Five-year refractive changes in an adult population: Reykjavik Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To study refractive changes over the course of 5 years in citizens of Reykjavik 50 years and older at baseline. METHODS: The cohort was a population-based random sample of citizens 50 years and older. Eight hundred forty-six of the 958 survivors (88.2%) underwent a 5-year follow-up examination. Refraction and keratometry were performed using a Nidek (Gamagori, Japan) ARK 900 autorefractor keratometer. Typing and grading of lens opacification was carried out using Scheimpflug slit-lamp and retroilluminated images (Nidek EAS 1000), and axial length was measured by Nidek Echoscan 800. RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-seven right eyes were available for refraction analysis. In the 50- to 59-year age group and the 60- to 69-year age group at baseline, there was a hyperopic shift of 0.41 diopters (D) and 0.34 D, respectively, during the 5 years. There was a 0.02-D myopic shift for those 70 years of age and older at baseline during the same period. Considering all right eyes, there was a hyperopic shift of +0.29 D over the 5 years, whereas eyes with nuclear lens opacification grade II or more at baseline had a mean myopic shift of -0.65 D. There was a mean change of 0.13 D in the astigmatism against the rule during the 5 years. The data on axial length are available from the follow-up study only. The mean axial length for those 50 to 59 years of age at baseline was 23.56 mm (standard deviation [SD], 1.08 mm), as compared with 23.23 mm (SD, 1.27 mm) for those 70 years of age and older at baseline (P<0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We found a hyperopic shift for those younger than 70 years of age at baseline, although eyes with nuclear opacification grade of II or more at baseline were associated with a myopic shift. There was also an age-related shift against the rule for the axis of astigmatism during the 5-year period. Our results may be useful for predicting long-term outcome of refractive surgery.

Cyclodextrin formulation of dorzolamide and its distribution in the eye after topical administration.

Due to limited aqueous solubility of dorzolamide at physiologic pH, the pH of Trusopt eye drops (cont. 2% dorzolamide) has to be kept at about 5.65, and to increase the topical bioavailability of the drug from Trusopt the contact time of the drug with the eye surface is increased by increasing the viscosity of the eye drops to 100 cps. This low pH and high viscosity can lead to local irritation. In this study, dorzolamide hydrochloride was formulated as 2% and 4% low viscosity solutions (viscosity 3 to 5 cps) containing randomly methylated beta-cyclodextrin at pH 7.45. These formulations were evaluated in rabbits. The animals were sacrificed at various time points after topical administration of the drug and the dorzolamide concentration determined in the different parts of the eye. Trusopt was used as a reference standard. The topical availability of dorzolamide from the cyclodextrin-containing eye drops appeared to be comparable to that from Trusopt and the drug reached retina and optic nerve to give measurable concentrations for at least 8 h after administration of the eye drops.

Nordic research in ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To provide an overview of some of the current activities in eye research in the Nordic countries. METHODS: The presentations at the biannual Nordic Congress of Ophthalmology, held in Tampere, Finland in 2002, were reviewed and the contributions found most noteworthy are included in this article along with a limited discussion of each research field. However, space requirements prevented the inclusion of many interesting scientific contributions. RESULTS: Important contributions in various subfields of eye research and ophthalmology are reviewed. These include cornea, cataract, paediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, physiology and pharmacology and oncology. CONCLUSIONS: Eye research is very active in the Nordic countries and significant contributions are being made to ophthalmology in several fields on a world scale. We hope to continue to review Nordic contributions to eye research after each Nordic Congress of Ophthalmology and plan to make the reviews more systematic and comprehensive in the future.