[Evaluation of effectiveness and tolerance of treatment with azithromycin 1.5% eye drops in bacterial conjunctivitis]. / Ocena skutecznosci i tolerancji 1,5% kropli ocznych azytromycyny w leczeniu bakteryjnego zapalenia spojówek.

INTRODUCTION: Azithromycin is a macrolide class antibiotic, recently adapted for topical use in ophthalmology. It is effective against the most frequent pathogens found in bacterial conjunctivitis, Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Azithromycin has the specificity to have sustained high tissue levels: after repeated instillation, it has been shown to reach sustained concentrations above the MICs of susceptible bacteria for 4 days in tears and for 7 days in conjunctiva. THE AIM OF STUDY: To investigate the effectiveness and tolerance of treatment with Azithromycin 1.5% eye drops in bacterial conjunctivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study included 40 patients (69 eyes) with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis; aged 21-70 years; average: 38.05 Patients were treated with 1.5% azithromycin eye drops topically twice-daily for 3 days. Conjunctival swabbings were taken at the 1st and the 7th +/- 1 day of the treatment. Effectiveness and tolerance of eye drops were assessed in 7th +/- 1 day from the beginning of the treatment. RESULTS: Bacteriological cultures were positive before treatment in 34 eyes (49.28%), negative--35 eyes (50.72%). In 69 eyes with bacterial conjunctivitis the following microorganisms were identyfied (34 eyes): Streptococcus pneumoniae 23.53% (8 eyes), Staphyllococcus aureus 23.53% (8 eyes), Staphyllococcus epidermidis 20.59% (7 eyes), Haemophilus influenzae 17.65% (6 eyes), Morganella Morgani 2.94% (1 eye), Proteus mirabilis 2.94% (1 eye), Enterococcus species 2.94% (1 eye), Streptococcus viridians 2.94% (1 eye), Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis 2.94% (1 eye). Positive bacteriological culture at the 7th day of treatment--2 eyes (1 eye--Staphyllococcus epidermidis MSCNS, 1 eye--Morganella Morgani). Clinical recovery or significant improvement were observed in 68 of 69 evaluated eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Three-day topical therapy with azithromycin 1.5% eye drops is an effective and well tolerated therapy for purulent bacterial conjunctivitis.

[The analysis of refractive error in children and adolescents from 6-15 years of age based on 1000 examinations in two major Polish regions]. / Ocena refrakcji u dzieci i mlodziezy w wieku od 6 do 15 lat na podstawie badan 10000 osób, przeprowadzonych w województwach mazowieckim i dolnoslaskim.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to present the results of screening examinations of refractive errors, taken on 1002 of school children ranging from 6 to 15 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: As the result of Internet screening visual acuity and color perception tests named "I can see..." in 10,021 children from randomly chosen schools in Poland in the year 2002, the group of 1002 children was chosen. In this group, the subjective and objective refractive error examination was taken as well as the visual acuity test, color perception with the use of Ishihara tables and full ophthalmologic examination. RESULTS: Average visual acuity was RE: 0.72 (SD +/- 0.31) and LE: 0.72 (SD +/- 0.31). The prevalence of emmetropia was 34%. In the examined group myopia in 17%, hyperopia in 20%, astigmatism in 5.5% of children was found, and in 24.5% of patients complex errors occur such as myopic and hyperopic astigmatism.

[Evaluation of corneal endothelium following cataract surgery in diabetic patients]. / Ocena sródblonka rogówki po zabiegu usuniecia zacmy u pacjentów z cukrzyca.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cataract surgery on the condition of corneal endothelium, in diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 103 patients (103 eyes) after cataract surgery (64 women and 39 men), at the age between 49 and 89. In our study we didn't involve any patients with intra or post-surgery complications. Using Specular Microscope SP-1000 corneal endothelium was examined before cataract surgery and in the long-term follow-up: 7, 30 and 90 days after surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: suffering from diabetes (54) and matched control group--non-diabetic patients with cataract (49). The same patients were also divided depending on the type of surgical technique: phacoemulsification (42) or extracapsular cataract extraction (61). RESULTS: The mean percent loss of corneal endothelium cells, due to surgery in diabetic patients was: 11.31% after 7 days, 13.99% after 30 and 15.38% after 90 days. In the control group: 5.45% after 7 days, 8.66% after 30 and 11.33% after 90 days. The mean percent loss of corneal endothelium cells after phacoemulsification was: 10.10% after 7 days, 13.21% after 30 and 15.87% after 90 days; after extra-capsular cataract extraction: 6.84% after 7 days, 9.71% after 30 and 11.48% after 90 days. Differences between mean value of corneal endothelial cells in diabetic patients compared with control group, were statistically essential 7 and 30 days after cataract surgery, and near such assessment 90 days after surgery. There were no statistically essential differences between endothelial cells density in both operated groups, in relation to type of operation (phacoemulsification and extra-capsular cataract extraction). CONCLUSIONS: Above results are the evidence, that cataract surgery is a big trauma for cornea, especially for its endothelium. The operation is mainly dangerous for patients suffering from diabetes. The surgeon should be aware of the above threat during cataract surgery in diabetic patients, and therefore should express high level of caution, irrespective of the technique of operation.