Dietary associations with diabetic retinopathy-A cohort study.

Purpose: To assess the role of dietary factors in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetics. Methods: This prospective study was carried out on patients attending the outpatient department of ophthalmology for a period of 1 year. An interview-based 24-hour diet recall was used to document average daily dietary nutrient intakes. Each patient was subjected to a comprehensive ocular examination to look for DR. Results: A total of 261 patients attending the outpatient department of ophthalmology were the participants for this study. The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 57.73 ± 11.29 years, and 67% were men. One hundred and six participants had DR. Univariate analysis revealed sex, duration, fish (times/week), egg (yes/no), rice lunch (yes/no), rice dinner, rice (boiled/white), and total calorie intake to be associated with DR (P < 0.05). Logistic regression multivariable analysis revealed males (OR: 3.20, 95% CI: 1.65-6.19), longer duration of diabetes (OR:1.05,95% CI:1.01-1.11), antioxidant intake (OR: 3.42, 95% CI: 1.65-7.05), and consumption of rice (OR: 3.19, 95% CI: 1.17-8.69) to have significant association with DR (P < 0.05), with the odds of developing DR increasing three times in these patients. The odds of developing DR were lesser with more frequent (>2 times/week) fish consumption (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.18-0.94) and in patients on pharmacological treatment for diabetes mellitus (OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.04-0.58). Binary logistic regression revealed chapathi consumption (OR: 9.37, 95% CI: 1.64-53.68) to be associated with severe forms and fish consumption (OR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-1.06) (P < 0.05) to be associated with less severe forms of DR. Conclusion: Males, longer duration of diabetes, antioxidant intake, fish consumption, and consumption of rice were associated with the occurrence of DR. Participants with diabetes who consumed fish more frequently and those who were on pharmacological treatment for diabetes mellitus had a significantly lower risk of DR and frequent fish consumption could reduce the risk of DR progression.

Corneal endothelial cell changes in diabetics versus age group matched nondiabetics after manual small incision cataract surgery.

Purpose: To assess and compare the endothelial cell changes after manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS) in diabetic patients versus age group matched non-diabetic patients. Methods: This comparative prospective observational follow-up study included 54 diabetic patients and 52 control patients without diabetes who underwent manual SICS. Preoperative, one day, one week, one month and three months post-surgery assessments of corneal endothelial cell changes were done using specular microscopy. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 20.0, SPSS, Inc.). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the data between the test group and control group. Results: There was drop in the endothelial density in both the groups postoperatively, with the mean percentage of endothelial loss at three months post- surgery being 27.5% in diabetics and 18.3% in controls. There was also a significant increase in central corneal thickness and coefficient of variance in diabetics as compared to controls at every follow up one day, one week, one month and three months. The percentage of hexagonality was statistically significant at post-operative three months. Conclusion: The diabetic endothelium was found to be under greater metabolic stress and had less functional reserve after manual SICS than the normal corneal endothelium.

Trichilemmal cyst of the bulbar conjunctiva: a rare presentation.

We report a rare case of trichilemmal cyst involving the bulbar conjunctiva. A 55-year-old female presented with a history of a painless, progressive swelling in the left bulbar conjunctiva adjacent to the nasal limbus of 3 years duration. Wide excision biopsy was performed. Histopathologic examination findings were consistent with those of trichilemmal cyst. Trichilemmal cyst should be considered as differential diagnosis in a case of limbal nodule.

Mascara induced milphosis, an etiological evaluation.

CONTEXT: Eyelashes play an important role in one's personality and builds confidence. Now-a- days, mascaras are used very commonly as an eye cosmetic. Mascara induced loss of eyelashes has been evaluated in this study. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of mascara on eyelashes and to find an association between the usage of mascara and fall of eyelashes. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire based study done on medical students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Medical students were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire on mascara usage. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: MedCalc 9.3.6.0 version. RESULTS: A total of 128 medical students who used mascara were included in this study. Mean (standard deviation) age of the students was 23.7 ± 2.0 years. Nearly 31% of the subjects faced the eye problems. Eyelash fall was observed in 19%. Higher mean years of use of mascara (5.17 ± 3.8 vs. 3.19 ± 2.6, P = 0.027, t-test) influenced the fall of eyelashes in the subjects. Itching of the eye prior to fall of eyelashes was observed in all subjects (P = 0.0002, Fisher exact test). A higher percentage of eyelash falls was observed in subjects who used water for removal of waterproof mascara (27%). CONCLUSION: There is a significant positive association between long-term use of eye cosmetics like mascara and fall of eyelashes. Furthermore, use of water for removal of waterproof mascara was associated with a higher incidence of eyelash fall.

Eccentric exercise effect on blood oxidative-stress markers and delayed onset of muscle soreness.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of a single bout of high-intensity eccentric exercise (EE) on blood protein carbonyls, glutathione status, and muscle damage indicators to ascertain whether blood markers of oxidative stress are elevated at the time delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) occurs. METHODS: Eight healthy men (26.5 +/- 1.5 yr) performed 60 eccentric contractions at approximately 135-150% dominant arm maximum isometric force (MIF) using their nondominant arm elbow flexors. DOMS, range of motion (ROM), MIF, and blood were obtained before, immediately after, and 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after the EE. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, and protein carbonyls (PC), and erythrocyte glutathione status. RESULTS: A significant decrease in MIF occurred at all times after the EE. ROM decreased from 24 to 96 h, and DOMS increased 24 to 72 h in the nondominant arm as indicated by a repeated measure ANOVA. Plasma CK activity peaked at 72 h (1620 +/- 500 IU x L(-1)) compared with baseline (154 +/- 27 IU x L(-1). Erythrocyte-reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration was not significantly affected by the EE but tended to decrease 23% by 24 h and continued at this level for 96 h. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and total glutathione were unchanged over time. A significant increase in plasma PC occurred at 24 and 48 h after eccentric exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that 60 EE at 135-150% MIF can result in DOMS, with decreased muscle function and increases in plasma PC at 24 and 48 h without alterations in blood glutathione status.