Prevalence of different refractive errors and their relation to age and sex in patients presenting in the outpatient department of ophthalmology at Dow University of Health Sciences

To see the prevalence of different refractive errors and their relation to age and sex in patients presenting in the Outpatient department of Ophthalmology at Dow University of Health Science. Cross sectional study This study was carried out at the out-patient department of Ophthalmology Dow University of Health Science [OJHA campus], Karachi Pakistan from January 2011 to June 2011. Total of 691 patients were included in the study. The testing and examination protocol included visual acuity measurement using Snellen and E chart after auto refraction, cycloplegic retinoscopy in children and examination of anterior segment and fundus in all patients. Mean age was 42.11 +/- 17.35 years. Males were 323 and females were 368 in number. The most frequent refractive error was Myopia which was found in 153 [22.1%] patients and the second frequent refractive error was Myopic Astigmatism at a frequency of 148[21.4%]; p value was 0.037. Thus Myopia and myopic astigmatism were the most frequent refractive error in age group ranging from 05-75 years. In our study we found Myopia to be the most common refractive error [n=153 22.1%] followed by Myopic Astigmatism [n=148 21.4%]. Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism were seen in males more than females while hypermetropia, hypermetropic astigmatism and mixed astigmatism were seen in more in females as compared to males

Comparison between the measurements of intraocular pressure readings taken by pascal dynamic contour tonometry and goldmann applanation tonometry

To compare the measurements of Intraocular Pressure readings taken by Pascal dynamic contour tonometry and Goldmannapplanation tonometry. Clinical Observational Study. This study was carried out at the Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology, Dow University hospital [Ojha Campus] of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi from July 2010 to September 2010. In a prospective single center study, 282 eyes from 141 subjects were examined by three experienced clinicians. The IOP measurements were obtained with PDCT and GAT and difference in intraocular pressure measured by PDCT and GAT was compared. IOP measurements by PDCT [mean +/- SD, 18.66 +/- 4.68 mmHg] were significantly [P<0.001] higher than GAT measurements [mean +/- SD, 17.84 +/- 4.21 mmHg] correlating significantly with each other [r[2] = 0.842, Pvalue< 0.001] PDCT allows the suitable and reliable IOP measurements. IOP measurements by PDCT are highly concordant with IOP readings from GAT. PDCT seems to be an appropriate method of tonometry for routine clinical use

Cycloplegic refraction in children with cyclopentolate versus atropine

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two cycloplegic drugs used in cycloplegic refraction in hyperopic children

Study Design: Hospital based cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Out-patient department of Ophthalmology Dow University of Health Science [Ohja campus], Karachi Pakistan from January 2011 to June 2011

Materials and Methods: We instilled cyclopentolate 1% drops and refracted the patient followed after a few days with atropine eye drops 1% instillation and the results of both drugs were compared. The data are presented as mean and standard deviation [SD]. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software 19. A P-value of lessthan0.05 was considered statistically significant

Results: The total refractions were recorded after cycloplegia with atropine 1% and cyclopentolate 1% eye drops. Atropine refraction [mean4.05 D] was statically insignificantly comparing with cyclopentolate refraction [mean 3.315 D; P>0.05]

Conclusion: There is no significant difference in the cycloplegic refraction values between the two drugs hence cyclopentolate is a safe and effective drug to be used in cycloplegic refraction

Screening of hepatitis B and C viruses in patients before ocular surgical procedures

Objective: To screen and see the incidence of hepatitis B and C among patients before ocular surgical procedures

Study Design: Prospective / Observational Study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Dow University Hospital [ojha campus] of Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan from May 2014 to December2014

Patients and Methods: 223 patients above the age of 18 years were screened for hepatitis B and C before going ocular surgery by immune-chromatographic method [ICT].The patients who were positive for hepatitis were further confirmed by Enzyme LinkedImmunosorbent Assay [ELISA]

Results: Total number of patients screened was 223. 11 [4.93%] patients were positive for hepatitis B and C, out of which 2[0.9%] were hepatitis B positive and 9[4%] were hepatitis C positive. Prevalence among male patient was 6.97% while among female was 2.12%

Conclusion: The eye patients show high incidence of hepatitis B and C. Therefore, it is mandatory for all patients who need ocular surgery to be screened by serological test for hepatitis B and C preoperatively