The Impact of Cataract Surgery on Depression in Elderly Iranian Patients: A Case–Control Study

Background: Cataract-related vision impairment is clearly associated with depressive symptoms in old age. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cataract surgery on depression among elderly Iranian patients. Methods: In this case–control study, a total of 113 elderly patients with and without cataract who were admitted to Buali-Sina Hospital in Sari, Mazandaran, Iran were evaluated. Ophthalmological examinations were first performed at the beginning of the study and then four months later; demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained for all patients. Additionally, depression was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for all patients during the study period. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the mean depression score in patients without cataract (3.28), patients with cataract surgery (3.74), and patients without cataract surgery (5.60) (P = 0.024). On the other hand, there was no statistically significant differences between the mean depression score in patients with cataract surgery and patients without cataract (P = 0.582). However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the mean depression score after cataract surgery in men (1.70) and women (4.94) (P < 0.001). Visual function improved in all bilateral cataract patients who had surgery in one eye. Also, the results of this study showed that in all unilateral cataract patients who had eye surgery, visual function in the left and right eyes improved. Conclusion: We conclude that depression is more prevalent in patients with cataract compared to those without cataract. In addition, cataract surgery seems to be associated with reduced depression and better visual acuity in elderly patients with cataract

Detection of fungi by conventional methods and semi-nested PCR in patients with presumed fungal keratitis

Background and Purpose: Fungal keratitis is a suppurative, ulcerative, and sight-threatening infection of the cornea that sometimes leads to blindness. The aims of this study were: recuperating facilities for laboratory diagnosis, determining the causative microorganisms, and comparing conventional laboratory diagnostic tools and semi-nested PCR. Materials and Methods: Sampling was conducted in patients with suspected fungal keratitis. Two corneal scrapings specimens, one for direct smear and culture and the other for semi- nested PCR were obtained. Results: Of the 40 expected cases of mycotic keratitis, calcofluor white staining showed positivity in 25%, culture in 17.5%, KOH in 10%, and semi-nested PCR in 27.5%. The sensitivities of semi-nested PCR, KOH, and CFW were 57.1%, 28.5%, and 42% while the specificities were 78.7%, 94%, and 78.7%, respectively. The time taken for PCR assay was 4 to 8 hours, whereas positive fungal cultures took at least 5 to 7 days. Conclusion: Due to the increasing incidence of fungal infections in people with weakened immune systems, uninformed using of topical corticosteroids and improper use of contact lens, fast diagnosis and accurate treatment of keratomycosis seems to be essential. Therefore, according to the current study, molecular methods can detect mycotic keratitis early and correctly leading to appropriate treatment

The Preventive Effects of Asparagus officinalis Extract on Sodium Selenite-Induced Cataractogenesis in Experimental Animal Models

Background and Objectives. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Although surgery is now considered the most successful cure, the development of alternative treatments is needed due to postsurgical complications. Oxidative stress in the lens is considered to be the most crucial factor in the formation of cataracts. Therefore, the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Asparagus officinalis L, a traditional antioxidative plant, on cataract formation of sodium selenite were evaluated. Materials and Methods. Neonatal rats received a single dose of sodium selenite as an intraperitoneal injection (30 μmol/kg) on day 10 postnatal to induce cataract. Animals were then posttreated with various oral solutions of A. officinalis extract at 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg once daily on days 10–16 postnatal. Cataract was evaluated by slit-lamp, and lens opacification was analyzed in each group 24 hours after the last treatment at day seven postadministration of the extracts or vehicle. The total protein concentration of lenses, glutathione reductase activity as the glutathione antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde content as a marker of lipid peroxidation were further assessed in removed rat lenses on day 30 postnatal. Results. All lenses in the healthy and control plant groups were clear. Sodium selenite significantly increased cataract grade (2.8 ± 0.2) when compared to the healthy group p=0.001. However, cataract grades were decreased considerably as 1.9 ± 0.72 and 1.5 ± 0.85 in groups that received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg oral extract of A. officinalis, respectively. A. officinalis extract also restored all abnormalities of biochemical markers induced by sodium selenite. Conclusion. Our data suggest that A. officinalis could be a promising candidate as a safe alternative treatment in cataracts upon further clinical trials. This effect is probably associated with the antioxidant activity of A. officinalis