma is associated with sleep apnea syndrome. Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea syndrome are important to avoid cardiovascular and neurological complications.

Age Distribution↗

Bowel obstruction caused by dislocation of a suprapubic catheter.

In patients with a suprapubic catheter, the differential diagnosis of acute lower abdominal pain must include a possible dislocation of this device. We report a case that illustrates such a complication, leading to bowel obstruction in our patient.

Abdomen, Acute↗

High prevalence of glaucoma in patients with sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of glaucoma in sleep apnea syndrome (SAS), an entity characterized by repetitive upper airway obstructions during sleep, inducing hypoxia and sleep disruption with the risk of cardiovascular and neurologic sequelae. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 114 white patients consecutively referred for polysomnographic evaluation of suspected SAS. INTERVENTION: Complete ophthalmologic examination, including computerized perimetry and simultaneous stereoscopic optic disc photographs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spearman rank correlations between the respiratory disturbance index during night sleep (RDI), a value used to diagnose and grade SAS, and visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field indices, presence or absence of glaucomatous optic disc changes, and diagnosis of glaucoma. Each correlation was controlled for age and body mass index. To compare proportions of patients harboring glaucoma, the binomial test was used. RESULTS: Sixty-nine (60.5%) of the 114 patients had an RDI > or =10, which indicates SAS. Three patients had primary open-angle glaucoma, and two had normal-tension glaucoma. All patients with glaucoma had SAS. The observed prevalence of glaucoma in patients with SAS (5 of 69, 7.2%) was significantly higher than expected in a white population (2%) (P = 0.01). The RDI correlated positively with IOP (P = 0.025), visual field loss variance (P = 0.03), glaucomatous optic disc changes (P = 0.001), and diagnosis of glaucoma (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SAS constitute a high-risk population for glaucoma and should therefore be screened for glaucoma.

Adult↗

Eyelid, conjunctival, and corneal findings in sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of eyelid, conjunctival, and corneal findings in patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). DESIGN: Case series. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two white patients referred for evaluation of suspected SAS. INTERVENTION: Complete examination of eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea, including videokeratography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spearman rank correlations were determined between the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) during night sleep, a value used to diagnose and grade SAS, and tear film break-up time, eyelid distraction distance, presence or absence of ocular irritation symptoms, blepharoptosis, floppy eyelids, lacrimal gland prolapse, keratoconus, and endothelial dystrophy. Each correlation was controlled for age and body mass index. RESULTS: According to the RDI, 44 (61 %) of the 72 patients had SAS. The RDI correlated positively with the eyelid distraction distance (P = 0.05), presence or absence of floppy eyelids (P = 0.01), and lacrimal gland prolapse (P = 0.01), and correlated negatively with tear film break-up time (P = 0.02). None of our patients with floppy eyelids had corneal abnormalities. One patient with SAS had bilateral keratoconus; another had bilateral Fuch endothelial dystrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep apnea syndrome was significantly associated with reduced tear film break-up time, floppy eyelids, and lacrimal gland prolapse. However, ocular irritation symptoms and corneal involvement were rare among patients with SAS. These findings do not confirm previous studies that reported a high prevalence of corneal involvement in floppy eyelid syndrome.

Adult↗

Eye injuries caused by cow horns.

PURPOSE: To assess ocular injuries caused by cow horns; to investigate clinical findings, treatment, and visual outcome in a population of dairy farmers; and to propose possible preventive measures. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted to identify patients seen over a 45-month period with cow horn-inflicted eye injuries. Eleven patients were identified and their charts reviewed for demographics, mechanism of injury, initial and final visual acuity, surgeries performed, and anatomic outcome. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 64 years. Seven patients had open-globe injuries with vitreous hemorrhage. In five cases, pars plana vitrectomy was performed. Final best-corrected visual acuity was < or = hand motion in five patients, between 20/160 and 20/80 in three patients, and better than 20/32 in three patients. CONCLUSION: The majority of the cow horn injuries studied caused severe permanent impairment of vision. Owing to the blunt nature of the horns, a significant amount of energy is imparted into the eye. To prevent these injuries, coagulation of the horns should be performed 2 weeks after a calf's birth or farmers should be advised to wear safety glasses.

Accidents, Occupational↗

[Eye injuries caused by air bags].

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of Airbag several reports about airbag-associated ocular injuries where published. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Here we report about four patients who were seen and treated in the university eye clinic Bern the last two years. RESULTS: The injuries included alkali burns, mechanical erosions and contusion of the globe associated with ruptures of the choroid and retinal detachment. Injuries were strictly unilateral in all cases, two affecting the right eye, two the left eye. Two cases healed without any residual lesions, while the other two showed a persistent reduction of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: The airbag is certainly a lifesaving device in modern passenger vehicles. Nevertheless severe eye injuries can be caused by these devices. Further research and development concerning the volume of the inflating gas, the size of the airbag as well as the speed of the vehicle at which the airbag is activated, should be continued.

Accidents, Traffic↗