Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among the known diabetic patients at a tertiary care eye hospital

To assess the awareness of diabetic retinopathy [DR] among the known diabetics at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital [ASTEH] Rawalpindi. A cross sectional observational study. Study was conducted on 200 known diabetics from 1[st] April 2007 to 30[th] September 2007. Level of knowledge about DR was assessed on the basis of a face-to-face interview and graded according to the number of correct responses. All the information was recorded on proformas and data analysis was done using SPSS 13.0. There were 85 [42.5%] male and 115 [57.5%] female participants with a mean age of 56.0 [ +/- 9.740] years while mean duration of diabetes was 8.468 [ +/- 6.034] years. Knowledge of 72 [36%] patients was found satisfactory. Gender [p=0.000], socioeconomic status [p=0.000], education [p=0.001] and source of information [p=0.000] were significantly associated with awareness. Ophthalmologists were the major source of information for the patients. Awareness about DR is low in our diabetic patients. More emphasis should be given to health education of diabetics along with treatment

Antinociceptive and anti-pyretic activity of benincase hispida [thumb] cogn. in wistar albino rats

The seeds of Benincasa hispida [Thunb] COGN. [Family: Cucurbitaceae] was extracted with ethanol and was used to study acute toxicity, antinociceptive and anti-pyretic effects. Brewer's yeast [15%] was used to induce pyrexia in rats. The extract was non lethal to the rats up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg b.w. At doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w, the extract significantly [P<0.05] increased the antinociceptive effective in a dose dependent manner in rats. Similarly, at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w the extract significantly [P<0.05] decreased yeastinduced pyrexia in rats. These results indicate that ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida possesses potent antinociceptive and antipyretic effects and thus pharmacologically justifying its folkloric use in the management of fever and pain conditions

Experience of amniotic membrane transplant in corneal diseases at al-shifa trust eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

To assess the quality of human amniotic membrane [HAM] processing at Al-Shifa HAM bank and to analyze the outcome of amniotic membrane transplant in different corneal pathologies at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Prospective Interventional Case Series .Consecutive 102 eyes of as many patients [72 males and 30 females] from July 2006 to August 2007 presented at Corneal Clinic were included in the study. Average age of patients was 38 years [4.5-90 years]. Frozen human amniotic membrane [HAM] from a seronegative donor stored at -80°C in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium [DMEM] and glycerol was used for transplant in different corneal diseases after thawing at room temperature for half an hour. HAM was applied epithelial side up. It was spread over the whole cornea beyond limbus and anchored through continuous/interrupted 10/0 monofilament nylon sutures on the corneal side and 7/0 vicryl on the conjunctival side. Over lay [patch] and in lay [graft] technique was used in most of the cases while multilayered technique was used in case of deep ulcer and corneal perforation. Bandage contact lens [BCL] was applied and discontinued after epithelialization in all the cases. The follow up visits were on post operative day one, one week, one month, three months and then after every six months. In clinical examination luster and lubrication of the eye and stability of corneal surface was noted. In subjective examination, a performa was designed to assess reduction in pain, watering, irritation and status of overall comfort of the patient. Average follow up period was 132 days. Overall 85.3% patients had subjective improvement while 74.5% showed clinical improvement; Visual acuity improved in 49% patients. AMT was repeated in 8 patients. No intraocular infection was reported in study cases. The study concludes that AMT is a useful treatment option in a variety of ocular surface pathologies. However, its efficacy varies in different diseases. The study also proved reliability of processing technique at Al-Shifa Human Amniotic Membrane Bank

Experience of penetrating keratoplasties in 509 eyes at Al-Shifa trust eye hospital Rawalpindi

Keratoplasty is the leading organ transplant procedure in the world. Keratoplasties are being regularly performed at Al-Shifa Eye Hospital Rawalpindi since 1992. Results of our experience of 509 penetrating keratoplasties performed at our institution from 1992 to 2000 are being presented. A total of 509 Keratoplasties were done on 476 patients including 308 [65%] males and 168 [35%] females. Post operative corrected visual acuity was 6/12 or better in 45% cases. Associated procedures were performed on 77 eyes. Most important complications seen were, graft rejection [13%], secondary graft failure [8%], secondary glaucoma [7%] and secondary cataract [5.5%]. We conclude that these results compare favourably with other studies in the region and penetrating keratoplasty can effectively be performed with good visual out come in low risk cases with acceptable morbidity. Various associated procedures can also be safely added to the primary procedure in selected cases

Spectrum of corneal pathology in 1000 cases at cornea department of Al-shifa Trust eye hospital, Rawalpindi

Corneal diseases are among major causes of blindness in the world. Spectrum of corneal diseases varies from country to country. A retrospective analysis of 1000 consecutive new patients who presented at cornea clinic of Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital, Rawalpindi during the year 200 is being presented. Out of these 1000 patients, 642 were male and 358 were female. Corneal scar, keratoconus and corneal ulcer/abscess were three leading presentations seen in 30, 14 and 10% of the cases respectively. Other pathologies seen were herpitic corneal disease [7%], vernal keratoconjunctivitis [6.7%], bullous keratoplasty [6.7%], corneal degeneration [4.7%], dry eye [2%], trachoma [1.4%] and miscellaneous [8.6%]. Corneal scar was mostly present in patients between 16-70 years of age. Keratoconus was mostly seen in patients younger than 40 years of age. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis had a peak in patients under 15 years. Prevalence of corneal abscess/ulcer gradually increases through early age, peaking at about 50 years. We therefore conclude that most of the corneal diseases in our area are either preventable or treatable with better prevention and treatment strategies at primary health care level. A significant number of patients losing their sight as a result of these pathologies can benefit from corneal transplant. Although many eye care facilities in the country have got adequate infra structure and expertise for corneal transplant, lack of availability of donor cornea is the major limiting factor. Hence, attention should be given to motivation of masses for corneal donation and establishment of eye banks in our country