Intrastromal bevacizumab in the management of corneal neovascularization: a retrospective review

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of intrastromal bevacizumab for treatment of deep corneal neovascularization in...     

Neurotrophic keratopathy as a complication of scleral fixated intraocular lens implantation

International Ophthalmology - To report a series of patients who developed neurotrophic keratopathy following scleral fixation of intraocular lenses. Retrospective case series of patients...     

Generic versus brand-name North American topical glaucoma drops

ObjectiveTo determine whether brand-name glaucoma drops differ from generic equivalents in bottle design, viscosity, surface tension, and volume in North America.DesignExperimental study.ParticipantsWe studied 5 bottles each of 11 kinds of glaucoma drops.MethodsDensity-based calculations of drop volume were assessed using 0.1 mg analytic balance. Viscosity was measured using rotational rheometery. Bottle tip diameter was measured using 0.05 mm Vernier calipers. Surface tension was measured using a Fisher Scientific (Ottawa, ON) tensiometer.ResultsFor the American brand-name Timoptic XE, the average drop volume was 38 ± 3.1 μL versus 24 ± 1.5 μL of Timolol GFS (p < 0.0001). For the Canadian brand-name Timoptic XE, the average drop volume was 42 ± 4.0 μL versus 25 ± 2 μL of timolol maleate EX (p < 0.0001). The Canadian brand-name Timoptic drop volume was 28 ± 1.4 μL versus 35 ± 1.9 μL Apo-Timop (p < 0.01). At a 0.1 per second shear rate, the viscosity of Canadian Timoptic XE was 20 times higher than that of its generic equivalent, whereas the viscosity of American Timoptic XE differed from the generic by a factor of 100. The surface tension of Canadian Timoptic XE was 31% higher than that of the generic (p < 0.001), whereas the surface tension of American Timoptic XE was 21% higher than that of the generic (p < 0.001). The bottle tips of the Canadian and American Timoptic XE measured about 3.5 times larger than those of their generics.ConclusionAmerican and Canadian Timoptic XE eye drops vary significantly from the generics in drop volume, viscosity, surface tension, and bottle tip. Canadian brand-name Timoptic delivered significantly smaller drop volumes than generic Apo-Timop. Careful consideration should be given to drop viscosity and bottle design when generic ophthalmic products are evaluated for interchangeability and market entry.     

Comparative study between the Light Cycler and the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism in detecting factor V Leiden and factor II 20210G>A mutations

OBJECTIVES: To test reproducibility, speed and cost of testing for factor V Leiden and FII 20210G>A in our practice. DESIGN AND METHODS: We compared conformity, reproducibility, speed and cost using the Light Cycler (LC) and PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: There was 100% conformity and reproducibility. LC was faster but 23% more expensive per sample. When equipment depreciation and patient expenses are added, LC testing becomes cheaper. CONCLUSION: In our practice, LC provides fast, reproducible and cost-effective results.     

Academic screencasting: internet-based dissemination of ophthalmology grand rounds

Objective: To evaluate and compare the preferences and attitudes of Ontario ophthalmologists and ophthalmology residents toward screencasting as an educational tool with potential use for continuing medical education (CME) events.Design: Cross-sectional study.Participants: Eighty of 256 participants completed the survey.Methods: The surveys were sent to participants by email, with follow-up via telephone. Study participants were urban and rural Ontario ophthalmologists, registered with the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and University of Toronto ophthalmology residents. Pre-recorded online presentations—screencasts—were used as the main intervention. Online surveys were used to measure multiple variables evaluating the attitudes of the participants toward screencasting. This data was then used for further quantitative and qualitative analysis.Results: Over 95% of participants replied favourably to the introduction and future utilization of screencasting for educational purposes. Rural ophthalmologists were the most enthusiastic about future events. Practising in rural Ontario was associated with a higher interest in live broadcasts than practising in urban centres (p < 0.02), an association supported by qualitative data. Qualitative analysis revealed geographic isolation, busy schedules, ease of use/access, and convenience to be the key factors contributing to interest in screencasting.Conclusions: Practising ophthalmologists and residents in Ontario are interested in academic online screencasting. Rural ophthalmologists were more interested in live lectures than their urban colleagues. More research is required to assess the potential of screencasting as a CME tool.     

Prevalence of bacterial pathogens in children with acute respiratory infection in Addis Ababa

A study was conducted in the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital and different schools and kindergartens in Addis Ababa to determine the prevalence of bacterial agents that are associated with acute respiratory infection in children from 1998-1999. A total of 883 subjects were studied, out of which 77% were cases from the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital and 23% were controls from different schools and kindergartens. From each case and control throat and nasopharyngeal specimens were collected. Culture and different biochemical tests were used to isolate the potential bacterial pathogens. Clinical findings like cough, difficult breathing and fever were correlated with laboratory findings. S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae type b were the most commonly isolated bacteria in both throat and nasopharyngeal specimens; 74% and 70% in the cases and 2% and 5% in the control groups, respectively. This paper discusses the association between throat and nasopharyngeal carriership of bacteria and acute respiratory infection in children in Addis Ababa.