Lux study: Contribution of a three-dimensional, high dynamic range, ultra-high-definition heads-up visualization system to a significant delivered light intensity decrease during different types of ocular surgeries.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the hypothesis that using a large, three-dimensional (3D), ultra-high-definition (4K), heads-up display (HUD) system in a real-life setting may be associated with a significant reduction in light intensity (LI) delivered during various types of eye surgery. METHODS: Single center, post-learning curve observational study of 142 independent consecutive cases: 73 cataracts and 69 vitrectomies (VR). For each group, the only variable setting was the LI. The LI delivered by each source was calibrated in lumens (lm). RESULTS: In the VR group, the delivered LI dramatically decreased from the 80% reference to 27.8%±13.2% (P<0.0001) (4.3 to 1.5lm). Among these surgeries, 91.3% needed 40% or less LI (2.3lm). The corneal transparency and quality of pupil dilation showed some correlation with the results. In the cataract group, the difference was even more spectacular, from 80% to 15%±11.3% (P<0.0001) (2.5 to 0.3lm). Among these surgeries, 80.8% required less than 20% LI (0.5lm). The surgical time, LI variations and type of cataract seemed to influence the results, down to 9.6%±5.4% (P<0.0001) (0.22lm) for nuclear cataracts, which represented 63% of the cataract sample. CONCLUSION: The digital signal amplification with this HUD system allows comfortable posterior as well as anterior segment surgery despite the decrease in incident light, suggesting an unprecedented reduction in the risk of phototoxicity compared to conventional systems as well as a likely improvement in patient comfort.

A new model for the population pharmacokinetics of didanosine in healthy subjects.

Didanosine (ddI) is a component of highly active antiretroviral therapy drug combinations, used especially in resource-limited settings and in zidovudine-resistant patients. The population pharmacokinetics of ddI was evaluated in 48 healthy volunteers enrolled in two bioequivalence studies. These data, along with a set of co-variates, were the subject of a nonlinear mixed-effect modeling analysis using the NONMEM program. A two-compartment model with first order absorption (ADVAN3 TRANS3) was fitted to the serum ddI concentration data. Final pharmacokinetic parameters, expressed as functions of the co-variates gender and creatinine clearance (CL CR), were: oral clearance (CL = 55.1 + 240 x CL CR + 16.6 L/h for males and CL = 55.1 + 240 x CL CR for females), central volume (V2 = 9.8 L), intercompartmental clearance (Q = 40.9 L/h), peripheral volume (V3 = 62.7 + 22.9 L for males and V3 = 62.7 L for females), absorption rate constant (Ka = 1.51/h), and dissolution time of the tablet (D = 0.43 h). The intraindividual (residual) variability expressed as coefficient of variation was 13.0%, whereas the interindividual variability of CL, Q, V3, Ka, and D was 20.1, 75.8, 20.6, 18.9, and 38.2%, respectively. The relatively high (>30%) interindividual variability for some of these parameters, observed under the controlled experimental settings of bioequivalence trials in healthy volunteers, may result from genetic variability of the processes involved in ddI absorption and disposition.

[Progressive essential iris atrophy associated with chronic cystoid macular edema]. / Atrophie essentielle de l'iris associée à un oedème maculaire cystoïde chronique.

We describe a first clinical case associating progressive essential iris atrophy (iridocorneal epithelial syndrome, or ICE syndrome) and chronic cystoid macular edema. The clinical presentation and therapeutic progression suggest an inflammatory retinal barrier rupture as seen in Irvine-Gass syndromes. OCT or angiographic exploration should be systematically performed in cases of ICE syndrome to detect a subclinical macular edema.

[Leptospirosis: a cause of pseudo-malarial fever in Gabon]. / Leptospirose: une cause de fièvre pseudo-palustre au Gabon.

A first case of leptospirosis has been recently described in Gabon where bioclimatological characteristics could favour the transmission of that disease. Therefore, a search for antibodies to leptospirae was conducted among 55 military Frenchmen with unexplained fever during a four-month stay in Gabon. Three (5.5%) were positive with IgM levels attesting for recent contamination. A screening antigenic battery identified L. bataviae in two cases and L. sejroe in one case. The three patients were employed outside in the precedent weeks. Travelers are exposed to leptospirosis in numerous Third-World countries. Clinical and biological similarities between leptospirosis and P. falciparum malaria could induce misdiagnosis. Co-infection could also be encountered. Doxycycline, whose activity against P. falciparum is well known, is also effective against leptospirae. Therefore, this drug seems valuable for prophylactic and therapeutic actions in areas exposed to the both diseases.

[Myelinated retinal nerve fibers. Review of the literature]. / Les fibres à myéline rétiniennes. Revue de la littérature à propos d'un cas.

We describe the clinical findings and diagnostic particularities of myelinated retinal nerve fibers observed in a personal case and review the literature. An 8-year-old child was referred for bilateral papillary abnormalities. The diagnosis was myelinated retinal nerve fibers as white striated patches with feathery edges. Myelinated retinal nerve fibers are a developmental anomaly which may be continuous or discontinuous with the optic nerve head. They are reported to occur in 0.57% to 0.98% of ophthalmic patients. The pathogenesis has not been established. Myelinated retinal nerve fibers are clinically conspicuous. Although they are generally believed to be benign lesions, they occasionally are associated with ocular complications such as myopia.

[Anterior uveitis and topical brimonidine: a case report]. / Uvéite antérieure et brimonidine.

We report the case of a 66-year-old patient treated for 13 months with brimonidine, who presented granulomatous anterior uveitis associated with an increase in intraocular pressure, allergic conjunctivitis and blepharitis in both eyes. No ocular or general cause for uveitis was found. The uveitis responded rapidly to cessation of brimonidine. This report illustrates that anterior uveitis can occur when brimonidine is used after approximately 1 year of treatment. Physicians must be informed of this side effect even though it is rare, with only four similar cases having been described in the literature.

[Comparison of once-daily nonpreserved timolol and timolol maleate gel-forming solution associated with latanoprost]. / Comparaison du timolol sans conservateur et du timolol à délivrance prolongée donnés une fois par jour en association à du latanoprost.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of a single daily instillation of nonpreserved timolol to a timolol maleate gel-forming solution in patients with chronic glaucoma or ocular hypertension already treated with latanoprost. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, prospective, multicenter, open, parallel-group clinical trial was undertaken with 73 patients with chronic glaucoma treated with latanoprost and a timolol maleate gel-forming solution. In 36 patients, the previous regimen was substituted by nonpreserved timolol given instead of timolol maleate gel for 3 months. The changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded as well as local and systemic tolerance and patient compliance. RESULTS: At 3 months, both regimens were found equivalent in maintaining IOP control between D0 and D84. The difference with baseline was -0.08 +/- 2.22 mmHg and -0.38 +/- 2.41 mmHg in the nonpreserved timolol group and in the timolol maleate gel-forming solution group, respectively (CI 95% [-0.79; 1.38]). After 84 days of treatment, blurred vision (5.9%) and eyelid deposits (5.9%) were reduced in the preservative-free timolol group compared to the other group (respectively, 33.3% and 24.2%). These differences were statistically significant for both signs (blurred vision: p < 0.0001 and for eyelid deposits: p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This short-term study has demonstrated the equivalence of nonpreserved timolol to timolol maleate gel-forming solution in terms of IOP control. Moreover, the local tolerance of nonpreserved timolol was better.

[Isolated occlusion of a cilioretinal artery]. / Occlusion isolée d'une artère cilio-rétinienne.

PURPOSE: Isolated cilioretinal artery occlusion is uncommon but has characteristic features. Based on a case report and a review of the literature, we present the clinical findings and angiographic particularities of this syndrome and discuss controversial pathophysiological data. CASE REPORT AND METHOD: A 56-year-old man had sudden visual loss in the right eye estimated at 3/10 P10. Fundus examination showed areas of retinal interpapillomacular infarction due to cilioretinal artery occlusion. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated delayed filling and emptying of this artery. Left fundus examination was normal. RESULTS: Systemic examinations revealed severe hypertension (240/130) rapidly controlled with a two-drug regimen. The clinical course was good with normalization of fundus and angiography, and visual recovery to 8/10 P3 with a small absolute paracentral scotoma. DISCUSSION: The few cases described would offer an explanation of the low prevalence of cilioretinal arteries and the more frequent association with central retina venous obstruction which can mask arterial occlusion. A relative reversible occlusion explains the generally good prognosis especially if the capillary network is not affected by the occluded artery as was observed in our case. CONCLUSION: Although diagnosis of isolated cilioretinal artery occlusion is made without difficulty, the underlying pathogenic mechanism remains difficult to explain due to the various phenomena revealed by the increased arterial pressure.

Comparison of clinical efficacy: Nd:YAG laser rates after implantation of AcrySof® SN60WF, Akreos® AO-MI60 and Hoya® YA-60BB.

PURPOSE: To compare Nd:YAG laser rates following implantation of AcrySof(®) SN60WF (Alcon), Akreos(®) AO-MI60 (Baush & Lomb), and Hoya(®) YA-60BB (Hoya) intraocular lenses. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at three French centers with each implanting at least two of the three implants. Included patients had undergone uncomplicated cataract surgery with at least 3 years of follow-up. Records of patients implanted with one of the three IOL's were drawn randomly from the surgical logs. Postoperative data were obtained from the medical records of either the surgeon or the referring physician. Time elapsing until Nd:YAG laser was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: Three hundred eyes were implanted (AcrySof(®) 126, Akreos(®) 89, and Hoya(®) 85). AcrySof(®) recipients were the youngest (AcrySof(®) 72.1, Akreos(®) 76.4, and Hoya(®) 75.2 years of age: P=0.0007). The sex ratio was 4:6 male:female. Follow-up was longest for Hoya eyes (AcrySof(®) 29.4, Akreos(®) 24.6 and Hoya(®) 34.6 months; P=0.0002). Eyes implanted with AcrySof(®) had 1.74 times less chance of Nd:YAG laser treatment than Hoya eyes (P=0.0327) and 3.50 times less than Akreos(®) eyes (P<0.0001). The results remained unchanged when the analysis was restricted to events in the first 24 months (Risk Ratios: Hoya(®)=2.64: P=0.02; and Akreos(®)=4.22: P=0.0001). Adjustment on unbalanced confounding variables did not alter the results. CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with AcrySof(®) implants required significantly fewer Nd:YAG laser capsulotomies than those with Hoya(®) and Akreos(®) implants and were therefore less subject to Nd:YAG laser treatment complications, thus ensuring better vision at the lowest cost.

Cervical cytological abnormalities and factors associated with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions among HIV-infected women from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Although cervical cancer remains a major public health problem in Brazil, knowledge of cervical cytological abnormalities among HIV-infected women remains scarce. At baseline evaluation of a cohort followed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 703 HIV-infected women underwent cytology-based cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing. Poisson regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of factors with the presence of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Cervical cytology was abnormal in 24.3% of the women; 4.1% had HSIL. Beyond HPV infection, factors independently associated with the presence of HSIL was age (≥25 and ≤40 years, prevalence ratio [PR] 2.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-6.10), and more than three pregnancies was protective (PR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11-0.94). High coverage of cervical cancer screening is warranted to prevent morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer in this population.

A new model for the population pharmacokinetics of didanosine in healthy subjects

Didanosine (ddI) is a component of highly active antiretroviral therapy drug combinations, used especially in resource-limited settings and in zidovudine-resistant patients. The population pharmacokinetics of ddI was evaluated in 48 healthy volunteers enrolled in two bioequivalence studies. These data, along with a set of co-variates, were the subject of a nonlinear mixed-effect modeling analysis using the NONMEM program. A two-compartment model with first order absorption (ADVAN3 TRANS3) was fitted to the serum ddI concentration data. Final pharmacokinetic parameters, expressed as functions of the co-variates gender and creatinine clearance (CL CR), were: oral clearance (CL = 55.1 + 240 x CL CR + 16.6 L/h for males and CL = 55.1 + 240 x CL CR for females), central volume (V2 = 9.8 L), intercompartmental clearance (Q = 40.9 L/h), peripheral volume (V3 = 62.7 + 22.9 L for males and V3 = 62.7 L for females), absorption rate constant (Ka = 1.51/h), and dissolution time of the tablet (D = 0.43 h). The intraindividual (residual) variability expressed as coefficient of variation was 13.0 percent, whereas the interindividual variability of CL, Q, V3, Ka, and D was 20.1, 75.8, 20.6, 18.9, and 38.2 percent, respectively. The relatively high (>30 percent) interindividual variability for some of these parameters, observed under the controlled experimental settings of bioequivalence trials in healthy volunteers, may result from genetic variability of the processes involved in ddI absorption and disposition.