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Samantha Fraser-Bell

Publications and source records attributed to Samantha Fraser-Bell.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Smoking, alcohol intake, estrogen use, and age-related macular degeneration in Latinos: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between smoking, alcohol intake, estrogen use, and both early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (soft indistinct drusen, retinal pigment abnormalities) and advanced AMD (exudative AMD, geographic atrophy) in the Latino community. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study. METHODS: Complete ophthalmic examination included stereoscopic macular photographs graded with a modified Wisconsin Age-related Maculopathy Grading System. A history of smoking, alcohol intake, and exogenous estrogen use was obtained by interview. Logistic regression was performed, and odds ratios (OR) were calculated with each AMD lesion as a dependent variable. RESULTS: There were 5875 participants (92.4%) with gradable photographs. Having ever smoked was associated with a higher risk of having advanced AMD (OR, 2.4). Heavy consumption of alcohol (>5 drinks per session) was significantly associated with a greater risk of having exudative AMD (OR, 5.8) and geographic atrophy (OR, 12.7) Beer drinking was associated with a higher risk of having advanced AMD (OR, 2.9), whereas wine drinking appeared to be protective for increased retinal pigment (OR, 0.7). Exogenous estrogen use also appeared to be protective from soft indistinct drusen (OR, 0.5) and increased retinal pigment (OR, 0.6), but power was limited in the assessment of its association with advanced AMD. CONCLUSION: Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, particularly beer, was associated with a greater risk of having advanced AMD; exogenous estrogen use appeared to have a weak protective effect in Latino participants. Similar modifiable risk factors have been identified previously in non-Hispanic white patients, which suggests that common pathogenic mechanisms may be associated with AMD in persons of different ethnicities.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Sociodemographic factors and age-related macular degeneration in Latinos: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the association of various sociodemographic factors and early and advanced (geographic atrophy, exudative) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Latinos. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study METHODS: The study population included Latinos (primarily Mexican-American) aged 40 years and older living in La Puente, California. Sociodemographic factors, obtained from an interviewer-administered questionnaire, included age, sex, Native American ancestry, acculturation, country of birth, employment, income, marital status, health insurance, and education level. All participants underwent complete ophthalmic examination. AMD was diagnosed from stereoscopic macular photographs. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between sociodemographic factors and AMD. RESULTS: Gradable retinal photographs from 5875 participants were included. Mean participant age was 54.9 years, 42% were male, and 5% had Native American ancestry. Stepwise logistic regression analyses indicated that age, sex, and being born in the United States were associated with early AMD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 1.8, and 0.80, respectively). Native American ancestry was the associated with any advanced AMD and geographic atrophy (OR = 3.8 and 16.4, respectively). Family history of AMD was also associated with geographic atrophy (OR = 28.1). Acculturation was not associated with AMD. CONCLUSION: Independent risk indicators for the various types of AMD include older age, male sex, being born outside of the United States, Native American ancestry, and a family history of AMD. These risk factors were independent of other possible behavioral factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Experience with the baerveldt glaucoma implant in the management of pediatric glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcome in 48 eyes of 48 children who received a Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) for the management of pediatric glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. METHODS: The medical records of all patients with pediatric glaucoma who underwent a BGI at two tertiary care referral centers in Los Angeles between 1990 and 1999 were reviewed. Intraocular pressure (IOP), intraoperative and postoperative complications, number of glaucoma medications, visual acuity, and pre- and postoperative corneal diameter and axial length were collected from patient records. Criteria for success were IOP between 6 and 21 mm Hg with or without glaucoma medications, no need for further glaucoma surgery, the absence of visually threatening complications, and some residual vision (minimum visual acuity of light perception). RESULTS: The study included 48 eyes from 48 patients aged 16 years and younger (mean age 4.1 years). Mean preoperative IOP was 31.2 +/- 25.7 mm Hg, and mean postoperative IOP was 16.4 +/- 4.9 mm Hg. Cumulative probability of success (based on the Kaplan-Meier survival curve) was 95% at 6 months, 90% at 1 year, 84% at 2 years, 74% at 36 months, and 58% at 48 months. On average, the BGIs were successful for a mean period of 5.6 years (67.7 months). Overall, 11 eyes failed, with the causes being uncontrolled IOP (eight eyes), retinal detachment (two eyes), and no light perception (one eye). CONCLUSIONS: Baerveldt glaucoma implants can be a safe and effective treatment modality for the management of pediatric glaucoma refractive to medical therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Refractive error, ocular biometry, and lens opalescence in an adult population: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To characterize age- and gender-related differences in refractive error, ocular biometry, and lens opalescence (NOP) in a population-based sample of adult Latinos. Also assessed were the determinants of age-related refractive differences. METHODS: Participants in the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES), a population-based study of Latinos aged 40 years and more, underwent an ophthalmic examination, including ultrasonic measurements of axial length (AL), vitreous chamber depth (VCD), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and noncycloplegic automated and subjective refraction. Corneal curvature/power (CP) was measured using an autorefractor. NOP was graded at the slit lamp by an ophthalmologist using the Lens Opacity Classification System II. Age- and gender-related differences were calculated. Multiple regression models were used to identify the determinants of age-related refractive differences. RESULTS: Of the 6357 LALES participants, 5588 phakic individuals with biometric data were included in this analysis. Older individuals had shallower ACDs, thicker lenses, more NOP, and more hyperopia compared to younger individuals (P < 0.001). There was no age-related difference in AL (P > or = 0.05). Women had significantly shorter AL, shallower ACD and VCD, than did men (P < or = 0.01). The strongest determinants of refractive error were AL (primarily VCD) and CP. NOP was a small but significant determinant of refractive error in older individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Age- and gender-related differences in ocular biometric, refractive error, and NOP measurements are present in adult Latinos. While the relative contribution of NOP in determining refractive error is small, it is greater in older persons compared to younger individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in Latinos: the Los Angeles Latino eye study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the age- and gender-specific prevalence of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD; drusen and retinal pigmentary abnormalities) and advanced AMD (exudative AMD and geographic atrophy) in Latinos. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Six thousand three hundred fifty-seven Latinos 40 years and older from 6 census tracts in Los Angeles, California. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of self-identified Latinos 40 years and over. Participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including stereoscopic macular photographs. Photographs were graded using a modified Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of early AMD, drusen, geographic atrophy, and exudative AMD. RESULTS: Of the 7789 eligible subjects, 6357 participants (82%) completed an interview and clinical examination, and 5875 (75%) had gradable photographs. Prevalence of advanced AMD increased from 0% in those 40-49 years of age to 8.5% in those 80 or older; that of early AMD from 6.2% to 29.7%, that of retinal pigment abnormalities from 4.1% to 19.3%, that of large drusen (> or =125 microm in diameter) from 8.5% to 45.3%, that of soft drusen from 15.4% to 58.1%, and that of soft indistinct drusen from 3.6% to 30.8%. The prevalence of early AMD and advanced AMD lesions increased with age (P<0.0001). Early AMD was significantly more common in males than in females. Of all participants with early or late AMD, only 57% reported ever visiting an eye care practitioner, and only 21% in the last year. CONCLUSION: Detailed population-based estimates of AMD in Latinos are provided. Despite relatively high rates of early AMD, corresponding rates of advanced AMD are not high. Data on progression of the high rates of early AMD in Latinos require further study.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Prevalence and associations of epiretinal membranes in latinos: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To determine age- and gender-specific prevalence and associations of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) in adult Latinos. METHODS: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) is a population-based study of eye disease among Latinos aged 40 or more years. Complete ophthalmic examinations included stereoscopic fundus photography. Masked photographic grading was used to identify and classify ERMs as cellophane macular reflex (CMR) without retinal folds or preretinal macular fibrosis (PMF) with folds. RESULTS: Of the 6142 persons examined at the clinic, 5982 (97%) had gradable retinal photographs. The mean age of the participants was 54.7 +/- 10.7 years; 58% were women. ERMs were present in 18.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.5%-19.5%) of the participants. Of the participants with ERMs, 19.9% had bilateral ERMs. The prevalence of ERMs increased from 10.1% in persons 40 to 49 years of age to 35.7% in those aged 70 to 79 years and was 22.5% in persons aged 80 years or more. The prevalence was similar in men and women. CMR was present in 16.3% (95% CI: 15.3%-17.2%) and PMF in 2.2% (95% CI: 1.9%-2.6%). Retinal folds involved the fovea in 11% of PMF cases. On average, eyes with central PMF had poorer visual acuity than did eyes without (P < 0.0002). Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) were present in 71% of eyes with macular holes. ERMs were also more common in individuals who had undergone cataract surgery (39.9%), those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (25.7%), and those with any retinal disease (27.5%). CONCLUSIONS: ERMs occur frequently in Latinos, often bilaterally. The associations of ERMs with proliferative retinopathy, retinal lesions, macular holes, and cataract surgery were confirmed. Central PMF is associated with reduced visual acuity.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Asymmetric refraction in an older population: the Blue Mountains Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To describe prevalence and associations of asymmetric refraction in an older population. METHODS: All participants in the Blue Mountains Eye Study had comprehensive eye examinations, including refraction. Spherical equivalent (SEq = sum sphere +.5 cylinder), in diopters, defined refractive error. Refractive asymmetry was assessed in phakic participants; anisometropia was defined as > or =1.0 diopters SEq difference between eyes. RESULTS: Anisometropia was present in 14.7% of participants. Mean refractive asymmetry (in diopters) in persons aged <60 years was 0.43; 60 to 69 years, 0.51; 70 to 79 years, 0.72; and 80+ years, 0.88. Prevalence and severity of anisometropia increased with age (P <.001), increasing ametropia or astigmatism. Associations included older age, cataract, and increasing ametropia. Myopic participants >-3.0 diopters had the highest anisometropia prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Refractive asymmetry was associated with age, increasing ametropia, and cataract.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Five-year cumulative incidence and progression of epiretinal membranes: the Blue Mountains Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To describe the 5-year cumulative incidence and change in epiretinal membranes in a defined older Australian population. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand six hundred fifty-four persons 49 years of age or older, living in the Blue Mountains area, west of Sydney, Australia, participated in the baseline survey during 1992 to 1994. The cohort was reexamined after 5 years in 1997 to 1999. Excluding persons (543) who died since the baseline, 75% of survivors (n = 2335) attended the follow-up examination. METHODS: All participants underwent a detailed eye examination, including stereo retinal photography. Epiretinal membranes were diagnosed from grading of baseline and 5-year retinal photographs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Epiretinal membranes were classified as either preretinal macular fibrosis (PMF), with retinal folds, or as a less severe form, termed cellophane macular reflex (CMR), without retinal folds. The incidence of epiretinal membranes was determined if either lesion was found in eyes with no preexisting epiretinal membrane at baseline. Progression was defined if the area of involvement increased by more than 25%, regression if it decreased by more than 25%, and stable if it changed by less than 25%. RESULTS: Epiretinal membranes developed in the first eye of 108 of 2030 participants who had no sign of this condition in either eye at baseline, 5.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.4 to 6.4. Five-year cumulative incidence rates for PMF and CMR were 1.5% and 3.8%, respectively. Of those participants with epiretinal membranes in one eye at baseline, 18 of 133 (13.5%) developed this sign in their second eye after 5 years. New epiretinal membranes (mostly CMR) occurred in 15 of 165 subjects (9.1%; CI, 5.2-14.6) who had undergone cataract surgery since the Blue Mountains Eye Study I. This rate was significantly higher than in the nonsurgical group, 92 of 1861 (4.9%; CI, 4.0-6.0) of whom developed epiretinal membranes. Progression from CMR to PMF was observed in 17 of 183 eyes (9.3%). Existing epiretinal membranes progressed, regressed, or remained stable in 28.6%, 25.7%, and 38.8% of eyes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study has documented the 5-year cumulative incidence and the natural history of epiretinal membranes in an older population.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Talc retinopathy.

A 45 year old man presented with talc retinopathy that had been present for decades. The static nature of this condition indicates that, in the absence of ongoing intravenous drug use, ophthalmological follow up is not necessary

Fluorescein Angiography↗
PubMed2002

Optic disc swelling in an adolescent with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

A 14-year-old Ukrainian girl with uncontrolled insulin dependent diabetes developed bilateral optic disc swelling when diabetic treatment was instituted. There was no retinal ischaemia. The disc swelling resolved completely over 8 months without specific ocular therapy. Disc swelling in juvenile diabetics must be differentiated from disc neovascularization. These patients may develop retinal ischaemia and neovascularization after the disc changes resolve.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Complicated hyphaema: think sickle.

Two cases of complicated hyphaema associated with sickle cell trait are presented. The pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of raised intraocular pressure in sickle cell trait are discussed.

Adult↗