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The present study demonstrates the possibility of fabricating zirconia parts with a complex shape and internal architecture using a low-cost stereolithography-based technique. One of the critical steps in ceramics stereolithography is the preparation of a photo-curable slurry with properties that fulfill specific requirements, such as having a low viscosity, high solids loading and appropriate curing characteristics. Slurries with different acrylic monomers and ceramic fillers were studied concerning their rheological and curing behavior. New formulations based on mono- and tri-functional acrylic monomers revealed the following excellent rheological properties: The viscosity of the mono-/tri-acrylate-based slurry with 75 wt.% of zirconia was 1.6 Pa·s at 30 s -1 . Zirconia stabilized with 3 mol.% yttria was found to be more favorable than zirconia with 8 mol.% yttria for slurry preparation, because of its lower surface area and higher tapped density. It was shown that the cure depth of the suspensions was suitable for printing objects with a 50 µm layer thickness, good interlayers connection and surface finishing.

Effects of a single instillation of levobunolol, a new nonselective beta-adrenoblocker, in normal subjects and patients with various forms of glaucoma were under study, as were the effects of prolonged administration of this drug in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Short-term observations have revealed a hypotensive effect in all the examinees, the highest in patients with open-angle glaucoma (30.2%). Levobunolol did not influence the diameter of the pupil and accommodation, nor did it essentially change the cardiovascular activity. Prolonged administration of the drug resulted in a stable reduction of intraocular pressure by 20-30% in 70% of patients with open-angle glaucoma. Tonographic studies have shown that the drug reduced the intraocular fluid production and in case of a prolonged administration a trend to an elevation of the coefficient of the easiness of fluid discharge is observed.

Clinical trials of the hypotensive effect of 0.5% betoptic, an antiglaucoma drug manufactured by Alcon (USA), were carried out at three ophthalmologic hospitals. Similar results obtained in all the trials permit a conclusion on a high hypotensive efficacy of this drug in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The drug was well tolerated by the patients.