prevalence of hypertensive retinopathy in referral patients to hospitals of Yazd

With Hypertension this clinical situation is the target organs including eye complications. The hypertensive vasculopathy can be directly identified on the retinal vessels by ophthalmoscopy. To determine the prevalence rate of hypertensive retinopathy in high blood pressure patients. 213 patients with hypertension were examined to determine the ophthalmologic stages of their retinopathy. In this study 213 hypertensive patients [95 males and 118 females] in age range of 25-85 years old [mean age: 64.47 +/- 10.26 years], mean duration of diagnosed hypertension 7.82 +/- 6.26 years and mean duration of medical treatment 7.32 +/- 5.46 years were evaluated. 39.9% of patients had hypertensive retinopathy which was more common in women [45.8%] than in men [33%]. 47.8% of patients with positive family history and 31% with negative family history of hypertension showed hypertensive retinopathy. 25.3% of patients with mild hypertension [HTN], 34.5% with moderate HTN and 84.6% with severe HTN suffered from hypertensive retinopathy. 42.36% of patients with hypertensive retinopathy were classified as grade I, 35.29% as grade II, 20% as grade III and 2.35% as grade IV. The most common ophthalmoscopic findings in hypertensive retinopathy were: arteriole narrowing [35.13%], AV nicking [17.12%] and cotton wool patch [9%]. Early diagnosis and control of high blood pressure prevents ocular and other target organ hypertension complications. Positive family history of hypertension and also hypertensive complications of target organs especially cerebrovascular are risk factors for hypertensive retinopathy

Comparison of efficacy and safety of topical Ketotifen [Zaditen] with cromolyn sodium in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis

This study compared the efficacy of Ketotifen fumarate.025% [Zaditen] with Cromolyn sodium 4% [Opticrom] eye drops in prevention of itching, tearing, and redness in Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis [VKC]. This double blind randomized single center clinical trial conducted between April and August 2004 in Yazd. One hundred eligible patients with clinical diagnosis of moderate VKC were randomly prescribed Zaditen [group A: n=50] and Cromolyn sodium [group B: n=50] eye drops for a 4 weeks period. Itching, lacrimation, redness, and hotophobia were scored on a 4-points severity scale. After 7 days of treatment, the response rates based on subjects assessment of global efficacy was significantly greater in Ketotifen group [61.5%] than in Cromolyn group[53%].A clear response to treatment occurred in 94.4 of Zaditen and 81.2% of Sodium Cromoglycate treated patients. The investigator,s assessment of response rates also showed that Ketotifen was superior to Cromolyn sodium [P=0.001]. Ketotifen produced a significantly better outcome than Cromolyn for relief of signs and symptoms of VKC [P<0.05]. Ketotifen fumarate treatment significantly reduced the total signs and symptoms score for each patients, in compare with day 0. Ketotifen had a faster onset of action and provided better symptom relief than Cromolyn. The rapid onset of action and symptom control, make Zaditen a valuable treatment for VKC