Papers by Stavros Dimitrakos
Documenta ophthalmologica. Proceedings series, 1985
The development of field loss as revealed by Octopus perimetry in one eye selected at random in e... more The development of field loss as revealed by Octopus perimetry in one eye selected at random in each of 35 patients who had clearly-established glaucoma is shown. The observation period was up to 5 years. In this time half of the fields of the eyes became worse, the other half became better.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Apr 30, 2014
Ophthalmology research: an international journal, Jan 10, 2015
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, May 1, 2003
ABSTRACT To evaluate the effect of laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular oedema (DME) on pa... more ABSTRACT To evaluate the effect of laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular oedema (DME) on patients' Vision Related Quality Of Life (VR-QOL) and to investigate associations between changes in self reported VR-QOL and changes in visual acuity following application of laser treatment. Prospective cohort study of 55 subjects who underwent laser treatment for DME. Eligible patients with no history of previous laser photocoagulation self-administered the 51-item field-test version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) prior to treatment and 3 months following the last session of laser application. Visual acuity was measured by means of the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (ETDRS) chart. Multi-item scales rating different aspects of VR-QOL were compared prior and after photocoagulation and the change in questionnaire's composite score following treatment was correlated to change in visual acuity and other determinants previously reported as risk factors in the diabetic population. Scale scores associated with general vision, near vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, vision-specific social functioning, vision-specific mental health, expectations for visual function and dependency due to vision were significantly improved following laser treatment. Multivariate models revealed that improvement of the NEI-VFQ composite score was significant in subjects younger than 65 years of age (p = 0.04) who received more laser burns (p = 0.02) and had worse vision-related QOL prior to laser treatment as expressed by the baseline NEI- VFQ composite score (p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant association between change in the composite score following laser treatment and stage of diabetic retinopathy, duration of diabetes or laser settings used during photocoagulation. Photocoagulation for DME has a beneficial effect on patients' subjective perception of visual function. The use of vision-targeted health status questionnaires in conjunction with the clinical examination appears to provide a more comprehensive overview of individuals' daily well- being following laser treatment.
Springer eBooks, 1987
Presented here are evaluations of long-term fluctuations of visual field parameters in cases of P... more Presented here are evaluations of long-term fluctuations of visual field parameters in cases of POAG and ocular hypertension in four groups of patients examined with the OCTOPUS automated perimeter. The first group consists of 35 patients with POAG, who had been followed between 1978/79 and 1984 over a period of 21 to 70 months with programs 33 and 31. The second group was extracted from the first and consists of 19 patients whose disease course could be followed for at least 6 years (mean = 7.5 years). The third group was taken from a pool of 41 patients established in 1982 as being ocular hypertensives and consisted of 27 patients whose disease course could be followed for at least 6 years (mean = 7.4 years) with programs 33 or 31. The fourth group consists of 17 patients with either ocular hypertension or POAG who could be examined twice with program G-1 with one year intervening.
Cornea, May 1, 2016
Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency of cultivated human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) to dehy... more Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency of cultivated human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) to dehydrate the cornea, using models of the posterior cornea, composed of artificial collagen mass (to represent corneal stroma) and equine collagen membranes (to represent Descemet membrane). Methods: HCECs were isolated from donor corneal rings and cultivated at 37°C in 5% CO 2 and 95% humidified air. The study design included 4 different sets of models: in set 1, the HCECs were placed directly on the collagen mass complex; in set 2, HCECs were placed on a thin equine collagen membrane and laid over the collagen mass; in set 3, HCECs were placed on a thick equine collagen membrane laid over the collagen mass; and in set 4 (the control group), the hydrophilic collagen mass was left alone to interact with the nutritional medium. The minimum thickness of each sample was measured with optical coherence tomography directly before placement of cells and after exposure to the nutritional fluid for 48 hours. Results: After 2 days of exposure to the nutritional medium, the percentage decreases in thickness in "posterior cornea" models were 66% for set 1, 57% for set 2, and 13% set 3. In the control set, measurement of thickness after 2 days of exposure was not possible because of excessive fluid absorption. Conclusions: This in vitro study of HCECs showed that the dehydrating ability of HCECs is adversely affected by increased thickness of the artificial (Descemet) membrane. Further studies with similar models would aid better understanding of corneal diseases.
Acta Ophthalmologica, Apr 30, 2014
Copyright of Acta Ophthalmologica (1755375X) is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content m... more Copyright of Acta Ophthalmologica (1755375X) is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Eye, Jan 11, 2008
We read with interest the article titled 'Macular hole surgery without prone positioning' by Tran... more We read with interest the article titled 'Macular hole surgery without prone positioning' by Tranos et al. 1 The authors claimed, 'we have shown that macular hole surgery without prone posturing results in similar closure rates to conventional surgery with strict early postoperative posturing.' We would like to challenge the construct of their study and the validity of its conclusion. First, the authors did not state how the subjects were assigned to the posturing and non-posturing groups. Although both groups appeared to be comparable, the process of patient assignment to one of the two groups was not randomised and thus could be a source of bias. Second, the exact posture and the duration of posturing by the subjects were not quantified, which is a fundamental flaw in this study. Although the subjects in the non-posturing group were told 'to avoid lying supine', no other specific posturing instructions were given. Could the patients in the non-posturing group have adopted prone or semi-prone positioning without the authors' knowledge? It is possible that the ophthalmologists who initially examined the patients could have explained the need for strict facedown positioning when treatment was discussed before the patients were referred for macular hole surgery. The patients could also have read about this routine on patient information sheets or the internet, or even witnessed other postoperative patients position themselves facedown in the ward. Moreover, there exists an entire spectrum of postures that can satisfy their definition of 'non-posturing', ranging from facedown prone position all the time to lying on one's side all the time, that patients can adopt and the failure to account for this gravely undermines the conclusion of the study. Ideally, an objective measure of the patients' actual posture (eg, the angle of head tilt) at all times and the duration of such posturing would be helpful for this study. A measuring device, such as the 'Maculog' proposed by Verma et al, 2 may be useful in this respect. Similarly, the compliance of the subjects with the head positioning in both groups was not described. This may be significant, especially in the posturing group, as the actual posturing time may be only half of the perceived posturing time. 2 In our opinion, this study has yet again failed to shed light on this unresolved controversy. A large randomised controlled trial with an objective measure of patients' posture and compliance will better elucidate the role of prone positioning after macular hole surgery.
Klinische Monatsblatter Fur Augenheilkunde, May 1, 1982
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Papers by Stavros Dimitrakos