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Biomedical subjects

R J Simmons

Publications and source records attributed to R J Simmons.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Congenital heart disease, parental stress, and infant-mother relationships.

The effect of congenital heart disease on early social relationships was assessed by observing 42 infants with the disease and 46 healthy infants in a standardized laboratory setting with their mothers. Significantly fewer infants with congenital heart disease, in comparison with healthy peers, were considered to have secure relationships with their mothers. The quality of the infant-mother relationship in the group with congenital heart disease was not related to parents' reports of their own stress or psychologic well-being. Severity of illness did not have a direct effect on the quality of the infant-mother relationship, but securely attached infants showed more subsequent improvement in health than insecurely attached peers showed. Attention to the infant-mother relationship in clinical care may improve the social development of babies with congenital heart disease and may have positive effects on physical health as well.

Adult

Bandage contact lens augmentation of 5-fluorouracil treatment in glaucoma filtration surgery.

The use of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) to inhibit scarring following filtration surgery has been hampered by corneal epithelial defects and their accompanying inflammation. This toxicity, which occurs during the crucial period in which the risk of bleb failure is highest, has previously been a relative contraindication to further 5-FU use. We have found the early placement of a therapeutic bandage contact lens permits extended administration of 5-FU during this period, minimizing discomfort and inflammation as well as enhancing bleb survival.

Aged

Chronic illness in infancy and parenting stress: a comparison of three groups of parents.

Compared responses of parents of infants with cystic fibrosis, those with congenital heart disease, and those with healthy babies on the Parenting Stress Index. Diagnostic group differences were found mainly in the Child Domain with parents of ill infants reporting greater stress. Differences between mothers and fathers were found mainly in the Parent Domain. The groups did not differ in reports of stress arising from life events other than the target child's illness.

Adaptation, Psychological

Early diagnosed chronic illness and mother-child relationships in the first two years.

As part of a longitudinal study, children in three groups (healthy, n = 33; cystic fibrosis (CF) n = 28; congenital heart disease (CHD) n = 23) were seen between the ages of 12 and 18 months to assess infant-mother attachment and at two years to observe parent-child negotiation of autonomy/dependence in a puzzle task. Although the healthy group included the highest proportion of securely attached infants and the CHD group the lowest, the distribution of attachment patterns did not differ significantly between groups, or between any of the groups and established norms. At two years the healthy children had the most positive experience in the puzzle task while the children in the CF group had the least positive experience. When diagnostic groups were divided according to prior attachment status, the data for the healthy group were consistent with the prediction that securely attached children would have the most positive mother-child interaction at age two. This was not the case in either of the medically diagnosed groups. These data suggest that the influence of the early parent-child relationship may be altered by a child's health status. We may need different models to account for development in healthy and medically compromised children.

Adult

Malignant glaucoma induced by an intraocular lens.

A case of malignant (ciliary block) glaucoma apparently induced by a large posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) is presented. The involved eye was small, with an axial length of 21.7 mm and a preoperative refractive error of +8.25 D. An uncomplicated extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a PC-IOL with a 7 mm optic was performed. Within 1 week postoperatively, malignant glaucoma developed, for which surgical intervention was required. We recommend avoiding implantation of PC-IOLs with large optics in certain small eyes, since these implants may be more likely than lenses with smaller optics to induce malignant glaucoma in such eyes.

Aged

Laser suture lysis after trabeculectomy.

In an effort to achieve the early postoperative safety and stability provided by trabeculectomy plus the late lower intraocular pressure (IOP) advantages of full-thickness glaucoma filtration surgery, 43 eyes of 38 patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma had laser suture lysis after primary trabeculectomy. The technique of laser suture lysis afforded serial release of resistance to aqueous outflow through the newly performed trabeculectomy, allowing initial tight closure of the trabeculectomy to avoid the dangers of hypotony. Serial gradual loosening of the trabeculectomy closure decreased resistance to outflow through the trabeculectomy and thereby lowered the IOP to desired levels in a controlled, titrated manner. Complications decreased with experience. For 25 eyes with at least 6 months follow-up (average, 54 weeks), the average IOP decreased from 25.0 mmHg preoperatively to 12.2 mmHg postoperatively.

Aged

Chronic illness and early development. The parent's perspective.

While many chronic illnesses are diagnosed in infancy, there is little systematic study of the impact of chronic illness on early social development and how parental adjustment to a chronically ill infant contributes to subsequent outcomes. This paper outlines some of the factors which affect parents' ability to care for chronically ill infants and preschoolers. It draws upon studies of infants with other medical problems, ongoing longitudinal study of infants with cystic fibrosis and congenital heart disease by the authors; and the authors' clinical experience.

Child

Argon laser therapy of occult recurrent hyphema from anterior segment wound neovascularization.

Recurrent hyphema is a complication of anterior segment surgery that may present with a variety of signs and symptoms. The appropriate diagnosis of this syndrome may be overlooked because its presentation is frequently delayed, and its symptoms and signs are varied and frequently evanescent. Major forms of surgical intervention have been recommended for this syndrome, but we believe that many such cases can be treated relatively simply and effectively with argon laser goniophotocoagulation using topical anesthesia. We present five cases of recurrent hyphema from neovascularization of a surgical incision.

Adult

Angle-closure glaucoma in nanophthalmos.

Two patients had nanophthalmos with uveal effusion and angle-closure glaucoma. They were treated with a method based on the use of the laser, not only to perform iridotomy but to shrink the iris stroma, which appears to open the anterior chamber angle even without iridotomy. Additionally, we introduced three factors that may be diagnostic of nanophthalmos.

Choroid

Scanning electron microscopy of trabeculectomy specimens in open-angle glaucoma.

We examined trabeculectomy specimens obtained at the time of surgery for inadequately controlled open-angle glaucoma by scanning electron microscopy. Of the 50 specimens ten included a broad area of the trabecular meshwork. In these ten specimens the meshwork was obscured by material. We believe the degree of occlusion was significant in these specimens, which would lead to obstruction of aqueous outflow. No similar material was found in control specimens from persons of similar age.

Aged

Glaucoma associated with precipitates on the trabecular meshwork.

Precipitates on the trabecular meshwork may be the only sign of ocular inflammation. Fourteen patients who had glaucoma associated with precipitates on the trabecular meshwork and minimal or no other signs of ocular inflammation did not respond to usual antiglaucoma therapy. Treatment with topical steroids eliminated the precipitates and lowered the intraocular pressure. Careful gonioscopy is the key to accurate diagnosis.

Acetazolamide

A modified cyclodialysis spatula.

A cyclodialysis spatula specifically designed for glaucoma surgery is presented which facilitates the performance of the cyclodialysis procedure alone or in combination with cataract extraction and decreases the chance of inadvertent damage to the eye.

Glaucoma

Shell tamponade in filtering surgery for glaucoma.

The glaucoma shell tamponade technique in filtering surgery for glaucoma is a technique for (1) decreasing the incidence of flat anterior chamber and choroidal separation postoperatively, (2) promoting the development of a low diffuse filtration area, and (3) increasing the possibility of achieving very low resulting postoperative pressure. The glaucoma shell technique is applicable to all types of filtration procedures, including conventional filtering procedures utilizing no scleral flap and those utilizing a scleral flap, such as trabeculectomy. It can be used at surgery or can be applied in the postoperative period to deal with flat or shallow anterior chambers immediately at the time of onset. The shell tamponade technique can be utilized to aid in the management of some cases of leaking bleb in the early postoperative period or in the late postoperative period. The technique for operative and postoperative use of the glaucoma shell tamponade technique and its closely related pressure dressing is a demanding and exacting art. Because the technique increases the possibility of very low resulting tensions, its use should be considered especially for cases in which very low pressures are desired, such as some cases of extremely advanced cupping and field loss and low-tension glaucoma.

Anterior Chamber

The essential iris atrophies.

We studied 82 cases of essential iris atrophy. The findings support some traditional concepts of this complex spectrum of disorders, but conflict with others. Corneal abnormality appeared early and may be the primary disorder. A corneal endothelial disturbance was present in 55% of cases and corneal edema was present in 50%. Peripheral anterior synechiae occurred in all but one of the cases studied by gonioscopy. The pupil was distorted in 71% of the cases and was usually pulled in the direction of the most prominent synechia. The iris was stretched with stromal atrophy in 71%. Iris holes occurred in 33%. The degree of corneal and iris changes occurred as a spectrum of disorders. The prognosis for most patients with essential iris atrophy is slow progression with eventual involvement of vision because of corneal edema, secondary glaucoma, or both. Treatment of increased IOP was required in 77% of our cases, and 44% required surgical intervention.

Adolescent