Incidence of retinopathy of prematurity and risk factors in the South-Western Region of Iran

The aim of this study was to report the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity [ROP] and the contribution of various risk factors to ROP in the south-western region of Iran. This cross-sectional case-control series reviewed all low birth weight [LBW,

Sulfur hexafluoride 20% versus lactated ringer's solution for prevention of early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage after diabetic vitrectomy

To compare the hemostatic effect of sulfur hexafluoride 20% [SF6 20%] with lactated Ringer's solution for prevention of early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage following diabetic vitrectomy. In a prospective randomized clinical trial, 50 eyes undergoing diabetic vitrectomy were divided into two groups. At the conclusion of surgery, in one group the vitreous cavity was filled with SF6 20% while in the other group lactated Ringer's solution was retained in the vitreous cavity. The two groups were compared for the rate of early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage. The incidence of vitreous hemorrhage was lower in the SF6 group than the Ringer's group 4 days [20% vs. 68%, P=0.001], 7 days [24% vs. 60%, O=0.01] and 4 weeks [16% vs. 40%, P=0.059] after vitrectomy. In comparison with lactated ringer's solution, SF6 20% had a significant hemostatic effect especially in the early postoperative period after diabetic vitrectomy and reduced the incidence of vitreous hemorrhage

Conjunctival mycoflora in patients presenting to eye ward of Imam Khomeini hospital, Ahvaz

To investigate the incidence of fungal mycoflora of conjunctiva in patients attending teaching department of ophthalmology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. One hundred and seventy two swabs were collected from the conjunctiva of patients attending to eye ward of the hospital during autumn 2007 to summer 2008. Swabs were cultured on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar and incubated at ambient temperature for one week. Eleven patients were positive for saprophytic fungi. The most common saprophytic fungus was Cladopsporium [four cases]. Other filamentous fungi were Drechslera [one case], Alternaria [one case], Fusarium [one case] and Epicoccum [one case]. In addition, three isolates of yeasts include Cryptococcus, Candida albicans and Rhodotorula rubra were also isolated from patients. There was a remarkable presence of fungi in the conjunctiva of patients. The environmental conditions, the socioeconomic status and personal poor hygienic conditions, led to the high incidence of conjunctival fungus isolation [6.4%]. The incidence was much higher in males [72.7%] as [27.3%] in females

Incidence of Helicobacter pylori in central serous chorioretinopathy: a case control study

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common infections worldwide. Central serous chorioretinopathy [CSCR] is a serous macular detachment that usually affects young people. The aetiopathogenesis of the disease is still not completely understood. Recently, an interesting association has been observed between this disease and the H. pylori infection. This study was conducted to investigate a possible association between H. pylori infection and CSCR. A prospective study was performed and we evaluated a total of 54 CSCR patients [48 males and 6 females, median age 35.7 years], and a control group of 59 patients [25 women, 34 males; mean age 42.6 +/- 11 years] who referred to gastroenterology department of Imam Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, were studied. Central serous chorioretinopathy was diagnosed on the basis of findings in ophthalmic examinations and confirmed by fluorescein angiogram. All patients underwent a [13]C-urea breath test [UBT] and serum IgG anti-bodies to H. pylori by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique to detect H. pylori infection. Patients were defined as H. pylori infected if both tests were positive. The mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 10.5 +/- 4.5 days. Overall no statistically significant difference was found between left and right eyes, bilaterally was in 5 patients [9.2%]. The incidence of H. pylori infection was 68.5% in CSCR patients and 65% in control subjects [p=0.64]. These results indicate that the prevalence of H. pylori infection is not higher in patients with CSCR than in controls. Further large studies will be required to determine the role of H. pylori infection in patients with CSCR