Inner retinal layer thinning in Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify retinal thickness in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS: Forty-five eyes of 24 PD patients and 31 eyes of 17 control subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. We used optical coherence tomography to examine retinal thickness, separately quantifying the inner and outer retinal layers. Intraocular pressure was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry. RESULTS: The mean (SD) ages of the patients with PD and healthy subjects were 64.0 (6.5) years vs 63.5 (10.7) years (P = .77). The mean (SD) intraocular pressure was 13.6 (+/-2.7) mm Hg in the PD patients. No difference was found in either the superior or inferior outer retinal layer thickness of PD vs control eyes. The mean (SD) superior inner retinal layer thickness of PD vs control eyes was 88.79 (11.3) microm vs 103.5 (24.3) microm (P = .01), and the mean inferior inner retinal layer thickness was 89.83 (11.1) microm vs 104.0 (23.5) microm (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: The inner retinal layer is significantly thinner in PD patients than in healthy subjects. Idiopathic PD, distinct from glaucoma, needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of retinal nerve fiber layer thinning.

Initial clinical testing of a holographic non-invasive contact lens glucose sensor.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of a new holographic contact lens glucose sensor for the non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose. METHODS: One fasting normal subject was given an oral challenge consisting of 44 g of glucose. The contact lens hologram signal and fingerstick blood glucose were measured over a 26- min period. RESULTS: The contact lens hologram signal appeared to track blood glucose well. The contact lens was comfortable and well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The holographic contact lens glucose sensor shows promise as a non-invasive home glucose monitor.

Clinical trial of a noninvasive contact lens glucose sensor.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of a fluorescent contact lens glucose sensor in monitoring glucose in patients with diabetes. METHODS: Under an institutional review board-approved protocol, five fasting patients with type II diabetes were given a challenge consisting of 75 mL of Sustacal (Thomson Micromedex, Greenwood, CO) by mouth. Contact lens fluorescence and venous blood glucose were measured over a 3-h period. RESULTS: Contact lens fluorescence appeared to track blood glucose well. The fluorescent daily-wear disposable contact lenses were comfortable and were tolerated well, even in patients who had not previously worn contact lenses. CONCLUSION: The contact lens glucose sensor shows promise as a home glucose monitor.