Astigmatism after a large scleral pocket incision in extracapsular cataract extraction

In this four-month prospective study, we measured astigmatism in 116 patients who had extracapsular cataract extraction through a 13 mm scleral pocket incision. In one group, the wound was closed with five radial 10-0 polypropylene sutures. Early and late postoperative astigmatism in this group was approximately 2 diopters (D), but a significant shift to against-the-rule astigmatism occurred. In a second group, an additional 10-0 polypropylene horizontal suture was placed anteriorly to the radial suture at the 12 o'clock meridian. This reduced the against-the-rule astigmatic decay. Moreover, this group had less postoperative astigmatism. Mean corneal astigmatism was 2.27 D at one week, 1.76 D at one month, 1.37 D at two months, and 1.70 D at four months. In neither group was cutting the sutures necessary

Polymer / carbon-nanotube interpenetrating networks and process for making same

The present invention is directed to new methods for combining, processing, and modifying existing materials, resulting in novel products with enhanced mechanical, electrical and electronic properties. The present invention provides for polymer/carbon nanotube composites with increased strength and toughness; beneficial for lighter and/or stronger structural components for terrestrial and aerospace applications, electrically and thermally conductive polymer composites, and electrostatic dissipative materials. Such composites rely on a molecular interpenetration between entangled single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and cross-linked polymers to a degree not possible with previous processes