Intraocular human thrombin infusion in diabetic vitrectomies.

The effectiveness of intravitreal thrombin infusion during vitrectomy was prospectively evaluated in eight diabetic patients with persistent vitreous hemorrhages and severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy. A concentration of 80 units/ml of human thrombin diluted in BSS-plus infusion fluid was used. Bleeding time ranged between 2 and 15 seconds (mean, 5 seconds). The reduction of bleeding facilitated surgery. In five of the eight cases the vitreous was clear one day postoperatively. One month postoperatively six eyes had clear media. No additional postoperative intraocular inflammation developed. These results suggest that human thrombin causes less inflammation than bovine thrombin.

X-linked cone dystrophy.

A description is given of a new family with X-linked cone dystrophy. A survey is also given of the findings in X-linked cone dystrophy. When an eye specialist sees a male patient with myopia and reduced visual acuity, the cause of which is not clear from the fundus picture, an X-linked cone dystrophy should be considered. Electrophysiological examination, combined with detailed testing of colour vision, can provide an explanation of the poor vision which satisfies both the patient and the ophthalmologist.

Clinical evaluation of the Topcon CT10 tonometer.

We evaluated the clinical use of the Topcon CT10 non-contact tonometer in our outpatient clinic. Compared to the Goldmann applanation it is useful and reliable in screening glaucoma patients.

Cellular migration, proliferation, and contraction. An in vitro approach to a clinical problem--proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Presently used animal models of proliferative vitreoretinopathy reflect only cell proliferation and contraction. We used an in vitro model that measured cell migration, proliferation, and contraction. The following four drugs were assayed on this system: daunomycin, taxol, colchicine, and cytochalasin B. Daunomycin was the most effective drug against cell proliferation and cell migration but had no effect on cell contraction; taxol and colchicine affected all three parameters. Cytochalasin B was the least effective drug tested.

The role of T3 and its receptor in efficient metabolisers receiving very-low-calorie diets.

Obese patients taking a 1.34 MJ/day formula diet showed a steady decline in the rate of weight loss after several weeks and this was associated with a fall in RMR, serum T3 levels and the number of T3 receptors on peripheral lymphocytes. The addition of T3 (60 micrograms/day) to the dietary regime produced a significantly greater weight loss by the 12th week. Analysis of individual thyroid hormone levels revealed those patients taking the T3 tablets who achieved the greatest weight loss had the lowest serum T3 levels but the greatest suppression of serum T4 values. The serum T3 levels in the T3 treated subjects were negatively correlated with the lymphocyte rece 12th week. Analysis of individual thyroid hormone levels revealed those patients taking the T3 tablets who achieved the greatest weight loss had the lowest serum T3 levels but the greatest suppression of serum T4 values. The serum T3 levels in the T3 treated subjects were negatively correlated with the lymphocyte rece 12th week. Analysis of individual thyroid hormone levels revealed those patients taking the T3 tablets who achieved the greatest weight loss had the lowest serum T3 levels but the greatest suppression of serum T4 values. The serum T3 levels in the T3 treated subjects were negatively correlated with the lymphocyte receptor capacity. It is postulated that the fall in the number of T3 receptors is the primary event leading to the observed serum hormone level changes in the T3-treated patients.