Quality of stereoscopic vision in Czech U18 top level athletes and nonathletes.

BACKGROUND: The peak sports performance of elite athletes is the result of talent and long-term, systematic training. Only minor differences among athletes determine the results in sport today. In selected sports events, stereoscopic vision has a fundamental influence on the executed sports performance. METHODS: The quality of stereopsis was determined in 2 groups of top-level athletes at the age of 16-18 years (21 pole vaulters and high jumpers and 25 swimmers) and in a control group of 25 nonathletes in the same age category. Two measured parameters (results and time in the stereopsis test) were compared among the studied groups. To determine the quality of stereopsis, the "Fly-S Stereo Acuity Test with LEA Symbols" field stereoacuity test was used. RESULTS: The average level of stereopsis in the pole vaulters and high jumpers reached the value of 9.9 (max. 10), and the average time needed for performing the stereopsis test was 11.6 seconds. The group of swimmers and control group showed worse results in both measured parameters (the average level of stereopsis: 9.4, resp. 9.1, the average test time: 30.0 seconds, resp. 36.1 seconds). A significant difference between the group of pole vaulters and high jumpers and swimmers was confirmed in both monitored parameters. No significant differences were found between the group of swimmers and nonathletes. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the stereopsis test results, we can say that top-level pole vaulters and high jumpers have a high quality of stereopsis and very fast identification and decision-making abilities in spatial orientation.

Pituitary apoplexy without chiasm compression: A case report.

The present report presents a rare case in which a patient with pituitary apoplexy (PA) without compression of the optic chiasm experienced diagnosable visual impairment in the ensuing months. Endocrinologically, the condition was a prolactinoma followed by bleeding into the pituitary gland. Due to the unexplained functional changes in the patient, an electrophysiological examination (pattern electroretinogram and pattern visual evoked potentials) was performed, which verified a bilateral non-inflammatory neurogenic lesion. This finding was confirmed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) examination. Structural MRI did not reveal chiasm compression in the time sequence or alteration of the optic nerves (the diameter of the optic nerve at different distances from the eye and the diameter of the optic nerve sheath at different distances from the eye). Similarly, neither the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) nor the vessel density was altered. The present report suggests that changes in visual fields may be due to ischemia in the area of the chiasm and optic nerves, similar to PA.

The Measurement of Intraocular Biomarkers in Various Stages of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Using Multiplex xMAP Technology.

Purpose. To determine the intraocular levels of growth factors and cytokines in patients with various degrees of severity of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) using multiplex xMAP technology. Methods. A prospective cohort study of 61 eyes from 56 patients who were divided into 3 groups based on the severity of PDR. Patients in group number 1 are those who presented PDR with no need of repeated surgical intervention; patients in group number 2 had repeated vitreous bleeding; and patients in group number 3 had refractory neovascular glaucoma. The concentrations of proangiogenic, antiangiogenic, inflammatory, and neurotrophic factors were measured in intraocular fluid. The results were also compared with levels of factors measured in 50 eyes from 50 patients prior to senile cataract surgery (control group). Results. Patients with refractory neovascular glaucoma (the highest clinical severity group) had higher levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) (median1 37.19; median3 384.74; P = .00096), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFß-1) (median1 49.00; median3 414.40; P = .0017), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (median1 211.62; median3 352.82; P = .0454) compared with other PDR patients. Conclusions. Results of our study imply that levels of IL-6, TGFß-1, and VEGF correlate with the severity of PDR.