Enhancement of the Inner Foveal Response of Young Adults with Extended-Depth-of-Focus Contact Lens for Myopia Management

BACKGROUND

Myopia management contact lenses have been shown to successfully decrease the rate of eye elongation in children by changing the peripheral refractive profile of the retina. Despite the efforts of the scientific community, the retinal response mechanism to defocus is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the local electrophysiological response of the retina with a myopia control contact lens (CL) compared to a single-vision CL of the same material.

METHODS

The retinal electrical activity and peripheral refraction of 16 eyes (16 subjects, 27.5 ± 5.7 years, 13 females and 3 males) with myopia between -0.75 D and -6.00 D (astigmatism < 1.00 D) were assessed with two CLs (Filcon 5B): a single-vision (SV) CL and an extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) CL used for myopia management. The peripheral refraction was assessed with an open-field WAM-5500 auto-refractometer/keratometer in four meridians separated by 45° at 2.50 m distance. The global-flash multifocal electroretinogram (gf-mfERG) was recorded with the Reti-port/scan21 (Roland Consult) using a stimulus of 61 hexagons. The implicit time (in milliseconds) and response density (RD, in nV/deg2) of the direct (DC) and induced (IC) components were used for comparison between lenses in physiological pupil conditions.

RESULTS

Although the EDOF decreased both the HCVA and the LCVA (one and two lines, respectively; p < 0.003), it still allowed a good VA. The EDOF lens induced a myopic shift in most retinal areas, with a higher and statistically significant effect on the nasal retina. No differences in the implicit times of the DC and IC components were observed between SV and EDOF. Compared with the SV, the EDOF lens showed a higher RD in the IC component in the foveal region (p = 0.032). In the remaining retinal areas, the EDOF evoked lower, non-statistically significant RD in both the DC and IC components.

CONCLUSIONS

The EDOF myopia control CL enhanced the response of the inner layers of the fovea. This might suggest that, besides other mechanisms potentially involved, the central foveal retinal activity might be involved in the mechanism of myopia control with these lenses.

Efficacy of the DRL orthokeratology lens in slowing axial elongation in French children

Background

This study aims to assess and compare the impact of Orthokeratology Double Reservoir Lens (DRL) versus Single Vision Lenses (SVL) on axial elongation and anterior chamber biometric parameters in myopic children over a 6- and 12-month treatment period in France.

Methods

A retrospective study involving 48 patients aged 7 to 17 years, who underwent either orthokeratology treatment or single-vision spectacle correction, was conducted. Changes in refractive error, axial length, and anterior chamber depth were examined.

Results

Twenty-five patients comprised the Orthokeratology (OK) group, while twenty-three were in the control group (single-vision spectacle group). Significant increases in mean axial length were observed over time in both the control (0.12 ± 0.13 mm and 0.20 ± 0.17 mm after 6 and 12 months, respectively; F (2,28.9) = 27.68, p < 0.001) and OK groups (0.02 ± 0.07 mm and 0.06 ± 0.13 mm after 6 and 12 months, respectively; F (2,29.1) = 5.30, p = 0.023). No statistically significant differences in axial length were found between male and female children (p > 0.620). Age-specific analysis revealed no significant axial elongation after 12 months in the 14-17 years group in the OK group. Anterior biometric data analysis at 6 and 12 months showed statistical significance only for the DRL group.

Conclusion

Orthokeratology resulted in an 86 and 70% reduction in axial elongation after 6 and 12 months of lens wear, respectively, compared to the single-vision spectacles group. Myopia progression was more pronounced in younger children, underscoring the importance of initiating myopia control strategies at early ages.

Changes in Choroidal Thickness and Retinal Activity with a Myopia Control Contact Lens

PURPOSE

The axial elongation in myopia is associated with some structural and functional retinal changes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a contact lens (CL) intended for myopia control on the choroidal thickness (ChT) and the retinal electrical response.

METHODS

Ten myopic eyes (10 subjects, 18-35 years of age) with spherical equivalents from -0.75 to -6.00 diopters (D) were enrolled. The ChT at different eccentricities (3 mm temporal, 1.5 mm temporal, sub-foveal ChT, 1.5 mm nasal, and 3 mm nasal), the photopic 3.0 b-wave of ffERG and the PERG were recorded and compared with two material-matched contact lenses following 30 min of wear: a single-vision CL (SV) and a radial power gradient CL with +1.50 D addition (PG).

RESULTS

Compared with the SV, the PG increased the ChT at all eccentricities, with statistically significant differences at 3.0 mm temporal (10.30 ± 11.51 µm, p = 0.020), in sub-foveal ChT (17.00 ± 20.01 µm, p = 0.025), and at 1.5 mm nasal (10.70 ± 14.50 µm, p = 0.044). The PG decreased significantly the SV amplitude of the ffERG photopic b-wave (11.80 (30.55) µV, p = 0.047), N35-P50 (0.90 (0.96) µV, p = 0.017), and P50-N95 (0.46 (2.50) µV, p = 0.047). The amplitude of the a-wave was negatively correlated with the ChT at 3.0T (r = -0.606, p = 0.038) and 1.5T (r = -0.748, p = 0.013), and the amplitude of the b-wave showed a negative correlation with the ChT at 1.5T (r = -0.693, p = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

The PG increased the ChT in a similar magnitude observed in previous studies. These CLs attenuated the amplitude of the retinal response, possibly due to the combined effect of the induced peripheral defocus high-order aberrations impacting the central retinal image. The decrease in the response of bipolar and ganglion cells suggests a potential retrograde feedback signaling effect from the inner to outer retinal layers observed in previous studies.

Mathematical Estimation of Axial Length Increment in the Control of Myopia Progression

This study aims to evaluate the existing mathematical approach for the theoretical estimation of axial length (AL) in a cross-sectional study, developing a new mathematical model and testing it in a longitudinal sample. Many professionals do not have a device to measure the AL due to clinic space and cost of equipment. However, this parameter plays an important role in the assessment of myopia progression to monitor treatment effects with myopia control strategies. First, a cross-sectional study based on the mathematical equation proposed by Morgan was performed. The AL was estimated based on the mean values of keratometry and spherical equivalent in 1783 subjects (52% female), aged 14.6 ± 4.6 years (6 to 25 years), of whom 738 were myopic, 770 emmetropic and 275 hyperopic. On average, the AL estimated with the Morgan formula was 0.25 ± 0.48 mm larger than the real AL value (95% limits of agreement: +0.70 to −1.20 mm). The study by gender, ametropia, type of astigmatism and age showed statistically significant differences between the real AL and predicted AL_Morgan (r > 0.750, spearman). Based on the previous sample, a multiple linear regression was applied, and a new mathematical model was proposed. The model was tested on a longitudinal sample of 152 subjects whose mean age was 13.3 ± 3.1 years (9 to 24 years) and of whom 96 were female (64%). The sample consisted of 46 myopes, 82 emmetropes and 24 hyperopes. The longitudinal study of the differences in axial length at one year between the models showed no statistically significant differences and that the mathematical equations are valid for estimating differences in axial increment for ages between 9 and 24 years, despite errors in the predicted value for axial length.

Short-term delay in neural response with multifocal contact lens might start at the retinal level

INTRODUCTION

Multifocal simultaneous imaging challenges the visual system to process the multiple overlaps of focused and defocused images. Retinal image processing may be an important step in neuroadaptation to multifocal optical images. Our aims are, firstly to evaluate the short-term effect of different multifocal contact lenses (MF) on retinal activity in young healthy subjects (Experiment#1) and secondly, to evaluate any changes in retinal activity in presbyopic patients fitted with MF over a 15-day period (Experiment#2).

METHODS

In Experiment-#1, 10 emmetropic healthy young subjects were included to evaluate the short-term effect of different MFs designs. In Experiment #2, 4 presbyopic subjects were included to wear MF for 15 days. Following the ISCEV Standards, multifocal electroretinograms (mfERGs) were recorded to evaluate different retinal regions under different conditions: with single vision contact lens (SVCL) and with center-distance and center-near MF.

RESULTS

In Exp#1 the peak time of N1, P1 and N2 were found to be delayed with the MF (p ≤ 0.040). There was a significant reduction for N1 amplitude in all retinal regions (p < 0.001), while for P1 and N2 amplitudes this reduction was more significant in the peripheral regions (p < 0.005, ring 5 to 6). With center-near MF the mean response density (nV/deg²) showed a significant decrease in all wave components of the mfERGs response, particularly from Ring 3 to Ring 6 (p < 0.001, all Rings). In Exp#2, the mean mfERG response is similar between SVCL and center-distance MF, while center-near MF showed an increase in implicit time N1 and P1 on day 1 that tends to recover to baseline values after 15 days of MF wear.

CONCLUSIONS

significant changes in the mfERGs responses were found with the MF lens, being most noticeable with the center-near MF lens design. The present results suggest that the observed delay in cortical response described during the adaptation to multifocality may partially begin at the retina level.

Peripheral refraction of myopic eyes with spectacle lenses correction and lens free emmetropes during accommodation

PURPOSE

To measure axial and off-axis refraction patterns in myopic eyes with spectacle lenses correction and lens free emmetropes in young healthy subjects at different target distances from 2.00 m (0.50 D) to 0.20 m (5.00 D) in terms of sphere, astigmatism, and spherical equivalent refraction.

METHODS

Refraction was measured at the center, 20 and 40 degrees from the line of sight both nasally and temporally in 15 emmetropic and 25 myopic young healthy subjects with an open field, binocular, infrared autorefractor (Grand Seiko WAM-5500, Hiroshima, Japan). Fixation target was a Maltese cross set at 2.00, 0.50, 0.33 and 0.20 m from the corneal plane. Changes in off-axis refraction with accommodation level were normalized with respect to distance axial values and compared between myopic eyes with spectacle lenses correction and lens free emmetropes.

RESULTS

Off-axis refraction in myopic eyes with spectacle lenses correction was significantly more myopic in the temporal retina compared to lens free emmetropes except for the closest target distance. Relative off-axis refractive error changed significantly with accommodation when compared to axial refraction particularly in the myopic group. This change in the negative direction was due to changes in the spherical component of refraction that became more myopic relative to the center at the 0.20 m distance as the J0 component of astigmatism was significantly reduced in both emmetropes and myopes for the closest target.

CONCLUSION

Accommodation to very near targets (up to 0.20 m) makes the off-axis refraction of myopes wearing their spectacle correction similar to that of lens free emmetropes. A significant reduction in off-axis astigmatism was also observed for the 0.20 m distance.

Multifocal Electroretinogram in Keratoconus Patients without and with Scleral Lenses

Purpose: To investigate changes in the multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) response in eyes with keratoconus when corrected with scleral lenses (SL) compared with the best correction in glasses.Methods: The mfERG responses in 10 eyes with keratoconus were recorded with the best correction using both a trial frame (baseline) and a hexafocon A SL using an electrophysiological diagnostic system. Electrophysiologic measurements were performed with the pupils fully dilated with instillation of 1% phenylephrine. The implicit time (milliseconds), amplitude (nV), and response density (nV/deg²) of the peaks (N1, P1, and N2) were analyzed for the total mfERG response, six rings and four quadrants of the retina, and compared between the two conditions.Results: All eyes had a significant improvement in visual quality with the SL compared with baseline (mean differences, 0.26 ± 0.17 and 0.22 ± 0.13 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution for high- and low-contrast visual acuity, respectively). The peaks implicit times of the mfERG responses did not show significant differences (p > .05). The P1 amplitude decreased in all the retinal areas with the SL. Only the total retinal response and the nasal quadrants reached significance (p ≤ 0.044). The P1 response density in ring 1 was on average higher with the SL, but not significantly so. The decline in P1 response density from the center to the periphery was more abrupt with the SL, and was more similar to the response density distribution of a typical subject, without a corneal pathology.Conclusions: mfERG did not show any change associated with retinal disease in young patients with keratoconus. Although the improved visual performance was not associated with changes in the mfERG response, the correction of irregular astigmatism with the SL helps exclude the optical effect induced by keratoconus.

Integrated efforts to promote mental health care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: Reflecting on the experience of a university helpline

Introduction

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is affecting numerous dimensions of our society since the beginning of the outbreak. A significant increase in emotional distress was expected in the general population, particularly among the high-risk groups such as the oldest, chronic patients, healthcare professionals, and psychopathology vulnerable people. There was an urgent need to adapt and create solutions to promote mental health. Given the recommendations to minimize face-to-face interactions, several helplines were widely developed.

Objectives

In this work, we aim to reflect on the experience of a university helpline, that integrated efforts with the regional mental health care services.

Methods

A University helpline was created to give support to the regional community outside academia. The team was created on an online teamwork platform, to communicate through the chat, carry videoconference meetings, and store useful files. A Manchester screening decision tree was adopted, to define a set of guidelines to provide support to the callers, based mainly on the guidelines defined by the Order of Portuguese Psychologists. Liaison with the mental health care services, including other specific helplines, was established.

Results

Notwithstanding all the efforts, the number of received calls was scarce, similarly to helplines created by other national universities and by other entities.

Conclusions

A new approach to psychological intervention in crisis is needed, maintaining integrated efforts, and taking advantage of the opportunity to foster personalized mental health care in the digital era. It is important to continuously assess the value of integrated efforts in patient care and to the healthcare system.

Ocular and corneal aberrations changes in controlled randomized clinical trial MiSight® Assessment Study Spain (MASS)

Background

To compare ocular and corneal inherent aberrations in the naked eyes of randomly selected children fitted with MiSight contact lenses (CL) for myopia control, versus children corrected with single-vision spectacles (control), over a 24-months period.

Methods

Children aged 8 to 12 years, with myopia (-0.75 to -4.00 D sphere) and astigmatism (< -1.00 D cylinder) were randomly assigned to the lens study group (MiSight) or the control group (single-vision spectacles). The root mean square aberration (RMS) was determined as corneal (RMS_C), corneal high order RMS (HO_RMS_C), corneal low order RMS (LO_RMS_C), ocular (total) RMS (RMS_T), ocular high order RMS (HO_RMS_T), ocular low order RMS (LO_RMS_T), corneal spherical aberration (SA_C) and ocular SA (SA_T) were calculated by aberrometry measures at the baseline, on 12-months and 24-months visits. A 5 mm diameter was defined for the analysis in all visits for all subjects. Only the dominant eye was analyzed.

Results

Seventy-four subjects completed the clinical trial: 41 subjects from the MiSight group (age: 11.01 ± 1.23 years) and 33 from the single-vision group (age: 10.12 ± 1.38 years). RMS_T significantly changed (0.57 ± 0.20 µm, p = 0.029) after 24-months in the control group. In the MiSight group no significant changes were registered (p > 0.05). The SA_C and SA_T did not reveal significant changes between visits or between groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Along 2 years, MiSight CL did not induce significant changes in RMS of anterior cornea or total ocular RMS. Contrary, in control group the RMS_T significantly changed as response of greater eye growth and myopia progression. The results obtained in present study allow to predict corneal or total aberration changes, in children, in response of wearing of MiSight lens along the time.

Trial registration

: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01917110.

The Impact of Overnight Orthokeratology on Accommodative Response in Myopic Subjects

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two months of orthokeratology (OK) treatment in the accommodative response of young adult myopes. Twenty eyes (21.8 ± 1.8 years) were fitted with the Paragon CRT^® 100 LENS to treat myopia between −1.00 and −2.00 D. Low- and high-contrast visual acuity (LCDVA and HCDVA), central objective refraction, light disturbance (LD), and objective accommodative response (using the Grand Seiko WAM-5500 open-field autorefractometer coupled with a Badal system) were measured at baseline (BL) before lens wear and after 1, 15, 30, and 60 nights of OK. Refractive error correction was achieved during the first fifty days of OK lens wear, with minimal changes afterwards. LD analysis showed a transient increase followed by a reduction to baseline levels over the first 30 nights of treatment. The accommodative response was lower than expected for all target vergences in all visits (BL: 0.61 D at 1.00 D to 0.96 D at 5.00 D; 60 N: 0.36 D at 1.00 D to 0.79 D at 5.00 D). On average, the accommodative lag decreases over time with OK lens wear. However, these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.050, repeated-measures ANOVA and Friedman test). This shows that overnight OK treatment does not affect objectively measured the accommodative response of young, low myopic eyes after two months of treatment stabilization.

Retinal Response of Low Myopes during Orthokeratology Treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in retinal activity during orthokeratology (OK) treatment in 20 myopic eyes. Pattern electroretinography (PERG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) were assessed with the RETI-port/scan21 (Roland Consult, Wiesbaden, Germany). Measurements were taken at baseline (BL) and 1 night (1N), 15 nights (15N), 30 nights (30N), and 60 nights (60N) of OK lens wear. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Friedman test were used. Twenty eyes (23.20 ± 3.46 years, 70% female) with visual acuity ≤ 0.00 logMAR in post-treatment showed that despite a slight increase in retinal and cortical response amplitude, observed with both PERG and VEP, respectively, immediately after the initial treatment, these differences found were not statistically significant during the 60 days of OK treatment, despite a statistically significant increase in N95 response with PERG. This shows that retinal and cortical visual-related electrical activity is maintained or slightly increased during OK treatment.

Refractive, biometric and corneal topographic parameter changes during 12 months of orthokeratology

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to monitor refractive, topographic and biometric changes in Singaporean myopic children fitted with orthokeratology over a period of 12 months.

METHODS

Data from 62 myopic eyes from an Asian population corrected with orthokeratology were retrospectively collected from an optometric clinic in Singapore. Anterior segment parameters were analysed with a Pentacam. Axial length was measured using the IOLMaster and refraction was assessed by subjective examination before the treatment and after one night, one week, and one, three, six and 12 months. A logistic regression model was built to evaluate the probability of slower (< 0.10 mm/year) or faster eye growth (≥ 0.10 mm/year).

RESULTS

Subjects had a mean age of 12.2 ± 3.9 years (range 5-19 years), and 71 per cent were female. Baseline myopia was -3.95 ± 1.59 D (range -1.50 and -8.75 D). Statistically significant differences were found after 12 months of treatment for refractive error, parameters of the central anterior corneal surface (curvature and elevation) and central corneal thickness. Topographic and thickness changes stabilised after one week of treatment. During 12 months of orthokeratology treatment there was a significant increase of axial length (difference = 0.11 ± 0.18 mm, p < 0.001) while refraction remained stable. Changes in axial length of subjects above 11 years were not statistically significantly independent of the baseline myopia, and in subjects with baseline myopia greater than 4.00 D. Logistic regression showed that each additional year of age and each additional dioptre of baseline myopia decreased the probability of faster axial elongation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23, 2.19 95% CI; OR = 1.08, 3.47 95% CI, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Corneal parameters in orthokeratology treatment were stable after one week, particularly for myopes under 4.00 D. Axial length did not change significantly in children older than 11 years of age or in subjects with myopia above 4.00 D undergoing orthokeratology treatment.

Corneal morphology and visual outcomes in LASIK patients after orthokeratology: A pilot study

A STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

For the first time, this study shows that corneas that previous undergone orthokeratology treatment do not respond differently to LASIK compared with previous soft contact lens wear experience.

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare the corneal morphology and visual outcomes of long-term soft and orthokeratology (OK) contact lens fitting in wearers undergoing corneal refractive surgery (LASIK) for myopia correction.

METHODS

Sixteen (16) myopic patients wearing hydrophilic soft contact lens (SCL, n = 8 subjects, control group) and OK (n = 8 subjects, OK group) lenses who undergone LASIK were retrospectively evaluated. Preoperative fitting of contact lenses and one year postoperative were studied using Pentacam (Oculus, Inc. GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). Corneal pachymetry and volume, corneal topography, anterior and posterior surface elevation data and the anterior surface aberrometry of the cornea were recorded and used for fitting.

RESULTS

Age, refractive error and topographic parameters before LASIK did not showed statistically significant differences between the two study groups. LASIK post-treatment results showed identical changes in both control and OK groups and did not show significant differences in all the parameters evaluated. The changes on corneal parameters and HOA due to refractive surgery intervention were not different between Control and OK group (p > 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal changes due to OK treatment are reversible after its discontinuation. The present study gives an overview of how OK does not impair future LASIK surgery for the correction of myopia and does not influence the success/results of such intervention. These findings suggest that OK CL wear does not change corneal biomechanics and does not compromise a possible LASIK refractive surgery. Although this is a pilot study and there is a need of evaluate this results/changes in future studies.

Relative peripheral refraction across 4 meridians after orthokeratology and LASIK surgery

Background

To characterize the axial and off-axis refraction across four meridians of the retina in myopic eyes before and after Orthokeratology (OK) and LASIK surgery.

Methods

Sixty right eyes with a spherical equivalent (M) between − 0.75 to − 5.25 D (cylinder <− 1.00 D) underwent LASIK (n = 26) or OK (n = 34) to treat myopia. Axial and off-axis refraction were measured with an open-field autorefractometer before and after stabilized treatments. Off-axis measurements were obtained for the horizontal (35° nasal and temporal retina) and vertical (15° superior and inferior retina) meridians, and for two oblique directions (45–225° and 135–315°) up to 20° of eccentricity. The refractive profile was addressed as relative peripheral refractive error (RPRE).

Results

OK and LASIK post-treatment results showed an increase of myopic relative refraction at several eccentric locations. At the four meridians evaluated, the M component of the pre-treatment RPRE values was not statistically different (p > 0.05) from the post-treatment RPRE within 30° and 20° of the central visual field after LASIK and OK, respectively. These results demonstrated that the treatment zone warrants an optimal central field of vision.

Conclusions

The present study gives an overview of RPRE after refractive corneal reshaping treatments (OK and LASIK) across vertical, horizontal and two oblique meridians together. This allows a 3D representation of RPRE at the retina and shows that the myopic shift induced by both treatments is more relevant in horizontal directions.

Light disturbance with multifocal contact lens and monovision for presbyopia

Dysphotopsia affects a significant number of patients, particularly after visual correction with multifocal optical designs.

PURPOSE

Evaluate light distortion (LD) in two modalities of contact lens (CL) wear: multifocal (MF) and monofocal (MV).

METHODS

This was a randomized, double-masked, crossover study involving 20 presbyopic patients. Patients were randomized first into either MF or MV for 15 days of use with a 1 week wash-out period between each lens type. The LD was evaluated with the Light Distortion Analyzer (LDA, University of Minho) under monocular and binocular conditions. The light distortion index (LDI, %), among other parameters were analyzed. Subjective quality of vision was assessed with the Quality of Vision (QoV).

RESULTS

The LD showed an increase in all parameters in both CL modalities being significant for MV in the non-dominant eye (p < 0.030, for all LD parameters). For the MF, there was also a significant increase in LDI (p = 0.016) and in BFCrad (p = 0.022) in the non-dominant eye. After 15 days of MF lens wear, there was a significant decrease in all LD parameters (p < 0.002) in the dominant eye. Binocularly, a significant improvement from 1 to 15 days was observed for LDI (p = 0.009) and BFCrad (p = 0.0013) with MF. The QoV questionnaire showed no significant changes with neither CL.

CONCLUSIONS

Adaptation to light disturbances induced by MF CL is more effective compared to MV. Practitioners will have greater success if they prepare their patients for the adaptation required as their vision will get better and have less of an issue with light disturbance.

A psychiatric liaison team at the university medical services: A pilot experience

Introduction

University students represent a specific population with concerns, burdens and worries that differ from other age and occupation groups. Students’ experiences are often exciting and empowering, yet facing multiple stressors that may trigger various forms of psychopathology. Our psychiatry department created a specific liaison service for university students in order to provide an easy and quick access to this medical speciality, included at the Multidisciplinary University Medical Services.

Aims

To characterize a sample of college student users of our Psychiatry Liaison Unit regarding socio-demographic and clinic variables.

Methods

Socio-demographic and clinic characterization was undertaken in all students observed during sixteen months (1st April 2015–30th July 2016).

Results

Fifty-three outpatients were observed: 35 females (66%) and 18 males (34%), aged between 18 and 39 years old (average: 23.94; median: 23). The majority was Portuguese and lived originally in urban areas. A total of75.3% were displaced and 60% lived with colleagues while 84.9% attended an undergraduate degree, and 38% studied at faculty of Science and Technology. Clinically, 79.2% were referenced by the University Medical Services, and adjustment disorders (ICD-10 F43.2) were the most frequent diagnosis. Relatively to suicidal behaviors and self-harm, 5.7% did self-cutting, 49.1% took an antidepressant combined with another psychotropic drugs, and 81.1% maintained cognitive-behavioral interventions.

Conclusions

The typical university students’ psychiatry outpatient was of female gender, in an undergraduate degree, displaced and living without their family. The most frequent diagnosis was adjustment disorder, and about a quarter were successfully discharged. Multidisciplinary University Medical Services located near to students can easily refer patients to Psychiatry Liaison Units, allowing diagnosis and intervention at early stages of mental disease.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Validation of a method to measure light distortion surrounding a source of glare

Our objective was to validate a new device dedicated to measure the light disturbances surrounding bright sources of light under different sources of potential variability. Twenty subjects were involved in the study. Light distortion was measured using an experimental prototype (light distortion analyzer, CEORLab, University of Minho, Portugal) comprising twenty-four LED arrays panel at 2 m. Sources of variability included: intrasession and intersession repeated measures, pupil size (3 versus 6 mm), defocus (+0.50 ) correction for the working distance, angular resolution (15 deg versus 30 deg), temporal stimuli presentation, and pupil size. Size, shape, location, and irregularity parameters have been obtained. At a low speed of presentation of the stimuli, changes in angular resolution did not have an effect on the results of the parameters measured. Results did not change with pupil size. Intensity of the central glare source significantly influenced the outcomes. Examination time was reduced by 30% when a 30 deg angular resolution was explored instead of 15 deg. Measurements were fast and repeatable under the same experimental conditions. Size and shape parameters showed the highest consistency, whereas location and irregularity parameters showed lower consistency. The system was sensitive to changes in the intensity of the central glare source but not to pupil changes in this sample of healthy subjects

Peripheral refraction with eye and head rotation with contact lenses

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of eye and head rotation in the measurement of peripheral refraction with an open-field autorefractometer in myopic eyes wearing two different center-distance designs of multifocal contact lenses (MFCLs).

METHODS

Nineteen right eyes from 19 myopic patients (average central M ± SD = -2.67 ± 1.66 D) aged 20-27 years (mean ± SD = 23.2 ± 3.3 years) were evaluated using a Grand-Seiko autorefractometer. Patients were fitted with one multifocal aspheric center-distance contact lens (Biofinity Multifocal D(®)) and with one multi-concentric MFCL (Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia). Axial and peripheral refraction were evaluated by eye rotation and by head rotation under naked eye condition and with each MFCL fitted randomly and in independent sessions.

RESULTS

For the naked eye, refractive pattern (M, J0 and J45) across the central 60° of the horizontal visual field values did not show significant changes measured by rotating the eye or rotating the head (p > 0.05). Similar results were obtained wearing the Biofinity D, for both testing methods, no obtaining significant differences to M, J0 and J45 values (p > 0.05). For Acuvue Oasys for presbyopia, also no differences were found when comparing measurements obtained by eye and head rotation (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis did not showed a significant interaction between testing method and lens type neither with measuring locations (MANOVA, p > 0.05). There were significant differences in M and J0 values between naked eyes and each MFCL.

CONCLUSION

Measurements of peripheral refraction by rotating the eye or rotating the head in myopic patients wearing dominant design or multi-concentric multifocal silicone hydrogel contact lens are comparable.

Peripheral refraction with dominant design multifocal contact lenses in young myopes

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to show the potential of a commercial center-distance multifocal soft contact lens to induce relative peripheral myopic defocus in myopic eyes.

Methods

Twenty-eight myopic right eyes from 28 patients (mean age: 22.0 ± 2.0 years) were evaluated. The measurements of axial and off-axis refraction were made using a Grand-Seiko WAM-5500 open-field autorefractometer without lens and with multifocal contact lenses (Proclear Multifocal D^® Design) of +2.00 D and +3.00 D add power applied randomly. Central mean spherical equivalent refraction was −2.24 ± 1.33 D. Ocular refraction was measured at center and at eccentricities between 35° nasal and 35° temporal (in 5° steps).

Results

Baseline relative peripheral refractive error (RPRE) as spherical equivalent (M) was −0.69 ± 1.14 D and −0.46 ± 1.38 D at 35° in the nasal and temporal degrees of visual field, respectively. Both add powers increased the relative peripheral myopic defocus up to −0.82 ± 1.23 D (p = 0.002) and −1.42 ± 1.45 D (p < 0.001) at 35° in the nasal field; and −0.87 ± 1.42 D (p = 0.003) and −2.00 ± 1.48 D (p < 0.001) at 35° in the temporal retina with +2.00 D and +3.00 D add lenses, respectively. Differences between +2.00 and +3.00 D add lenses were statistically significant beyond 20° in the nasal visual field and 10° in the temporal visual field.

Conclusion

It is possible to induce significant changes in the pattern of relative peripheral refraction in the myopic direction with commercially available dominant design multifocal contact lenses. The higher add (+3.00 D) induced an significantly higher effect than the +2.00 D add lens, although an increase of 1 D in add power does not correspond to the same amount of increase in RPRE.

Multi-aspheric description of the myopic cornea after different refractive treatments and its correlation with corneal higher order aberrations

Background

To analyse the asphericity of the anterior corneal surface (ACS) for different diameters, and correlate those values with corneal higher order aberrations (cHOA) before and after myopic treatments with corneal refractive therapy (CRT) for orthokeratology and customized (CL) and standard laser (SL) assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Setting

Clínica Oftalmológica NovoVisión, Madrid, Spain.

Methods

The right eyes of 81 patients (27 in each treatment group), with a mean age of 29.94 ± 7.5 years, were analysed. Corneal videokeratographic data were used to obtain corneal asphericity (Q) for different corneal diameters from 3 to 8 mm and cHOA root mean square (RMS) obtained from Zernike polynomials for a pupil diameter of 6 mm.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in asphericity values calculated at different corneal diameters for different refractive treatments and their changes. The difference between asphericity at 3 and 8 mm reference diameters showed statistically significant correlations with spherical-like cHOA that was also significantly increased after all procedures.

Conclusions

The shift in corneal asphericity and the differences among different treatment techniques are more evident for the smaller reference diameters. These differences can be much reduced or even masked for a peripheral reference point at 4 mm from centre, which is used by some corneal topographers.

Clinical evaluation of the IOPen® in a glaucomatous population

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of agreement of measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) taken by a rebound tonometer (IOPen®), in comparison to a reference Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) in a glaucomatous population. Both eyes from 60 patients were assessed with the two tonometers, the induction tonometry was performed first by an experienced optometrist, and the GAT by an ophthalmologist. In this study, statistically significant differences were found when comparing the IOPen® tonometer with the GAT tonometer (p < 0.001), mean differences were -4.81 ± 4.31 and -4.76 ± 5.76 mmHg (mean ± S.D.) for the right eye and left eye respectively These values represent an underestimation in the present population by the IOPen® when compared with the GAT. Frequency distribution of differences demonstrated that in more than 71.6% of the measurements the IOP readings differed by more than 3 mmHg between the two tonometers. These results suggest that IOPen® should be used with great caution in the determination of IOP.

Peripheral myopization using a dominant design multifocal contact lens

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to characterize the central and peripheral refraction across the horizontal meridian of the visual field without and with a multifocal dominant design soft contact lens of different add powers (+1.00 D to +4.00 D) in emmetropic eyes.

Methods

Twenty right eyes from 20 emmetropic patients (mean spherical equivalent central refraction –0.06 ± 0.54 D) with a mean age of 21.6 ± 2.3 years were fitted with Proclear Multifocal dominant design (Coopervision, Pleasanton, CA, USA). Lenses had add powers from +1.00 to +4.00 D in 1.00 D steps. The central and peripheral refraction was measured along the horizontal meridian up to 35° of eccentricity in the nasal and temporal retinal area in 5° steps using a open-field autorefractometer.

Results

Only the +3.00 and +4.00 D add powers generated a significant change in the peripheral refractive pattern compared to central refraction and compared with the no-lens wearing situation. The average myopic increase with these lenses was –3.00 D and –5.00 (p < 0.001) at the margins of inspected nasal and temporal visual field, respectively.

Conclusions

Multifocal dominant design soft contact lenses are able to change the peripheral refractive profile in emmetropic eyes increasing relative peripheral myopia. Lenses with +3.00 D add power seem to be the best option to create such effect due to significant peripheral myopization.

Local steepening in peripheral corneal curvature after corneal refractive therapy and LASIK

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in curvature along the horizontal meridian of the anterior cornea occurring after refractive surgery and corneal refractive therapy (CRT).

METHODS

One hundred twenty-two eyes of 122 patients (70 female) with a mean (SD) age of 30.6 +/- 7.5 years were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Forty-three of those underwent standard laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) ablation, 40 had customized LASIK and 39 had CRT with orthokeratology lenses. Patients in different groups were matched to be comparable in terms of pretreatment refractive error and corneal topographic profiles. Topographical data along the horizontal meridian were collected over a 10 mm corneal diameter in 1 mm steps using the tangential power map from the computer display.

RESULTS

A statistically significant increase in corneal power (p < 0.05) was observed at the nasal and temporal locations between 2 and 3 mm for CRT and 3 and 4 mm for LASIK procedures, from corneal keratometric center. This steepening was more pronounced after CRT treatment (p < 0.05 for all comparisons against LASIK groups) but not significantly different between LASIK groups (p > 0.124, Mann-Whitney Test).

CONCLUSIONS

Both, surgical and non-surgical interventions show a mid-peripheral local corneal steepening. However, the narrower optic zone and higher midperipheral steepening with CRT seems to provide the potential to create a more relative peripheralmyopic increase in corneal power than LASIK, which may have implications in slowing down myopia progression.

Comparison of the IOPen and iCare rebound tonometers with the Goldmann tonometer in a normal population

This study proposes to evaluate the level of accuracy of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements of a second generation rebound tonometer (IOPen, taking as references the Goldmann Applanation Tonometer (GAT) and the iCare rebound tonometer. The right eyes of 101 consecutive clinical patients were assessed with the three tonometers. The IOPen and iCare measurements were taken by two different optometrists and the GAT by an ophthalmologist. In this study, statistically significant differences were found when comparing the IOPen tonometer with the other two tonometers (p < 0.001). The IOPen underestimated the IOP value when compared to the GAT and the iCare (mean differences were 2.94 +/- 4.65 mmHg and 3.20 +/- 4.72 mmHg (mean +/- S.D.), respectively). The frequency distribution of differences demonstrated that in more than 55% of measurements the IOP readings differed by more than 3 mmHg between the IOPen and the GAT. Based on the present population study, these results suggest that IOPen measurements should be interpreted with caution.

Influence of Fogging Lenses and Cycloplegia on Peripheral Refraction

Purpose

To compare objective peripheral refraction measured with an open-field autorefractor without cycloplegia with the values obtained with fogging lenses or with cycloplegia to inhibit accommodation.

Methods

For one hundred and sixty young adults aged 18 to 28 (mean 21.5 ± 2.3 years) their refraction was measured with the Grand Seiko (GS) autorefractor at the center and at four peripheral locations in the nasal and temporal directions under three different conditions: 1) without cycloplegia (GS); 2) without cycloplegia, but using a +2.00D fogging lens (GS_2D) and 3) with cycloplegia (GS_cycl).

Results

Mean spherical equivalent refraction (M) was significantly more negative with the GS method in the hyperopic group for central and peripheral refraction, and only at the center and at 10° nasal eccentricity for the emmetropic group (P<0.05, Kruskal-Wallis). Paired comparison showed that differences of M values across techniques were larger for the GS-vs.-GS_2D comparison in myopes and emmetropes, and for the GS-vs.-GS_cycl one in hyperopes (P<0.001, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test). The gap between M values for all paired comparisons remained almost constant across all eccentric positions under analysis.

Conclusions

Fogging lenses used with open-field autorefraction up to 20° in the nasal and temporal fields seem to provide similar accommodative relaxation to that provided by a cycloplegic. This is particularly important when refracting emmetropes and hyperopes. Moreover, this behavior seems to be independent of the eccentricity at which measurements are taken.

Influence of fogging lenses and cycloplegia on open-field automatic refraction

PURPOSE

To compare refractive values measured with and without cycloplegia, or with fogging lenses, using an open-field auto-refractor.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-two young adults were enrolled from a university population; 96 were female (67.6%) and 46 were male (32.4%), the age range was 18-26 years (mean 22.3 +/- 3.7 years). The refraction measurement was obtained for the right eye of each subject with the Grand Seiko Auto Ref/Keratometer WAM-5500 (GS) under three conditions, always in this sequence: (1) without cycloplegia (GS), (2) without cycloplegia but using a + 2.00 D fogging lens (GS_2D) and (3) with cycloplegia (GS_cycl).

RESULTS

When the average values of spherical equivalent were compared, both accommodation control strategies were almost equally successful: GS, M = -0.85 +/- 2.21 D; GC_2D, M = -0.53 +/- 2.10 D and GS_cycl, M = -0.57 +/- 2.24 D (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.001). When the results were analysed separately for different refractive groups, emmetropes and hyperopes show statistically significant differences while myopes did not. When both accommodation strategies were compared there was a trend for more myopic subjects to display more negative values under cycloplegia, while low myopes, emmetropes and hyperopes tend to display more negative values with the +2.00 D fogging lenses, suggesting this was less effective for accommodation control.

CONCLUSIONS

Over-refraction through +2.00 D fogging lenses is useful to achieve additional relaxation of the accommodative response in a similar way to cycloplegia when open-field autorefraction is performed in young adults.

Technical note: a comparison of central and peripheral intraocular pressure using rebound tonometry

PURPOSE

To compare central and peripheral intraocular pressure (IOP) readings obtained with rebound tonometry.

METHODS

Intraocular pressure was measured on the right eye of 153 patients (65 males, 88 females), aged from 21 to 85 years (mean +/- S.D., 55.5 +/- 15.2 years) with the ICare rebound tonometer at centre, and 2 mm from the limbus (in the nasal and temporal regions along the 0-180 degrees corneal meridian).

RESULTS

Intraocular pressure values obtained with the ICare were 14.9 +/- 2.8; 14.1 +/- 2.5 and 14.5 +/- 2.7 mmHg at centre, nasal and temporal corneal locations, respectively. On average, nasal and temporal IOP readings were 0.75 and 0.37 mmHg lower than the central reading (p < 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively). A highly significant correlation was found between central and peripheral measurements in nasal (r(2) = 0.905; p < 0.001) and temporal (r(2) = 0.879; p < 0.001) regions along the horizontal meridian. Almost 80% of patients presented nasal IOP values within +/-1 mmHg of the central value.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraocular pressure values measured with the ICare rebound tonometer on the nasal corneal region is slightly lower on average and highly correlated with IOP values recorded at corneal centre. Both nasal and temporal readings are in good agreement with central IOP, and could be used to obtain a reliable estimate of rebound IOP in corneas where central readings cannot be taken.

Technical Note: Accuracy and repeatability of a new portable ultrasound pachymeter

PURPOSE

To assess the accuracy and repeatability of central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements taken with a new portable ultrasound (US) pachymeter.

METHODS

Central thickness measurements were taken with a portable pachymeter (SP-100 Handy; Tomey, Nagoya, Japan) and a conventional US pachymeter (Nidek UP-1000; Nidek Technologies, Gamagori, Japan) from 57 right corneas of 57 young adults (19 males, 38 females) aged 18-44 years (mean +/- S.D., 22.95 +/- 3.92). Three repeated measures were obtained and then compared to obtain the repeatability of each instrument and the agreement between the pachymeters. The three readings taken with the portable pachymeter were compared against each other in order to evaluate intra-session repeatability and bias of each individual measurement with respect to the mean of three.

RESULTS

Mean values of CCT were 537 +/- 35 microm for conventional and 534 +/- 35 microm for the new portable pachymeter. A high agreement was found between the two instruments (mean difference = 2.58 microm; 95% CI 1.41-3.75 microm) with only two eyes presenting differences larger than +/-8.6 microm which represents 95% CI in the Bland-Altman plots which represents 1.6% of the mean CCT. The first reading taken showed the highest agreement with the mean value for the portable pachymeter.

CONCLUSIONS

The instrument tested in this study is able to take reliable measurements of corneal thickness even if a single reading is considered. Intra-session repeatability was very high, as was also the agreement between the average of three readings taken with the two US pachymeters.

Age differences in central and peripheral intraocular pressure using a rebound tonometer

AIM

To evaluate the influence of age on the measurements and relationships among central and peripheral intraocular pressure (IOP) readings taken with a rebound tonometer.

METHODS

The IOPs were measured using the ICare rebound tonometer on the right eyes of 217 patients (88 men and 129 women) aged 18-85 years (mean 45.9 (SD 19.8) years), at the centre and at 2 mm from the nasal and temporal limbus along the horizontal meridian. Three age groups were established: young (< or =30 years old; n = 75), middle aged (31-60 years old; n = 77) and old patients (>60 years old; n = 65).

RESULTS

A high correlation was found between the central and peripheral IOP readings, with the central readings being higher than the peripheral ones. Higher IOP values for the central location were found in the younger patients. Older patients had significantly lower temporal IOP readings than those for the remaining two groups (p<0.001), whereas no significant differences were found among groups when IOP was measured at the central and nasal locations. A significant decrease was observed in the nasal and temporal IOP readings as the age increased (p = 0.011 and 0.006, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Older patients had lower IOP values than the middle-aged and younger patients in the temporal peripheral location. A negative correlation was found between age and IOP by rebound tonometry in the corneal periphery but not in its centre.

Non-contact tonometry synchronized with cardiac rhythm and its relationship with blood pressure

PURPOSE

The main objectives of this study were to determine the differences between non-synchronized intraocular pressure (IOP_N) and intraocular pressure readings synchronized with cardiac pulse and try to determine if these parameters are related to blood pressure values.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-five right eyes from 165 volunteers (107 females, 58 males) aged from 19 to 73 years (mean +/- S.D., 29.93 +/- 11.17) were examined with the Nidek NT-4000, a new non-contact tonometer that allows the measurement of IOP synchronized with the cardiac rhythm. IOP measurements in the four different modes of synchronization were taken in a randomized order. Three measures of each parameter were taken and then averaged. The blood pressure was determined three times with a portable manometer and mean values of systolic and diastolic pressure and the pulse rate were computed. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was determined as being 1/3 of systolic plus 2/3 of diastolic blood pressure.

RESULTS

The mean +/- S.D. values for the standard intraocular pressure (IOP_N: 14.76 +/- 2.86), intraocular pressure in the systolic instant or peak (IOP_P: 14.99 +/- 2.85), intraocular pressure in the middle instant between heartbeats or middle (IOP_M: 14.68 +/- 2.76), and intraocular pressure in the diastolic instant or bottom (IOP_B: 13.86 +/- 2.61) were obtained. The IOP_P was higher than the remaining values. A significant difference in mean IOP existed between IOP_B and the remaining modes of measuring (p < 0.05). Differences were statistically significant for all pair comparisons involving IOP_B. Arterial blood pressure values were systolic 125.5 +/- 14.22, diastolic 77.7 +/- 8.38 and MAP 93.64 +/- 9.44 mmHg. The pulse rate was 77.3 +/- 12.6 beats per minute. Except for the MAP (p = 0.025) there was no significant correlation between different IOP values and systolic or diastolic blood pressure, or pulse rate.

CONCLUSIONS

NT-4000 is able to differentiate IOP values when synchronized with the cardiac rhythm and those differences are expected to be within a range of +/-2.5 to +/- 3.0 mmHg. IOP_B seems to be the parameter whose value differs from the non-synchronized and the remaining synchronized parameters in a significant way. Other than a weak association with MAP, no significant correlation between IOP and BP was found. The measurements of IOP readings for the three modes are consistent with timings during the cardiac cycle and IOP pulse cycle.

Comparison of the ICareR rebound tonometer with the Goldmann tonometer in a normal population

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) using a new induction/impact rebound tonometer (ICare) in comparison with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (AT). The left eyes of 46 university students were assessed with the two tonometers, with induction tonometry being performed first. The ICare was handled by an optometrist and the Goldmann tonometer by an ophthalmologist. In this study, statistically significant differences were found when comparing the ICare rebound tonometer with applanation tonometry (AT) (p < 0.05). The mean difference between the two tonometers was 1.34 +/- 2.03 mmHg (mean +/- S.D.) and the 95% limits of agreement were +/-3.98 mmHg. A frequency distribution of the differences demonstrated that in more than 80% of cases the IOP readings differed by <3 mmHg between the ICare and the AT. In the present population the ICare overestimates the IOP value by 1.34 mmHg on average when compared with Goldmann tonometer. Nevertheless, the ICare tonometer may be helpful as a screening tool when Goldmann applanation tonometry is not applicable or not recommended, as it is able to estimate IOP within a range of +/-3.00 mmHg in more than 80% of the population.

Retinoscopy/autorefraction: which is the best starting point for a noncycloplegic refraction?

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to estimate the agreement between an autorefractor (Nidek ARK 700A, Gamagori, Japan) and retinoscopy with subjective refraction.

METHODS

Measurements of autorefraction obtained with the ARK700A and retinoscopy were performed on 192 right eyes from 192 healthy young adults and compared with subjective refraction. These measurements were performed without cycloplegia. The age range was 18 to 34 years, with a mean value of 21.6 years and an SD of 2.66 years.

RESULTS

A comparison of the autorefractor and subjective refraction results shows that (1) for the mean spherical equivalent (M), the autorefractor yields more negative values (-0.44 +/- 0.54 D; p = 0.000); (2) for the Jackson cross-cylinder at axis 0 degrees (J0), the autorefractor yields more positive values than the subjective ones (0.05 +/- 0.13 D; p = 0.000); and (3) for the Jackson cross-cylinder at axis 45 degrees (J45), the autorefractor results are more negative (-0.02 +/- 0.09 D; p = 0.019). The differences found for each component M, J0, and J45 are statistically significant. By comparing retinoscopy with the subjective examination, there are no statistically significant differences found for the M component (-0.02 +/- 0.33 D; p = 0.304). For the J0 and J45 components, the differences are statistically significant (0.07 +/- 0.10 D, p = 0.000; -0.01 +/- 0.08 D, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The present results confirm that when performed by an experienced clinician, retinoscopy is more accurate than automatic refraction, giving a better starting point to noncycloplegic refraction.

Hepatitis C virus genotypes and the influence of the induction of immunosuppression with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) on chronic hepatitis in renal graft recipients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exhibits a dramatic genetic variability and several mechanisms of immunological response are unable to control hepatic and extrahepatic replication. Genotype 1 b is associated with more severe clinical manifestations and is less responsive to interferon. In addition, we have reported an increase of HCV RNA viral load after renal transplantation. Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is supposed to increase viral replication and liver dysfunction in chronically infected renal graft recipients. We evaluated the genotype profile in HCV+ patients of our Renal Transplant Unit and studied the effects of ATG, as part of the induction of immunosuppression, on viral load and liver enzymes abnormalities. From 726 renal graft recipients, 104 patients, with a mean follow up of 3.9 +/- 2.9 years, were anti-HCV+ by ELISA II. HCV RNA was measured by quantitative PCR. We correlated the viral load and biochemical liver parameters with genotype, exposure to ATG as induction therapy, early acute rejection episode and the duration of infection. Of the 81 patients tested, 72% were viraemic and genotype 1 b was the predominant viral strain (66%). The majority of these patients (65%) were coinfected by two or more strains. There was no correlation between HCV RNA blood levels and liver enzymes. We did not find higher viral load with genotype 1 b infection (68 +/- 88 mEq/ml vs 75.8 +/- 123 mEq/ml in the others) nor with ATG induction therapy (43.5 +/- 71.3 mEq/ml vs 64.1 +/- 110.5 mEq/ml). Early acute rejection and longer follow up were not associated with higher levels of HCV RNA. The biochemical liver profile showed no relationship with the variables studied. We concluded that genotype 1 b is the predominant strain in our HCV+ population and there is a great prevalence of coinfection with several genotypes. Our results did not confirm a deleterious effect of the use of ATG as induction therapy in these HCV-infected patients. Prospective randomised studies with liver biopsy evaluation are needed to answer more fully the remaining questions about the best immunosuppressive therapy in renal graft recipients with chronic HCV infection.

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias: a report of 19 cases

From an analysis of 19 patients with traumatic diaphragmatic hernias with respect to the type of injury, associated injuries, clinical and radiologic features, diagnosis, surgical management and causes of death and from a review of the literature, the authors draw a number of conclusions. 1. Careful clinical examination coupled with an accurate interpretation of the roentgenograms should detect most cases of traumatic rupture of the diaphragm. 2. Impairment of respiratory function, possibility of strangulation and incarceration of the abdominal viscera demand early repair. 3. The choice of incision and approach depends on the stage at which the rupture is recognized (early or late), the site of rupture and the associated injuries. 4. Careful assessment of respiratory function should be made in order to prevent postoperative complications; in some cases respiration must be assisted. 5. Although the mortality in patients with traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is still relatively high, the deaths sould not be related to the rupture per se, or to its repair, but rather to the associated injuries.