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Purpose: To compare macular thickness following uncomplicated phacoemulsification with foldable acrylic lens and manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) with non‐foldable polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) lens implantation.
Methods: Prospective study was carried out with one eye each of 224 patients with senile cataract randomized into two groups, phacoemulsification and MSICS, by simple 1:1 randomization. Following surgery by either of the two methods, macular thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) on the 1st, 7th, 42nd and 180th postoperative day. Main outcome measure was postoperative macular thickness.
Results: On the first postoperative day, central subfield mean thickness (CSMT) in MSICS group was 192.8 ± 17.9 μm and that in phacoemulsification group was 192.1 ± 27.4 μm, with no significant difference (p = 0.12). On the 7th day, CSMT in MSICS group (198.9 ± 21.4 μm) was significantly (p = 0.04) more than that in phacoemulsification group (193.1 ± 19.3 μm). On the 42nd day, CSMT in MSICS group was 207.8 ± 26.3 μm and that in phacoemulsification group was 198.3 ± 23 μm, the difference being significant (p = 0.007). Clinically macular oedema was not diagnosed in any of the patients at any visit. The increase in macular thickness was sub‐clinical and did not affect final visual outcome in any patient.
Conclusion: In spite of the greater theoretical risk of increased postoperative inflammation following MSICS, there was no evidence of cystoid macular oedema, either clinically or on OCT. However, chance of sub‐clinical increase in CSMT was more following MSICS compared to phacoemulsification.
Objective:To identify the sociodemographic characteristics, degree and cause of visual disability among certified visually disabled individuals in a rural district of West Bengal, India and to identify possible lacunae, if any, in the existing certification system.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study by secondary data analysis of medical records of 155 visually disabled individuals and their 310 eyes. Demographical features, diagnosis, percentage of visual disability and work activity status of each individual were analyzed.Results:One hundred and thirty one (84.52%) individuals had 100% disability. The number of males was significantly higher than that of females. Fifty eight (37.42%) individuals were below 21 years of age. Phthisis bulbi was the most common cause followed by microphthalmos. Further, 81.29% patients had the same lesion bilaterally.Conclusion:Patients with higher grades of disability have attended certification boards. A large number of disabled individuals comprised children and young adults. Male gender bias demands concern.
To evaluate pattern of visual impairment in school children from low-income families in Kolkata, India, an institutional cross-sectional study was conducted among 2570 children of 10 primary schools. Ocular examination including refraction was done and pattern of visual impairment and refractive error was studied. The age range was 6-14 years. Refractive error was seen in 14.7%. Only 4 children were already wearing correction. Myopia and hypermetropia was present in 307 (11.9%) and 65 (2.5%) children, respectively. Visual acuity of less than 6/12 in better eye was present in 109 (4.2%) and 5 (0.2%) children pre- and post-correction, respectively. Eighteen children had amblyopia. Although prevalence of refractive error in this group is less compared to school children of all income categories reported from other cities of India, it is more compared to school children of all income categories from the same city. Refractive error mostly remains uncorrected in this group.
Health workers reported an increased number of diarrhea cases at Haibatpur village on June 17, 2012. This outbreak was investigated with the following objectives: to confirm the existence of diarrhea outbreak, to find out the risk factors, and propose control measures. Cases were listed; spot map and epidemic curve were drawn. Attack rate was calculated by age and sex and risk factors were found out by calculating odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Rectal swabs were taken and water specimens were collected for laboratory test. Forty-one cases of patients were identified with overall attack rate (AR) was 5% (41/780). AR among men was higher 6% (25/404) than women. There was no death. V. cholerae 01 Eltor Ogawa was isolated from one (1/4) stool specimen. Spot map showed cases clustered around two ponds which were contaminated with coliform organisms. The underground water was a bit saline in nature. Using pond water for preparation of fermented rice (Panta Bhat) (OR 4.73, 95% CI 1.69–13.51), washing utensil in pond water (OR 7.31, 95% CI 1.77–42.29) were associated with cholera outbreak. Health education was done to villagers. Disinfection of two ponds with bleaching powder was done. We proposed supplying of safe drinking water and repairing defective deep tube well to village.
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