[Psychometric validation of visual function questionnaire (NEI VQF-25) under local conditions in Slovakia, E.U]. / Psychometrická validácia verzie "Dotazníka zrakových funkcií-25" v podmienkach Slovenska.

AIM: The aim of this study is to validate the Slovak version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VQF-25) in patients with chronic ocular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The questionnaire was tested on 211 responders. The first group consisted of 83 patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the second group represented 68 patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), and the control group had 60 responders. The Questionnaire (NEI VQF-25) consists of the base of 25 vision-targeted questions representing 11 vision-related constructs, plus an additional single-item general health-rating question. The data - demographic data and information from the Visual Function Questionnaire were obtained during one single visit of the patients during the period November 1st, 2010 and February 20th, 2011. The internal consistency and safety of the test were evaluated using Cronbachs alpha reliability coefficient. For separate groups the standard score was evaluated. RESULTS: The coefficient higher than 0.7, evaluated as good reliability, was calculated in all constructs except the sub-scale "ocular pain". The validity, evaluated using multivariable analysis measuring convergence and discrimination analysis, in the end confirmed accomplishment of all circumstances. The composite score of NEI VQF-25 in the DME group was 69.9 ± 4.6, in the AMD group 68.5 ± 4.3, and the highest score had the control group 91 ± 1.8. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire NEI VQF-25 in the Slovak version is useful and safe instrument to measure the quality of life in patients with DME and AMD.

[Comparison of topic mydriasis and mydriasis achieved by soaked cellulose in the conjunctival sac]. / Porovnanie topickej mydriázy a mydriázy pomocou nasiaknutej celulózy vo fornixe.

AIM: To compare mydriasis before the cataract surgery after the local application of mydriatics in to the conjunctival sac with mydriasis achieved using the mydriatic solution in soaked piece of cellulose applied in to the lower fornix. The same mydriatics (tropicamide 0.5 %, phenylephrine 10%, and homatropine 4 %) were used. METHODS: In a prospective, non-randomized study the authors measured maximal artificial mydriasis in 100 patients (60 women, 40 men) in 100 eyes before the cataract surgery. The mean age of the patients was 70.17 years (range, 42 - 91 years). The patients were divided into two groups (A, B), each of 50 persons: In the group A, during the 10 - 15 minutes period, the mydriatics, tropicamide 0.5%, phenylephrine 10%, and homatropine 4%, were topically applied three times. In the patients of the B group, the conjunctival sac was anesthetized by oxybuprocaine 0.4%; and afterwards, a cut piece of cellulose (Kettenbach) soaked in to the mydriatics solution was applied for 30 - 40 minutes in to the conjunctival sac and the eyelids were taped together. The mydriatic solution was mixed by tropicamide 0.5%, phenylephrine 10%, and homatropine 4%, of equal doses. On the surgery table, before the operation, th soaked cellulose was removed, and thereafter the achieved preoperative horizontal size of the pupil was measured with caliper under the operation microscope. The achieved preoperative pupillary width in the group A and B were compared. The authors noticed also subjective symptoms and objective signs in both groups of patients. For statistical comparison of the average mydriasis between the A and B group of patients, the unpaired Student t test was used. As statistically significant we considered p < 0.05. RESULTS: The average mydriasis in the A group (mydriatic drops topically) was 7.84 +/- 0.99 mm. In the B group of patients (cut piece of cellulose soaked in to the mydriatics solution), the average mydriasis was 7.94 +/- 1.03 mm. The authors did not found significant difference in the diameters between the A and the B group of patients (p = 0.622; p > 0.05). In the B group of patients, subjective symptoms as well as objective signs appeared (burning sensation, sticking, pain, and corneal epithelium erosion); these problems were caused by the triangle shape and the size of the cut cellulose piece. CONCLUSION: Artificial preoperative mydriasis in patients in both our groups was very good. Topic classically introduced preoperative mydriasis has its stable place also in contemporary modern cataract surgery; the mydriasis achieved by soaked cellulose may save the nurses' time.

[Pigmentary glaucoma after implantation of the iris claw intraocular lens]. / Pigmentový glaukóm po negatívnej iris claw VOS.

The authors refer about a female patient with pigmentary glaucoma after implantation of iris claw intraocular negative dioptric power lens. Because of high myopia, eight years ago, a phakic iris claw intraocular negative dioptric power lens was implanted in the right eye and a photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was performed in the left eye in a 32 years old woman. During the postoperative examinations the patient complained about headaches, and in the right eye elevated intraocular pressure was detected. On the intraocular lens surface, as well as in the anterior chamber angle, a dispersion of pigmented cells was detected and the perimetric examination revealed visual field defects characteristic for glaucoma. Findings in the left eye were normal. In the literature, reports about secondary glaucoma in eye with implanted iris claw lens and functional iridectomy are not so common. With growing number of implanted phakic iris claw intraocular lenses, the long-term follow up of those patients will be useful.

[Comparison of corneal endothelial cells after ECCE and phacoemulsification of the lens]. / Porovnanie nálezu endoteliálnych buniek rohovky po ECCE a fakoemulzifikácii sosovky.

The authors evaluate the finding on the corneal endothelium before and after operation of cataract. For examination of the endothelium they used a specular microscope SP 1.000 of Topcon Co. The group comprised 64 eyes of 64 patients. The patients were divided at random into two groups. The first group comprised 26 patients, where ECCE was performed. The second group comprised 38 patients and the opaque lens was removed by phacoemulsification. The mean age in the first group was 69.3 years and in the second group 70.7 years. The same viscoelastic material (methylcellulose) was used and the same synthetic lens from PMMA material was implanted into the capsule. The endothelium was examined one day after operation and on the 7th to 10th day after operation. The following parameters were evaluated: density of the endothelial cells in the centre, mean cell size, polymegethism, coefficient of variation, pleomorphism. In the group of patients who had ECCE the loss of endothelial cells was 18.53%, in the group with phacoemulsification of the nucleus the loss was 16.43%. This difference is not statistically significant. After operation in both groups enlargement of the minimal, maximal as well as mean cell size was observed, the coefficient of variation increased while the grade of cell hexagonality decreased. However these differences in endothelial cells were not statistically significant. After operation of cataract not only endothelial cells are lost but also significant changes in cell morphology occur.

[Beta-blockers in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma]. / Betablokátory v liecbe glaukómu s otvoreným uhlom.

Authors report the results of comparative study of three betablockers used in the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma commonly available on the market. The influence of non-selective betablockers (TIMOPTOL 0.5%, VISTAGAN 0.5%) and selective betablocker (BETOPTIC 0.5%) on the intraocular pressure, pulse frequency, systemic blood pressure and lung capacity was evaluated. Three different groups, each of 20 patients with newly diagnosed primary openangle glaucoma were assigned to be treated by studied drugs independently. Authors conclude that all three drugs reliably lowered intraocular pressure. BETOPTIC and VISTAGAN did not influence on pulse frequency, blood pressure and lung capacity. Apart from the fact that VISTAGAN is considered to be non-selective betablocker, its efficacy is comparable with those of selective betablockers.

[Factors influencing the effectiveness of argon laser trabeculoplasty]. / Faktory ovplyvnujúce efekt argón-laserovej trabekuloplastiky.

The effectiveness of argon laser trabeculoplasty in managing the primary open-angle glaucoma was observed in 103 patients (202 eyes) in period of 3 years. The authors are confirming its good effects, the maximum of it in three months after the trabeculoplasty. The best response was achieved in patients with the preoperative intraocular pressure lower than 25 mmHg and in the age group above 60 years. To obtain the good results after the operation in 87.12% of patients the local medical treatment was necessary, although in 51.98% the medication was reduced. The effectiveness of operation was decreasing with time, in 2 years was just 56.93% and in three years 23.27%. The significant improvement of outflow facility was observed in 85% of cases by electrotonography.

[Betoptic, a new possibility in the treatment of glaucoma]. / Betoptic, nové moznosti v liecbe glaukomu.

The authors present an account of their findings in connection with a new selective beta 1 adrenergic antagonist in the preparation Betoptic. They compared its effect on intraocular pressures, pulse rate, systemic blood pressure and vital capacity of the lungs in ten patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with the effect of Timoptol and placebo in equally sized groups. They found that the preparation reduces reliably the intraocular pressure, it does not reduce the pulse rate and does not influence the vital capacity and systemic blood pressure. They did not detect any local or general undesirable effects. It can be therefore used even in subjects where unselective beta blockers are contraindicated or poorly tolerated.