Ambient Air Pollution and Vision Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The effects of air pollution on physical health are well recognized, with many studies revealing air pollution's effects on vision disorder, yet no relationship has been established. Therefore, a meta-analysis was carried out in this study to investigate the connection between vision disorder and ambient particles (diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5), diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10)) and gaseous pollutants (nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3)). Twelve relevant studies published by 26 February 2024 were identified in three databases. A pooled odds ratios (ORs) of 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using random-effects meta-analysis models. Meta-analysis results revealed that for every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and NO2 exposure, a substantially higher incidence of vision disorder was observed (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.19; OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.16). No significant correlation existed between exposure to PM10, SO2 and CO and vision disorder. However, O3 exposure was negatively associated with vision disorder. In addition, subgroup analyses revealed that PM2.5 exposure was significantly correlated with the risk of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration and that children and adolescents were more susceptible to NO2 and PM2.5 than adults. Overall, exposure to air pollutants, especially PM2.5 and NO2, may increase the incidence of vision disorder.

Efficacy of fitting HydroCone (Toris K) contact lenses for the visual rehabilitation of patients with posterior microphthalmos / Eficácia da adaptação de lentes de contato HydroCone (Toris K) para reabilitação visual de pacientes com microftalmia posterior

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of soft HydroCone silicone hydrogel contact lenses in patients with posterior microphthalmos. Methods: The charts of 13 patients with posterior microphthalmos (26 eyes) who were fitted with soft HydroCone silicone hydrogel contact lenses were reviewed retrospectively. All the patients underwent assessments of uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity and cycloplegic refraction. They were fitted with contact lenses according to the parameter values obtained from the topographical analysis and best contact lens-corrected visual acuity measurement. Results: The spherical equivalents of the right and left eyes ranged from 10.00 to 19.25 diopters and from 11.00 to 21.5 diopters, respectively. The mean axial and posterior chamber lengths were shorter than those of the age-matched population. However, the mean values of the anterior segment parameters such as horizontal visible iris diameter, central anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and central corneal thickness were in the normal range. The mean keratometric measurements revealed increased corneal curvature compared with that in the normal population. The mean best contact lens-corrected visual acuity was significantly higher than the mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity for both eyes (p=0.045). Conclusion: HydroCone silicon soft contact lenses provided better visual acuity than spectacles in the patients with posterior microphthalmos in this study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia das lentes de contato gelatinosas HydroCone, de hidrogel com silicone, em pacientes com microftalmia posterior. Métodos: Foram revisados retrospectivamente 26 olhos com microftalmia posterior, a partir dos prontuários de 13 pacientes que receberam lentes de contato gelatinosas HydroCone, de hidrogel com silicone. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao exame de acuidade visual não corrigida e com melhor correção por óculos e com refração cicloplégica. Todos os pacientes receberam lentes de contato de acordo com os parâmetros obtidos na análise topográfica e foi obtida a melhor acuidade visual corrigida com lentes de contato. Resultados: O equivalente esférico do olho direito variou de 10,00 a 19,25 dioptrias, e o do olho esquerdo de 11,00 a 21,5 dioptrias. Os comprimentos médios axiais e das câmaras posteriores foram menores do que para a população de mesma idade. No entanto, os valores médios dos parâmetros do segmento anterior, como o diâmetro horizontal visível da íris, a profundidade da câmara anterior central, a espessura da lente e a espessura central da córnea estavam dentro da faixa normal. Os valores médios da ceratometria revelaram curvatura corneana aumentada em relação à população normal. A média da melhor acuidade visual corrigida com lentes de contato foi significativamente maior que a média da melhor acuidade visual corrigida com óculos em ambos os olhos (p=0,045). Conclusão: As lentes de contato gelatinosas de silicone HydroCone proporcionam melhor acuidade visual que óculos em pacientes com microftalmia posterior.

Association of vitamins with hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem in the US general population.

Based on nationally representative samples from US, we aimed to assess the associations of vitamins with hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem. A total of 25,312, 8425 and 24,234 participants were included in this study to investigate the relationship of vitamins with hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, respectively. Vitamins including niacin, folic acid, vitamin B6, A, C, E and carotenoids were considered in our study. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between all included dietary vitamin intake concentrations and the prevalence of specific outcomes. Increased lycopene (odds ratio [OR]: 0.904, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.829-0.985) intake was associated with a deceased prevalence of hearing loss. Higher dietary intake of folic acid (OR: 0.637, 95% CI: 0.443-0.904), vitamin B6 (0.667, 0.465-0.947), alpha-carotene (0.695, 0.494-0.968), beta-carotene (0.703, 0.505-0.969) and lutein + zeaxanthin (0.640, 0.455-0.892) were associated with a decreased prevalence of vision disorder. The inversely associations of sleeping problem with niacin (OR: 0.902, 95% CI: 0.826-0.985), folic acid (0.882, 0.811-0.959), vitamin B6 (0.892, 0.818-0.973), vitamin C (0.908, 0.835-0.987), vitamin E (0.885, 0.813-0.963) and lycopene (0.919, 0.845-0.998) were also observed. Our findings provide evidence that increased specific vitamin intake is associated with decreased prevalence of hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem.

How Face Masks Affect the Use of Echolocation by Individuals With Visual Impairments During COVID-19: International Cross-sectional Online Survey.

BACKGROUND: Although a critical safety measure, preliminary studies have suggested that the use of a face mask may pose a problem for some users with disabilities. To date, little is known about how the wearing of a traditional face mask may pose a barrier to individuals with visual impairments who draw on auditory cues and echolocation techniques during independent travel. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to document the difficulties, if any, encountered during orientation and mobility due to the use of a face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies used to address these barriers. METHODS: In total, 135 individuals aged 18 years and older who self-identified as being blind, being deafblind, or having low vision and who could communicate in either English or French completed an anonymous cross-sectional online survey between March 29 and August 23, 2021. RESULTS: In total, 135 respondents (n=52, 38.5%, men; n=83, 61.5%, women) between the ages of 18 and 79 (mean 48.22, SD 14.48) years participated. Overall, 78 (57.7%) self-identified as blind and 57 (42.3%) as having low vision. In addition, 13 (9.6%) identified as having a combined vision and hearing loss and 3 (2.2%) as deafblind. The most common face coverings used were cloth (n=119, 88.1%) and surgical masks (n=74, 54.8%). Among the barriers raised, participants highlighted that face masks made it more difficult to locate people (n=86, 63.7%), communicate with others (n=101, 74.8%), and locate landmarks (n=82, 60.7%). Although the percentage of those who used a white cane before the pandemic did not substantially change, 6 (14.6%) of the 41 participants who were guide dog users prior to the pandemic reported no longer working with a guide dog at the time of the survey. Moreover, although guide dog users reported the highest level of confidence with independent travel before the pandemic, they indicated the lowest level of confidence a year after the pandemic began. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that participants were less able to draw on nonvisual cues during independent travel and social interactions due to the use of a facemask, contributing to a reduction in perceived self-confidence and independence. Findings inform the development of evidence-based recommendations to address identified barriers.

Analysis of ocular emergencies in a reference eye center in Brazil / Análise das emergências oculares em um centro de referência oftalmológica no Brasil

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the incidence of ocular emergencies and patient profiles in a public health eye center in Brazil. Methods: The medical record database of the Fundação Altino Ventura, Recife, Brazil was retrospectively analyzed and included all patients assisted at the ophthalmic emergency room between January 2017 and January 2018. Medical records with incomplete data and outpatient complaints were excluded. For records with multiple visits, only the initial visit was considered. Results: In 1 year, 134,788 patients (mean age at admission: 38.7 ± 22 years; range: 0-99 years) were admitted at the emergency room of the Fundação Altino Ventura. The most frequent diagnoses were conjunctivitis (52,732 cases; 37.3%), blepharitis (7,213 cases; 5.1%), and corneal/conjunctival foreign body (6,925 cases; 4.9%). Corneal/conjunctival foreign body and ocular trauma had an eight- and two-fold higher incidence in male patients, respectively (both p<0.001). Female patients presented a two-fold higher incidence of trichiasis and blepharitis than males (p<0.001). Corneal/conjunctival foreign body and ocular trauma affected more patients in a productive age (>15 years), while corneal ulcers, blepharitis, and trichiasis affected more elderly patients. All diagnostic clusters (e.g., infectious diseases, ocular trauma, foreign bodies, retinopathies, eyelid disorders, corneal diseases, glaucomatous crisis, and neuroophthalmological diseases) were more common during the spring season (p<0.001). Conclusion: The most common ocular emergencies in the present study were infectious diseases and foreign body. However, the incidence of ophthalmological emergencies was influenced by the age and sex of patients, as well as the time of the year.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar a incidência de emergências oculares em um centro oftalmológico de referência no Brasil. Métodos: O banco de dados de prontuários da Fundação Altino Ventura, Recife, Brasil, foi analisado retrospectivamente e incluiu pacientes atendidos, entre janeiro de 2017 e janeiro de 2018, na sala de emergência oftalmológica. Foram excluídos os prontuários com dados incompletos e com quadros ambulatoriais. Apenas o primeiro atendimento na emergência foi considerado para análise. Resultados: Em um ano, 134.788 pacientes (idade média de 38,7 ± 22 anos [0-99 anos]) foram admitidos na emergência da Fundação Altino Ventura. Os diagnósticos mais frequentes foram conjuntivite (52.732 casos [37,3%]), blefarite (7.213 casos [5,1%]) e corpo estranho na córnea/conjuntiva (6.925 casos [4,9%]). Corpo estranho na córnea/conjuntiva e trauma ocular foram cerca de 8 vezes e 2 vezes mais incidente em indivíduos do sexo masculino, respectivamente (p<0,001 em ambos). Triquíase e blefarite afetaram ~2 vezes mais pacientes do sexo feminino, respectivamente (p<0,001 em ambos). Corpo estranho na córnea/conjuntiva e trauma ocular afetaram mais pacientes em idade produtiva (>15 anos), enquanto úlcera, blefarite e triquíase da córnea afetaram mais pacientes idosos. Todos os grupamentos de diagnóstico (doenças infecciosas, trauma ocular, corpos estranhos, retinopatias, doenças das pálpebras, doenças da córnea, crise glaucomatosa e doenças neurooftalmológicas) foram mais incidentes na primavera (valor de p<0,001). Conclusão: As emergências oftalmológicas mais comuns no presente estudo foram as doenças infecciosas e o corpo estranho. Porém, a incidência das emergências oculares são fluências pela faixa etária e gênero do paciente, além da época do ano.

Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of a Novel Bayesian Decision-Making Algorithm for Vision Loss.

The current diagnostic aids for acute vision loss are static flowcharts that do not provide dynamic, stepwise workups. We tested the diagnostic accuracy of a novel dynamic Bayesian algorithm for acute vision loss. Seventy-nine "participants" with acute vision loss in Windsor, Canada were assessed by an emergency medicine or primary care provider who completed a questionnaire about ocular symptoms/findings (without requiring fundoscopy). An ophthalmologist then attributed an independent "gold-standard diagnosis". The algorithm employed questionnaire data to produce a differential diagnosis. The referrer diagnostic accuracy was 30.4%, while the algorithm's accuracy was 70.9%, increasing to 86.1% with the algorithm's top two diagnoses included and 88.6% with the top three included. In urgent cases of vision loss (n = 54), the referrer diagnostic accuracy was 38.9%, while the algorithm's top diagnosis was correct in 72.2% of cases, increasing to 85.2% (top two included) and 87.0% (top three included). The algorithm's sensitivity for urgent cases using the top diagnosis was 94.4% (95% CI: 85-99%), with a specificity of 76.0% (95% CI: 55-91%). This novel algorithm adjusts its workup at each step using clinical symptoms. In doing so, it successfully improves diagnostic accuracy for vision loss using clinical data collected by non-ophthalmologists.

Management of Functional Vision Disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to summarize current approaches to management of functional vision disorder (FVD). RECENT FINDINGS: Several retrospective studies of FVD in both adults and children have shed light on the range of outcomes and the prevalence of psychosocial stressors among FVD patients. While the first line of treatment for FVD is reassurance and education, recent case reports highlight the use of additional treatment modalities including psychotherapy, hypnosis, and transcranial magnetic stimulation in specific cases. Although the epidemiology and diagnosis of functional vision disorder are well described, there is limited evidence supporting treatment modalities. Nevertheless, the majority of patients improve with conservative management including reassurance, education, and appropriate follow-up. Additional approaches such as mental health care referral can be considered in refractory cases.

Functional vision disorders in adults: a paradigm and nomenclature shift for ophthalmology.

Vision loss with clinical findings that are incompatible with the symptoms and recognized neurological or ophthalmic conditions is a common presentation of patients to neurologists, ophthalmologists, and neuro-ophthalmologists. The accepted terminology to describe such patients has evolved over time, including functional visual disorder (FVD), non-organic vision loss, non-physiologic vision loss, functional vision loss, psychogenic, psychosomatic, and medically unexplained visual loss. Likewise, attitudes and recommended management options have changed over the years in the fields of psychiatry and neurology. FVD is a diagnosis of inclusion, and it is critical that the diagnosis be made and delivered efficiently and effectively to reduce patient and physician duress. We review the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM V) terminology and the prior literature on FVD and describe how the approaches to diagnosis and management have changed. We provide recommendations on the appropriate techniques and diagnostic approach for patients with FVD. We also propose a protocol for consistent and standardized discussion with the patient of the diagnosis of FVD. We believe that the adoption of FVD as both a paradigm and nomenclature shift in ophthalmology will improve patient care.

Unilateral papilledema and peripapillary polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy as the presenting manifestations of intracranial hypertension / Papiledema unilateral e vasculopatia polipoidal da coroide peripapilar como sinais de apresentação de hipertensão intracraniana

ABSTRACT We have reported here the case of a 54-year-old woman with intracranial hypertension that presented with the unique features of unilateral papilledema and peripapillary polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Our investigations lead to the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension and an incidental small right frontal meningioma. The patient was accordingly treated with oral acetazolamide, followed by three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab, which resulted in the inactivation of the polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, marked reduction of lipid exudation, and complete absorption of the subretinal fluid. This case serves as the first documentation of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy associated with papilledema. It also demonstrates that choroidal vascular abnormalities may occur even when optic disk edema is unilateral, which is an uncommon manifestation of increased intracranial pressure. Prompt recognition of such findings and its appropriate management are essential for adequate treatment and prevention of irreversible visual loss.

RESUMO Relatamos um caso de uma paciente de 54 anos com hipertensão intracraniana que apresentava achados atípicos de papiledema unilateral e vasculopatia polipoidal da coroide peripapilar. A investigação levou ao diagnóstico de hipertensão intracraniana idiopática e de um pequeno meningioma incidental. A paciente foi tratada com acetazolamida por via oral, seguida de três injeções intravítreas mensais de bevacizumabe, resultando em inatividade da vasculopatia polipoidal da coroide, redução da exsudação e completa absorção do líquido subretiniano. A apresentação deste caso serve para documentar pela primeira vez vasculopatia polipoidal da coroide associada a papiledema. Ele também demonstra que podem ocorrer anormalidades vasculares da coroide mesmo quando o edema do disco óptico é unilateral, uma manifestação incomum do aumento da pressão intracraniana. O reconhecimento imediato desses achados e seu manejo adequado são essenciais para o tratamento adequado e para prevenção da perda visual irreversível.

Cost burden and net monetary benefit loss of neonatal hypoglycaemia.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal hypoglycaemia is a common but treatable metabolic disorder that affects newborn infants and which, if not identified and treated adequately, may result in neurological sequelae that persist for the lifetime of the patient. The long-term financial and quality-of-life burden of neonatal hypoglycaemia has not been previously examined. METHODS: We assessed the postnatal hospital and long-term costs associated with neonatal hypoglycaemia over 80 year and 18 year time horizons, using a health-system perspective and assessing impact on quality of life using quality-adjusted life year (QALYs). A decision analytic model was used to represent key outcomes in the presence and absence of neonatal hypoglycaemia. RESULTS: The chance of developing one of the outcomes of neonatal hypoglycaemia in our model (cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, seizures, vision disorders) was 24.03% in subjects who experienced neonatal hypoglycaemia and 3.56% in those who do did not. Over an 80 year time horizon a subject who experienced neonatal hypoglycaemia had a combined hospital and post-discharge cost of NZ$72,000 due to the outcomes modelled, which is NZ$66,000 greater than a subject without neonatal hypoglycaemia. The net monetary benefit lost due to neonatal hypoglycaemia, using a value per QALY of NZ$43,000, is NZ$180,000 over an 80 year time horizon. CONCLUSIONS: Even under the most conservative of estimates, neonatal hypoglycaemia contributes a significant financial burden to the health system both during childhood and over a lifetime. The combination of direct costs and loss of quality of life due to neonatal hypoglycaemia means that this condition warrants further research to focus on prevention and effective treatment.

Physical activity, nutrition, and psychological well-being among youth with visual impairments and their siblings.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to examine physical activity, nutritional intake, and psychological well-being differences between youth with visual impairments and their siblings residing in the same household. A secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between physical activity behavior and psychological well-being among youth with visual impairments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 22 dyads of youth with visual impairments and siblings completed this study. Data were collected through parent-reported demographic and psychological well-being questionnaires, nutritional intake questionnaires, and accelerometry. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially, examining proportion difference using McNemar's z-test, and mean differences using multivariate analyses of variance. RESULTS: Siblings without visual impairments had higher but not significantly higher daily average moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (d = 0.46), significantly higher prosocial score (d = 0.63), and lower but not significantly lower difficulty scores (d = 0.39), than youth with visual impairments. Small, not statistically significant, nutritional intake differences between siblings were found. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in physical activity and nutritional habits between those with visual impairments and their siblings were not significant, supporting the environmentally driven nature of these variables. Associations between physical activity and well-being were not apparent in this study but may be partially explained by low participant physical activity.Implications for RehabilitationYouth with visual impairments and the siblings may be influenced by the same familial factors and molded in a similar fashion by parenting behaviors regarding health-related behaviors.In this study, youth with visual impairments engaged in similar physical activity and nutritional behaviors to their siblings without visual impairments.Efforts to improve health-related behaviors among those with visual impairments may be most effective at the family level.Small subsets of youth with visual impairments gain mental health benefits from physical activity engagement.

Vision-related symptoms after acquired brain injury and the association with mental fatigue, anxiety and depression.

BACKGROUND: Brain injury causes multiple symptoms. Among these, visual disturbances are common; 50-70% of patients experience some change in vision after injury/illness. Other very common and disabling symptoms are fatigue, anxiety and depression. This study examines whether levels of fatigue, anxiety and depression are increased if the patients also experience vision disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 123 patients enrolled in day care rehabilitation unit for medium-to-severe brain injury completed questionnaires about self-experienced fatigue, anxiety, depression and self-experienced level and type of visual disturbances. Symptoms of fatigue, anxiety and depression were compared with the occurrence of visual disturbances. Analyses were performed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: An association was found between visual symptoms and fatigue, but not between visual symptoms and anxiety/depression. However, some visual symptoms, such as glare, blurred vision and reading difficulties, showed great differences between patients with or without anxiety/depression. CONCLUSION: Vision rehabilitation may be a tool for mitigating fatigue after acquired brain injury.

Two Cases of Uveo-meningeal Syndrome

PURPOSE: We report two cases of uveo-meningeal syndrome involving the retina, uvea, and optic disc in both eyes after viral meningitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 16-year-old female was referred to our department with blurred vision in both eyes. She was hospitalized in the pediatric ward with viral meningitis. She showed a norma best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and normal intraocular pressure in both eyes, but had severe inflammation in the anterior chamber on slit lamp examination, and optic disc edema and multiple whitish lesions on fundus examination. She was treated with intravenous antibiotic injections and steroid eye drops. After close observation, inflammation in the anterior chamber, optic disc edema, and the multiple whitish lesions in the retina were improved. A 27-year-old male who was treated for viral meningitis at the neurology department was referred to us with blurred vision in both eyes. His BCVAs were 0.7 (right eye) and 0.6 (left eye). The intraocular pressure was normal in both eyes. Slit lamp examination revealed inflammation in the anterior chamber and optic disc edema, and a fundus examination revealed multiple infiltrations. He received treatment for presumed herpes virus infection. After close observation, inflammation in the anterior chamber, optic disc edema, and multiple infiltrations with hemorrhage in the retina were improved. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should consider the possibility of uveo-meningeal syndrome, which can cause inflammation in the uvea,retina, and optic disc simultaneous with viral meningitis accompanying blurred vision.

Burden of vision loss in the Eastern Mediterranean region, 1990-2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study.

OBJECTIVES: To report the estimated trend in prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to vision loss (VL) in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) from 1990 to 2015. METHODS: The estimated trends in age-standardized prevalence and the YLDs rate due to VL in 22 EMR countries were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2015 study. The association of Socio-demographic Index (SDI) with changes in prevalence and YLDs of VL was evaluated using a multilevel mixed model. RESULTS: The age-standardized prevalence of VL in the EMR was 18.2% in 1990 and 15.5% in 2015. The total age-standardized YLDs rate attributed to all-cause VL in EMR was 536.9 per 100,000 population in 1990 and 482.3 per 100,000 population in 2015. For each 0.1 unit increase in SDI, the age-standardized prevalence and YLDs rate of VL showed a reduction of 1.5% (p < 0.001) and 23.9 per 100,000 population (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of VL is high in the EMR; however, it shows a descending trend over the past 25 years. EMR countries need to establish comprehensive eye care programs in their health care systems.

Psychological implications of a vision disorder.

The paper discusses how the condition of crossed-eyes affects a baby's eye contact with mother and potentially results in the loss of a vital emotional connection with her during the earliest days of life. This loss may contribute to a rupture that arrests emotional development at a deep psychic level. It is suggested that, in the same way as premature separation, the rupture can precipitate a 'fusional complex', a defence that develops to protect the infant against psychotic anxieties. The paper proposes that psychological development atrophies in this place and creates a blind spot. These ideas are explored through analytic theory and developmental literature. The dreams of a patient and his art are used to illustrate a 10-year 'alchemical' process of bringing repressed material into consciousness and transformation. Healing the psychological wounds of deficits in early eye contact may be found to bring sight to a blind spot that was created by the nature of the condition itself.

Presumed topiramate retinopathy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We report a case of peripheral pigmentary retinopathy and visual field loss following topiramate use for uncontrolled seizures. Such side effects have not been well documented despite the increasing use of topiramate in the past 10 years. A thorough search of available English literature revealed only a small number of reports of topiramate-induced retinopathy or visual field defects in humans. One similar case has been described. We are concerned about the possible rare instances of this occurrence in future patients and hence would like to propose a presumed correlation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old Chinese woman developed blurred vision after 9 months of topiramate use. Her visual acuity dropped from 1.2 to 0.7 in both eyes, with bilateral diffuse pigmentary retinopathy and a constricted visual field. Despite an improvement in visual acuity after cessation of the drug, the other clinical findings remained. The temporal relationship between the initiation of topiramate and the visual disturbance suggests that topiramate could be the cause of such signs and symptoms. CONCLUSION: Topiramate potentially causes pigmentary retinopathy and constricted visual field.

Pay attention to the research work of stem cells transplantation for retinal diseases / 中华实验眼科杂志

With the special organization structure and function,retina is thought to be a prime candidate for developing the cellular therapies.Many types of stem cells have been explored to use for the treatment of retinal diseases and exhibit significant potential for further clinical application.However,before these results are translated to a clinical setting,sufficient investigations are required,such as the selection of the type of stem cells,transplantation strategy,the mechanism of therapeutic effect and biological safety,and how to get high differentiation efficiency,clarify the best development phase before transplantation,and achieve effective functional and structural integration of stem cells in the retina,etc.

Estimación del Perfil de Morbilidad en el Personal de la Aviación Civil en Colombia / Estimating the morbidity profile amongst Colombian civil aviation personnel

Objetivo Describir los principales procesos de morbilidad en tripulaciones y controladores aéreos pertenecientes a la aviación civil de Colombia. Métodos Estudio transversal descriptivo. Se tomó una muestra aleatoria de todos los registros clínicos existentes en el archivo de la dirección de Medicina de Aviación de la autoridad de la Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia que correspondió a 1 059 registros (de pilotos, auxiliares de servicios a bordo, controladores aéreos y operadores de estación aérea). Se revisaron las historias clínicas y se tomaron los datos de identificación, antecedentes, morbilidad y limitaciones actuales. Resultados De los 1 059 registros, 68,2 por ciento correspondieron a hombres, el promedio de edad fue 37 años. El 22,9 por ciento refirieron algún antecedente médico en la primera certificación. En el 17,1 por ciento se registró consumo de alcohol y en el 11,9 por ciento tabaquismo. Los principales diagnósticos encontrados fueron: los trastornos de la vision (52,2 por ciento), las dislipidemias (40,6 por ciento), aumento de peso (37,5 por ciento) principalmente sobrepeso (33,3 por ciento), la pérdida auditiva (22,0 por ciento), sano (14,0 por ciento) y HTA (8,1 por ciento). Los diagnósticos se conservaron en los diferentes grupos aunque en diferente orden. Conclusiones En otros estudios predominan las enfermedades cardiovasculares entre tripulantes y controladores aéreos. En Colombia los trastornos de la visión fueron los predominantes. No sabemos si hay una predisposición a padecer de estas enfermedades. En segundo lugar se encontraron factores de riesgo cardiovascular lo cual reviste vital importancia para la implementación de programas de promoción y prevención y para la salud publica.

Objective Describing main morbidity rate amongst Colombian civil aviation cockpit and air traffic control personnel. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. A random sample of 1,059 records (pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers) was taken from Colombian aeronautical authority files. Identification, background, morbidity and limitation data was reviewed for each one. Results 68,2 percent of the records concerned males. Average age was 37. 22,9 percent of the sample had some medical antecedent recorded on their first certification. Alcohol consumption (occasional) was recorded for 17,1 percent of the sample and 11,9 percent were smokers. The main diagnoses made were: vision disorders (52,2 percent), dyslipidemias (40,6 percent), being overweight (37,5 percent), having hearing loss (22,0 percent), being healthy (14,0 percent) and suffering from hypertension (8,1 percent). Each group had the same diagnoses, but occurring in a different order. Conclusions: Others studies have found cardiovascular disease to be the main cause of morbidity amongst cockpit and air traffic control personnel. Vision disorders were the main disorder occurring in Colombia. We do not know if there is a predisposition amongst Colombians to suffer such morbidity. Cardiovascular risk factors were found in second place in Colombia, meaning that public health prevention and promotion countermeasures should be taken.

A Case of Orbital Apex Syndrome Caused by Mucocele in the Sphenoid Sinus / 대한이비인후과학회지

Orbital complications of sinus disease continue to appear in clinical practice. Acute visual loss may occur in association with sinusitis either as a complication of orbital cellulitis or, less frequently, as a part of the orbital apex syndrome. The classification which defines the degree of orbital extension is valuable, therapeutically and prognostically. The orbital apex syndrome is associated with an affection of the vessels and nerves passing through the superior orbital fissure and the optic foramen and characterized by visual loss and ophthalmoplegia. But it has minimal or no signs of orbital inflammation such as proptosis, chemosis, or lid edema. We experienced a case of temporary monocular visual loss and ophthalmoplegia caused by mucocele in the sphenoid sinus. Thus, we report, with a review of literature, a case of orbital apex syndrome caused by mucocele in the sphenoid sinus in a 53 year-old male patient.

Muscle weakness and vision disorder following open reduction of both condylar fracture: Case Report