Protecting the retina during MemoryLens insertion.

BACKGROUND: To determine the light-scattering power of the folded MemoryLens(R). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. METHODS: The focusing power of 10 unfolded MemoryLenses (Mentor Ophthalmics) was measured using an optical bench. The IOLs were then unfolded in a 37 degrees C distilled water bath and reexamined within 15 seconds of removal from the bath. Resolutions were read after the lenses were dried for 1 hour and cooled to room temperature and again after they were rehydrated and reheated in the water bath. RESULTS: In the rolled state, all lenses diffused the illumination of the light source. After the IOLs were unfolded in the water bath at 37 degrees C, they gave readings of acceptable to high resolution. After the lenses were air dried for 1 hour and cooled to room temperature, the resolution of all lenses decreased. However, after the IOLs were rehydrated and reheated for 1 more hour, resolution was similar to that of the original hydrated lenses. CONCLUSION: When folded, at a low temperature, or dehydrated, the MemoryLens may provide protection from the operating microscope by scattering light.

Apraclonidine and argon laser trabeculoplasty.

Sixty patients with medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma (intraocular pressure greater than 21 mm Hg) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment regimens with apraclonidine before undergoing 360-degree argon laser trabeculoplasty. One drop of apraclonidine 1% was instilled one hour before and immediately after laser treatment in 30 eyes or apraclonidine was delivered only after trabeculoplasty in 30 eyes. Intraocular pressure before laser treatment, number of antiglaucoma medications, and the laser treatment settings were comparable between the two groups. The mean and percent change in intraocular pressures were similar in both treatment groups one and two hours after trabeculoplasty. One drop of apraclonidine 1% instilled immediately after argon laser trabeculoplasty prevented intraocular pressure increase one hour and two hours postoperatively as effectively as its instillation both one hour before and immediately after laser treatment.

Autosomal dominant crystalline dystrophy.

A black woman was identified with a tapetoretinal degeneration with sparkling intraretinal crystals, retinal pigment epithelial and choroidal atrophy, night blindness, color vision abnormalities, and paracentral scotomas. This constellation of findings is most consistent with the diagnosis of Bietti's crystalline dystrophy. Eight other family members were identified with intraretinal crystals similar to those seen in the proband but in varying degrees of progression. Transmission electron microscopy of circulating lymphocytes in several patients demonstrated crystals and granular osmophilic material of unknown composition contained within abnormal lysosomes. These crystals are similar in appearance and location to those seen in cholesterol ester storage disease. This family demonstrates an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, as well as other differences from classic Bietti's crystalline dystrophy. The authors, therefore, suggest that this new entity be named autosomal dominant crystalline dystrophy.

Differences between men and women as related to intraocular lens implantation.

We examined 291 cases of IOL implantation in order to evaluate differences between males and females for several factors. We found that women have shorter axial lengths, older age at time of surgery, greater preoperative corneal curvature, higher power of IOL implanted, more surgically induced astigmatism, and a higher rate of complications. Insignificant differences between the two groups included pre- and postoperative refraction, preoperative astigmatism, visual acuity, type of IOL implanted, corneal thickness, endothelial cell count, and percent of patients requiring discissions.

The treatment of myopia with atropine and bifocals. A long-term prospective study.

Two hundred fifty-three patients were followed for up to nine years (mean, 4 1/4 years). They were on a regimen of atropine 1% once a day in an attempt to retard myopic progression. Their rate of myopic progression prior to atropine treatment was compared with 146 controls. The rates of myopic progression during and after treatment were also compared to those of the controls. The results from several analyses showed a marked flattening in the rate of myopic progression during treatment, and the rate of myopic progression after treatment ran parallel to those in the control group. Age in relation to myopic progression was evaluated in subgroups. A variation existed in the rate of myopic progression in the controls. The fastest rate of myopic progression occurred between eight and 12 years of age, and the slowest rate of myopic progression developed in those patients over 18 years of age.