Autosomal dominant central pigment epithelial and choroidal degeneration.

Eight of nine individuals of a four-generation family had autosomal dominant central pigment epithelial and choroidal degeneration, which was not entirely consistent with previously described central retinal and choroidal degenerations. The early loss of the choriocapillaris with a relative sparing of the sensory retinal and pigment epithelial function is similar to central areolar choroidal degeneration. Ophthalmoscopically, however, the disease resembled the dominant progressive foveal degenerations; except that our patients additionally had multiple peripheral yellow-white lesions. An exceptional finding in our patients was the preservation of good visual acuity despite marked atrophy of the choriocapillaris.

Intraocular lens power formulas.

We have developed a FORTRAN digital computer program to evaluate intraocular lens power for any thin lens and combination of corneal curvature and axial length. Partial derivatives of the power with respect to cornea power, axial length, and lens position allow estimation of error in power of the lens. These derivatives are computed along with power of the lens for six far points which may be changed with the program running. The program is written for remote access so that an ordinary telephone and portable terminal provide the ability to compute lens power.

Is the witchdoctor medically competent?

Any possible collaboration with indigenous healers presupposes a precise knowledge of what they do. Diviners are specialists in social relations and their expertise can be of benefit to medical practice. The medicines employed by herbalists are not usually therapeutic in the physical sense. They operate on a mystical and symbolic plane, which is foreign to the practice of "Western" medicine.