Correlation between serum lipids and age-related macular degeneration: a case-control study

Age-related macular degeneration [AMD] is one of the leading causes of visual loss among people aged 65 yr and older. The pathophysiology of AMD is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum lipid concentrations and age-related macular degeneration. In this case-control study, total cholesterol [TCH], low density lipoprotein [LDL], high density lipoprotein [HDL] and triglyceride [TG] of 32 patients with AMD were compared with 32 subjects without AMD that were matched for age. Data were analyzed using Independent t and Chi-Square Tests. TCH, LDL, and TG serum concentrations were significantly higher in AMD patients compared with control group [P<0.001, P<0.001 and P<0.017 respectively]. There was no difference in HDL concentration between two groups [P=0.781]. High level of total cholesterol, TG and LDL were associated with increased risk of AMD. Results of this study suggest further research to better understand the underlying biological mechanisms of AMD related to serum cholesterol

comparison of probing with air injection and probing with irrigation in children with congenital nasolachrymal duct obstruction

Congenital nosolachrymal duct obstruction is one of the common disorders characterized by tearing and mucoid or mucopurulent discharge in children. The most common site of obstruction is the Hasner Value. About 20% of infants suffer from tearing which spontaneously improves within the first year of life in 90%. As there is no risk of aspiration with the air injection, it was adopted for comparison with saline injection. Therefore, this research was conducted to compare the success rate of the conventional method [probing with irrigation] and the air injection in infants. This study was conducted as clinical trial in which 61 patients [with the age range of 9-24 months] [76 eyes] with congenital nosolachrymal duct obstruction, not responding to conservative treatment, was randomly assigned into one of the two groups. They were assessed before and after probing using Munk's scale. Their follow-up included lachrymal massage and antibiotic drops and assessment in 2 weeks, one month and three months after probing. A few cases were excluded from the study for irregular follow-up participations. Chisquare was used for data analysis. Out of 34 male eyes and 42 female eyes, 33 and 42 eyes recovered respectively upon the final follow-up [three months after probing]. Out of 30 patients probed with saline, after two weeks, 31 eyes [86.1%] recovered after two weeks; 34 eyes [94.4%] after one month and 34 eyes [94.4%] after three months. Out of 31 patients poobed with air injection, the recovery rates after two weeks, one month and three months follow-up, 33 eyes [82.5%], 38 eyes [95%] and 38 [95%] respectively. As three is no risk of aspiration with the air injection and the outcomes are similar to the irrigation method, the researchers recommend probing with air injection to be substituted to saline irrigation