Prevalence of eye diseases and visual impairment in urban population-A study from University of Malaya Medical Centre

One thousand one hundred and sixty-nine (1169) patients were examined in the Eye Clinic of University of Malaya Medical Centre over a period of three weeks to determine the prevalence of eye diseases and visual impairment. Age, gender, race, visual acuity and diagnosis of patients were noted from the case records. Cataract (385, 32.9%) was the most common eye disease seen in our study followed by glaucoma (274, 23.4%). Refractive errors were seen in 126 (10.8%) while diabetic retinopathy was noted in 113 (9.7%) patients. One hundred and fifteen (9.6%) patients had visual impairment and 11 (0.9%) had blindness in our study according to WHO classification of visual impairment. Refractive errors are the most common causes of visual impairment in children, while cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy account for visual impairment in elderly people. All these eye diseases are treatable and the severe eye conditions may be potentially preventable with early diagnosis.

Antiphospholipid syndrome manifesting as papilledema / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

·AIM: To report a rare case of antiphospholipid syndrome presenting as papilledema and sixth nerve palsy in right eye due to superior sagittal sinus thrombosis, and regression of papilledema following anticoagulation and acetazolamide therapy.·METHODS: A 44-year-old Chinese gentleman presented with headache, diplopia and mild blurring of vision. Clinical examination revealed the presence of sixth nerve palsy in right eye and papilledema. There was enlargement of blind spot in the visual fields and red green deficiency in both eyes.Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Hematological investigation confirmed the presence of antiphospholipid syndrome as the underlying cause.·RESULTS: The condition was treated successfully in three months with the adjunctive use of anticoagulation and acetazolamide. Reversal of papilledema changes in the optic disc to normal indicates the anatomical recovery, while reduction of enlargement of blind spot to normal size,recovery of red green deficieny to normal colour vision in both eyes and visual improvement after regression of papilledema in right eye indicate functional recovery in this patient.·CONCLUSION: Antiphospholipid syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of papilledema, and oral acetazolamide is an important adjunct therapy to anticoagulation in cases of refractory papilledema to protect the optic nerve from potential damage which results in blindness.