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Biomedical subjects

A L Robin

Publications and source records attributed to A L Robin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The initial complication rate of phacoemulsification in India.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the feasibility of teaching experienced surgeons to perform phacoemulsification in India, a cataract-endemic area. Complications occurring during surgery and the first postoperative day were documented and evaluated. METHODS: During a 1-month period, at the Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai, India, the first 100 consecutive cataract operations performed by each of three experienced surgeons (a total of 300 cases), using phacoemulsification were prospectively evaluated. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 57.4+/-9.3 years. The median best corrected preoperative visual acuity was 20/80. Mean surgical and phacoemulsification times were 15.8+/-3.7 minutes and 2.2+/-1.5 minutes, respectively. Complications occurred in 65 (21.7%) eyes. The most common was a rent in the posterior capsule, occurring in 40 (13.3%) eyes. There were significant variations in complication rate and in surgical time among the surgeons. The risk of experiencing a complication decreased as the number of phacoemulsifications performed increased. An increased risk of complications was associated with worse preoperative visual acuity and increasing patient age. CONCLUSIONS: With each successive case, the chances of experiencing a complication decreased 1%. Acceptable results were obtained within 1 month of performing the first phacoemulsification.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Resuturing the scleral flap leads to resolution of hypotony maculopathy.

PURPOSE: We report four eyes of three glaucomatous patients who underwent trabeculectomy using topical mitomycin C. These eyes subsequently developed hypotony maculopathy. Snellen visual acuity decreased to 20/200 or worse in all cases. When the hypotony maculopathy persisted for 6-24 weeks and was unresponsive to nonsurgical therapies, we performed a second surgical procedure consisting of resuturing of the trabeculectomy scleral flap, closing the conjunctiva in its original position. METHODS: The limbal-based conjunctival flap was reopened and the original scleral trabeculectomy flap was located. This flap was resutured to surrounding sclera, presumably limiting filtration. RESULTS: This surgical revision increased the intraocular pressure, reversing the hypotony, and resulted in improved visual acuity to 20/25 or better in all cases with intraocular pressures between 6 and 17 mm Hg without intraocular pressure-lowering medications. The minimum follow-up after revision is 18 months. CONCLUSION: There seems to be a definite relationship between the elevation of intraocular pressure and reversal of the macular damage associated with hypotony maculopathy. The visual outcome we experienced following resuturing of the scleral flap after persistent hypotony appears excellent in the treatment of a complication that is difficult to reverse. This technique has potential and should be strongly considered as a possible therapy in the management of hypotony maculopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Validation of a measure for adolescent self-report of attention deficit disorder symptoms.

The internal consistency, criterion-related, and concurrent validity of the ADD/H Adolescent Self-Report Scale was evaluated using 150 adolescent males ages 12 to 17 years; 103 cases were diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 47 with no known psychiatric condition. Participants completed the ADD/H Adolescent Self-Report Scale; their mothers completed the Conners Parent Questionnaire and Child Behavior Checklist. For the ADD/H Adolescent Self-Report Scale, Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from .81 to .91. Criterion-related validity was established when it was found that ADHD adolescents reported significantly more problems than controls on all 11 scales. Concurrent validity was established through the finding of moderately strong correlations between comparable scales of the adolescent and parent measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Ocular hypotensive efficacy and safety of a combined formulation of betaxolol and pilocarpine.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ocular hypotensive efficacy and safety of a fixed combination of betaxolol (0.25%) and pilocarpine (1.75%). METHODS: Three multicenter, double-masked, parallel trials were completed in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension of 3 months' treatment duration. Studies 1 and 2 were three-arm comparisons of betaxolol, pilocarpine, and a fixed combination, each used 3 times daily. Study 3 was a two-arm study of the fixed combination with and without a surfactant, used twice daily. In all studies, there was a 1-month runin period with betaxolol 0.25% suspension given twice daily. There were 182 patients in Study 1, 186 patients in Study 2, and 166 patients in Study 3. RESULTS: In all 3 studies, approximately 10% to 15% of patients treated with pilocarpine or the combination therapy were terminated from further participation because of typical pilocarpine side effects (eg, blurred vision, headache). In studies 1 and 2, there was a mean reduction in intraocular pressure from a betaxolol baseline of approximately 3 to 4 mmHg. Patients continuing on betaxolol alone or randomly assigned to pilocarpine alone experienced a mean reduction of 1 to 2 mm Hg. Overall, the combination was approximately 2 mmHg more effective than either betaxolol or pilocarpine alone. In Study 3, the two betaxolol combinations had equivalent efficacy. CONCLUSION: In patients requiring more than one ocular hypotensive agent, the combination of betaxolol and pilocarpine in a single formulation appears to be an effective and relatively safe agent. The use of this combination agent promises the potential for enhanced patient convenience.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1995

The cardiovascular, pulmonary, and ocular hypotensive effects of 0.2% brimonidine.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and ocular hypotensive effects of 0.2% brimonidine tartrate with those of 0.5% timolol maleate, 0.25% betaxolol suspension, and brimonidine vehicle. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: A single-center, double-masked, randomized, crossover study of 24 young, healthy men. INTERVENTIONS: Baseline heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and intraocular pressure were recorded at hour 0. At hour 2, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second were measured and a 15-minute treadmill test performed. Hour 0 measurements were repeated at hour 4. On four subsequent visits, we instilled one drop of a study medication into each eye after the baseline measurements at hour 0. RESULTS: Timolol reduced resting (-5.3 to -6.5 beats/min, P < or = .004) and exercise-induced heart rate (-4.3 to -13.6 beats/min; P < or = .022) compared with brimonidine, betaxolol suspension, and brimonidine vehicle. At hour 4, brimonidine reduced resting systolic blood pressure compared with all other study medications (-5.2 to -7.3 mm Hg; P < or = .024). Timolol reduced systolic blood pressure during exercise and brimonidine reduced systolic blood pressure during recovery more than betaxolol suspension and brimonidine vehicle (-5.1 to -7.7 mm Hg; P < or = .033; and -5.4 to -6.0 mm Hg; P < or = .002, respectively). Mean respiratory rate and forced expiratory volume in 1 second were not significantly altered by any study medication. At hour 4, brimonidine lowered intraocular pressure as well as timolol and better than betaxolol suspension (-1.9 mm Hg; P < .001) or brimonidine vehicle (-1.8 mm Hg; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The cardiopulmonary effects of 0.2% brimonidine were limited to a slight reduction in systolic blood pressure during recovery from exercise and at 4 hours after instillation. The ocular hypotensive effect of brimonidine was comparable to that of timolol and greater than that of betaxolol suspension in this patient population.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

Family versus individual therapy for anorexia: impact on family conflict.

This study evaluated the impact on family relations of behavioral family systems therapy (BFST) versus ego-oriented individual therapy (EOIT) as treatments for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Twenty-two adolescents meeting DSM-III-R anorexia nervosa criteria were randomly assigned to receive approximately 16 months of either BFST or EOIT along with a common medical and dietary regimen. BFST emphasized parental control over eating, cognitive restructuring, and problem-solving communication training. EOIT emphasized building ego strength, adolescent autonomy, and insight. Measures including body mass index, self-reported general and eating-related conflict, and observed general and eating-related communication. Both treatments produced significant reductions in negative communication and parent-adolescent conflict, with some differences between condition and between eating and non-eating related measures; the improvements in eating-related conflict were maintained at a 1-year follow-up. The study demonstrated that structured therapies for adolescent anorexia do impact family relations, even when the family is never seen as a unit during the therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Short-term efficacy of apraclonidine hydrochloride added to maximum-tolerated medical therapy for glaucoma. Apraclonidine Maximum-Tolerated Medical Therapy Study Group.

PURPOSE: We determined whether the addition of topical apraclonidine hydrochloride to eyes that are receiving maximal medical therapy but still have inadequate intraocular pressure control and that are scheduled to undergo surgery could adequately decrease intraocular pressure, postponing the need for further intervention. METHODS: We performed a prospective, 90-day, multicentered, placebo-controlled, double-masked parallel study. We enrolled one eye each of 174 glaucoma patients with inadequate intraocular pressure control who were on maximally tolerated medical therapy. We continued to administer maximum medical therapy for glaucoma. Study medications were either apraclonidine hydrochloride 0.5% or placebo (apraclonidine's vehicle). Patients were instructed to take the study medication every eight hours. We measured intraocular pressure, change in intraocular pressure from baseline, and the number of eyes requiring surgery after the addition of study medication. RESULTS: Fifty-two (60%) of 86 patients treated with apraclonidine maintained adequate intraocular pressure control throughout the study and avoided surgery, compared with 28 (32%) of 88 patients treated with placebo (P < .001). Apraclonidine treatment resulted in significantly more patients attaining an additional 20% reduction or more in intraocular pressure from baseline and an intraocular pressure less than or equal to 20 mm Hg (P < .05). The most common ocular complication was conjunctival hyperemia (11 of 86 patients, 12.8%). The most frequent nonocular problem was dry mouth (four patients, 4.7%). CONCLUSION: Apraclonidine appeared to be safe in all eyes and efficacious in some eyes. It significantly lowered intraocular pressure when used in combination with maximally tolerated medical therapy, which delayed or prevented further glaucoma surgery for at least 90 days in 52 (60%) of 86 treated patients.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

Topical apraclonidine hydrochloride in eyes with poorly controlled glaucoma. The Apraclonidine Maximum Tolerated Medical Therapy Study Group.

OBJECT: We determined whether the addition of topical apraclonidine hydrochloride to eyes receiving maximal medical therapy, with inadequate intraocular pressure (IOP) control, and scheduled to undergo surgery, could adequately lower IOP, postponing the need for surgical intervention. DESIGN: A prospective 90 day, multi-centered, placebo-controlled, doublemasked parallel study. PATIENTS: We enrolled 174 glaucoma patients with inadequate IOP control on maximally tolerated medical therapy. All were candidates for either laser trabeculoplasty or invasive surgical intervention. We enrolled only one eye per patient. INTERVENTIONS: We continued to administer maximum-tolerated medical therapy for glaucoma. Patients took the study medication every eight hours. Study medications were either apraclonidine hydrochloride 0.5% or placebo (apraclonidine's vehicle). MAJOR OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated IOP, IOP change from baseline, and the number of eyes requiring surgery after the addition of study medication. RESULTS: Sixty one percent of patients treated with apraclonidine maintained adequate IOP control throughout the study, avoiding additional surgery compared to 33.9% patients treated with placebo (P < .001). Apraclonidine treatment resulted in significantly more patients achieving either an additional > or = 20% reduction in IOP from baseline (resulting in an IOP < or = 20 mm Hg) (P < 0.05). The most common ocular complications were conjunctival hyperemia (12.6%), itching and foreign body sensation (6.8%), and tearing (4.5%). The most frequent non-ocular adverse events related to apraclonidine were dry mouth (4.5%) and unusual taste perception (2.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Apraclonidine appears safe and efficacious. It significantly lowered IOP when used in combination with a patient's maximum tolerated medical therapy. This delayed or prevented further glaucoma surgery for at least 90 days in approximately 60% of treated patients.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1994

Attacking the backlog of India's curable blind. The Aravind Eye Hospital model.

The number of individuals in developing nations with preventable blindness from cataract and other disorders is increasing. New programs incorporating local customs and efficiently using available resources must be created to prevent the escalation of blindness and to rehabilitate patients already disabled with cataracts. We describe a system of high-quality, high-volume, cost-effective cataract surgery, using screening eye camps and a resident hospital. This has enabled us to provide efficient low-cost cataract surgery and overcome barriers of adequate eye care in southern India. We have been successful in locating patients with treatable eye problems, educating them about the availability of ophthalmic care, and providing free eye care. Our structure stresses the following: community involvement, identification of individuals most likely to benefit from screening, efficient utilization of both medical and paramedical personnel, and a streamlined approach to screening patients. This system may be capable of modification for use in other developing areas to decrease the backlog of cataract blindness.

Blindness↗
PubMed1994

Family therapy versus individual therapy for adolescent females with anorexia nervosa.

Behavioral family systems therapy (BFST) was compared with ego-oriented individual therapy (EOIT) in a controlled, random-assignment investigation involving 22 young adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Each adolescent and her parents received approximately 16 months of outpatient therapy along with a common medical and dietary regimen. BFST emphasized parental control over eating and weight gain, coupled with cognitive restructuring and problem-solving communication training. EOIT emphasized building ego strength, adolescent autonomy, and insight into the emotional blocks to eating. BFST produced greater change on body-mass index than did EOIT, but both treatments produced comparable improvements on eating attitudes, body shape dissatisfaction, interoceptive awareness, depression/internalizing psychopathology, and eating-related family conflict. The implications of these results for the clinician who treats adolescents with anorexia nervosa are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Posterior capsule tears during extracapsular cataract surgery in India.

We determined the incidence in a developing nation of posterior capsule rupture during planned extracapsular cataract surgery and insertion of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. The results, in part, determine whether this complication limits the widespread utility of this procedure in developing nations. We retrospectively reviewed charts of all patients undergoing planned extracapsular cataract surgery during a 6-month period; all patients received surgery as inpatients at the Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India, and all were southern Indians. We tried to exclude most patients with prior ocular diseases associated with loss of zonular or posterior capsule integrity. One eye of all eligible patients was included. Extra-capsular cataract surgery was performed using manual irrigation and aspiration with the insertion of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. In this study, we evaluated the ability to maintain an intact posterior capsule with the insertion of a posterior chamber intraocular lens during surgery. Of 898 eyes operated on, 15 (1.7%) developed rents in the posterior capsule, and seven of these had vitreous in the anterior chamber. Nine of the 15 rents were in eyes with either traumatic or hypermature lenses. We conclude that even in a developing nation where many cataracts are mature, hypermature, or traumatic, extracapsular cataract surgery with the insertion of a posterior chamber intraocular lens is technically feasible if surgeons are skilled and experienced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Safety and efficacy of mitomycin C trabeculectomy in southern India. A short-term pilot study.

PURPOSE: Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness in developing nations. Medical and laser therapy have limitations in this environment. Filtration surgery alone often fails in young, darkly pigmented, individuals. The authors, therefore, evaluated the safety and efficacy of filtration surgery, using topical mitomycin C, in patients undergoing trabeculectomy in India. METHODS: A short-term pilot study used mitomycin C at the time of trabeculectomy in a population of southern Indians with various forms of glaucoma. A single 5-minute intraoperative application of 0.4 mg/ml mitomycin C was given to 76 consecutive patients requiring filtration surgery for the control of intraocular pressure (IOP). All patients were admitted for 6 days and were seen at 6-week intervals for a minimum of 18 weeks. RESULTS: The mean preoperative IOP was 35.3 +/- 9.6 mmHg. Postoperative IOP control was attained in 93.4% of patients as defined by an IOP of 20 mmHg or less without additional glaucoma medications (or an IOP reduction > 25% if the preoperative IOP was < or = 20 mmHg). No corneal epithelial defects or wound leaks were seen. The major complications were cataract formation and a decreased visual acuity in ten (13%) eyes. CONCLUSION: Mitomycin C-aided trabeculectomy was highly successful in controlling IOP in this darkly pigmented population and may become an important adjunct in the treatment of glaucoma in developing countries.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1993

The efficacy of brimonidine in decreasing elevations in intraocular pressure after laser trabeculoplasty.

PURPOSE: The authors explored the empirical dosing requirement for administration of an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, brimonidine, and determined its efficacy in decreasing elevations in intraocular pressure (IOP) after 360 degrees argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT). METHODS: This vehicle-controlled, double-masked, multicenter trial evaluated three dosing regimens of brimonidine. Two hundred thirty-two patients for whom 360 degrees ALT was indicated were randomized into one of four treatment groups: 0.5% brimonidine both before and after ALT; brimonidine before but vehicle after ALT; vehicle before but brimonidine after ALT; or vehicle at both times. RESULTS: During the first 3 hours after 360 degrees ALT, the overall incidence of IOP elevations of 5 mmHg or greater was 38% (23 of 60 eyes) in the group receiving vehicle only, and it ranged from 3% to 9% (2 of 62 to 5 of 53 eyes) in the groups receiving any brimonidine treatment. There was little difference in efficacy between the three dosing regimens of brimonidine. Brimonidine was well tolerated by the patients. CONCLUSION: Based on this large, controlled, multicenter study, 0.5% brimonidine was an effective agent for reducing elevations in IOP after 360 degrees ALT. Only one dose, administered either before or after 360 degrees ALT, was required.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1993

Effect of topical apraclonidine on the frequency of intraocular pressure elevations after combined extracapsular cataract extraction and trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: A trabeculectomy is frequently combined with extracapsular cataract surgery to minimize the risks of further optic nerve damage associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations after cataract surgery in eyes with glaucoma. Acute IOP elevations still occur after this combined surgery. The author evaluated the efficacy of 1% topical apraclonidine, a relatively selective alpha 2 agonist, in minimizing this complication. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-masked study compared topical 1% apraclonidine with placebo. All eyes underwent otherwise uncomplicated combined trabeculectomy and extracapsular cataract surgery. They received the appropriate study drug before, immediately after, and 12 hours after surgery. Intraocular pressures were measured 24 hours and 1, 2, and 4 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: One hundred nine eyes (of 109 patients) underwent combined surgery. Fifty-nine received placebo. Preoperative mean IOPs were 22.5 +/- 4.2 mmHg for eyes treated with placebo and 24.0 +/- 7.7 mmHg for eyes treated with apraclonidine. Twenty-four hours after surgery, mean IOPs were 23.1 +/- 17.4 mmHg for placebo-treated eyes and 11.6 +/- 11.3 mmHg for apraclonidine-treated eyes (P < 0.001). Twenty-four hours after surgery, 12 (20%) placebo-treated eyes and 1 (2%) apraclonidine-treated eye had IOPs greater than 40 mmHg (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Apraclonidine effectively decreased large IOP elevations in glaucomatous eyes undergoing trabeculectomy combined with extracapsular cataract surgery.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗