ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We compare the prevalence of glaucoma in professional wind versus non-wind instrument players in the Philadelphia Orchestra. Visual field changes in individuals with glaucoma and glaucoma suspects were evaluated, and the results were correlated with cumulative practice time. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, observational study, fifty-one Philadelphia Orchestra musicians were enrolled and categorized as wind or non-wind instrument players. All study participants underwent screening fundus photography. Participants with optic discs suspicious for glaucoma underwent further evaluation, including standard automated visual field perimetry and a comprehensive eye examination by a glaucoma specialist. RESULTS: Of the 51 musicians enrolled, 9 of the 21 wind instrument players (43%) and 8 of the 30 non-wind instrument players (27%) were suspected of developing glaucoma in at least one eye (P = 0.25), with examinations performed on 12 of the 17 returning musicians (71%) for further confirmation. Wind instrument players exhibited significantly higher Octopus visual field mean defect scores (1.08 ± 1.5 dB) than non-wind instrument players (-0.43 ± 0.7 dB; P < 0.001). There was a significant association between cumulative hours playing wind instruments and visual field mean defect (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Among members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the difference in prevalence of glaucoma suspicious optic discs between wind and non-wind instrument players was not significant. The clinical significance of the greater visual field mean defect found in wind instrument players, and the association between the degree of visual field mean defect and the cumulative practice-time of playing wind instruments, needs further investigation.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate by survey the comfort upon instillation of timolol hemihydrate compared to timolol maleate with potassium sorbate. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter, observational, non-interventional study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and three patients of open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who were ≥21 years old and were currently prescribed timolol hemihydrate (once or twice daily) or timolol maleate with potassium sorbate once daily as monotherapy or as a part of two-drug therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study was performed at seven clinical sites in the United States. Patients were surveyed on comfort upon instillation of timolol hemihydrate compared to timolol maleate with potassium sorbate. RESULTS: A difference between timolol hemihydrate and timolol maleate with potassium sorbate for questions 1 (burning/stinging on instillation, p < 0.001) and 4 (tearing on instillation, p = 0.024) was noted. There were no differences between treatment groups for any other question (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This survey suggests that timolol hemihydrate is associated with less stinging/burning and tearing than timolol maleate with potassium sorbate. How to cite this article: Stewart WC, Oehler JC, Choplin NT, Markoff JI, Moster MR, Ichhpujani P, Nelson LA. A Comfort Survey of Timolol Hemihydrate 0.5% Solution Once or Twice Daily vs Timolol Maleate in Sorbate. J Current Glau Prac 2013;7(1):11-16.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe a case of seronegative West Nile virus (WNV) meningoencephalitis definitively diagnosed with ophthalmologic examination and confirmatory repeat laboratory testing. DESIGN: Diagnostic case report. METHODS: A patient with negative serologic testing for severe viral meningoencephalitis presented with photophobia and blurred vision 2 months after initial presentation. RESULTS: Examination revealed all the classic ocular findings of WNV. Repeat serologic testing confirmed positive titers for WNV. CONCLUSIONS: WNV may initially present as a severe meningoencephalitis with negative serology. Ophthalmic examination, particularly in symptomatic patients, may help with diagnosis. The ophthalmologist may play a critical role in evaluation of possible WNV meningoencephalitis.
