20 research outputs found
Plasma Cortisol in Men – Relationship With Atherosclerosis of Retinal Arteries
The production of cortisol increases in acute stress but the effects of chronic stress on
plasma cortisol are still controversial. Stress on the other hand plays a role in coronary
artery disease (CAD) and carotid atherosclerosis. Since there is no data about plasma
cortisol and atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries, the purpose of this study was to explore
the relationship between plasma cortisol in 101 adult males with the degree of
their retinal vessels atherosclerosis. The results were compared with those in 47
matched apparently healthy men with no retinal vessels changes. The atherosclerotic
changes of retinal vessels were determined by direct ophthalmoscopy and graded (1–4)
according to Scheie. Morning plasma cortisol levels were determined by radioimmunoassay
using commercial kits. The results were compared by using chi-square test. No association
between morning plasma cortisol concentrations and retinal vessels atherosclerosis
could be found. The results of this study do not support a role for physiological
levels of plasma cortisol in the development of atherosclerosis, at least of the retinal arteries,
in men
Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Ocular Surface Reconstruction
The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical experience and the effect of human
amniotic membrane transplantation on pterygium excision and bullous keratopathy.
From January 1999 to January 2001 at University Hospital »Sestre milosrdnice«
amniotic membrane transplantation was performed consecutively in 21 eyes: 11 eyes
with bullous keratopathy and 10 with recurrent pterygia. In the group with bullous
keratopathy epithelization took place in 19.6 days in 72.7% and the reduction of pain
was satisfactory. Recurrence rate in group with recurrent pterygia was 20%. Based on
the presented results it could be concluded that amniotic membrane transplantation
can be considered as an effective alternative for treating severe ocular surface diseases
and as an alternative for penetrating keratoplasty if there is a lack of graft
Value of Color-Doppler Imaging in Diagnosis of Intrabulbar and Intraorbital Tumors
Patients with intrabulbar and intraorbital tumours have been investigated by colour Doppler imaging. In the first group there were 20 patients with malignant melanoma of the uvea and in the second group there were 19 patients with cavernous hemangioma. The third group was a control group represented by 20 healthy individuals. In the group of patients with uveal melanoma it has been established that every patient, except one, has a blood flow inside of tumour tissue. Internal blood flow of intraorbital hemangioma was slower than inside the melanoma and the resistance index was lower. Comparison of blood flow in all patients has shown that there is no statistically significant difference between ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery and posterior ciliary arteries except in maximal blood flow in central retinal artery and posterior ciliary arteries
Glaucoma Triple Procedure: A One-site vs. a Two-site Approach
The purpose of this study is to describe and evaluate the success rate of combined
glaucoma and small cataract surgery by means of a one-site versus two-site approach.
Fifty-eight eyes of fifty-five patients undergoing combined surgery were operated: thirtyone
eyes underwent two-site approach and twenty-seven eyes underwent one-site approach.
Short term and long term mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was similar in both
groups. There was no significant difference in postoperative inflammation and complication
rates between two groups. There is no significant difference in the postoperative
results in those two different approaches to perform combined operations of cataract
and glaucoma
Is Lipoprotein(A) a Risk Factor for Atherosclerosis of the Retinal Arteries?
Elevated plasma Lp(a) has been linked to development of coronary artery disease
(CAD). There is no data about plasma Lp(a) and atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries.
Therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the risk of retinal vessels atherosclerosis
conferred by elevated plasma Lp(a) levels in 73 adult males. The results were compared
with those in 45 matched apparently healthy males with no retinal vessel
changes. The atherosclerotic changes of the retinal vessels were determined by direct
ophthalmoscopy and graded (1–4) according to Scheie. Plasma levels of Lp(a) were measured
by radial immunodiffusion. The results were compared using chi-square test. Although
a very weak correlation between plasma Lp(a) levels and the incidence of retinal
atherosclerosis was found, no significant association between the degree of atherosclerotic
changes and plasma Lp(a) levels could be proven. Thus it could be concluded that
plasma Lp(a) level is not a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis of the retinal
arteries
Chiasma Syndrome in Acromegalic Patients – Correlation of Neuroradiologic and Neuroophthalmologic Findings
The study evaluated neuroophthalmologic and computerized tomography (CT) findings
in 100 patients with somatotrophic adenoma and clinical picture of acromegaly,
who underwent transsphenoidal adenomectomy. Prior to the surgery, visual field was
normal in 77 patients. The diameter of adenoma in these patients ranged from 8 to 30
mm on CT, and the average value was 13.5 mm. Various kinds of visual field disturbances
were present in 23 patients. The diameter of their adenomas ranged between 18
to 35 mm, with the average of 24.7 mm. Compared to visual field defects, CT findings of
suprasellar adenoma extension were better correlated with chiasma syndrome (p < 0.001).
All patients with suprasellar mass greater than 10 mm had chiasma syndrome. Degenerative
adenoma changes (hemorrhagic necrosis), which precipitate abrupt increase in
size of the tumor, were more frequently seen in patients with chiasma syndrome. The incidence
of chiasma syndrome directly correlates with the degree of suprasellar extension
of the tumor
Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Ocular Surface Reconstruction in Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcera
The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical experience about the effects of human
amniotic membrane transplantation in eyes with neurotrophic ulcers. In 11 eyes the application
of amniotic membrane was performed since January 1999 because of neurotrophic
ulcers. The follow up period was longer than 12 months: 19.76.0 months. The
average healing period after the surgery was 1.60.6 weeks. All corneas were fluorescein
negative even 12 months after operation. Visual acuity after the transplantation was
similar to the one before the surgery in 8 eyes. In 3 eyes the visual acuity after the surgery
was better than before. Amniotic membrane transplantation can be considered an
effective alternative for treating persistent epithelial defects such as neurotrophic ulcers.
It has some advantages over corneal transplantation: a relatively simple procedure, no
allograft rejection and it could be particularly beneficial in countries where cornea shortage
is apparent