Prevalence of amblyopia in ametropias in a clinical set-up.

OBJECTIVE: To find out prevalence of amblyopia in ametropias in a clinical set-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective clinical study children from 4-5 years age group to the young adults who attended the eye clinic in one year period were included after taking history, VA test by Snellen's Vision Chart, cycloplegic refraction by streak retinoscope in children and wet or dry retinospcopy in young adults; and a thorough anterior and posterior segment eye examinations by slit lamp biomicroscope and ophthalmoscope to exclude structural abnormality of the eye or the posterior visual pathway defects. A total of 970 eye patients having diminution of vision with ametropias were identified and patients having reduction of visual acuity of greater than two lines between the eyes or an absolute reduction in acuity below 6/9 either eye in snellen's vision chart which cannot be corrected by refraction were enrolled to find out prevalence of amblyopia. RESULTS: Out of 970 ametropic eye patients amblyopia was present in 56 patients (5.97%) with anisometropias and high bilateral ametropias. The prevalence of amblyopia according to types of ametropias are: hyperopia 6 (10.71%), myopia 2 (3.57%), myopic astigmatism 31 (55.36%), hyperopic astigmatism 11 (19.64%) and mixed astigmatism 6 (10.71%). Sex distribution of amblyopia is male 32 (57.14%) and female 24 (42.86%). Laterality of amblyopia shows: monocular 40 (71.43%) and binocular 16 (28.57%). CONCLUSION: Out of 970 ametropic eye patients a total of 56 (5.97%) patients have amblyopia. A preschool and school screening program in children in critical period of development of amblyopia must be conducted to find out the ametropias and amblyopia in time; and treat them earlier, by optical correction and amblyopia therapy, effectively and adequately.

Refractive error profile--a clinical study.

AIM: To study the distribution of refractive error in different ethnic groups of Nepal. METHODS: A total of 1276 new eye patients between 5-35 years of age were included in this study after a thorough eye examination consisting of vision test, anterior and posterior segment eye examination including the investigative procedures whenever needed to rule out any systemic and ocular diseases. Thereafter, the patients were subjected to rigorous streak retinoscopic refraction. RESULTS: Out of 1276 eye patients examined 51.33 % patients are males and 48.66 % are females. The ethnic distribution of refractive error shows that there are 32.44% Newars; 27.50% Brahmins; 21.63% Chhetriyas; 12.14% Gurungs, Magars, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, Sunuwars; and 6.26% Madhesias. Out of 414 Newar patients, 14.00% patients are myopic; 29.71% hyperopic; and 56.28% astigmatic. In 351 Brahmin patients, 14.81% patients are myopic; 49.85% hyperopic; and 35.32% astigmatic. In 276 Chhetry patients, 13.40% patients are myopic; 48.18% hyperopic; and 38.40% astigmatic. Out of 155 Gurungs, Magars, Rais patients, 11.61% are myopic; 52.90% hyperopic; and 35.48% astigmatism. Out of 80 Madhesias patients, 11.25% are myopic; 37.50% hyperopic; and 51.25 % astigmatic. CONCLUSION: Thus, a refractive error profile is drawn up in Nepalese population.

Case of xeroderma pigmentosum with well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the eye.

A seven year old female child presented with complaints of increased freckling over the face since the age of two years and a rapidly growing mass over the right eye. She underwent excisional biopsy of the mass over the eye which on histopathological examination was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma.