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Biomedical subjects

F A Billson

Publications and source records attributed to F A Billson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Iodine-125 irradiation of choroidal melanoma: clinical experience from the Prince of Wales and Sydney Eye Hospitals.

We examined the records of 53 patients treated for choroidal melanoma between 1985 and 1989. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and short-term results of iodine-125 episcleral plaque therapy. There were 28 males and 25 females, aged 20 to 77 years (median 61 years), treated for single tumours with a median diameter of 9 mm (range 5 to 15 mm) and with a median thickness of 4 mm (range 2 to 10 mm). The plaques containing iodine-125 seeds were chosen according to tumour size: 10 mm (16 patients); 15 mm (36 patients); 20 mm (one patient). All patients are alive at last follow-up (median 1.3 years, range 4 months to 3.3 years). Four patients underwent enucleation for melanoma progression. Thirty patients have developed some type of complication (more than one complication occurred in the same eye in 12 patients): retinitis (19), optic neuropathy (7); cataract (4), rubeosis iridis (2). Overall, visual acuity deteriorated in 32 patients, remained stable in 12 patients and improved in 9 patients. Iodine-125 plaque therapy appears to offer patients good prospects of tumour control and preservation of useful vision.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Nonabsorbable suture material in cataract surgery: a comparison of Novafil and nylon.

We compared the performance of 10-0 Novafil (polybutester, Davis & Geck, American Cyanamid Company, New South Wales, Australia.) with that of 10-0 nylon (Alcon) in 60 patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction and implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. A standard technique was used, and the incision was closed with interrupted sutures of either 10-0 Novafil or 10-0 nylon. Length of follow up ranged from 6 to 26 months (average, 15 months). We assessed the intraoperative handling qualities of the suture materials, as well as their effect on wound healing and inflammation. We also compared the surgically-induced astigmatism in the two suture groups over the first 3 postoperative months and then in long-term follow up (average, 15 months). Sutures removed at long-term follow up were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both suture materials handled easily at operation and were well tolerated by all patients. There was no significantly different surgically-induced astigmatism in the two suture groups after 12 weeks (P = .962) or during longer follow up (P = .401). SEM confirmed more advanced biodegradation of nylon as compared with Novafil sutures after they had been in place an average of 18 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Problems in the diagnosis and management of unilateral retinoblastoma.

The improved prognosis for life in retinoblastoma challenges us to readdress the severe morbidity associated with late presentation and treatment, particularly in unilateral disease. Three cases of unilateral sporadic retinoblastoma are presented to illustrate the range of therapeutic options that need to be considered in management and to show that early recognition of the tumour and local treatment have the potential to minimise morbidity and to enable binocular vision to be retained.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1991

A case of progressive hemifacial atrophy with uveitis and retinal vasculitis.

Parry Romberg syndrome is a rare disorder characterised by progressive hemifacial atrophy that is usually unilateral, involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and subsequently the muscle, cartilage and bone. Previous cases with various ocular manifestations have been reported. A case of Parry Romberg syndrome with retinal vasculitis is reported.

Alopecia↗
PubMed1991

Visual disability and major causes of blindness in NSW: a study of people aged 50 and over attending the Royal Blind Society 1984 to 1989.

Visual disability in individuals aged 50 years and over seeking services of the Royal Blind Society in the years 1984 to 1989, was studied with respect to changes in frequency of major causes together with age and sex of those affected. The results mirror statistics in the UK. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) accounts for an increasing proportion of visual disability (34% in 1984 to 43% in 1989). Of particular interest was the frequency of disability attributed to cataract. While decreasing (24% in 1984 to 19% in 1989), cataract still represents a significant cause of potentially treatable disability. The authors conclude that there is a changing prevalence of visual disability caused mainly by an increase in AMD and a subgroup of patients attending for services who appear to have a potentially remediable disability. These conclusions affirm the need for close liaison between ophthalmological practitioners and agencies for the blind.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Long-term comparison of Novafil and nylon in corneoscleral sections.

To compare the long-term degradation of Novafil (polybutester, American Cyanamid Company) and nylon suture material, we examined corneoscleral sections of nine rabbits 23 months after the placement of sutures. Only two nylon sutures remained, one in each wound of two rabbits; all the Novafil sutures were still present. However, examination of the Novafil sutures with scanning electron microscopy revealed signs of disintegration.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Early differentiation of ganglion, amacrine, bipolar, and Muller cells in the developing fovea of human retina.

We examined the differentiation and maturation of neurons and glia of the inner nuclear layer (INL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) in the retina of a human fetus of 15 weeks gestation. Serial, ultrathin sections were cut from a resin-embedded specimen from the posterior pole of the retina. The region of the putative fovea was defined by the absence of rod photoreceptors from the outer nuclear layer; only sections through the putative fovea were studied. Cell somata were classified on the basis of morphological criteria and, through the analysis of serial sections, morphological characteristics of the cell processes were established. In the inner plexiform layer (IPL), the types of synapses were analysed. The majority of cells in the INL and GCL were differentiated and could be identified. Ganglion cell somata were observed in the GCL and INL. Of 186 somata analysed in the INL, 66 were Muller cells, 21 amacrine cells, and 2 ganglion cells; a further 7 cells were classified as either amacrine or ganglion. Bipolar cells were thought to comprise the majority of the remaining 90 somata, but these could not be positively identified, as it was not possible to trace bipolar cell axons to their cell bodies deep in the INL. A detailed description of the morphological characteristics of the identified cells and their processes, and of the axonal processes of bipolar cells, is provided. Puncta adherentia and other simple intercellular junctions were commonly seen in the IPL and involved all cell types. Amacrine cell synapses and immature, monad bipolar cell synapses were common within the IPL. Dyad bipolar synapses were uncommon at this stage of development. A possible sequence of synaptogenesis in the IPL is discussed.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed1990

Autoantibodies to retinal astrocytes associated with age-related macular degeneration.

Sera from 128 patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were examined and profiles of a variety of serum constituents, including immunoglobulins, alpha and beta globulins and autoantibodies, were tabulated. A similar series of tests were carried out on 20 control sera. The results indicate a higher incidence of serum abnormalities, particularly involving alpha-2 globulin, in patients with disturbance of pigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The sera were further tested for the presence of autoantibodies with specificity for retinal tissue, and five major staining patterns were observed. Many sera produced patterns of labelling on human retina identical to that observed using labelled monoclonal anti-glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) antibodies, which are an established marker of retinal astrocytes. Although anti-retinal autoantibodies have been reported in association with a number of ocular pathologies, the observation of anti-astrocyte autoantibodies is new. Astrocytes are involved in the maintenance of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) and also appear to be the facultative antigen-presenting cells of neural tissue. The present results indicate that the formation of anti-astrocyte autoantibodies may be an early feature of the pathogenesis of AMD.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Ultrastructural features of contact lens-induced deep corneal neovascularization and associated stromal leukocytes.

Deep stromal vascularization was observed in corneas of four cynomolgus monkeys after extended monocular hydrogel contact lens wear. Keratocytes and extravascular leukocytes, including macrophages, lymphocytes, and in one case, neutrophils, were associated with the vessels in three monkeys. Vessel regression was observed in some animals, but not when lens wear was continuous. In one animal, neutrophil infiltration of the stroma associated with gross epithelial edema was observed. Involution of neutrophils by apoptosis and phagocytosis of pyknotic cells by macrophages was noted. The present study describes the ultrastructural features of deep corneal vascularization developed during extended contact lens wear and illustrates an association between leukocytes and new vessels.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Visual loss in osteopetrosis.

We present the clinical and electrophysiological findings in three cases of osteopetrosis with visual loss. In all cases the findings on electroretinography suggested diffuse retinal degeneration, despite normal ophthalmoscopic appearance of the retinas. We suggest that retinal degeneration may be a common finding in osteopetrosis and a major cause of visual loss. Patients with osteopetrosis and poor vision should be examined using electrophysiological techniques to detect unsuspected retinal dysfunction.

Blindness↗
PubMed1979

A longitudinal study of very low-birthweight infants. II: Results of controlled trial of intensive care and incidence of handicaps.

Between 1966 and 1970, infants with birthweights between 1000 and 1500g entered a randomized controlled trial to determine the short-term and long-term results of neonatal intensive care. Of 158 long-term survivors, five were lost to follow-up, but the multidisciplinary research team prospectively followed 143 children up to the age of eight years. Useful data were available for the other 10 children. Of the long-term survivors 74 had received routine, and 84 had received intensive nursery care. At eight years of age there were no statistically significant differences in the frequencies of a variety of individual abnormalities; fewer of the intensively managed children had cerebral palsy, but sensorineural deafness and ocular abnormalities occurred more frequently. Individual children were graded into four carefully defined groups: (a) profound handicap (4.4 per cent of entire study group); (b) severe handicap (10.1 per cent); (c) significant handicap (37.3 per cent); and (d) trivial or no handicap (41.8 per cent). Inadequate data were available for 6.3 per cent of the children. It was apparent that the improved survival attributed to intensive neonatal care was achieved at the expense of additional severely handicapped children, and this feature is discussed.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed1979

Optic neuropathy in ketogenic diet.

A symmetrical, bilateral optic neuropathy is reported in 2 patients being treated with ketogenic diets for seizure control. Laboratory tests suggested a thiamine deficiency, and both patients recovered normal visual function after several weeks of treatment with thiamine. The risk of optic nerve dysfunction occurring during the treatment with a ketogenic diet can be minimised if routine vitamin B supplements are given and periodic evaluation of optic nerve function undertaken.

Child↗
PubMed1978

Trauma to the lacrimal system in children.

We repaired damage to the lacrimal drainage system in a series of 393 children who had lacrimal obstruction caused by congenital obstruction or facial injuries. Delayed surgery for traumatic obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct in children, including infants, was successful in all cases.

Dacryocystorhinostomy↗
PubMed1978

Maternal anticonvulsants and optic nerve hypoplasia.

Seven patients with optic nerve hypoplasia, born of epileptic mothers, are presented. All the mothers took anticonvulsants during pregnancy. The possibility that maternal anticonvulsant therapy may play a role in the genesis of optic nerve hypoplasia is discussed in the light of what is known about the teratogenicity of these agents.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1978

The supranuclear disturbances of gaze in kernicterus.

Five patients with kernicterus and ocular motility disturbances are reported. All of the patients showed some defect in vertical gaze but not always upgaze. The most severely affected patient exhibited slowness of horizontal saccades in addition to a total vertical gaze palsy. In general, the severity of the ocular motility disturbance paralleled the severity of hearing loss. It is suggested that damage to the periaqueductal area accounts for disturbances in vertical gaze and the infrequent horizontal saccadic disturbances results from interruption of the descending centrifugal fibers. It is emphasized that kernicterus must be included in the differential diagnosis of any supranuclear vertical gaze disturbance.

Athetosis↗
PubMed1978

Rheumatic diseases and the eye.

The ocular complications of the rheumatic diseases are common, frequently insidious and sight threatening, and deserve review to heighten awareness and facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Arthritis, Juvenile↗
PubMed1977

Retinoblastoma in Victoria.

This paper reports all cases of retinoblastoma occurring in Victoria over a 20-year period between 1956 and 1976. It suggests that the natural history of treated retinoblastoma in an Australian community, is characterized by low mortality (8.3%), but significant morbidity. The most common problem in management of unilateral cases was one of diagnosis in contrast to bilateral cases, in which the problem was one of maintaining useful vision whilst at the same time eradicating a life-threatening tumour. Suggestions are made as to how management of retinoblastoma may be further improved, and the need for an active national register is discussed.

Australia↗