Binocular vision regained after monocular traumatic aphakia by wearing contact lenses.

In this study 35 patients with monocular traumatic aphakia were enrolled to document the degree of binocular vision gained by optical correction with contact lenses. The most important factors in achieving binocular vision were the interval between formation of the traumatic cataract and surgery and between the operation and starting wearing contact lenses. There was a statistically significant correlation between these two intervals and the achievement of near stereopsis and normal visual acuity.

Corneal sensitivity after penetrating keratoplasty.

In order to determine corneal sensitivity after penetrating keratoplasty, 71 corneal transplants and their recipient beds were tested using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. The periods from surgery to examination were two weeks to 15 years. When the test results were divided into six groups according to the postoperative period, correlation analysis revealed a progressive improvement of sensitivity in the central and peripheral graft as well as in the recipient cornea. Only one graft had normal central sensitivity at 24 months; 36 grafts were completely anesthetic while 35 grafts had some level of sensitivity at the time of last clinical testing. Age, preoperative diagnosis or graft size were not correlated with the recovery of sensitivity. The extent and time of reinnervation in corneal grafts varied in individual patients.

Microbiological evaluation of contact lenses and contact lens disinfection solutions in an asymptomatic population and in medical personnel.

PURPOSE: To compare the contamination of contact lenses and contact lens disinfection solutions in a population of contact lenses wearers comprised of medical personnel and non-medical subjects. METHODS: Forty-six medical personnel working in an infectious environment and 35 non-medical subjects were enrolled in the study. Contact lenses and contact lens disinfecting solutions were cultured and potential pathogens were isolated. RESULTS: The frequency of isolation of pathogens from the contact lenses of medical personnel was significantly higher than from non-medical subjects. There was no growth in both the contact lens and the disinfecting solution cultures in 56.5% of the subjects in the medical personnel group, and in 57.1% of non-medical group of subjects. Both the contact lens and disinfecting solution cultures were positive in 21.7% of the medical personnel group, while in the non-medical group, only 2.9% of subjects had positive cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Microbacterial contamination of contact lenses and disinfection solution was more frequent in the medical personnel group compared with non-medical subjects. In the medical personnel group, the most frequently isolated microorganism was Staphylococcus albus (19.8%), which is seen in hospital infections. Because soft and rigid gas permeable contact lens usage was approximately equal, we conclude that medical personnel are more prone to contamination.