ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Myopia prevalence is increasing globally, with the highest rates found in Asia. Data from European countries is scarce. We aimed to investigate whether the prevalence of myopia is rising in our meridians. METHODS: Data from male military conscripts for the recruitment period of 2008-2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Year of recruitment, conscripts' birth year, visual acuity, refractive status (spherical equivalent), and spectacle wear (yes/no) were available. RESULTS: The dataset contained data of a total of 355,657 male conscripts, who had been recruited in the years 2008 to 2017. The mean number of conscripts per year was 35,566 (MD = 35,440, SD = 1249), reaching a minimum number of 33,998 conscripts in 2017 and a maximum of 37,594 in 2011. Mean age at recruitment was 19.7 years (MD = 19.0 years, SD = 1.1 years). Overall, the number of conscripts wearing spectacles remained stable over the observation time; on average 29.6% (n = 10,540; MD = 10,472; SD = 492) of conscripts wore glasses at recruitment. Of 21.8% (n = 77,698) of conscripts, data on the refractive status was available: The mean spherical equivalent for both right and left eyes was -2.3D (MD = -2 D, SD = 2.4 D). No decrease in mean spherical equivalent per recruitment year was noted over the observation period. Estimated myopia prevalence reached an average of 27.5% (SD = 0.8%) and did not increase during the observation period. CONCLUSION: In summary, no change in spherical equivalent refractive errors of male Swiss army conscripts was found for the years 2008-2017. Equally, the percentage of spectacle wearers (MN = 29.6%) and estimated myopia prevalence (MN = 27.5%) did not significantly increase during the observation time. TRIAL REGISTRATION: BASEC 2019-00060 (18/01/2019).
ABSTRACT
Inflammations of the conjunctiva represent some of the most frequent eye diseases in general and ophthalmologic practice. Etiologically multiple diseases can be identified. A group of infectious conjunctivites contrasts with a very hereogeneous non-infectious group. Neoplastic processes such as low grade epithelial dysplasias and lymphomas may mascarade conjunctivitis. The differentiation of the various clinical pictures may be challenging for the practitioner. This article reviews the methodology of patient history and clinical work up as well as the symptomatology and treatment options for the most important conjunctivites in clinical practice.
Subject(s)
Conjunctivitis , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Conjunctivitis/complications , Conjunctivitis/diagnosis , Conjunctivitis/etiology , Conjunctivitis, Allergic/diagnosis , Conjunctivitis, Allergic/drug therapy , Conjunctivitis, Allergic/etiology , Conjunctivitis, Bacterial/diagnosis , Conjunctivitis, Bacterial/drug therapy , Conjunctivitis, Viral/diagnosis , Conjunctivitis, Viral/prevention & control , Diagnosis, Differential , Ectropion/diagnosis , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Histamine Antagonists/administration & dosage , Histamine Antagonists/therapeutic use , Humans , Immune System Diseases/complications , Keratoconjunctivitis/diagnosis , Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca/diagnosis , Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca/etiology , Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca/therapy , Medical History Taking , Ophthalmic Solutions , Pemphigoid, Bullous/diagnosis , Pemphigoid, Bullous/therapy , Rosacea/diagnosis , Rosacea/drug therapy , Seasons , Trachoma/diagnosis , Trachoma/drug therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To report on the rare case of a localised small-vessel vasculitis causing persistent blepharoedema. HISTORY AND SIGNS: A 58-year old woman presented with sudden occurrence of a severe, unilateral blepharoedema. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: Extended serological examination, orbital CT, and MRI were normal; sonography showed slight thickening of the lateral rectus muscle. Under treatment with higher dosed steroids, the swelling of the lid vanished, but relapsed when the therapy was gradually reduced. Biopsy revealed florid vasculitis of the small vessels in the orbital soft tissue. No signs of systemic manifestation were found. CONCLUSIONS: Our patient presented with a localised, eosinophilic vasculitis of the small orbita vessels, a very rare cause of blepharoedema. In the literature only three cases with a localised eosinophilic vasculitis have been reported previously. Early diagnostic biopsy is recommended in such cases of persistent blepharoedema.
