Biomedical subjects

J B Gelvin

Publications and source records attributed to J B Gelvin.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Co-management of patients with glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a condition that challenges even the most experienced clinicians. Diagnosis may be straightforward and relatively simple, or difficult and trying. Management options include medication, laser, and surgery, alone or in combination. The care of patients with this chronic condition can be successfully delivered by a thoughtfully created glaucoma cooperative management team that includes providers who can address the various stages of glaucoma therapy based on the needs of the patient. Communication among team members is a key to success. Described in this paper is a potential model for the development and implementation of a successful glaucoma co-management team.

Glaucoma↗

PubMed1993

The formation and reversal of acute cataracts in diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus affects approximately 12 million Americans. This condition is characterized as an inability to properly metabolize glucose. Diabetes causes many systemic and ocular complications. The rapid onset of sugar cataracts caused by diabetes may arise in marked hyperglycemic states. METHODS: A 38-year-old white female was seen following a marked episode of hyperglycemia with blurry vision. Positive pertinent findings were present in the lens of each eye where 2+ posterior cortical cataract was observed. One month later, there was a remarkable reduction of the cortical cataracts. RESULTS: Following the resolution of the hyperglycemic state, visual acuity improved, cataract resolved, while retinopathy did not change. During extended follow-up, the characteristics of the lenses did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia can cause a number of changes in the human lens. Maintaining blood sugar levels within normal range will limit these changes, or prevent them from occurring.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1990

An introduction to excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.

Laser research has rapidly expanded in the area of corneal sculpting in the past few years. Lasers with specific wavelengths in the ultraviolet and infrared ranges are best suited for ablating corneal tissue without disturbing clarity of the surrounding matrix. This is essential in laser refractive procedures. The excimer laser is an ultraviolet dimer laser with a wavelength of 193 nm. Excimer laser research has progressed rapidly and FDA-approved clinical trials are presently underway. This paper covers various aspects of the excimer's history, qualities of excimer laser ablation, mechanisms of damage, various laser delivery systems, and FDA-approved clinical trial results.

Cornea↗

PubMed1989

Dosage cost analysis in glaucoma management.

After the diagnosis of chronic open-angle glaucoma has been made, and the indications vs. contraindications of each of the potential first-line topical medications have been weighed, what medical therapy should be initiated if the most cost effective form of management is desired? We surveyed 40 pharmacies in four cities and found no statistical difference between the mean annual cost of therapy with timolol maleate (Timoptic), betaxolol (Betoptic), and pilocarpine. Statistically, both dipivefrin (Propine) and levobunolol (Betagan) were found to be more expensive. We also discovered that there are large variations in medication prices between various pharmacies. In order to enhance compliance, optometrists may want to know the pharmacies in their communities that offer antiglaucoma medications at reasonable prices.

Analysis of Variance↗