Tinted lenses and dyslexics--a controlled study. SPELD (S.A.) Tinted Lenses Study Group.

We have carried out a randomised prospective controlled trial of the effect of tinted lenses on the reading ability of 24 non-asthmatic dyslexic children aged between nine and twelve years. Reading ability was assessed using the Neale Analysis of Reading. After one school term, there was no significant difference in the change in reading age between treatment and control groups. After two school terms (approximately six months), only 11 children (44%) were still wearing the glasses. Of 381 suitable subjects for entry into the study, 208 were excluded because of a diagnosis of asthma (to avoid effects of medication on cerebral function). As a result, we may have excluded subjects who would have responded favourably to tinted lenses.

Bulimia nervosa. Uncovering a secret disorder.

Bulimia nervosa is a common eating disorder among women. Sociocultural and interpersonal pressures are thought to be highly influential in the development of the syndrome. An association with depression has also been suggested. Recognizing bulimia nervosa is usually difficult, because patients are hesitant to reveal their symptoms. If the condition is diagnosed early in its course, the prognosis is more favorable. Use of tricyclic antidepressants and psychotherapy is the accepted treatment regimen.

Mania and pseudodementia.

A 73-year-old woman who was initially believed to be demented was later given the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, manic phase. Treatment with lithium carbonate resolved the mania and the apparent cognitive deficits.

Cognitive therapy with adolescents.

Cognitive immaturity and distortion are frequently observed in normal adolescents, as well as those with severe psychiatric and behavioral disorders. Misunderstandings of the therapy process and an unstable therapeutic alliance often complicates treatment. Cognitive therapy provides a paradigm for therapeutic intervention and management of therapeutic-alliance problems with adolescents.

Visual deprivation in infancy and childhood: clinical aspects.

The effects of visual deprivation in 15 patients (14 children and one adult) were studied. The age of onset of deprivation and the significance of final visual outcome are discussed. Results indicate that a critically sensitive period in visual development occurs between approximately four months and three years of age. A period of plasticity, when the effects of deprivation are more responsive to therapy, follows. Age of onset of deprivation was found to be most important, but in addition loss of accommodation in association with deprivation may be a significant factor in the development of amblyopia.

Dissociated vertical deviation: evidence of abnormal visual pathway projection.

Abnormalities in visually evoked responses have been used to demonstrate abnormal optic nerve fibre projections in human albinos, who have anomalous nystagmoid movements. Using visually evoked potentials we tested the hypothesis that patients with dissociated vertical deviation (another group with anomalous nystagmoid movements) may have abnormal visual evoked responses similar to those of albinos. Patients with dissociated vertical deviation (both unilateral and alternating), patients with congenital esotropia without dissociated vertical deviation, and normal subjects were investigated. The results showed a very high incidence of abnormal visual evoked responses in patients with dissociated vertical deviation, while recordings from the other groups were normal. As well as suggesting the possibility of abnormalities of optic nerve fibre projections, the visual evoked responses showed a marked increase in latency in all patients with dissociated vertical deviation. These results occurred regardless of the visual acuity or amblyopia of the eyes tested. The possible existence of abnormal pathway projection in the presence of dissociated vertical deviation is discussed.

Hallucinations as a conversion reaction.

This clinical report describes a patient who experienced complex visual and auditory hallucinations as a conversion reaction. The evidence suggests that hallucinations as a conversion reaction are qualitatively different from other types of hallucinations.