Mp Bartolomei

Intraocular pressure changes in secondary positions of gaze in normal subjects and in restrictive ocular motility disorders

One hundred normal Caucasian eyes and 29 eyes with restrictive disorders of ocular motility were studied in order to delineate intraocular pressure changes in secondary positions of gaze. Applanation tonometry was performed in the primary position and at an angle of 22°. In patients with restrictive syndromes the changes of intraocular pressure in the secondary positions of gaze were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than in normal subjects.The range of variation in normal subjects was 0, +3 mmHg for supraduction and −3, +1 mmHg for abduction. Patients with restrictive syndromes showed changes between +1 and +15 mmHg for supraduction and between +3 and +10 mmHg for abduction. Results obtained in the two groups showed the existence of false negatives. This test is thus a practical and useful diagnostic tool, but its results must be evaluated cautiously.

Short-term changes in the optic nerve head and visual field after trabeculectomy

Aims or PurposeTo evaluate short-term changes in optic nerve head topography and visual field induced by surgical reduction of intraocular pressure.MethodsA prospective study was performed on 56 eyes of 56 patients with uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma despite maximum medical therapy, which underwent trabeculectomy. Optic nerve head evaluations by means of Heidelberg Retina Tomograph, and visual field tests were performed pre-operatively, and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Differences in intraocular pressure, visual field indices, and Heidelberg Retina Tomograph parameters were evaluated with the t-test for paired data. A linear regression model was calculated to analyze the relationship between intraocular pressure reduction and visual field changes, and optic nerve head changes.ResultsMean intraocular pressure decreased from 24.4±5.0u2009mmu2009Hg to 12.1±3.1u2009mmu2009Hg (month 3, P<0.001), and 10.6±2.8u2009mmu2009Hg (month 6, P<0.001) after trabeculectomy. Mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (baseline, 0.19±0.034; month 3, 0.24±0.039, P=0.05; month 6, 0.21±0.037, P=0.05) showed a statistical significant change compared with baseline values.ConclusionsIn this 6-months study, a significant increase in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was detected after glaucoma filtration surgery.

Disposable film cover for the tip of Goldmann's tonometer

The application of a thin, transparent, polyvinyl-chloride film on the double prism of Goldmanns tonometer is proposed, so as to prevent bacterial and viral infection during tonometry. This film, mounted in such a way as to facilitate its application, is supplied in disposable sterile packaging. The use of the film does not alter the calibration of the instrument and does not substantially modify readings thereby obtained.