Arthur H. Keeney

Corrective measures for myopia

Many myopic people, expressing dissatisfaction with traditional methods of optical correction, are interested in a permanent correction of their refractive error which would alleviate dependence on corrective lenses. Although much effort has been put forth in the last century, there is still no method of correcting myopia which is broadly acceptable as safe and effective. The nonsurgical procedures of orthokeratology and the topical use of cycloplegics have not been well proven. Surgical measures are the current vectors of hope. Surgical procedures on parts of the eye other than the cornea have proven to be difficult. Surgery which alters the refractive power of the cornea (refractive keratoplasty) has been used frequently in the past decade. These procedures include keratomileusis, epikeratophakia and radial keratotomy. The latter is currently the most often performed method for the correction of myopia. This paper critiques the major methods, explains their historical development and basic procedures, lists major published studies and discusses their problems and promise for their future.

Welding Processes and Ocular Hazards and Protection

There are approximately 60 different forms of welding, but only six of these are commonly used. Shielded metal-arc or stick welding, gas metal-arc welding, and oxyacetylene welding are the most frequently used. All produce ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation at damaging levels. Conventional glass welding shields contain ultraviolet, visible, and infrared absorbers. Infrared absorbers, however, cause heating and secondary re-radiation. New polycarbonate lenses offer greater impact resistance, and have less tendency to welding spatter. Early abrasion-resistant and reflective coatings on plastics were ineffective. Thin layers of gold with proprietary coatings provide cool reflection and surface resistance. Thermal monitoring of welding indicated that these new shields reduce temperature rises above the ambient by 150% to 175% compared to green glass filter plates without interfering with the welders vision.

Mary B. Walker, M.D. and the pioneering use of prostigmin to treat myasthenia gravis

In an era when women were not admitted to the University of Edinburgh and when Englands first female physician (Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, 1836–1917) had to venture to Paris, France, to earn her M.D. in 1870, the career of Mary Broadfoot Walker (Figure 1) (1888–1974) stands out for truly remarkable achievement. She is credited with making the most significant discovery in medical therapeutic within the British empire.

Kinetic Visual Disturbances With Contact Lenses

Kinetic (variable) visual disturbances in contact lens wearers may be generated optically or mechanically. These disturbances are categorized in two groups: 1) those affecting both phakic and aphakic contact lens wearers; and 2) those peculiar to aphakic patients. Within each category disturbances vary with the types of lens used. In this review, the optical and mechanical bases for the various problems are discussed, as are possible solutions. It is emphasized that the ophthalmologist prescribing contact lenses should be aware of the patients work hazards and requirements, and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of contact lenses. For example, is the patient exposed to high temperatures, heavy or fast-moving equipment, altered barometric conditions, etc.? Is physical exertion required? Employers and fellow workers should be aware of the contact lens wearers in their work force.

ION Exchange Tempering of Glass Ophthalmic Lenses

We performed low velocity drop-ball tests using 5/8-, 7/8-, and 1-inch diameter steel balls on ophthalmic crown glass lenses chemically tempered by the ion exchange process. Four representative dioptric strengths (+ 2.50 spherical, - 2.50 spherical, -2.50 cylindrical, and plano) were studied with the isolated lenses mounted, convex side up, on the American National Standards Institute Z80 test block. New ion exchange lenses exhibited a 100 to 350% greater capacity for attenuation of energy from low velocity, large size missiles than matched lenses of similar strength prepared by the conventional heat-treating and air-quenching process.

Ophthalmology and medical education in Australia

Australian medicine and ophthalmology both began as extensions of British traditions. With growing financial and national independence, they have acquired indigenous strength and characteristics. An original triumvirate of medical schools launched a century ago have been augmented by seven additional schools, particularly since World War II. Both general medical and specialty education are now well obtainable in Australia. The quality of ophthalmology is high and research has been moving upward since World War II. New buildings are replacing old. The organization of registrars (residents) is blending with that of union-type workers and reflects widespread though locally autonomous unions in almost every field of endeavor. Canberra and the National University are recent major additions to cultural and scientific affairs of Australia. The Royal Flying Doctors Service has since 1928 cast an increasingly effective mantle of safety over the outback. Reductions in federal funds and student numbers have paralleled similar occurrences in the U.S. in the 1980s. Geriatric ophthalmology has made a major step forward and the organization of examinations and policing of medicine have been greatly strengthened in the past decade.

The role of national and international standard setting agencies in the field of possible light damage to the eyes

Standards consensus and standards documents are both progressively helpful and demanding in the technical world. Medical diseases have slowly moved toward parallel with absorbed units, but are greatly altered by individual variation and multifactorial etiologies. Quantitation of light energies is beset by major ambiguities of definition, measurement, and biologic responses. The input of individual scientists and their national organizations is essential for rational standards in advanced nations. When these are advanced to international (ISO) adoption they have since 1980 gained an impact of obligatory international compliance.