Results of Nasolacrimal Duct Probing in Children between 9-48 Months

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is a common disease in children. The classic treatment of CNLDO is probing that was done around one year old. However, controversy exists regarding the outcome of probing in children older than one year. This study aimed to find the cure rate of initial probing for CNLDO and identify factors producing the failure rate in old age. In this retrospective interventional case series study, 100 eyes of 92 patients aged 9-48 months with CNLDO underwent probing with general anesthesia. According to the intraoperative results of probing, CNLDO were categorized in two groups of membranous obstruction at the end of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLD) and complex obstruction at canaliculus, lacrimal sac and N LD. Patients were categorized in three groups according to the age of probing into under 12, 12 to 24 and over 24 months. Success rate was defined as successful irrigation of NLD intraoperatively and absence of lacrimation and discharge at 1 week, one, three and six months postoperatively. The average age of patients and probing were 47.35±25.59 and 17.32±7.85 months respectively. Membranous obstruction accounted for 72% of patients and remainder had complex type. An overall cure rate of 91%, 89% and 60% was found in patients aged 9-12, 12-24 and 24-48 months respectively. Surgery success rate after six months was 91% in membranous group and 52% in complex group. There was a significant relation between the type of obstruction and opening of NLD (p<0.O01). This study showed that the probing failure of probing after one year was related to the complexity of obstruction rather than the age of the patient. It is recommended that probing could safely be done in under 4 years old

Outcomes of Phaco-viscocanalostomy in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma versus Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

Purpose: Viscocanalostomy represents an alternative to standard penetrating glaucoma surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscocanalostomy in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) versus eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). Methods: In this prospective non-randomized comparative study, eyes with cataract and POAG or PEXG were enrolled. Pre- and postoperative data including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of antiglaucoma medications administered were recorded at each visit. All patients underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. Complete success was defined as the IOP of 21 mmHg or less without the administration of medication while a qualified success reported the same IOP parameters either with or without the administration of medication. Results: Fifty-four eyes with POAG and fifty-four with PEXG underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. The mean follow-up time was 23.36 ± 8.8 months (range, 6–40 months). The mean postoperative IOP reduced significantly in both groups, although the mean IOP reduction was significantly greater in PEXG eyes (14.7 ± 8.9 vs 10.1 ± 7.7 mmHg) (P = 0.05). At the final follow-up visit, the mean postoperative IOP was 14.1 ± 2.1 and 16.6 ± 3.5 mmHg in the PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.001). A complete success rate of 88.9% and 75.9% was achieved in PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.07). The qualified success rate was 100% in the PEXG and 85.2% in POAG groups (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Phacoviscocanalostomy achieved significant IOP reduction and visual improvement in both POAG and PEXG patients. Our results indicated that in terms of IOP reduction, this procedure was more effective in treating PEXG

Survey of Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Anisometropic and Strabismic Amblyopia

To investigate the effect of anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia on the nerve fiber layer thickness. This cross-sectional study was done on 54 amblyopic subjects, equally in both strabismic and anisometropic groups. The thickness otonerve fiber layer measured in superior, inferior, nasal, temporal quadrants and as a whole in both eyes of both groups. The means of thickness were compared in amblyopic and sound eyes. In strabismus group, the average nerve fiber layer thickness of the sound eye , in superior, inferior, nasal and temporal quadrants and as a whole were 113.23±14, 117.37±25, 68.96±6, 69.55±14 and 93.40±8 microns respectively. In amblyopic eyes of the same group, these measurements were 103.11±18, 67.74±11, and 69.59±16 and 89.59±12 microns in superior, inferior, nasal, temporal quadrants and as whole respectively. In anisometropic groups, the sound eye measurements were as 130.96±22, 129.07±29, 80.62±12, and 83.88±20 and 107.7±13 microns in superior, inferior, nasal and temporal quadrants and as a whole orderly. In amblyopic eyes of this group the mean thicknesses were 115.63±29, 133.15±25, 78.8±15, 80.2±16 and 109.17±21 microns in superior, inferior, nasal, temporal quadrants and as a whole respectively. Statistically, there were no significant differences between amblyopic and sound eyes (P>0.5). Our study did not support any significant change in a nerve fiber layer thickness of amblyopic patients; however, decreased thickness in superior and nasal quadrants of strabismic amblyopia and except inferior quadrant and as a whole. These measurements may be a clue for management and prognosis of amblyopia in old age

The epidemiological characteristics of patients with thyroid eye disease in a referral center in northern Iran

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the demographics, clinical features, severity, and activity of thyroid eye disease (TED) in patients of a referral center in the north of Iran. Methods: Patients with TED who were referred to Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Rasht, Iran from March 2012 to March 2014 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The measurements of proptosis, lid width, lagophthalmos, extraocular muscle function, and visual acuity were recorded. The activity of ophthalmopathy was scored according to the clinical activity score (CAS). Results: TED was diagnosed in 103 patients with a mean age of 42.1 ± 13.91 years. Of those patients, 52.4% were women, and 80% had hyperthyroidism. The mean duration of TED was 36.5 ± 53.12 months. Extraocular muscle involvement (98%) and eyelid retraction (88.3%) were the most common manifestations. Per the CAS results, 86 (83.5%) patients were at stage 0, and there was a significant difference in CAS scores between male and female patients, P = 0.02. Conclusions: The characteristics of TED in patients of the studied referral center during a two-year period, including common signs and symptoms, disease duration, treatment, an activity of disease were determined. Notably, many patients in this study had orbital squeal of TED meaning that they had inactive TED. Proper management of this serious complication requires close cooperation between endocrinologists and ophthalmologists to ensure timely referrals for appropriate care. Keywords: Eye manifestations, Thyroid eye disease, Epidemiological characteristic

Birth weight as a cardio metabolic risk factor in Iranian adolescents

Background: A large number of epidemiological studies from different geographical regions showed a considerable relationship between low birth weight (LBW) and adverse health effects later in life. This study aims to assess the birth weight (BW) as a cardio metabolic risk factor in Iranian adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 12-year-old students from different areas of Rasht, North Iran. Data were collected by a questionnaire including variables as birth height, BW, gestational age, blood pressure, and laboratory tests including triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and insulin level. Data were analyzed using t-test, Chi-square, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Overall, 858 adolescents participated in this study. Results showed significant correlation between BW and abdominal circumference, hip circumference, total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C (P = 0.064, 0.194, 0.224, 0.017, and 0.017, respectively). Conclusions: The study findings on the correlation between BW and cardio metabolic factors might serve as confirmatory evidence on the association of LBW with future cardio metabolic disorders

Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors in Iranian Children: Where We are and the Others?

Rising obesity incidence and its complications have lead to change of our view about cardio-metabolic risk factors and need of reassessment of these complications in childhood age. The aim of current study was to evaluate prevalence of obesity and related cardio-metabolic risk factors of children. This was a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of 12 years old children in Rasht, the biggest city in north of Iran. Participants were interviewed and examined by a trained research team and demographic characteristics, detailed examination (height - weight - blood pressure) were recorded. Blood samples were drawn for biochemical testing including Fasting blood sugar, Triglyceride, Cholesterol, HDL & LDL. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. Total participants were 858 children and 550(64%) were male. Prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese were 22.5%, 54.4%, 11.3%, 11.8%, respectively. The prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors included hypercholesterolemia (6.7%), hypertriglyceridemia (33.6%), high LDL (5.9%), low HDL (28 %), high systolic (7.6%) & diastolic blood pressure (10.6%) (> percentile) and abnormal carbohydrate metabolism (12%) revealed hypertriglyceridemia as the most common dyslipidemia. Correlation analysis didn't show significant correlation between BMI & FBS but LDL, Cholesterol and TG had week positive correlation with BMI (Pearson correlation: 0.161, 0.285, 0.222 respectively, p value <0.001). Obesity and dyslipidemia are common problems in this area and we should note to screen cardiometabolic risk factors in addition of obesity, especially in children with rapid weight gain. This study highly recommended more investigation to evaluate final effect of these factors in adulthood

Congenital Hypothyroidism: A Review of the Risk Factors

This study was aimed to evaluate the situation of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Guilan using the screening program and determine the correlation of CH with birth weight, gestational age and seasonality. During 2006 to 2010, in Guilan province, neonatal screening for CH by measurement of serum TSH level was performed in 3-5 days after birth. All neonates with TSH level ≥ 5mu/l were referred to endocrinologists and serum TSH, T3 and T4 were measured. Based on public health data and profiles, total number of newborns, gestational age, route of delivery, birth season and birth weight in all screened neonates was reviewed and for ones with CH, their TSH measurements was also recorded. During 5 years, 119701 neonates were screened and CH was confirmed in 10.8% (221) of the referral cases (prevalence=1:542). No significant statistical difference was seen between gender and birth season among patients with CH and the rest of the population. Interestingly, low birth weight (LBW) (31% vs. 4.9%, P<0.01), postdate delivery (1.4% vs. 0.2%, P<0.01) and macrosomia were more prevalent in CH versus normal population (Odds ratio for post-date delivery was 6.9 and for LBW was 3.2). Rate of normal vaginal delivery (NVD) was significantly higher in neonates with CH compared to normal population (39.2% vs. 29.2%, P=0.01). LBW, postdate delivery and macrosomia are risk factors for CH. No association between sex, birth season or caesarian section delivery was seen

Congenital Hypothyroidism: Etiology and Growth-Development Outcome

One of the most preventable causes of mental and growth retardation is congenital hypothyroidism (CH). This study tries to investigate growth and mental outcome of patients with CH. Since November 2006 and November 2007 in Guilan province, north of Iran, all neonates who were diagnosed with CH, evaluated for etiology of CH by laboratory follow up, thyroid sonography or scan. Growth and development of patients with CH were compared with healthy children in same age, geographical area, social and economical classes in four years old. Demographic characteristics including height, weight, and head circumference at birth, follow up time (four years old) and IQ (Good enough test) were recorded in questionnaires. Among 28904 screened neonates, 37 patients with CH were diagnosed. Incidence of CH was 1:781 in live births, 20 (54%) in female neonates and 17 (46%) in male neonates. The incidences of permanent and transient hypothyroidism were 43.2% (16 cases) and 56. 8% (21 cases) respectively. The incidence of permanent and transient hypothyroidism were 16 (43.2%) and 21 (56, 8%), respectively. In permanent CH, 11 cases (%.68.2) had dyshormonogenesis and 5 cases (%.31.2) had thyroid dysgenesis. Significant statistical difference was only in family history of thyroid disease (34, 3% Positive family history in CH vs. 13.2% in control group, P-value 0.03). All other demographic characteristics and IQ had no statistical difference. Patients with CH diagnosed through neonatal screening and treated had normal growth as general population that indicates effective screening program and treatment in this area (3.2%)

Outcomes of Phaco-viscocanalostomy in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Versus Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

Purpose: Viscocanalostomy represents an alternative to standard penetrating glaucoma surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscocanalostomy in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) versus eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). Methods: In this prospective non-randomized comparative study, eyes with Cataract and POAG or PEXG were enrolled. Pre- and postoperative data including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of antiglaucoma medications administered were recorded at each visit. All patients underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. Complete success was defined as the IOP of 21 mmHg or less without the administration of medication while a qualified success reported the same IOP parameters either with or without the administration of medication. Results: Fifty-four eyes with POAG and fifty-four with PEXG underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. The mean follow-up time was 23.36 ± 8.8 months (range, 6–40 months). The mean postoperative IOP reduced significantly in both groups, although the mean IOP reduction was significantly greater in PEXG eyes (14.7 ± 8.9 vs 10.1 ± 7.7 mmHg) (P = 0.05). At the final follow-up visit, the mean postoperative IOP was 14.1 ± 2.1 and 16.6 ± 3.5 mmHg in the PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.001). A complete success rate of 88.9% and 75.9% was achieved in PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.07). The qualified success rate was 100% in the PEXG and 85.2% in POAG groups (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Phacoviscocanalostomy achieved significant IOP reduction and visual improvement in both POAG and PEXG patients. Our results indicated that in terms of IOP reduction, this procedure was more effective in treating PEXG