[Effect of religious fasting on basal tear secretion, tear break up time and intraocular pressure]

To compare the effect of religious fasting on basal tear secretion [BTS], tear break up time [TBT] and intraocular pressure [IOP] in Ramadan 2005. One-hundred fifty-six healthy male volunteers less than 40 years of age from Tehran, Zahedan, Ahvaz, Mashhad and Tabriz with no ocular and systemic disease participated in this study. Weight, urine specific gravity, BTS, TBT and IOP were measured at 8:00 AM one week before as well as at 8:00 AM and 5.00 PM in the third week of Ramadan. Mean age of participants was 30 +/- 5.9 years. Duration of fasting was 12-13 hours. Mean TBT, BTS and IOP decreased by 1.8 second [P<0.0001], 2.1 mm [P<0.0001] and 0.5 mmHg [P<0.0001], respectively at 5:00 PM in the third week of Ramadan compared to 8:00 AM one week before Ramadan. IOP reduction was not clinically significant. Significant decrease in BTS and TBT was seen after three weeks of religions fasting

Abnormal Cambridge low-contrast grating sensitivity results associated with diabetic retinopathy as a potential screening tool

Contrast sensitivity is proposed as a potential screening tool for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy. A cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary referral university eye centre. A total of 80 diabetes patients were recruited and tests were performed on 154 eyes. Contrast sensitivity was checked using Cambridge low-contrast grating. Abnormal contrast sensitivity was observed in 27.1% of eyes with diabetic retinopathy, compared with 9.0% in unaffected eyes, a statistically significant difference. Cambridge low-contrast grating is a potential screening tool for early detection of diabetic retinopathy by non-ophthalmologistsp

[Frequency of vision impairment and its etiology in students]

Vision impairment is an important issue in pediatric ophthalmology. Reports indicate a decrease in educational quality in students with impaired vision especially in primary school age. This study evaluates the prevalence of vision impainnent in primary schools of Mashhad in 1383-1384 educational years. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 2130, 7 to 11 year old students [1047 boys, 1083 girls] were examined. Sample size included 2 primary schools [one from each gender] from one of the 7 educational sections of Mashhad city. 150 cases were chosen from each school bearing equal proportions from all primary levels. Visual acuity was measured using Snellen chart regarding 6 meters distance. Students with visual acuity less than 811 0, which was uncorrectable with glasses, were referred to Mashhad Khatam-AI-Anbiya Hospital. In this study 5.2% of cases had different visual impairment in one or both eyes. More than half [3.1%] were referred to Mashhad Khatam-AI-Anbiya Hospital. Prevalence of amblyopia in one or both eyes was 0.8% and 3.4% of students had refractive error. Strabismus was seen in 0.3% and 0.2% were malingering. This study demonstrates the sufficiency of national program for pre school visual evaluation, especially when compared with similar previous reports