[Thyroid function tests in patients with chalazia]

To evaluate the prevalence of clinical and subclinical thyroid disorders using thyroid function tests in patients with single and multiple chalazia. A complete ophthalmologic examination and thyroid function tests including thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], thyroxine [T4] and triiodothyronine [T3] were performed in 60 patients with single chalazia and 50 patients with multiple chalazia, consecutively referred to Poostchi Eye Clinic, Shiraz, Iran and compared with 60 age- and gender-matched control subjects. Mean TSH values were higher in patients with single [3.89 Mu/l] and multiple [4.80 Mu/l] chalazia as compared to controls [3.02 Mu/l] [P= 0.23]. No significant difference was detected for T4 levels between patients with single or multiple chalazia as compared to controls. The prevalence of blepharitis was 18% in patients with single chalazia, 34% in patients with multiple chalazia, both of which were higher than controls [5%] [P<0.001]. The difference between patients with single and multiple chalazia in terms of the prevalence of blepharitis was also significant [P<0.05]. There was no significant difference between patients with single and multiple chalazia in comparison with controls regarding thyroid function tests; however the prevalence of blepharitis in patients with multiple chalazia was higher than patients with single chalazia and both figures were higher than controls

[Correlation of hand dominancy and eye dominancy with vidual acuity and refractive errors]

To determine the correlation between hand dominancy and eye dominancy with visual acuity and refraction in subjects with refractive errors. This cross-sectional study includes 620 patients undergoing LASIK. Their refractive error [dry and cycloplegic], hand dominancy, eye dominancy [by hole-in-the-hand method] and visual acuity were determined. Exclusion criteria were monocularity, patient's inability to perform hole-in-the-hand test, and amblyopia. Overall, 585 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Age range was 21-43 years [mean- 33.7 years], 58% were female and 42% were male. The right hand was dominant in 90.9% and the right eye was dominant in 77.9% of the subjects. Right eye dominancy was observed in 79.1% of right handed individuals and in 66.1% of left handed patients. Cross eye-hand dominancy was observed in 38.3% and uncrossed eye-hand dominancy in 61.7%. Visual acuity was better in dominant eyes in 68.2% [P=0.03, t=0.89]. The non dominant eyes had higher refractive errors than dominant eyes [P=0.01, t=0.88]. In both groups of right handed and left handed individuals, the right eye was more often dominant and uncrossed dominancy was more prevalent than crossed dominancy. Better visual acuity or smaller refractive error may influence eye dominancy