Prevalence and risk factors of diabetes mellitus in a central district in Islamic Republic of Iran: a population-based study on adults aged 40-80 years

Previous studies on type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Islamic Republic of Iran were mainly performed in provinces with large populations. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes mellitus in an adult population [40-80 years old] from Yazd district. Multistage, systematic cluster random sampling was used in a cross-sectional, population-based survey. Demographic, clinical and anthropometric data were collected, with diabetes defined as fasting blood sugar >/= 7 mmol/L or a positive medical history of diabetes. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of diabetes in 2090 individuals participants was 24.5% [95% CI: 22.2-26.8%], including 10.5% new cases. For each year of ageing, the prevalence of diabetes increased significantly by 4% and this trend was more pronounced in females than males. Low education and hypertension were significantly associated with diabetes prevalence. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Yazd is greater than the average levels nationwide and those of nearby countries

[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

[Association between acute corneal hydrops in patients with keratoconus and mitral valve prolapse]

To investigate the association between acute corneal hydrops in patients with keratoconus [KCN] and mitral valve prolapse [MVP]. This case-control study included KCN patients with corneal hydrops who were referred to Labbafinejad Medical Center or a collaborating private clinic from March 2006 to March 2008 as the case group. The control group included age- and sex-matched individuals who were selected from patients without any ophthalmic diseases among clients of the same medical centers. Patients with history of eye trauma, corneal degenerative diseases, rheumatic fever, Marfan syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematous were excluded. The size of the control group was four times that of the case group to increase the power of the study. All subjects were referred for cardiac examination and underwent two-dimensional M-mode and color Doppler echocardiography. Proloff's criteria were used for diagnosis of MVP. Fisher exact test and logistic regression were used to compare these two groups. Overall, 160 patients [32 cases and 128 controls] with mean age of 31.0 +/- 13.2 were studied. Prevalence of MVP was 65.6% in the case group and 9% in controls [P<0.001]. Patients with hydrops had an odds ratio of 26.7 for having MVP [95% confidence interval, 9.5-75.2]. Age- and sex-adjusted analysis revealed a higher correlation between the two conditions in the case group. There seems to be a correlation between corneal hydrops secondary to KCN and MVP suggesting the need for cardiovascular evaluation in these patients to assess mitral valve status

[Causes of visual impairment among patients referred to rehabilitation clinics of Shahid Beheshti medical university]

To describe causes of low vision and blindness in patients referred for low vision aids to rehabilitation clinics at Shahid Beheshti Medical University during 2005. Visual acuity was classified to five groups based on best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA] in the better eye according to World Health Organization [WHO] criteria and by using standard Snellen chart which included mild, moderate, severe and profound low vision and blindness. The causes of blindness and low vision were determined using the 10[th] version of International Classification of Diseases [ICD-10] based on the main cause in both eyes. The study was performed on 432 patients including 275 [65%] male and 148 [35%] female subjects with mean age of 43.6 +/- 25.5 [range 3-92] years. Mild to moderate and severe low vision and blindness were present in 28.8%, 46.4% and 24.8% of cases, respectively. The main causes of visual impairment were diseases of the retina and choroid [74.5%], optic nerve and optic tract diseases [9.8%], vitreous and globe disorders [3.5%], congenital cataract [3.1%] and glaucoma [2.6%]. The pattern of distribution of the causes was almost similar in all age subgroups. Diseases of the retina and choroid are the main cause of visual impairment among patients referred to eye rehabilitation clinics

[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

[Evaluation of safety devices used in work-related eye injuries]

To report and evaluate the characteristics of patients referred to the emergency department of Labbafinejad Medical Center with work-related eye injuries during 2005. In this descriptive study, an available sample of patients with work-related eye injures were assessed. Demographic characteristics, causes of ocular trauma, and use of work safety devices were main evaluated variables. Overall, 99 subjects [96% male] with mean age of 31.76?10.55 years were enrolled. Mean time interval between the accident and referral to eye emergency was 2.46 +/- 4.46 days [0-30 days]. Of these, 66.6% came to the emergency ward on the first day after the incident and 37.1% underwent an eye examination at this center for the first time. The most unsafe activities were grinding [21.4%], welding [20.4%], hammering work [14.3%] and manual work [10.2%]. Metal industrial [50%], constructional [17.3%] and mechanical [8.2%] workers had the highest risk for eye injury among different occupations. The major consequence of eye injuries was corneal foreign bodies [72.7%]. Of injured patients, only 14 persons [14.1%] had passed job safety educational courses and 93 persons [93.9%] had not used any eye protection device. Most injured patients were young men workers using no safety devices; therefore it seems that occupational safety efforts including eye protection education and training programs in this context is insufficient

[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