Argon laser trabeculoplasty as primary therapy in open angle glaucoma

To determine the effect of Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty [ALT] as a primary mode of therapy in reducing the intraocular Pressure [IOP] of patients diagnosed with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma [POAG]. Quasi experimental study. The study was carried out at Isra Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Karachi, from July 2003 to July 2004. A total of 35 eyes of 35 patients with the gender distribution of 27 men and 8 women who were newly diagnosed with POAG, were included in this study. Mean age of the patients was 55.2 years with the range of 32 to 76 years. All of them were treated with argon laser trabeculoplasty as a primary mode of therapy. Intra ocular pressure was measured objectively using Goldman applanation tonometer, pre-and-post laser therapy. The pre-laser mean IOP was 27.63 mmHg [range 21-40 mmHg]. The post-laser mean IOP measured at 6 months follow up was 15.5 mmHg [range 11 - 33 mmHg] with mean decrease of 12.1 mmHg. The decrease in IOP was seen in 32 eyes [95%] with no change observed in 3 [5%] eyes. The result shows a marked decline in IOP in patients with POAG who underwent ALT as a primary mode of treatment. Further studies with large sample size and longer follow-up will help in making future recommendations

comparison between students' attitudes and their performance regarding the factors influencing learning and exam results

Various educational approaches to learning have been proposed. It is, of course, of vital importance to study those that have resulted in effective educational achievements. To assess the student's attitudes and performance in order to evaluate educational approaches and identify the variables leading to students gaining good marks. The subjects of the study were medical students at pathophysiology phase. A multiple-choice questionnaire was prepared, the reliability and validity of which were confirmed. A paired-sample T-test was used to compare and analyze the student's Basic Sciences Comprehensive Exam scores in each discipline and their average score during the basic sciences course. With respect to attitudes, the students highly valued the importance of teacher's methodology and mutual respect, as an influential factor in learning. Furthermore, the majority of the students relied heavily on their textbooks as the main source of information and preferred to study at home, rather than any other places. Most of the students prefer to study in the morning. They believed that mid-term exams, quizzes, and active class participation do not have much effect on learning. However, it was of high importance to them to attend practical classes [labs]. With respect to performance, most of the students used lecture notes as the main references, and considered their home as a good place to study and preferred to study in the morning, but have participated in theoretical and practical classes regularly. Most successful students attributed their success to active class participation, taking mid-term exams, quizzes, and using library. Having analyzed the data, we recommend the authorities to provide more methodology workshops for teachers, sufficient number of textbooks, expanding or increasing the number of the reading rooms with essential equipment