Analysis of intra ocular lens power estimation in patients admitted for cataract surgery

According to Pakistan National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, cataract accounts for 51.5% of blindness and visual impairment in Pakistan. In most of the camp and primary level facilities intra-ocular lenses are implanted without proper estimation. The purpose of this study was to know the common keratometric, axial length values, IOL powers and whether or not it is advisable to implant intraocular lenses without proper pre-operative assessment. It was a retrospective study conducted at Department of Ophthalmology, DHQ Teaching Hospital, D.I.Khan. Review of estimated power of IOL of 1000 admitted patients was done. Out of 1000 patients, 473[47.3%] were males and 527[52.7%] females. The youngest patient was 10 years while the oldest was 80. Maximum patients presented in 51-60 years age group. Only 25[2.5%] patients were below 20 years. The range of axial length was 19.50-28.0mm. 581[58.1%] patients were having axial length 22-23.50mm. Ten [1.0%] had axial length >/= 26mm and 6[0.6%] <20.0mm. The range of estimated IOL power by SRK II formula with 118.0A constant was 10-33D. Maximum patients, 140[14.0%] were having IOL power of 20.50D. 522[52.2%] patients were having IOL power 20-22.0D. Only 26[2.6%] patients had IOL power of /= 25D. The estimated power of IOL differs from patient to patient with a wide range of 10D to 33D. Therefore assessment of IOL power by proper keratomery and biometry is desirable for good post-operative vision

Frequency of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among cataract patients

In Pakistan the frequency of Hepatitis B and C virus infection ranges from 8-15% in the general population with variations in different parts of the country. Patients undergoing any surgical procedure may have these infections, demanding special precautions. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of hepatitis B and C among patients undergoing elective cataract surgery. It was a descriptive study based on survey in which all patients above the age of 25 years, presenting for cataract surgery to Mehmood Eye Hospital, District Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan were screened for Hepatitis B and C infections, from 1st July 2004 to 31st May 2006. The findings were recorded on a structured compilation sheet and analyzed. Those found positive on screening test were confirmed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay [ELISA]. Total number of patients screened was 1130. The frequency of hepatitis B and C [combined] was found to be 5.75%[65/1130]; out of which 3.18% [36/1130] were HBsAg positive and 2.57% [29/1130] anti-HCV positive. Out of them, 39 were males [60%] and 26 females [40%]. The frequency of HBV was 72% [26/ 36] in males and 28% [10/36] in females. The frequency of HCV was 45% [13/29] in males and 55% [16/29] in females. The proportion of HBsAg to anti-HCV was 55%[36/65] to 45% [29/65]. The frequency of hepatitis B and C [combined] was more in age group ranging between 45 - 74 years, in both sexes. The frequency of hepatitis B among age groups 25 - 34, 35 - 44, 45 - 54, 55 - 64, 65 - 74 and 75 years and above was 3% [1/36], 6% [2/36], 17% [6/36], 33% [12/36], 28% [10/36], and 13% [5/36], respectively. The frequency of hepatitis C among age groups 25 - 34, 35 - 44, 45 - 54, 55 - 64, 65 - 74 and 75 years and above was 3% [1/29], 3% [1/29], 10% [3/29], 38% [11/29], 28% [8/29], and 18% [5/29] respectively. The frequency of hepatitis B and C [combined] among urban and rural populations was 45% [29/65] and 55% [36/65] respectively. One of the interesting findings was that none of the patient was found to be suffering simultaneously from both hepatitis B and C. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV in patients presenting for surgery is high, requiring routine preoperative screening of all the patients