Argon laser goniophotocoagulation of the trabecular meshwork in open-angle glaucoma

Argon laser goniophotocoagulation of the trabecular meshwork (ALGTM) after the method of Wise and Witter (1979) was performed on 66 eyes of 57 patients with phakic open-angle glaucoma. The duration of follow-up ranged from six to 21 months. The intraocular pressure decreased from a pre-treatment mean of 26.9 mm Hg to a post-treatment mean of 18.9 mm Hg and the mean number of medications used per eye decreased from 3.0 to 2.1 Of the 6 eyes, 54 (82%) were successfully controlled. The pressure-lowering effect was sustained rather than transient. The laser procedure was performed on an out-patient basis using only topical anesthesia. Complications were minimal in most cases. An early post-treatment rise in pressure greater than 6 mm Hg (range 7 mm Hg to 27 mm Hg) occurred in 14 eyes but two-thirds of this group were, nevertheless, successfully controlled. Failure did not adversely influence the outcome of subsequent glaucoma surgery.

Psychological factors associated with visual impairment

An attempt has been made to study the psychological pattern in terms of six criteria in the visually handicapped subjects. A total of 75 subjects were administered Cornell Medical Index health questionnaire. Twenty-five out of these had normal vision, another third had curable ocular disease and the rest were permanently handicapped.

Primary congenital eversion of the upper lids

A case of bilateral primary congenital eversion of lids in a newborn black male is described. It is a self-limiting disease and does not leave any sequelae. A higher incidence in black infants has been noted in the literature.

Occult anticonvulsant osteomalacia in North India

Serum calcium, inorganic phosphate and alkaline phosphatase, tubular reabsorption of phosphate (TRP) estimation and radiological examination of the skeleton were conducted in 40 cases (18-50 years of age) on anticonvulsant therapy and 20 controls. The epileptic group showed a statistically significant rise in serum alkaline phosphatase and a fall in TRP. In none of the cases, however, was there clinical or radiological evidence of osteomalacia. Biochemical abnormalities were seen mainly in the youngest individuals. It seems that the critical factor for the development of anticonvulsant osteomalacia is the lack of dietary vitamin D/solar exposure or increased body requirement of the vitamin.

Orbital cyst due to Histoplasma duboisii

A cystic swelling in the orbit due to Histoplasma duboisii, clinically thought to be a dermoid cyst, is described.

Cadaver bone as orbital implant

Fifty-four cases of cadaver bone orbital implant are described. The results were encouraging. Cadaver bone implant is easily available and can be prepared in various sizes to fit the individual patient.

Mass Spectral Study of D-Sesamin from Phyllarthron comorense

D-Sesamin, Phyllarthron comorense, Mass Spectrum The petroleum ether extract of the heartwood of Phyllarthron comorense DC affords D-sesamin along with paulownin, lapachol, dehydrotectol, dehydro-a-lapachone, /Mapachone, tectol and /5-sitosterol1. We have earlier communicated the mass spectrometric studies of dehydro-a-lapachone2 and paulownin3. The present work deals with the formulation of pos­ sible fragmentation schemes in the case of D-sesamin. This compound is a member of 3,7-dioxabicyclo-Table I. Mass spectral data of D-sesamin a. S. No. m\e Ion composition Relative intensities

Mass Spectrometric Studies of Dehydro-α-lapachone and Dehydro-iso-α-lapachone

Mass spectral fragmentation studies of dehydro-a-lapachone and dehydro-iso-a-lapadione, isolated from the heartwood of Tabebuia rosea, have been made. The fragmentation patterns in the case of two compounds are essentially similar and have been discussed