Diabetic Retinopathy: Recent Updates on Different Biomarkers and Some Therapeutic Agents.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic Retinopathy is a leading cause of sight-threatening complication, which occurs due to a number of physiological and metabolic abnormalities during later stages of diabetes. Many of these abnormal changes are consistent with altered oxidative stress, inflammation, genetic set up, advanced glycation end products, and hematological changes. So the altered levels of different biomolecules related to these changes serve as important biomarkers to assess better evaluation and early treatment of this disease. Some treatments like laser therapy may be fast and specific but are more expensive, limited and can result in severe contraindications. Several other novel treatment strategies have been evolved recently besides classical approaches like control over hyperglycemia, hypertension, lipid profile to control diabetic retinopathy. These precise treatments are based on targeting the elevated biomarkers in retina. Such treatments include use of anti-VEGF therapy, intravitreal corticosteroids, gamigliptin and flavonoids. CONCLUSION: The present review discusses the latest updates on diabetic retinopathy, common etiology, different biomarkers and current treatments. In conclusion, perfection and proper supervision of diabetes and early treatment of diabetic retinopathy are crucial in controlling the occurrence and severity of this disease.

Prevalence of amblyopia in primary school children in Qassim province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and causes of amblyopia in primary school children in Qassim province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross sectional study, 5176 children, aged 6 to 13 years (mean - 9.53 ± 1.88 years) were evaluated. There were 2573 (49.71%) males and 2603 (50.29%) females. Distance visual acuity (V/A) was tested monocularly using a logMAR chart with and without correction. Cycloplegic refraction was performed in children with reduced vision. To determine the etiology of amblyopia, children were enrolled if there was a difference in V/A of two or more lines between eyes or an absolute reduction in acuity <20/30 in either eye, that could not be corrected by refraction. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There 202 out of 5176 (3.90%) with ambylopia. There are 98 (1.88%) amblyopic females. There was no statistical difference in gender for amblyopes (P > 0.05). The prevalence of amblyopia was statistically significant higher in the older age group (10-13 year) compared to younger age group (6 to 9 years) (P < 0.05). Unilateral amblyopia (3.24%) was more frequent than bilateral amblyopia (0.66%). The most frequent causes of amblyopia were refractive error (94.56%), of which anisometropic amblyopia was present in 77.72%, isoametropic amblyopia in 16.84% and strabismus in 5.44%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of amblyopia in Qassim province, KSA, is 3.9% which is similar or higher than other published studies on amblyopia. Anisometropic refractive errors are the most common underlying cause for this population. We recommend implementation of visual screening programs for children with appropriate clinical and social settings for early detection and proper management of amblyopia.

Computer and Internet Utilization among the Medical Students in Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Computer-based training (CBT) and internet-based training (IBT) have become a vital part of the Medical Education. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Qassim University-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), with the objective of assessing the pattern of the computer and Internet utilization among both male and female medical students. METHODS: A total of 500 medical students from 4 different medical colleges of Qassim University participated in this study. A semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the data and the data analysis was done by using SPSS, Version 17. RESULTS: Forty two percent female and twenty four percent male students used computers to get general information, 80% of the students reported using computers for academic activities and 52% females and 22% males used computers for entertainment. Most of the females preferred using computers at home (84%), while 54% males used computers at cyber cafés. For the information retrieval, 84% males used the internet, followed by journals/library (36%) and textbooks (35%), while the females preferred textbooks (75%) and the internet (14%). Google was found to be most commonly used search engine. CONCLUSION: The internet creates an educational delivery system; it is highly needed to increase the credit hours for the university requirement courses in computer application and the internet use for both among the male and female students.