A comparison of two conjunctival rotation autograft techniques in primary pterygium surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of 90° and 180° conjunctival rotational autograft (CRA) techniques used in primary pterygium surgery. METHODS: Forty-five patients were included in this retrospective study. Visual acuity (VA), corneal topography, and auto-refractometer measurements, as well as detailed biomicroscopic examinations, were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. During surgery, the pterygium tissue was excised then rotated 90° in Group 1 and180° in Group 2, after which it was sutured to the bare sclera. Pterygium recurrence was defined as corneal invasion ≥1 mm. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 45.1 ± 11.8 years, while Group 2 comprised 24 patients with a mean age of 47.9 ± 13.8 years. The pterygia in Group 1 were graded as more advanced than those in Group 2. A similar number of recurrences were observed in Group 1 (14.3%) and in Group 2 (16.7%). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the preoperative and postoperative VA and astigmatism values between the two groups. There was a statistically significant improvement in the postoperative VA and astigmatism values in Group 1 and in the postoperative astigmatism values in Group 2. Although postoperative redness was more common in Group 1, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. CONCLUSION: BothCRA techniques can be successful in patients for whom it is desirable to avoid a conjunctival autograft and for patients without high cosmetic expectations

Investigating the effects of head posture muscles’ viscoelastic parameters on pulmonary and functional capacity in healthy individuals

Introduction. Forward head posture (FHP) is known to have a large influence on respiratory function by weakening the respiratory muscles. This cross-sectional study is designed to examine the relationship between the tonus, stiffness, and elasticity of head posture muscles and pulmonary capacity. Methods. overall, 16 FHP and 17 non-forward head posture (NFHP) individuals were evaluated. The tonus, stiffness, and elasticity of the upper trapezius, semispinalis capitis, pectoral muscles, and sternocleidomastoid muscles were measured with a MyotonPRo® device. Functional capacity was assessed with the 6-minute walk test. Pulmonary function tests employed a spirometer. The Neck Disability index was applied. FHP was determined by measuring the craniovertebral angle. Physical activity levels were evaluated with the Physical Activity index. Results. The study involved 18 (54.54%) female and 15 (45.45%) male students. Their mean age was 21.24 ± 1.82 years. Neck Disability index scores were higher in participants with FHP than in NFHP individuals (p = 0.037). There were no significant differences in the myotonometric measurements of the analysed muscles between FHP and NFHP groups (p > 0.05). Physiological characteristics of FHP and NFHP participants were different in terms of vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and peak forced expiratory volume (p < 0.05). Conclusions. owing to the pulmonary capacity differences between FHP and NFHP individuals, it can be concluded that FHP affects pulmonary capacity. Also, pectoral muscles and semispinalis capitis muscles play an important role in thoracic expansion and therefore influence vital capacity. © Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Science

Investigating the effects of neuromobilization in lateral epicondylitis

Study Design: Randomized controlled study. Introduction: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) causes pain and loss of function in the affected limb. Different exercises have been used for the treatment of LE. In recent years, the technique of neuromobilization has been frequently used to treat tendinopathy. However, there is no study that demonstrates the effects of neuromobilization techniques on patients with LE. Purpose of the Study: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of neuromobilization techniques on pain, grip strength, and functional status in LE patients and to compare them with conservative rehabilitation treatment. Methods: A total of 40 patients (26 females and 14 males; age: 42.80 ± 8.91 years) with a history of LE participated in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the neuromobilization group and the control group. The neuromobilization group completed a 6-week conservative rehabilitation and radial nerve mobilization program, whereas the control group received conservative rehabilitation therapy only. Both groups underwent a 7-day weekly conservative home rehabilitation program. Pain severity, grip strength, pinch strength, joint motions, and upper extremity functional level were assessed before treatment, at the third week after treatment, and at the sixth week after treatment. Results: There was a significant decrease in all pain scores in favor of the neuromobilization group at week 6 after treatment (at rest: P = .001, effect size (ES) = 0.84; at night: P = .001, ES = 0.91 and during activity: P = .004, ES = 1.06). No significant differences were found for grip strength, pinch strength, joint motions, and functional level in the neuromobilization group, although trends toward better improvement were observed. Conclusions: Radial nerve mobilization techniques are more effective on pain than conservative rehabilitation therapy in LE patients, and this effect continues after treatment. © 2020 Hanley & Belfu

Effects of virtual Reality-Based Training and aerobic training on gaming disorder, physical activity, physical fitness, and anxiety: A randomized, controlled trial

Background and aim: The effects of physical activity and exercise on gaming disorder severity in individuals with gaming disorder are unknown. The present study aimed to address the empirical gap in the current literature by comparing the effects of virtual reality-based training (VRT) and aerobic training (AT) exercise programs on gaming disorder severity, physical activity, physical fitness, and anxiety versus control group. Materials and methods: Forty-four young male adults (18–28 years) with gaming disorder and a sedentary lifestyle were included in the study. The primary outcomes of the study were changes in gaming disorder severity and physical activity, and secondary outcomes included changes in physical fitness and anxiety levels. The participants were randomly assigned to VRT (n = 15), AT (n = 14) and control (n = 15) groups. Training sessions were performed at 50–70% of the maximal heart rate. Exercise programs consisted of 6 weeks of training 3 times a week for 30 min. Results: There was a decrease in the severity of gaming disorder as well as an increase in the level of physical activity in the VRT and AT exercise groups compared to the control group. In addition, a reduction was observed in the gaming time and sedentary time in both exercise groups versus control group. VRT group experienced greater improvements in physical fitness parameters than the AT group. Conclusion: VRT and AT were effective in reducing gaming time and the severity of gaming disorder in individuals with gaming disorder. The therapeutic effects of VRT and AT can be used for reducing the severity of gaming disorder. © 2022 Elsevier Lt

Unilateral Optic Neuropathy and Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma following Snake Envenomation

Purpose. We aimed to describe a unique case in which a patient developed unilateral optic neuritis and angle-closure glaucoma as a result of snake envenomation. Case Report. Approximately 18 hours after envenomation, a 67-year-old female patient described visual impairment and severe pain in her left eye (LE). The patient’s best corrected visual acuity was 10/10 in the RE and hand motion in the LE. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed signs of neuropathy in the left optic nerve. In the LE, corneal haziness, closure of the iridocorneal angle, and mild mydriasis were observed and pupillary light reflex was absent. Intraocular pressure was 25 mmHg and 57 mmHg in the RE and LE, respectively. The patient was diagnosed with acute angle-closure glaucoma in the LE. Optic neuropathy was treated with intravenous pulse methylprednisolone. Left intraocular pressure was within normal range starting on the fourth day. One month after the incident, there was no sign of optic neuropathy; relative afferent pupillary defect and optic nerve swelling disappeared. Conclusions. Patients with severe headache and visual loss after snake envenomation must be carefully examined for possible optic neuropathy and angle-closure glaucoma. Early diagnosis and treatment of these cases are necessary to prevent permanent damage to optic nerves

Investigating the effects of appropriate fitting footwear on functional performance level, balance and fear of falling in older adults: A comparative-observational study

The aim of the study was to assess the characteristics of footwear altogether and to compare the effect of appropriate-fitting and ill-fitting footwear on functional performance, balance, and fear of falling (FoF) in older adults. Individuals who wore appropriate-fitting (n = 61) or ill-fitting footwear (n = 92) were enrolled in the study. Footwear was evaluated using the Footwear Assessment Scale (FAS). The participants were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, the Timed Up and Go test for functional performance and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale for FoF. Tests were conducted twice for each individual with or without footwear. Differences between the groups were analyzed using the MANOVA for scores of balance, performance and fear of falling and Chi-squared test for homogeneity. The Paired t-test was used to compare test scores with or without footwear. It was concluded that appropriate-fitting footwear improves balance, reduces fear of falling and may affect functional performance positively. ClinicalTrials.gov No: NCT04151654 © 2021 Elsevier Inc

Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer Development Following Cataract Surgery with a Limbal Relaxing Incision

A 60-year-old man with bilateral corneal opacity underwent cataract extraction surgery involving the use of a limbal relaxing incision in his left eye. He had lower lid ectropion and lagophthalmos in both eyes. Eleven days after the surgery, a slit-lamp examination revealed a neurotrophic corneal ulcer with a punch-out epithelial defect and rolled edges at the center of the pre-existing corneal opacity. The patient was treated with sodium hyaluronate, autologous serum, and oral doxycycline. Six weeks after the surgery an improvement in corneal sensation was observed and the neurotrophic corneal ulcer subsequently healed over the course of one year. In this report, we present a case of neurotrophic keratitis that occurred after performing cataract surgery concurrent with a limbal relaxing incision. As such, we suggest that limbal relaxing incisions should be performed cautiously in patients with causative risk factors for corneal hypesthesia

Safety and effectiveness of a new toric presbyopia-correcting posterior chamber silicone intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Trulign toric intraocular lens (IOL) in adults with cataract. SETTING: Eight private practices in the United States and 1 in Canada. DESIGN: Prospective randomized single-masked multicenter study. METHODS: A toric IOL (1.25 D, 2.00 D, or 2.75 D, determined by a toric calculator) was implanted in eligible patients with age-related cataract requiring a 16.00 to 27.00 diopter (D) spherical IOL power and with a predicted postoperative astigmatism of 0.83 to 2.50 D. Eyes within the lowest cylinder range (predicted postoperative astigmatism 0.83 to 1.32 D) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio between the 1.25 D toric IOL group and the nontoric accommodating IOL (Crystalens) control group. RESULTS: The toric 1.25 D group had a statistically significantly greater percentage reduction in absolute cylinder (P < .001) and uncorrected distance visual acuity (P = .002) than the control group at the 120- to 180-day visit. The mean monocular uncorrected vision at distance, intermediate, and near was 20/25, 20/22, and 20/39, respectively, with the 1.25 D, 2.00 D, and 2.75 D toric IOLs in aggregate (toric group). In addition, 96.1% of patients (123/128) had 5.0 degrees or less absolute IOL rotation postoperatively. Regarding safety, the endpoints for preservation of corrected visual acuity and the incidence of complications and adverse events were met. CONCLUSION: The toric IOL was safe and effective in reducing the effects of preoperative corneal astigmatism and provided excellent uncorrected distance and intermediate vision and functional near vision. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: Dr. Pepose is a consultant to Bausch & Lomb and was medical monitor of this study. Drs. Buckhurst, Whitman, Feinerman, Hovanesian, Davies, Labor, and Carter are consultants to Bausch & Lomb. At the time of the study, Drs. Hayashida, and Khodai were employees of Bausch & Lomb. Drs. Colvard and Mittleman have financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned