incidence of fungal infection in chronic non-ulcerative blepharitis

Bacterial and fungal cultures of the eye lids of 30 patients having chronic non ulcerative blepharitis and 16 controls were performed. Estimation of tear IgA, IgE and differential leucocytic count were carried out for confirmation of the associated processes. Fungal isolates in the studied group represented 34 percent in relation to the bacterial infection 66 percent. The incidence of fungal infection was higher in the older age groups and in long duration chronicity. The two commonly isolated fungi were Candida albicans and Aspergillus. The samples of the control group were free from pathogenic microorganisms except the normal commensal flora. The levels of tear IgA and IgE were elevated in the patients as compared with controls. Blood eosinophils and polymorphs were within normal levels

Comparative study of the biophysical changes in senile, complicated and congenital cataracts

Refractive index, electrophoretic mobility and protein content of the soluble lens proteins were studied in senile, complicated, and congenital cataracts. In senile cataract, the refractive index and protein content showed remarkable decrease accompanied with significant increase in the electrophoretic mobility. Obtained results of complicated cataract demonstrated marked fluctuations as compared with the healthy controls. Refractive index and the soluble protein content in congenital cataract showed general decrease while the electrophoretic mobility revealed slight increase

changes in vitamin A and protein in cataractous lenses

The serum vitamin A and Beta carotene level was determined in a number of patients suffering from immature and mature [with or without diabetes] cataract. A group of diabetic patients without cataract were also included. The serum total protein and its electrophoretic separated fractions were also analysed. The results showed that a drop occurred in serum vitamin A and B carotene particularly in mature cataract. Measurement of intestinal absorption of vitamin A in those patients with low level of the vitamin revealed a retarded rate of absorption. The level of albumin, alpha 2- macroglobulin, transferrin and A/G ratio in patients was different from that in normal. It is clear that vitamin A deficiency is contributing to the development of cataract. Also it is recommended to give parenteral vitamin A therapy to those who are exposed to develop cataract. The parenteral route is described to escape the defect in intestinal absorption of the vitamin

role of the design of colour blindness test chart on the degree of colour blindness

On testing some patients suffering from colour blindness using the traditional test chart for colour blindess test [Ishihara Chart], It was found that all of them have complete colour blindness and on performing the test on the same persons using another chart [the City University colour vision test] it was found that some of them could do the test successfully, some of them did it partially, and the rest failed in doing the test. This indicates that the test for colour blindness depends on the design of the test chart