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Biomedical subjects

W F March

Publications and source records attributed to W F March.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Experimental YAG laser sclerostomy.

A Q-switched neodymium-YAG laser was used to produce a corneoscleral perforation in human cadaver eyes. A through-and-through incision could be created solely with the YAG-laser at peak pulse energies of 16 millijoules (mJ). The minimal total energy required for perforation was 3,312 mJ. However, "optimal" perforation, producing splitting along natural scleral cleavage planes, required 26,676 mJ. Scanning electron microscopy showed the perforations to be clean holes with little debris.

Cornea

Ultrastructural and pharmacologic studies on laser-induced glaucoma in primates and rabbits.

Sustained high intraocular pressure resulting in optic nerve cupping and loss of ganglion cells was produced in five rhesus monkeys and eight pigmented rabbits by applying argon laser energy to the trabecular meshwork. In addition, the rabbits manifested buphthalmus. Flow of carbon particles subsequently injected into the anterior chamber was obstructed at the trabecular meshwork by a wound-healing response that closed the intratrabecular spaces. Besides this sustained high intraocular pressure as a result of late scarring, an acute hypertensive response was seen in all rabbits which may correspond to the acute hypertension seen after laser trabeculoplasty in humans. The acute hypertensive response could be only partially blocked by prostaglandin inhibitors and we believe that prostaglandins are not primarily responsible for this effect. Medications known to lower intraocular pressure were systematically tested in both glaucoma models.

Animals

Duration of effect of pilocarpine gel.

Thirty-five patients participated in a clinical trial of pilocarpine hydrochloride gel applied once daily at 10 PM. Patients tolerated the medication well and there were no untoward side effects. Significant lowering of intraocular pressure was found for 24 hours after administration. The effect 12 hours after administration was greater than 24 hours after administration. Therefore, pilocarpine gel can be endorsed as an effective medication for 24 hours in the vast majority of patients. However, it is incumbent on the prescribing ophthalmologist to measure the IOP at 10 PM at least once after prescribing pilocarpine gel to ensure adequate control of IOP at that time.

Aged

Noninvasive glucose monitoring of the aqueous humor of the eye: Part I. Measurement of very small optical rotations.

We have described the concept of using the aqueous humor glucose as a measure of the blood glucose concentration, with a view to developing a noninvasive glucose monitor for diabetic individuals. We have conceived of a scleral lens that houses a light source, polarizers, other electro-optic units, and a light detector, and which measures the optical rotation of the aqueous humor continuously. We have built an optical bench mock-up of the glucose sensor and assessed the limits of its capabilities. We have described a physical method, employing the Faraday effect, that modulates the incident light and uses a compensator to introduce a feedback mechanism giving a null-point technique capable of measuring extremely small rotations with an accuracy of 0.4 s of arc. We have used this and have measured the optical rotations of glucose solutions from 0.02 to 0.1%, and have demonstrated linearity in both cases. Miniaturization of the technique is discussed.

Animals

Noninvasive glucose monitoring of the aqueous humor of the eye: Part II. Animal studies and the scleral lens.

We have discussed the nature of a scleral lens that will allow us to follow changes in aqueous humor glucose levels in animals by a method based on optical rotation and a technique described in an earlier paper. We have shown how this lens can be micro-miniaturized and can be used in humans as a non-invasive glucose monitor. We have described preliminary experiments designed to show the correlation between the blood glucose assay (BGA) and the aqueous humor glucose concentration as determined by chemical assay (AGA) and by optical rotation determination (ARD). The last mentioned has been obtained by paracentesis directly into a microcell used in conjunction with instrumentation capable of measuring optical rotations as low as 0.0013 degrees (4.5") corresponding to 20 mg/dl glucose with a sensitivity of 0.0001 degrees (0.36"). The variability among normal rabbits as a function of individuality and diurnal changes is described, and the correlation between AGA and ARD shown to be essentially 1.0. Such rabbits are examined when undergoing very rapid decreases in BGA (insulin treatment) or very rapid increases in BGA (bolus of glucose). The AGA and ARD are shown to lag behind the BGA, and this is discussed in terms of the rate of change of BGA with respect to time and its concomitant change in AGA/ARD as well as a simple procedure that would materially reduce this lag.

Animals