[Prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in varamin district]

To estimate the magnitude and causes of visual impairment [VI] in subjects aged >/= 50 years in Varamin district in 2009 using the proposed method by the World Health Organization [WHO]. This cross sectional population based survey was performed in Varamin targeting people over the age of 50 years using the proportional probabilities to size and cluster compact segment sampling method. Blindness was defind by WHO definition as best corrected visual acuity [VA] in the better eye less than 3/60. Severe visual impairment [SVI] and visual impairment [VI] were defined as 3/60

[Quality of life [QOL] in myopia corrected with photorefractive keratectomy, contact lenses and spectacles]

The Impact of Photo Refractive Keratectomy Compared with Using Glasses or Contact Lens on Patient's Quality of Life [QOL] in Myopia. In this retrospective cohort study, 102 myopic patient who had undergone PRK [at least 6 months ago] and 106 myopic patients using glasses or contact lens were included. Changes in vision related QOL, uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity [UCVA, BCVA] and refraction were compared between the two groups. QOL was assessed using the VFQ-25 questionnaire which contains 25 questions in 12 subscales [score: 0-100]. Total QOL score in patients using glasses or contact lens, and patients who had undergone PRK was 86.1 +/- 10.7 and 97 +/- 4.4 respectively [P

[ EYESI simulator for training ophthalmology residents]

To assess various aspects of integrating a virtual reality [VR] simulator in the training of ophthalmology residents In this qualitative study, some aspects of the VR EYESI simulator as a health technology were assessed. Data was collected using a multiple-choice questionnaire and several deep interviews addressed to users and administrators of simulator training. Face and construct validity were measured as a score out of 100. Scores were given by 19 novice residents and 4 experienced fellowship candidates. Residents gave a score of 85.08 for face validity and a 70.87 for the construct validity of the EYESI simulator. Fellowship candidates scored its face and construct validity at 60 and 80.66, respectively. 63.2% of residents believed that the simulator is a very useful training tool and 75% of fellowships viewed it as useful. Eighty percent of interviewed attending physicians believed that the simulator reduced the time and improved the quality of training. They also stated that residents who were trained with the simulator were adequately prepared for entering the operating room and showed better eye-hand coordination. All the stakeholders strongly believed that simulation is a necessary method of education. The EYESI simulator is an up-to-date virtual reality medium that enjoys good face and content and face validity. It was also shown to be an effective method of training since it decreased the time and improved the quality of training

[Evaluation of glucantime activity in cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions contaminated with secondary bacterial infection compared with non infected lesions]

Background: glucantime is regarded as the first line in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, but failure to treatment is a problem in many cases. óEvaluation of glucantime activity in the cutaneous leishmaniasis complicated with secondary bacterial infection compared with uncomplicated lesions

Materials and Methods: this experimental clinical trial Patients enrolled in the study had cutaneous leishmaniasis. The lesions were scraped with sterile swap and cultured into the blood agar medium. All the patients were treated with systemic glucantime for 3 weeks and followed for 2months. Response to treatment was defined as loss of infiltration, re epithelization and negative smear, and unresponsiveness defined as unchanging the size of the lesions without re epithelization and positive smear at the end of the study. Regarding to results of cultures, the lesions were divided into two groups with positive and negative cultures and glucantime activity was compared between two groups

Results: out of 161 patients enrolled in the study, 123 [76.4%] were Negative and 38 patients [23.6%] were Positive for secondary bacterial infection. In groups with negative bacterial culture response to treatment was 65 % [80 Patients] and in the other group was 31.6% [12 patients] [X2= 13.77, P<0.01]

Conclusion: activity of glucantime decreased in cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions with secondary bacterial infection

[Patient satisfaction with outpatient/inpatient ophthalmologic services at labbafinejad medical center]

To assess patient satisfaction with ophthalmologic services at Labbafinejad Medical Center. The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted during the summer of 2008. Patients with ophthalmic problems were selected by systematic random sampling according to the admission list. A trained investigator interviewed patients in the hospital or clinic. The data collection tool was based on a standard PSQ-18 questionnaire. Primary outcomes were measured as the level of satisfaction domains on a 5-point scale [1 = lowest satisfaction, 5 = greatest]. Of 539 patients [98% response rate] with mean age of 44.7 +/- 23 years age, 167 patients [31.2%] were completely satisfied, 215 [39.9%] were satisfied, 95 [17.5%] were partially satisfied, 29 [5.2%] were unsatisfied, and 33 [6.2%] were completely unsatisfied. The mean score and standard deviation of general satisfaction was 4.05 +/- 1.1. Mean score in different domains of satisfaction were as follows respectively, interpersonal manner [doctor-patient] 4.6 +/- 0.77, financial aspects 4.5 +/- 1.1, communication 4.3 +/- 0.96, time spent for patient 4.3 +/- 0.97, technical quality and professionalism 4.1 +/- 0.99, accessibility 3.8 +/- 1.1, and convenience 2.6 +/- 1.2. The patients were relatively highly satisfied with the ophthalmologic services overall; however, certain aspects such as accessibility and convenience should be improved

Parasitic contamination of wells drinking water in Mazandaran Province

There is a direct relation between the prevalence of some parasitic diseases and the presence of those etiologic agents in water. The purpose of this research was to determine the contamination rate of wells drinking water to parasites in Mazandaran province in the north of Iran. 989 water samples were randomly taken based on the population of towns and number of health centers from 12 cities of Mazandaran province and transferred to the laboratory in sterile containers. Water samples were then filtered and analyzed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Direct method and Gram staining procedure were used to identify the parasites. If cryptosporidium was seen, floatation [sheather's sugar] and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method were performed. Parasites count was undertaken using McMaster counting slide [0.3 mL]. 197 out of 989 water samples were contaminated with different parasites. From 197 contaminated samples, 20 different types of parasites were separated of which 53 [26.9%] were pathogenic, 100 [50.8%] non pathogenic, and 44 non-infective stages of parasites. Distance between wells and sources of contamination, type of water distribution systems, city and chlorination status had significantly statistical relationship with contamination prevalence [p<0.001]. According to the results and considering the direct correlation between safe water and human health, proper implementation of providing hygienic drinking water should be enforced

effect of pyrithione zinc in emollient base in the treatment of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic common condition of the skin that is still resistant to many therapies. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of pyrithione zinc in emollient base and comparing with the effect of emollient alone in the treatment of psoriasis. This randomized double blind clinical trial study was performed on psoriasis patients involved less than 10% of body skin areas. Patients were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Group A was treated with topical emollient cream containing 0.25% pyrithione zinc and group B was treated with topical emollient cream alone twice per day for 3 months. Severity of induration, erythema, and scaling were assessed based on the psoriasis Area Severity Index [PASI] score. Data obtained from both groups were analyzed using student-t test and paired-t test. From the total number of participants, 30 patients in group A and 30 patients in group B completed the study. The mean PASI score in group A before and after treatment were 3.4 +/- 1.8 and 0.9 +/- 1.3, respectively [P<0.01]. The mean PASI score in group B before and after treatment were 4.3 +/- 2 and 3.9 +/- 1.3, respectively [P>0.05]. Mean PASI score reduction was 2.4 +/- 2 in group A and 0.4 +/- 0.1 in group B [P<0.01]. The percent of decrease in mean PASI score was 70.5% in group A and 9.3% in group B. Topical formulation of pyrithione zinc in an emollient base can be used as a safe and effective treatment for psoriasis

[Assessing Iranian ophthalmologists' perception of english language presentations in scientific congresses]

To assess the English language competence of Iranian ophthalmologists and their points of view regarding the need for and importance of holding ophthalmologic congresses in English. A descriptive-analytic, cross sectional study was conducted during the 17th Iranian Ophthalmology Congress, Tehran. Data collection was performed via a standard self administered questionnaire. Five-hundred question forms were distributed among ophthalmologists and answers were graded using an ordinal five-level score. The response rate of this study was 94.6%. The English competence of 200 [42.3%] of the responders was good or perfect. Overall, about 90% of the responders agreed on holding ophthalmologic congresses in English; 72 [15.2%] individuals proposed holding speeches in English at all sessions, 189 [40.0%] preferred holding the main hall speeches in English and 162 [34.2%] said that the best way is to have only foreign guests' speeches in English. Most ophthalmologists implied that holding ophthalmic congresses in English and inviting foreign lecturers is of great importance and the best form of performance is holding all lectures in the main hall in English. It seems that improving the English abilities of ophthalmologist together with holding English congresses and inviting foreign lecturers may help improve international communications and update their knowledge

[Prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in Khoozestan province, Iran]

To determine the prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in Khoozestan province in 2006. This population-based cross-sectional study included all residents of Khoozestan province during 2006. The study was designed according to World Health Organization recommendations. Sample size was calculated based on the distribution of the population of Khoozestan according to the national census and estimated rates of blindness. Sampling was performed via multi-stage clustered random method. Information was collected using a questionnaire, including general information and results of optometrists' and ophthalmologists' diagnoses. Initial data accumulation was performed at rural and urban health centres. Categorization of blindness and low vision was based on the International Classification of Diseases version 10 [ICD 10]. Overall, 6960 subjects with mean age of 24.7 +/- 18.3 years participated in the study [response rate 74.53%]. The prevalence of bilateral blindness and low vision among 5-year and older population were 1.3% and 2.6%, respectively with a significant positive trend with age [P<0.001] and no significant difference by sex and residential area. The leading causes of visual impairment included cataracts [39%], refractive errors [37.9%] and amblyopia [23.6%]. A minority of cases were due to trauma [1.3%] and surgical complications [1.9%]. It is estimated that there are 28537 cases of bilateral blindness and 105995 people with low vision in Khoozestan province. The prevalence of blindness and low vision in this province is in an average rate as compared to similar countries. We recommend performing similar studies throughout the country and reinforce the need for expansion of health programs on prevention and control of visual impairment. These studies are necessary for the appropriate design of Vision 2020 program in Iran

Titration of specific antibodies to mycoplasma pneuomoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila among Iranian pilgrims' sera during Hajj season in 2004

Respiratory tract infection is the most common diseases among Iranian pilgrims during Hajj season. To understand the possibility of bacterial involvement in such infections, we screened the pilgrims' sera to determine the titer of antibodies against Mycoplasma pneuomoniae [MP], Chlamydia pneumoniae [CP] and Legionella pneumophila [LP]. Serum samples from 128 pilgrims were collected, before the trip and one month after returning home. Antibodies to MP, CP, LP were assayed using Immunoflourecent and ELISA methods. IgM antibody titre to CP did not elevated, but IgG antibody titer was increased in 34.58% [n=48] and 15.82% [n=22] of cases, indicating of recent infection. The specific antibodies to MP and LP were not increased. In pilgrims infected with an atypical respiratory pathogen, C. pneumoniae should be considered as an important causative. The true prevalence of this pathogen should be investigated since it relies on the sensitivity and specificity of currently available diagnostic methods

[Serological survey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in goats, sheep and cattle in slaughter houses of Mazandaran province, Iran]

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. In addition to economic losses, this disease is transfer able to human and regarding the special ecological conditions of this parasite in nature of Mazandaran province, it is necessary to determine the situation of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of antibodies against T. gondii in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in official slaughterhouses in Mazandaran province, in 2004. To determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in slaughtered animals, in a descriptive cross-sectional study, 639 blood samples were obtained from cattle, sheep and goats between December 2004 and April 2005, from the three main geographical zones of Mazandaran province, Iran. Nine slaughterhouses were randomly selected in Western, Central and Eastern regions. Sera were extracted from 5mL venous blood samples, by centrifugation at 2000xg for 10 min, and were stored at -20°C prior to testing. Sera were screened for T. gondii antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody test [IFAT] and serum samples showing a titre of 1:16 were further diluted to determine the end point. Data were analyzed using Chi-square [X[2]] test. Of the 639 serum samples examined, 27.5% [176/639] showed positive titers equal or higher than 1:16 by IFAT. The highest frequency of antibody titres [1:16 titre] were found in sheep and the least in cattle [9%]. The highest infection rates in cattle were seen in western region with 5.5% antibody titres of 1:16. In three regions, 35% of sheep sera showed positive titers with high frequency of 1:16 antibody titre [17.3%] in Western region. Thirty percent of goat sera in 3 regions were seropositive and the highest infection rate was seen in 1:16 titre [18.5%] in Western region. The results of this study show that the presence of T. gondii specific antibodies for sheep and goats in Northern Iran is high, and the consequent risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis from human consumption of sheep and goat meat may be greater in this region

[Intestinal parasite infections in cattle breeders in rural regions of Babol town during 2003]

Parasitic infections, particularly of intestinal protozoan are very important for hygienic and medical points of views specially in the north of Iran in different ages and professional groups. The aim of this study was to determine intestinal parasitic infection in cattle breeders from rural areas of Babol town. In this descriptive study, stool samples were collected from 181 persons who were in contact with cattle [sheep and cows], lasted for one years. Samples were taken from each person under study and examined. Data were collected and analyzed by Chi-square and T-test statistically. this study indicated that the highest rate of infection was observed in persons aged 41-60 years and 62.4% of the cases were man. Rate of contamination to 13 species parasites in total samples were 57 [31.5%]. Highest rates of infection in infected persons were B. hominis and E. coli and G. lamblia. Rate of infection in both sexes to intestinal parasites especially intestinal protozoans in infected persons was different. Highest rate of infection to intestinal parasites was observed in illiterate persons. Infection with different types of pathogenic and non-pathogenic protozoan, particularly to blastocystosis and giardiasis indicating the significance of these infections for the health of the cattle breeders in rural regions of North of Iran. At present attention must be paid to protozoan as infection agent, which is having significant role in intestinal disorder