Surgical technique and preliminary results of transcanalicular endoscopic lacrimal duct recanalization and balloon dacryoplasty with silicone intubation in Filipino patients with complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To describe the surgical technique of transcanalicular endoscopic lacrimal duct recanalization (TELDR) with balloon dacryoplasty and silicone intubation in patients with complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction and assess their effectivity.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> Ten lacrimal systems from eight patients diagnosed with complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) underwent TELDR and balloon dacryoplasty with silicone intubation.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> All 10 lacrimal systems from eight patients who underwent TELDR and balloon dacryoplasty with silicone intubation had 100% anatomical and functional patency.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> TELDR and balloon dacryoplasty with silicone intubation represents an alternative, minimally invasive technique in the management of complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction.</p>

Macular pigment optical density in healthy eyes of Filipino adults

OBJECTIVE: To determine the range of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) levels in healthy Filipino adults using both the MPS II and the macuscope and to investigate whether age and sex were related to inter-subject variations in MPOD. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross sectional study of 168 healthy Filipino patients who underwent heterochromic filter photometry to measure macular pigment levels using the MPS II and the macuscope. The MPOD levels were averaged per age group and analyzed as to variations among age and gender.RESULTS: One hundred thirty (130) and thirty-eight (38) patients underwent MPS II and macuscope testing respectively. The mean MPOD level for MPS II was 0.39(±0.16) and for macuscope 0.27(±0.07). MPOD values were similar across all age groups and gender, but they were lower when measured with the macuscope.CONCLUSIONS: MPOD levels measured among healthy Filipino adults were lower with the macuscope compared to the MPS II. These differences should take into consideration the differences in apparatus and techniques of measurement.

Epinephrine in irrigating solutions and its effect on blood pressure and pulse rates

A study was done to determine if epinephrine 1:600,000 concentration mixed with BSS will have any effect on a patients cardiovascular status during and after cataract surgery. A retrospective study was done on 50 cataract patients from January to June 1999. 0.3ml of epinephrine added to 500cc of BSS were used as the irrigating solution for phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification using the pre-slice technique under topical anesthesia was performed on all patients. Irrigation and aspiration was done and small amounts of solution to reform the chamber. Patients blood pressure and pulse rates were taken preoperatively, intra-operatively, post-operatively and 24 hrs. post-operatively. Results showed no statistically significant rise in systolic blood pressure and pulse rates. We conclude that epinephrine 1:600,000 mixture in BSS is a safe way of maintaining pupillary dilatation during phacoemulsification. (Author)