Overview of pharmacological treatments for presbyopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-77
Author(s):  
Betina Orman ◽  
Giovanna Benozzi
Keyword(s):  
Pharmacological Treatment ◽  
Contact Lenses ◽  
English Literature ◽  
Crystalline Lens ◽  
Surgical Strategies ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Near Visual Acuity ◽  
Over 40 Years ◽  
Good Vision

Background: Presbyopia is the normal progressive waning of accommodation with loss of the visual ability to focus on objects residing at different distances. Presbyopia exacts a cost in quality of life and professional efficiency of many people over 40 years of age. Presbyopia is likely to be 1 of the main pressing visual concerns of the 21st century, given that life expectancy is increasing, resulting in an aging population. This review aimed to address the 3 strategies of the pharmacological treatment for presbyopia. Methods: A review on PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov was performed to investigate the English literature on pharmacological treatment for presbyopia from beginning-of-year 2012 to September 30, 2020. Results: In addition to the treatment of presbyopia with glasses or contact lenses, new surgical strategies have been developed, some of which have been successful. However, during the last decade, a new, promising, non-invasive option for treating presbyopia has emerged: the pharmacological approach. Many researchers have developed 3 different lines of investigation from different assumptions, on a pharmacological basis. The first consisted of producing miosis, to take advantage of a pharmacologically induced pinhole effect, increasing depth-of-focus, and thus improving uncorrected near visual acuity. The second aimed to rehabilitate accommodation binocularly to enable good vision at all distances. Finally, the third approach attempted to rehabilitate lost elasticity in the human crystalline lens. Conclusions: None of the 3 discussed pharmacological strategies for treating presbyopia, prescribed globally, but patients of restoring accommodation strategy can adhere locally, where they are sold so far as master prescriptions.

A brief essay on non-pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 587-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Raggi ◽  
Domenica Tasca ◽  
Raffaele Ferri
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Pharmacological Treatment ◽  
Complementary Therapies ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Non Invasive

AbstractCurrent pharmacological therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) do not modify its course and are not always beneficial. Therefore, the optimization of quality of life represents the best possible outcome achievable in all stages of the disease. Cognitive and behavioural rehabilitation represents the main therapeutic approach for this purpose, also in order to mitigate indirectly the burden of distress of family caregivers. The aim of this mini-review is to go through this theme by discussing cognitive activation, virtual reality and neuromodulation techniques. The practices summarized in this essay are not alternative but, often, complementary therapies to standardized pharmacological treatment. The present mini-review has found encouraging results but also the need for more conclusive evidence for all types of non-invasive/non-pharmacological treatment of AD.

scholarly journals Advances in Non-surgical Treatment Methods in Vision Rehabilitation of Keratoconus Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ersin Muhafiz
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Contact Lenses ◽  
Corneal Neovascularization ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Vision Rehabilitation ◽  
Non Surgical Treatment ◽  
Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis ◽  
Irregular Astigmatism ◽  
Good Vision

Visual acuity decreases due to progressive irregular astigmatism in keratoconus (KC). Although glasses can be useful in the initial stages of vision rehabilitation, contact lenses (CL) are needed in many patients due to irregular astigmatism. Although rigid gas permeable (RGP) CLs provided the patient with a better visual acuity than glasses, their effects on corneal tissues and caused comfort problems. Although soft CL produced for KC have solved some of these problems, they could not increase visual acuity as much as RGPs in advanced stage KC. For this reason, new searches for vision rehabilitation and comfort in KC have continued. In this context, piggyback contact lenses (PBCL) have been used in vision rehabilitation. Hybrid CLs have gained popularity due to the fact that PBCLs cause corneal neovascularization and giant papillary conjunctivitis. Scleral CLs have been developed for limited benefit in some patients with advanced KC. Scleral CLs provided good vision rehabilitation. The biggest problem of scleral CLs is the application and removal difficulty. All these CL modalities try to improve the quality of life and delay surgical procedures by increasing the level of vision in patients with KC.

The visualization and assessment of the anterior surface of the cornea using video keratotopography

The Eye ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (130) ◽  
pp. 36-43
Author(s):  
Gulnara Andrienko
Keyword(s):  
Contact Lenses ◽  
Corneal Topography ◽  
Topographic Maps ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Main Method ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Quality Of Vision ◽  
Corneal Shape ◽  
Color Map

Corneal topography is the main method for assessing the regularity of the surface of the cornea. Corneal irregularity leads to a deterioration in its refractive properties and a decrease in the quality of vision. Learning the basics of corneal topography will help determine the choice of a color map for a specific situation, as well as understand and analyze the data associated with these maps. This article describes the main types of topographic maps, various patterns of corneal shape in normal and pathological conditions and how to use the data obtained to design and fit contact lenses. Despite the fact that images may vary depending on topographers used, the information presented in this article is universal.

scholarly journals Carbon Dioxide Laser Vulvovaginal Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review

Cosmetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Tassahil Messas ◽  
Achraf Messas ◽  
George Kroumpouzos
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Laser ◽  
Invasive Treatment ◽  
Erbium:Yag Laser ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Level I ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) causes significant symptomatic aggravation that affects the quality of life (QoL). Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), the hallmark of GSM, is managed with topical non-hormonal therapy, including moisturizers and lubricants, and topical estrogen application. Patients not responding/being unsatisfied with previous local estrogen therapies are candidates for a noninvasive modality. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy, especially the fractionated type (FrCO2), has drawn considerable attention over the past two decades as a non-invasive treatment for GSM. This systematic review describes the accumulated evidence from 40 FrCO2 laser studies (3466 participants) in GSM/VVA. MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane databases were searched through April 2021. We analyze the effects of FrCO2 laser therapy on symptoms, sexual function, and QoL of patients with GSM/VVA. As shown in this review, FrCO2 laser therapy for GSM shows good efficacy and safety. This modality has the potential to advance female sexual wellness. Patient satisfaction was high in the studies included in this systematic review. However, there is a lack of level I evidence, and more randomized sham-controlled trials are required. Furthermore, several clinical questions, such as the number of sessions required that determine cost-effectiveness, should be addressed. Also, whether FrCO2 laser therapy may exert a synergistic effect with systemic and/or local hormonal/non-hormonal treatments, energy-based devices, and other modalities to treat GMS requires further investigation. Lastly, studies are required to compare FrCO2 laser therapy with other energy-based devices such as erbium:YAG laser and radiofrequency.

scholarly journals Continuous Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring via Contact Lenses: Current Approaches and Future Perspectives

Biosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
David Bamgboje ◽  
Iasonas Christoulakis ◽  
Ioannis Smanis ◽  
Gaurav Chavan ◽  
Rinkal Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embedded System ◽  
Contact Lenses ◽  
Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Biofuel Cell ◽  
Glucose Measurement ◽  
Rf Power ◽  
Lacrimal Fluid ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Techniques

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that must be carefully managed to prevent serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Self-monitoring of blood glucose is a crucial tool for managing diabetes and, at present, all relevant procedures are invasive while they only provide periodic measurements. The pain and measurement intermittency associated with invasive techniques resulted in the exploration of painless, continuous, and non-invasive techniques of glucose measurement that would facilitate intensive management. The focus of this review paper is the existing solutions for continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring via contact lenses (CLs) and to carry out a detailed, qualitative, and comparative analysis to inform prospective researchers on viable pathways. Direct glucose monitoring via CLs is contingent on the detection of biomarkers present in the lacrimal fluid. In this review, emphasis is given on two types of sensors: a graphene-AgNW hybrid sensor and an amperometric sensor. Both sensors can detect the presence of glucose in the lacrimal fluid by using the enzyme, glucose oxidase. Additionally, this review covers fabrication procedures for CL biosensors. Ever since Google published the first glucose monitoring embedded system on a CL, CL biosensors have been considered state-of-the-art in the medical device research and development industry. The CL not only has to have a sensory system, it must also have an embedded integrated circuit (IC) for readout and wireless communication. Moreover, to retain mobility and ease of use of the CLs used for continuous glucose monitoring, the power supply to the solid-state IC on such CLs must be wireless. Currently, there are four methods of powering CLs: utilizing solar energy, via a biofuel cell, or by inductive or radiofrequency (RF) power. Although, there are many limitations associated with each method, the limitations common to all, are safety restrictions and CL size limitations. Bearing this in mind, RF power has received most of the attention in reported literature, whereas solar power has received the least attention in the literature. CLs seem a very promising target for cutting edge biotechnological applications of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic relevance.

#3117 Fregoli syndrome in primary and secondary psychosis: a case level meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. A18-A18
Author(s):  
Maria Teixeira-Dias ◽  
Amber Kaur Dadwal ◽  
Graham Blackman
Keyword(s):  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
English Literature ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Bias Assessment ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Treatment Responses ◽  
The Right

Objectives/AimsFregoli syndrome is a rare delusion characterised by the misidentification of an individual, typically of someone who the patient has an emotional link towards. The pathoaetiology of Fregoli syndrome remains largely a mystery, however, it has been described in patients experiencing either a primary or secondary (organic) psychosis. We sought to compare the neuropsychiatric features of Fregoli syndrome in primary and secondary psychosis.MethodsA patient-level meta-analysis was conducted. Five databases were searched for any descriptions of Fregoli syndrome. The patients and the psychotic episodes details alongside the co-occurring neuropsychiatric features and treatment responses were extracted. A risk of bias assessment was carried by scoring the methodological quality of all case studies. Random-effects models were used to pool the data and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for each of the neuropsychiatric features extracted between primary and secondary psychoses groups.ResultsA total of 119 patients (62 with primary psychosis, 50 with secondary psychosis and 7 with mixed or unknown aetiology) with Fregoli syndrome were identified in the English literature. Persecutory features were more likely to occur in patients with primary Fregoli syndrome (OR = 0.26, 95% CI[0.10;0.67], p < 0.01). In addition, Fregoli syndrome in the context of a first-episode psychosis (OR = 11.00, 95% CI [2.45;49.39], p < 0.01) and in the presence of neuroimaging abnormalities (OR = 20.19, 95% CI [4.36; 93.47], p < 0.01) was significantly associated with secondary aetiology. Patients in the secondary psychosis group (n=14) showed more right hemisphere lesions than patients in the primary psychosis group (n=1), however this trend was not significant (p = 0.10). Furthermore, no statistical differences between psychoses groups were found for the demographic, clinical and neurophysiological features analysed.ConclusionsThis is the first meta-analysis investigating the features of Fregoli syndrome in primary and secondary psychosis.Findings suggest that secondary causes of Fregoli syndrome are associated with a first-episode of psychosis and that neuroimaging abnormalities, particularly in the right hemisphere, are associated with a secondary organic cause.

Subjective and Objective Quality-of-Life Assessment of Outcome Measures in Cervical Spine Surgery for Degenerative Changes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Prokopienko ◽  
Michał Sobstyl
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Spine Surgery ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Quality Of Life Assessment ◽  
Surgical Strategies ◽  
Cervical Spine Surgery ◽  
Objective Quality

AbstractCervical spine diskectomy is a commonly used procedure in degenerative disease of cervical spine surgery. However, it is difficult to assess the quality of life after this widely applied and variously modified procedure. This literature review presents cervical diskectomy results, according to various scales and measures in multidirectional surgical strategies. Using relevant databases, we tried to find the best treatment options for degenerative disk disease and the best method of quality-of-life assessment, searching for modalities that may influence the outcome.

Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring by Means of near Infrared Spectroscopy: Methods for Improving the Reliability of the Calibration Models

1997 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 285-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
U.A. Müller ◽  
B. Mertes ◽  
C. Fischbacher ◽  
K.U. Jageman ◽  
K. Danzer
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Blood Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Infrared Reflection ◽  
Calibration Models ◽  
Infrared Reflection Spectroscopy

The feasibility of using near infrared reflection spectroscopy for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring is discussed. Spectra were obtained using a diode-array spectrometer with a fiberoptic measuring head with a wavelength ranging from 800 nm to 1350 nm. Calibration was performed using partial least-squares regression and radial basis function networks. The results of different methods used to evaluate the quality of the recorded spectra in order to improve the reliability of the calibration models, are presented.

scholarly journals Low-Intensity Electromagnetic Millimeter Waves for Pain Therapy

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taras I. Usichenko ◽  
Hardy Edinger ◽  
Vasyl V. Gizhko ◽  
Christian Lehmann ◽  
Michael Wendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Rapid Onset ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Review Criteria

Millimeter wave therapy (MWT), a non-invasive complementary therapeutic technique is claimed to possess analgesic properties. We reviewed the clinical studies describing the pain-relief effect of MWT. Medline-based search according to review criteria and evaluation of methodological quality of the retrieved studies was performed. Of 13 studies, 9 of them were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), only three studies yielded more than 3 points on the Oxford scale of methodological quality of RCTs. MWT was reported to be effective in the treatment of headache, arthritic, neuropathic and acute postoperative pain. The rapid onset of pain relief during MWT lasting hours to days after, remote to the site of exposure (acupuncture points), was the most characteristic feature in MWT application for pain relief. The most commonly used parameters of MWT were the MW frequencies between 30 and 70 GHz and power density up to 10 mW cm−2. The promising results from pilot case series studies and small-size RCTs for analgesic/hypoalgesic effects of MWT should be verified in large-scale RCTs on the effectiveness of this treatment method.

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