Refractive errors in children: analysis among preschool and school children in Tuzla city, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aim To establish the prevalence of refractive errors in preschool and school children between 4 and 15 years of age, living in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods Children from all elementary schools in the city of Tuzla and as well from eight day-care centres were screened for refractive errors in the period 2015-2019. Any child, who failed to pass the screening examination, was referred to an ophthalmologist for complete ophthalmological evaluation. The obtained data were analysed using non-parametric statistics. Results The highest number of children who were tested after the screening process was during 2015. A total of 7415 children (3790 males and 3625 females), in the age range of 4-15 were screened. In the total sample of children who were completely evaluated (n=145; 290 eyes) the most common refractive error was astigmatism, in 152 (52.4%) eyes. In the preschool children (n=18; 36 eyes), the most common refractive error was astigmatism, in 19 (52.8%) eyes, followed by hyperopia, in 9 (25%) eyes. In the school children (n=127) (254 eyes), the most common refractive error was astigmatism, in 133 (52.4%) eyes, followed by myopia, in 92 (36.2%) eyes. The overall prevalence of refractive errors was 1.95% (145 with refractive error out of 7415 screened). Conclusion Prevalence of refractive errors is high enough to justify a school eye screening programme.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Malignant Eyelid Tumors: A Five-Year Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about malignant eyelid tumors in the region of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it shows similar results comparing with other countries (the annual incidence of eyelid tumors in Tuzla region is about 3.73/100 000 population). Malignant eyelid tumors are relatively uncommon, but potentially fatal disease. However, if detected early and treated adequately, the prognosis is generally excellent. AIM: The aim of this study was the clinical and microscopical analysis of malignant eyelid tumors in treated patients, the presentation of surgical treatment and reconstructive methods of eyelid tumors. METHODS: This retrospective study included 60 patients surgically treated at the University Clinical Center Tuzla from January 2012 to December 2016, who were initially diagnosed with malignant eyelid tumors in accordance to the final results obtained by histological examination of excised lesions. RESULTS: In the group of malignant tumors, the most common tumors were BCC (85%), which were predominantly found on the lower eyelids (92.16%) and showed female predominance (51.06%). SCC was the second most common eyelid malignancy (15%) and showed a predilection for the lower eyelid involvement and male predominance (55.56%). Tumors up to 2 cm in diameter (clinical stage T1) were found in 78.33% of cases, 95.74% of which with radical excision, while 4.26% with non-radical excision. CONCLUSION: Treatment by complete excision with histological confirmation of tumor clearance is recommended. Perineural spread is an adverse prognostic sign, which may require postoperative radiotherapy. Orbital invasion is a rare complication but, if recognized early, it can be treated effectively with exenteration. Because presentation varies and histological examination is required for accurate diagnosis, any suspicious lesion occurring on the eyelids should be excised or biopsied. All patients with malignant tumors should be advised of the risk of recurrent or new tumors and encouraged to attend lifelong follow up.

Amblyopia in Children: Analysis Among Preschool and School Children in the City of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

AIM: This study measured the prevalence of amblyopia in preschool and school children between 4 and 15 years of age in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina and as well and to examine its relations with anisometropia and strabismus. METHODS: Children from eight daycare centers and twenty four elementary schools were screened for amblyopia by volunteer personnel (medical students), any child who failed to pass the screening examination, was referred to the ophthalmologist for complete examination at University Clinic Center Tuzla. The examination included VA, stereopsis, cover testing, refractive retinoscopy, and examination of the red reflex and posterior pole. RESULTS: Total of 7415 children, which included 3790 males and 3625 females, in the age range of 3 to 15 years from 24 schools and 8 preschool were screened. Fifty night children (1.9%) were diagnosed with amblyopia, unilateral in 28 and bilateral in 31. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of significant refractive errors is high enough to justify a school eye screening program solely for this purpose. preschool and school screening program in children in critical period of development of amblyopia must be conducted to find out the ametropias and amblyopia in time; and treat them earlier.

Complications following autologous latissimus flap breast reconstruction.

Use of an autologous latissimus flap in breast reconstruction accounts for a supple and natural look of reconstructed breast. Most common postoperative complication, seroma, became more of a rule then an exception when it comes to postoperative evaluation of the patients who underwent this reconstructive procedure. A retrospective study analysing and evaluating different complication rates in 20 patients who underwent breast reconstruction by autologous latissimus flap, was conducted. All patients included in the study were operated at the Department of plastic surgery of Hôpital Civil in Strasbourg, France, between 1996 and 2008. The complication rates were noted as follows: seroma in 19 of our 20 patients (95%), late hypertrophic scarring in 3 patients (15%), postoperative surgical site hematoma in 3 patients (15%), and 2 patients (10%) presented postoperative chronic back pain. Different options used in seroma treatment and prevention (subcutaneous-fascia anchor sutures of donor site, application of corticosteroids by injection into donor site postoperatively, passive drainage) can reduce seroma formation and thus overall complication rates, leading to much faster patient's recovery time and return to normal daily activities.