[Albrecht von Graefe and internationality]. / Albrecht von Graefe und die Internationalität.

Not only the scientific successes but also his personality caused Albrecht von Graefe (1828-1870) to gain a worldwide reputation. His two foundations "Archive for Ophthalmology" in 1854 and the "(German) Ophthalmological Society" (DOG) in 1857 as well as his famous eye clinic in Berlin were important for his colleagues and patients from many countries and most continents. The 2017 DOG congress has the motto "German Ophthalmology internationally"; thus, it is worthwhile to be reminded of this great ophthalmologist.

Application fields for the new Object Management Group (OMG) Standards Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN) and Decision Management Notation (DMN) in the perioperative field.

PURPOSE: Medical processes can be modeled using different methods and notations. Currently used modeling systems like Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) are not capable of describing the highly flexible and variable medical processes in sufficient detail. METHODS: We combined two modeling systems, Business Process Management (BPM) and Adaptive Case Management (ACM), to be able to model non-deterministic medical processes. We used the new Standards Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN) and Decision Management Notation (DMN). RESULTS: First, we explain how CMMN, DMN and BPMN could be used to model non-deterministic medical processes. We applied this methodology to model 79 cataract operations provided by University Hospital Leipzig, Germany, and four cataract operations provided by University Eye Hospital Tuebingen, Germany. Our model consists of 85 tasks and about 20 decisions in BPMN. We were able to expand the system with more complex situations that might appear during an intervention. CONCLUSION: An effective modeling of the cataract intervention is possible using the combination of BPM and ACM. The combination gives the possibility to depict complex processes with complex decisions. This combination allows a significant advantage for modeling perioperative processes.

[Original preparations versus generics--latanoprost: how similar is different?]. / Originalpräparat versus Generika--Latanoprost : Wie gleich ist unterschiedlich?

BACKGROUND: To test the interchangeability of the commercially available (in Germany) latanoprost drugs and their generics respectively, the concentration of the active substance was tested. Guidelines of the European Medicines Agency postulate a sufficient bioequivalence, if the range of the agent is within 80-125% of the original drug. METHODS: All compounds of latanoprost were procured registered. The concentration of latanoprost and benzalkoniumchloride was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in a validated reference labroratory for 23 generics. In addition, the mean volume of drops and the pH of the formulation were measured. The packaging label and the readability of the enclosed information leaflet were checked. RESULTS: All products contained less than 50 µg/ml latanoprost. The deviating reduction of the active substance (mean: - 7.39%, ± 2.8%) was accompanied by fluctions of the eyedrops' mass (mean: 0.03 g, ± 0.002 g). The concentration of benzalkonium chloride was mostly increased (median: 5.45%, min: - 2.5%, max: 11.5%). The pH of the original drug and the generics (median 6.78, min: 6.62, max: 6.81) was similar to the original drug, but was significantly different from an unpreserved formulation (pH 7.18). Due to type size, the packaging leaflet was illegible for humans with impaired vision. CONCLUSIONS: Before prescribing generics in ophthalmology, different factors have to be considered, which might influence the amount of IOP lowering in effect. In the absence of healthcare research it is still unclear, how different bottle forms of eyedrops--such as appearance (e.g. Cyrillic characters) or pressure point (administration)--reduce the adherence of glaucoma patients.

[Current therapeutic approaches in inherited retinal degeneration: from genes to chip]. / Therapieansätze für erbliche Netzhauterkrankungen: von den Genen bis zum Chip.

Different strategies for the treatment of inherited photoreceptor degeneration are currently being investigated, with each of these approaches facing specific challenges. Gene therapy, for instance, may be feasible only for genetically well-defined pathologies. However, inherited retinal disorders are genetically highly heterogeneous and early onset disorders may restrict the therapeutic window. The majority of currently developed molecular approaches aim at the reconstitution of physiologically important functions in RPE and photoreceptor. Neuroprotection attempts to prolong cell survival and proper function via sustained delivery systems that fulfil a long-term dynamic reservoir function for therapeutic neuroprotective compounds. Cell-based approaches include replacement strategies such as cell transplantation, the implantation of prosthetic devices or optogenetics. They aim at replacing lost neurosensory functions of the retina. This short review aims at providing an insight into current therapeutic strategies and future treatment options for retinal disorders. Pharmacological and nutritional support strategies are only briefly discussed as we focus here on molecular and prosthetic therapeutic approaches.

[Development and first results of fast and cost-effective examination methods for an ophthalmological screening within the National Cohort]. / Entwicklung und erste Anwendungserfahrungen einer schnellen und kostengünstigen ophthalmologischen Untersuchung für die Nationale Kohorte.

BACKGROUND: For an implemented ophthalmological screening within a German long-term cohort study (National Cohort) simple and effective methods for an examination of visual acuity and for non-mydriatic retina photografies should be evaluated. Furthermore standard operating-procedures (SOP) should be developed. METHODS: In the years 2011 and 2012 pinhole visual acuity measurements and automated retina photographies (DRS, CenterVue S. p. a., Padua, Italy) were made at three different epidemiological study centers within Germany. Furthermore, anterior segment images were taken by the camera. Standard operating procedures (SOP) regarding the ophthalmological screening were developed and evaluated within the study. The main question was whether it is possible to implement the screening methods within the National Cohort. Further main outcomes were quality and interpretability of the taken images. RESULTS: 457 subjects (914 eyes) were examined within the investigation. Median VA was 0.8 for right and left eyes (p > 0.42). Image quality of the photographies was good in 491 cases (54 %), fair in 239 cases (26 %) and bad in 179 cases (20 %). The usability of the images was without limitations in 686 cases (75 %), limited in 152 cases (17 %) and not given in 71 cases (8 %). Increasing age of the subjects was slightly correlated with decreasing image quality (r = 0.26) and decreasing image usability (r = 0.2). Anterior segment photographies were usable in 176 eyes (56 %). CONCLUSION: The developed screening method fulfilled the specifications of the National Cohort. The used pinhole visual acuity examination was fast and cheap. Image quality and usability of the retina photographies could be improved with prolonged pupil recovery times. The quality of the anterior segment images could not fulfill the expectations and were taken out of the further examinations of the ophthalmological screening. The written SOP showed good acceptance within the investigators' daily routine. The ophthalmological screening within the National Cohort generates information (e. g., pathologies of the vessels or of the retina) which are useful not only from an ophthalmological point of view.

[Improvement of power and illumination source of the indirect binocular ophthalmoscope designed by Foerster]. / Optimierung von Strom- und Beleuchtungsquelle des indirekten binokularen Brillenophthalmoskops nach Foerster.

BACKGROUND: Since 1982, the indirect binocular ophthalmoscope designed by Foerster has been in use in ophthalmology. The option to implement a new illumination technique using a light-emitting diode (LED) and a new power source should be evaluated in terms of technical feasibility and patient safety. METHODS: The cooling element was redesigned to accommodate the new LED electronics and their components, including an option for a variable brightness control. A more compact rechargeable battery was utilized with variable fixation at the headband or elsewhere. Photometric measurements of light intensity and the operating time were planned. Furthermore, a review of the new lighting technology in terms of EN ISO 15004-2 and EN ISO 10943 was necessary. RESULTS: Technical adjustments to accommodate the LED inside the cooling element could be realised. The power source was a modern rechargeable lithium-ion battery with variable fixation. The luminous intensity of the LED is superior to that of the halogen lamp and the operating time was increased to 520 minutes. The required limits according to DIN EN ISO 15004-2 for ophthalmic devices were met by our measurements. CONCLUSION: The optimisation of the indirect binocular ophthalmoscope brings improvements in illumination intensity and operating time. A conversion for models already in use is possible. A certified appraisal for compliance with the appropriate standards is the next step.

[Placido topography combined with optical biometry--first results]. / Placido-Hornhauttopografie kombiniert mit optischer Biometrie - erste Ergebnisse.

INTRODUCTION: Optical biometry for calculation of intraocular lenses (IOL) was introduced by Zeiss with the IOLMaster. A newly developed system combines both video topography and optical coherence biometry (BioTop). This allows not only the conventional calculation of IOLs but also enables the design of customised IOLs based on ray-tracing. This paper presents first results regarding the axial length measurement of the new device compared to the IOLMaster. METHODS: The accuracy of the combination system (BioTop) is proven by a well known reference (20,010 ± 0,004) mm. To compare the new system BioTop with the IOLMaster (two different versions 3 and 5) are used. Measurements are taken at the known reference and at 47 eyes with different stages of cataract. RESULTS: The mean geometrical length for 50 measurements of the known reference was AL = (20.011 ± 0.001) mm. For the standard conditions (5 single measurements) the length results in AL = (20.010 ± 0.001) mm. For the IOLMaster these numbers are: AL = (20.00 ± 0,01) mm for version 3 and AL = (20.02 ± 0.01) mm for version 5 also based on 5 single measurements. The measurable axial lengths for the cataract eyes (43 for IOLMaster and 37 for the BioTop) show a mean difference of - 0.015 mm for the two systems. One outlier was detected. CONCLUSION: The measurements of the know reference showed a high accuracy for all systems. The differences in length measurements on the cataract eyes are clinically not relevant. The combination of topography and optical biometry allows new options for calculations of intraocular lenses.