Etiology of tearing in patients seen in an oculoplastic clinic in Saudi Arabia

To determine the prevalence of various causes of tearing among patients referred to an oculoplastic clinic. A prospective study on all patients seen in an oculoplastic clinic with a chief complaint of tearing. The cause of tearing was determined on the basis of the anatomical location of the primary etiology. This study included 357 patients with a mean age 53.9 years. Punctal stenosis was the most common etiology, affecting 37.8% of the patients. Among patients with punctual stenosis, 63.4% were women over 50-year-old [P = 0.001]; 55.6% had tearing for less than 6 months [P = 0.038], and all of them had associated chronic blepharitis. The remaining study participants had dry eye with reflex tearing [27.7%], nasolacrimal duct obstruction [10.1%], canalicular obstruction [4.2%], entropion or ectropion [3.4%], pterygium [1.7%], megalo-caruncle [1.7%], and functional tearing [1.7%]. The outcomes of this study indicate the most common cause of tearing is punctal pathology. Therefore, slit lamp evaluation with careful attention to the punctum is warranted in all patients with tearing

Causes of blindness in students attending schools for the blind in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To determine causes of visual loss in blind school students in Saudi Arabia. All students enrolled in 17 schools for the blind were interviewed and had complete ophthalmic examination between 8 February and 30 May 1998. Medical files were accessed to obtain previously documented findings. Enrollment numbered 913, 68% males and 32% females. Causes of visual loss: retinal dystrophies [40%], congenital glaucoma [15%], optic nerve disease [12%], congenital cataract, corneal diseases, and others [each 11%]. Congenital [63%] and hereditary [25%] causes were more common than acquired [12%], p = 0.05. Consanguinity was 43% in congenital and 55% in hereditary versus 34% in acquired cases [p<0.0005]. Blindness occurred in 65% of students' relatives. Conclusions: Visual loss was caused predominantly by congenital disorders and retinal dystrophies were the most frequently encountered. Consanguinity is an issue that should be addressed