Prevalence of hepatitis band c infection in patients admitted at tertiary eye care centre: a hospital based study

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] infections and the risk factors in patients admitted for ocular treatment at a tertiary eye care centre in Sindh Pakistan. Nine hundred thirty one patients admitted at Liaquat University Eye hospital Hyderabad for ocular treatment, were screened for HBV and HCV. Patients of either sex, with more than thirty years of age were included. Screening for HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] and antibodies against HCV [anti-HCV] was performed through chromatography method. Samples repeatedly reactive for HBsAg or anti-HCV were considered positive. Out of 931 registered patients, 497 [53.3%] were male and 434 [46.7%] female. Hepatitis B and C was detected in 167 [17.9%] subjects. The overall seroprevalence of HBV infection within the study period was 4.6%, HCV 13.3%, and for HBV and HCV both was 3.9%. Regarding the predisposing factors, past history of blood transfusion was present in 08.3% subjects, needle injection 89.2%, barber shaving 52.6%, and 46 [27.5%] patients presented with past history of surgery. For the prevention of transmission of HBV and HCV infection, the community awareness regarding vaccination against Hepatitis - B and risk factors for spread of HBV and HCV, implementation of population based screening and vaccination for HBV on large scale should be ensured

To determine prevalence of pseudo exfoliation at a tertiary eye care centre: a hospital based study

To report the prevalence of pseudo exfoliation in association with Cataract and other ocular diseases at a tertiary eye care centre in Sindh, Pakistan. This was a hospital based study at Liaquat University Eye hospital, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan conducted from July, 2005 to November, 2006. A total of 1450 subjects of more than fifty years with senile cataract were registered who underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation. Visual acuity, refraction, Goldmann applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, slit lamp examination, and dilated pupil fundus examinations were performed. Pseudo exfoliation was diagnosed on slit lamp biomicroscopy by the presence of white dandruff-like material at papillary margin, on the anterior lens capsule, and trabecular meshwork, in one or both eyes. Out of 1450 patients, sixty five [4.48%] subjects was diagnosed having senile cataract with pseudo exfoliation. There was a significant increase in prevalence with age. Out of 65 cases, 15 cases [23.0%] were unilateral and 50 cases [76.9%] bilateral. Forty one eyes [63.0%] had raised intraocular pressure, in which four eyes [9.7%] had angle closure glaucoma, and 37 eyes [90.2%] had pseudo exfoliation [open angle] glaucoma. The prevalence of nuclear cataract was significantly higher [66.1%] in patients with pseudo exfoliation. It appears to be a common disorder in older individuals in the notified area. The association of pseudo exfoliation [PXF] with aging and cataract has public health implications