[Thyroid function tests in patients with chalazia]

To evaluate the prevalence of clinical and subclinical thyroid disorders using thyroid function tests in patients with single and multiple chalazia. A complete ophthalmologic examination and thyroid function tests including thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], thyroxine [T4] and triiodothyronine [T3] were performed in 60 patients with single chalazia and 50 patients with multiple chalazia, consecutively referred to Poostchi Eye Clinic, Shiraz, Iran and compared with 60 age- and gender-matched control subjects. Mean TSH values were higher in patients with single [3.89 Mu/l] and multiple [4.80 Mu/l] chalazia as compared to controls [3.02 Mu/l] [P= 0.23]. No significant difference was detected for T4 levels between patients with single or multiple chalazia as compared to controls. The prevalence of blepharitis was 18% in patients with single chalazia, 34% in patients with multiple chalazia, both of which were higher than controls [5%] [P<0.001]. The difference between patients with single and multiple chalazia in terms of the prevalence of blepharitis was also significant [P<0.05]. There was no significant difference between patients with single and multiple chalazia in comparison with controls regarding thyroid function tests; however the prevalence of blepharitis in patients with multiple chalazia was higher than patients with single chalazia and both figures were higher than controls

Fine needle aspiration cytology of intraocular, orbital and eyelid lesions

Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology [FNAC] is used for diagnosis of intraocular, orbital and eyelid lesions. In this study we evaluated the outcome and the accuracy of using this technique in diagnosis of benign or malignant behavior of lesions. FNAC was performed on 26 specimens obtained from 25 patients with intraocular, orbital and eyelid tumors and the results were compared with the histopathologic findings in a prospective double-blind observational study. In 22 specimens [85%] a concordant definitive diagnosis was established that comprised five retinoblastoma, four basal cell carcinomas, four inflammations and two dermoid cysts. All specimens were diagnosed as benign or malignant with reasonable concordance. Definitive cytologic diagnosis was also made in two rare, if ever reported, conditions namely orbital fibrous histiocytoma and eyelid leishmaniasis. FNAC seems to be a simple, rapid, relatively safe and cost-effective technique with considerable diagnostic value in the assessment of selected ophthalmic lesions, especially when sampling and interpretation are performed by experienced personnel

LASIK retreatment for Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism

To evaluate the results of laser in situ keratomileusis [LASIK] retreatment in patients with postoperative regression. In a retrospective interventional case series, 153 eyes of 113 patients who had undergone LASIK retreatment for postoperative regression were evaluated. Both initial LASIK and retreatment were performed with a Nidek: EC 5000 excimer laser, and flap was made with a Moria microkeratome. Mean age was 29.63 +/- 2.2 yr [range, 20 to 54 yr] and mean follow-up was 11 months [range, 3 to 34 mth] after the initial surgery and 13.1 months [range, 12 to 18 mth] after retreatment. Retreatment was performed 3-34 months after the primary LASIK. Mean spherical equivalent [SE] was -5.39 +/- 2.69 diopters [D] [range, -1.50 to -14.00 D] before initial LASIK and -1.76 +/- 1.08 D [range, -0.50 to -5.00 D] before retreatment. Mean astigmatism was -1.38 +/- 1.07 D [range, -0.50 to -5.00 D] before initial LASIK and -1.12 +/- 0.50 D [range, -0.50 to -2.50 D] before retreatment. One year after retreatment, mean UCVA was 20/25, and mean SE was -0.29 +/- 0.02 D. Best corrected visual acuity [BCVA] improved in all eyes. Two eyes received more than one retreatment. Twenty eyes had flap wrinkling, 2 eyes had diffuse lamellar keratitis [DLK], and 2 eyes had epithelial ingrowth after the initial LASIK. Four eyes had epithelial ingrowth and 2 eyes developed mild keratectasia after retreatment. LASIK retreatment is a safe and effective option with small amounts of myopia and myopic astigmatism regression. The rate of retreatment is higher in patients with myopic astigmatism and in patients with less than 40 years of age, also the risk of complications in retreatment is higher than the initial LASIK. Refractive changes are more stable after retreatment. The risk of keratectasia is higher in final residual stromal bed thickness less than 250 lam after the reoperation

[Correlation of hand dominancy and eye dominancy with vidual acuity and refractive errors]

To determine the correlation between hand dominancy and eye dominancy with visual acuity and refraction in subjects with refractive errors. This cross-sectional study includes 620 patients undergoing LASIK. Their refractive error [dry and cycloplegic], hand dominancy, eye dominancy [by hole-in-the-hand method] and visual acuity were determined. Exclusion criteria were monocularity, patient's inability to perform hole-in-the-hand test, and amblyopia. Overall, 585 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Age range was 21-43 years [mean- 33.7 years], 58% were female and 42% were male. The right hand was dominant in 90.9% and the right eye was dominant in 77.9% of the subjects. Right eye dominancy was observed in 79.1% of right handed individuals and in 66.1% of left handed patients. Cross eye-hand dominancy was observed in 38.3% and uncrossed eye-hand dominancy in 61.7%. Visual acuity was better in dominant eyes in 68.2% [P=0.03, t=0.89]. The non dominant eyes had higher refractive errors than dominant eyes [P=0.01, t=0.88]. In both groups of right handed and left handed individuals, the right eye was more often dominant and uncrossed dominancy was more prevalent than crossed dominancy. Better visual acuity or smaller refractive error may influence eye dominancy

Determination of central venous pressure from intraocular pressure

In many clinical situations, knowledge of central venous pressure [CVP] is important. Measurement of CVP is not always possible. To determine if intraocular pressure [IOP] can be used as an estimate for CVP. IOP and CVP were measured concurrently in 30 candidates of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Those with carotid artery or jugular venous diseases as well as those with glaucoma or cardiac ejection fraction of less than 50% were excluded from the study. A linear correlation was found between CVP and IOP [r = 0.66, p<0.001]. CVP can be easily derived by halving the IOP. The use of this very simple method, particularly in those health care centers where due to the lack of necessary equipment for accessing central veins, CVP measurement is not possible, may provide useful information to physicians

Serum levels of sialic acid and neuraminidase activity in cardiovascular, diabetic and diabetic retinopathy patients

Sialic acid is a component of serum that is elevated in diseases such as diabetes and certain malignancies. The normal range of SSA concentration and serum neuraminidase activity in different populations are varied, probably due to racial differences. The purpose of the present study was to obtain the average SSA concentration and serum neuraminidase activity, in an Iranian population, and to show whether these indices could indicate the severity, and serve as risk factors, for diabetes and CVD. Serum sialic acid [SSA] concentration and neuraminidase activity were measured in 214 male and female patients and 150 normal individuals. The patient groups were composed of diabetics, diabetics with vascular disease and CVD patients. A mean +/- SEM value of 60.06 +/- 3.36 mg/100 ml for SSA and 50.82 +/- 2.93 mU/ml for serum neuraminidase activity were obtained in the randomly selected normal controls. SSA was significantly higher in the patient groups as compared to the values in the age and sex-matched controls. Increased SSA in the diabetics with vascular complications was significantly higher than that for diabetics without retinopathy. The serum neuraminidase activity was also increased in the patient groups. In contrast to the pattern for SSA levels, serum neuraminidase activity in the diabetic patients was not significantly lower than that for diabetics with retinopathy. While serum neuraminidase activity may serve as a factor which tends to increase in CVD, diabetic and retinopathic patients, it may not be as reliable as the SSA level which correlates the severity or monitoring of these diseases. However, it can be a useful index to be used along with SSA measurements

In vitro susceptibility of fungal isolates of keratomycosis to antiseptic agents

Fungal corneal ulcer is the most dangerous and challenging type of infective keratitis. Since most of the ophthalmic antifungal drops are scarce and expensive in developing countries, attempts have been made to study fungicidal property of some readily available antiseptic agents as a substitute. Povidone iodine [PI] and chlorhexidine gluconate [CHx] has been postulated to be effective against fungi. To study in vitro antifungal efficacy of PI and CHx. Fungi isolated from cases of keratomycosis were entered in a prospective study from June 2001 to March 2002. In vitro susceptibility of these fungi was tested by broth dilution method of NCCLS Standard to PI [1%, 2%, 5%, 10%] and CHx [0.04%, 0.1%, 0.2%] after 5 minutes, 1 hr, 24 hrs and 48 hrs exposure times. From a total of 16 culture-proven cases of fungal keratitis, the isolated fungi were 8 Aspergillus sp, 3 Fusarium sp, 2 sterile hyphae, 1 Candida sp, 1 Drechslera sp, 1 Rhodotorula sp. PI showed 100% fungicidal effect with all tested concentrations, after 5 minutes of exposure to all fungal species. CHx. 0.1% and 0.2% after 1 hr exposure were as effective as PI [p>0.34]. The fungicidal efficacy of CHx 0.1% and 0.2% was significantly less than PI after 5 minutes [p<0.001]. Both PI and CHx have strong in vitro fungicidal effect. The kill rate of CHx, however, is less than PI. Since in vitro efficacy of topical ophthalmic preparations is affected by multiple factors, our study provides a good idea for further in vivo investigations about this subject