Biomedical subjects

Ronit Friling

Publications and source records attributed to Ronit Friling.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Estimation of prevalence and incidence rates and causes of blindness in Israel, 1998-2003.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and incidence of blindness in Israel appear to be comparable to other western countries. Comparisons are difficult because of different definitions of blindness, and the uniqueness of the Israeli Registry of the Blind. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the population who were registered as Blind in Israel in the years 1998-2003 and estimate the prevalence and incidence of blindness by age and causes of blindness. METHODS: A retrospective review of the annual report of the national Registry of the Blind in Israel between 1998 and 2003 identified 21,585 blind persons who received a certificate for blindness. Blind persons are identified by ophthalmologists throughout Israel and referred to the Registry of the Blind if they have a visual acuity of 3/60 or worse, or a visual field loss of <20 degrees in their better eye. This report includes prevalence data on 21,585 persons enrolled in this review still alive and living in Israel in 2003. We estimated the prevalence rate of blindness nationwide and the incidence rate for each cause of blindness for every year. RESULTS: The main leading causes of blindness in Israel in 1998 were (in percent of the total number of newly registered patients): age-related macular degeneration (20.1%), glaucoma (13.8%), myopic maculopathy (12%), cataract (10.4%), diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy (10.1%), and optic atrophy (7.9%), and in 2003, 28%, 11.8%, 7.4%, 6.5%, 14.4% and 6.5% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the incidence of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Israel is increasing, while that of glaucoma, myopic maculopthy, optic atrophy and cataract is decreasing.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Ocular injury in children from exploding microwaved eggs.

PURPOSE: To report an ocular injury caused by exploding microwave-cooked eggs. DESIGN: Case reports. METHODS: Two children exposed to exploding microwaved eggs were examined for facial burns and ocular trauma. RESULTS: One patient sustained mild corneal epithelial damage in both eyes and eyelid burn, which were treated conservatively. The other, injured in the same event, had symblepharon and moderate keratopathy requiring intensive lysis. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be alerted to the potential risk of vision-threatening ocular injury from exploding microwaved foods, and the public should be educated not to cook eggs in microwave ovens.

Blast Injuries↗

PubMed2005

Clinical course and outcome of uveitis in children.

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate the clinical course, complications, and visual outcome of pediatric uveitis. METHODS: Our sample included 38 consecutive children with uveitis treated between 1986 and 2002: 15 with idiopathic uveitis, 10 with Behcet disease, 9 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, 4 with other diagnoses. The last group was excluded from the analysis because of its small size. Appropriate ophthalmologic and laboratory examinations were obtained. Treatment consisted of topical, periocular, or systemic steroids with or without immunosuppression. RESULTS: Complications occurred in all 3 groups, although they tended to be more severe in the patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Visual acuity improved from presentation to final examination; the difference was statistically significant for the patients with idiopathic uveitis (P < 0.0005) and Behcet disease (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support an intensive treatment approach to childhood uveitis. The visual prognosis is good even in patients with a severe clinical course.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Combined rectus muscle transposition with posterior fixation sutures for the treatment of double-elevator palsy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical and functional results of full horizontal tendon rectus muscle transposition to the superior rectus (SR) insertion, augmented by posterior fixation sutures, in patients with double-elevator palsy (DEP). DESIGN: Retrospective nonconcurrent interventional comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen consecutive patients with DEP. INTERVENTION: Six patients treated for DEP by vertical transposition of the horizontal muscles to the SR insertion (Knapp procedure) were compared with 8 patients treated by the Knapp procedure combined with fixation of the transposed muscles to the sclera, adjacent to the SR, with nonabsorbable sutures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative ocular alignment, ductions, binocular functions, and rate of reoperation. RESULTS: Ocular deviation: Mean distance and near deviations decreased by 84% and 83%, respectively (P = 0.012), in the augmented-surgery group versus 48% and 47%, respectively (P = 0.03), in the standard-surgery group. Duction: Mean elevation deficiency in abduction and adduction improved by 64% and 65%, respectively (P = 0.01), in the augmented surgery group versus 42% and 55% (P = 0.02) in the standard group. Binocular functions: 3 patients (37%), all in the study group, gained binocular function. Reoperation was required in 5 patients (83.3%) in the control group. The difference in postoperative improvement between the groups was statistically significant for all 4 parameters. No postoperative complications or duction anomalies were observed during the follow-up period of 15.4 months (standard deviation, 5.5). CONCLUSIONS: The augmented Knapp procedure with superior posterior fixation suture is the preferred surgical treatment for patients with DEP. Its use in this series avoided the need for multiple surgeries on other extraocular muscles.

Child↗

PubMed2005

Full vertical rectus muscle transposition combined with medial posterior fixation sutures for patients with adduction deficiency.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical and functional results of full tendon rectus muscle transposition to the medial rectus muscle augmented with posterior medial fixation sutures in patients with adduction deficiency (ADD) and Duane's syndrome type 2. DESIGN: Retrospective nonconcurrent interventional comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve consecutive patients with ADD and Duane's syndrome type 2. INTERVENTIONS: Six patients treated by the full tendon rectus muscle transposition procedure alone were compared with 6 patients treated by the full tendon rectus muscle transposition combined with posterior medial fixation sutures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative ocular alignment, duction improvement, binocular functions, and reoperation. RESULTS: In the augmented surgery group, mean distance and near deviation decreased by 74.5% and 74%, respectively, versus 56% and 59%, respectively, in the control group (P = 0.007 and 0.02, between-group comparison for distance and near deviation, respectively). Mean duction improved in 73% of the study group compared with 52% of controls (P = 0.025). No postoperative complications or duction anomalies were observed during follow-up in the entire cohort; reoperation was needed in 1 patient in the study group and in all 6 patients in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The augmented full vertical rectus muscle procedure is a beneficial surgical approach for patients with ADD and Duane's retraction syndrome type 2, reducing the need for multiple extraocular muscle surgery.

Abducens Nerve Diseases↗

PubMed2004

Intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide for severe vitritis in patients with incomplete Behcet's disease.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injections for the treatment of sight-threatening vitritis. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: Three patients with acute severe exacerbations of noninfectious panuveitis and vitritis were treated with IVTA injections alone or as an adjunct to systemic immunosuppressive agents. RESULTS: Rapid clearance of the vitreous inflammation with improvement in visual acuity was observed 1 to 2 weeks after injection. The effect lasted 2 to 6 months, with the shortest duration in the vitrectomized eye of Patient 1. Repeated injections were required in all patients. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide may be beneficial in selected cases of vitritis. This treatment modality has a rapid effect and may lower the use of systemic agents.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

Intraocular pressure variations after diode laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To investigate the intraocular pressure (IOP) variations occurring after indirect diode laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study. PARTICIPANTS: A study group-21 consecutive premature babies (42 eyes) undergoing diode laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity-and control groups-32 premature babies (64 eyes) undergoing retinal examination with or without scleral indentation. INTERVENTION: Intraocular pressure was measured with a portable electronic tonometer before, immediately after, and 1, 2, and 3 days after diode laser photocoagulation in the study group; before retinal examination in control group 1; and before and after retinal examination with scleral indentation in control group 2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Intraocular pressure after diode laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity. RESULTS: Mean IOP in the study group rose from 15 mmHg (standard deviation [SD] = 4.1) before coagulation to 33.2 mmHg (SD = 7.8; range, 20-50) immediately after, and then dropped to 22.2 (SD = 5.2), 16.5 (SD = 3), and 14.5 mmHg (SD = 2.1) 1, 2, and 3 days later, respectively. All the changes were statistically significant at P<0.0001, except for the difference between days 2 and 3 (P = 0.096). Mean baseline IOPs were 16.3 mmHg (SD = 3.7) in control group 1 and 15.7 mmHg (SD = 2.3) in control group 2 (P = 0.84 between control group 1 and study group, and P = 0.32 between control group 2 and the study group). At termination of the retinal examination with scleral indentation (control group 2), IOP measured 15.1 mmHg (SD = 2.2) (P = 0.49 compared with baseline). CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular pressure may be significantly elevated after diode laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity. The mechanism and long-term clinical implications of this observation should be investigated.

Female↗

PubMed2003

Elevated intraocular pressure associated with steroid treatment for infantile spasms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ocular changes and medical and surgical therapy after high-dose systemic steroid treatment in babies with infantile spasm and hypsarrhythmia. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: In 5 of the 9 (55%) babies with infantile spasm exposed to systemic corticosteroid treatment, an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) and optic disc cupping was observed. INTERVENTION: Ophthalmic examination under mild sedation was conducted 3 to 4 weeks after initiation of systemic therapy. Antiglaucoma treatment was given to the patients found to have high IOPs and cup-to-disc ratio changes. Routine follow-up was continued until systemic therapy was completed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Controlled IOP with a decrease in cupping damage after antiglaucoma therapy. RESULTS: Five patients required antiglaucoma treatment; one also underwent augmented trabeculectomy. Mean IOP decreased in this subgroup from 30.1 +/- 9.5 mmHg to 15.4 +/- 4.2 mmHg in the right eye (P = 0.043) and from 32.6 +/- 7.4 mmHg to 15.2 +/- 1.8 mmHg in the left eye (P = 0.043). Mean cup-to-disc ratio improved from 0.53 +/- 0.2 to 0.37 +/- 0.04 in the right eye (P = 0.06) and from 0.57 +/- 0.12 to 0.35 +/- 0.05 in the left eye (P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The rapid onset of IOP and cup-to-disc ratio changes in patients with infantile spasm and hypsarrhythmia treated by high-dose corticosteroids necessitates early and intensive monitoring to prevent anatomic ocular damage and visual impairment in the future.

Administration, Oral↗