Ocular changes associated with pregnancy are transient and most tend to resolve postpartum, with values returning to near pre-pregnant state.

Summary: Noise pollution in workplaces poses serious health risks including that of cardiovascular disturbances and impairment of hearing. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of occupational noise on hearing among selected industrial workers in Benin City, Nigeria. Male and female workers (n=150) in sawmills, Food Processing industries and Marketers of recorded music who had been exposed to high levels of occupational noise for between 1-14years were evaluated. We determined the ambient noise levels in their workplaces to be over 90dB. We analyzed the air and bone conduction defects for both their left and right ears. The results showed that noise-induced hearing impairment was present in 100% of the workers exposed for a period of 14 years. By 4-8 years, 100% of sawmill workers had developed hearing impairment. In addition, air-conduction pathway in the right ear was affected more than the left ear. In general, male workers were more susceptible to noise induced hearing impairment. In a situation of low level of awareness and dearth of enforced noise control laws in many developing countries, noise pollution can pose severe hearing impairment and other health risks.

Background: Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) in postmenopausal women has been reported higher than that in menstruating women. Also, intraocular pressure is said to be positively correlated with systemic blood pressure. No previous study in Nigeria has compared intraocular pressure in postmenopausal women with and without systemic hypertension. Purpose: To investigate the effects of menopause on intraocular pressure in subjects with and without high blood pressure. Methods: Normotensive and hypertensive premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects in the   same agerange of 45 to 55 years were studied. Intraocular pressure was measured with the hand-held Kowa applanation tonometer.  Blood pressure was taken in the sitting position at the right upper arm using a manual mercury sphygmomanometer with the right cuff size. The average of two readings was recorded. Results: Mean IOP for premenopausal normotensive women was 14.58 ± 2.56 mmHg whilethat of postmenopausal normotensive women was16.15 ± 1.80 mmHg (p<0.05).  Also, the difference in mean IOP between premenopausal hypertensive (16.58 ± 3.23 mmHg) and postmenopausal hypertensive women (18.24 ± 3.89 mmHg)was statistically significant (p<0.05). A statistically significant and positive correlation was observed between IOP and systemic blood pressure in postmenopausal hypertensive women, p<0.05.Conclusion: Menopause significantly increases intraocular pressure. Mean intraocular pressure of hypertensive postmenopausal women was significantly higher than that of normotensive post-menopausal women, (p<0.05). Knowledge of the normal level of intraocular pressure during various stages of the female reproductive cycle may help during glaucoma screening. (S Afr Optom 2011 70(3) 117-122)

The ambient noise level and noise-induced hearing impairment (NIHI) in 200 motorbike riders from six motorbike parks were evaluated. All were males aged between 20-62 years. Subjects were sampled using a cluster sampling technique. Parameters measured were environmental noise using the noise meter (peters) and hearing function using an audiometer (amplaid). A control group of 150 males was selected from amongst the staff of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and students of University of Benin after informed consent was obtained.The mean ambient noise for motor bike riders was 90 +10 dB a level significantly (x=0.000), higher than the International Standard Organization (ISO) standard of 60dB. That for control group was 50 + 10dB. While there was no NIHI in control group, a significant hearing impairment for both air conduction (AC) and Bone conduction (BC) was observed in the study group. Unlike previous observations AC and BC impairment were predominantly in the left ear. Development of both AC and BC impairments increased with period of exposure.Environment noise impacts adversely on hearing and is a risk factor in commercial motorbike riders. Development of NIHI is significantly higher in the left ear than right unlike in other occupations.

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