Medical information systems and their importance in managed care.

The increasing emphasis on managed care has added a new class of information-management responsibilities to providers' clinical obligations. Fiscal constraints have placed a premium on operational efficiency, and managing payer and patient expectations requires ready access to increasing amounts of information. Provider groups may benefit from an understanding of the tools that are becoming available to address their emerging information management tasks. Modern information applications of potential use to providers are outlined. The data acquisition and decision-support features of provider workstations are described. A simplified schema is presented to assist caregivers in identifying their information-management needs and in crafting a strategy for addressing them. Recent technological trends (including the growing impact of Internet-based tools) are highlighted.

Vitrectomy and lensectomy in the management of intraocular foreign bodies--magnetic and nonmagnetic.

The Girard Ultrasonic Fragmentor makes it possible for the surgeon to remove opaque vitreous and cataractous lenses in order to be able to visualize directly intraocular foreign bodies, both magnetic and nonmagnetic. This greatly facilitates the removal and prevents many of the complications of the removal of intraocular foreign bodies. The technique can be performed either through the anterior chamber or the pars plana.

The Girard ultrasonic fragmentor.

Ultrasonic fragmentation can be used to fragment various tissues such as the lens, the vitreous, the iris and ciliary body, so that they may be aspirated through a 23-gauge cannula. Since the technique was first described in 1973, it has been used in 148 eyes in a variety of conditions with encouraging results.

Ultrasonic fragmentation for retroimplant membranes and pupillary block.

Retroimplant membranes may produce a reduction in vision and/or pupillary block glaucoma. Ultrasonic fragmentation through the pars plana is a quick and easy method for relieving the condition. The technique is described in six cases in which it has been used.

Keratoprosthesis: a 12-year follow-up.

A retrospective study of our total experience with implantation of four types of keratoprosthesis in 125 cases was reviewed. Diagnoses in the cases treated included chemical burns, derangement of the anterior segment from disease or injury, aphakic bullous keratopathy, ocular pemphigoid, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, anterior cleavage syndrome, Mooren ulcer, and blast injuries. The visual results in some cases have been gratifying and in others heartrending. Thirty percent of the patients attained 20/15 to 20/40 visual acuity, but at the end of 12 years, only 13% still had this visual acuity. Twenty-four percent attained 20/50 to 20/200 visual acuity, but this figure fell to 17% at the end of 12 years. Loss of initial good visual acuity was due to the numerous complications which required close observation and repeated surgery to control. The number of complications has been reduced by the use of a keratoprosthesis with a Dacron skirt and of the addition the Cardona nut and bolt to the shaft. The surgical technique has been improved by the use of a scleral expander, elimination of a scleral graft, and the use of the Tenon graft. The indications for the keratoprosthesis have changed over the years. Many alkali burns and practically all aphakic bullous keratopathy have been eliminated from the indications. Keratoprosthesis should be reserved for desperate cases. The technique of implantation is not complicated and initial results are usually good. The multiple complications, however, make it necessary for these cases to be followed by a surgeon who is familiar with the management of complications.

Clinical observation of posterior polymorphous dystrophy.

The clinical picture of this dominant corneal endothelial dystrophy is illustrated with a series of case histories. Differential diagnosis is considered both from the clinical manifestations and from the histopathological evaluation of degenerate corneal tissue.

Ultrasonic fragmentation for vitrectomy and associated surgical procedures.

Ultrasonic fragmentation (USF) can be used to fragment various tissues such as the lens, the vitreous, the iris, and the ciliary body, so that they may be aspirated through a 23-gauge canula. Since the technique was first described in 1973, it has been used in 148 eyes in a variety of conditions with encouraging results. In aphakic bullous keratopathy, the corneas and vision improved in 78% of the cases. Pupillary block was relieved in 100% of cases. Cystoid macular edema improved in 63%. Vitreous opacification from other than hemorrhage cleared in all cases, and vision improved in 71%. Massive vitreous hemorrhage was cleared in 86%, and vision improved in 58%. In massive vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment, the vitreous was cleared and the retina reattached in 80% of cases. In massive vitreous contraction, the vitreous was removed in all cases and the retina reattached in all (100%) of cases. In massive vitreous membranes and retinal detachment, the membranes were successfully removed in 100% and the retina reattached in 82%. Lens remnants in the vitreous were removed in 100% of cases. Secondary membranes were removed successfully in 100% of cases. Vitreous presentation in the anterior chamber, caused by a ruptured posterior capsule during extracapsular extraction or actual vitreous loss during intracapsular extraction, was treated successfully in 100% of cases. One case of medullo-epithelioma of the ciliary body was removed but recurred twice after ultrasonic fragmentation. Complications occurred in seven of 148 cases (4.8%) and consisted of five cases of retinal detachment (probably because of lens material reaction) and two cases of epithelial downgrowth in cases where the wound was not closed with sutures. Ultrasonic fragmentation appears to be a fairly simple procedure, performed with a machine with no moving parts, through two 1-mm incisions and using two 0.6-mm cannulas, with a minimum of complications and encouraging results. It should be tried before more radical procedures are recommended. A good anatomic result was obtained in 129 of the 148 consecutive cases (88%). The technique is described and the results reported.