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Biomedical subjects

Ronald J Smith

Publications and source records attributed to Ronald J Smith.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Laser in situ keratomileusis in patients with autoimmune diseases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with autoimmune diseases. SETTING: Private clinical practice. METHODS: In this retrospective case series, the records of patients who had LASIK at the Maloney Vision Institute between June 1, 1998, and October 1, 2004, were reviewed for a history of autoimmune disease including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, scleroderma, inflammatory bowel disease, Graves' disease, Reiter's syndrome, and Hashimoto's disease. The records were reviewed for corneal and scleral complications of autoimmune disease after LASIK. RESULTS: Forty-nine eyes of 26 patients with inactive or stable autoimmune disease were identified. No eye developed corneal thinning, melting, persistent epithelial defect, persistent keratitis, scleral thinning, scleritis, or scleromalacia. CONCLUSION: Laser in situ keratomileusis may be a reasonable option in patients with well-controlled or inactive autoimmune disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Transformations of mathematical and stimulus functions.

Following a pretest, 8 participants who were unfamiliar with algebraic and trigonometric functions received a brief presentation on the rectangular coordinate system. Next, they participated in a computer-interactive matching-to-sample procedure that trained formula-to-formula and formula-to-graph relations. Then, they were exposed to 40 novel formula-to-graph tests and 10 novel graph-to-formula tests. Seven of the 8 participants showed substantial improvement in identifying formula-to-graph relations; however, in the test of novel graph-to-formula relations, participants tended to select equations in their factored form. Next, we manipulated contextual cues in the form of rules regarding mathematical preferences. First, we informed participants that standard forms of equations were preferred over factored forms. In a subsequent test of 10 additional novel graph-to-formula relations, participants shifted their selections to favor equations in their standard form. This preference reversed during 10 more tests when financial reward was made contingent on correct identification of formulas in factored form. Formula preferences and transformation of novel mathematical and stimulus functions are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Lens opacities after posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To describe a case series to determine the incidence of lens opacities after posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (STAAR Surgical, Monrovia, CA) for very high ametropias. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen eyes of 170 consecutive eyes with high ametropias in whom lens opacities developed after posterior chamber phakic IOL implant (PCPIOL). INTERVENTION: Posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lens opacity appearance, localization, and clinical course. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes developed lens opacities 125 +/- 116 days after phakic IOL implant. All eyes had anterior subcapsular opacities, and two eyes also developed nuclear sclerosis. The anterior opacities did not extend posteriorly within the lens, and there were no posterior subcapsular cataracts. Seventy-one percent of opacities were first seen </=3 months, and 86% were seen </=7 months postoperatively. Seventy-nine percent of opacities were seen in the first or second implants of surgeons being trained; 19% of the first 16 cases and 0% of the next 43 cases of one surgeon developed opacities. Mean follow-up after opacity diagnosis was 9.1 +/- 6.8 months. Nine of the 14 (64%) opacities were asymptomatic. Two eyes developed nocturnal glare, with no loss of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and one had loss of BCVA. Two additional eyes with both nuclear sclerotic and anterior subcapsular lens opacities had visual symptoms and/or loss of BCVA and underwent phakic IOL explantation, cataract extraction by phacoemulsification, and PCPIOL implant with good visual outcome. In the entire series, 5 of 170 (2.3%) implantations had symptomatic opacities in which 111 implantations were the first or second case of the implanting surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Lens opacities are a potential complication of phakic IOL implantation. Most lens opacities were first seen in the early postoperative period and were most likely due to surgically induced trauma. The anterior subcapsular type was most common and tended not to be rapidly progressive during the follow-up period. The presence of nuclear sclerotic cataract was visually significant and progressive. Long-term follow-up is warranted to evaluate the rate of progression and course of lens opacities after phakic IOL implant surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Predictability and outcomes of photoastigmatic keratectomy using the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of astigmatic correction on the accuracy of the myopic and astigmatic correction in patients having photorefractive astigmatic keratectomy (PARK) and in those having photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). SETTING: Specialist excimer laser refractive clinic. METHODS: This prospective consecutive case series comprised 6097 eyes with a preoperative mean spherical equivalent (MSE) of -4.63 diopters (D) +/- 1.95 (SD) (range -0.75 to -13.00 D) and a mean cylinder of -1.13 +/- 0.73 D (range -0.50 to -6.00 D) having PARK with a Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser. Visual and refractive outcomes were assessed 12 months postoperatively and compared with those in 3004 eyes that had spherical PRK. RESULTS: At 12 months, the MSE was -0.02 +/- 0.79 D and the mean cylinder was -0.49 +/- 0.47 D in the PARK group; the MSE was -0.07 +/- 0.66 D in the PRK group. An MSE within +/-0.05 D of emmetropia was achieved by 69.8% and within +/-1.00 D, by 87.9%. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/20 or better in 42.6% and 20/40 or better in 91.2%. Statistical significance (P <.001, analysis of variance) was achieved for MSE, sphere, cylinder, haze, and visual acuity (best corrected [BCVA] and UCVA) based on the preoperative cylinder. The loss of BCVA varied from 1.1% to 5.8% depending on the degree of astigmatism treated. Accuracy varied with the attempted myopic correction and the attempted astigmatic correction. CONCLUSIONS: Excimer laser PARK was an effective treatment for compound myopic astigmatism, but predictability decreased and complications increased as the attempted astigmatic correction increased.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Shipping and the spread of infectious salmon anemia in Scottish aquaculture.

Long-distance transport of pathogens plays a critical role in the emergence of novel diseases. Shipping is a major contributor to such transport, and the role of ships in spreading disease has been recognized for centuries. However, statistical confirmation of pathogen spread by shipping is usually impractical. We present evidence of invasive spread of infectious salmon anemia in the salmon farms of Scotland and demonstrate a link between vessel visits and farm contamination. The link is associated with vessels moving fish between sites and transporting harvest, but not with vessels delivering food or involved in other work.

Anemia↗