Iridoids from Euphrasia genargentea, a rare Sardinian endemism.

The phytochemical study of Euphrasia genargentea, a rare species only present in Sardinia, led to the identification of iridoid glucosides, i.e. aucubin, catalpol, mussaenosidic acid and melampyroside, which allowed chemotaxonomic considerations on the genus. On the basis of iridoid distribution in the genus, E. genargentea does not show any particular analogy with other Italian Euphrasia spp. This study is also important considering the severe risk of extinction of E. genargentea.

Use of botulinum toxin in strabismus after retinal detachment surgery.

Botulinum toxin was used to treat 20 patients with strabismus after retinal detachment surgery. Preinjection motility deviations ranged from 10 to 60 prism diopters (D). Postinjection deviations ranged from 0 to 20 prism D, with 75% being 10 D or less. Eighty-five percent achieved fusion that persisted, with 73% requiring only one or two injections. Only muscles in the eye that had undergone retinal reattachment surgery were injected. The average period of follow-up was 12 months. Complications were rare and all resolved spontaneously. Botulinum toxin appears to be useful as a primary treatment modality for persistent strabismus following retinal detachment surgery, possibly obviating the need for complicated strabismus surgery.