Point prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in patients scheduled for cataract surgery in eye camps in Yemen

To study the point prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome [PXS] among Yemeni patients in different governorates with age-related cataract scheduled for surgery. Eye camps organized by the Nibras Health Society to perform cataract surgeries during the years 2002-2006. All patients aged 40 years and above were included in the study. A total of 2535 eyes of 2535 patients from 13 governorates, scheduled for cataract surgery in eye camps, were included. All eyes underwent complete eye examination before the surgery and were evaluated for the signs of pseudoexfoliation material in the pupil, iris and lens capsule on dilated slit lamp examination. The study found 495 of the 2535 eyes [19.53%] with PXS with males more commonly affected than females [55.2 and 44.8%, respectively]. The mean age of patients with PXS was 66.2 years while it was 64.6 years in non-PXS patients. The prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome increased with age [10.1% in the age group of 41-50 years that increased to 28.8% in the age group of more than 81 years old]. The rate of PXS detection in camps in 13 governorates ranged from 13.33 to 24.22% with an overall rate of 19.53%. The lowest rate was noticed in Sana'a and the highest in Al-Dhale governorate. This pilot study confirms that PXS was common in patients undergoing cataract surgery in Yemen with an increased detection rate with age. This study also highlights the prevalence of an ocular disease that is associated with systemic and ocular complications? however, further studies based on population studies are needed

Cataract surgical rate in Yemen

To estimate cataract surgical rate [CSR] in 2003 in the 20 Governorates of Yemen in order to identify their needs to reduce cataract related blindness. To estimate the cataract surgical rate in 2003, a standardized questionnaire was sent to the 162 eye units in governmental, university military and private clinics and hospitals. The response rate to the survey was 96.9 percent and the data are summarized. During the 12-month period, a total of 31,258 cataract surgeries were performed by 203 ophthalmology specialists and residents. The cataract surgical rate was 1,560 operations per million inhabitants per year. Intraocular lens implantation was performed on 71.6 percent of the cases. There is a need to increase the cataract surgical rate in Yemen mainly in rural areas. Inadequate number of eye surgeons, limited accessibility of cataract surgical services in rural areas and the affordability of surgery to large sections of society are major constraints that has to be addressed. The information from this study will also enable Ministry of Health to more equitably disperse trained ophthalmic personnel

Anterior lenticonus, sensorineural deafness and nephritis in Alport's syndrome in Yemeni patient

We report a case of Alport's syndrome presented with anterior lenticonus, sensorineural deafness and early nephritis. Bilateral anterior lenticonus was diagnosed using biomicroscope slitlamp and combined with curvature myopia using autorefractometer and A-san biometry. Audiometry showed sensorineural deafness and microscopic urine analysis showed early nephritis.We describe Alport's syndrome in a Yemeni patient with no family history of the disease. Patients with nephritis and not properly diagnosed as Alport's syndrome by early ophthalmic assessment can develop renal failure later on

Eye health care services in eastern Mediterranean Region Countries

To describe eye health care services in 2003 in 22 Eastern Mediterranean Region countries. Data were collected and reviewed from the reports of national programs for the prevention of blindness in the 22 Eastern Mediterranean Region countries. The data obtained were further processed and analyzed by using Excel 2000 program. The prevalence of blindness ranged from 0.7% to 2.0%. The total number of cataract surgeries per one million inhabitants per year [CSR] in 2003 was calculated and ranged from 260 [Afghanistan] to 2250 [Pakistan]. The number of ophthalmologists in the 22 countries ranged from one ophthalmologist for 565.000 population in Somalia to one ophthalmologist for 14.000 in Egypt. Eye health care services in Eastern Mediterranean Region countries differ from country to country due to various economic and political factors in the region