ABSTRACT
Introduction: Diabetes Melltius (DM) is an established silent killer in the developed world and is slowly increasing the burden of morbidity in the developing nations as well. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening protocols are not standardized in the developing world and not available to many practioners. Methods: This is an observational analytical study aimed to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude and practice patterns regrading DR among the patients of DM in Uttarakhand. These were correlated with the educational status, socio-economic status, duration of DM, residence and gender. Results: Higher levels of knowledge which were statistically significant were observed as the socioeconomic status rose, with the increase in the duration of DM and with higher levels of educational status. A corresponding positive tone was also seen with respect to attitude and practice. However, the levels of knowledge did not correspond to the levels of practice. Conclusion: Integration of the health services along with the educational system would be an advancing step in spreading awareness about the disease entity itself and its morbid consequences. This would create an environment of high awareness and screening protocols will be easily streamlined.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To compare and study the clinical outcome of tarsorrhaphy and amniotic membrane transplant in the healing of persistent corneal epithelial defects in terms of clinical improvement and symptomatic relief. Methods: This was an interventional, prospective study in which a total of 60 patients with persistent epithelial defects (PED's), randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients each who underwent tarsorrhaphy (Group A) or amniotic membrane transplantation (Group B) with a 4-week-follow-up period, were included. The main parameters studied were the size of an epithelial defect, total healing time, pain score, and complications. Results: The study included 60 eyes of 60 patients with PED. The healing time was 9.83 � 6.51 days in Group A (median = 9.50 days, IQR = 1�days) vs. 18.33 � 13.46 days (median = 19.50 days, IQR = 1� days) in Group B. A total of ten eyes (16.7%) did not heal at the end of 4 weeks. Conclusion: There was a significant reduction in the area of epithelial defect at the end of the 1 week and 2 week follow up postoperatively, in both the treatment forms. The mean healing time in patients of Group A was less as compared to that of the patients in Group B.