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Experimental infection involving felines using Cryptosporidium felis.
Background Water exposure during contact lens wear has been associated with contact lens disease including microbial keratitis and sterile corneal infiltrates. Despite the documented risks, water exposure is common amongst lens wearers. This study aimed to determine the effect of water education in the form of "no-water" lens case stickers on water-contact behaviours and storage case contamination. Methods In a prospective, masked, randomised controlled trial, 200 daily lens wearers were randomised to either receive a storage case with a "no-water" sticker (test) or without a "no-water" sticker (control). Both groups received written compliance information. Participants completed a self-administered lens hygiene questionnaire at baseline and after 6 weeks. Microbial analysis of used storage cases, collected at both study visits, was conducted using ATP and limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assays for overall microbial contamination and endotoxin levels, respectively. A one-way ANCOVA and multiple logistic regression determined the change in water-contact behaviours and storage case contamination over time. Results A total of 188 lens wearers completed both study visits; 128 females and 60 males; average age 29 ± 13 (range 18-78 years); 95 test and 93 control participants. After 6 weeks, the overall water exposure score and endotoxin levels reduced significantly in the test group compared with the control group (p less then 0.05). There were no significant changes in individual water-contact behaviours or overall storage case contamination. Conclusion A no-water infographic on the contact lens case improved overall water-contact behaviours and reduced storage case endotoxin. Refining the messaging may be beneficial in future to improve other aspects of compliance.Objectives To investigate the relationship between photoreceptor layer (PRL) changes before half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) and functional and anatomic outcomes in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods Baseline PRL changes were classified based on optical coherence tomography (1) smooth PRL outer border without a foveal PRL defect; (2) smooth PRL outer border with a foveal PRL defect; (3) granulated PRL outer border and (4) scattered dots of PRL. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), difference in the foveal outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness between the CSC and normal contralateral eyes and ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity 12 months after half-dose PDT were compared. Results In total, 132 patients were included. Group 4 eyes had rather poor BCVA (20/2000-20/400) with little improvement (P = 0.088) at 1 year following half-dose PDT. Nexturastat A chemical structure In the other groups, the mean BCVA improved significantly to 20/25 or better (all P less then 0.001). Group 1 eyes had the smallest foveal ONL thickness reduction (-5.12 ± 6.89 μm) and intact EZs (33/33), whereas Group 4 eyes had the largest foveal ONL thickness reduction (-70.00 ± 7.87 μm) and disrupted EZs (4/4). Group 2 and Group 3 eyes behaved similarly they both had notable foveal ONL thickness reductions (-19.21 ± 18.53 and -20.75 ± 17.62 μm, respectively), but usually continuous EZs (18/19 and 69/76, respectively). Conclusions The PRL change category before half-dose PDT was closely related to functional and anatomic outcomes. This information could aid clinicians to better determine the timing of treatment with half-dose PDT in CSC.Background/objectives Late presentation of congenital cataract in the developing world has led to poor outcomes such that cataract is the leading cause of childhood blindness. Our hypothesis was that, sensitivity of red-reflex testing is greater than sensitivity of torchlight examination. We aimed to compare sensitivity of new red reflex screening tools and assess the feasibility of Arclight red reflex screening in the community. Subject/methods We compared the diagnostic accuracy of four different screening tools for cataract and retinoblastoma performed by ophthalmic nurses, using a clinic based enriched sample of 41 positives and 60 negatives. We then conducted a separate feasibility study, training non-specialist community nurses. Following the training, community nurses examined 2827 children less then 5 years with Arclight who were attending their clinics for growth monitoring and immunisation. Findings Diagnostic accuracy study estimated sensitivities were 97.6% for Catcam, 92.7% for Arclight, 90.2% for PEEK retina and 7.3% for torchlight. Estimated specificities were above 90% for Catcam, Arclight and torchlight and 87% for PEEK retina. Feasibility study twenty-four out of 2728 children screened failed community screening, seven were true positive (six cataract, one retinoblastoma). Prevalence of bilateral cataract was 1.5/1000 (95% CI 0.40-3.75 per 1000). Conclusions Arclight and CatCam have higher sensitivity than torchlight, are easy to learn and use by primary health care nurses. Red reflex testing should be recommended in the WHO guidelines instead of torchlight examination to help early detection of potential blinding causes including congenital cataract and retinoblastoma.Purpose To employ a finite element (FE) stress model to simulate laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery and its biomechanical consequences. Methods The basic geometrical model we used for the cornea was patient-specific on which we manually incorporated seven simulations three simulations evaluating the effect of a 120, 140 and 180 μm flap (without ablation); three simulations evaluating ablation depths of 40, 80 and 120 μm (with a 120 μm flap); and one control model, without any simulated surgical intervention. Results In all simulations, stress values were greatest in the centre of the cornea. Furthermore, when comparing the different treatments, stress values were highest in the cornea with the deepest ablation, and were lowest in the non-treated cornea. Specifically, peak effective stresses were 0.031, 0.028 and 0.025 MPa in 120, 80 and 40 µm ablation depths, respectively. Conclusions In our model, the depth of tissue penetration using ablation or flap creation was correlated with tissue loads-the thinner the residual stromal bed is, the greater are the stresses occurring as a result of the same IOP.
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