ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare vision-related (VR-QOL) and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in patients with noninfectious uveitis treated with systemic anti-inflammatory therapy versus nonsystemic therapy. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study design was employed. VR-QOL and HR-QOL were assessed by the 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) and the Short Form 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12), respectively. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the VR-QOL and HR-QOL based on treatment. RESULTS: Among the 80 patients, the median age was 51 years with 28 males (35%). The adjusted effect of treatment modality on VR-QOL or HR-QOL showed no statistically significant difference in all subscores of VFQ-25 or physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) of SF-12. Systemic therapy did not compromise VR-QOL or HR-QOL compared to nonsystemic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic therapy can be effectively used to control serious cases of noninfectious uveitis without significant relative adverse impact on quality of life.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Health Status , Quality of Life , Uveitis/psychology , Visual Acuity , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Uveitis/drug therapy , Uveitis/physiopathology , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate rates of strabismus surgery and population projections in the United States and to consider whether a sufficient number of pediatric ophthalmologists are being trained to meet future needs. METHODS: Review of online data from Series 13 reports from the National Center for Health Statistics for the period 1965 to 1996, including reports from the National Hospital Discharge Survey and the National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery. Population data were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. RESULTS: The current rate of strabismus surgery for children under 15 years of age is 80 per 100,000 persons in the United States. This rate would generate an additional 389 strabismus cases annually, based on the predicted growth of the pediatric population. On average, today's pediatric ophthalmologist performs about 114 strabismus procedures annually. CONCLUSIONS: If the current rates and trends remain stable over the coming years, it is not likely that there will be a shortage of pediatric ophthalmologists in the United States.
