The Effect of Smokeless Tobacco on Intra-Ocular Pressure in a Nigerian Population

The study was conducted to find out the effect of smokeless tobacco (ST) on the intraocular pressure (IOP) among non-smokers and smokers. Thirty-seven healthy volunteers of between 19–30 years age, classified into two groups, non-smokers (n=22) and- smokers (n=15), were used. The IOPs of the right eyes were measured before (0min) and 1, 3 and 5mins after sniffing 40mg ST with Pulsair 2000 tonometer. Among non-smokers and smokers, the difference in mean IOP at different times (0min, 1min, 3mins and 5mins) was statistically significant by one-way ANOVA (p<0.05). Post hoc analysis using Duncan multiple range (DMR) test showed that the peak IOP was at 1min after sniffing ST. The difference in IOP before sniffing ST between smokers and non-smokers was statistically significant by Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05). Also the difference in the peak time of 1min between smokers and non-smokers was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was concluded that ST stimulates aqueous humour formation thereby tending to raise IOP and this could enhance the chances of developing ocular hypertension in patients that are predisposed to glaucoma

A comparison of the occurence of dry eye between arthritic and non-arthritic subjects

Various studies have reported that dry eye is a common occurrence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis but not much has been done to determine its occurrence in other forms of arthritis. This study was designed to compare the symptoms of dry eye, tear film breakup time and tear production respectively in arthritic and non-arthritic subjects and also between rheumatoid arthritic patients and patients with other forms of arthritis. A total of 106 subjects within the age range of 41-90 years were included. Fifty-nine were non-arthritic with mean age and standard deviation (SD) of 58.2 ± 11.9 years, while 47 had arthritis with mean age and SD of 63.4 ± 13.3 years. Of the 47 arthritic patients 34 had osteoarthritis, 10 had rheumatoid arthritis, two had ankylosing spondylitis and one had gout. Subjects were evaluated using a McMonnies and Ho Dry Eye Questionnaire, invasive tear break-up-time test, Schirmer I test and fluorescein staining. The percentage of subjects with dry eyesymptoms in both the arthritic and non-arthritic groups was quite small (<10%) however, there was a statistically significant difference in dry eye symptoms between both groups (Mann-Whitney: U = 1035.5, p = 0.025) even though both groups were largely asymptomatic. There was no significant difference in tear breakup time (Mann-Whitney:  U = 175,  p  > 0.05), or tear quantity respectively (Unpaired  t-test: p > 0.05) between both groups. Also, there was no statistically significant difference in symptoms of dry eye, tear break up time, or tear quantity respectively between rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis (Unpaired t-test: p > 0.05). In conclusion, the occurrence of dry eye is largely independent of the presence of arthritis even though arthritic subjects may be slightly more symptomatic and the presence of dry eye is independent of the form of arthritis.  (S Afr Optom 2013 72(1) 34-40

A retrospective study of ocular neoplasms in Benin City, Nigeria

Ocular neoplasm is one of the least investigated ocular disorders in Nigeria. Although relatively rare, they play a role in causing blindness and even death in adults and children. In this study, the records of all patients/seen at the eye clinic and specimen received at the histopathology department of the University of Benin, Benin City, with ocular neoplasm between January 1998 and October 2002 were analyzed. Sixty-one ocular neoplasms grouped into fifteen different types were seen. Of these, 54.8% were in adults, 15 years and above while 45.2% were in children. Retinoblastoma was the most frequently occurring neoplasm i.e. 32.79% of the total population. It is also the most frequently occurring tumor in the pediatric group, while inflammatory tumors were the most in adults. On the whole 26 (42.62%) were malignant while only 35 (57.37%) were benign. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the manifestation of ocular neoplasms in relation to age and sex. The frequency of retinoblastoma was higher than previously reported while the frequency of choroidal malanoma was less than that seen in Literature. This may necessitate the need for further studies on retinoblastomas in Nigeria. KEY WORDS: Ocular Neoplasms, Malignant tumors, age, sex. Global Jnl Medical Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 115-11

SL (6,R) AS THE GROUP OF SYMMETRIES FOR NON RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM SYSTEMS

It is shown that the 13 one parameter generators of the Lie group SL(6, R) are the maximal group of symmetries for nonrelativistic quantum systems. The group action on the set of states S &#292; (H complex Hilbert space) preserves transition probabilities as well as the dynamics of the system. By considering a prolongation of the group action on &#292;, we have a generalized rotation of state vectors in which the norms are preserved. Thus one obtains new symmetries as well as new representations which aid in the simplification of the system. New solutions can thus be obtained, which in most cases have realistic physical properties. KEY WORDS: Prolongations, Symmetry Groups, Sets of States. Global Jnl of Mathematical Sciences Vol. 31) 2004: 35-4

The Effect Of Soft Contact Lens Materials On Tear Film Stability-Invasive And Non-Invasive Break-Up Time In Young Adult Population

Background: This study sets out to investigate the effect of soft contact lens materials [polymacon (Bescon), hioxifilcon A (Extreme H2O®), lotrafilcon B (O2Optix)] on the non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) and fluorescein-instillation break-up time (FBUT).Materials and Methods: A total of forty-five subjects within age range 18-30years with mean age 22.4 ± 3.2 years consisting of males (n=11) and females (n=34) were used for this study. The NIBUT was assessed with the Bausch & Lomb Keratometer, stopwatch and FBUT assessed using BIO GLO sterile strips (1 mg fluorescein sodium ophthalmic strip, U.S.P) with Burton lamp.Results: The mean NIBUT was profoundly affected by wear of contact lenses made from polymacon (p=0.018) and Hioxifilcon A (p=0.006) materials though they belong to different FDA classes. However, the NIBUT was not affected by wear of contact lens made of lotrafilcon B. The FBUT was not affected by wear of contact lenses made from the three materials.Conclusion: The change in NIBUT caused by polymacon and hioxifilcon A was due to disruption of the tear film by the wear of lenses made of such materials. Destabilization of the tear film by instilled fluorescein during assessment masked the possible effect of lens wear hence no change in FBUT was noticed with lenses made of Polymacon, Hioxifilcon A and Lotrafilcon B.Keywords: soft contact lens materials, tear film stability, non-invasive tear break-uptime, fluorescein-instillation tear break-up time

Prevalence of corneal ulcer among contact lens wearers in Nigeria

Corneal Ulceration has been described as the most serious complication of contact lens wear worldwide. The incidence of corneal ulceration in contact lens wearers in Nigeria was determined retrospectively. 1759 case notes of patients who had worn contact lenses for at least one year were obtained from eye clinics in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The incidence of corneal ulcer was 1.36 per 100 wearers over the 5-year period (January 1994 –December 1998), with an annual incidence of 0.27 per 100 wearer. Disposable extended wear soft lenses had the highest incidence of 2.94 per 100 closely followed by rigid gas permeable lenses 2.86 per 100. There were no corneal ulcers among conventional daily wear soft lens users. Males showed more cases of corneal ulceration 1.63% than females 1.24% and the age group of 10-19 years had the highest rate of corneal ulcerations (1.66%). It is therefore important for contact lens practitioners to encourage patients to comply with their lens case regimen or switch to daily wear lenses. Key Words: Contact lenses, Corneal ulcers, Lens type, Age. Global Jnl Medical Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 127-13

Visual screening of incercerated juvenile delinquents: a study of boys and girls remand homes, lagos state.

Visual characteristics of fifty (36 males and 14 females) incarcerated juvenile delinquents with forty six (consisting of 34 males and 12 females) incarcerated non delinquents in the defined population were compared using the New York State Optometric Association vision screening battery (NYSOA) and the minimum school vision screening programme. A chi-square test analysis revealed significantly higher frequencies for phoria, hyperopia, pursuit and saccadic eye movement subtests in the juvenile delinquent population as compared to the control group. Further analysis revealed significantly higher frequencies for convergence, phoria, hyperopia, pursuit and saccadic eye movement subtest (

Tidal flow in the Escravos Bar, Warri, Nigeria

Nature has placed a lot of resources at the disposal of mankind to annex for his uses. Day by day man is grasping the enormity of the potential at his disposal. It is now possible to use tidal flows in the generation of electricity. Escravos Bar, Warri is one of many estuaries in the Nigeria coastline where tidal flows occur. We have derived the profile of the tidal flow in terms of the tidal current and surface elevation in the estuary. The nodal line does not exist within the Gulf. Therefore, tides throughout the length of the Bar are at high water (or low water) as the oceanic tides and the height of the tides increases (or decreases) from the entrance of the gulf to the head of the gulf. Journal of the Nigerian Association of Mathematical Physics Vol. 8 2004: pp. 331-33