Surveillance of lymphatic filariasis 5 years after stopping mass drug administration in Menoufiya governorate, Egypt

The World Health Organization recommends that before lymphatic filariasis elimination in an area can be confirmed, an additional survey should be performed at least 5 years after stopping mass drug administration. The current study aimed to determine the status of lymphatic filariasis 5 years after cessation of the mass drug administration in 3 sentinel Egyptian villages in Menoufiya Governorate. The rapid immunochromatographic card test [ICT] and a new commercial antibody detection kit [CELISA[registered sign]] were used. All 1321 primary-school children aged 6-7 years old were ICT negative but 27 children were antibody positive. All households surveyed in one village with the highest antibody prevalence were ICT negative, indicating an absence of lymphatic filariasis. The CELISA antibody kit needs more standardization and development to be useful under field conditions. We conclude that lymphatic filariasis is no longer a public health problem in these villages and other villages with similar epidemiological conditions

oxidative stress and platelet activation in patients infected with T. gondii

Toxoplasma gondiiis a highly frequent obligate intracellular protozoan parasite; it can cause serious problems to the public health especially pregnant females, however, the pathogenesis of this condition is not clear. Was to evaluate the status and the inter-relationship of the oxidative stress and platelet activation in patients infected with T.gondii. Thirty patients infected with T.gondii [10 acute and 20 chronic cases] and 10 healthy subjects [control group] were included in this study. Serum levels of malondialdehyde [MDA], total glutathione [t GSH], reduced glutathione [GSH], oxidized glutathione [GSSG], redox potential [RP] and soluble P-selectin [sP-selectin] were measured. EDITA blood samples were used for complete blood picture with special emphasis on platelet count and mean platelet volume [MPV]. The mean platelet volume [MPV] in patients was significantly higher than the control group, however, platelet count showed no significant difference. The serum mean values of MDA, GSSG, RP and sP-selectin in patients were significantly higher than the control subjects. On the other hand, the levels of IGSH and GSHin patients were significantly lower than in controls. MPV and platelet count showed significant positive correlations with sP-selectin concentration. Although toxoplasmosis is mostly asymptomatic, the findings of the present study strongly indicate that the occurrence of oxidative stress could be a potential mechanism of subclinical inflammatory pathology and tissue damage in these cases

Protective effect of curcumin and gingko biloba l. extract against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxjcity in rats

Gentamicin [GENT] which is a commonly used antibiotic causes nephrotoxicity in man and animals. Generation of free radicals in the renal cortex plays an important role in the pathogenesis of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Curcumin, the yellow curry pigment isolated from turmeric [the ground rhizome of Curcuma longa L] and Ginkgo biloba extract have been reported to possess antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective role of curcumin, Ginkgo biloba extract, and their combination on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The rats were divided into six groups, 8 animals each. Group 1 rats were treated with GENT [80 mg/kg/day] IM for 6 days. Rats of groups 2, 3, and 4 "were pretreated orally for 4 days with curcumin [200 mg/kg/day], Ginkgo biloba leaf extract [300 mg/kg/day], and a combination of curcumin and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, respectively before concomitant administration of GENT for additional 6 days. Control groups of animals were treated with pure vehicles IM or orally. Nephrotoxicity was evaluated biochemically and histopathologically. Treatment of rats with GENT produced elevation in serum creatinine, urea levels and severe tubular necrosis. Concomitantly, treatment of rats with GENT produced elevation in serum nitrite level, decrease in renal intracellular reduced glutathione [GSH] level and superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity. Pretreatment of rats with curcumin, Ginkgo biloba extract, or their combination decreased GENT-induced disturbances in kidney function and structure. In addition, pretreatment of rats with curcumin, Ginkgo biloba extract, or their combination decreased GENT-induced alterations in serum nitrite level, renal intracellular GSH level and SOD activity. The combined treatment was more effective than either agent alone. These results indicate that curcumin, Ginkgo biloba extract, or their combination has the ability to protect against GENT-induced nephrotoxicity. Inhibition of oxidative stress and nitric oxide production may play an important role in these protective effects

Purification and biochemical properties of carboxylesterase from fasciola gigantica

Carboxylesterase was purified from Fasciola gigantica through ammonium sulfate precipitation, chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose and gel filtration on a sephacryl S300. Three enzymes [El, EII and EIII] were separated. EII and EIII were purified to homogeneity. The molecular weight of EII and EIII enzyme were 66 and 50 KDa, respectively as detected by gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. EII and EIII had Km 1.3 and 1.7 mM of p-nitrophenyl acetate. Affinity of esterase EII and EIII decreased as increasing carbon atom number of the substrates. Esterase EII and EIII had optimum temperature at 40 °C. Esterase EII and EIII had pH optima at pH 7.5 in phosphate buffer and pH 8.0 in Tris-HCl buffer, respectively. Studying effect of metal ions on esterase EII and EIII indicated that Li[+], Mn[++], Ba[++] and Mg[++] had activation effect on each isoenzyme. An activation effects could be detected with N- ethylmalimaide on EII and EIII]. The order of inhibition on EII was beta- mercaptoethanol > PMSF > DTNB > PCMB > iodoacetate. While the order of inhibition on EIII was beta-mercaptoethanol > iodoacetate > DTNB> PCM > PMSF

Serum levels of angiopoietin-2 and C-reactive protein in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients: relation to different phases of the disease

Serum levels of Angiopoietin-2 [Ang-2] and C-reactive protein [CRP] were measured in 50 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia [CML] [30 patients in chronic phase [group A] and 20 patients in advanced phase [group B]] and 15 healthy age and sex matched subjects as a control group, to investigate their relation to different phases of the disease. Serum levels of both Ang-2 and CRP were significantly higher [p <0.05] in patients group compared to controls, and in advanced stage compared to chronic phase. Furthermore a significant positive correlation was detected between Ang-2 and CRP in the whole patients group which could support the hypothesis that CRP might play a role in modulating angiogenesis. The present data suggest that both Ang-2 and CRP could play a role in the leukemic process. Understanding their roles may help in follow-up care and in designing new therapeutic strategies for CML. Furthermore the role of CRP in modulating angiogenesis should not be underestimated

Electron microscopic study of the myelinated nerve fibres and the perineurial cell basement membrane in the diabetic human peripheral nerves

To study the quantitative and ultrastructural changes in myelinated nerve fibers and the basement membranes of the perineurial cells in diabetic nerves. The study was performed at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 2003 to 2005. Human sural nerves were obtained from 15 lower limbs and 5 diabetic nerve biopsies. The total mean and density of myelinated nerve fibers per fascicle were calculated, with density of microtubules and mitochondria in the axoplasm. The number of the perineurial cell basement membrane layers was counted, and thickness of the basement membrane was measured. Among the 15 diabetic and 5 normal human sural nerves, the average diameters, number and surface area of myelinated nerve fibers and axonal microtubules density were found to be less in diabetic nerves. Mitochondrial density was higher in diabetic axons. Thickness of the perineurial cell basement membrane had a greater mean, but the number of perineurial cell layers was less than that of the diabetic group. The inner cellular layer of the perineurium of the diabetic nerves contained large vacuoles containing electron-dense degenerated myelin. A few specimens showed degenerated myelinated nerve fibers, while others showed recovering ones. Retracted axoplasms were encountered with albumin extravasation. Diabetes caused an increase in perineurial permeability. The diabetic sural nerve showed marked decrease in the myelinated nerve fibres, increase degenerated mitochondria, and decreased microtubules

Possible mechanisms of acrylamide- induced hormonal imbalance in adult male rats

The current study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms by which acrylamide affects vital endocrine glands in an experimental rat model. Thirty adult Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into three experimental groups, group [1] as control; group [2] where rats were orally administered acrylamide in a dose of 5 mg/kg b. wt. daily for 12 weeks; group [3] where rats were orally administered acrylamide in a dose of 15 mg/kg b. wt. daily for 12 weeks. Plasma was analyzed for malondialdehyde [MDA], total antioxidant capacity, total and free testosterone, T[3], T[4] and corticosterone levels. Histopathological examinations of testis, thyroid gland and adrenal gland were carried out. Our results indicate that acrylamide administration significantly increases plasma lipid peroxidation with concomitant decrease in total antioxidant capacity, total and free testosterone, T[3], T[4] and corticosterone levels. These results were documented by histopathological investigations of the testis, thyroid and adrenal tissues. We conclude that acrylamide causes hormonal disturbance in experimental animals via inducing oxidative and destruction stress on vital endocrine glands which presents a potential hazards to humans

Botulinum toxin: could it be an effective treatment for chronic tension - type headache?

Several clinical trials suggest that botulinum toxin type-A [BTX-A] may be an effective treatment options for patients with chronic tension-type headache; however, controversy remains as how botulinum toxin optimally should be used for treating headache and which patients profile that fit for this treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of BTX-A for the prophylactic treatment of chronic tension-type headache in Egyptian patients. This was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study of botulinum toxin type-A for the treatment of patients aged 25 to 50 years old with chronic tension-type headache. Following a 30-day screening; headache parameters and severity assessed by the standard visual analogue scale [VAS] and the 25-item Henry Ford Hospital Headache Disability Inventory [HDI] were recorded as a baseline. Then, injection was done with either BTX-A or with saline by a combination of two methods for detecting injection sites [the fixed-site approach and follow-the-pain approach]. Our study showed significant improvement after one month of BTX-A injection regarding headache days/month, severity measured by VAS and HDI in headache severity. There was significant reduction of prophylactic medications, and there were minor complications but these reversed spontaneously without further treatment. BTX-A was an effective and well-tolerated prophylactic treatment in Egyptian patients with chronic tension-type headache

Synthesis and biological activity of certain new indole derivatives via the utility of 2-acetylindole

The present work involves synthesis of 1-substitutedindole-2,3- dione-2-thiosemicarbazone derivatives in order to evaluate their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anticonvulsant activities. The target compounds were prepared through oxidative deacetylation of 1-substituted-2-acetyl-3-hydroxyindole, which followed by the condensation with different thiosemicarbazide derivatives. The purity of all the newly synthesized compounds was checked by TLC and elucidation of their structures was confirmed by IR, 1H-NMR, and some representatives by mass spectrometry along with elemental microanalyses. Preliminary in-vitro antimicrobial evaluation [MIC] against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as some fungi revealed that the tested compounds showed variable degrees of antibacterial activity, with little antifungal activity in comparison to chloramphenicol and fluconazole as reference drugs respectively. In addition, some of the tested compounds showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of indomethacin. The most active compounds were further evaluated for their analgesic activity; results showed that these compounds were more active than indomethacin. Three compounds were tested for their ulcerogenicity; two of them were safer than indomethacin. Furthermore, in-vivo anticonvulsant evaluation of the tested compounds at 2.8, 2.0 and 1.4 mmol/Kg concentrations showed comparable anticonvulsant activity to that of diazepam using pentylenetetrazole induced seizure protocol. Moreover, LD50 of the most active compounds 4b and 4h were found to be 250 and 300 mg/Kg; respectively in comparison to the reported one for indomethacin 13 mg/Kg [i.p.]. Moreover, the study involved the docking of the most active compound in the active site of COX-2 enzyme

Ultrastructural changes of compressed lumbar ventral nerve roots following decompression

To study whether there will be a permanent lumbar nerve root scarring or degeneration secondary to continuous compression followed by decompression on the nerve roots, which can account for postlaminectomy leg weakness or back pain. The study was performed at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during 2003-2005. Twenty-six adult male New Zealand rabbits were used in the present study. The ventral roots of the left fourth lumbar nerve were clamped for 2 weeks then decompression was allowed by removal of the clips. The left ventral roots of the fourth lumbar nerve were excised for electron microscopic study. One week after nerve root decompression, the ventral root peripheral to the site of compression showed signs of Wallerian degeneration together with signs of regeneration. Schwann cells and myelinated nerve fibers showed severe degenerative changes. Two weeks after decompression, the endoneurium of the ventral root showed extensive edema with an increase in the regenerating myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers, and fibroblasts proliferation. Three weeks after decompression, the endoneurium showed an increase in the regenerating myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers with diminution of the endoneurial edema, and number of macrophages and an increase in collagen fibrils. Five and 6 weeks after decompression, the endoneurium showed marked diminution of the edema, macrophages, mast cells and fibroblasts. The endoneurium was filled of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers and collagen fibrils. Decompression of the compressed roots of a spinal nerve is followed by regeneration of the nerve fibers and nerve recovery without endoneurial scarring

Motor evoked potentials in motor neuron disease: parameters of evaluation and its relation to disease severity

Transcranial magnetic stimulation [TMS] is a technique that can activate cortical motor areas and the corticospinal tract without causing discomfort to the patients. To evaluate the parameters of motor evoked potentials [MEP] induced by TMS in motor neuron disease [MND] and their relations to the severity of the disease. Twenty five subjects with motor neuron disease [MND] who had been diagnosed as MND using the standard clinical and electrophysiological studies [nerve conduction studies, 5MG and the somatosensory evoked potential studies] had been subjected to TMS and the MEP parameters [threshold, central motor conduction time [CMCT,], amplitude percentage quotient, phases and duration of the MEPs] were determined. Ten matched healthy persons were selected as control. Functional evaluation and disease severity assessment had been scored using the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS] Functional Rating Scale [ALSFRS] and the ALS Severity Score [ALSSS] respectively and compared to the control group. There was a statistical significant difference of all the studied parameters between patients and the control group. The mean central conduction time [CMCT] was correlated with the severity of the disease, while the amplitude changes were evident in late stages especially when associated with bulbar manifestations whereas there was no correlation between MEP parameters and the functional rating scale. From these findings it would be recommended to use the TMS to predict the severity of MND

Effect of progressive resistance training on glycemic control in elderly type II diabetic patients

To investigate the effect of progressive resistance training [PRT] on glycemic control in elderly type II diabetic patients. The study was conducted on 40 elderly individuals with type II diabetes. They were divided into 2 equal groups. The progressive resistance training [PRT] group received 16 weeks of PRT program plus the usual diabetic care, while the control group received a controlled exercise program plus the usual diabetic care. Glycemic control, lipid profile, resting blood pressure, muscle strength and anthropometry were evaluated for the 2 groups at baseline and at end of the study. For the PRT group we found a highly significant reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin level [HbA1c] [t=13.64, p<0.001], highly significant increase in muscle strength [t=10.19, p<0.001], trend for reduction in blood pressure and trend for reduction in triglyceride level. PRT when included with usual diabetic care for elderly people with type II diabetes is of benefit in glycemic control and at the same time is safe and well tolerated

assessment of frontal and temporal lobe functions in some idiopathic generalized epileptic syndromes and seizures

This study was conducted to evaluate some psychometric parameters in patients with idiopathic epilepsy. It was carried out on 2 groups: group 1 was subdivided into a: 40 patients with idiopathic generalized epileptic syndromes, b: 10 patients with idiopathic epilepsies not fulfilling the criteria of syndromic classification. Group 2 [control group] 20 healthy persons. The 2 groups were subjected to full clinical examination, EEG examination, neuroimaging and certain psychometric tests concerned in the assessment of frontal and temporal lobe functions. There was significant decline in language and normal performance in trail making test. While the temporal functions showed significant decline in general and visual memory and delay recall. This study may suggest that idiopathic generalized epilepsy is not uniformly benign condition

Haptoglobin gene polymorphism in type 2 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy

The development and progression of diabetic microvascular complications including nephropathy are related to the degree of glycemic control and oxidative stress and may be influenced by genetic factors. The aim of the present study has been to investigate the association between haptoglobin [Hp] gene polymorphism and the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to find a possible link between haptoglobin phenotypes and inflammatory parameters; serum C - reactive protein [CRP], interleukin- 6 [IL - 6] and haptoglobin. The study included 60 normotensive type 2 diabetic patients of more than 5 years duration categorized in 3 equal groups according to urinary albumin excretion [UAE] into normo, micro and macroalbuminuric. In addition, 20 individuals of matched age and sex were selected to serve as a control group. Serum CRP, IL - 6 and haptoglobin concentrations were measured and haptoglobin phenotyping was conducted using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The frequency of haptoglobin phenotype 1- 1 [Hp 1 - 1] in diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria was 7 of 20 [35%] as compared with diabetics with macroalbuminuria, 1 of 20 [5%] [p = 0.02] however, the frequency of Hp 2-2 was greater in diabetics with macroalbuminuria, 12 of 20 [60%] as compared with those with normoalbuminuria or controls, 5 of 20 [25%] [p= 0.03]. Patients with diabetic nephropathy [micro- or macroalbuminuria] had higher levels of serum CRP IL-6 and haptoglobin than those without nephropathy [normoalbuminuria]. Serum haptoglobin levels in type 2 diabetics were higher in Hp phenotype 2-2 as compared with Hp 1-1 however, serum CRP and IL - 6 levels did not differ significantly between haptoglobin phenotype groups. Moreover, there was significant positive correlations between urinary albumin excretion and serum levels of CRP, lL-6 and haptoglobin in diabetic patients. From this study, it could be concluded that haptoglobin phenotype 2-2 is considered as a major susceptibility gene for the development of nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. In addition, the significant association between inflammatory parameters and UAE indicates that inflammation may be a pathogenic mechanism of renal injury in type 2 diabetics. Moreover, serum interleukin - 6 and haptoglobin may be good prognostic factors for the development of nephropathy in the course of diabetes mellitus

Evaluation of the hypotensive and sedative effects of rilmenidine versus clonidine in experimentally-induced hypertension in rats

Rilmenidine is proposed as a selective imidazoline receptor rather than [2 adrenoreceptor drug. It was reported that rilmenidine causes marked centrally-mediated hypotension, whilst the incidence of its adverse effects is quite low. Clonidine is another centrally acting antihypertensive agent characterized by its wide therapeutic range. The mechanism of its antihypertensive action appears to be through stimulation of postsynaptic [2-adrenergic receptors in the nucleus tractus solitari of the medulla oblongata. The present study aimed to investigate: [1] The antihypertensive effect of rilmenidine 1mg/kg i.v versus that of clonidine 0.03mg/kg i.v in experimentally induced-hypertension in rats by renal artery occlusion. [2] Study the possible sedative effect of rilmenidine 10mg/kg i.p versus that of clonidine 0.25mg/kg i.p. [3] Evaluate the effect of yohimbine 10mg/kg i.v on rilmenidine and clonidine actions. The results of the present study revealed that at equipotent doses; both rilmenidine and clonidne induced a transient significant [p<0.05] elevation of blood pressure followed by long-lasting hypotension and bradycardia. It was also found that yohimbine significantly [p<0.05] blocked the antihypertensive effect of clonidine but produced insignificant [p>0.05] effect on rilmenidine hypotensive action. On the other hand, rilmenidine had insignificant [p>0.05] effect on sleeping time induced by pentobarbitone 30 mg/kg i.p, whilst clonidine produced significant [p<0.05] increase in the sleeping time, an action which was significantly [p<0.05] attenuated by yohimbine. In conclusion, rilmenidine proved to has high efficacy as an antihypertensive drug with less sedative side effects compared with clonidine. This may be due to its main action on the central imidazoline receptors rather than on the alpha[2] adrenoceptors

Corpus callosum MRI study in multiple sclerosis and small vessel ischemic stroke

Damage to corpus callosum visible by MRI in multiple sclerosis may be simulated by other CNS diseases [e.g. ischemia, SLE, Behcet's disease, other vasculitides, sarcoidosis]. Ischemic lesions, in particular, make MRI criteria much less reliable for the diagnosis of MS pateints over the age of 50. To study the difference between MRI abnormalities of the corpus callosum in patients with MS versus small vessel ischemic stroke. 76 patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1, comprising 26 patients with clinically definite, relapsing remitting, MS; and group 2, including 50 hypertensive and /or diabetic patients with history and clinical evidence of ischemic stroke proved by MRI to be of small vessel ischemic type. They were all subjected to minimental state examination [MMSE] and MRI brain study for corpus callosum lesions and atrophy. The mean MMSE score in the stroke group was 27.75 +/- 3.21 while in the MS group it was 23.62 +/- 3.76 with a significant difference between them [P < 0.05]. In both groups, the score inversely correlated with corpus callosum atrophy. The latter was significantly more in MS group [X[2] = 47.045, P <0.05]. The mean number of corpus callosum lesions was 2.3 +/- 2.4 in the stroke group and 8.1 +/- 2.6 in MS group with significant difference [P<0.05]. The predilection of location of corpus callosum lesions was significantly different in the 2 groups [P<0.05], being more inner callosal [42%] and ventriculocallosal [49%] in MS group while the outer callosal was more common in the stroke group [35%]. Corpus callosum atrophy would be used as a relatively morphological marker for cognitive decline in MS and small vessel ischemic stroke, being significantly more in MS. The more atrophic the corpus callosum is, the more weighing down of MS versus small vessel ischemic stroke in clinically and radiologically overlapping cases

New 1, 4-disustituted-6-hydroxyperhydro-1,4-diazepine- 2,3-dione derivatives

A series of 1,4-disubstituted-6-hydroxyperhydro-1,4-diazepine-2,3-diones were designed and synthesized through the reaction of epichlorohydrin with an excess of the appropriate primary amine. The resulting secondary diamine derivatives were allowed to react with diethyl oxalate to afford the target compounds in good yields. Structures of the target compounds were verified on the basis of spectral and elemental methods of analysis. Twelve new derivatives were subjected to preliminary pharmacological screening regarding their CNS depressant activity such as sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant as well as muscle relaxant activities, in addition to evaluation of the hypotensive activity of some representative compounds. Most of the tested compounds gave high percentage reduction in spontaneous locomotor activity [SLA] compared with diazepam. Concerning the rota-rod coordination test, mice cannot remain on the rod more than 20 seconds in comparison with the reference drug used indicating a good muscle relaxant activity of the test compounds. Moreover, these compounds gave 100% protection against pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions with a rapid onset of action. On the other hand, most of the test compounds gave mild to comparable reduction in blood pressure in comparison to that produced by using propranolol. Moreover, the acute toxicity [LD50] test was carried out for only one representative compound

Evaluation of terazosin action on experimentally-induced hypertension and insulin resistance in rats

Terazosin is an alpha 1 blocker indicated in therapy of mild to moderate hypertension, in peripheral vascular disease and in cases of refractory congestive heart failure. It is also used in benign prostatic hypertrophy. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of terazosin on blood pressure, renal blood flow parameters, insulin resistance, blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in rats. Insulin resistance was induced experimentally by feeding rats l0% fructose in drinking water for 4 weeks. In vitro studies done to investigate terazosin site of action. In-vivo studies, terazosin significantly decreased systolic and mean arterial blood pressure and serum cholesterol but triglycerides showed insignificant change. Terazosin significantly improved insulin sensitivity. Doppler technique showed that Terazosin significantly decreased renal artery systolic pressure and blood flow velocity while it produced insignificant effect on heart rate. In-vitro studies on isolated rat aorta and isolated rat heart, terazosin had a significant cholinomimetic effect beside it's alpha 1 blocking action

Laser in situ keratomileusis for children with myopic anisometropia

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, predictability and stability of laser in situ keratormileusis to correct high myopia or myopic astigmatism in patients with an isometropia, in whom convential therapies have failed Eleven] patients aged 7.5 to 12.5 years with myopic anisometropia and amblyopia had LASIK in the more myopic eye. Preoperative spherical equivalent ranged from -4.75 to - 12 D and spectacle corrected visual acuity ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 Minimum follow up was 12 months. One year after LASIK, the spherical equivalent refraction ranged from 0 to- 2.25D [mean-l.00]. The main regression of the refractive error occurred in the first 3 months after surgery, preoperative BCVA of 0.5 or better was present in 2 eyes [18%], and BCVA of 0.33 or better was present in 5 eyes [45%], one year after LASIK BCVA of 0.5 or better was present in 4 eyes [36%], and BCVA of 0.33 or better was present in 10 eyes [91%]. There were no significant complications LASIK was effective for correction of myopic anisometropia in this study, was safe and relatively predictable, and provided good visual results

Visual recovery after buckling surgery for macula - off retinal detachment

The purpopse of this work is to study the postoperative course of the recovery of macular function. The visual recovery after a scleral buckling surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment involving the macula was investigated retrospectively. 52 patients with 52 eyes had been treated with a segmental, radial or encircling scleral buckle. The follow up period was for more than 5 years. All cases with a history of trauma, macular diseases, cataract and previous vitreoretinal surgery were excluded from the study. A better postoperative visual recovery was obtained in cases with better preoperative visual acuity, short duration of macular detachment and also cases of emmetropia or a low degree of myopia. The best corrected visual acuities were better at 5 years postoperatively than at 3 months by two lines or more in 22 eyes [42%]. Good preoperative visual acuity and short duration of macular detachment carries a better postoperative visual recovery. The visual function may continue to improve over the long-term