IntroductionOptical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a new diagnostic technology for highresolution, cross-sectional, quantitative imaging of the retina.1,2 OCT uses light instead of sound wave and it is non-invasive non-contact technique which uses near infrared low coherent light passing through a Michelson interferometer. It measures the echo time delay and magnitude of reflected or backscatter to obtain two dimensional images of the retina and optic nerve head.2 In clinical practice, the presence of macular edema does not necessarily preclude good vision. Therefore, the degree of macular thickening rather than the presence of macular edema are significantly correlated with visual acuity. 4 In glaucoma, the essential ganglion pathologic process is the loss of retinal cells and their axon. 5 The introduction of OCT has enabled clinicians to reliably detect and measure small changes in macular thickness and to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of different therapeutic modalities. 6 Retinal thickness is calculated as the distance between vitreoretinal interface and the anterior boundary of the red reflective layer corresponding to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). It is desirable that measurements derived from the normal population to be as close as possible to the population for which the instrument is to be used. The ethnics difference in the prevalence of age related macular degeneration affects macular thickness. [7][8][9] This may also explain some of the Background and objective: Difference in macular thickness is affected by age, gender and axial length in any ethnic group. The aim of this study is to report normal macular thickness measurement in healthy Iraqi eyes using Optical Coherence Tomography mapping software. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the macula of 150 eyes (75 healthy subjects) underwent a complete ophthalmic examination including Optical Coherence Tomography. Optical Coherence Tomography parameters of macular thickness were analyzed with baseline variables including age, gender and axial length. Results: Mean central foveal thickness were 217µm and mean macular thickness in 6mm diameter were 245µm. Macular thickness measurement were thinnest at the center of the fovea, thickest within 3mm diameter of the center, and diminish toward the periphery of the macula. The temporal quadrant was thinner than the nasal quadrant. No correlation was found between macular thickness and age. The difference between male and female was significant (P < 0.05). The macula thickness was significantly less in eyes with axial length more than 24mm and more in eyes with axial length less or equal to 24mm (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:The macular thickness has a significant correlation with gender and axial length. This normal baseline data of macular thickness of the eyes of Iraqis living in Erbil may be a useful guideline for further research and management of glaucoma and macular diseases.
Background and objectives: To evaluate the role of dorzolamide –timolol fixed combination in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery. Methods: The study included 94 eyes of 89 patients who underwent cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. Patients planed for phacoemulsification were assigned to 1 of 2 groups. The treatment group received 1 drop of dorzolamide-timolol fixed combination immediately after surgery, and the control group received no treatment. The IOP was measured preoperatively and at 6 hours and 24 hours post- operatively. Results: The mean IOP change was lower in the treatment group than in the control group at 6 hours postoperatively. The difference between the mean IOP a value of the two groups at 6 hours postoperatively was found to be statistically significant. Twenty-four hours after the surgery, the mean IOP change was still higher in the control group when compared to the treatment group. Conclusions: The fixed combination dorzolamide-timolol can effectively lower IOP after phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
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