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Biomedical subjects

P E Gallenga

Publications and source records attributed to P E Gallenga.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Color vision and macular recovery time in epileptic adolescents treated with valproate and carbamazepine.

Visual dysfunction has been reported in patients diagnosed with epilepsy. Some of these visual disturbances may be attributable to either the disease process, or the anticonvulsant therapy prescribed to control the seizures. The aims of our study were to evaluate whether color vision and macular function are impaired in epileptic adolescents, to study if the monotherapy with valproic acid (VPA) and carbamazepine (CBZ) can affect color vision and macular function and to determine the possible relationship between color vision, retinal function and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) dosage and their serum concentrations. We examined 45 (16 male and 29 female, mean age +/- SD, 15.71 +/- 2.01 years) Caucasian epileptic patients suffering from various types of cryptogenic epilepsy before the beginning of therapy and after 1 year of VPA or CBZ monotherapy and 40 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Color vision was assessed by Farnsworth Munsell (FM) 100-hue test and total error score (TES) was evaluated. This test consists of colored caps: the testee has to arrange the caps according to their colors macular function was assessed by nyctometry evaluating initial recovery time (IRT) and summation method (SM). This test evaluates visual acuity after a period of intense illumination of macula. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the difference between controls and patients; moreover, Pearson's correlation test have been performed. Before the beginning of therapy, there were no differences in color vision and macular function between controls and epileptic patients. After 1 year, the patients, treated with VPA or CBZ, showed a deficit in FM 100-hue test. At nyctometry, all patients showed no significant variation of macular function between baseline evaluation and second evaluation at end of the follow-up. Our study demonstrates that, in our group of epileptic patients, epilepsy per se does not affect color vision and retinal function. In contrast, after 1 years of therapy with VPA and CBZ these patients showed a deficit in FM 100-hue test although nyctometry evaluation continued to be normal allowing to exclude an impairment in macular function. Further investigations are required to determine the pathophysiological alteration(s) that are at the basis of color perception defects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Color vision in epileptic adolescents treated with valproate and carbamazepine.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of our study were to evaluate whether deficits in color vision exist in epileptic adolescents, to study if monotherapy with valproic acid (VPA) and carbamazepine (CBZ) can affect color vision, and to determine the possible relationship between abnormal color vision tests and AEDs dosage and their serum concentrations. PATIENTS: We examined 45 epileptic patients before the beginning of therapy and after 1 year of VPA or CBZ monotherapy and 40 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. METHODS: Color vision was evaluated with Farnsworth Munsell 100 (FM100) hue test and achromatic and short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: To evaluate intergroup differences we used ANOVA with Scheffe's post hoc test, when appropriate. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate the intragroup modifications of total error score (TES) and perimetric threshold during the follow-up. Pearson's correlation test was performed to correlate chromatic sense and perimetric data and AEDs dosage and serum concentrations. RESULTS: Before the beginning of therapy, there were no differences in central color vision and SWAP between controls and epileptic patients. After 1 year, patients treated with VPA or CBZ showed a deficit in FM100 hue test and SWAP parameters while no significant deficit was found in achromatic perimetry. In particular, with the FM100 hue test a higher number of errors was found in both groups of patients (CBZ patients: 166.00 +/- 27.72 TES; VPA patients: 151.19 +/- 44.09, P < 0.001) in comparison with controls (controls: 109.29 +/- 24.73) and baseline values (CBZ patients: 110.65 +/- 22.9; VPA patients 107.43 +/- 21.70). With SWAP patients of both groups showed significant variation of foveal threshold (controls: 21.07 +/- 2.01 dB; CBZ patients: 19.35 +/- 1.32, P < 0.001; VPA patients: 18.88 +/- 1.89, P < 0.001), full-field mean threshold perimetric sensitivity (controls: 18.50 +/- 1.24 dB; CBZ patients: 16.60 +/- 1.47, P < 0.001; VPA patients: 16.23 +/- 1.55, P < 0.001) and mean threshold perimetric sensitivity of the three evaluated subareas of the visual field (area 1 controls: 21.01 +/- 1.15; CBZ patients: 19.45 +/- 1.74, P = 0.001; VPA patients: 18.25 +/- 1.61, P < 0.001; area 2 controls: 18.40 +/- 1.43; CBZ patients: 16.07 +/- 1.58, P +/- 0.001; VPA patients: 16.13 +/- 1.46, P = 0.001; area 3 controls: 17.20 +/- 1.49; CBZ patients: 14.28 +/- 1.51, P < 0.001; VPA patients: 14.31 +/- 2.90, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that treatment with VPA or CBZ can affect significantly both central and paracentral color vision after a short treatment period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Static perimetry and diabetic retinopathy: a long-term follow-up.

In order to evaluate if central static perimetry is useful to identify patients at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, 60 (27 male, 33 female) adolescents and young adults (mean age, 15.9 years) with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were studied prospectively. No patient showed fluorescein angiographic signs of retinopathy initially. The patients were evaluated at the beginning of the study and after 8 years. At the beginning of the study, mean defect in the population was -2.34 dB as determined by perimetry; no patient showed significant impairment of foveal threshold (mean, 33.17 dB). After 8 years of follow-up, 7 patients had developed fluorangiographic signs of retinopathy. Life-table analysis showed that the overall probability of retinopathy development was significantly higher in subgroups of patients with mean sensitivity in areas 2 and 3 below the cutoff. These results suggest that central static perimetry is a useful tool in predicting the development of retinopathy in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who do not have fluorescein angiographic signs of retinopathy. This tool can help the physician to identify those patients at risk of developing fluorangiographic signs of retinopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

A 12-month, randomized, double-masked study comparing latanoprost with timolol in pigmentary glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and side effects and the effect on aqueous humor dynamics of 0.005% latanoprost applied topically once daily with 0.5% timolol given twice daily for 12 months to patients with pigmentary glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-masked, clinical study. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six patients affected with bilateral pigmentary glaucoma controlled with no more than a single hypotensive medication were enrolled in the study. INTERVENTION: The sample population was randomly divided into 2 age- and gender-matched groups each of 18 patients. Group 1 received 0.005% latanoprost eyedrops once daily and the vehicle (placebo) once daily; group 2 was assigned to timolol 0.5% eyedrops twice daily. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diurnal curves of intraocular pressure (IOP) were performed on the baseline day and after 0.5, 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. The IOP measurements were performed at 8:00 AM, 12:00 noon, 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM. Outflow facility ("C") was measured on the baseline day and on the last day of the study with a Schiotz electronic tonometer. A two-tailed Student's t test for paired or unpaired data was used for statistical evaluation of differences between treatment and baseline values or between the latanoprost and timolol group. Diurnal IOP measurements were compared hour by hour. Mean values of the two eyes IOP and "C" were used for analysis. RESULTS: Compared with baseline measurements, both latanoprost and timolol caused a significant (P < 0.001) reduction of IOP at each hour of diurnal curve throughout the duration of therapy. Reduction of IOP was 6.0 +/- 4.5 and 5.9 +/- 4.6 with latanoprost and 4.8 +/- 3.0 and 4.6 +/- 3.1 with timolol after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Comparison of mean diurnal measurements with latanoprost and timolol showed a statistical significant (P < 0.001) difference at 3, 6, and 12 months. Mean "C" was found to be significantly enhanced (+30%) only in the latanoprost-treated group compared with the baseline (P = 0.017). Mean conjunctival hyperemia was graded at 0.3 in latanoprost-treated eyes and 0.2 in timolol-treated eyes. A remarkable change in iris color was observed in both eyes of 1 of the 18 patients treated with latanoprost and none of the 18 patients who received timolol. Darkening of the peripheral iris stroma was suspected in two patients treated with latanoprost. In the timolol group, heart rate was significantly reduced from 72 +/- 9 at baseline to 67 +/- 10 beats per minute at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although further studies may need to confirm these data on a larger sample and to evaluate the side effect of increased iris pigmentation on long-term follow-up, in patients with pigmentary glaucoma, 0.005% latanoprost taken once daily was well tolerated and more effective in reducing IOP than 0.5% timolol taken twice daily.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

A family with autosomal dominant distal arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and brown syndrome.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is a heterogeneous condition found in a number of different disorders and characterized by congenital joint contractures. We describe typical signs of congenital Brown syndrome (inability to elevate the affected eye actively or passively in full adduction) in three relatives with distal arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. We found a thickening of the superior oblique muscles in these patients with pain and increased intraocular pressure in upgaze. The pathogenesis of clinical and morphological findings is discussed. The association of Brown syndrome with distal arthrogryposis multiplex congenita has not been previously reported and provides us with an important point of reference in the understanding of both syndromes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Treatment of retinal tears and lattice degenerations in fellow eyes in high risk patients suffering retinal detachment: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fellow eye prophylaxis for retinal detachment (RD) is still a controversial issue since opinions are not unanimous regarding the kind of lesions to be treated or the method of treatment. This prospective clinical study aimed to follow the course of vitreoretinal conditions in 150 high risk fellow eyes. METHODS: 150 consecutive patients with unilateral rhegmatogenous RD were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were good explorability of fellow eye retinal periphery and one of the following conditions in the fellow eye-aphakia, pseudophakia with capsulotomy, high myopia (>-6D), contralateral eye to a giant retinal tear. Prophylactic treatment (photocoagulation or scleral buckling) was performed in the presence of retinal tears and lattice degenerations. The state of the vitreous body was determined at the beginning of the study and at the end, when RD occurred. RESULTS: Follow up ranged from 36 to 132 months. 95 fellow eyes were subjected to laser treatment; five eyes underwent prophylactic surgical treatment. Initially, in the treated group posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was present in 100 eyes (100% of cases), but as a complete PVD only in 42 of them (42%). 10 eyes in the treated group developed RD during the follow up period. In five of these cases the partial PVD had progressed and a retinal tear in a previously healthy area was the cause of the retinal detachment. In the other five eyes RD apparently developed from previously treated lesions. Progression of PVD was evident in four out of these five eyes. The untreated eyes had no visible degenerative lesions. During follow up eight eyes developed RD. These eyes had no PVD at the beginning of the study, but showed a partial PVD at the time of the diagnosis of RD. CONCLUSION: Fellow eyes with pre-existing retinal tears and PVDs can go on to retinal detachment in spite of laser prophylactic treatment. When PVD is not detectable or a partial PVD is present, the progression of posterior vitreous separation can account for retinal tears and RDs arising in formerly healthy areas.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Topical lomefloxacin 0.3% twice daily versus tobramycin 0.3% in acute bacterial conjunctivitis: A multicenter double-blind phase III study.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: To evaluate in a double-masked comparative, prospective, randomized multicenter trial the efficacy of lomefloxacin 0.3% eye drops twice daily and of tobramycin eye drops 4 times daily in patients with acute bacterial conjunctivitis. METHODS: Ninety-nine subjects were enrolled: 50 were treated with lomefloxacin 0.3% eye drops twice daily and 49 with tobramycin 0.3% eye drops 4 times daily. In all patients, conjunctival swabbing and assessment of objective signs and of subjective symptoms were performed. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference for any individual sign or symptom or for the sum score of either key or other signs and symptoms at any of the examination days. The sum score of both key and other signs and symptoms decreased in both groups at day 3-4 as compared to baseline values (p < 0.0001). The decrease in both these scores continued significantly from day 3-4 to day 7-8 (p < 0.05) and was similar in the two treatment groups (p > 0.4). The lowest resistance rate was seen in lomefloxacin (3.5%) and in neomycin (7.0%), while tobramycin showed resistance in 10 out of 88 resistance strains (11.4%). CONCLUSION: Both lomefloxacin 0.3% twice daily and tobramycin 0.3% administered 4 times daily were well tolerated and showed a high degree of clinical and microbiological efficacy in the treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis. Lomefloxacin caused less resistance than other antibiotics evaluated.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

In vitro viability of external eye microbial flora in hydroxy-propyl-methylcellulose.

The aim of this study was to verify the in vitro influence of various dilutions of a viscoelastic substance containing 2% hydroxy-propyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) on the viability of some microbial strains representative of the normal flora of the external eye. Pure reference strain cultures of Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and a fresh clinical isolate of Proteus mirabilis were selected for this study. Serial twofold dilutions of 2% HPMC, prepared so as to obtain a final concentration ranging from 50 to 0.78% of the product in sterile saline solution (0.85% NaCl), were taken out with a pipette that delivered 1.0 ml per tube. One hundred microliters of the abovementioned microbial inocula, used for the evaluation of the positive control of the test organism, were dispensed into each tube. After 24 h of incubation, 100 microl of samples were taken from each tube and plated into the specific medium for the growth of the test organism. After 24-48 h of incubation, these agar plates were examined and the colony-forming-unit count of each test organism was compared to the corresponding total colony count, acting as a positive control, in order to determine the quantitative variation of the test organism grown in the presence of the viscoelastic compounds. C. albicans and P. aeruginosa showed a statistically significant increase in growth with HPMC dilutions varying from 1:2 to 1:16. P. acnes and P. mirabilis growth was significantly reduced by all dilutions except for the 1:128 one. S. epidermidis growth was also significantly reduced in the presence of HPMC dilutions varying from 1:2 to 1:64. S. aureus growth was not significantly influenced. The viability of P. aeruginosa in HPMC dilutions needs to be carefully considered because of the ability of this organism to induce endophthalmitis, and the possibility that during cataract surgery, a small amount of HPMC may be left in the eye, trapped behind the intraocular lens optic.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1998

Delayed post-operative use of 5-fluorouracil as an adjunct in medically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The current study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of late post-operative use of subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with ocular massage (OM) after trabeculectomy with or without intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) in patients with medically uncontrolled primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: Initial trabeculectomy was performed in 60 eyes of 60 consecutive patients with medically uncontrolled POAG. Thirty eyes (group 1) were randomly assigned to intraoperative MMC (0.2 mg/ml for 3 min) and 30 (group 2) were randomised to standard trabeculectomy. During the first 3 months post-operatively OM and subconjunctival injections of 5-FU (5 mg in 0.5 ml of balanced salt solution) were performed in both groups every time the clinical evaluation suggested imminent bleb failure. Suture lysis was not performed in any patient. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 14 to 53 months (mean 30.17, SD 9.23) in trabeculectomy + MMC treated eyes and from 6 to 54 months (mean 27.37, SD 10.83) in trabeculectomy treated eyes. During the first 3 months of follow-up OM and subconjunctival injections of 5-FU were performed in 14 cases in group 1 and in 18 cases in group 2 (p = NS). A positive response to OM was obtained in 14 of 14 eyes and in 14 of 18 eyes in group 1 and in group 2, respectively (p = 0.042). The difference in post-operative mean IOP between the two groups was statistically significant at each time interval studied (p < 0.001). Success (complete or qualified) was achieved in 50 of 60 eyes (83.33%): 28 (93.3%) in the trabeculectomy + MMC treated group and 22 (73.3%) in the trabeculectomy treated group (p = 0.039). Among the complications seen, the incidence of bleb fibrosis was higher in group 2 (p = 0.0026). By means of post-operative treatment four nonrandomised subgroups were identified: intraoperative MMC + post-operative 5-FU, intraoperative MMC + no post-operative 5-FU, no intraoperative MMC + post-operative 5-FU, no intraoperative MMC + no post-operative 5-FU. The eyes treated with intraoperative MMC and post-operative 5-FU had a better long-term (48 months) cumulative probability of success (100%); treatment with intraoperative MMC or post-operative 5-FU alone was followed by a success rate of 87.1% and 72.2%, respectively. The cumulative probability of success after only trabeculectomy was 56% (p < 0.05). One case of hypotony maculopathy was found in the subgroup treated only with intraoperative MMC. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the effectiveness and relative safety of delayed post-operative 5-FU treatment in patients with clinical evidence of bleb failure. Only when OM had caused a lowering of IOP were late subconjunctival injections of 5-FU followed by good control of IOP. The use of intraoperative MMC may ensure a greater IOP decrease after OM.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Effects of brimonidine 0.2% on blue-yellow perimetry of glaucomatous patients.

A cross-over double-blind study was performed to evaluate the effect of acute administration of brimonidine on the blue-yellow perimetry. Thirty patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were admitted. After brimonidine administration, IOP and pupil diameter showed a significant reduction (p < 0.01) without modification in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Blue-on-yellow perimetry showed a significant reduction in CPSD from 3.81 +/- 1.60 to 2.71 +/- 1.92 (p < 0.05). This result suggests that brimonidine improves ocular perfusion via a reduction of IOP.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1998

In vitro Staphylococcus epidermidis growth in some viscoelastic substances containing sodium hyaluronate.

The aim of our study was to verify the in vitro growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis in various dilutions of some viscoelastic substances containing hyaluronic acid (Healon and Healon GV, IAL, Biolon). Serial twofold dilutions of each sterile viscoelastic substance, prepared so as to obtain a final concentration ranging from 50 to 0.78% of the product in sterile saline solution (0.85% NaCl), were taken out with a pipette that delivered 1.0 ml/tube. One hundred microliters of the S. epidermidis inocula, used for the evaluation of the positive control of the test organism, was dispensed into each tube. After 24 h of aerobic incubation at 37 degrees C, 100 microl of sample was taken out from each tube and plated into the specific medium for the growth of the test organism. After 24 h of incubation at 37 degrees C, these agar plates were examined and the colony-forming unit count of the test organism was compared to the corresponding total colony count, acting as a positive control, in order to determine the quantitative variation of the test organism grown in the presence of the viscoelastic compounds. For the lowest dilutions (from 1:2 to 1:8) statistically significant bacterial growth was detected in all tested viscoelastic substances. For the highest dilutions (1:64 and 1:128) Biolon and Healon GV showed a significant inhibition of S. epidermidis growth. A significant inhibition was also observed in the highest dilution (1:128) of Healon. In every dilution of IAL a statistically significant increase in bacterial growth was observed. It remains to be carefully considered whether S. epidermidis, accidentally penetrating the eye via the intraocular lens, could find a culture medium in a small amount of sodium hyaluronate left in the capsular bag behind the optic.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1998

Congenital retinoblastoma: appearance of calcifications during short-term follow-up.

An echographic follow-up of a case of congenital retinoblastoma was performed by monitoring variations in the tumoral echostructure concomitant with the appearance of microcalcifications. A previously unreported echo-graphic aspect regarding the first phase of observation is described. The calcifications in the tumour were evidenced on the 41st day of the patient's life.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed1998

Blue-on-yellow and achromatic perimetry in diabetic children without retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: We compared blue-on-yellow perimetry with achromatic perimetry to determine whether the first was more sensitive in detecting visual field defects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied 50 children and adolescents (22 male, 28 female) with IDDM, ranging in age from 10.1 to 16.3 years (mean 13.3+/-2.1 years), with a disease duration of 5.2-10.0 years (mean 7.1+/-1.9 years). Patients were divided into subgroups according to the presence of persistent microalbuminuria. No one had signs of diabetic retinopathy when studied with fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: By achromatic perimetry, the analysis of subareas of the central 30 degrees of the visual field (0-9 degrees; 10-18 degrees; out of 18 degrees) showed no differences between diabetic subgroups in the central 18 degrees of the visual field, while a significant difference between the same subgroups was found outside the 18 degrees of the 24-2 program of the Humphrey perimeter (P = 0.027). By blue-on-yellow perimetry, in all three of the perimetric subareas evaluated, the sensitivity was lower in microalbuminuric patients than in normoalbuminuric ones. The differential sensitivity between the perimetric tests performed with blue-on-yellow and with achromatic stimuli showed statistically significant data, with a higher level of significance in the central 18 degrees (P < 0.0001) than outside the 18 degrees (P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that blue-on-yellow perimetry is more useful and more sensitive than achromatic perimetry in the detection of preclinical visual field defects in diabetic children with microalbuminuria but without clinically detectable retinopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Relationship between contrast sensitivity and metabolic control in diabetics with and without retinopathy.

Contrast sensitivity was studied in diabetic adolescents and young adults with and without retinopathy in order to evaluate their central vision, to analyze the relationship of metabolic control to the presence and severity of retinopathy, and to re-evaluate the response to this test after a significant improvement in metabolic control. Twenty adolescent and young adult diabetics without retinopathy and 40 diabetics with retinopathy of varying degree were enrolled in the study; 20 healthy age and sex-matched subjects served as controls. Contrast sensitivity was assessed with a CSV-1000 contrast testing instrument, testing for four spatial frequencies, 3, 6, 12 and 18 cycles per degree (cpd). Diabetics with no retinopathy showed a weak but significant difference at 18 cpd compared with controls (P = 0.04), while diabetics with background retinopathy showed a significant reduction of contrast sensitivity at 12 and 18 cpd when compared with controls (P < 0.001). In patients with preproliferative/proliferative retinopathy a highly significant reduction of contrast sensitivity at all frequencies was found compared with controls. Furthermore, these patients had a significantly lower mean contrast sensitivity than patients without retinopathy. The patients were re-evaluated after a significant amelioration of metabolic control. An improvement in contrast sensitivity was found in diabetics without retinopathy and with background retinopathy, while there was no change observed in diabetics with severe retinopathy. These results show that diabetic adolescents and young adults with and without signs of retinopathy observed by fluorescein angiography have a reduced contrast sensitivity, which is more severe in patients with preproliferative/proliferative retinopathy. A significant amelioration of metabolic control is associated with an improvement of contrast sensitivity in all patients with the exception of those patients who had signs of preproliferative/proliferative retinopathy observed by fluorescein angiography. In summary, this longitudinal study provides the first evidence that reduced contrast sensitivity is reversible in diabetics with or without background retinopathy only.

Adolescent↗