ABSTRACT
Objective To research the characteristics of photosensitivity and EEG under different eye conditions of intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) in epilepsy children. Methods Epilepsy children showed positive under IPS were chose. The characteristics of photosensitivity and EEG under different eye conditions were analyzed. Results From 104 patients, background was normal in 101 cases (97. 1% ), background was slower in 3 cases (2. 8% ). Epileptic discharges during interictal periods was in 99 cases (95. 1% ), and generalized discharge was in 66 cases (63. 5% ), partial discharge was in 20 cases (19. 2% ), generalized discharge and partial discharge was in 13 cases (12. 5% ). Generalized discharge during IPS was in 96 cases (92. 3% ), partial discharge during IPS was in 8 cases (7. 7% ). The clinical attacking rate of IPS was significantly higher for those who showed positive in IPS in eye closure, opened, and closed condition than other patients (χ2 =4. 575,P=0. 032). Photosensitivity could increases then decreases as frequency increases, and reached highest when frequency was from 8 to 25 Hz. All of patients who generalized discharges during interval periods appeared generalized discharges during IPS, and 65. 0% patients who partial discharge during interval periods appeared generalized discharges during IPS; there was significant statistical differences (χ2 =20. 684, P<0. 001). Conclusions Photosensitivity is more common in idiopathic generalized epileptic children. The positive rate of IPS is higher under eye open or closure than eye closed, and it reaches highest when frequency is from 8 to 25 Hz. When photosensitivity happened under all three eye conditions, it is easily caused to seizure. The characteristic of discharge under IPS is strongly related to EEG of interictal periods and types of epilepsies.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess medical officers’ attitude and knowledge of eye conditions in the elderly. Study Design: Convenient sampling technique. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria, November 2012. Methodology: Thirty four medical officers were shown 10 slides of common external eye conditions in the elderly and were asked to give the diagnosis of each slide and complete a selfadministered questionnaire during a hospital clinical presentation. The questionnaire and the answers to the 10 slides were collected immediately after the presentation. Results: All the medical officers agreed that eye examination is an important part of the general medical examination. However, only 16 (47.1%) routinely examined the eye of the elderly patient as part of the general medical examination. Fourteen medical officers (41.2%) were comfortably examining the eye of the elderly. Though 6 (17.6%) medical officers reported being sufficiently trained in the ocular examination but only 1 (2.9%) admitted being proficient in the ocular examination. The entire medical officers agreed that ageing is a risk factor for some ocular conditions, but only 18 (52.9%) ever inquired from the older patients if they had any specific eye conditions. Many of the medical officers wrongly diagnosed the presented slides. There were associations between duration of the medical practice and attitude with the medical officers of less years of practice not bothering about the eye examination in the elderly during the general medical examination (P<.05). Conclusion: Most studied medical officers were not routinely examining the eyes of the older patients and many were unable to diagnose common eye conditions in the elderly. Medical training should emphasize the ocular examination and diagnosis. The continuing eye medical education for medical officers can bridge the knowledge gaps in eye care and enhance early detection of the eye conditions.
ABSTRACT
Studies on the prescribing patterns of ophthalmological products are scarce. The primary aim of the study was to determine the prescribing patterns of ophthalmological products in a private sector patient population in South Africa. A retrospective drug utilization study was conducted on a 2011 database containing 2 298 312 records for medicine, procedures and medical devices. All records for ophthalmological products were extracted and analysed. A total of 8 428 patients (52.81% males) received 17 087 ophthalmological products. The average age of patients was 36.83 (SD=21.32) years, with 35.92% of products prescribed to patients between 40 and 59 years of age. Anti-infectives accounted for 25.45% of prescribing frequency and 10.63% of prescribing cost, and antiinfectives combined with corticosteroids for 15.44% of prescribing frequency and 17.78% of cost. Only 4.38% of patients received products for glaucoma, accounting for 12.09% of prescribing frequency and 24.66% of cost. The average age of patients on glaucoma products was 61.64 (SD=16.07) years. Antiviral products had the highest average cost (only one trade name, no generic equivalent was available for this product). A third of products were prescribed on a chronic basis. More studies are needed to determine the treatment of eye conditions in South Africa.