ABSTRACT
Objectives: To investigate the causes of visual impairment and blindness among elderly patients attending ophthalmology clinic at King Hussein Medical Center
Methods: A prospective study that was conducted at King Hussein Medical Center of the Royal Medical Services during the period between January 2010 and January 2012. Inclusion criteria were patients older than 60 years of age attending ophthalmology clinic for any complaint with best corrected visual acuity of less than 6/18 in the better eye. Patients were classified into two groups: first group for patients with visual impairment defined by best corrected visual acuity of less than 6/18 and better than 3/60 in the better eye, and second group for blind patients with best corrected visual acuity of less than 3/60 in the better eye. Ophthalmologic examination included best corrected visual acuity, anterior segment examination via slit lamp, intraocular pressure assessment by applanation tonometry and posterior segment examination via +78 lens. Causes of visual impairment and blindness were investigated for all patients
Results: One thousand and two hundred and forty patients were enrolled in the study. Nine hundreds and eighty nine patients [79.8%] had visual impairment and 251 patients [20.2%] were blind. The most common cause of visual impairment was cataract followed by diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age related macular degeneration. For patients with blindness, cataract was the commonest cause followed by age related macular degeneration. Other causes included corneal and myopic degenerations, optic nerve disease and retinal and vascular pathologies
Conclusions: The most common causes of visual impairment and blindness in elderly patients attending ophthalmology clinic at King Hussein Medical Center are treatable with good potential of visual recovery
ABSTRACT
To study suture related complications after penetrating Keratoplasty and their role in the success of corneal graft surgery, and to define postoperative management outlines. The descriptive study was conducted on patients who underwent penetrating Keratoplasty at King Hussein Medical Center in Amman, Jordan between March 2005 and February 2009. It included 75 patients, they were followed for suture related complications during their routine visits, the clinical findings recorded at follow up visits included epithelial erosions around sutures, sterile infiltrates, infectious keratitis, loose or broken sutures, and wound dehiscence after suture removal. Spontaneous loosening or breakage of sutures occurred in 12 patients [16%], at an average of 7 months post surgery. Suture related abscesses were seen in 4 patients [5.3%] at an average of 14 months. Sterile infiltrates were seen in 10 patients [13.3%] at an average of 6 months. Suture erosions over the nylon sutures were found in 6 patients [8%] at an average of 10 months, while four patients [5.3%] presented with broken sutures and leaking wound at an average of 10 months. Proper postoperative care is important for a successful penetrating keratoplasty. Suture related complications frequently occur after penetrating keratoplasty. Prompt and proper management is essential and will result in earlier visual rehabilitation and greater long-term graft survival