Was Marilyn Monroe myopic and an early adopter of colored contact lenses? A review of the evidence and the early history of colored contact lenses.

Wide availability and uptake of contact lenses came with the development of the first polymethyl methacrylate corneal lenses during the late 1940s. It is less well known that colored contact lenses were developed simultaneously. These innovations allowed both a degree of spectacle independence for ametropes and an ability to vary eye color. The impact on facial and ocular cosmesis was substantial, particularly for public figures such as actors. We have obtained contact lenses and matching casts manufactured by their inventor, Kevin M. Tuohy. Measurements of these suggest they were made for a myope, and we provide indirect evidence that the lenses were made for Marilyn Monroe. We also provide evidence that Monroe is likely to have been myopic, used colored contact lenses to change her eye color and may have been an early sufferer of contact lens overwear syndrome. The importance of ocular cosmesis can be overlooked in ophthalmic practice, yet it is of great interest to and importance for patients. It appears that discomfort, and even risk, will be tolerated to achieve a particular appearance. This is reflected in current techniques aimed at achieving improved cosmesis.

[Ophthalmological symptoms of measles and their treatment]. / A kanyaró szemészeti tünetei és kezelése.

Measles, caused by the Morbilli virus, is a highly (about 95 %) contagious disease affecting primarily children, but without proper immunisation, adults can also be infected. The leading symptoms of the disease are high fever that presents after an incubation period of 9-10 days and the red rash that begins several days after the fever starts. Beyond specific generalized symptoms, measles may have ocular symptoms. The most commonly occurring conjunctivitis, the so-called "red eye symptom", is not characteristic only for measles infection, however, by taking the generalized symptoms it can suggest the diagnosis at the beginning of the disease. Conjunctivitis of varying severity is noticed in the half of the cases without using ophthalmological instrumentation. Using ophthalmological instrumentation, the mild forms of conjunctivitis can be diagnosed, by meticulous ophthalmological examination, further eye diseases can be discovered. The viral conjunctivitis can progress to keratitis and bacterial superinfection can occur. If the infection presents in childhood it can affect the posterior segment. The fight against measles is very effective in Hungary since the vaccination has been introduced, and the lack of vaccination is also the primary cause of the risk to the disease. In the diagnosis, symptomatic treatment of the disease and the curbing of possible mass infections, the practicing physician (general practitioner) has a key role. The correct care of the infected patient in Hungary is provided by a methodological letter, professional information and legal guides. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(39): 1523-1527.

[Ocular symptoms and treatment of Ebola virus disease]. / Az Ebola-vírusos betegség szemészeti tünetei és kezelése.

Ocular signs and symptoms of Ebola infection initially suggest banal conjunctivitis, but in advanced cases severe haemorrhagic conjunctivitis appears and, in the final stage of the disease, retinal and chorioidal haemorrhages may occur which can cause even blindness. Although the viral infection accompanied by ocular symptoms of a non-specific conjunctivitis, the high fever present from the onset of the disease should raise the suspicion of Ebola infection. There is no causal therapy know so far, and the only adjunctive treatment may be delivered by an ophthalmologist. Because the virus can be detected in the tear, it can theoretically be the mediator of the infection and, therefore, ophthalmological examinations should be carried out with the highest caution. In case of suspected Ebola infection the nearest competent healthcare authority should be immediately alerted in order to take further actions.