Tube shunt coverage with gamma-irradiated cornea allograft (VisionGraft)

Feyzahan Ekici, Marlene R Moster, Victor Cvintal, Wanda D Hu, Michael Waisbourd Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA Purpose: To investigate the clinical outcomes of tube shunt coverage using sterile gamma-irradiated cornea allograft.Patients and methods: The Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 165 patients who underwent glaucoma tube shunt procedures using sterile gamma-irradiated cornea allograft (VisionGraft) between December 2012 and November 2013. Demographic characteristics, type of tube shunt, and position were noted. Complications were recorded at 1 day; 1 week; 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; and on the final postoperative visit.Results: One hundred and sixty-nine eyes of 165 patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 4.8±3.5 (ranging from 1 to 16) months. There was no evidence of immunological reaction, infection, or exposure in 166 eyes (98.2%). Three eyes (1.8%) experienced graft or tube exposure within the first 3 postoperative months. Two of the cases had underlying diseases: bullous pemphigoid and chronic allergic conjunctivitis.Conclusion: Coverage of tube shunts using gamma-irradiated cornea allograft had a low exposure rate and was well tolerated. The graft can be stored long term at room temperature and has an excellent postoperative cosmetic appearance.Keywords: aqueous shunts, gamma-irradiated cornea allograft, glaucoma drainage device, tube shunt surgery&nbsp

SPARCS and Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity testing in normal controls and patients with cataract

PubMedID: 28106888PurposeTo determine the ability of the newly developed internet-based Spaeth/Richman Contrast Sensitivity (SPARCS) test to assess contrast sensitivity centrally and peripherally in cataract subjects and controls, in comparison with the Pelli-Robson (PR) test.MethodsIn this prospective cross-sectional study, cataract subjects and age-matched normal controls were evaluated using the SPARCS and PR tests. Contrast sensitivity testing was performed in each eye twice in a standardized testing environment in randomized order. SPARCS scores were obtained for central, right upper (RUQ), right lower (RLQ), left upper (LUQ), and left lower quadrants (LLQ). PR scores were obtained for central contrast sensitivity. PR and SPARCS scores in cataract subjects were compared with controls. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland Altman analysis were used to determine test-retest reliability and correlation.ResultsA total of 162 eyes from 84 subjects were analyzed: 43 eyes from 23 cataract subjects, and 119 eyes from 61 controls. The mean scores for SPARCS centrally were 13.4 and 14.5 in the cataract and control groups, respectively (P=0.001). PR mean scores were 1.31 and 1.45 in cataract and control groups, respectively (P<0.001). ICC values for test-retest reliability for cataract subjects were 0.75 for PR and 0.61 for the SPARCS total. There was acceptable agreement between the ability of PR and SPARCS to detect the effect of cataract on central contrast sensitivity.ConclusionsBoth SPARCS and PR demonstrate a significant influence of cataract on contrast sensitivity. SPARCS offers the advantage of determining contrast sensitivity peripherally and centrally, without being influenced by literacy. © 2017 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved

Aplicativo multimídia em plataforma móvel para o ensino da mensuração da pressão venosa central

O objetivo do estudo foi desenvolver e avaliar um aplicativo multimídia em plataforma móvel para o ensino da Mensuração da Pressão Venosa Central (PVC). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em três fases (Levantamento das necessidades; Metodologia de desenvolvimento do aplicativo multimídia e Avaliação do aplicativo multimídia). A multimídia foi o método escolhido por favorecer um ambiente motivador e dinâmico, integrar imagens e textos num aplicativo disponível para celulares, constituindo-se um meio móvel e autônomo de aprendizagem. Os resultados permitem demonstrar a viabilidade do desenvolvimento da ferramenta para subsidiar a prática pedagógica e abrem perspectivas para acreditar que, na educação em Enfermagem, a tecnologia disponível pode descortinar novos modos de aprender significativamente