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Biomedical subjects

T M Appelboom

Publications and source records attributed to T M Appelboom.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

A history of vision screening.

The vision screening program has a long and interesting history involving educators, pediatricians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists. Since, the earliest screening program initiated in 1899, many alterations in the original program have resulted from consideration of test reliability, testing conditions, and child maturity. Indeed, even the basic concept of vision screening had to be proven beneficial before it was widely accepted. The three basic areas of the exam - visual acuity, hyperopia, and heterophoria - developed independently into a concise, thorough screening system. Minor controversies continue, causing continuing modification and improvement.

Amblyopia

Acyclovir.

Acyclovir, the new virucidal drug recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV), is the first available effective drug to treat such infections. Acyclovir boasts activity against four of the five major herpes-group viruses, including herpes simplex (types 1 and 2), varicella-zoster, and Epstein-Barr. The drug, phosphorylated preferentially in viral cells, exclusively attacks infected cells possessing virus-specific DNA polymerase, giving acyclovir low toxicity coupled with high efficacy. Problems of renal toxicity and viral resistance now dampen some of the initial expectations. Present-day research continues to reveal insights into the mechanism and action of acyclovir.

Acyclovir