Eye Diseases Commons^™

Is Bevacizumab Effective In Inhibiting The Growth Of Recurrent Pterygium?, Sharon L. De La Cruz

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Bevacizumab is an effective treatment in inhibiting the growth of recurrent pterygium.

Study Design: Review of three published, English language randomized controlled trials published in 2010, 2012, and 2013.

Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials measuring the efficacy of Bevacizumab to inhibit the growth of recurrent pterygium were found using PubMed and OVID databases.

Outcome(s) Measured: The severity and progression of pterygium recurrence as well as corneal neovascularization were the main outcomes measured. Conjunctival injection, thickness, and size of the fibrovascular tissue were examined in subjects …

Frequency Of Retinopathy Of Prematurity In Premature Neonates With A Birth Weight Below 1500 Grams And A Gestational Age Less Than 32 Weeks: A Study From A Tertiary Care Hospital In A Lower-Middle Income Country, Arjumand Sohaila, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Iqtidar Ahmed Khan, Huba Atiq, Ali Syed Muhammad Akhtar, Prem Kumar, Kishwer Kumar

Department of Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a treatable cause of blindness in neonates. In Pakistan, ROP is often not recognized early because screening and treatment programs are not yet in place in most neonatal units, even in tertiary care hospitals. It is hoped that this report will help inform medical professionals of the magnitude of the problem and help to design appropriate management strategies.

Objectives: The aim was to determine the frequency of ROP in premature and very low birth weight (BW) neonates (BW(GA)weeks).

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Study Setting : Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care …

Labeling Of Retinal Ganglion Cells In A Rat Glaucoma Model, Lucia Rodriguez

Honors Theses

Glaucoma is a degenerative disease of the retina containing multifactorial structural and functional defects. There is a loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) seen in this optic disorder. Cupping of the optic disk seen in glaucoma is a result of the loss of RGC axons at the optic nerve head where the nerve fibers connect. As a result of these factors, visual field loss is common among glaucoma patients.¹ In the United States, this visual field loss associated with glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness since glaucoma is difficult to detect.² Usually, increased intraocular pressure …

Environmental Factors And Progressive Myopia: A Global Health Problem, Jeffrey Weissman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error whose prevalence has increased over the past three decades, leading to a growing concern and interest among both the public and scientific communities. For years, the only explanation and basis for myopia has been genetic factors. However, the genetic model does not explain the dramatic increase in prevalence. Current research suggests that the increase is also due to environmental factors, such as fewer hours of outdoor activities, early educational pressures requiring intense close work, as well as a lack of exposure to sunlight. One study compared the prevalence and risk factors for myopia …

Cytotoxic Clinical Isolates Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Identified During The Steroids For Corneal Ulcers Trial Show Elevated Resistance To Fluoroquinolones, Durga S. Borkar, Nisha R. Acharya, Chelsia Leong, Prajna Lalitha, Muthiah Srinivasan, Catherine E. Oldenburg, David J. Evans

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

Background: To determine the relationship between type three secretion genotype and fluoroquinolone resistance for P. aeruginosa strains isolated from microbial keratitis during the Steroids for Corneal Ulcers Trial (SCUT) and for two laboratory strains, PA103 and PAO1.

Methods: Confirmed P. aeruginosa isolates from the SCUT were divided into exoU(+) or exoU(−). The exoU(+) strains contained the gene encoding ExoU, a powerful phospholipase toxin delivered into host cells by the type three secretion system. Isolates were then assessed for susceptibility to fluoroquinolone, cephalosporin, and aminoglycoside antibiotics using disk diffusion assays. Etest was used to determine the MIC of moxifloxacin …

In Adult Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema Are Intravetrial Bevacizumab Injections More Effective Than Laser Therapy At Improving Best-Corrected Visual Acuity?, Heather Bladek

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not in adult patients with diabetic macular edema intravetrial bevacizumab injections are more effective than laser therapy at improving best-corrected visual acuity.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language non-blinded randomized control trials from 2010 and 2012.

DATA SOURCES: Non-blinded randomized control trials comparing intravetrial bevacizumab injections to macular laser therapy found using Pubmed and EBSCOhost web databases. All articles were published in peer-reviewed journals.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The primary outcome of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured using the Early Treatment of Diabetic …

Is 2% Pirenzephine Gel Effective In Slowing The Progression Of Myopia In Children Aged 7-12 Years Old?, Melissa J. Rivera

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not 2% pirenzepine gel is effective in slowing the progression of myopia in children aged 7-12 years old?

STUDY DESIGN: Systemic review of three primary randomized controlled trials, which were published in 2008, 2004, and 2005.

DATA SOURCES: Multicenter, randomized double masked, placebo controlled, randomized controlled trials (RCT) were found using PubMed, COCHRANE, and OVID databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome, slowing of myopia progression, was measured similarly in all three trials. Progression of myopia was measured via changes in refractory status and spherical …

Use Of A Specific Alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist Can Prevent Loss Of Retinal Ganglion Cells In An In Vivo Rat Glaucoma Model, David Mata

Masters Theses

Acetylcholine (ACh) has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through activation of α7 nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs). In this study, the neuroprotective effects of the α7 nAChR agonist, PNU-282987, were investigated using an in vivo model of glaucoma in adult Long Evans rats. Hypertonic saline injections were used to induce a glaucoma model. After one month, retinas were removed, flat mounted, fixed and labeled with an antibody against Thy 1.1 to label RGCs and fluorescently tagged for visualization. Eye drop application of PNU-282987 resulted in neuroprotection against RGC loss in …

Does Ranibizumab Improve Best Corrected Visual Acuity In Adults With Diabetic Macular Edema Compared To Those Without Ranibizumab?, James E. Huang

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not ranibizumab improves best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in adults with diabetic macular edema compared to patients who do not receive ranibizumab.

STUDY DESIGN: The selective review examined best corrected visual acuity values reported from published, primary literature sources that examined the efficacy of ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema.

DATA SOURCES: Two double blind randomized controlled trials and one case control study were selected and reviewed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as measured from Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual …

A Double Blind Community-Based Randomized Trial Of Amoxicillin Versus Placebo For Fast Breathing Pneumonia In Children Aged 2-59 Months In Karachi, Pakistan (Retapp), Fyezah Jehan, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Salima Kerai, Nick Brown, Benazir Balouch, Zulfiqar Hyder, Gwen Ambler, Amy Sarah Ginsburg, Anita K. M. Zaidi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Fast breathing pneumonia is characterized by tachypnoea in the absence of danger signs and is mostly viral in etiology. Current guidelines recommend antibiotic therapy for all children with fast breathing pneumonia in resource limited settings, presuming that most pneumonia is bacterial. High quality clinical trial evidence to challenge or support the continued use of antibiotics, as recommended by the World Health Organization is lacking.

Methods/Design: This is a randomized double blinded placebo-controlled non-inferiority trial using parallel assignment with 1:1 allocation ratio, to be conducted in low income squatter settlements of urban Karachi, Pakistan. Children 2-59 months old with fast …

Visual Performance, And It's Response To Intervention, In Subjects With Age-Related Macular Degeneration., Sarah Sabour-Pickett

Doctoral

Abstract Objectives: 1. To explore visual performance status through a range of psychophysical methods beyond corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), in subjects with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 2. To investigate the effects on these visual performance parameters in subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nv-AMD) and in subjects with early AMD undergoing anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy and macular carotenoid supplementation, respectively. 3. To understand the role of a supplement containing meso-zeaxanthin (MZ; the third, and currently least explored, macular carotenoid) on the augmentation of macular pigment (MP), on visual performance and on disease progression (graded according to the …

Beta-2-Adrenergic Receptor Regulates Insulin Signaling To Reduce Cell Death In Müller Cells, Robert Jason Walker

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Is Fixed-Combination Prostaglandin Analog/Β-Blocker Therapy Safe And More Effective Than Β-Blocker Monotherapy In The Prevention Of Disease Progression In Adults With Open-Angle Glaucoma?, My-Hang Pham

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether fixed-combination prostaglandin analog/β-blocker therapy is safe and more effective than β-blocker monotherapy in the prevention of disease progression in adults with open-angle glaucoma.

Study Design: Review of three English language randomized controlled trials published in 2008 and 2010.

Data sources: 3 randomized, controlled, double-blind trials comparing fixed-combination prostaglandin analog/β-blocker therapy to β-blocker monotherapy were found using Pubmed, Medline, and Cochrane databases.

Outcome Measured: Disease progression/regression was assessed by post-baseline measurement of IOP during three follow-up visits throughout the trials. The safety profile of each therapy was …

Addressing The Burden Of Uncorrected Refractive Error In Mozambique, Stephen Thompson, James Loughman, Prasidh Ramson, Luigi Bilotti, Geoff Harris, Kovin Naidoo

Conference Papers

A situational analysis indicates a lack of eye health personnel who can and do refract. The logical course of action would be to train more eye health personnel. A conservative estimated annual burden of URE in lost productivity in Mozambique is $14,486,692. To achieve the V2020 target ratio, an extra 184 workers are needed in six provinces analysed.The analysis assumes the existing personnel are well trained and dedicate time to offering a refraction service. It also assumes that the patient receives the care they require. Other aspects of the situational analysis suggest this is currently not always the case. A …

One Student One Family And The Mozambique Eyecare Project, Stephen Thompson, Aoife Phelan, Tatiana Santana, Elizebete Catarino, Vivien Ocampo, Cesar Faria, James Loughman

Articles

Background - The Mozambique Eyecare Programme is funded by Irish Aid and designed to address the need for optometric education in Lusophone Africa. It is a multi-partner collaboration between Universidade Lúrio, Mozambique, Technological University Dublin, Ireland, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, and The International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) an international Non Government Organisation. A key output from the programme is the development of an optometry school based at Universidade Lúrio, the first of its kind in Mozambique. The aim is to address unmet eye care needs through human resource development.

All students enrolled at Universidade Lúrio, including the optometry …

Is Besifloxacin Ophthalmic Suspension 0.6% Safe And Effective For The Treatment Of Bacterial Conjunctivitis?, Hetal R. Desai

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% is safe and effective for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Excitoxicity In Retinal Ischemia And Treatment Using Non-Competitive Receptor Antagonists, Jacob Rube

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the article: Ischemia is defined as an inadequacy of blood flow to tissue. Ischemia can deprive tissue of oxygen and metabolic substrates and it can also prevent the removal of waste products. If the ischemia is maintained over enough time the tissue will lose its homeostasis and eventually die causing an infarct. Retinal ischemia occurs when the blood supply to the retina does not meet the metabolic needs that are required to sustain the retina. This can lead to retinal damage and severe vision loss. Ischemia is caused by occluded blood vessels.

The Mozambique Eyecare Project: Implementing A Model That Addresses Uncorrected Refractive Error In Lusophone Africa., Stephen Thompson, Diane Wallace

Conference Papers

BACKGROUND

Optometric education and resources are drastically deficient in most of Africa, more so in Lusophone Africa where the problem is compounded by language barriers which isolate these countries from related developments in Africa and/or the developed world.

The Mozambique Eyecare Programme is a multi-partner collaboration between The International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE), Universidade Lúrio in Mozambique, Technological University Dublin, and the University of Ulster in Ireland, designed to address the need for optometric education in Lusophone Africa.

AIM

This paper aims to document the current situation with regards to human resource development in eyecare in Mozambique and offer …