scholarly journals Ocular Hypertension in Blacks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Laroche ◽  
Kara Rickford

Ocular hypertension occurs when intraocular pressure (IOP) is greater than the normal range with no evidence of vision loss or damage to the optic nerve. Individuals with ocular hypertension have an increased risk for glaucoma. The mean normal IOP is 15 mmHg and the mean IOP of untreated glaucoma is 18 mmHg. Elevated IOP commonly occurs in patients over the age of 50 and is often due to enlargement of the lens, narrowing of the angle, iridolenticular apposition, and pigment liberation that obstructs the trabecular meshwork. Cataract surgery and lensectomy can lower IOP and reduce the risk of glaucoma. The global wealth inequality of Blacks has created health inequities that have led to decreased access to surgical care contributing to higher rates of blindness from glaucoma. Greater education on the benefits of early cataract surgery and trabecular bypass for higher risk patients, as well as addressing wealth and health inequities, can help to bend the curve of blindness from glaucoma.

2019 ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Stankiewicz ◽  
Jodie Gordon ◽  
Joel Dulhunty ◽  
Wendy Brown ◽  
Hamish Pollock ◽  
...  

Objective Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have increased risk of pressure injury (PI) development due to critical illness. This study compared two silicone dressings used in the Australian ICU setting for sacral PI prevention. Design A cluster-controlled clinical trial of two sacral dressings with four alternating periods of three months' duration. Setting A 10-bed general adult ICU in outer-metropolitan Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Participants Adult participants who did not have a sacral PI present on ICU admission and were able to have a dressing applied for more than 24 hours without repeated dislodgement or soiling in a 24-hour period (>3 times). Interventions Dressing 1 (Allevyn Gentle Border Sacrum™, Smith & Nephew) and Dressing 2 (Mepilex Border Sacrum™, Mölnlycke). Main outcomes measures The primary outcome was the incidence of a new sacral PI (stage 1 or greater) per 100 dressing days in the ICU. Secondary outcomes were the mean number of dressings per patient, the cost difference of dressings to prevent a sacral PI and product integrity. Results There was no difference in the incidence of a new sacral PI (0.44 per 100 dressing days for both products, p = 1.00), the mean number of dressings per patient per day (0.50 for both products, p = 0.51) and product integrity (85% for Dressing 1 and 84% for Dressing 2, p = 0.69). There was a dressing cost difference per patient (A$10.29 for Dressing 1 and A$28.84 for Dressing 2, p < 0.001). Conclusions Similar efficacy, product use and product integrity, but differential cost, were observed for two prophylactic silicone dressings in the prevention of PIs in the intensive care patient. We recommend the use of sacral prophylactic dressings for at-risk patients, with the choice of product based on ease of application, clinician preference and overall cost-effectiveness of the dressing.


2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Corallo ◽  
M. Iester ◽  
R. Scotto ◽  
G. Calabria ◽  
C.E. Traverso

Purpose To test the capability of rarebit perimetry (RP), a recent non-conventional perimetric technique, in detecting early functional damage in subjects with ocular hypertension (OHT) and to compare RP findings with those obtained by frequency-doubling technology (FDT) perimetry. Methods Thirty patients with OHT were matched with 30 healthy subjects. All were tested with RP and FDT. Frequency-doubling technology mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD), as well as RP mean hit rate (MHR), of the two groups were analyzed. The agreement between the two techniques was tested by Kappa analysis. Results In the OHT group the mean (SD) FDT MD was 0.5 (2.1), the mean (SD) FDT PSD was 4.2 (1.6), and the mean (SD) RP MHR was 81.4 (6.7). In the control group, corresponding values were mean (SD) FDT MD 1.1 (1.4), mean (SD) FDT PSD 3.0 (0.3), mean (SD) RP MHR 96.2 (2.0). The differences between the two groups were not significant for the studied indexes. Eleven (36.6%) out of the 30 OHT eyes had abnormal RP results; 12 (40.0%) eyes had abnormal FDT results. Five (16.6%) eyes had abnormal RP and FDT findings. Only 1 eye (3.3%) in the control group had abnormal RP results and 3 eyes (10.0%) had abnormal FDT results. RP and FDT showed a moderate agreement (Kappa = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.51). Conclusions RP and FDT showed VF defects not shown in standard automated perimetry in the OHT group. This may be indicative of an increased risk in developing glaucoma, even if a gold standard for detecting subtle defects is not currently available. RP has the additional advantage of not requiring any expensive device to be used. The poor agreement between these techniques in identifying eyes with early damage warrants further investigations. Large longitudinal studies are needed before defining the role of RP in early glaucoma diagnosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-228
Author(s):  
Bradley T. Smith ◽  
Himanshu K. Banda

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of intraocular dexamethasone implant (IDI) for pre-existing macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), diabetes, and uveitis in eyes undergoing cataract surgery. Methods: A retrospective, noncomparative study was conducted. The medical record database was searched for patients meeting criteria of macular edema treated with IDI prior to cataract surgery. Results: Twenty-two patients had macular edema due to RVO (14 or 63.6%), diabetes (5 or 22.7%), or uveitis (3 or 13.6%). None had complications during cataract surgery. Thirteen (60%) were female with a mean age of 64 years (range, 25-82 years). The mean interval of dexamethasone implantation to cataract extraction was 49 days. The mean interval to follow-up optical coherence tomography was 65 days. Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity (VA) improved from .94 (20/150–) to .56 (20/70+) ( P = .004), with an average gain in VA measuring +0.37 logMAR (3 line gain). Mean central retinal thickness decreased from 474 to 378 μm ( P = .006) with an average reduction of 96 μm ( P = .006). Mean macular volume decreased from 10.29 mm3 to 9.78 mm3 ( P = .0002) with an average reduction of 0.51 mm3. Two patients developed postoperative ocular hypertension requiring treatment with topical antihypertensive agents. One had a combined glaucoma filtering procedure at the time of cataract surgery because of a history of ocular hypertension. Conclusions: The majority of this cohort had improved macular edema due to RVO, diabetes, and noninfectious uveitis while undergoing cataract surgery. IDI is an effective and safe treatment in these at-risk eyes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Renu Agarwal ◽  
SK Gupta ◽  
Sushma Srivastava ◽  
Rohit Saxena

Introduction: Ocimum basilicum (OB), a herb known for its antihypertensive, anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties was investigated for possible intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects in rabbits with ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods: The IOP lowering effect of a single drop of OB extract (OBE) was evaluated in oculonormotensive rabbits using three concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 1% w/v). The concentration showing maximum IOP reduction was further evaluated in rabbits with water-loading and steroid-induced OHT. Results: IOP lowering effect of OBE 0.5% in oculonormotensive rabbit eyes was significantly greater compared to OBE 0.25% (p<0.05) but was comparable (p>0.05) to OBE 1%. Therefore, 0.5% concentration was selected for further evaluation. Pretreatment with OBE (0.5%) caused significantly lower increase in IOP after water loading amounting to 23.39% above baseline as compared to 54.00% in control eye, 15 minutes post water loading. At 60 minutes, post water loading, mean IOP rise was 95.12% and 63.58% in control and test eyes, respectively. Significant difference between the mean IOP of two eyes persisted during the 2nd hr. In rabbits with steroid induced OHT, OBE 0.5% produced a mean IOP reduction of 24.73% at the end of first hr and the mean peak IOP reduction of 31.63% was observed at the end of 2 hr. A significant difference between the IOP of test and control eyes persisted from 1 to 6 hr. Conclusions: Ocimum basilicum seed extract showed significant IOP lowering effect in rabbits with water loading and steroid induced OHT, however, its utility as an effective antiglaucoma medication needs further investigations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Hipólito ◽  
Vicente Vieira ◽  
Virginia Antunes ◽  
Petra Alves ◽  
Adriana Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Background: Inguinal hernia is one of the most common conditions presented for surgical repair in children and laparoscopic approaches are increasingly performed. Previous studies have shown safety and efficacy in the use of supraglottic devices (SGD) as an alternative to tracheal intubation, which fits particularly well with outpatient anesthesia. Methodology: we conduct a retrospective observational study, collecting data from the electronic anesthetic form, from all patients aged 0 to 17 y who underwent ambulatory laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing between February 2015 and August 2019, if I-gelTM was used to airway management. Results: We found 230 patients meeting the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 5.2 y old, mean weight 20.1 kg. All patients were ASA I (n=203) or ASA II (n=27). The mean surgery duration was 38 minutes. We found 4 respiratory adverse events, three bronchospasms, and one laryngospasm, managed in the operating room. Ninety percent of the surgeries were performed without neuromuscular blockade. Conclusion: I-gelTM was a safe, effective, and convenient alternative to airway management to laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in the ambulatory setting. According to available literature, our practice did not represent an increased risk for the studied respiratory events. SGD obviates the need for neuromuscular blockade. Key words: I-gel; Supraglottic devices; Laparoscopy; Inguinal hernia repair; Pediatrics; Anesthesia, ambulatory Citation: Hipólito C, Vieira V, Antunes V, Alves P, Rodrigues A, Santos MJ. Airway management with I-gelTM for ambulatory laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children; a retrospective review of 230 cases. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2020;24(5): Received: 18 February 2020, Reviewed: 5 August, 6 September 2020, Accepted: 11 September 2020


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1687-1691
Author(s):  
Razan Al Namat ◽  
Mihai Constantin ◽  
Ionela Larisa Miftode ◽  
Andrei Manta ◽  
Antoniu Petris ◽  
...  

Repetitive or recurrent hospitalizations are a general major health issue in patients with chronic disease. Congestive heart failure, is associated with a high incidence and presence of early rehospitalization, but variables in order to identify patients at increased risk and also an analysis of potentially remediable factors contributing to readmission have not been previously reported and it remains still a difficult problem. We retrospectively assessed 100 patients aged between 48-85 years old, of which 75% were men, who had been hospitalized with documentation of congestive heart failure in St. Spiridon County Emergency Hospital. They were hospitalized between 2010-2017. Even if recurrent heart failure was the most common cause for readmission or rehospitalization, other cardiac disorders and noncardiac illnesses were also accounted for readmission. Predictive factors of an increased probability of readmission included prior patient�s medical heart failure history, heart failure decompensation precipitated or accelerated by an ischaemic episode, atrial fibrillation or uncontrolled hypertension. Factors contributing to preventable readmissions included noncompliance with medications or diet, inadequate discharge planning or follow-up, failure of both social support system and the seek of a promp medical attention when symptoms reappeared. We also identified an inappropriate colaboration with family doctors especially for the patients from rural areas. Patients were more likely to cite side effects of prescribed medications rather than nonadherence as a precipitating factor for readmission. Thus, we can appreciate that early rehospitalization in patients with congestive heart failure may be avoidable in up to 50% of cases. Identification of high risk patients is possible and also necessary shortly after admission in order to identify nonpharmacological interventions designed to decrease readmission frequency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charalampos Papagoras ◽  
Paraskevi V. Voulgari ◽  
Alexandros A. Drosos

The spondyloarthritides are a group of chronic systemic inflammatory joint diseases, the main types being ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Evidence accumulating during the last decades suggests that patients with AS or PsA carry an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death. This risk appears to be mediated by systemic inflammation over and above classical cardiovascular risk factors. The excess cardiovascular risk in those patients has been formally acknowledged by scientific organizations, which have called physicians’ attention to the matter. The application by Rheumatologists of new effective anti-rheumatic treatments and treat-to-target strategies seems to benefit patients from a cardiovascular point of view, as well. However, more data are needed in order to verify whether anti-rheumatic treatments do have an effect on cardiovascular risk and whether there are differences among them in this regard. Most importantly, a higher level of awareness of the cardiovascular risk is needed among patients and healthcare providers, better tools to recognize at-risk patients and, ultimately, commitment to address in parallel both the musculoskeletal and the cardiovascular aspect of the disease.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212199135
Author(s):  
Katharina Eibenberger ◽  
Barbara Kiss ◽  
Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth ◽  
Eva Stifter

Objective: To evaluate changes in intraocular pressure after congenital cataract surgery in a real-world setting. Methods: This retrospective case series included all children aged 0–2 years undergoing lens extraction due to congenital cataract. Development of an elevated intraocular pressure was divided into three groups: secG, suspG and OHT. Further, risk factors for IOP changes, the therapeutic approach and functional outcome were assessed during follow-up. Results: One hundred and sixty-one eyes of 110 patients aged 0–2 years were included, whereof 29 eyes of 17 children developed secondary glaucoma (secG; 11 eyes/8 patients), glaucoma suspect (suspG; three eyes/three patients) or ocular hypertension (OHT; 15 eyes/10 patients). No difference in surgrical procedure ( p = 0.62) was found, but age at cataract surgery differed significantly ( p = 0.048), with the secG group (1.74 ± 1.01 months) being the youngest (suspG: 3.93 ± 1.80 months; OHT group: 5.91 ± 5.36 months). Secondary surgical intervention was significantly higher in the secG (4.64 ± 3.41) followed by the suspG (2.00 ± 2.65) and OHT groups (0.40 ± 0.74; p < 0.001). Postoperative complications including nystagmus ( p = 0.81), strabismus ( p = 0.98) and amblyopia ( p = 0.73) showed no difference, in contrast to visual axis obscuration which was more common in the secG group ( p = 0.036). Conclusion: Initial lensectomy and anterior vitrectomy procedure together with or without IOL implantation seems to have no influence for the development of IOP changes after pediatric cataract surgery. However, children who developed secondary glaucoma had cataract surgery significantly earlier, within the first 2–3 months of life. Glaucoma surgery was required to achieve final IOP control in most eyes. The development of secondary glaucoma was also associated with a significant increase in surgical re-treatments.


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