Search

To describe the epidemiology, outcomes, and prognostic factors of intraocular foreign body (IOFB) injuries at a tertiary ophthalmic referral centre in Cork University Hospital, Ireland. A retrospective review of 23 eyes with IOFB that presented to Cork University Hospital (CUH) from January 2009 to December 2019 was performed. The mechanism and characteristics of IOFB injury were all noted. This data was collated and analysed to ascertain the epidemiology of IOFB injury in CUH and to describe the prognostic factors affecting visual outcome following IOFB injury. There was a 100% male prevalence. The mean age was 37.4 years. The majority of IOFBs were metal in nature and were acquired by hammering, often while working and frequently in the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE). The route of entry for the IOFB was via the cornea in 70% of cases. Fifty-two percent of cases were clinically detectable and 43% of cases were only identifiable on CT (computed tomography) imaging. Eighty-seven percent of cases underwent surgery on the same day as presentation. There was no incidence (0%) of endophthalmitis. Seventeen percent of cases developed post-operative retinal detachment (RD). The mean pre-operative VA was 0.79 LogMAR (6/38 Snellen equivalent—SE) compared to a mean VA of 0.58 LogMAR (6/24 SE) following surgery. This review provides important epidemiological data for IOFB injuries in Ireland. It also adds some useful information to the literature in relation to prognostic factors and lens status post IOFB injury.

BACKGROUND: Evidence continues to accumulate that oxidative stress is etiologically important in the pathogenesis of age-related maculopathy (ARM) and that appropriate antioxidants of dietary origin may protect against this condition. OBJECTIVE: Risk factors for ARM may be classed as established or putative. We report a study designed to investigate whether such risk factors are associated with a dietary lack of antioxidants relevant to retinal health. DESIGN: Dietary, anthropometric, and sociodemographic details relating to 828 healthy Irish subjects aged 20-60 y were recorded in a cross-sectional fashion and analyzed for associations between risk factors for ARM and dietary intake of relevant nutrients. RESULTS: Of the established risk factors for ARM, increasing age was associated with a relative lack of dietary zeaxanthin (P < 0.05) and tobacco use with a relative lack of dietary vitamin C (P < 0.05). Of the putative risk factors for ARM, alcohol consumption was associated with a relative lack of dietary alpha-linoleic acid (P < 0.05), and female sex was associated with a relative lack of dietary zinc (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that several variables related to risk for ARM are associated with a relative dietary lack of key nutrients. Our finding that age, the most important and universal risk factor for ARM, is associated with a relative lack of dietary zeaxanthin, is an important finding that warrants further investigation.

To prospectively evaluate, and compare, the incidence of hurling-related eye injuries in the South East of Ireland before and after implementation of new rules rendering the use of protective head gear and face masks compulsory for players aged 18 years or under.Details relating to patients attending the regional ophthalmic department with injuries sustained during hurling were prospectively recorded between 1 October 2003 and 31 March 2006.Sixty players attended with hurling-related ocular injuries during the study period. Of these, 43 (71.6%) and 17 (28.3%) sustained the ocular injuries during the 15-month period before, and after implementation of the new rules (1 January 2005), respectively. Restricting our analysis to players aged 18 years or under, and, for statistical validity, to the 12-month period immediately before and immediately after implementation of the new rules, a statistically significant reduction in the number of hurling-related injuries was seen (1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004: 11; 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005: 2; chi(2) test P0.05) in this age group. A permanent visual deficit was seen in 11 (18.3%) patients. Of these, one (9%) was aged 18 years or under, and this injury was sustained before the new regulations.New rules rendering the use of protective eye wear compulsory for players aged 18 years or under have resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of hurling-related eye injuries in this age group.

PURPOSE: Lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) are two dietary carotenoids that accumulate at the macula, where they are collectively known as macular pigment (MP). There is a biologically plausible rationale, with some supporting evidence, that MP may protect against age-related maculopathy (ARM). This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between dietary intake of L and Z, serum concentrations of these carotenoids, and MP optical density in 828 healthy Irish subjects. METHODS: Dietary intake of L and Z was assessed with a validated food-frequency questionnaire, and serum concentrations of these carotenoids were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. MP optical density was measured psychophysically, using heterochromatic flicker photometry. Demographic data, lifestyle data, and general health status, were also recorded by questionnaire, with particular attention directed toward risk-factors (established and putative) for ARM. RESULTS: The relationships between MP optical density, serum concentrations of L (and Z), and dietary intake of L (and Z) were positive and statistically significant when analyzed for the entire study group (r = 0.136-0.303; P < 0.01 for all). Subjects with a clinically confirmed family history of ARM, current heavy cigarette smokers, subjects aged more than 53 years, and subjects with a body mass index (BMI) >27, did not demonstrate a positive and significant relationship between MP optical density and serum concentrations of Z (r = 0.041, r = 0.001, r = 0.074 and r = 0.082, respectively; P > 0.05 for all). However, there was a positive and significant relationship between MP optical density and serum concentrations of L in the presence of all these risk factors (r = 0.165 to 0.257), except for current heavy smokers (r = 0.042; P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For subjects at increased risk of ARM (e.g., subjects with a clinically confirmed family history of ARM, current heavy cigarette smokers, subjects aged > 53 years and subjects with a BMI > 27) retinal capture and/or retinal stabilization of Z appears to be compromised, whereas retinal uptake and/or stabilization of L appears to be compromised in current heavy smokers only. Given the lack of MP in association with risk for ARM, the findings indicate that a retina predisposed to this condition may have an impaired ability to accumulate circulating Z.

Lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) are concentrated at the macula, where they are collectively known as macular pigment (MP), and where they are believed to play a major role in protecting retinal tissues against oxidative stress. Whilst the exact pathogenesis of age-related maculopathy (ARM) remains unknown, the disruption of cellular processes by oxidative stress may play an important role. Manipulation of dietary intake of L and Z has been shown to augment MP, thereby raising hopes that dietary supplementation with these carotenoids might prevent, delay, or modify the course of ARM. This article discusses the scientific rationale supporting the hypothesis that L and Z are protective against ARM, and presents the recent evidence germane to this theory. Key words: Lutein, Macular degeneration, Oxidative stress, Zeaxanthin

Through inter- and intra-company cooperation, an Excel database has been constructed with sand control reliability/failure information on over 2000 wells. The database makes possible the study of completion performance and the comparison of reliability for various forms of sand control, and common causes for sand control completion failures. This paper shares the general reliability results of this database without any reference to producing company name, service provider names or product names. The database contains information regarding general reliability and has information from many wells on cumulative production, maximum rates, drawdown, skins, pay deviation, screen length, and pay interval sorting, fines content, depth and length. The database is open to any company willing to share anonymous well data. There are no costs, no contracts and no meetings.

Abstract As our industry continues to move into the deeper waters of the Gulf of Mexico, we are finding more and more complex geologic structures, which present increasingly challenging drilling and completions requirements. Due to the geologic complexity, intervention will become an integral part of the reservoir development plan in order to achieve target recovery factors. After first oil, as the development moves into day-today production operations, subsea well interventions will play a significant role in maximizing production rates to keep the facility at maximum capacity. However, increased interventions will also carry additional OPEX impact. A significant challenge for any deepwater development is to identify the types, frequencies, and cost impact of intervention requirements over the life of the field. Since the ramifications of these issues are so diverse, it is crucial that the team which addresses this issue during the define stage of the project be representative of the stakeholders involved. They must take a holistic, or "Life of Field," approach to evaluating and modeling the anticipated intervention program, in order to achieve an optimum balance between CAPEX and OPEX considerations. Reservoir modeling, intervention modeling techniques, impact on well design, equipment selection, and drilling and intervention vessel strategy will be addressed, as each are related to and affected by the Life of Field approach. Introduction Deepwater developments traditionally pit CAPEX vs. OPEX, and it generally comes down to a simple equation of greater than vs. less than. For example, what is the future benefit in reduced intervention cost from a large initial investment (such as from a TLP, Spar, or semisubmersible), as compared to a lower CAPEX solution (such as a subsea system) that has greater anticipated intervention and availability costs? Of course, other factors may also be considered on the basis of inherent strategy decisions or key infrastructure targets as part of the corporate business plan. However, in the end, the lower up-front CAPEX with a manageable OPEX risk condition typically wins the battle and is the implemented solution. The increasing geologic complexity inherent in Gulf of Mexico (GOM) deepwater developments brings with it increasing risk that is not adequately factored by the prior traditional model. Rather, the method presented here seeks to achieve the optimized field solution in terms of lowest overall cost (CAPEX and OPEX), through a multi-disciplined evaluation of several competing drivers. This "Life of Field" approach to subsea well intervention planning will greatly impact overall life-cycle field economics. For example, consider the decisions made during the well construction and subsea systems design phase of project development. These key decisions are made early in project life and have tremendous impact on overall CAPEX and OPEX economic and risk models for the field. Decisions based solely on CAPEX have the potential of limiting operational or intervention flexibility later in field life and possibly eroding project value.