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Biomedical subjects

F Hollows

Publications and source records attributed to F Hollows.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Interferon-alpha 2b inhibits proliferation of human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts.

To evaluate the potential of interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-alpha) as an antifibrotic treatment after glaucoma filtering surgery, we studied its ability to inhibit mitogen-induced proliferation of human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in vitro, as shown by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. IFN-alpha inhibited fetal calf serum-induced proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in concentrations ranging from 10 to 10,000 IU/ml (P < 0.001). Inhibition was also found when IFN-alpha was added prior to the mitogen (P = 0.001); this inhibitory effect lasted at least 3 days. We suggest that IFN-alpha deserves further evaluation as a possible agent for the control of ocular fibrosis.

Cell Division

A "development aid" approach to Third World surgical blindness.

Establishing local production of intraocular lenses (IOLs) and sutures should be as much a part of surgical blindness prevention assistance to Third World countries as teaching extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation, because it would increase financial independence and encourage economic growth.

Blindness

Basic ophthalmic assessment and care workshops for rural health workers.

The inequitable distribution of medical services in Australia means that many rural dwellers do not have easy access to ophthalmic care. In regions with no medical personnel, appropriately trained rural health workers may provide ophthalmic assessment, primary treatment, and, in some circumstances, definitive care. In areas with overburdened services, these rural health workers may augment facilities already established. In an attempt to improve the accessibility and quality of ophthalmic services available to presently disadvantaged rural inhabitants, the aims, curriculum, and structure of a 'Basic Ophthalmic Assessment and Care Workshop', for the transfer of knowledge and skills to such rural health workers, is presented.

Allied Health Personnel

On the practicalities of eye camp cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation in Nepal.

Based on our experience in Nepal, we discuss the practicalities of performing extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the context of the third-world eye camp. At slightly less than 30 minutes per case, while not as quick as an intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) with a Graefe section, the trade-off between vision result and operation time, according to patients, is very much in favor of the ECCE/IOL technique. Also, although IOLs remain expensive, by using donated lenses, the overall costs of providing ECCE/IOL surgery need not exceed those of providing ICCE.

Cataract Extraction

High-dose intravitreal gancyclovir for cytomegaloviral (CMV) retinitis.

A patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) with bilateral cytomegaloviral (CMV) retinitis who had become neutropaenic from intravenous gancyclovir, was treated with a total of 16 intravitreal 2 mg/0.1 ml doses of gancyclovir in each eye under topical anaesthesia. The injections were well tolerated with no evidence of retinal toxicity. A moderate vitreous haze which did not affect vision was the only complication. The patient retained useful vision until the time of his death, three months later.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Intraocular lens implantation: a model for the Third World.

Intracapsular cataract extraction has long been thought of as the appropriate technique to deal with the backlog of Third World cataract blindness. However, this operation may not be as sight effective as many believe. The authors offer their experience of intraocular lens implantation in the Torres Strait as a model for a more visually appropriate surgical cure for Third World cataract.

Cataract Extraction

Cataract--the ultraviolet risk factor.

Ophthalmic examination of 64 307 Aborigines and 41 254 non-Aborigines in remote rural Australia during the course of the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program revealed a positive correlation between the prevalence of senile cataract and levels of climatic ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Aborigines were more likely to be affected by senile cataract than non-Aborigines. It seems that Aborigines who live in areas of higher UV irradiation are more likely to acquire cataract; more likely to acquire the condition earlier in life; and more likely to be blind or visually disabled by it, than their counterparts living in areas of low UV irradiation. Provision of adequate shelter in areas of high insolation, where most cases of cataract occur, is likely to be an effective preventive measure.

Adult

Thyroid eye disease (TED)--a current understanding.

Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) provides a clinical meeting place for physician, ophthalmologist and immunologist. Some past difficulties in understanding this disease may have reflected too narrow specialization. In this presentation only three eponymous terms will be used --Graves' Disease, Plummer's Disease and Hashimoto's Disease.

Eye Diseases

Ear disease in rural Australia.

Aboriginals in rural Australia have a higher over-all prevalence of otitis media and tympanic scarring than non-Aboriginals. Over-all, 11% of 60273 Aboriginals had otitis media and 29.1% had scarring in one or both ears, although the rates varied widely in different regions. Of 37713 non-Aboriginals, 1.1% had otitis media and 13.5% had scarring in one or both ears. Children less than 10 years of age had the highest prevalence of otitis media in both racial groups. A lower proportion of the otitis media was "glue ear" in Aboriginals than in non-Aboriginals. The pattern of prevalence of otitis media and scarring suggests that otitis media occurs more frequently and lasts longer in Aboriginals. Scarring rates suggest that otitis media is less frequent now than in the past in non-Aboriginals, but is more frequent in Aboriginals.

Adolescent