Distribution of ophthalmologists and optometrists in Islamic Republic of Iran and their associated factors.

We aimed to determine the distribution of ophthalmic care providers and its correlation with health and socioeconomic status and health system indicators. Data were gathered from the Iran Medical Council and the Iranian Societies of Ophthalmology and Optometry. Concurrent indicators were collected from the Statistical Center of Iran and national studies. A population-adjusted number of combined ophthalmologists and optometrists was used as the main dependent variable. Optometrist/ophthalmologist ratio was 0.9. We had 1 ophthalmologist and 1 optometrist for every 40 000 and 45 000 individuals, respectively. We observed a direct correlation between the number of ophthalmologists, optometrists and life expectancy at the provincial level. Gross provincial income and expenditure and provincial literacy were correlated as well. Provincial unemployment had a negative correlation. Provincial hospital statistics and population density were also significantly correlated. The Islamic Republic of Iran has met the World Health Organization's desired per capita number of ophthalmologists and optometrists, but there is wide variation in their density.

Distribution of ophthalmologists and optometrists in Islamic Republic of Iran and their associated factors

We aimed to determine the distribution of ophthalmic care providers and its correlation with health and socioeconomic status and health system indicators. Data were gathered from the Iran Medical Council and the Iranian Societies of Ophthalmology and Optometry. Concurrent indicators were collected from the Statistical Center of Iran and national studies. A population-adjusted number of combined ophthalmologists and optometrists was used as the main dependent variable. Optometrist/ophthalmologist ratio was 0.9. We had 1 ophthalmologist and 1 optometrist for every 40 000 and 45 000 individuals, respectively. We observed a direct correlation between the number of ophthalmologists, optometrists and life expectancy at the provincial level. Gross provincial income and expenditure and provincial literacy were correlated as well. Provincial unemployment had a negative correlation. Provincial hospital statistics and population density were also significantly correlated. The Islamic Republic of Iran has met the World Health Organization's desired per capita number of ophthalmologists and optometrists, but there is wide variation in their density

Nous avons cherché à déterminer la distribution des dispensateurs de soins ophtalmologiques et sa corrélation avec la situation sanitaire et socio-économique ainsi qu'avec les indicateurs des systèmes de santé. Des données ont été rassemblées par le Conseil médical iranien et les Sociétés d'Ophtalmologie et d'Optométrie iraniennes. Des indicateurs concurrents ont été collectés auprès du Centre statistique d'Iran et à partir d'études nationales. Un nombre d'ophtalmologues et d'optométristes ajusté en fonction de la population a été utilisé comme principale variable dépendante. Le ratio optométriste/ophtalmologue était de 0,9. Il y avait un ophtalmologue et un optométriste pour 40 000 et 45 000 individus respectivement. Nous avons observé une corrélation directe entre le nombre d'ophtalmologues, d'optométristes et l'espérance de vie à l'échelle des provinces. Le revenu et les dépenses bruts en province ainsi que l'alphabétisation à ce niveau étaient également liés. Le chômage à l'échelle des provinces avait une corrélation négative. Les statistiques des hôpitaux de province et la densité de la population entretenaient une corrélation significative. La République islamique d'Iran a atteint le nombre d'ophtalmologues et d'optométristes par habitant fixé par l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé, mais il existe une importante variabilité dans leur densité

Evaluation of the effect of acetazolamide on cystoid macular oedema in patients with Behcet's disease.

AIM: To study the effect of acetazolamide on cystoid macular oedema (CMO) in patients with Behcet's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 67 eyes of 35 Behcet's patients with chronic, but well-controlled uveitis, and CMO were randomised into a double-masked, crossover trial comparing the effect of acetazolamide vs placebo. The patients received an initial 4-week course of either 250 mg acetazolamide twice daily (b.i.d.) or placebo, followed by a 4-week washout period. They then received a 4-week course of the reverse study medication. An improvement in visual acuity and fundus fluorescein angiographic findings was assessed. RESULTS: In total, 29 patients (55 eyes) completed the trial and were available for analysis. Of the 29, 16 men and 13 were women. The age range was 13-50 years (mean 33.6 years). Patients on acetazolamide showed a slightly better improvement of angiographic signs (at least by one grade improvement) over that of placebo (12 vs five eyes). They also had less deterioration of angiographic signs over that of placebo (three vs seven eyes). However, these findings were not statistically significant (P=0.99). Acetazolamide had no statistically significant effect (P=0.53) on the improvement of visual acuity of patients over that of placebo (13 vs eight eyes), nor on the deterioration of visual acuity (three vs 11 eyes). CONCLUSION: Despite seemingly favourable results, the 4-week course of acetazolamide (250 mg b.i.d.) has no statistically significant effect on the improvement of the visual acuity and the fluorescein angiographic findings in Behcet's patients with CMO.