Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Refractometry”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,045 records · Page 58Linked to original sources

Infrared photorefractive polymers and their applications for imaging.

Photorefractive polymers with high diffraction efficiency in the visible and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum have been developed. These polymers, which have a large dynamic range because of their high orientational birefringence, incorporate a dye designed to have a large dipole moment and a high linear polarizability anisotropy. Such polymers have enabled demonstrations of imaging through scattering media, using a holographic time-gating technique at a wavelength that is compatible with the transparency of biological tissues and with the emission of low-cost semiconductor laser diodes.

Birefringence↗

Optically transparent porous medium for nondestructive studies of microbial biofilm architecture and transport dynamics.

We describe a novel and noninvasive, microscopy-based method for visualizing the structure and dynamics of microbial biofilms, individual fluorescent microbial cells, and inorganic colloids within a model porous medium. Biofilms growing in flow cells packed with granules of an amorphous fluoropolymer could be visualized as a consequence of refractive index matching between the solid fluoropolymer grains and the aqueous immersion medium. In conjunction with the capabilities of confocal microscopy for nondestructive optical sectioning, the use of amorphous fluoropolymers as a solid matrix permits observation of organisms and dynamic processes to a depth of 2 to 3 mm, whereas sediment biofilms growing in sand-filled flow cells can only be visualized in the region adjacent to the flow cell wall. This method differs fundamentally from other refractive index-matching applications in that optical transparency was achieved by matching a solid phase to water (and not vice versa), thereby permitting real-time microscopic studies of particulate-containing, low-refractive-index media such as biological and chromatographic systems.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Contribution to comprehension of image formation in confocal microscopy of cornea with Rostock cornea module.

AIM: To investigate the influence of refractive index of aqueous humour on imaging of corneal endothelium in confocal microscopy. To clarify the phenomenon of dark endothelial and bright epithelial cell membranes in confocal images of corneas. METHODS: Use of a novel digital confocal laser scanning microscope, a combination of the Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT II) and the Rostock cornea module. Exchange of aqueous humour solution from domestic pigs against glycerol/water solutions (refractive indices eta = 1.337-1.47). Transelectron microscopy of endothelial and epithelial cell morphology. RESULTS: Under the terms of variable refractive indices no differences were observed for general imaging of endothelium. Bright cells were bordered by dark cell membranes in all experiments. Electron microscopy of endothelium and epithelium revealed differences in intracellular and cell membrane structure of both cell types. CONCLUSION: Source of specific confocal optical behaviour of endothelium does not come from interface conditions to aqueous humour, but may result from intracellular variations and ultrastructure of cell membranes.

Animals↗

Star testing: a novel evaluation of intraocular lens optical quality.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of optical quality of an intraocular lens (IOL) on visual outcomes following cataract surgery, objective data on their optical quality are not readily available, and manufacturing standards are industry regulated. The star test is a classic test of optical quality based on examination of the Airy disc and expanded diffraction rings of a point source of light, used mainly for telescope and microscope objectives. METHODS: A physical model eye cell allowed star testing of IOLs under conditions similar to the optical environment in which they operate. 18 IOLs were tested and results compared to actual images produced by these lenses in the model eye cell. Quantitative measures of star testing performance were developed. RESULTS: The optical performance of the IOLs varied, some performing very poorly. Most lenses (13/17) performed better in reverse orientation, while aberrations induced by the haptics of foldable IOLs were also detected. There was excellent correlation between actual images formed and star testing parameters. CONCLUSION: Star testing IOLs was a novel biomedical application of a centuries old, inexpensive method. A concerning variation of optical quality was found, suggesting IOL optical performance data should be more readily available. Independent, authority mandated IOL optical quality standards should be developed, and results readily available to ophthalmologists.

Acrylic Resins↗

Thermal lens measurements in the cornea.

Q-switched pulses from a neodymium/YAG (yttrium-aluminium-garnet) laser were passed through corneal discs taken from the enucleated eyes of three baboons and four rabbits. The time course of heat dissipation following absorption of laser energy by the tissue was studied with the use of a second continuous wave laser beam acting as a probe. It was found that the absorption of each neodymium/YAG pulse created a transient divergent lens within the cornea as theoretical considerations predicted. The relaxation time that characterised the decay of this thermal lens for a 1/e laser beam diameter of 2.0 mm was found to be 2.3 +/- 0.1 s (mean +/- standard error for 12 separate groups of measurements). Our results show that Q-switched laser pulses passing through apparently unaffected transparent tissues can induce thermal lens effects which persist for several seconds. The optical transfer of each pulse in a stream will be identical only if enough time is left between pulses for the tissues to return to their initial state. Therefore, when such laser pulses sharply focused to perform high precision intraocular surgery are used, thermal lensing in the transparent ocular media must limit the rate at which pulses can be usefully delivered.

Animals↗

On the calculation of power from curvature of the cornea.

The theoretical basis for the calculation of corneal refractive power from anterior curvature is considered. It is shown that the power can be calculated with sufficient accuracy from one simple formula provided the refractive index of the 'cornea' is 1.3315. It is suggested that keratometer readings should be calibrated with this value in order to increase the accuracy in intraocular lens calculation.

Cornea↗

Determination of the power of a convex-plano intraocular lens in situ from the dioptric keratometer reading of its front surface: extension table for the Javal-Schiøtz ophthalmometer.

The size of the reflex image of keratometer mires can be used to determine the power of an intraocular lens (IOL) inside the eye (in situ). The dioptric scale reading from the front surface of a convex-plano intraocular lens in cases of unknown power is compared with computed values. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated in a series of patients with known IOL power. Though in our study we have assumed convex-plano lenses are in use, the same procedure can sometimes be applied to lenses of different forms. To interpret scale readings below 30 dioptres and over 60 dioptres we compiled an extension table, suited to the ophthalmometer of Javal-Schiøtz (Haag-Streit), making use of low-powered minus and plus auxiliary lenses in front of the tube of the instrument.

Humans↗

Clinical evaluation of automated refraction in anterior chamber pseudophakia.

Automated refraction with the Canon RK-1 Autoref keratometer was evaluated in 85 eyes of 85 patients with an anterior chamber intraocular lens implant and a best corrected visual acuity of at least 6/12. Autorefraction readings were obtained in 80 (94%) of these eyes. The agreement between autorefraction and clinical refraction data was 89% for spherical equivalence less than 0.51 dioptres (D), 91% for sphere power less than 0.51 D, 82% for cylinder power less than 0.51 D, and 91% for cylinder axis less than 11 degrees. Autorefraction provides acceptably accurate postoperative refraction values in anterior chamber pseudophakia.

Humans↗

Role of epithelial hyperplasia in regression following photorefractive keratectomy.

AIM: To determine the relation between epithelial hyperplasia and regression of effect after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: Seventy unilaterally treated patients with PRK were examined. All eyes had been treated with the Summit excimer laser 27 (SD 7) months previously with zone diameters of 4.1 to 5.0 mm. The untreated fellow eyes served as controls. Epithelial thickness was measured centrally with a thin slit optical pachometer and manifest subjective refraction was performed. RESULTS: The epithelium was 21% thicker in the treated eye (p < 0.0001). The relation between refractive regression and epithelial hyperplasia was significant (r = 0.41; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Epithelial hyperplasia after PRK correlated with the myopic shift (including hyperopia reduction) after treatment with the Summit laser. A model is proposed suggesting that both subepithelial and epithelial layers contribute to regression in the Summit treated eyes with 18 microns of epithelial hyperplasia contributing each dioptre of regression.

Adult↗

Screening for abnormal levels of hyperopia in children: a non-cycloplegic method with a hand held refractor.

AIMS: High hyperopia constitutes the majority of refractive errors in large scale visual screening at preschool ages. The authors aimed to assess the validity of the Retinomax hand held refractor to detect high hyperopia in a refractive screening performed without cycloplegia and carried out on children aged 9-36 months. They considered +1.5 D of manifest hyperopia to be the threshold value and abnormal absolute hyperopia to be above +3.5 D. METHODS: Of the 897 children screened without cycloplegia, 220 were refracted with cycloplegia. The validity of several thresholds of manifest hyperopia was estimated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves using cycloplegic measures as a reference. The reproducibility of Retinomax measurements was assessed. Normal and quick mode measurements were compared using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The manifest threshold of +1.5 D offered the best combination of sensitivity (70.2%), specificity (94.6%), positive predictive value (78.6%), and negative predictive value (91.9%) to disclose abnormal absolute hyperopia. A good agreement was obtained between the various measurements using Retinomax on the same subject. In the results of this survey, there is no evidence that accommodation is minimised in the normal mode of measurement compared with the quick mode. CONCLUSION: The Retinomax hand held infrared autorefractor is a suitable instrument to diagnose abnormal hyperopia (manifest hyperopia > +1.5 D) in noncycloplegic refractive screening at preschool ages. It is suggested as the quick mode of measurement as it is more feasible in children (success rate 98.5%).

Age Distribution↗

Deep lamellar keratoplasty with lyophilised tissue in the management of keratoconus.

AIMS: Data are presented on the use of deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLK) using lyophilised donor corneal tissue, in the management of patients with keratoconus (KC). METHOD: The results of DLK on 44 eyes (42 patients) are reported. The mean patient age was 29.8 years (range 10-56). Mean follow up was 25 months (range 6-100). In seven patients with mental handicap or severe mental illness, the collection of acuity and refractive data was limited. RESULTS: Perforation of Descemet's membrane (DM) occurred in nine cases (20%). A double anterior chamber formed in five cases, which resolved spontaneously in three patients. Persistent epithelial defects occurred in two cases, one of which necessitated replacement of the graft. The median postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 6/36. The median corrected postoperative acuity was 6/9. Those with more than 1 year of follow up (n=25) had a significantly better acuity (p=0.015). This group achieved 6/12 or better in 80% (n=20) and 6/6 or better in 40% (n=10). The mean postoperative spherical error was +0.28 (SD 3.49) dioptres (D). The mean refractive cylinder was 3.85 (1.87) D. CONCLUSION: This detailed retrospective study of DLK for the treatment of patients with KC, with an average follow up of 2 years, highlights the advantages and disadvantages of this technique.

Adolescent↗

The genetics of cornea plana congenita.

Cornea plana congenita is believed to occur in a mild autosomal dominant (CNA1) and a more severe autosomal recessive (CNA2) form. We recently assigned a CNA2 locus to a region on chromosome 12 by linkage analysis. In this study we compared these traits clinically and genetically. Using the horizontal corneal refraction value in diopters (D) as a parameter, a control population (n = 473) had a mean value of 43 center dot 4 (SD 1 center dot 5 D) for men and 43 center dot 7 (SD 1 center dot 6 D) for women, whereas in 51 subjects affected with CNA2 the mean value was 29 center dot 9 (SD 5 center dot 2 D) and in five subjects affected with CNA1 the mean value was 37 center dot 8 (SD 1 center dot 6 D). By linkage analysis in two CNA1 families the CNA2 locus could be conclusively excluded. These data suggest that at least two forms of hereditary cornea plana exist which are both clinically and genetically distinct.

Adolescent↗

Optical properties of poly-HCN and their astronomical applications.

Matthews (1992) has proposed that HCN "polymer" is ubiquitous in the solar system. We apply vacuum deposition and spectroscopic techniques previously used on synthetic organic heteropolymers (tholins), kerogens, and meteoritic organic residues to the measurement of the optical constants of poly-HCN in the wavelength range 0.05-40 micrometers. These measurements allow quantitative comparison with spectrophotometry of organic-rich bodies in the outer solar system. In a specific test of Matthews' hypothesis, poly-HCN fails to match the optical constants of the haze of the Saturnian moon, Titan, in the visible and near-infrared derived from astronomical observations and standard models of the Titan atmosphere. In contrast, a tholin produced from a simulated Titan atmosphere matches within the probable errors. Poly-HCN is much more N-rich than Titan tholin.

Astronomical Phenomena↗

Reflectivity of cholesteric liquid crystals with spatially varying pitch.

Solids with spatially varying photonic structure offer gaps to light of a wider range of frequencies than do simple photonic systems. We solve numerically the field distribution in a cholesteric with a linearly varying inverse pitch (helical wavevector) using equations we derive for the general case. The simple idea that the position where the Bragg condition is locally satisfied is where reflection takes place is only true in part. Here, reflection is due to a region where the waves are forced to become evanescent, and the rate of variation of structure determines over which distance the waves decay and therefore how complete reflection is. The approximate local Bragg-de Vries schemes are shown to break down in detail at the edges of the gap, and an analytical estimate is given for the transmission coefficient.

Cholesterol↗