RESUMO
Introduction: beta-thalassemia major caused abnormalities of the eyes because of skeleton deformities, especially in the skull and long-term desferrioxamine [DFD] treatment
Objective: assessing the refractive errors in Beta-thalassemia major patients
Materials and Methods: a total of 71 thalassemia patients who referred lo Qoads hospital of Qazvin, were included in this study. Thirty-seven patients [52%] were female and thirty-four patients [48%] were male seventy one persons who were referred to same Hospital for opthal examinations were randomly selected as control group. All the patients [sample and control] after filling the questionnaires underwent an ophthalmologic and optometric examination by the same optometrist. Ultimately, the data were analyzed by using Spss
Result: the mean age of patients was 16 +/- 50, 37 patients were females and 34 patients were male. Among 71 patients 142 eyes 48 cases, 96 eyes [68%] were hyperopia and 18 cases [25%] were myopia. Whereas, from 142 aged-match control groups, 64 persons [90%] were myopia and 4 persons [5/6%] was hyperopia. The mean of Right and Left Axial length in thalassemia patients showed 22.52 +/- 0.34 and 22.57 +/- 0.38 and for control group showed 23.12 +/- 0. 7 and 23.13 +/- 0.64. There was significant difference between two groups [p<0.05]
Conclusion: the occurrence of refractive error [hyperopia] in thalassemia major patients is affected by either orbital deformity or toxicity of desferrioxamine treatment and should be taken into consideration. This study showed involvement of the Beta-thalassemia major in visual system especially in hyperopia