Abstract: A method for evaluating and measuring accommodation amplitude in one or both eyes of a person by subjecting the person to a near-vision visual acuity test comprising a target having optotypes displayed thereon, different targets having different sized optotypes, determining the nearest point at which the person accurately identifies a majority of the optotypes on the target, and introducing either a sufficiently powered plus lens or sufficiently powered minus lens to locate the nearest point within an identified range of distances from the eye. An apparatus is also disclosed for employing the versions of the method, comprising a holder connected to a slide rule, a track for movably positioning the holder, and a lens positioner for introducing plus or minus lenses as needed. A reference point marker may be positioned along the track for identifying the range of distances at which the nearest point is desired to be located.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 26649, 3259, 57809, 57798, 33358, and 32529 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel GTPase activating molecules, cadherin molecules, and ankyrin containing family members. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 26649, 3259, 57809, 57798, 33358, and 32529 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a 26649, 3259, 57809, 57798, 33358, or 32529 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 26649, 3259, 57809, 57798, 33358, and 32529 polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides and anti- 26649, 3259, 57809, 57798, 33358, and 32529 antibodies. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated C/SKARP-1 nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing C/SKARP-1 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a C/SKARP-1 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated C/SKARP-1 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-C/SKARP-1 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A device for controlling the position of a patient's eyes during ophthalmic laser surgery is disclosed which comprises a first fixation object positioned within view of the patient's eye that is undergoing treatment, a second fixation object positioned within view of the patient's eye that is not undergoing treatment, and structure for controlling the position of the second fixation object. The present device allows the patient to maintain fixation on a visual target and maintain the eye undergoing treatment in a steady position even when vision in the eye undergoing treatment becomes blurred during laser ablation.