Distribution of ophthalmologists and optometrists in Islamic Republic of Iran and their associated factors

We aimed to determine the distribution of ophthalmic care providers and its correlation with health and socioeconomic status and health system indicators. Data were gathered from the Iran Medical Council and the Iranian Societies of Ophthalmology and Optometry. Concurrent indicators were collected from the Statistical Center of Iran and national studies. A population-adjusted number of combined ophthalmologists and optometrists was used as the main dependent variable. Optometrist/ophthalmologist ratio was 0.9. We had 1 ophthalmologist and 1 optometrist for every 40 000 and 45 000 individuals, respectively. We observed a direct correlation between the number of ophthalmologists, optometrists and life expectancy at the provincial level. Gross provincial income and expenditure and provincial literacy were correlated as well. Provincial unemployment had a negative correlation. Provincial hospital statistics and population density were also significantly correlated. The Islamic Republic of Iran has met the World Health Organization's desired per capita number of ophthalmologists and optometrists, but there is wide variation in their density

[Relationship of methodology workshops with research productivity - knowledge of research methodology among the Tehran University clinical faculty]

To determine the level of knowledge in methodology among clinical faculty and to explore the association between attending to courses on statistics and methodology, the knowledge of the clinical faculty, and the number of research papers published by them at the School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. We conducted a survey on a random sample of one hundred clinical faculty members. A questionnaire of 20 items was used to assess knowledge. Thirty percent [95% CI: 21-39%] of the faculty surveyed had a fair to satisfactory knowledge of the field. The proportion of fair to satisfactory level of knowledge was 41% among the educated faculty and 21% among those who did not attend a course on the subject [P value: 0.043]. Mean difference in the number of published papers between the two groups was 3 [P value: 0.057]. Considering the plausibility of a causal relation between attending to courses on statistics and methodology and knowledge and research productivity, and the general unsatisfactory level of knowledge on the subject, continuing delivery of such courses is recommended

[Residual refractive errors following cataract surgery and its determinants]

To evaluate residual refractive errors after cataract surgery and its determinant factors at Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran. Simple random sampling was done among cataract surgery scheduled patients over a 4 year period [2003-2006]. Exclusion criteria were uveitis, previous intraocular surgery and ocular trauma. After applying the exclusion criteria, 423 patients were studied. Lens calculation was performed using the SRK-II formula. Unexpected refractive errors were defined as the difference between postoperative refractive errors with target refraction. Mean and percentage of this variable were reported based on 0.5, 1 and 2 D of ametropia. Of 558 studied patients, 78.1% had biometric data before and refractive data after surgery. Mean absolute unpredictable refractive error was 0.84 +/- 0.89 D. Eyes with normal axial length [AL] had the least [0.76 +/- 0.84] and those with long AL had the most unpredictable refractive errors [P<0.001]. 45.9%, 73.9%, and 91.7% of the study cases had refractive errors within 0.5, 1 and 2 D of emmetropia, respectively. Eyes with short AL had positive refraction and those with long AL had negative refraction after surgery. The majority of keratometric astigmatism followed extra-capsular surgery while the least measures were associated with phacoemulsification [P<0.001]. Axial length was one of the important factors influencing residual refractive errors after cataract surgery. Unpredictable refractive errors were more common in eyes with long and short AL than those with normal AL