Central Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure of Adult Nigerians: An Assessment of Zaria Community.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is the commonest cause of irreversible blindness globally and intraocular pressure is the only known risk factor that can be therapeutically manipulated to change the course of the disease.1 Central corneal thickness (CCT) is known to affect the accuracy of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements by applanation tonometry.2 A thicker cornea requires greater force to flatten and, conversely, a thinner cornea is more easily flattened. Data on this important parameter is scanty in northern Nigeria. The aim and objective of this study was to determine the mean CCT and IOP and relate CCT to Age and IOP. STUDY DESIGN: It was a cross sectional study of the right eyes of two hundred and two suitable consecutive participants in an eye screening camp. Their IOP was measured using Perkins Applanation Tonometer and the CCT was assessed using an ultrasound Pachymeter (Sonomed Pac Scan 300AP+).These were done for both eyes at the same sitting by the same examiner. The data was analysed using Analyse-it for Excel soft ware. RESULTS: There were 50 males and 152 females. M:F 1:3 and age range was 18-80 years with mean of 46.2 years ± 15 years. The mean CCT was 526.90mm ±SD 35.3.The mean in those who have glaucoma/glaucoma suspects was 523.10mm ±SD 41.3.The mean IOP was 16.8 ± 5.1mmHg. Age/CCT Pearson's correlation: r = -0.20 t= -3.97 p <0.0001. The CCT/IOP Pearson's correlation r=0.16, p=0.0206.T Conclusion: The mean CCT of 526.90mm for non-glaucomatous eyes in this study is thinner than but comparable to similar population of African Americans (528.50mm) and black population of Barbados Eye Study(529.80mm) .Similarly those of Egyptians(530.10mm) and Sudanese (530.20µm) were thicker. The value for white population of Barbados Eye Study was the thickest (545.20mm).There was a negative correlation between Age and CCT but a positive correlation between CCT and IOP.

Pattern of eye diseases in a university health service clinic in northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Eye diseases constitute one of the common health problems presenting to the general practice clinic and could have significant socioeconomic consequences. OBJECTIVES: To determine the pattern of eye diseases presenting to the eye clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Sick Bay, Samaru, Zaria. METHODS: A prospective study of both new and old consecutive patients presenting to the eye clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Sick Bay between March 2009 and May 2010 was conducted. A screening format designed by the authors was used to extract information on biodata, presenting complaint, visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment examination, investigations and diagnosis. The data was analysed using Analyse-it V2.22(2010) statistical software. RESULTS: There were 1448 patients comprising 856 males and 592 females who were aged 24.3 years +/- 11.7SD with an age range of 0 to 60 years. The majority (63.5%) were students. The common eye diseases seen were infective conjunctivitis (40.3%), allergic conjunctivitis (32.7%), refractive errors (17.3%), glaucoma (1.9%) and cataract (1.8%). CONCLUSION: Eye diseases were found to be common within the community of Ahmadu Bello University which is made up of students predominantly. This implies that avoidable (preventable and treatable) ocular disorders are still common among Nigerian students. Early detection (through periodic eye screening) and prompt treatment will significantly reduce visual impairment and needless blindness from these avoidable causes.

The oro-ileal transit of cellulose.

The effects of cellulose and the interindividual variations on the transit time in the small intestine remain unclear, but no previous study has to date taken these factors into sufficient consideration. We assessed the oro-ileal transit time and the recovery percentage of cellulose in the terminal ileum looking at interindividual variations. Seven healthy males received 100 mL of a dietary fiber-free basal diet with 5 g cellulose and 5 g of polyethylene glycol 4000. The ileal contents were aspirated every 30 min via an experimental tube placed in the terminal ileum to assess the oro-ileal transit time and the recovery percentage of cellulose. The mean percentage (with standard deviation) of the amounts of cellulose collected in the terminal ileum was 98.4%+/- 16.5% (ranging from 67.4% to 114.5%) with a coefficient variation of 16.8%. The average times (in hours) taken for 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of cellulose to reach the terminal ileum were 5.5 +/- 1.1, 6.7 +/- 0.7, 8.5 +/- 1.3, and 8.8 +/- 1.2, respectively, with large interindividual variations. In conclusion, the averaged recovery percentage of cellulose in the terminal ileum was approximately 100%, in accordance with the present generally accepted definition of dietary fiber. However, there were large interindividual variations in the oro-ileal transit time and the percentage of cellulose recovered.

Effects of rugby sevens matches on human neutrophil-related non-specific immunity.

AIMS: To evaluate the influences of the accumulative effect of two consecutive rugby sevens matches (Sevens) on aspects of human neutrophil-related non-specific immunity. METHODS: In seven players participating in the Japan Sevens, neutrophil reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability and phagocytic activity were measured using flow cytometry, and serum opsonic activity (SOA) was assessed by measuring neutrophil ROS using the peak height of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence before and after two consecutive matches. RESULTS: ROS showed no change immediately after the first match, and had significantly (P<0.05) increased 4 h later, but showed a decrease after the second match. Phagocytic activity showed no change immediately after the first match, but had significantly (P<0.01) decreased 4 h later, and showed a further decrease after the second match, although it was not significant. SOA significantly (P<0.01) increased after the first match, and still maintained its high 4 h later, but decreased after the second match. ROS production capability, phagocytic activity and SOA significantly (P<0.01) decreased after the second match. CONCLUSIONS: When rugby players play two consecutive Sevens matches, the exercise loading is thought to be hard, similar to that experienced during a marathon race and intensive or long training in a training camp, although the expected changes were not seen after the first match. Differences between after the first and the second matches may be due to the "cumulative effect".