Faculty Bibliography

Gauge 9-0 DEXON polyglycolic acid suture, monofilament, was used in 20 cataract extractions. The suture handled well and gave excellent results in all cases. The fine gauge, monofilament suture is suited for use in cataract surgery

An improved synthetic absorbable suture for ophthalmic surgery, 8-0 Dexon 'S' polyglycolic acid, was evaluated in 25 cataract extractions and, in 5 cases, compared with 8-0 Vicryl polyglactin sutures. Dexon 'S' sutures caused less tissue drag than Vicryl sutures; Vicryl was more easily knotted. With respect to handling, knotting, tissue drag, absorption, and postoperative complications, the improved Dexon suture was found to be well suited for use in cataract surgery

Heavily pigmented eyes have been shown to be relatively resistant to pilocarpine, and present special problems in management of open-angle glaucoma. Studies have suggested that the hypotensive effect of pilocarpine may be influenced by the vehicle; therefore, 13 relatively resistant black patients (26 eyes) were selected for a clinical comparison of pilocarpine as delivered in two different polymer vehicles. One vehicle was composed of 1.67% polyvinylpyrrolidone and BP water-soluble polymers (Adsorbobase); the other of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 0.5%. All patients had been under treatment with the pilocarpine/methylcellulose preparation; 20 of the 26 eyes were judged to be uncontrolled (IOP above 21 mm Hg). Control of intraocular pressure was promptly obtained with the pilocarpine/Adsorbobase solution, and maintained at lower pilocarpine concentrations than with the previous therapy. Often, frequency of instillation could be decreased. This clinical comparison suggests that the Adsorbobase vehicle appreciably enhances corneal penetration and availability of pilocarpine. Three cases are discussed demonstrating the need for titration when instituting a new therapy with as little as one fourth the concentration of the previous pilocarpine therapy

Gauge 7-0 DEXON polyglycolic acid sutures were used in 25 cataract extractions. The suture material handled well, formed small knots, and gave excellent results in all cases. The fine gauge suture is well suited for use in intraocular surgery

6-0 Dexon (polyglycolic acid-PGA) suture was used in 30 eyes of 25 patients in surgical procedures which included cataract extraction, strabismus surgery, and ocular plastic surgery. The suture was found to hold the wound firmly, was not absorbed prematurely, was absorbed completely at a predicted time, was relatively easy to use although the knots were large, did not cause any infection or undue tissue reaction, and did not result in any wound dehiscence or vitreous loss