Causes of severe visual impairment and blindness among children in visually handicapped schools in Jordan

To identify the major causes of severe visual impairment and blindness among children in visually handicapped schools in Amman-Jordan with a view to determine potentially preventable and treatable causes. This study was conducted in two schools for visually handicapped children in Amman. The medical records of 160 students were reviewed during the period between August and October 2005. A total of one hundred and sixty students [85 males and 75 females, aged 6-18 years] were enrolled in the study Twenty -eight children [17.5%] had severe visual impairment and 132 [82.5%] were blind. Retinal abnormalities were the most common pathology [41.9%]. Glaucoma, primary optic nerve pathology and cataract constituted 18.8%, 13.1% and 11.3% respectively. According to timing of insult, the major cause of visual impairment was hereditary diseases [50%], followed by abnormalities of unknown timing of insult [30%]. It was estimated that 71 children [44.4%] suffer from visual impairment caused by potentially preventable or treatable conditions. The major causes of severe visual impairment and blindness among children in visually handicapped schools were glaucoma, primary optic nerve pathology and cataract

Comparison between remifentanil, propofol or both for sedation during retrobulbar nerve block

To compare between the efficacy of remifentanil and propofol and combination of both for analgesia during retrobulbar nerve block in cataract surgery. A prospective randomised double blind study conducted in King Hussein Medical Center in Royal Medical Services during the period between September 2004 and August 2005. 160 patients undergoing extra capsular cataract extraction surgery under retrobulbar anaesthesia were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided into four groups [40 patients in each group] and received different drug combinations by the same anaesthetist as follows: remifentanil 0.3 microgram/kg [group 1], propofol 0.5 mg/kg [group 2], remifentanil 0.3 microgram/kg and propofol 0.5 mg/kg [group 3] and saline 0.1 ml/kg as a placebo [group 4]. Patient's movement and pain were observed during the injection. Heart rate, respiratory rate and haemoglobin oxygen saturation were observed every minute for 10 minutes after the block. No significant movement occurred in group 3 during the placement of the block compared to half of the patients in the control group. The mean visual analogue score was 2.3 in group 3 compared to 6.7 in group 4. There was no significant change in mean heart and respiratory rates and haemoglobin oxygen saturation among the three study groups. Patients undergoing cataract surgery under retrobulbar anaesthesia, a combination of remifentanil 0.3 microgram/kg and propofol 0.5 mg/kg is considered to provide excellent relief of pain with least patient movement and minimal respiratory and cardiac side effects

Bilateral retinal arteritis with multiple aneurysmal dilatations: a case report

We report a rare case of bilateral retinal arteritis with multiple aneurysmal dilatations of a thirteen year old female presenting to ophthalmology clinic at King Hussein Medical Center on April 2001 complaining from bilateral painless drop of vision of two weeks duration. Visual acuity was counting fingers up to two meters in the right eye and 6/36 in the left eye. Posterior segment examination revealed bilateral vitreous cells, retinal arteritis and macular edema. Fluorescein angiography showed fusiform aneurysmal dilatation in the main arterial branches and late segmentary staining of the walls; there were neither ischemia, nor venous involvement. Other systems were normal. All laboratory and radiology investigations were within normal. The patient was treated by oral steroids and immunosuppressive agents. Her final vision stabilized at 6/18 and 6/12 in the right and left eye, respectively; fundus examination showed bilateral macular scars with no active ocular inflammation

Eye diseases in children in southern Jordan

To study the prevalence of refractive errors and certain eye diseases in children in southern Jordan. In the period between May 2001 and April 2002, 1725 patients [6-14 years of age] visiting the Pediatric Clinics in Prince Ali Hospital, Jordan for non ophthalmologic complaints were tested by a pediatrician for their visual acuity [VA] using a Snellen's E-chart. Patients with suspected eye abnormalities and those with VA of <6/12 were referred for further detailed eye examination. Twelve patients had bilateral VA of <6/12, and an additional 5 patients had unilateral VA of <6/12. Strabismus was seen in 9 patients [0.5%], and amblyopia in 5 patients [0.3%]. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis was seen in 26 patients [1.5%]. It is important to conduct a large study, perhaps a multicenter study to evaluate the eye diseases in developing countries