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The statistical and structural characteristics of 13 matrices of random numbers in which both the cells and the entries were randomly chosen are discussed. Each matrix was explored considering row means, standard deviations, and correlations as well as column means, standard deviations, and correlations. A study concerning the sequential arrangement of digits was performed by finding out in tables of random numbers how many times the values 0 to 9 are followed by any other digit. Analyses indicate clear factor structures when factor analyzing correlations of rows and of columns and when examining sequential arrangements, concluding that for a given set of digits it is possible to assert both randomness and nonrandomness depending on how the data are examined.

Fibrin sealant is used to close perforated or preperforated corneal ulcers. In addition to the usual advantages of cyanoacrylates it is degraded physiologically and provides a good support for corneal healing. Corneal grafting can be avoided when contraindicated or postponed when conditions allow. This technique has been successful in nine eyes of eight patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pain before and during Herpes Zoster is well known. A new antiviral therapy is suggested. Post-herpetic neuralgia remains more difficult to treat.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of a second generation, anterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (Baikoff Model ZB5M) in patients with high myopia., Methods: One hundred and twenty-one patients (134 eyes) with myopia of -7.00 to -18.80 D were implanted with the ZB5M lens and followed for 18 to 52 months; the number of eyes evaluated was: 6 months (104 eyes), 1 year (91 eyes), 18 months (78 eyes), 2 years (68 eyes), and 3 years (35 eyes)., Results: Postoperative spherical equivalent refraction averaged -1.00 D and the error in refractive correction (achieved minus intended) averaged -0.40 D during the first 2 years, increasing -to -1.30 D refraction and -0.60 D error in refractive correction at 3 years. At 2 years, approximately 40% of eyes had a spherical equivalent refraction within +/-0.50 D, and 65% within +/-1.00 D. The uncorrected distance visual acuity was 0.048 at baseline and 0.5 at 3 years; near visual acuity was 0.21 at baseline and approximately 0.7 over the 3 years of follow-up. Spectacle-corrected distance visual acuity at baseline was 0.54; it improved to 0.7. Near visual acuity was 0.65 at baseline and it improved to approximately 0.75. Endothelial cell counts in the central and peripheral cornea were reduced by an average 3.3% at 6 months, declining an additional 1% to 2% over the remaining follow-up period. Regression analyses indicated that most of the endothelial cell loss was due to surgery. Additional complications included halos/glare in 37 of 133 eyes (27.8%) and iris retraction with pupillary ovalization in 30 of 133 eyes (22.6%). The intraocular lens was exchanged in four of 133 eyes (3.0%) and removed in three of 133 eyes (2.3%), the latter because of halos (one eye) and a flat anterior chamber with severe inflammation (two eyes)., Conclusions: Implantation of the Baikoff ZB5M lens in the anterior chamber of phakic eyes significantly reduced high myopia and produced a stable refractive outcome over the 3 years, accompanied by marked improvement in uncorrected distance visual acuity and minimal, non-progressive damage to the corneal endothelium. Frequent complications included pupillary ovalization and halos/glare. Improvements in accuracy of IOL power calculations are needed.

This randomized, single-masked, multicenter clinical trial, comprising 95 patients enrolled at five sites, evaluated the performance of AMO Vitrax and Healon viscoelastic materials during cataract surgery. Patients were examined preoperatively and at one day, four days, one month, and three months postoperatively. The following measurements were recorded and analyzed: percentage of endothelial cell loss from preoperative to three months postoperative; change in intraocular pressure (IOP) from preoperative to 24 hours postoperatively; postoperative corrected visual acuity; subjective assessment of ability of viscoelastic to create and maintain tissue space; intraocular transparency; ease of evacuation. Three months postoperatively, endothelial cell loss was 4.9% (+/- 8.3%) for the AMO Vitrax group and 6.3% (+/- 10.5%) for the Healon group. One day postoperatively, IOP decreased by 1.6 mm Hg and increased by +1.1 mm Hg, respectively. Postoperative visual acuities were similar between the two groups at three months. Subjective assessment of transparency was higher for Healon. Assessment of tissue space maintenance was similar between the two materials. Healon was rated as slightly easier to evacuate.

Purpose: To analyze the indications or the penetrating keratoplasties which were conducted in the Bordeaux University Hospital over the 1982-1991 period and to compare these findings with those of previously published studies., Methods: The histopathological study of 1129 corneal buttons was analyzed according to conventional methods in the Histopathology Department Pellegrin Hospital., Results: The main indications for penetrating keratoplasty were (in decreasing order of frequency): pseudophakic or aphakic corneal oedema (28.7%), keratoconus (12.1%), regrafts (11.1%), and corneal scars (10.7%). Less frequent indications for penetrating keratoplasty included Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (7.8%); corneal trauma (7.3%) and herpes (7.2%). Ophthalmological conditions requiring penetrating keratoplasty fall into six groups of unequal size: 1) corneal oedema (28.7%); 2) keratitis (26%); 3) dystrophies (23.2%); 4) graft failures (11.1%); 5) trauma and chemical burns (8%) and 6) miscellaneous (2.9%)., Conclusion: The authors emphasize the importance of studying histologically the corneal buttons after penetrating keratoplasty. Corneal oedema after cataract surgery is shown, based on the data presented, to be the main indication for penetrating keratoplasty.

Background: A prospective evaluation of non-freeze myopic keratomileusis is reported., Methods: One hundred and fifty-eight eyes of 98 consecutive patients underwent nonfreeze myopic keratomileusis, with BKS 1000 (Eyetech-M.V.A.A.G, Balzers, Liechtenstein) refractive set. The preoperative myopia ranged from -6.25 to -28.00 D. Mean follow up was 591.3 days (range, 90 to 1500 days)., Results: The logarithmic mean preoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.48 +/- 0.31 (20/40), and 0.44 (20/50) +/- 0.30 after 2 years and longer, whereas mean uncorrected visual acuity was 0.32 +/- 0.28 (20/70) in 34 of 82 (41.5%) eyes. After 2 years and longer, 21 of 82 (25.6%) eyes were within 1.00 D of emmetropia, and 43 of 82 (52.4%) were within 2.00 D. The subjective spherical equivalent refraction confidence interval at 90% was 9.28 D (-6.85 to +2.43 D). No refractive instability was detected during follow-up. We detected a trend toward improvement of spectacle-corrected visual acuity with time. However, after 2 years and longer, there was an increase in astigmatism of more than 1.00 D, when compared to the preoperative values, and 14 of 82 (17%) eyes lost two or more lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity (statistically significant: p < .01)., Conclusion: The nonfreeze myopic keratomileusis procedure, with BKS 1000, substantially reduces moderate to high myopia, but predictability of refractive outcome is only fair, and the frequency of optical complications including irregular astigmatism is higher than desired.

In a preliminary study of 35 patients that had undergone cataract extraction surgery, we compared the visualization of the retinal periphery according to the intraocular lens optic diameter (5, 6, and 7 mm). In all cases, we performed extra-capsular cataract extractions, with a capsulorhexis, and a Posterior Chamber lens. Indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression, and Goldmann lens biomicroscopy were used to visualize the fundus. We found the smaller the optic diameter was, the better the visualization of the peripheral retina was. Indeed there was a wider space between the optic ridge of the lens and the iris. There was also a better transparency of the peripheral capsular bag.

Varicella disciform stromal keratitis is rare. It occurs several weeks or months after the skin rash. We report 4 cases in children, two of whom developed one or more recurrent episodes. Treatment based on local steroids was long and difficult to dose. One case treated with oral aciclovir did not show a better clinical course than the other patients.

A multicentre study of a new preparation of povidone iodine (5% betadine) was carried out on 150 patients undergoing cataract surgery. Pre-operatively the eye was prepared by daubing the peri-ocular skin and a two-minute instillation into the conjunctival fornices. No other antiseptic was applied. Tolerance to the product was evaluated in all the patients: clinical evaluation postoperatively and during a 60-day follow-up period confirmed that the preparation was harmless to the eye. Microbiological investigations (comprising conjunctival swabbing, bacterial culture and count of the bacterial species isolated, before and after application of the product) performed on 60 patients showed a significant fall in the number of colonies after treatment.

The functional results (contrast sensitivity and dynamic visual acuity) of 19 multifocal (3 M design) and 14 monofocal intraocular (IOL) were compared. Best corrected visual acuity was > or = 8/10 P 2. Major differences of functional performance in favour of monofocal IOL's were found under standard conditions of vision (low contrast and illumination levels). Dynamic visual acuity allowed accurate evaluation of the difference of performance between these two models of implant. The indications for multifocal IOLs were reconsidered in the light of these results.

For immunocompetent patients, ocular toxoplasmosis is the most frequent infectious cause of chorioretinal inflammation. Nowadays, the laboratory diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis requires serological tests and anterior chamber puncture to detect the local production of specific antibodies. The authors describe a new technique to detect toxoplasma in aqueous humor by a polymerase chain reaction in which the target is a 88 bp specific rDNA fragment. 31 patients were concerned (23 highly suspect of ocular toxoplasmosis and 8 controls). The presence of the parasite in aqueous humor was found in 7 cases. No false positive was detected. The sensitivity of the test is reduced by the poor volume of the sample. The combination of this technique with Desmont's coefficient gives a better positive predictive value. We emphasize the pathophysiological value of this technique by suggesting the presence of tachizoites in the anterior chamber. According to our knowledge, this finding has never been demonstrated. In the future, this should be a very promising technique for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis.

To prevent or delay Elschnig pearl formation, we performed an unusual surgical technique on 87 patients: intraocular lens implantation at the front of the whole capsular bag. We tried to obtain tight adhesion between the anterior and posterior capsules so the lens epithelial cells could not proliferate and form Elschnig pearls. In fact, the patients exhibited no Elschnig pearls or Soemmering's ring, but developed large anterior capsular folds and a multilayer cell membrane between both capsules after two (three cases), six (19 cases), and 12 months (14 cases). This led to a decrease in visual acuity, and a Nd:YAG laser anterior and posterior capsulotomy was required in most cases (83%). Several months later, these eyes developed enormous Elschnig pearls emanating centrifugally from the laser opening, strongly suggesting that lens epithelial cells require aqueous humor for Elschnig pearl transformation. Since it is not yet possible to obtain perfect adhesion between anterior and posterior capsules, our results confirm the need to remove the anterior capsule after extracapsular cataract extraction.

The appearance on the French market of a carbomer tear substitute, Gel-Larmes, an original galenic form, constitutes a real therapeutic progress in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. An open randomized multicentric trial was conducted comparing the tolerance and efficacy of Gel-Larmes with those of eye drops containing chondroitin sulphate. The statistical analysis evidences an inferior average number of daily instillations for Gel-Larmes, its better efficacy on the symptoms as well as on the objective criteria: biomicroscopic examination, break-up time, rose Bengal test. The tolerance of the product is excellent and 81% of the patients express their wish to pursue Gel-Larmes versus 54% for the reference product.

The conjunctival and corneal lesions usually observed in the floppy eyelid syndrome are benign and reversible as soon as the specific treatment of superior palpebral hyperlaxity is performed. A case of bilateral corneal vascularization, a rare but severe complication of floppy eyelid syndrome is reported. The floppy eyelid syndrome was identified late because keratoconjunctivitis was clinically predominant and palpebral tonicity was not initially considered. The treatment of palpebral hyperlaxity was the prerequisite for good results with keratoplasty.

A biopsy specimen of an extra-ocular muscle from a brother and sister affected by typical familial Steinert's disease was examined by electron microscopy. Considerable disorganisation of the contractile element was observed with a gross accumulation of abnormal mitochondria. This was a very different appearance to the findings observed in skeletal muscle in Steinert's disease and much closer to the findings in skeletal muscle in certain 'ocular' myopathies. One cannot fail to be impressed by the discordance between the appearance of the muscular disorganisation and the rarity of clinical oculomotor disturbances in this disease.