We have developed a new computerized dispensing system which reduces the time needed to dispense medicines. This system is so designed to assist the pharmacist with various tasks. These include receiving prescriptions, dispensing of medicines, checking for accuracy, and payment. This system consists of automated dispensing devices, a tray-transfer line, a reception number indicator screen installed in the waiting room, and a terminal to provide patients with additional information. The prescription data are instantly transmitted to the respective dispensing positions and the prescriptions are dispensed simultaneously. The trays travel efficiently on the tray-transfer line. The host computer performs such functions as input of information of prescriptions, accounting calculations, integrating prescription audit, and preparation of printing data for medicine bags. The control computer, which receives prescription data from the host computer, sorts and sends instruction data on prescriptions to the automated dispensing machines, outputs instructions on the preparation of medicines in the manual dispensing sector, and controls the tray-transfer line, the turn tables and the reception number indicator screen. This computerized dispensing system has produced the following results: (1) improvement in the quality of the dispensing work; (2) reduction in the time required for dispensing medicines; (3) improvement in the quality of service to patients; (4) improvement in the efficiency of the clerical work in non-dispensing work; (5) improvement in work efficiency.

Computers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Vitrectomy for endophthalmitis after intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To report the results of vitrectomy and intraocular lens (IOL) removal for the treatment of endophthalmitis after IOL implantation. METHODS: We reviewed 14 eyes of 14 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy because of postoperative endophthalmitis. Culture results, surgical methods, and visual outcome are presented. RESULTS: The cultures grew Enterococcus faecalis (n = 3), Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 2), Propionibacterium acnes (n = 1), and gram-negative bacillus (n = 3). The eyes infected with E. faecalis had poor visual outcome. Eleven eyes treated by the combination of pars plana vitrectomy and IOL removal did not have a recurrence. The remaining 3 eyes on which only vitrectomy was performed had a recurrence, and the additional procedures consisting of vitrectomy and IOL removal could result in eradicating endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS: A higher rate of E. faecalis was detected and these eyes had severe inflammation and poor visual outcome. Combined vitrectomy and IOL removal may be a more certain method to prevent recurrence.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multicenter genetic study of retinitis pigmentosa in Japan: I. Genetic heterogeneity in typical retinitis pigmentosa.

A nationwide, multicenter study of typical retinitis pigmentosa (RP) was carried out in collaboration with 18 hospitals throughout Japan to obtain current information for genetic counseling. We analyzed the genetic heterogeneity of RP based on the parental consanguinity of 434 probands registered during a 6-month period in 1990. A gradual decline in the frequency of consanguineous marriage was recognized among the normal parents of RP patients. The relative frequencies of inheritance patterns were estimated as: autosomal recessive, 25.2%; autosomal dominant, 16.9%; X-linked, 1.6%; and simplex, 56.3%. A comparison of these results with previous reports in Japan revealed a decline in the relative frequency of autosomal recessive cases and an increase in simplex cases. This suggests a decrease in the incidence of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa in Japan, as well as the necessity for exhaustive investigations aimed at identifying inheritance patterns for RP patients seeking genetic counseling.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multicenter genetic study of retinitis pigmentosa in Japan: II. Prevalence of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetically heterogeneous diseases with autosomal recessive (AR), autosomal dominant, and X-linked modes of inheritance. Autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (ARRP) is the most common form in Japan. A genetic analysis was done to determine the prevalence of ARRP indirectly, to provide an estimation of changing trends in the overall prevalence of RP. Data on the frequency of consanguinity and marriage year of normal parents of 59 ARRP patients were obtained from a nationwide multicenter survey of typical retinitis pigmentosa conducted in 1990. The gene frequency of ARRP was 0.01145 (Dahlberg's formula). In 1990, the number of young symptomatic ARRP patients decreased, while the number of patients aged 40 years and older increased. The total number of symptomatic ARRP patients in 1990 was nearly 21% higher than in 1970. Despite a dramatic decline in consanguinity in recent decades in Japan, the number of ARRP patients has increased. This increase is attributed to greater longevity and overall population growth. Our results suggest that the total number of RP patients has not decreased, and may even have increased.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Extrafoveal photostress recovery testing with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope.

We used a modified photostress recovery test (PSRT) with microperimetry in a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) to evaluate the extrafoveal region. After the red-target threshold was determined, the retina was bleached with argon green laser illumination. Test spots were presented every 3 seconds at the testing point and subjects indicated when they saw the spot. We determined the recovery time in 17 normal subjects under the following conditions: bleaching times of 10, 20, and 30 seconds; spot intensities of 0, 2, and 4 dB greater than threshold; Goldmann I, II, and III spots; and spot locations 7.5 degrees temporal to, nasal to, above and below the fovea, and at the fovea. We also measured recovery times inside and outside the detachment in 11 patients with central serous chorioretinopathy. Recovery time was correlated with bleaching time and spot intensity, but not with the location of spot size in normal subjects. In patients with chorioretinopathy, the recovery time was longer inside than outside the detachment. This technique is useful for measurement of photostress recovery time at extrafoveal points, and for comparison of times at various testing points. Results in patients with chorioretinopathy suggest that this technique may be useful for studying the pathophysiology in ocular diseases.

Adult↗