The Preventive Effects of Asparagus officinalis Extract on Sodium Selenite-Induced Cataractogenesis in Experimental Animal Models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neonatal rats received a single dose of sodium selenite as an intraperitoneal injection (30 µmol/kg) on day 10 postnatal to induce cataract. Animals were then posttreated with various oral solutions of A. officinalis extract at 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg once daily on days 10-16 postnatal. Cataract was evaluated by slit-lamp, and lens opacification was analyzed in each group 24 hours after the last treatment at day seven postadministration of the extracts or vehicle. The total protein concentration of lenses, glutathione reductase activity as the glutathione antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde content as a marker of lipid peroxidation were further assessed in removed rat lenses on day 30 postnatal. RESULTS: All lenses in the healthy and control plant groups were clear. Sodium selenite significantly increased cataract grade (2.8 ± 0.2) when compared to the healthy group (p = 0.001). However, cataract grades were decreased considerably as 1.9 ± 0.72 and 1.5 ± 0.85 in groups that received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg oral extract of A. officinalis, respectively. A. officinalis extract also restored all abnormalities of biochemical markers induced by sodium selenite. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that A. officinalis could be a promising candidate as a safe alternative treatment in cataracts upon further clinical trials. This effect is probably associated with the antioxidant activity of A. officinalis.

Efficacy of topical latanoprost in the treatment of eyelid vitiligo: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial study.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the pigmentation of iris and around the eyelid is a common side effect of latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2alpha analogue used in the treatment of glaucoma. Hence, the authors decided to study the effectiveness of topical latanoprost on vitiligo patches around the eyelid. In this randomized, double-blind, clinical trial study, 31 patients with vitiligo vulgaris and focal vitiligo involving the eyelids were evaluated. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. First group received topical latanoprost gel twice daily for 12 weeks, whereas the second group received placebo with the same protocol. To evaluate severity of the disease the VIDA rating system was used. Serial photos of the patches were taken to compare and evaluate the repigmentation percentage of the patches. The patients in both groups had almost similar VIDA score (p > .05). First group showed improved pigmentation, whereas participants in the second group did not show any improvement in the pigmentation. The group treated with latanoprost showed significant reduction in the symptoms of the disease, whereas those treated with placebo did not show any alteration (p > .05). No significant complications were observed in either groups. Latanoprost proved effective in treating vitiligo disease involving eyelids.

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

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.

Fungal keratitis in patients with corneal ulcer in Sari, Northern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Fungal keratitis is a suppurative, ulcerative, and sight-threatening infection of the cornea that sometimes leads to loss of the eye. The objectives of this study were to improve facilities for laboratory diagnosis, to determine the predominant causative microorganisms, and to identify the predisposing factors of mycotic keratitis patients. METHODS: A prospective study of corneal ulcer was conducted in Sari between May 2004 and March 2005. Patients who presented with clinically suspected corneal ulcer to the Ophthalmology Department of Bou-Ali Sina University Hospital in Sari were included in this study. Each patient was examined with slit lamp. Data were collected by examining and questioning the patients. Using standard techniques, corneal scraping was performed by an ophthalmologist. The specimens collected were then smeared on two slides, which were stained with Gram stain (for bacterial keratitis) and 10% potassium hydroxide with or without Calcofluor white stain (for fungal keratitis), and studied under light microscope. The specimens were also inoculated directly on blood agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar, and potato dextrose agar in C-shaped streaks. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients met the inclusion criteria of this study, among whom 10 (45.5%) were females and 12 (54.5%) were males. The mean +/- SD age of patients was 61.5 +/- 17.7 (range: 15 - 83) years. In direct microscopy, branching, and septate hyphae were identified in 7 (31.8%) patients. Two (28.6%) fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium spp.) were isolated. Five (31.8%) patients with fungal keratitis were males and 2 (28.6%) were females. The mean +/- SD age of patients with fungal keratitis was 60.4 +/- 12.1 (range: 39 - 73) years. Three (42.85%) patients with fungal keratitis were farmers. The mean interval between the onset of symptom and diagnosis was 26.4 (range: 1 - 93) days. Trauma with plant debris and straws were noted in two (28.6%) patients with fungal keratitis. Five (71.4%) patients received topical antibiotics. Analyses, using potassium hydroxide with or without Calcofluor white as the gold-standard test, revealed a sensitivity of 71.4% for potassium hydroxide, and 42.9% for Gram stain. CONCLUSION: Infections of the cornea due to filamentous fungi are frequent causes of corneal damage and should always be kept in mind. The direct microscopy method is an essential tool in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis. Therefore, wet mount preparation with potassium hydroxide with or without Calcofluor white or only KOH can be relied upon as the single most important screening test for rapid diagnosis of fungal corneal ulcer.