Citicoline (exogenous cytidine-5′-diphosphocholine) was reported to enhance dopaminergic neurotransmission in the brain. A few clinical studies showed beneficial effects of this drug on the function of the visual pathway in patients with glaucoma or amblyopia. The present study was aimed at determining whether citicoline could influence retinal catecholamine levels in adult male Albino rabbits. The animals received the drug (50 mg/kg i.p., twice daily) or vehicle for 7 days, and retinal catecholamine concentrations were determined by HPLC. Compared to vehicle-treated controls, citicoline-treated animals displayed a significantly higher retinal dopamine concentration and a tendency toward an increase in adrenaline concentration, while the noradrenaline concentration remained unchanged. It is, therefore, conceivable that citicoline reinforces dopaminergic transmission in the retina.

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PURPOSE: The study focuses on the problem of self-concept change in patients after radial keratotomy. METHODS: Twenty-five patients (17 female, 8 male) were studied from 6 to 18 months after radial keratotomy using the Adjective Check List by Gough and Heilbrun with the application of double instruction. It concerned self-concept change over a period of observation after surgery, as compared to retrospective (preoperative) self-concept. RESULTS: For current self-concept, patients obtained significantly higher results in the following measures: the number of positive words used for self-description (P < .05); need scales, like affiliation (P < .005), heterosexuality (P < .01), and intraception or insight (P < .05); self-confidence (P < .01); military leadership (P < .05), logical decision making (P < .05); two measures concerning logical-analytical thinking (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that after radial keratotomy, patients perceived themselves in a more positive way than before surgery, especially as more self-confident in interpersonal functioning. [J Refract Surg 2001;17:134-137]

Sodium hyaluronate (Hyalcon) was used for the removal of severely subluxated lenses in six patients. Sodium hyaluronate injected into the vitreous beneath the lens caused the lens to elevate and stabilize within the pupil area, where it was protected by the viscous preparation from total luxation. The procedure greatly facilitates the removal of the lens by one of the commonly used methods.