P100 Wave Latency and Amplitude in Visual Evoked Potential Records in Different Visual Quadrants of Normal Individuals.

Purpose: Assessment of the pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) responses in different areas of visual fields in individuals with normal vision. Methods: This study was conducted on 80 eyes of normal subjects aged 18-35 years. All participants underwent refraction and visual acuity examination. Visual evoked potential (VEP) responses were recorded in different areas of field. The repeated measure test was used to compare the P100 latency and amplitude of PVEP among different areas. Results: The repeated measures analysis of variance showed a statistically significant difference among different areas in terms of amplitude and latency of P100 (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). According to the results, the highest and lowest amplitude of P100 was observed in inferior-nasal and superior areas, respectively. The highest and lowest latency of P100 was related to the temporal and inferior-nasal areas, respectively. Conclusion: This study partially revealed the details of local PVEP distribution in the visual field and there was a significant difference in the amplitude and latency of PVEP wave in different areas of the visual field.

Best indices of dual Scheimpflug/Placido tomographer for keratoconus detection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of different corneal parameters in detecting keratoconus using a dual Scheimpflug/Placido system (Sirius, CSO, Italy). METHODS: Sixty-eight eyes of 68 keratoconus patients and 77 eyes of 77 normal subjects were prospectively assessed in a diagnostic test study. The mean differences of the corneal parameters were compared using the independent t-test. The accuracy of curvature, elevation, pachymetry, and aberrometry indices, aqueous depth, and corneal volume in 10 mm was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC), and the DeLong method was used for the comparison of AUCs. Multiple tests in a parallel manner and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to determine the best predictor indices. RESULTS: All indices except aqueous depth and corneal volume were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). Back keratoconus vertex (KVb) and front Baiocchi-Calossi-Versaci index (BCVf) had the highest sensitivity (for both 98.53%) followed by front symmetry index (SIf) (96.12%) and thinnest point of the cornea (88.24%) in elevation, aberrometry, curvature, and pachymetry parameters, respectively. The highest diagnostic ability was observed in KVb (AUC 0.993) and BCVf index (AUC 0.992) (DeLong > 0.05). Multiple test analysis showed a combination of indices with the highest accuracy that was similar to the performance of each one individually, and keratoconus was diagnosed correctly in 98.5% of the cases (R2 = 93%). CONCLUSION: The parameters extracted from Sirius can differentiate keratoconus from normal corneas with high accuracy without the need for complex computational algorithms. Elevation-based and combined aberrometry indices had the highest diagnostic power.

Corneal-compensated intraocular pressure, Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure and their associated factors in the geriatric population, a population-based study.

PURPOSE: To determine the distribution of corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg) and their associated factors in a geriatric population. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was performed in individuals above 60 years of age in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The sampling was performed using multi-stage random cluster sampling method. All participants underwent preliminary ocular examinations, and then imaging by Pentacam HR and IOL master 500. Measurement of IOPg, IOPcc, and corneal biomechanical indices including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistant factor (CRF) was performed in a random sub-sample using ocular response analyzer (ORA). RESULTS: The mean IOPg and IOPcc were 16.76 ± 4.71 mmHg and 19.05 ± 4.67 mmHg, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in both IOPg (p = 0.891) and IOPcc (p = 0.248) between males and females. Based on the multiple linear regression models, both IOPg and IOPcc showed a statistically significant direct relationship with CRF (P < 0.001) and a significant inverse relationship with CH (P < 0.001 for IOPg and IOPcc), anterior chamber angle (ACA) (p = 0.006 for IOPg and p = 0.017 for IOPcc), and spherical equivalent refractive error (p = 0.032 for IOPg and p = 0.046 for IOPcc). CONCLUSION: Mean IOPg and IOPcc in the present study were higher compared to most previous studies. Corneal biomechanical indices including CH and CRF, refractive error and anterior chamber angle were independent associated factors of IOPg and IOPcc in the present study. There was no significant relationship between ORA-derived IOP values and CCT.

Dynamic and Static Pupil Changes After Near Work: Comparison Between Reading a Book and Using a Smartphone.

Objectives: Decreased static pupil size due to accommodation is a common clinical finding; however, changes in pupillary dynamic responses after near-work activities such as reading a book and using a smartphone are not well understood. Methods: The present study was performed on 76 right eyes of 76 volunteers (mean age: 20.95±2.34 years) who had ocular near activity more than 4 h per day. The participants were divided into two groups based on the dominant activity, reading a book (Group 1) or using a smartphone (Group 2). Evaluation of dynamic and static parameters of the pupil was performed before and after 1 h of continuous routine eye activity in both groups and compared. Results: Near work reduced pupil diameter (PD) in all static components (p<0.001) and the amount of change in the min PD (p=0.039) and mesopic PD (p=0.043) were different between two groups and were higher in Group 1 (both, p<0.05). Dynamic elements showed a decrease in initial diameter, amplitude and velocity of contraction and dilation, and an increase in other components so that the changes after using smartphone were significant in all dynamic parameters (all, p<0.05), but reading the book only made a significant difference in the initial diameter, amplitude, and velocity of contraction and duration of dilation (all, p<0.05); the changes were only different in the initial diameter between the two studied groups, which was higher in Group 1 (p=0.047). Conclusion: The present study showed that reading a book and using smartphone cause changes in the pupil components, which were decreasing in diameter components and velocity of changes and increasing in latency of changes; the type of ocular work may affect the changes.

Evaluation of Changes in Refractive Errors Before and After Trabeculectomy and Shunt Surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the change rate of astigmatism and axial, myopia, and hypermetropia in trabeculectomy and shunt surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this comparative study, two groups of 16 patients with an average age of 52.4±8.9 and 94.6±6.7 respectively underwent trabeculectomy and shunt surgery. The changes of reactive error were compared before the surgery and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the surgery. Data from the two groups were analyzed via Friedman and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Average of intraocular pressure (IOP) before, and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after trabeculectomy is 31.31±7.6, 9.8±2.8, 10.5±1.29, 10.9±1.26 (P<0.05) and shunt is 36.06±10.32, 13.5±3.3, 11.68±2.21, 11.18±1.27 (P<0.05). Average astigmatism in trabeculectomy is -1.00±0.59, -6.00±1.9, -2.21±1.18, -1.37±0.62 (P<0.05) and in shunt it is -0.89±0.46, -1.56±1.62, -1.51±1.46, -1.07±0.85 (P>0.05). Percent WRT astigmatism in trabeculectomy is 37.5, 100, 37.5, 31.25 and in shunt it is 43.75, 50, 50, 56.25 and average of spherical equivalence (SE) in trabeculectomy is -0.31±1.49, 1.43±1.94, 0.27±1.74, 0.04±1.46 (P<0.05) and in shunt it is 0.65±1.5, 1.03±2.03, -0.70±1.64, 0.62±1.54 (P<0.05). Astigmatism and axial comparisons between trabeculectomy and shunt with Mann-Whitney test were significant (P<0.05), but SE was not significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The surgeries induced hypermetropia and reduction with the passing of time but astigmatism amount and percent of with-the-rule astigmatism in trabeculectomy were more than in shunt surgery.

Non-surgical Management Options of Intermittent Exotropia: A Literature Review.

PURPOSE: To review current non-surgical management methods of intermittent exotropia (IXT) which is one of the most common types of childhood-onset exotropia. METHODS: A search strategy was developed using a combination of the words IXT, divergence excess, non-surgical management, observation, overcorrecting minus lens therapy, patch/occlusion therapy, orthoptics/binocular vision therapy, and prism therapy to identify all articles in four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus). To find more articles and to ensure that the databases were thoroughly searched, the reference lists of the selected articles were also reviewed from inception to June 2018 with no restrictions and filters. RESULTS: IXT is treated when binocular vision is impaired, or the patient is symptomatic. There are different surgical and non-surgical management strategies. Non-surgical treatment of IXT includes patch therapy, prism therapy, orthoptic sessions, and overcorrecting minus lens therapy. The objective of these treatments is to reduce the symptoms and the frequency of manifest deviation by decreasing the angle of deviation or enhancing the ability to control it. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of the efficacy of non-surgical management options for IXT is not compelling. More comprehensive randomized controlled trial studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of these procedures and detect the most effective strategy.

Evaluation of contrast sensitivity and color vision in lead and zinc mine workers.

Purpose. This study was performed to determine achromatic contrast sensitivity and color vision in lead and zinc mine workers. Methods. A total of 230 male workers, who had been working in mine and had been in contact with minerals for at least 1 year, were considered as the case group, and the age of 90 years matched men who have not been in contact with minerals, being regarded as the control group. Contrast sensitivity was assessed using the Freiburg test at three frequencies of 1, 5 and 15 cycles of degree and under low mesopic light condition by two gratings and Landolt C stimuli. Color vision was assessed using the Farnsworth D-15 test under high mesopic light condition. Both tests were carried out monocularly. Data were analyzed using version 22 SPSS software. Results. There was a significant difference between studied groups with Landolt C stimulus in all three frequencies 1, 5 and 15 cycles per degree (p=0.009, p=0.016 and p=0.003). With Grating stimulus, there was a significant difference between the two groups in frequencies of 1 and 15 cycles per degree but at frequency of 5 cycles per degree, there was a border difference (p<0.0001, p=0.051 and p=0.008). A significant difference was observed between color confusion indexes of the two groups (p<0.0001). Conclusion. Chronic exposure to mineral in lead and zinc mine may cause color vision deficiency and decrease in contrast sensitivity. It is recommended that Farnsworth D-15 and Freiburg contrast sensitivity tests would be involved in the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative and visual disorders in workers exposed to minerals.

Duration of topical steroid application after photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin C.

Contradictory results of postoperative steroid application in photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) led to a meta-analysis of the existing data to achieve a definite conclusion on the optimum dosage and duration of corticosteroid therapy after PRK. The overall pooled unstandardized mean difference (PUMD) of the corneal haze score was -0.20 (95% CI, -0.29 to -0.12). In subgroup analysis, the PUMD of the corneal haze score was statistically significant in 2 subgroups, -0.57 (-0.85 to -0.30) for 3 to 6 months postoperatively and -0.13 (-0.23 to -0.04) for ≤ 3 months postoperatively. Analysis of the PUMD of postoperative spherical equivalent in participants with low to moderate myopia (≥-6.00 D) and high myopia (<-6.00 D) showed positive effects of steroids on prevention of myopia regression. In conclusion, long-term topical steroid application after PRK seems unnecessary in low and moderate myopia. New randomized clinical trials using current technologies are recommended for postoperative treatments.

Ocular abnormalities in beta thalassemia patients: prevalence, impact, and management strategies.

BACKGROUND: Beta thalassemia (ß-thalassemia) is a hereditary disease caused by defective globin synthesis and can be classified into three categories of minor (ß-TMi), intermedia (ß-TI), and major (ß-TM) thalassemia. The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of ß-thalassemia and its treatment methods on different parts of the eye and how early-diagnostic methods of ocular complications in this disorder would prevent further ocular complications in these patients by immediate treatment and diet change. METHODS: We developed a search strategy using a combination of the words Beta thalassemia, Ocular abnormalities, Iron overload, chelation therapy to identify all articles from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to December 2018. To find more articles and to ensure that databases were thoroughly searched, the reference lists of selected articles were also reviewed. RESULTS: Complications such as retinopathy, crystalline lens opacification, color vision deficiency, nyctalopia, depressed visual field, reduced visual acuity, reduced contrast sensitivity, amplitude reduction in a-wave and b-wave in Electroretinography (ERG), and decrease in the Arden ratio in Electrooculography (EOG) have all been reported in ß-thalassemia patients undergoing chelation therapy. CONCLUSION: Ocular problems due to ß-thalassemia may be a result of anemia, iron overload in the body tissue, side effects of iron chelators, and the complications of orbital bone marrow expansion.

Evaluation of Simple Visual Reaction Time of Different Colored Light Stimuli in Visually Normal Students.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of colored light stimulus on simple visual reaction times. METHODS: Simple visual reaction times of colored light stimuli were measured in 100 young Iranian females with the mean age of 23.02±3.45 years (range from 18 to 30 years) in response to the four visual stimuli (red, green, yellow and blue light) by using Speed Anticipation and Reaction Tester (SART) software. RESULTS: The analysis of variance (ANOVA) test to compare visual reaction time showed a significant difference (P <0.001) between four colored light stimuli so that the maximum and minimum mean reaction times were obtained for blue- and red-colored light stimuli. Also, it was observed that the response latency for red color was significantly less compared to green color (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that individuals do not respond to visual stimuli with different colors at the same speed, which may be due to different factors involved in the visual reaction time.

Comparison of contrast sensitivity in Beta-thalassemia patients treated by deferoxamine or deferasirox / Comparación de la sensibilidad de contraste en los pacientes con Beta-Talasemia tratados con Deferoxamina o Deferasirox

Purpose: To compare contrast sensitivity (CS) in multi-transfused β-thalassemia patients who received deferoxamine with those who received Osveral. Methods: In this cross sectional study a total of 60 Beta-thalassemia patients (30 used deferoxamine and 30 used deferasirox) were regarded as case group and 30 age and sex matched healthy subjects were selected as control group. All subjects had a set of examinations including refraction, visual acuity, Biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy and CS. Contrast threshold was assessed with the use of Freiberg visual acuity and contrast test under the mesopic light condition for three frequencies; 1, 5, 15cpd. All data analysis was performed using SPSS, version 17. Results: In visual acuity tests, thalassemic patients did not have any problem. Contrast threshold was higher in thalassemic patients who infuse deferoxamine (1.87 ± 0.63, 1.46 ± 0.81, and 2.96 ± 1.68 in 1, 5, and 15 cpd, respectively) than that of those who intake deferasirox (1.74 ± 0.80 (P = 0.743), 0.99 ± 0.74 (P = 0.047), and 2.42 ± 1.36 (P = 0.321) for 1, 5, and 15cpd, respectively), and also than healthy patients (1.33 ± 0.58 (P = 0.009), 0.95 ± 0.68 (P = 0.022), and 2.24 ± 1.23 (P = 0.135) for 1, 5, and 15cpd, respectively). Comparing those who used deferasirox with healthy subjects, contrast threshold was higher in deferasirox group at all special frequencies (P > 0.05). No significant relationship was observed between CS values and duration of transfusion, serum ferritin concentration and dose of chelation therapy (P > 0.05). Conclusions: CS tests can detect visual disturbance in thalassemic patients before the impairment of visual acuity. It is suggested that CS tests be included in their regular eye examination

Objetivo: Comparar la sensibilidad de contraste (SC) en pacientes multitrasfundidos con Beta-talasemia y tratados con deferoxamina u Osveral. Métodos: En este estudio transversal, un total de 60 pacientes con Beta-talasemia (30 tratados con deferoxamina y 30 con deferasirox) fueron considerados como grupo de estudio, y 30 sujetos sanos pareados por edad y sexo fueron seleccionados como grupo control. A todos los sujetos se les realizó una serie de exámenes que incluyeron refracción, agudeza visual, biomicroscopía, oftalmoscopía y SC. El umbral de contraste se valoró mediante la prueba de agudeza visual y contraste de Freiberg, en condiciones de visión mesópica para tres frecuencias: 1, 5 y 15 cpd. Todos los análisis de los datos se realizaron utilizando SPSS, versión 17. Resultados: En las pruebas de agudeza visual los pacientes con talasemia no tuvieron ningún problema. El umbral de contraste fue superior en los pacientes con talasemia a quienes se infundió deferoxamina (1,87 ± 0,63, 1,46 ± 0,81 y 2,96 ± 1,68 en 1, 5 y 15 cpd, respectivamente) que en los pacientes tratados con deferasirox (1,74 ± 0,8 (P = 0,743), 0,99 ± 0,74 (P = 0,047) y 2,42 ± 1,36 (P = 0,321) para 1, 5 y 15 cpd, respectivamente), y también en los pacientes sanos (1,33 ± 0,58 (P = 0,009), 0,95 ± 0,68 (P = 0,022) y 2,24 ± 1,23 (P = 0,135) para 1, 5 y 15 cpd, respectivamente). Al comparar los pacientes tratados con deferasirox y los sujetos sanos, el umbral de contraste fue superior en el grupo de deferasirox para todas las frecuencias especiales (P > 0,05). No se observó una relación significativa entre los valores de SC y la duración de la trasfusión, la concentración de ferritina sérica y la dosis de la terapia de quelación (P > 0,05). Conclusiones: Las pruebas de SC pueden detectar la alteración visual en los pacientes con talasemia con anterioridad al deterioro de la agudeza visual. Sugerimos la inclusión de las pruebas de SC en su examen ocular regular

Analysis of pattern electroretinogram signals of early primary open-angle glaucoma in discrete wavelet transform coefficients domain.

PURPOSE: To evaluate discrete wavelet transform coefficients and identify descriptors of pattern electroretinogram (PERG) waveforms in order to determine PERG characteristics for optimizing the diagnosis of early primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: Pattern electroretinogram was performed in 30 normal eyes and 30 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma according to the ISCEV protocol. The check size was 0.8° and 16°, and the color was black/white in both groups. The results were analyzed in time domain (TD) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) using the MATLAB software. The mean value, standard deviation, and relative energy of level 6 and 7 detail coefficients (d6, d7) and level 7 approximation coefficients (a7) of Daubechies 4 (db4), Daubechies 8 (db8), Symlet 5 (sym5), Symlet 7 (sym7), and Coiflet 5 (coif5) wavelets were calculated. In all the mentioned wavelets, DWT descriptors were extracted. Signals were reconstructed by inverse DWT. All data obtained by TD and DWT analyses were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In both check sizes, a significant attenuation of N95 amplitude was seen in the patient group. The relative energy of a7 of db8 increased significantly in the POAG group in the 0.8° check size. In larger check stimuli, the relative energy of d7 of coif5 decreased significantly and the standard deviation of d7 of sym7 increased markedly in glaucomatous patients (P < 0.05). In small stimuli, N95 descriptor (7N) of db8 had the highest value and showed a significant increase as compared to the POAG group. In the 16° check size, there was no significant difference. A strong correlation was seen between reconstructed signals and originals (r = 0.99). CONCLUSION: The DWT can quantify PERG responses more accurately. In agreement with TD and wavelet coefficients domain results, 7N of db8 decomposition can be used as a good indicator for early detection of POAG.

Comparison of contrast sensitivity in ß-thalassemia patients treated by deferoxamine or deferasirox.

PURPOSE: To compare contrast sensitivity (CS) in multi-transfused ß-thalassemia patients who received deferoxamine with those who received Osveral. METHODS: In this cross sectional study a total of 60 ß-thalassemia patients (30 used deferoxamine and 30 used deferasirox) were regarded as case group and 30 age and sex matched healthy subjects were selected as control group. All subjects had a set of examinations including refraction, visual acuity, Biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy and CS. Contrast threshold was assessed with the use of Freiberg visual acuity and contrast test under the mesopic light condition for three frequencies; 1, 5, 15cpd. All data analysis was performed using SPSS, version 17. RESULTS: In visual acuity tests, thalassemic patients did not have any problem. Contrast threshold was higher in thalassemic patients who infuse deferoxamine (1.87±0.63, 1.46±0.81, and 2.96±1.68 in 1, 5, and 15cpd, respectively) than that of those who intake deferasirox (1.74±0.80 (P=0.743), 0.99±0.74 (P=0.047), and 2.42±1.36 (P=0.321) for 1, 5, and 15cpd, respectively), and also than healthy patients (1.33±0.58 (P=0.009), 0.95±0.68 (P=0.022), and 2.24±1.23 (P=0.135) for 1, 5, and 15cpd, respectively). Comparing those who used deferasirox with healthy subjects, contrast threshold was higher in deferasirox group at all special frequencies (P>0.05). No significant relationship was observed between CS values and duration of transfusion, serum ferritin concentration and dose of chelation therapy (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CS tests can detect visual disturbance in thalassemic patients before the impairment of visual acuity. It is suggested that CS tests be included in their regular eye examination.

Regulatory T Cells and Ocular Graft Versus Host Disease: A Novel Treatment Approach.

Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) is an inflammatory immune disease, mediated by the donor's immune cells and can arise after allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. It can lead to destructive manifestations in various tissues, particularly dermatological, gastrointestinal, and ocular tissues. The most common ocular morbidity is dry eyes, which is often the first manifestation of GVHD. Regulatory T cells (Tr) can be broadly classified as natural or adaptive (induced). After Bone-Marrow Transplantation (BMT), excessively increased levels of type 1 Tr (Tr1) are generally observed with absence of a GVHD, while low levels are seen with severe GVHD. Treatment of patients, undergoing BMT with Interleukin-10 (IL-10)-anergized donor T cells, led to immune reconstitution without the development of GVHD, which resulted in protection against infection and against the return of the cancer. Surprisingly, in both naive syngeneic mouse models of skin and cardiac allografts, graft retention was augmented after infusion of in vitro generated double-negative Tr (DN Tr). In addition, GVHD was reduced in mice with a genetic deficiency in the IL-27 receptor (IL-27R-/-) and in mice treated with anti-IL-27p28-specific antibody. Considering above mentioned findings we would suggest carrying out experiments, using animal models of GVHD, in order to evaluate the potential role of Tr, as an innovative approach to overcome severe ocular morbidity caused by ocular GVHD.

The prevalence and determinants of pterygium in rural areas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of pterygium and its determinants in the underserved, rural population of Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of 3851 selected individuals, 86.5% participated in the study, and the prevalence of pterygium was evaluated in 3312 participants. A number of villages were selected from the north and south of Iran using multistage cluster sampling. Pterygium was diagnosed by the ophthalmologist using slit-lamp examination. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 37.3 ± 21.4 years (2-93 years), and 56.3% (n = 1865) of them were women. The prevalence of pterygium was 13.11% [95%confidence interval (CI):11.75-14.47]. The prevalence of pterygium was 14.99 (95%CI:12.79-17.19) in men and 12.07 (95%CI:10.3-13.84) in women. Pterygium was not seen in children below the age of 5 years. The prevalence of pterygium increased linearly with age; the lowest and highest prevalence of pterygium was observed in the age group 5-20 years (0.19%) and 61-70 years (28.57%). Evaluation of the relationship between pterygium with age, sex, educational level, and place of living using a multiple model showed that age, living in the south of Iran, and low educational level were correlated with pterygium. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pterygium was significantly higher in Iranian villages when compared with the results of previous studies. This finding may represent the effect of a rural lifestyle and its risk factors.

Refractive and Aberration Outcomes after Customized Photorefractive Keratectomy in Comparison with Customized Femtosecond Laser.

To compare the refractive and visual outcomes and higher order aberrations in patients with low to moderate myopia who underwent customized photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (Femto-LASIK) this research performed. This study includes data of 120 consecutive eyes of 60 patients with myopia between -3.00 D and -7.00 D with or without astigmatism in two surgery groups: PRK and Femto-LASIK. Refractive, visual, and aberration outcomes of the two methods of surgery were compared after 6 months of follow-up. After six months of follow-up, sphere and cylinder were found significantly decreased and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The mean of uncorrected distance visual acuity in LogMar format for the PRK and Femto-LASIK groups was -0.03±0.07 and -0.01±0.08, respectively, which was not significantly different between the two groups. Higher orders and spherical aberrations increased in both groups significantly, while total aberrations decreased in both groups. After surgery, no differences were observed between the two groups in the amount of aberrations. In conclusion, Both PRK and Femto-LASIK are effective and safe in correcting myopia. In this study PRK induced more spherical and higher order aberrations than Femto-LASIK.

Comparison of quality of life between myopic patients with spectacles and contact lenses, and patients who have undergone refractive surgery.

PURPOSE: The present study aims at investigating and comparing the vision-related quality of life of myopic persons who wear spectacles or contact lenses with those who have undergone refractive surgery. It also compares the vision-related quality of life of these two groups with that of emmetropes. METHOD: In this study, the questionnaire of evaluation instrument of refractive error in quality of life (NEI/RQL-42) was used to compare the quality of life between 154 myopic patients with spectacles and contact lenses, and 32 patients who have undergone refractive surgery. The two groups were also compared with 54 emmetropes. The questionnaire included 13 different subgroups (score 0-100) related to vision. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The overall score of quality of life in emmetropes (95.11 ± 4.23) was more than that in persons who had undergone refractive surgery (86.98 ± 4.73), and it was the least in the group wearing spectacles or contact lenses (78.30 ± 9.21), (P < 0/001). Furthermore, except for a glare variable, the studied groups indicated a statistically significant difference in all the thirteen subgroups of vision-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: Quality of life for people with myopia who had the refractive surgery was better than people with myopia who wore spectacles or contact lenses. Although quality of life in people with myopia who had the refractive surgery was less than emmetropia, it seems that refractive surgery improves quality of life of myopic patients.

Pattern electroretinography in glaucoma suspects and early primary open angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To explore retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction in glaucoma suspects and patients with early primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) using pattern electroretinography (PERG). METHODS: Twenty glaucoma suspects (glaucomatous optic disc appearance), 15 early POAG (based on abnormal discs and abnormal visual fields) and 16 normal controls were enrolled. Transient PERG was recorded in response to 0.8° and 16° black and white checkerboard stimuli. Amplitude and peak time (latency) of the P50 and N95 components of the PERG response, and the ratio of N95 amplitude in response to 0.8° and 16° checks were measured. RESULTS: N95 peak time (latency) was significantly increased in both early manifest POAG and glaucoma suspects as compared to normal controls (P<0.001). In early POAG, N95 amplitude in response to small (0.8°) checks and the small/large check ratio were reduced in comparison to normal eyes (P<0.05). However, in glaucoma suspects no significant N95 amplitude reduction was observed. No significant difference was observed among the study groups in terms of P50 amplitude or peak time. CONCLUSION: The N95 PERG response demonstrated uncoupled peak time and amplitude alterations in glaucoma. N95 peak time was significantly increased both in glaucoma suspects and early POAG; N95 amplitude reduction was present only in early POAG. PERG may detect RGC dysfunction (increased latency) before cell death (decreased amplitude) occurs.

Congenital anomalies in infants conceived by assisted reproductive techniques.

BACKGROUND: Many studies show that congenital defects in infants conceived by assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are more than infants of normal conception (NC). The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of congenital anomalies in ART infants from Royan Institute and to compare congenital anomalies between two ART techniques.  METHODS: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, 400 ART infants from Royan Institute who resided in Tehran were selected by non-random, consecutive sampling. Infants were examined twice (until 9 months of age) by a pediatrician. Infants' congenital anomalies were described by each body system or organ and type of ART. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The frequency of different organ involvement in the two examinations were: 40 (10%) skin, 25 (6.2%) urogenital system, 21 (5.2%) gastrointestinal tract, 13 (3.2%) visual, and 8 (2%) cardiovascular system. Major congenital defects in infants conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were hypospadiasis, inguinal hernia, patent ductus arteriosus plus ventricular septal defect (PDA + VSD), developmental dysplasia of the hip, lacrimal duct stenosis during the first year of life, hydronephrosis and urinary reflux over grade III, undescending testis, ureteropelvic junction stenosis, and torticoli. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of ART infants had no defects. A total of 7% of IVF and ICSI infants had one of the major abovementioned congenital anomalies. This rate was higher than NC infants (2%-3%). There was no difference between the ICSI and IVF group.