Color vision deficiency in medical students of Karachi

This study was designed to find out the prevalence of color blindness in the medical students of Karachi. Total of 550 medical and dental students was tested for color blindness. Ishihara pseudo-isochromatic color plates were used to find out any colour vision defect in the participants. Among them 365 were females and 185 were males. Out of 550 students 11[2%] were found to have color blindness, out of which 10 [5.4%] were males and 01[0.27%] were females. The prevocational screening for color vision is highly recommended; early in educational life because for some potential medical students, the handicap is so severe that a change in their proposed course of study is often advisable

Prevalence of sub-types and severity of red-green color vision deficiency in medical students of Karachi

The study aims to find out the prevalence of sub-types and severity of red-green color vision deficiency in medical students of Karachi. It was a cross sectional study conducted on the students of Karachi Medical and Dental College and Dow University of Health Sciences. With Convenient sampling, 550 healthy medical students [185 males and 365 females] were tested by using pseudo-isochromatic plates of 24-plates Ishihara chart. The data is presented in the form of numbers and percentages. 10 [5.4%] out of 185 males while only 01 [0.26%] out of 365 females were found to have red-green color vision deficiency. In males, 03 [1.62%] were Protans and 07 [3.78%] were Deutans. Protanomaly was detected in 01[0.54%], protanopia in 02 [1.08%], deuteranomaly in 02 [1.08%], deuteranopia in 05 [2.70%]. In females, the only case found was deuteranopia, 01 [0.26%]. By conducting screening for all medical students for diagnosing and detecting the sub-types and severity of CVD and provision of adaptive strategies and behavioral support will help them to deal with the potential difficulties, which could be overcome by awareness, self-training and effort. Moreover it is strictly advisable to avoid certain subspecialties as a career of choice

Phenyithiocarbamide taste sensitivity in a student population in Karachi

[PTC] among young adult population at Karachi. Student population of Karachi Medical and Dental College [KMDC], Karachi was included in this study. Total students consented to participate in the study were 258; 95 were males and 163 were females. They were asked to taste a drop of 0.5% solution of PTC, which was then spit out and mouth was rinsed with water. Out of 258 students, 41[15.89%] were found to be non-taster to PTC. Among 95 males, 19 [20%] were non-tasters and among 163 females, 22 [13.5%] were found non-taster to FTC. In young adult population of Karachi, 15.89% are non-taster to PTC. Males have 20% non-tasters and females have 13.5% non-tasters among them. Males have more non-tasters among them as compared with the females