Neckties and glaucoma

Wearing a tight necktie can increase intraocular pressure by up to 20%, according to researchers from New York. Measurements were made with the subjects' shirt collars open, and three minutes after tightening their ties to a point of slight discomfort. The increase is probably due to raised venous pressure from jugular vein constriction. The implications are that an erroneous diagnosis of glaucoma might be made if tonometry is performed without the subject's tie being loosened; and that habitually wearing a buttoned collar and tight tie might predispose towards glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Br J Ophthalmol 2003;87: 946-8

Sciatica is not helped by epidural steroids

A randomised controlled trial in sciatica has shown no advantage for epidural corticosteroid over placebo (normal saline). After 35 days, 20 of 42 patients given three epidural injections of 2 …