Medical evaluation of patients before ocular surgery.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Douglas R Anderson.
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As distinguished from measuring the ability to see at the location where the eye's gaze is fixated, perimetry consists of determining the visual capabilities throughout the field of vision. Traditionally the ability to see a white object or a projected spot of white light is determined and quantified under standard conditions. Modern machines use automated methods to present spots of light in a programmed manner to determine the threshold of visual capability, and, after recording the data, these machines also apply statistical analyses of the results to assist the clinician in evaluation of the patient. New methods for testing particular aspects of visual function and analyzing the results are continuously under development.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Before this study was done, there was a difference of opinion concerning whether intraocular pressure (IOP) was involved in producing optic nerve damage when there was glaucomatous damage to the optic nerve and characteristic visual field loss, even though the IOP was in the statistically normal range. This article reviews the findings of a collaborative study aimed at finding the answer to this question. RECENT FINDINGS: The level of pressure influences the course of normal tension glaucoma, as evidenced by a slower rate of incident visual field loss in cases with 30% or more lowering of intraocular pressure. The rate of progression without treatment is highly variable, but often slow enough that half of the patients have no progression in 5 years. A faster rate occurs in women, in patients with migraine headaches, and in the presence of disc hemorrhages. Some patients may experience greater benefit from lowering of IOP than others, but further research is needed to be able to identify those most likely to benefit. SUMMARY: As a group, patients with normal tension glaucoma benefit from lowering of IOP. Variable rate of deterioration, as well as lack of progression in a substantial number in 5 years, suggest that treatment should be individualized according to the stage of disease and rate of progression. Traits that help predict risk and rate of progression and response to treatment are beginning to become known and, when fully known, will help guide management decisions.
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OBJECTIVES: To compare the severity, size, and depth of glaucomatous visual field defects using standard full threshold (FT), Swedish interactive threshold algorithm (SITA) standard (SS), and SITA fast (SF) algorithms of the Humphrey perimeter. METHODS: A prospective observational case series of 77 patients with glaucoma performed FT, SS, and SF 30-2 white-on-white testing programs on the same day on 2 occasions for 1 month. The severity of defects was compared using the mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study, and Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish severity scores. The sizes of defects were compared using the total number of abnormal points on the pattern deviation plot that fit standard criteria for glaucomatous visual field defects. The depths of the defects were compared using the sum of the threshold values for points identified in the pattern deviation plot as fitting criteria for glaucomatous defects. RESULTS: The mean deviations were slightly better using the SS (-9.6 +/- 7.1 dB) or the SF (-9.1 +/- 6.7 dB) algorithm compared with the FT algorithm (-10.3 +/- 7.1 dB) (P<.005). There were no significant differences in pattern standard deviations between SS (8.6 +/- 4.0, P =.08) and SF (8.1 +/- 3.6, P =.19) compared with FT (8.3 +/- 3.3), although the pattern standard deviation was higher in SS fields compared with SF fields (P<.001). Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study scores were slightly better when the SS (7.5 +/- 5.6) or SF (7.2 +/- 5.4) algorithm was used compared with the FT algorithm (8.6 +/- 5.4) (P<.001). The sizes of glaucomatous defects were slightly larger using the SS (20.9 +/- 10.7) algorithm compared with the FT algorithm (19.2 +/- 10.9) (P =.004) but not the SF algorithm (20.0 +/- 10.6) (P =.11). The depth of defects measured by the SS (220.4 +/- 108.0 dB) and SF (219.8 +/- 101.3 dB) algorithms was significantly shallower compared with that measured by the FT algorithm (152.3 +/- 79.1 dB) (P<.001). There were no significant differences in Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish severity scores among algorithms (P =.12). CONCLUSIONS: Glaucomatous defects are measured significantly shallower using the new SITA algorithms but are approximately the same size and severity compared with FT measurements. Care should be taken when using threshold values to compare glaucomatous defects in a patient when converting from FT to SITA algorithms.
PURPOSE: To determine the reproducibility over time of visual estimates of the horizontal cup/disk ratio by trained technicians from optic disk stereophotographs. METHODS: Baseline optic disk stereophotographs are graded at entry and regraded annually in a masked fashion. The 1,636 participants in the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) undergo stereoscopic optic disk photography at study entry and annually thereafter. Stereophotographs are graded independently by two technicians at the Optic Disc Reading Center. If the readers' estimates of horizontal cup/disk ratio differ by more than 0.2 disk diameters (DD), they attempt to reach a consensus; if they cannot, the horizontal cup/disk ratio is adjudicated by a glaucoma specialist. RESULTS: The percent of regradings differing by 0.2 DD or more from the estimate of horizontal cup/disk ratio made at entry was 4%, 6%, and 7%, respectively at years 1, 2, and 3. The percent differing by more than 0.2 DD was 1% or less at all years. Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.93, 0.92, and 0.92, respectively. Estimates of horizontal cup/disk ratio from sequential full-frame photographs and simultaneous split-frame photographs appeared comparable and equally reproducible. Gradings by technicians were comparable to gradings by glaucoma specialists. CONCLUSIONS: High reproducibility between repeated gradings of baseline horizontal cup/disk ratio was achieved by trained technicians adhering to a rigorous protocol. Horizontal cup/disk ratio measurements in OHTS are sufficiently reproducible to provide information about the relationship of cup/disk ratio to the prognosis of individuals with ocular hypertension.
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PURPOSE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of two new visual field algorithms in detecting glaucomatous visual field defects: (1) Swedish interactive threshold algorithm (SITA) standard and (2) SITA fast. DESIGN: Prospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety normal subjects and 82 glaucoma patients. TESTING: Central 30 degrees fields were performed with the Humphrey visual field analyzer 30-2 program (Humphrey Systems, Dublin, CA) using full threshold, SITA standard, and SITA fast algorithms on the same day for two or more sessions within a 1-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity and specificity in detecting glaucomatous visual field defects with SITA standard and SITA fast using full threshold testing as the reference standard. RESULTS: The sensitivity of SITA standard and SITA fast in detecting glaucomatous defects overall was 98% and 95%, respectively. In the subset of mild glaucomatous field defects (26 patients), sensitivity of SITA standard was 92% versus 85% with SITA fast. Sensitivity was 100% for both algorithms in moderate to severe glaucomatous defects. Specificity for glaucoma defects using SITA standard and SITA fast was 96% for both algorithms. SITA standard reduced test-taking time from full threshold by 52% in normal subjects and 47% in glaucoma patients (P < 0.001). SITA fast reduced test-taking time by 72% in normal subjects and 65% in glaucoma patients (P < 0.001). Mean deviation values were 0.4 dB and 0.8 dB better in SITA standard and SITA fast fields, respectively, in normal subjects (P < 0.001), and 0.7 dB and 1.2 dB in SITA standard and SITA fast fields, respectively, in glaucoma patients (P < 0.001) compared with full threshold values. CONCLUSIONS: The new algorithms for measuring visual fields, SITA standard and SITA fast, have excellent sensitivity and specificity for glaucomatous visual field loss with considerable savings in time.
BACKGROUND: It hs been reported that some glaucoma patients have deficient endothelial nitric oxide production. The effect of the presupposed nitrovasodilators CEDO 8956 and hydralazine hydrochloride (HCl) on bovine retinal microcirculation pericytes and ophthalmic artery smooth muscle cells are investigated. METHODS: Cells were cultured on silicone membranes and their contractile tone observed by phase contrast inverted microscopy before and after exposure by fluid exchange to different drugs at various concentrations. Experiments were conducted with pericytes in the absence (control) or in the presence (10 nM - 0.1 mM) of CEDO 8956, hydralazine HCl, or sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Experiments were conducted with smooth muscle cells in the absence (control) or in the presence (0.1 mM) of CEDO 8956, or hydralazine HCl. RESULTS: In comparison to control (- 0.56 +/- 10 %), pericytes were significantly relaxed by SNP (100 +/- 0 %, p < 0.001), but not by CEDO 8956 (9.2 +/- 15.4 %) or hydralazine HCl (20.6 +/- 4.4 %). In comparison to control (1.64 +/- 5.3 %), smooth muscle cells were significantly relaxed by CEDO 8956 (46.2 +/- 12.4 %, p < 0.05) and hydralazine HCl (54.9 +/- 9.1 %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a possible heterogeneity between cultured bovine microcirculation pericytes and ophthalmic artery vascular smooth muscle cells in the relaxing response to CEDO 8956 and hydralazine HCl. Apparently, these two drugs might not be first choice candidates in order to attempt to try to selectively improve circulation in the retina or the optic nerve head capillary network.