Ophthalmology
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To evaluate the safety and feasibility of having monitored anesthesia care during cataract surgery provided by registered respiratory care practitioners (RRCPs). ⋯ With the inherent safety of cataract surgery and the relatively low need for anesthesiologist intervention, we believe it is justified to allow RRCPs, trained as anesthesia assistants, to provide monitored anesthesia care during cataract surgery so long as anesthesiologist support is directly available when required. Potential benefits include cost savings in health care and decreased demand for anesthesiology services. To validate formally the preservation of patient safety from such a change in practice, however, a larger sample size would be required due to the inherently low rate of cataract surgery complications.
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To analyze whether the presence of the abducens nerve might depend upon the type of Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS). ⋯ The abducens nerve on the affected side was absent in type 1 DRS patients and some type 3 DRS patients, but present in type 2 DRS patients as well as in some type 3 DRS patients. In terms of the presence or absence of the abducens nerve, type 1 and type 2 DRS were homogenous, and type 3 DRS was heterogenous.
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To establish risk factors for the occurrence of post-traumatic endophthalmitis, to observe the efficacy of prophylaxis, and to describe the clinical features of post-traumatic endophthalmitis. ⋯ Delay in primary repair, ruptured lens capsule, and dirty wound were each independently associated with the development of post-traumatic endophthalmitis. Patients with > or =2 of these 3 risk factors had a particularly high frequency of infection.
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To describe the clinical and molecular findings of a female carrier of a new mutation in the choroideremia (CHM) gene. ⋯ Severe visual acuity loss rarely occurs in female carriers of choroideremia mutations. The diagnosis should be considered in patients with a suitable family history and fundus findings. Physicians should consider the possibility of CNV development in such patients, which may be a response to abnormal retinal pigment epithelium. Recognition of this new mutation may help identify patients who could benefit from current and future treatments to protect against vision loss.