Quality of vision with presbyopic contact lens correction: subjective and light sensitivity rating.

PURPOSE: To quantify the quality of vision achieved with multifocal and bifocal contact lenses. METHODS: We analyzed differential light sensitivity by computerized automatic perimetry in 21 patients wearing monofocal soft contact lenses (group 1, controls) and multifocal and bifocal contact lenses (groups 2 and 3, respectively). Seven patients each were fitted with multifocal or bifocal contact lenses; seven patients were without contact lenses (without correction for testing the visual periphery and with near-vision correction using monofocal contact lens for testing the central 30 degrees of vision). The type of correction was randomly changed in a crossover fashion so that each eye was examined at different times with different corrections. Humphrey 640 VFA computerized automated perimetry was used to test visual fields at baseline, 45 days, and 3, 4.5, and 6 months. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the global sensitivities (GS) of the central visual field in patients with near-vision monofocal contact lenses and with bifocal contact lenses (P=0.0273) and between the GS of the central visual fields with multifocal contact lenses and with bifocal contact lenses (P=0.0261). In both cases, the GS were significantly reduced with bifocal contact lenses (total GS: group 1, 11256 dB (Decibels); group 2, 11154 dB; group 3, 10679 dB). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that there is reduced differential light sensitivity in the central 30 deg of the visual field with bifocal contact lenses compared with multifocal contact lenses and monofocal contact lenses (controls).

Ocular complications of latanoprost in uveitic glaucoma: three case reports.

The purpose of this study was to report paradoxical reaction on the intraocular pressure after treatment with latanoprost in 3 cases of uveitic glaucoma. Serial clinical examinations of intraocular pressure by means of daily tonometric curves were performed in three patients with uveitic glaucoma before and after the beginning of latanoprost therapy. All measurements were performed by two doctors, but every patient's IOP was always measured by the same doctor. Adverse reactions, such as increased intraocular pressure and recurrence of inflammation, were noted to occur 7 to 16 days after rechallenging with topical latanoprost therapy for glaucoma in patients with history of uveitic glaucoma. The conclusion indicates that clinicians should be alerted to these possible complications of topical latanoprost therapy in uveitic glaucoma.

Evaluation of lung tissue and hilar lymph node concentrations of azithromycin.

Since it is believed that most infections occur in the interstitial fluid, it has been suggested to measure the concentration of antimicrobial agents in pulmonary lymph that reflects the extracellular, extra-blood-vascular milieu in the lung. The aim of this study was to investigate the lung tissue and pulmonary lymph node penetration of azithromycin after 500 mg daily oral administration for three days in patients undergoing open thoracotomy. At the end of the treatment, each subject was assigned for 5 groups of 5 patients each according to thoracotomy time after the last dose (24, 48, 96, 120 and 144 h). Azithromycin was assayed by an agar diffusion method with Sarcina lutea Z114 (DRH) used as the test organism and the Antibiotic Assay Medium 1, pH 8.5 used as the medium. All patients had a detectable concentration of azithromycin in serum 24 h after the last dose (72 h after the first dose); the concentration fell below the detection limit (0.01 mg/l-1) after 96 h (168 h after the first dose). Peak concentrations in lung tissue and lymph nodes were found after 48 h (96 h after the first dose). Tissue and lymph node concentrations of azithromycin were much greater than serum concentrations and these tissue and lymph node concentrations persisted after serum concentrations declined. The concentrations in lung tissue of azithromycin were always higher than corresponding concentrations in hilar lymph nodes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of different intravenous nutrients on metabolic changes in short-term fasted man.

It is well documented (1-3) that a balanced use of nutritive solutions is important to maintain metabolic homeostasis and a better control of nutrient flux in fasting patients. In this trial, 10 healthy males, aged 30-50 years, fasted for 12 h, were subjected to intravenous nutrient loads in three separate trials. In the first trial they received only a fat emulsion, in the second fat emulsion and L-amino acid solution, and in the third fat emulsion, L-amino acid solution and glucose solution, 240 and 480 min after intravenous infusion plasma triglycerides, serum cholesterol, free fatty acids, lactate, glucose and plasma amino acids were determined. Significant biochemical changes were detected with regard to triglycerides, lactic acid, free fatty acids, alanine, glutamine, lysine and proline concentrations, depending on the different mixtures utilized.

Free fatty acid levels in habitual coffee drinkers in relation to quantities consumed, sex and age.

There is a significant difference in plasma levels of the free fatty acids (FFA) in habitual coffee drinkers compared with a control group of non-coffee and decaffeinated-coffee drinkers. A significant difference in FFA levels between males and females was found under the same conditions of coffee consumption, in non-coffee drinkers and in decaffeinated-coffee drinkers.