LASIK for the Correction of High Hyperopic Astigmatism With Epithelial Thickness Monitoring.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes of high hyperopic LASIK using the MEL 80 excimer laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 830 consecutive high hyperopic LASIK procedures using the MEL 80 excimer laser and either the VisuMax femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec) or zero compression Hansatome microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY). Inclusion criteria were attempted hyperopic correction of +4.00 diopters [D] or higher in one axis and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/20 or better. Patients were observed for a minimum of 1 year. Epithelial thickness monitoring by Artemis very high-frequency (VHF) digital ultrasound (ArcScan Inc., Morrison, CO) was used to evaluate potential for further steepening as a re-treatment. RESULTS: One-year data were available for 785 eyes. Mean attempted spherical equivalent refraction (SEQ) was +4.52 ± 0.84 D (range: +2.00 to +6.96 D) for the primary treatment and mean cylinder was 1.05 ± 0.86 D (range: 0.00 to 5.25 D). Mean age was 50 ± 12 years (range: 18 to 70 years) and 61% were women. Postoperative SEQ was ±0.50 D in 50% and ±1.00 D in 77% of eyes after primary treatment. After re-treatment, 67% of eyes were within ±0.50 D and 89% were within ±1.00 D. Uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 76% of eyes after final treatment. One line of CDVA was lost in 25% of eyes and two lines were lost in 0.4%. There was a clinically insignificant but statistically significant decrease (P < .05) in contrast sensitivity (CSV-1000) by less than 1 log unit at 3 and 6 cycles per degree (cpd) and by 1 log unit at 12 and 18 cpd. Diurnal fluctuation in refraction was identified in 2 eyes, proven by VHF digital ultrasound to be due to diurnal epithelial remodeling overnight and unrelated to maximum postoperative keratometry induced. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK for hyperopia by cumulative treatment of up to +8.33 D with the MEL 80 excimer laser was found to satisfy accepted criteria for safety, efficacy, and stability when applying specialized protocols, including epithelial monitoring. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(5):314-321.].

The effect of comprehensive infection control measures on the rate of late-onset bloodstream infections in very low-birth-weight infants.

Late-onset bloodstream infection (LOBI) is a significant problem in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants and can lead to increased mortality and morbidity. The incidence of LOBI in VLBW infants in our unit was >35% before 2004, much higher than 20% reported in other studies. A comprehensive infection control measure was introduced in our unit in 2005. Here we report the effects of comprehensive infection control measures on the rate of LOBI in VLBW infants. Infants in the preintervention group (born 2001 to 2004) were compared with the intervention group (born 2005 to 2008) for baseline demographics, risk factors for infection, and the rate of LOBI. LOBI was defined as a positive blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid culture after 3 days of life. Three hundred thirty-four VLBW infants were admitted to our unit during the preintervention period and 303 during the intervention period. There was no significant difference in baseline demographics and risk factors for LOBI between the two groups. The incidence of LOBI was significantly reduced from 38% before intervention to 23% after intervention ( P < 0.001). Comprehensive infection control measures significantly reduced the rate of LOBI in VLBW infants.

Low and moderate remifentanil infusion rates do not alter target-controlled infusion propofol concentrations necessary to maintain anesthesia as assessed by bispectral index monitoring.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the EC(50) (the effective concentration that is required to achieve a response in 50% of patients) of propofol necessary to lower the Bispectral Index (BIS) value to 50 or less was reduced by coadministration of different remifentanil infusion rates. METHOD: Seventy-two adult ASA I or II patients undergoing endotracheal intubation and target-controlled infusion (TCI) propofol anesthesia were allocated to six groups by stratified randomization. Group B received remifentanil 0.1 mug x kg(-1) x min(-1), Group C 0.15 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1), Group D 0.2 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1), Group E 0.3 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) and Group F 0.4 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1). Group A served as control and received no remifentanil. The response of the first patient to propofol TCI at 4 microg/mL determined the effect-site concentration of propofol for the next patient in the same remifentanil group (Dixon's "up-and-down" method). If BIS was >50, the next patient received more propofol, and if BIS was < or =50, the next patient received less propofol. The hemodynamic effects of the combinations were also studied. RESULTS: The EC50 varied from 2.4 to 2.9 microg/mL. No additive effect of remifentanil on the EC50 of propofol was observed. However, there was a wider variation in the response to propofol when the patients received no remifentanil. There was a decrease in heart rate in the remifentanil groups. CONCLUSION: Infusion of remifentanil did not reduce propofol requirements in the unstimulated anesthetized patient. Propofol TCI levels should not be reduced because remifentanil is coinfused.