Senile cataract patients; serum electrolytes and calcium

Purpose: The current study was aimed at finding out the significance of serum electrolytes and serum calcium levels in the development of senile cataract

Study Design: Case control study

Setting: Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Period: Jan 2013 to June 2013

Methods: Total fifty patients with senile cataract and fifty controls were selected. Clinical history and clinical diagnostic tests were performed by an ophthalmologist. Blood samples were drawn and serum stored at -20o C. Serum potassium and sodium were measured by Flame photometry. Serum chloride levels were estimated by quantitative displacement of thiocyanate by chloride. The estimation of calcium was done using photometry by CPC method. Statistical analysis was done by Statistical package for social sciences [SPSS version 16.0]. There were 31 females and 19 male [F: M = 1.63: 1] patients. In the control group, there were 32 females and 18 males [F: M = 1.77: 1]. The age was >/= 40 years in both patients and control group

Results: Nuclear cataract was the commonest. Among all the analytes, only serum calcium levels were found to be significantly lower in patients [p value less than 0.05 as compared to controls]. While difference of sodium, potassium and chloride levels between cases and controls was insignificant. [p values 0.49, 0.36, and 0.45 respectively]

Conclusions: In Pakistan, serum electrolytes in cataract patients are not significantly different from the controls while serum Calcium of cataract patients is significantly low when compared with the control group, indicating the possible role of low calcium level as a risk factor in the development of senile cataract

Senile cataract; serum lipids a modifiable risk factor

To estimate the serum lipid profile of patients having different types of senile cataract and compare them with that of the controls. Observational case control study. Tertiary care centre in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. Six months. We selected fifty patients with senile cataract and fifty control individuals from tertiary care hospital of Lahore. History, ophthalmic and systemic examinations were done. Fasting serum samples were taken for estimation of lipid profile from all the subjects. In the patient group, female to male ratio was 1.63:1. 78% patients had Nuclear cataract, 16% had cortical and 6% had posterior sub capsular type of senile cataract. Serum Triglycerides, Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL of patients were compared with controls. The p-value of cholesterol, LDL and HDL was non-significant. The p-value of triglycerides and VLDL was significant. Serum Triglycerides and VLDL are modifiable risk factors in the development of senile cataract in Pakistani patients. Serum Triglycerides is the only lipid, which has shown consistent results related to cataract development in different parts of the world. Other lipids show variable results in different countries

Pityriasis alba with poliosis

Pityriasis alba is a skin disease, commonly seen in children and young adults. This case presents the ocular association of this disease in a 10 years old Pakistani male. Ocular features in this case were poliosis, tilted disc, high myopia and chorioretinal degeneration. Tilted discs and high myopia can be coincidental but poliosis and decreased pigment in retinal pigment epithelium are closely related with the hypopigmentation seen in this disease

Serum lipids - a modifiable risk factor for senile cataract

To identify the role of serum lipids in patients with different types of senile cataract. It was an observational case control study in a tertiary care centre in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. Fifty patients with senile cataract and fifty control individuals were selected. History taking with ophthalmic and systemic examinations were done. Fasting serum samples were taken for estimation of lipid profile from all the subjects. In the patient group, female to male ratio was 1.63:1. 78% patients had nuclear cataract, 16% had cortical and 6% had posterior sub capsular type of senile cataract. Serum Triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL of patients were compared with controls. The p-value of cholesterol, LDL and HDL was non-significant. Serum triglycerides and VLDL were significantly raised in patients of senile cataract [p. <0.001]. Serum Triglycerides and VLDL are modifiable risk factors in the development of senile cataract in Pakistani patients. Serum Triglycerides is the only lipid, which has shown consistent results related to cataract development in different parts of the world. Other lipids show variable results in different countries

Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity; the notorious neighbours of orbit

To describe the clinical and neuro-radiological patterns of orbital invasion by the sino-nasal diseases. Descriptive, Retrospective study. 2004 to 2009. We retrospectively reviewed fifty four cases of nasal and paranasal sinus diseases invading the orbit. The medical charts were analyzed. The data considered for the study was age, sex, ocular presentation and associated systemic problems of the patients. The neuro-radiological results were correlated with the clinical picture. The age range was from 6 to 85 years [mean 45.5]. Male to female ratio was 3.5: 1. The initial clinical presentation was Proptosis [66.66%], disturbance of vision [25.9%], ophthalmoplegia [11.11%], diplopia [9.26%] and ptosis [9.26%]. 79.63% patients had inflammatory etiology and 20.4% had neoplastic lesions in the nasal and paranasal sinuses extending into the orbit

Pituitary macroadenomas; demographic, visual, and neuro-radiological patterns

To describe the demographic profile, patterns of visual disturbance and imaging studies of patients with Macroadenoma. Retrospectively. Reviewed the clinical charts and neuroradiologic imaging of 125 patients who were diagnosed as cases of Macroadenoma. 2000 to 2009. 100 patients were selected who had visual disturbances along with Macroadenomas. Age, sex, visual symptoms and other associated systemic problems of these patients were reviewed. The Neuroimaging data [Magnetic Resonance Imaging] was correlated with the clinical picture. The data was analysed using Statistical package for social sciences [SPSS]. The Descriptive statistics were calculated for age and MR findings. The age ranged from 9 to 85 years [mean 42.92]. Male to female ratio was 1.4:1.90% patients had visual disturbances including visual field defects and 10% had ocular motor nerve palsies. Tumour extension on MR studies showed optic chiasma compression in 69% patients, cavernous sinus invasion in 57% and Sphenoidal sinus invasion in 14%. Haemorrhagic foci were seen in 8% and intra tumour necrosis was found in 9% patients. The most common path for the extension of pituitary macroadenomas is towards the optic chiasma. Hence majority of these patients present with visual disturbances. MRI is an excellent aid to see the extent and invasion of Macroadenomas to the surrounding structures

Weber's syndrome with vertical gaze palsy

Weber's syndrome with vertical gaze palsy is rarely reported in literature. We present a case of a 47-year-old female who developed sudden onset of left exotropia, right sided hemiplegia and vertical gaze palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] showed multiple infarcts involving both thalami and extending caudally into the midbrain. This case presents the diverse clinical picture following midbrain infarcts

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus; odontogenic orbital cellutitis

Although there are many causes of orbital cellulitis and odontogenic orbital cellulitis is a rare entity but it is quite common in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. We present small series of patients with odontogenic orbital cellulitis and review the devastating visual outcome in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Purpose of this report is to highlight the significance of ocular complications of dental infections which if not tackled promptly can lead to blindness especially if the patient is an uncontrolled diabetic. This case series also stresses upon the importance of dental hygiene and the proper sterilization of the dental surgical instruments which is not given due consideration in the developing countries like Pakistan

Increased corneal curvature with posterior nanophthalmos

Posterior microphthalmos is a rare condition which is characterized by the disproportionately small size of the posterior segment of the eye. The corneal diameter, central anterior chamber depth and the lens thickness are all within the normal range. We present a case of posterior microphthalmos with all normal anterior segment measurements except increased corneal curvature