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Purpose. This study evaluated whether 3D-based vision training (VT) with visual cortex-activated auditory frequency entrainment and bilateral orbital electrical stimulation (ES) could prevent the progression of myopia among schoolchildren. Methods. In this two-stage, randomized, crossover, single-blind study, pre- and post-logMAR visual acuity and refractive error from 27 schoolchildren with myopia (≤−0.50 D) were evaluated among four groups: (1) sham control with no VT, frequency following response (FFR), or ES (control group); (2) 3D-based VT only (VT group); (3) VT with FFR generated through visual cortex-activated auditory entrainment (VT-FFR group); and (4) VT with FFR and bilateral orbital ES (VT-FFR-ES group). In stage 1, the intervention was administered for 30 min to all groups using a randomized crossover design. In stage 2, the intervention was administered for 30 min/day, 3 days a week, for 4 weeks to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention. Results. Compared with the pre-test, post-test logMAR visual acuity after a single intervention was not significantly different in control and VT groups, but significantly improved in the VT-FFR (−0.08 ± 0.11) and VT-FFR-ES groups (−0.13 ± 0.14). Compared with the pre-test, post-test refractive error by spherical equivalent in VT-FFR-ES group for the 4-week intervention was significantly (<0.001) improved (0.21 D) compared with the control group (−0.1 D). Conclusions. The multicomponent physiotherapeutic intervention of 3D-based VT with auditory FFR and bilateral orbital ES can inhibit the progression of myopia. This intervention can be used as a noninvasive physiotherapeutic approach to prevent or reduce the severity of myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: With the benefits of advanced medical technology, Taiwan has gradually changed from an aged society to a super-aged society. According to previous studies, the prevalence rate of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over the age of 60 is 15% to 20%. Therefore, the main purpose of our study was to analyze the correlation of cognitive function with visual function (specifically, binocular vision and visual perception) in Taiwanese volunteers aged 60 years or older. Methods: Thirty-six healthy participants who were not taking psychiatric medications and who had not been diagnosed with any retinal or optic nerve diseases were enrolled. Addenbrooke's cognitive examination III (ACE-III), binocular visual function, and visual perception evaluation were performed, and the data analyzed statistically by t-test, χ2, linear regression, and MANOVA. Results: Cognitive function was closely correlated with visual function and visual perception; the horizontal adjustment time of binocular eye movement, stereopsis, the motor-free visual perception test-4 (MVPT-4), and peripheral awareness actually displayed higher explanatory power in predicting cognitive function. In addition, various interactive parameters between visual function and visual perception were found to affect specific aspects of ACE-III. Discussion: Our study revealed that there was a close correlation of cognitive function with visual function; as such, it may be possible to predict visual function deficits in patients with mild cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of recurrent vitreous hemorrhage of proliferative diabetic retinopathy following posterior vitrectomy ranges from 29% to 75% in reported series. Fluid-gas exchange and vitreous cavity lavage are the popular methods of treating this kind of recurrent hemorrhage. The fluid-gas exchange cannot offer clear vision immediately after the procedure. To improve the function of the classic vitreous cavity lavage, we designed a volume homeostatic fluid-fluid exchanger - Chen's I/A device. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a protease that preferentially converts fibrin-bound plasminogen to the active proteolytic enzyme, plasmin. It has been clinically and experimentally proven effective in lysis of postvitrectomy blood clot and fibrin formation. When the blood clot is formed in the vitreous cavity, intravitreal injection of t-PA can convert plasminogen to plasmin and remove the clot. From July 1999 to January 2000, ten eyes of postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (PDVH) were collected. In each case, 4 days after intravitreal injection (IVI) of t-PA (30 μg), vitreous cavity lavage was performed with Chen's I/A device. Of these cases, 8 eyes (80%) experienced an immediate clearing of the vitreous cavity. Early complications included anterior hyaloid fibrovascular proliferation (2 eyes) and postoperative intraocular pressure elevation (3 eyes). On the basis of the results of this study, our conclusion is that volume homeostatic vitreous cavity lavage, combined with intravitreal injection of t-PA, is an excellent method for treatment of postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage but, in cases of PDVH with iris rubeosis, the advantage of this procedure is uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the effectiveness of antibiotics with bacterial susceptibility. Characteristics of the patients; Factors that led to orbital cellulitis; Bactericidal action of aminoglycosides; Comparison of the bactericidal actions between penicillins and cephalosporins.