Mixed Opacities Research Articles

Revisiting Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Outbreak Chest Radiographic Initial Findings, Temporal Progression, and Correlation to Outcomes: A Multicenter Study.

ObjectivesAccounts of initial and follow-up chest X-rays (CXRs) of the Middle East respiratory coronavirus (MERS-CoV) patients, and correlation with outcomes, are sparse. We retrospectively evaluated MERS-CoV CXRs initial findings, temporal progression, and outcomes correlation.Materials and methodsFifty-three real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR)-confirmed MERS-CoV patients with CXRs were retrospectively identified from November 2013 to October 2014. Initial and follow-up CXR imaging findings and distribution were evaluated over 75 days. Findings were correlated with outcomes.ResultsTwenty-two of 53 (42%) initial CXRs were normal. In 31 (68%) abnormal initial CXRs, 15 (48%) showed bilateral non-diffuse involvement, 16 (52%) had ground-glass opacities (GGO), and 13 (42%) had peripheral distribution. On follow-up CXRs, mixed airspace opacities prevailed, seen in 16 (73%) of 22 patients 21-30 days after the initial CXRs. Bilateral non-diffuse involvement was the commonest finding throughout follow-up, affecting 16 (59%) of 27 patients 11-20 days after the initial CXRs. Bilateral diffuse involvement was seen in five (63%) of eight patients 31-40 days after the initial CXRs. A bilateral diffuse CXR pattern had an odds ratio for mortality of 13 (95% CI=2-78) on worst and 18 (95% CI=3-119) on final CXRs (P-value <0.05).ConclusionInitially, normal CXRs are common in MERS-CoV patients. Peripherally located ground-glass and mixed opacities are common on initial and follow-up imaging. The risk of mortality is higher when bilateral diffuse radiographic abnormalities are detected.

Phacoemulsification under Topical Anesthesia in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: The use of topical anaesthesia for cataract surgery dates back to 1884 when Knapp used 5% cocaine to anaesthetize cornea. The advancement in cataract surgery techniques like small stepped, self-sealing corneal incisions, phacoemulsification and advanced intraocular lenses has allowed the use of topical anaesthesia thus reducing surgical time and need of akinesia. Materials and Methods: Prospective non-comparative evaluation of patients’ and surgeon’s satisfaction under topical anaesthesia. All patients received topical anesthesia with proparacaine 0.5%. A 10-point visual analogue scale was given to patients to rate the level of pain felt during the operation. Also, the level of patient satisfaction, the need for supplemental anaesthesia, level of ocular motility, surgical complications and postoperative visual acuity were recorded. Results: Total number of cases were 156 out of which 86 (55.1%) were males and 70 (44.9%) were females. Nuclear sclerosis was most common type of cataract followed by mixed opacities. Majority of patients had no intraoperative movement and 30.8% of patients had some movement. Surgeon was dissatisfied in only 12.2% cases who had disturbing movements during surgery. Although majority of patients felt no pain (68%) or mild pain (23.7%) during surgery 8.3% cases had moderate to severe pain which required supplemental intracameral lidocaine. Conclusion: Topical anaesthesia is cost effective, provides high patient comfort during surgery, is less stressful for the patient, saves considerable time and complications compared to regional anaesthesia. Keywords: topical anaesthesia, phacoemulsification, pain assessment, surgeon`s satisfaction.

Chest CT Findings of COVID-19 Patients with Mild Clinical Symptoms at a Single Hospital in Korea.

PurposeTo retrospectively evaluate the chest computed tomography (CT) findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with mild clinical symptoms at a single hospital in South Korea.Materials and MethodsCT scans of 87 COVID-19 patients [43 men and 44 women; median age: 41 years (interquartile range: 26.1–51.0 years)] with mild clinical symptoms (fever < 38℃ and no dyspnea) were evaluated.ResultsCT findings were normal in 39 (44.8%) and abnormal in 48 (55.2%) patients. Among the 48 patients with lung opacities, 17 (35.4%) had unilateral disease and 31 (64.6%) had bilateral disease. One (2.1%) patient showed subpleural distribution, 9 (18.8%) showed peribronchovascular distribution, and 38 (79.2%) showed subpleural and peribronchovascular distributions. Twenty-two (45.8%) patients had pure ground-glass opacities (GGOs) with no consolidation, 17 (35.4%) had mixed opacities dominated by GGOs, and 9 (18.8%) had mixed opacities dominated by consolidation. No patients demonstrated consolidation without GGOs.ConclusionThe most common CT finding of COVID-19 in patients with mild clinical symptoms was bilateral multiple GGO-dominant lesions with subpleural and peribronchovascular distribution and lower lung predilection. The initial chest CT of almost half of COVID-19 patients with mild clinical symptoms showed no lung parenchymal lesions. Compared to relatively severe cases, mild cases were more likely to manifest as unilateral disease with pure GGOs or GGO-dominant mixed opacities and less likely to show air bronchogram.

Некоторые особенности хирургического лечения постконтузионных катаракт у взрослых

im: to assess the clinical course and surgical procedures for contusion cataracts.Patients and Methods: 50 patients with a contusion cataract who underwent surgical treatment in 2008–2018 were included in the study group. 50 patients with a complicated cataract, either along with glaucoma (n=25) or diabetic cataract (n=25), were included in the control group. All patients were examined and treated in the same manner (i.e., eye exam was performed at admission, before the surgery, on postoperative days 1–3, and 1, 3, and 6 months after the surgery).Results: unilateral cataracts were revealed in the study group and bilateral cataracts were revealed in the control group. More than two-third of study group patients and only 14% of controls have the clinical signs of subluxated lens. In the study group, lens opacities were polymorphic. In the control group, nuclear opacities occurred in 30%, cortical opacities in 32%, and mixed opacities in 38%. In the course of surgical procedures, previously undiagnosed mild lens subluxation was identified in 12% of study group patients and less than 6% of controls. The total rate of zonular insufficiency in the study group was twice as much as in the control group. Additional devices (i.e., iris and capsular retractors, capsular tension rings etc.) were used in 46% of study group patients and 20% of control group patients. Visual acuity more than 12/20 was reported in 86% of study group patients and only 32% of control group patients.Conclusions: the clinical course and surgical performance of contusion cataracts should be considered when examining and operating these patients. Occult minimal lens subluxation is also important. Keywords: complicated cataract, traumatic cataract, contusion cataract, lens subluxation, iris capsular retractor, capsular tension ring, surgical specificities.For citation: Kutukova N.V., Kutukov A.Yu., Brzheskiy V.V. Addressing the specificities of contusion cataract surgery in adults. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2020;20(4):187–190. DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2020-20-4-187-190.

Prevalence of Lens Opacities in Adult Chinese Americans: The Chinese American Eye Study (CHES).

PurposeWe determined the age- and sex-specific prevalence of posterior subcapsular (PSC), nuclear, cortical, and mixed lens opacities in a population-based sample of Chinese-American adults.MethodsA population-based sample of Chinese-Americans 50 years and older, from 10 census tracts in Monterey Park, CA, USA, underwent a detailed interview and a comprehensive clinical examination that included assessment of different types of lens opacities by the slit-lamp–based Lens Opacities Classification System II (LOCS II). All lens changes (including pseudophakia/aphakia), PSC, nuclear, and/or cortical opacities, were evaluated and graded.ResultsOf the 5782 eligible subjects, 4582 (79.2%) Chinese Americans aged 50 years and older completed a comprehensive eye examination. Of the participants with LOCS II grading (n = 4234/4582, 92%), 3.0% had PSC opacities, 38.1% had nuclear opacities, and 23.4% had cortical opacities. The prevalence of all lens changes was 48.0% for all age groups and was higher by 10-year increasing age groups (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of visual impairment in the better-seeing eye with cortical only, nuclear only, PSC only, and mixed opacities was 3.9%, 5.0%, 14.3%, and 9.4%, respectively. A total of 454 (9.9%) individuals had undergone cataract extraction in at least one eye.ConclusionsChinese Americans have a high prevalence of visual impairment associated with lens opacities, and a high prevalence of nuclear opacities. Public health policies and programs designed to improve cataract detection and treatment could help reduce the burden of visual impairment in Chinese Americans.

Telomere Attrition in Human Lens Epithelial Cells Associated with Oxidative Stress Provide a New Therapeutic Target for the Treatment, Dissolving and Prevention of Cataract with N-Acetylcarnosine Lubricant Eye Drops. Kinetic, Pharmacological and Activity-Dependent Separation of Therapeutic Targeting: Transcorneal Penetration and Delivery of L-Carnosine in the Aqueous Humor and Hormone-Like Hypothalamic Antiaging Effects of the Instilled Ophthalmic Drug Through a Safe

Visual impairment broadly impacts the ability of affected people to maintain their function and to remain independent during their daily occupations as they grow older. Visual impairment affects survival of older patients, quality of life, can affect a person's self-ranking of health, may be associated with social and functional decline, use of community support services, depression, falls, nursing home placement, and increased mortality. It has been hypothesized that senile cataract may serve as a marker for generalised tissue aging, since structural changes occurring in the proteins of the lens during cataract formation are similar to those which occur elsewhere as part of the aging process. The published analysis revealed a strong age-dependent relationship between undergoing cataract surgery and subsequent mortality. Nuclear opacity, particularly severe nuclear opacity, and mixed opacities with nuclear were significant predictors of mortality independent of body mass index, comorbid conditions, smoking, age, race, and sex. The lens opacity status is considered as an independent predictor of 2-year mortality, an association that could not be explained by potential confounders. Telomeres have become important biomarkers for aging as well as for oxidative stress-related disease. The lens epithelium is especially vulnerable to oxidative stress. Oxidative damage to the cuboidal epithelial cells on the anterior surface of the lens mediated by reactive oxygen species and phospholipid hydroperoxides can precede and contribute to human lens cataract formation. The erosion and shortening of telomeres in human lens epithelial cells in the lack of telomerase activity has been recognized as a primary cause of premature lens senescence phenotype that trigger human cataractogenesis. In this study we aimed to be focused on research defining the mechanisms that underlie linkages among telomere attrition in human lens epithelial cells associated with oxidative stress, biology of the lens response to oxidative damages, aging and health, cataract versus neuroendocrine regulation and disease. The cumulative results demonstrate that carnosine, released ophthalmically from the patented 1% Nacetylcarnosine prodrug lubricant eye drops, at physiological concentration might remarkably reduce the rate of telomere shortening in the lens cells subjected to oxidative stress in the lack of efficient antioxidant lens protection. Carnosine promotes the protection of normal cells from acquiring phenotypic characteristics of cellular senescence. The data of visual functions (visual acuity, glare sensitivity) in older adult subjects and older subjects with cataract treated with 1% N-acetylcarnosine lubricant eye drops showed significant improvement as compared, by contrast with the control group which showed generally no improvement in visual functions, with no difference from baseline in visual acuity and glare sensitivity readings. N-acetylcarnosine derived from the lubricant eye drops may be transported into the hypothalamic tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) histamine neurons and gradually hydrolyzed. The resulting L-histidine may subsequently be converted into histamine, which could be responsible for the effects of carnosine on neurotransmission and hormone-like antiaging and anti-cataract physiological function. The research utilizing the N-acetylcarnosine lubricant eye drops powerful therapeutic platform provides the findings related to the intraocular uptake exposure sources as well as a timing dosage and duration systemic absorption of said preparation from the conjunctional sac reaching the hypothalamus with activities transfer into the hypothalamic-neuroendocrine pathways affecting across the hypothalamus metabolic pathway the telomere biology and cataract disease occurrence, reversal and prevention and the average expected lifespan of an individual. Such findings can be translated into clinical practice and may provide a basis for personalized cataract disease and aging prevention and treatment approaches.

Prevalence and associations of cataract in a rural Chinese adult population: the Handan Eye Study

Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the world and in China. However, data on the prevalence of cataract based on standardized lens grading protocols from mainland China are limited. This paper estimated the age- and gender-specific prevalence and risk factor for cataract In a population-based Chinese sample, participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including assessment of cortical, nuclear, posterior subcapsular (PSC) and mixed lens opacities from slit-lamp grading using the Lens Opacities Classification System III. Of the 7,557 eligible subjects, 6,830 took part in the study (90.4% response rate), and 6,544 participants (95.8%, mean age 52.0 ± 11.8 years) had lens data for analyses. The prevalence of any cataract surgery in at least one eye was 0.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62, 1.06), with similar rates between men and women. The overall prevalence of any cataract or cataract surgery was 20.8% (95% CI, 19.8, 21.8), higher in women than in men after adjusting for age (23.6% vs 17.6%; OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.54-2.07). When distinct lens opacity was categorized in each eye as cortical, nuclear, PSC or mixed, based on one randomly selected eye, cortical cataract was the most common distinct subtype (12.3%), followed by mixed (3.2%), nuclear (1.7%), and PSC (0.2%) cataract. The prevalence of all lens opacities increased with age (P < 0.001). After excluding other causes for visual impairment, the proportion of people with best corrected visual acuity <20/60 was 21% among those with PSC, and 12% among those with mixed opacities in the better-seeing eye. In multivariable logistic regression models, myopia was associated with all cataract types, while higher fasting plasma glucose and diabetes were only associated with PSC cataract. Cataract affects 20% of the population aged 30 years and older living in rural China, with cortical cataract the most common subtype. Risk factors for cataract include myopia and diabetes.

Four-Year Incidence and Progression of Lens Opacities: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study

To estimate the 4-year incidence and progression of lens opacities. Population-based longitudinal study. A total of 4658 adult Latinos from Los Angeles County were examined at baseline and 4-year follow-up. Examination included assessment of lens opacities using the Lens Opacities Classification System II (LOCS II). Incidences of cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular opacities (with LOCS II scores >or=2) were defined as opacity development in persons without that opacity at baseline. Single and mixed opacities were defined in persons without any opacity at baseline. Incidence of all lens changes included development of at least 1 opacity or cataract surgery among those without any opacity at baseline. Four-year progressions were defined as increase of >or=2 in LOCS II score. The 4-year incidence of all lens opacities was 14.2%. Four-year incidence of cataract surgery was 1.48%. The incidences were 4.1% for cortical-only, 5.8% for nuclear-only, 0.5% for PSC-only, and 2.5% for mixed. The incidences for any opacities were 7.5% for cortical, 10.2% for nuclear, and 2.5% for PSC. Incidence increased with age (P < .0001 for all). The progressions were 8.5% for cortical, 3.7% for nuclear, and 2.9% for PSC opacities. Our Latino population had a higher incidence of nuclear than cortical opacities, but a greater progression of cortical than nuclear opacities. Incidence and progression of PSC was low. Additional understanding of the natural history and progression of various lens opacities will give us a better understanding of the pathogenesis and management of lens opacities.

Prevalence of lens opacities in Latinos: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study

Objective To estimate the age- and gender-specific prevalence of posterior subcapsular (PSC), nuclear, cortical, and mixed lens opacities in a population-based sample of Latinos 40 years and older. Design Population-based, cross-sectional study. Participants Six thousand three hundred fifty-seven Latinos 40 years and older from 6 census tracts in Los Angeles, California. Methods A population-based sample of Latinos underwent a complete eye examination, including assessment of presence and severity of lens opacification, using the slit lamp–based Lens Opacities Classification System II (LOCS II). All lens changes (including pseudophakia/aphakia); any nuclear, PSC, and cortical opacities; and nuclear-only, PSC-only, and cortical-only opacities were evaluated. Frequency distributions and chi-square test analyses were used to determine the age- and gender-specific prevalences for each opacity type. Main outcome measures Prevalences of cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular opacities. Results Of the 7789 eligible subjects, 6357 completed a clinical examination (82% participation rate). Of all participants with LOCS II grading, 20% had all lens changes, 7.6% had cortical-only opacities, 3.5% had nuclear-only opacities, 0.4% had PSC-only opacities, and 5.9% had mixed-type opacities. The prevalence of all types of lens opacities increased with age ( P<0.0001). Of all participants with mixed opacities, 49% had monocular visual impairment and 20% had binocular impairment. Of all 6357 participants, 3.9% had undergone cataract extraction in at least one eye. Conclusion Our data provide the first population-based estimates of the prevalence and severity of lens opacities in Latinos. Cortical opacities were the most common type. The high rate of visual impairment from lens opacities suggests that programs that increase access to cataract surgery for older Latinos could help to reduce the burden of visual impairment in the United States.

Nine-year incidence of lens opacities in the Barbados Eye Studies

Objective To provide 9-year cumulative incidence of age-related lens opacities in a predominantly black population. Design Population-based cohort study, after 9 years of follow-up (n = 2793; 81% participation). Main outcome measures Nine-year cumulative incidence and progression of lens opacities, by type, based on the Lens Opacities Classification System II at the slit lamp. Results Black participants had a higher 9-year incidence of overall lens changes than white participants (age- and gender-adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–2.8), as well as of cortical opacities (RR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.7–6.2). In black participants, incidence rates of any cortical and any nuclear opacities were 33.8% and 42.0%, respectively, and higher than for any posterior subcapsular (PSC) opacities (6.3%). The incidence increased with age for all 3 types, and women had a higher risk of cortical and nuclear opacities ( P<0.05). Single cortical opacities were the most frequent type to develop by the 9-year follow-up (23.2%), followed by nuclear-only opacities (17.1%) and mixed opacities (15.3%). Progression rates of pre-existing opacities were 22.0% for cortical, 17.8% for nuclear, and 25.8% for PSC opacities. Conclusions The 9-year follow-up of this cohort indicated a high incidence and progression of cortical and nuclear opacities, highlighting the public health importance of cataract in black populations.

Lens opacities and mortality : the Barbados Eye Studies.

To evaluate the association between cataract and mortality in a black population by type of opacity, which has not been documented previously. Population-based cohort study. The Barbados Incidence Study of Eye Diseases reexamined the Barbados Eye Study cohort, identified through a simple random sample of predominantly black Barbadian-born citizens, aged 40 to 84 years. Of those eligible, 85% (3427 participants) had a 4-year follow-up visit. Baseline and follow-up visits included an interview, blood pressure and other measurements, and a detailed ophthalmologic examination with slit-lamp lens gradings (Lens Opacities Classification System [LOCS] II protocol). Mortality at follow-up was verified from Ministry of Health records. Lens opacities were defined by a LOCS II score of 2 or more. Opacity types were classified in two ways: (1) single (cortical-only, nuclear-only, and posterior subcapsular-only) and mixed opacities; and (2) any cortical, any nuclear, or any posterior subcapsular opacities. Information on dates and causes of death was obtained from death certificates. Cardiovascular disease was the principal cause of death in black participants (3.6%), followed by malignant neoplasms (1.4%). The cumulative 4-year mortality varied with lens types, increasing from 3.2% for those without cataract to 6.0% for cortical-only, 8.8% for nuclear-only, and 20.9% for mixed opacities. Persons with mixed opacities had a 1.6-fold increase in mortality, while controlling for other factors (age, male gender, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cigarette smoking, cardiovascular disease, and family history of diabetes) in Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses. Persons with any nuclear opacities also had increased mortality (death rate ratio, 1.5). The death rate ratios increased with age, but peaked at age 60 to 69 years. Coexisting diabetes further increased mortality: people with mixed opacities and diabetes had a 2.7-fold increased risk of death. A trend toward increased mortality from neoplasms was observed for individuals with mixed opacities or with any nuclear opacities. Participants with mixed opacities or any nuclear opacities had increased 4-year mortality rates, with diabetes acting as an effect modifier. This study is the first to identify a relationship between type of cataract and mortality in an African-descent population.

Mixed lens opacities and subsequent mortality.

Previous studies have found an association between cataract or lens opacity and increased risk of mortality. Further work on determining explanatory factors for this association is needed. To determine, in a population-based cohort of older persons, the 2-year risk of death associated with different types of lens opacities; whether an association of mortality and lens opacity is explained by confounding risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, age, race, and sex, which are known to be related to opacity and mortality; whether lens opacity is a marker for health status; and whether there are differences in cause-specific mortality for persons with and without lens opacity. Two-year mortality rate. The Salisbury Eye Evaluation Project consists of a random sample of 2520 residents of Salisbury, Md, aged 65 to 84 years. At baseline, lens photographs were taken to document nuclear, cortical, posterior subcapsular cataract, and mixed opacities. Data on education, smoking, alcohol use, hypertension, diabetes and other comorbid conditions, handgrip strength, and body mass index were also collected. Two-year follow-up was conducted for mortality and cause of death. Nuclear opacity, particularly severe nuclear opacity, and mixed opacities with nuclear were significant predictors of mortality independent of body mass index, comorbid conditions, smoking, age, race, and sex (mixed nuclear: odds ratio, 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-3.95). Lens opacity status is an independent predictor of 2-year mortality, an association that could not be explained by potential confounders.

An independent evaluation of the age-related eye disease study (AREDS) cataract grading system

PURPOSE. To assess intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) system for grading lens opacities and to provide data on its capacity to reliably detect changes in lens status. METHODS. Independent and replicate grading of 40 sets of lens photographs (one slit-lamp and two retroillumination photographs) were performed by three experienced observers. Patients were participants in the Collaborative Italian-American Clinical Trial of Nutritional Supplements which is testing the effect of a mineral-multivitamin supplement on age-related cataract (CTNS). Scatterplots and intraclass correlation were used to assess measurement error. RESULTS. Analysis revealed good intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the system. Greatest intraobserver measurement error showed 100% of pairs within 10% areal difference for cortical cataract, 97.5% within 15% areal difference for posterior subcapsular cataract, and 100% within 1 density unit difference for nuclear opacity. Greatest interobserver measurement error showed 95% of pairs within 10% areal difference for cortical cataract, 97.5% within 15% areal difference for posterior subcapsular cataract, and 97.5% within 1.5 density unit difference for nuclear opacity. CONCLUSIONS. The AREDS lens opacities grading system appears to be sufficiently reliable to detect changes of at least 10% areal involvement for cortical, 15% areal involvement for posterior subcapsular, and 1.0 units for nuclear opacities. It therefore seems sufficiently sensitive to adequately monitor progression of lens opacities in a longitudinal study of patients with early cataract. Its applicability in a population with advanced or complex mixed opacities must await further testing.

Prevalence of lens opacities in the Barbados Eye Study.

To present population-based data on type and extent of age-related lens opacities in the predominantly black population of the Barbados Eye Study. Prevalence study. The Barbados Eye Study included 4709 participants (84% of those eligible), who were identified from a random sample of Barbadian-born citizens aged 40 to 84 years. Lens gradings at the slit lamp, obtained with the use of the Lens Opacities Classification System II. Prevalence of posterior subcapsular, nuclear, and cortical opacities (defined as a grade > or = 2 in either eye), as well as prevalence of any lens changes (including history of previous cataract surgery and/or cataract too advanced to grade). Overall, 41% of the Barbados Eye Study population had any lens changes, including 3% with aphakia or an intraocular lens. Among the population of African descent, cortical opacities (34%) were most prevalent, followed by nuclear (19%) and posterior subcapsular (4%) opacities. Prevalence of all opacity types increased with age (P < .001). Cortical and nuclear opacities were more frequent in women than men. When prevalence of a single kind of opacity was considered, 21% of participants had cortical only, 6% had nuclear only, and 0.4% had posterior subcapsular only; 13% had mixed opacities. Visual acuity loss to worse than 20/40 in the more affected eye was present in 48%, 26%, and 18% of nuclear only, posterior subcapsular only, and cortical only types, respectively, and in 53% of mixed opacities. The Barbados Eye Study provides the first prevalence data on different types of lens opacities in a large, predominantly black population. Whereas nuclear opacities are most common in white populations, cortical opacities were the most frequent type in the Barbados Eye Study, a finding of possible etiologic relevance. Other results highlight a higher frequency of opacities in women than men and a high prevalence of visual acuity loss in affected eyes.

Biochemical factors in the lens opacities. Case-control study. The Lens Opacities Case-Control Study Group.

To evaluate associations with biochemical indicators of nutritional and other risk factors in the Lens Opacities Case-Control Study. Case-control study. The Lens Opacities Case-Control Study determined risk factors for cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular opacities among 1380 participants aged 40 to 79 years. Vitamin E, selenium, and biochemistry profile determinations were performed on all patients; red blood cell enzymes and amino acids were measured in systematic samples of about 25% of the Lens Opacities Case-Control Study population. Laboratory test values in cases and controls were compared and expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. In polychotomous logistic regression analyses controlling for age and sex, the risk of opacities was reduced to less than one half in persons with higher levels of vitamin E (odds ratio, 0.44 for nuclear opacities), albumin-globulin ratio (odds ratio, 0.41 for mixed opacities), or iron (odds ratio, 0.43 for cortical opacities); higher uric acid levels increased risk (odds ratio, 1.74 for mixed opacities). Persons with opacities were twice as likely to have high glutathione reductase activity (with flavin adenine dinucleotide), which suggests low riboflavin status (odds ratio, 2.13). Most odds ratios for amino acids were under unity and were significantly decreased for glycine (0.36) and aspartic acid (0.31). Lens opacities were associated with lower levels of riboflavin, vitamin E, iron, and protein nutritional status. Higher levels of uric acid increased risk of mixed opacities. The findings for riboflavin, vitamin E, iron, and uric acid are compatible with the dietary intake and medical history results of the Lens Opacities Case-Control Study.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Importance of Initial Noninvasive Bacteriologic and Radiographic Investigations

During a one-year epidemiologic survey of acute community-acquired pneumonia, we prospectively investigated in 116 adult nonimmunocompromised patients (a) the importance of initial noninvasive investigations (ie, blood culture and quantitative sputum culture) and the value of the initial radiologic type of pneumonia in diagnosing of the etiologic agent, and (b) the management of pneumonia. Quantitative sputum culture or blood culture (or both) permitted bacteriologic diagnosis in 44 percent of the cases. The radiologic types found were segmental or alveolar densities in 75 patients (65 percent), patchy alveolar densities in 11 (9 percent), mixed opacities in 26 (22 percent), and interstitial infiltrates in four (3 percent). We observed that (a) the prognosis was identical whether a bacteriologic diagnosis was made or not, (b) the Gram stain, an inexpensive procedure, was as contributive for bacteriologic diagnosis as quantitative sputum culture, diagnosis as (c) blood cultures were poorly contributive in patients without severe infections, and (d) alveolar densities were associated with a bacterial infection in 90 percent of the cases of known etiology. On the basis of these results, a pragmatic strategy of initial management of community-acquired pneumonia is proposed.

TREATMENT OF IMMATURE CATARACT.

Non-progressive cortical opacities are very rare. The opacity accompanying congenital coloboma of the lens, the partial cortical cataract caused by the adhesion of a retained or acquired pupilary membrane and some forms of traumatic partial cataract do not progress. The anterior punctate cortical cataract, the posterior cortical cataract and the form of zonular cataract, in which the zone is situated well in the cortex of the lens, are extremely slowly progressive. Traumatic partial cataracts, with or without perforation of the capsule, sometimes become stationary and in a few cases the opacification partly disappears. Anterior and posterior polar cataracts are almost always stationary. The small white congenital cataract which occupies the center of the lens and apparently includes only those fibers that are formed during the second stage of development of the lens, the axial congenital cataract and a few cataracts with mixed opacities, are stationary or nearly so. Some forms