[Ocular manifestations of diabetics about 285 cases]

Diabetes is one of the principal cause of blindness in adults. The aim of the study is to evaluate the frequency of ocular complications and risk factors of diabetes. It's a multicentric prospective study on a representative sample of 285 diabetics. We performed a general and an ophthalmologic exam for all patients with retinal angiography and appropriate laboratory tests. Chi 2, Fisher, Mann and Whitney tests were used as statistical methods. Diabetic retinopathy was observed in 45, 2% of patients, cataract in 22%, glaucoma in 5%. Diabetic retinopathy frequency rises especially with duration of diabetes and bad glycaemic control. Blindness related to diabetic retinopathy was observed in 6, 25% and visual deficency in 12, 5%. The authors compared their results with litterature data. They emphasize on the great value of regular better glycaemic control and other associated metabolic disorders. We concluded that a regular ophthalmologic follow up is necessary for early diabetic retinopathy detection and treatment

Epidemiology of work-related eye injuries

Occupational injury represents 7,7 at 69,9% of the total ocular traumatisms. They can be a major source of visuel loss and blindness. The aim is to study the epidemiology of work-related ocular injuries: objects frequencies,works most exposed. We performed a prospective study that interest 78 patients having a work-related ocular traumatism during a 4 months period. They were admitted at ocular emergency All patients underwent an ophtalmologic examination completed with orbital radiography and echography. A medical and/or chirurgical appropriate treatment was institued. Occupationnal injury frequency was 9% of the whole ocular traumatisms in the same period. The mean age was 31 years. 55% of cases were under 30 years. 91% were male. Most exposed works were industrial and mecanical sectors In 70,5% of cases work-related eye injuries were caused by projectile objects. Most common lesion was corneal superficial foreign body [58%]. Open globe injury was noted in 8%. 95% of patients had no eye protection at the time of the accident. 13% were blind or unilateral partially sighted [according to the OMS classification]. The authors discussed the importance and different prevention strategies to prevent the risk of blindness and socio-economical cost of occupationnal accidents. There is a need for systematic periodic sensibilization to reduce these accidents and blindness

[Association hyperlipidemia and retinal hard exudates in diabetic retinopathy]

Diabetes mellitus is usually accompagned with dyslipide-mia, which can be correlated with diabetic retinopathy [DR]. The aim of the study is to determine the relation between DR and hyperlipidemia. We studied prospectively 64 diabetic patients classified into 2 groups: the first associated diabetics having dyslipidemia [n=34] and the second without dyslipidemia [n=30]. The mean follow up was II months. We observed a high frequency of retinal hard exudates in diabetics with dyslipidemia in comparison with the second group [32% versus 10%]. The control of dyslipidemia is recommended in diabetic patients