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PubMed1992

Glaucoma blindness in Denmark.

In order to evaluate the prevalence and the incidence of glaucoma blindness in Denmark, all registration forms of persons greater than or equal to 50 years of age at admission, admitted to the Danish Association of the Blind (DAB) between 1955 and 1987 with glaucoma as main cause of blindness, were examined. In 1987 6.7% of DAB-members greater than or equal to 50 years of age suffered from blindness caused at least partially by glaucoma, equivalent to an estimated prevalence of 45 per 100,000 of the Danish population greater than or equal to 50 years. The estimated annual incidence of blindness due to glaucoma was 7 per 100,000 greater than or equal to 65 years, and in an equal number of patients glaucoma was a contributory cause of blindness. The incidence of blindness due to glaucoma was decreasing in the young age groups (less than 65 years) throughout the study period. Glaucoma blindness seems to occur at a later age now than earlier, leaving the patients blind for a shorter time. This pattern may be explained by improved health services but could also be due to a change in the spontaneous course of glaucoma. The proportion of glaucoma blindness in the glaucoma population was estimated to be 4-5%.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Distribution and aetiology of blindness and visual impairment in mesoendemic onchocercal communities, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Kaduna Collaboration for Research on Onchocerciasis.

During a field trial of ivermectin in Kaduna State, 6831 people age 5 years and above, living in 34 mesoendemic onchocercal communities in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, were examined for ocular disease. Visual function assessments included tests of visual acuity and visual fields. A total of 185 individuals (2.7%) were bilaterally blind by acuity criteria with a further 28 blind by field constriction. The overall prevalence of blindness was 3.1%. A further 118 individuals were visually impaired by WHO criteria. Examination for the cause of blindness revealed that 43% of eyes in bilaterally blind patients were blind due to onchocerciasis. A further 11% were blind from optic atrophy much of which was probably onchocercal in origin. Glaucoma was the next most common cause of blindness in the bilaterally blind (11%). Only 6% of eyes were blind from cataract as the primary cause. In the visually impaired population cataract was the most common primary cause of impaired/blind eyes (31%), followed by onchocerciasis (19%) [corrected].

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Corneal blindness in a southern Indian population: need for health promotion strategies.

AIM: To assess the distribution and causes of corneal blindness in a population in southern India. METHODS: A total of 11 786 people of all ages from 94 clusters representative of the population of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh were sampled using a stratified, random, cluster, systematic sampling strategy. These participants underwent a detailed interview and eye examination including measurement of visual acuity with logMAR charts, refraction, slit lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, and stereoscopic dilated fundus evaluation. An eye was considered to have corneal blindness if the visual acuity was <20/200 due to a corneal disease. RESULTS: Of those sampled, 10 293 (87.3%) people participated in the study. Corneal blindness in at least one eye was present in 86 participants, an age, sex, and urban-rural distribution adjusted prevalence of 0.66% (95% confidence interval 0.49 to 0.86), which included 0.10% prevalence of corneal blindness in both eyes and 0.56% in one eye. The most frequent causes of corneal blindness in at least one eye included keratitis during childhood (36.7%), trauma (28.6%), and keratitis during adulthood (17.7%). Nearly 95% of all corneal blindness was avoidable. Multivariate analysis showed that the prevalence of corneal blindness was significantly higher with decreasing socioeconomic status and with increasing age. Of the 99 eyes with corneal blindness, 51 (51.5%) had visual acuity of inaccurate projection of light or no perception of light. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant burden of corneal blindness in this population, the majority of which is avoidable. Eye health promotion strategies are warranted to raise awareness about the causes and prevention of corneal blindness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Incidence of blindness in southern Germany due to glaucoma and degenerative conditions.

PURPOSE: To estimate population-based incidence rates of registered blindness separately, to determine its main causes. METHODS: The files of all newly registered blindness-allowance recipients in Württemberg-Hohenzollern, Germany (population: approximately 5 million), between 1994 and 1998 were reviewed. From ophthalmological reports on file the fulfillment of the German criteria for blindness (visual acuity of 1/50 or less or equivalent reduction of visual function) was ascertained, and the causes of blindness were obtained. Incidence rates of blindness due to macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, optic atrophy, and diabetic retinopathy were estimated. RESULTS: There were 3531 newly registered blindness-allowance recipients (67.1% female; mean age, 72.8 +/- 21.0 years). Standardized incidence rates in the general population (per 100,000 person-years; 95% confidence interval): All causes 12.27 (11.87-12.68), macular degeneration 5.29 (5.02-5.55), cataract 3.32 (3.11-3.52), optic atrophy 2.86 (2.66-3.05), glaucoma 2.43 (2.25-2.61), diabetic retinopathy 2.13 (1.96-2.30), other or unknown causes 5.17 (4.91-5.43). In many cases, blindness was attributable to more than one cause. Assuming that incidence rates are the same in other parts of the country, 9,939 (9,608-10,270) new cases of blindness were estimated to occur in Germany per year. CONCLUSIONS: The most common single cause of blindness was macular degeneration. Incidence rates of blindness due to such treatable conditions as glaucoma were also high. This finding suggests that the taking of measures for secondary prevention (e.g., early detection and optimal treatment of patients with glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy) should be intensified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Pathogenesis of mucosal injury in the blind loop syndrome. Brush border enzyme activity and glycoprotein degradation.

The effect of intestinal bacterial over-growth on brush border hydrolases and brush border glycoproteins was studied in nonoperated control rats, control rats with surgically introduced jejunal self-emptying blind loops, and rats with surgically introduced jejunal self-filling blind loops. Data were analyzed from blind loop segments, segments above and below the blind loops, and three corresponding segments in the nonoperated controls. Rats with self-filling blind loops had significantly greater fat excretion than controls and exhibited significantly lower conjugated:free bile salt ratios in all three segments. Maltase, sucrase, and lactase activities were significantly reduced in homogenates and isolated brush borders from the self-filling blind loop, but alkaline phosphatase was not affected. The relative degradation rate of homogenate and brush border glycoproteins was assessed by a double-isotope technique involving the injection of d-[6-(3)H]glucosamine 3 h and d-[U-(14)C]glucosamine 19 h before sacrifice, and recorded as a (3)H:(14)C ratio. The relative degradation rate in both homogenate and brush border fractions was significantly greater in most segments from rats with self-filling blind loops. In the upper and blind loop segments from rats with self-filling blind loops, the (3)H:(14)C ratios were higher in the brush border membrane than in the corresponding homogenates, indicating that the increased rates of degradation primarily involve membrane glycoproteins. Incorporation of d-[6-(3)H]glucosamine by brush border glycoproteins was not reduced in rats with self-filling blind loops, suggesting that glycoprotein synthesis was not affected. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of brush border glycoproteins from the contaminated segments indicated that the large molecular weight glycoproteins, which include many of the surface hydrolases, were degraded most rapidly. Brush border maltase, isolated by immunoprecipitation, had (3)H:(14)C ratios characteristic of the most rapidly degraded glycoproteins. The results indicate that bacteria enhance the destruction of intestinal surface glycoproteins including disaccharidases. Since alkaline phosphatase, a glycoprotein, is not affected, the destruction is selective and presumably involves only the most exposed membrane components.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Causes of blindness among adult Jordanians: a hospital-based study.

PURPOSE: To assess the causes of blindness among adults aged 20 years and over who attended two big general ophthalmic clinics in Jordan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This hospital-based study was undertaken at Jordan University Hospital in Amman (the capital of Jordan) and Princess Basma Teaching Hospital which is affiliated with Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, the third largest city in the country. A total of 2732 patients seen consecutively over 26 months were examined and the ophthalmic findings were recorded. Using standard Snellen charts, subjects were placed in one of three categories according to their best corrected visual acuity: (1) unilateral blindness: less than 6/60 in the worst eye, 6/60 or more in the better eye; (2) moderate bilateral blindness: less than 6/60 in the worst eye, less than 6/60 to 3/60 or more the better eye; and (3) severe bilateral blindness: less than 3/60 in both eyes. RESULTS: Of the totalpatients seen, 373 were blind according to the selection criteria. Among 248 patients with unilateral blindness, diabetic retinopathy, cataract and trauma were the leading causes. Among the 81 patients with moderate bilateral blindness, diabetic retinopathy and cataract were the leading causes. Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma were the leading causes in patients with severe bilateral blindness. CONCLUSIONS: These data could be used in planning blindness prevention and treatment programs while awaiting a national survey on the prevalence and causes of blindness in Jordan.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Excess mortality associated with blindness in the onchocerciasis focus of the Mbam Valley, Cameroon.

The association between blindness, mortality and nutritional status was investigated in a retrospective cohort study in villages of central Cameroon where onchocerciasis is hyper-endemic. Overall, 101 blind subjects and 101 non-blind controls matched with the blind for age, sex and (generally) village of residence were followed for 10 years. Blindness gave rise to a significant increase in mortality (relative risk = 2.3; P = 0.012), the life expectancy of the blind adults being reduced by 4 years compared with that of their controls. For a given age, excess mortality was found to be associated with a late onset of blindness. The causes of death were similar for the blind and the controls but blind subjects had relatively low body mass indices, which may lead to relatively early fatal disease outcomes. These results are similar to those obtained in other parts of Africa and emphasise, once more, the demographic impact of blindness in developing countries.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in southern Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Blindness and low vision are thought to be common in southern Sudan. However, the magnitude and geographical distribution are largely unknown. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of blindness and low vision, identify the main causes of blindness and low vision, and estimate targets for blindness prevention programs in Mankien payam (district), southern Sudan. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A cross-sectional survey of the population aged 5 y and above was conducted in May 2005 using a two-stage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size. The Snellen E chart was used to test visual acuity, and participants also underwent basic eye examination. Vision status was defined using World Health Organization categories of visual impairment based on presenting visual acuity (VA). A total of 2,954 persons were enumerated and 2,499 (84.6%) examined. Prevalence of blindness (presenting VA of less than 3/60 in the better eye) was 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4-4.8); prevalence of low vision (presenting VA of at least 3/60 but less than 6/18 [corrected] in the better eye) was 7.7% (95% CI, 6.7-8.7); whereas prevalence of monocular visual impairment (presenting VA of at least 6/18 [corrected] in better eye and VA of less than 6/18 [corrected] in other eye) was 4.4% (95% CI, 3.6-5.3). The main causes of blindness were considered to be cataract (41.2%) and trachoma (35.3%), whereas low vision was mainly caused by trachoma (58.1%) and cataract (29.3%). It is estimated that in Mankien payam 1,154 persons aged 5 y and above (lower and upper bounds = 782-1,799) are blind, and 2,291 persons (lower and upper bounds = 1,820-2,898) have low vision. CONCLUSIONS: Blindness is a serious public health problem in Mankien, and there is urgent need to implement comprehensive blindness prevention programs. Further surveys are essential to confirm these tragic findings and estimate prevalence of blindness and low vision in the entire region of southern Sudan in order to facilitate planning of VISION 2020 objectives.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in the region of Eastern Herzegovina].

INTRODUCTION: Visual impairment and blindness are serious social and health problems in the world. 1992 classification of visual disorders by World Health Organization has recently been implemented. The goal of this study was to determine common causes of visual impairment and blindness in the region of Eastern Herzegovina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this population based study we have analyzed medical records stored in the regional Association of Visually Impaired and Blind Persons of the Republic of Srpska (Trebinje, Bileća, Foca, Eastern Sarajevo). The analysis included sex and age distribution of registered population, classification and leading causes of visual disability and blindness. RESULTS There are 298 registered persons with visual disability and blindness in the region of Eastern Herzegovina and Eastern Sarajevo. The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness in the aforementioned region is 0.1%. Among the studied population, there are more males than females with visual disability or blindness (56% versus 44%). Most (78%) of registered persons are blind, and only 22% are visualy impaired. 43% of registered population are in the IV category and only 8.38% are registered in the II category. Only 2% of registered population are children. Common causes of visual disability and blindness in the region of Eastern Herzegovina are: glaucoma (22%), cataract (17%), myopia alta (13%), diabetic retinopathy (12%) and ocular trauma (11). Common causes of children's visual impairment include. optic nerve anomalies, congenital cataract and premature retinopathy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Compared with literature data, common causes of blindness and visual impairment in the region of Eastern Herzegovina do not differ significantly from those in other regions. Registration is based on the WHO model, but it is possible only by performing active epidemiological studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Small intestinal mucosal injury in the experimental blind loop syndrome. Light- and electron-microscopic and histochemical studies.

Microscopic (light and electron) and histochemical abnormalities have been demonstrated in the jejunum of rats with the blind loop syndrome. Three groups of animals were studied: normal control animals, and animals with either self-filling (SF) or self-emptying (SE) blind loops. Vitamin B12 malabsorption and bacterial overgrowth occurred only in those animals with SF blind loops. Three jejunal segments were studied: the blind loop segment and the jejunal segments proximal and distal to the blind loop. In the animals with the blind loop syndrome, those with SF blind loops, the most striking findings occurred in the blind loop itself, with similar but less marked changes in the jejunum distal but not proximal to the blind loop segment. Hypertrophy of both crypts and villi was evident with focal abnormalities of villus architecture. Approximately 10 to 20% of the columnar cells in the upper half of the villi were swollen and vesiculated. By electron microscopy microvilli demonstrated a variety of degeneration changes and the glycocalyx and terminal web were disrupted. Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), both smooth and rough, were swollen. Concentric whorls of parallel membranes and long, curvilinear rough ER were present in the cytoplasm. Histochemically, there was loss of enzymatic activity in the epithelial brush border, mitochondria and ER. Inasmuch as bacterial invasion of the jejunal mucosa was not seen, the etiology of these changes is not known but may involve bacterial "toxins" or products of bacterial metabolism. These morphological observations demonstrate that both brush border and intracellular injury occur in the jejunal epithelial cell of rats with the experimental blind loop syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Refractive error blindness.

Recent data suggest that a large number of people are blind in different parts of the world due to high refractive error because they are not using appropriate refractive correction. Refractive error as a cause of blindness has been recognized only recently with the increasing use of presenting visual acuity for defining blindness. In addition to blindness due to naturally occurring high refractive error, inadequate refractive correction of aphakia after cataract surgery is also a significant cause of blindness in developing countries. Blindness due to refractive error in any population suggests that eye care services in general in that population are inadequate since treatment of refractive error is perhaps the simplest and most effective form of eye care. Strategies such as vision screening programmes need to be implemented on a large scale to detect individuals suffering from refractive error blindness. Sufficient numbers of personnel to perform reasonable quality refraction need to be trained in developing countries. Also adequate infrastructure has to be developed in underserved areas of the world to facilitate the logistics of providing affordable reasonable-quality spectacles to individuals suffering from refractive error blindness. Long-term success in reducing refractive error blindness worldwide will require attention to these issues within the context of comprehensive approaches to reduce all causes of avoidable blindness.

Amblyopia↗
PubMed1975

[The blind as a factor in the labour divisioned world (author's transl)].

The problems faced by blind adolescents when leaving special schools to enter employment differ considerably from those encountered by people who lost their sight during adulthood. The realisation of the fact that their blindness leaves little occupational choice often results in job apathy. It is, however, especially work capacity and occupational activity which serve again and again, in discussions on the full integration of the blind, as proof of the visually impaired's equal position within society. In particular W. Thimm has proved that blindness has a decisive impact on the social position of the individual blind person as well as the whole disability group of the blind, because this is essentially determinated by the employment status. The individual job performance of some blind is generalised too rapidly. The fear that jobs carried out by the blind are jeopardised by the increasing automation is certainly not unfounded, especially in large enterprises. At present, however, it is not possible to make a prognosis on whether in the future job opportunities for the blind will be available or not in certain branches of industry or in specific branches of production (this varies from one firm to another and is dependent upon many other factors). Consequently, it seems to be necessary for institutions involved in the vocational training of the blind to adjust in due course to the new situation in the theoretical and practical implementation of rehabilitation.

Blindness↗
PubMed2004

[Childhood-onset epileptic blindness--clinical correlates and outcomes].

AIM: Acute blindness is a rare presentation of epileptic disorders referring to loss of sight without loss of consciousness corroborating with epileptic discharges recorded on the EEG. We summarized the pertinent literature on childhood-onset epileptic blindness. We also report on our overall experience with 26 children having developed epileptic amaurosis. This includes descriptions of the associated seizures. EEG abnormalities and reports on the response to anti-epileptic therapy as regards to resolution of blindness and control of associated seizures. RESULTS: Our data for children with epileptic blindness is similar to previous reports regarding the reported duration of blindness and associated seizures, as well as the overall response to therapy and outcome. In our study, 25 children experienced acute episodes of complete visual obscuration lasting for 1-10 minutes and one 4-month-old infant had blindness from birth, representing status epilepticus amauroticus. Ten patients had accompanying generalized seizures, with a photosensitive response recorded in three cases. All of these children were treated with valproic acid regaining full vision and eight became seizure free. Ten children had accompanying focal motor seizures and unilateral temporo-posterior epileptic discharges recorded on EEG and two additional cases had isolated blindness and focal discharges. All 12 children were treated with carbamazepine, regaining full vision and complete seizure control in eleven. One infant with status epilepticus amauroticus since birth, secondary to a persistent epileptic focus over the right central-posterior areas, regained full vision following resection of an area of cortical dysplasia at the age of 8 months. Four additional children had the constellation of migraine headaches, focal motor seizures and complete blindness along with occipital EEG discharges, compatible with the syndrome of late-onset benign childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms (Gastaut syndrome). They were treated with carbamazepine and all became asymptomatic within a period of 1-4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the literature, in addition to our overall experience, indicates that epileptic blindness in children is associated with a favorable outcome providing prompt diagnosis and treatment of the associated seizures or epileptic syndrome. This resulted in complete and long-standing resolution of blindness in all children together with satisfactory control of seizures. As such, we recommend a prompt EEG in any child presenting acute visual obscuration, even in the absence of additional overt epileptic phenomena.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1990

[Is the analysis of blindness in developing countries at the occasion of a national census of interest to public health?].

Prevalence of blindness in developing countries is three to ten times higher than in developed countries. Needs for individual medical care are far from being met and this requires the implementation of comprehensive policies of prevention and treatment. Two distinct data sources are available to carry out these policies: direct ophthalmic surveys on representative population samples, and for some countries, a national census in which blindness cases are numbered out. In Togo, both sources are available; we have thus been able to analyse: data from the 1981 national census in which blindness is identified as a social handicap; and the results of 4 W.H.O. surveys conducted from 1982 to 1986, which measure blindness prevalence and analyse its causes. The analysis of both sources shows that: a national census cannot be a substitute for surveys which are the only means for determining blindness causes and implementing action programmes. nonetheless it provides exhaustive information, as well as data on geographical distribution and on age and sex pattern of blindness. It also allows the identification of high prevalence zones--not always spotted through a survey--and thus, the implementation of specific actions in affected zones. It appears, hence, that the question on blindness should be maintained in a national census; providing users bear in mind possible bias in blindness census, the fact that appreciation of blindness is a subjective exercise and also providing they don't yield to the temptation of drawing comparisons between blindness rates which don't cover the same realities.

Blindness↗
PubMed1993

[Glaucoma blindness in Denmark].

The prevalence and the incidence of glaucoma blindness in Denmark was evaluated by examining all registration forms of persons > or = 50 years of age admitted to the Danish Association of the Blind (DAB) between 1955 and 1987 with glaucoma as main cause of blindness. In 1987, 6.7% of DAB-members > or = 50 years suffered from blindness caused at least partially by glaucoma, equivalent to an estimated prevalence of 45 per 100,000 of the Danish population > or = 50 years. The estimated annual incidence of blindness due to glaucoma was seven per 100,000 > or = 65 years, and in an equal number of patients glaucoma was a contributory cause of blindness. The incidence of glaucoma blindness was decreasing in the younger age groups (< 65 years) throughout the study period. Glaucoma blindness seems to occur at a later age now than earlier, leaving the patients blind for a shorter time. The proportion of glaucoma blindness in the glaucoma population was estimated to be 4-5%.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Planning to reduce childhood blindness in India.

Reduction of blindness in children assumes particular significance since a blind child suffers from more blind-years than a blind adult. Estimates of the number of children blind in India and the causes of blindness are relatively crude as there are little reliable epidemiologic data. As a result of this, there is no organised approach to the control of childhood blindness in India. In order to address this issue, a workshop on childhood blindness was held at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad in November 1996. The aim of this workshop was to review available data, consider possible strategies, and make recommendations concerning the control of childhood blindness in India. These recommendations along with background information about childhood blindness are presented in this paper.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Blind and bronchoscopic sampling methods in suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia. A multicentre prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare four sampling methods: blind tracheal aspirate (blind TA), blind protected telescoping catheter (blind PTC), bronchoscopic PTC and bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (bronchoscopic BAL), for diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). DESIGN: Prospective multicentre study. SETTING: Five intensive care units in France. PATIENTS: Sixty-three patients with mechanical ventilation for more than 48 h, no recent antibiotic change (<72 h) and suspected nosocomial pneumonia. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent the four sampling methods. Direct examination and quantitative cultures of the four specimens were performed. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Visible secretions expelled from the catheter were present 40 times (63%) for blind PTC and 45 times (71%) for bronchoscopic PTC. After exclusion of 11 uncertain cases, 34 VAP were diagnosed. Direct examination of PTC (either blind or bronchoscopic) did not differ from direct examination of bronchoscopic BAL in predicting VAP diagnosis and in guiding initial antibiotic treatment correctly. Compared to that of bronchoscopic BAL (0.98), the area under receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was smaller for blind TA (0.78, p=0.002), blind PTC (0.83, p=0.009) and bronchoscopic PTC (0.85, p=0.01). When samples with visible secretions expelled from the catheter were considered, blind and bronchoscopic PTC had areas under ROC curve close to that of bronchoscopic BAL (0.90, p=0.22 and 0.91, p=0.27, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Blind PTC appears to be a good alternative to bronchoscopic sampling for VAP diagnosis, provided that the sample contains visible secretions expelled from the catheter.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Blind orotracheal intubation with the intubating laryngeal mask versus fibreoptic guided orotracheal intubation with the Ovassapian airway. A pilot study of awake patients.

In a randomized, prospective pilot study, we compared awake blind orotracheal intubation using the intubating laryngeal mask airway (blind-ILM) with awake fibreoptic-guided orotracheal intubation using an Ovassapian airway (FOS-OA). Fifty-four patients (ASA 1 to 3, aged 18 to 85 years) requiring awake intubation for elective surgery were randomly allocated by coin toss into two groups: 31 patients were intubated blindly through the ILM (blind-ILM) and 23 were intubated using fibreoptic guidance through the Ovassapian airway (FOS-OA). Sedation to a target clinical end-point (spontaneous eye-closing, but responsive to verbal command) was obtained with fentanyl/midazolam and a cricothyroid puncture was performed with 3 ml lignocaine 4%. The oropharynx was then topicalized until tolerance of a Guedel airway was achieved. The number of failed attempts (maximum of three allowed), overall success rates, the time from insertion of the airway to capnographic (blind-ILM) or fibreoptic (FOS-OA) confirmation of intubation or until three failed attempts, and cardiovascular responses before and during intubation, were recorded. The first time (blind-ILM, 25/31 [81%]; FOS-OA, 20/23 [87%], P = 0.6) and overall (blind-ILM, 26/31 [84%]; FOS-OA, 22/23 [96%], P = 0.2) intubation success rates were similar. The mean +/- SD time to intubation was shorter for the blind-ILM group (104 +/- 65 vs 158 +/- 115 sec, P = 0.05). There were no clinically significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate between groups. Compared with baseline values, there was no cardiovascular response to intubation in either group. We conclude that the blind-ILM and FOS-OA techniques have similar success rates and cardiovascular responses, but intubation is slightly quicker with the blind-ILM technique.

Adult↗