The burden of vision loss in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990-2019.

BACKGROUND: The loss of vision is a substantial public health concern that has important implications for an individual's quality of life. The primary objective of this research was to document the burden of vision loss in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, spanning the years 1990-2019, by age group, sex, underlying cause and sociodemographic index (SDI). METHODS: Publicly available data concerning the burden of vision loss were acquired from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. The data encompassed all 21 countries within the MENA region for the period spanning 1990 to 2019. The estimates were reported as raw counts and age-standardised rates per 100,000, accompanied by their corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). RESULTS: In 2019, MENA had an age-standardised point prevalence of 7040.0 (95% UI: 6195.0, 8002.7) and an YLD rate of 314.5 (222.1, 427.6) per 100,000 for vision loss, which were 11.1% (-12.5, -9.7) and 24.3% (-27.6, -20.8) lower, respectively, than in 1990. In 2019, Afghanistan [469.6 (333.0, 632.8)] had the largest age-standardised YLD rate and Turkey [210.7 (145.3, 290.9)] had the lowest. All countries showed a decrease in the age-standardised point prevalence and YLD rate between 1990 and 2019, except for Oman, Afghanistan, and Yemen. Furthermore, in 2019 the largest number of prevalent cases and YLDs were found in the 65-69 age group. Also in 2019, the age-standardised YLD rates in MENA exceeded the global averages for most age groups, for both males and females. In 2019, refractive disorders were the most common types of vision loss among children, adolescents, and middle-age adults in MENA, while near vision loss and cataracts were the most common among older adults. Finally, the burden of vision loss had a slightly negatively association with SDI over the period 1990-2019. CONCLUSION: Although the burden of vision loss has decreased over the last three decades, the prevalence remains high. These results underscore the importance of healthcare policymakers taking action to implement preventive measures, especially among the elderly and those living in low socioeconomic countries, to decrease the attributable burden in MENA.

Cataract Grading in Pure Senile Cataracts: Pentacam versus LOCS III.

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Pentacam Cataract Grading Scale (PCGS) versus the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS III) in scaling pure age-related cataract. Methods: Between April 2016 and May 2017, eyes of 281 patients were evaluated for grading of lens opacity. We used LOCS III and PCGS. Patients with pure age-related cataract with no previous history of eye surgery, eye trauma, or chronic systemic disease between 50 and 95 years of age were included. The examination of the patients was done, using slit lamp and LOCS III grading chart. The second examination was done a week later, using Oculus Pentacam. Next, we graded them using a PNS grading score. Spearman's rank correlation and a Bland-Altman Plot were implemented for analysis using MedCalc 14. 8.1. P < O.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Three hundred eyes were examined. Of them, 189 patients were male, and patients between 70 to 80 years old were the most common group. The correlation between grades of two methods was 0.47 (P < 0.001). Results of the Bland-Altman plot showed a moderate alignment between the two methods. Conclusion: The association between LOCSIII and PCGS is not so favorable, however, it is an economical and effective method to assess lens opacities is LOCSIII. PCGS can be used in early diagnosis. For a definitive diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic intervention, an ophthalmological examination is needed.

A comprehensive review on methods for promotion of mechanical features and biodegradation rate in amniotic membrane scaffolds.

Amniotic membrane (AM) is a biological tissue that surrounds the fetus in the mother's womb. It has pluripotent cells, immune modulators, collagen, cytokines with anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effect, matrix proteins, and growth factors. In spite of the biological characteristics, some results have been released in preventing the adhesion on traumatized surfaces. Application of the AM as a scaffold is limited due to its low biomechanical resistance and rapid biodegradation. Therefore, for using the AM during surgery, its modification by different methods such as cross-linking of the membrane collagen is necessary, because the cross-linking is an effective way to reduce the rate of biodegradation of the biological materials. In addition, their cross-linking is likely an efficient way to increase the tensile properties of the material, so that they can be easily handled or sutured. In this regard, various methods related to cross-linking of the AM subsuming the composite materials, physical cross-linking, and chemical cross-linking with the glutraldehyde, carbodiimide, genipin, aluminum sulfate, etc. are reviewed along with its advantages and disadvantages in the current work.

A prospective randomized study comparing incision and curettage with injection of triamcinolone acetonide for chronic chalazia.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection and incision and curettage (I&C) in the treatment of chronic chalazion. METHODS: Patients with chronic chalazion were randomized in two groups. The patients in the TA received an intralesional injection of TA and patients in the I&C underwent I&C. The patients were followed up 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 45 days after the procedures. We defined success as 90% regression in the size of the lesion. RESULTS: There were 26 patients in the TA and 25 patients in the I&C enrolled in this study. Complete resolution was achieved in 16 patients (61.5%) in the TA group and 21 patients (84%) in the I&C (P = 0.072). Sex, initial size, and chalazion location did not influence treatment success in either group (P > 0.05). Lesion recurrence occurred in 9 patients (34.61%) in the TA group and 2 (8%) in the I&C (P = 0.04). The average times to resolution were 8.8 ± 5.6 and 5.1 ± 4.5 days in the first and second groups, respectively (P = 0.03). Drug deposition occurred in 24 (92.3%) patients in the TA group, and ecchymosis occurred in 14 (56%) patients in the I&C (P = 0.004) group. Intraocular pressure (IOP) in the TA group and visual acuity (VA) in both groups remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Both TA injection and I&C modalities are effective in the treatment of chronic chalazia. Advantages of I&C in comparison to TA include less recurrence, shorter duration of complications, and a higher success rate.