Ophthalmology
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To evaluate whether postural changes of intraocular pressure (IOP) are associated with progression of visual field damage in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). ⋯ The progression of visual field damage in NTG is associated with IOP in the supine position and the magnitude of IOP elevation accompanying postural changes. These results suggest that deterioration in NTG may occur when patients are lying flat during sleep.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Atropine for the treatment of childhood myopia.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical atropine, a nonselective muscarinic antagonist, in slowing the progression of myopia and ocular axial elongation in Asian children. ⋯ Topical atropine was well tolerated and effective in slowing the progression of low and moderate myopia and ocular axial elongation in Asian children.
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Multicenter Study
Development and face and content validity of an eye surgical skills assessment test for ophthalmology residents.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has called for the development of new tools for teaching and assessment in core residency competencies. Aims of this study were to respond to this mandate by developing an objective method of evaluating the surgical skills of ophthalmology residents in a microsurgery laboratory environment that could become a part of the ophthalmic surgical curriculum and competency determination, and to evaluate the face and content validity of this assessment by surveying experts in the field. ⋯ The ESSAT has face and content validity. This tool will be useful for assessing residents' surgical skills in a laboratory environment and the impact of various teaching methods on performance. Further studies to establish the interrater reliability and construct validity of the ESSAT are underway.
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Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analyses are of increasing importance to clinicians and health policy experts. This study determines the costs in Germany and other countries in relation to gain of utility for patients with bilateral poor vision owing to corneal disease undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in 1 eye. ⋯ Although an expensive procedure, PK is cost effective in patients with bilateral poor vision.