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

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

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 (