Indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (ITON) refers to optic nerve injury resulting from impact remote to the optic nerve. The mechanism of injury is not understood, and there are no confirmed protocols for prevention, mitigation or treatment. Most data concerning this condition comes from case series of civilian patients suffering blunt injury, such as from sports- or motor vehicle-related concussion, rather than military-related ballistic or blast damage. Research in this field will likely require the development of robust databases to identify patients with ITON and follow related outcomes, in addition to both in-vivo animal and virtual human models to study the mechanisms of damage and potential therapies.

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Objectives:To determine the validity of the Resident Classification Scale (RCS) in measuring functional dependence. Methods: Participants newly assessed in hospital as requiring residential care were randomised to receive either transitional care or traditional inpatient hospital care. At the 4 month follow-up, the RCS and modified Barthel Index were administered. Inter-(n = 21) and intrarater (n = 10) reliability of the RCS was assessed. Results: A total of 317 participants were recruited. Interrater reliability for the RCS was high (ICC = 0.93) as was the intrarater reliability (Spearman's r = 0.84). There was strong agreement between the RCS and the modified Barthel Index. Conclusions: The RCS has been specifically designed to assess the needs of individuals requiring long-term residential care. With minor modifications, the RCS has the potential to be a useful research tool.

Incontinence is a common condition affecting people of all ages. Many can be cured and all can benefit from appropriate treatment and management. Despite huge growth in this market, many products are neither appealing nor acceptable to those people who have to use them. Whenever practical, it is best that the choice of aid should be a collaborative decision between the user and the carer.

Caring for people with continence problems is challenging, rewarding and every nurse's concern. This article will discuss the choice and use of continence-related aids. Future articles will examine aids for containing incontinence, their place in high quality continence care, and the importance of value for money.

Former general practitioner Bromsgrove (b London 1913; q Cambridge/Birmingham 1940; OStJ), d 29 October 2003.

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