Thermal Imaging of Tongue Surface as a Prognostic Method in the Diagnosis of General Diseases-Preliminary Study.

The aim of this work was to develop an original method of thermographic measurement of tongue temperature as a prognostic method in the diagnosis of general diseases. This study examined the temperature distribution on the dorsal and apical surfaces of the tongue in patients with various general diseases and introduced a procedure for cooling the oral cavity. Patients with a high risk of systemic infections were referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Outpatient Clinic of the Medical University of Silesia (SUM) in Katowice to identify potential foci of dental infections. They underwent an evaluation of their dentition as well as a prognostic tongue examination using the thermal camera FLIR T540 with a sensitivity of <0.03 K. The obtained results revealed statistically significant differences in the tongue average temperature parameters between the two study groups-healthy patients and patients with disorders. We obtained median temperatures for tongue dorsum (TD) of 35.8 °C and 35.2 °C for healthy patients and patients with disorders, respectively. Also, statistical differences have been obtained for tongue apex (TA) average temperatures. They were 35.5 °C and 34.0 °C for healthy and patients, respectively (p = 0.0001). Similar statistical results presented significant differences in the temperature difference (defined as DT = average temperature 10 min - average temperature 2 min after rinsing of the mouth) of the examined areas of the tongue between the healthy temperature and the unhealthy patient's temperature. It seems that thermal imaging has potential in the prevention and diagnosis of general diseases.

The use of intrastromal corneal ring segments in patients with myopia and keratoconus.

Intrastromal corneal ring segments were primary used for correcting myopia ranging from -0.5 to -3.0 diopters. Nowadays, the most common indication of PMMA insertion in the world is keratoconus-associated astigmatism. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of using of intracorneal ring segments in myopia and keratoconus. The addressed issues include commercially available ring models, indications and contraindications for ring implantation as well as the recommended surgical techniques. The efficacy of ring implantation in other conditions, such as post-LASIK ectasia and corneal transplantation is also discussed based on literature review. Additionally, the combined procedure of intracorneal ring segment implantation and cor- neal collagen cross-linking is mentioned as one of the latest trends.

[Central retinal sensitivity assessment with microperimetry in patients with primary open angle glaucoma]. / Ocena czulosci siatkówki centrainej metoda mikroperymetrii u chorych na jaskre pierwotna otwartego kata.

INTRODUCTION: Visual field defects in glaucomatous patients found in perimetry are analysed using increasingly more sophisticated methods. One of these methods is microperimetry, which enables detecting the progression of changes in particular central retinal quadrants in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma, especially at early stages of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 99 eyes of 57 patients--men and women aged 40 to 65 years--were enrolled in the study. Retinal sensitivity in the central perimacular, 12-degree area divided into four quadrants (temporal, nasal, superior and inferior) plus the fovea was assessed with microperimetry. The mean visual field defects in particular areas were compared and analysed using the ANOVA rank Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The biggest defect in the visual field was found in both superior quadrants. Only slightly milder defects were demonstrated within the fovea. The defects were the least pronounced within the inferior temporal and nasal quadrants. CONCLUSIONS: Microperimetry enables detection and appreciation of changes in sensitivity of individual central retinal quadrants, which is of significance in the diagnosis of early glaucoma.

Results of cataract surgery in the very elderly population.

AIM: The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation (IOL) for patients aged 90 years or older, whom we define as "very elderly." METHODS: The study involved a total number of 122 patients (122 eyes) with senile cataracts. The mean age of patients was 91.2 ± 2.3 years (range 90-100 years old). Phacoemulsification (phaco) was done on 113 of 122 eyes, and 9 of 122 eyes had extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). Postoperative visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP) were analyzed on the first postoperative day, 3 months after surgery, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved in 100 of 122 eyes (82.0%). BCVA remained the same in 20 of 122 eyes (16.4%) and decreased in 2 of 122 eyes (1.6%), mainly because of coexisting age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The BCVA 3 months after surgery was ≥0.8 in 23 of 122 eyes (18.9%), between 0.5 and 0.7 in 28 of 122 eyes (22.3%), and between 0.2 and 0.4 in 33 of 122 eyes (27.1%). We found significant implications of cataract surgery on decreasing IOP in the studied group of patients suffering from glaucoma compared to the patients without glaucoma. CONCLUSION: Advanced age is not a contraindication for cataract surgery. The results of the study showed that when systemic conditions are stable, both phaco and ECCE with IOL for very elderly patients are effective and safe.