Showing papers by "Mehdi Yaseri published in 2015"

Prevalence of Amblyopia and Refractive Errors Among Primary School Children.

Abstract: Purpose: To determine the prevalence of amblyopia and refractive errors among 7 to 12-year-old primary school children in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study included 2,410 randomly selected students. Visual acuity was tested using an E-chart on Yang vision tester. Refractive errors were measured by photorefractometry and cycloautorefraction. Strabismus was checked using cover test. Direct ophthalmoscopy was used to assess the anterior segment, lens opacities, red reflex and fundus. Functional amblyopia was defined as best corrected visual acuity ≤20/40 in one or both eyes with no anatomical problems. Results: Amblyopia was present in 2.3% (95% CI: 1.8% to 2.9%) of participants with no difference between the genders. Amblyopic subjects were significantly younger than non-amblyopic children (P=0.004). Overall, 15.9% of hyperopic and 5.9% of myopic cases had amblyopia. The prevalence of hyperopia ≥+2.00D, myopia ≤-0.50D, astigmatism ≥0.75D, and anisometropia (≥1.00D) was 3.5%, 4.9%, 22.6%, and 3.9%, respectively. With increasing age, the prevalence of myopia increased (P Conclusion: The high prevalence of amblyopia in our subjects in comparison to developed countries reveals the necessity of timely and sensitive screening methods. Due to the high prevalence of amblyopia among children with refractive errors, particularly high hyperopia and anisometropia, provision of glasses should be specifically attended by parents and supported by the Ministry of Health and insurance organizations.

Interactive web-based lifestyle intervention and metabolic syndrome: findings from the Red Ruby (a randomized controlled trial)

Abstract: Metabolic syndrome is a growing public health problem worldwide. Several interventions have been proposed to specifically target the problem. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an interactive web-based lifestyle for management of metabolic syndrome. This randomized controlled trial was conducted from June through August 2012 in Tehran, Iran. Participants were individuals with metabolic syndrome who had registered on the study website. Interested eligible participants were invited for a free clinic visit and clinical assessment. They were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 80) or control (n = 80) group. The intervention group received an interactive web-based program called the Healthy Heart Profile and were followed for 6 months. The control group received general information on metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric measures, glycemic status, and lipid profile were evaluated at baseline, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III report except for waist circumference, which was modified to ≥90 cm for both genders for the Iranian population. In total, 1,437 individuals registered on the study website. The mean age of participants was 44.2 years (SD = 10.0). There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups on any baseline variable except that participants in the intervention group recorded higher levels of LDL. The results showed a decrease in metabolic syndrome in both groups. These reductions were significantly greater in the intervention group at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. The intervention group showed significantly greater decreases (P < 0.05) over the control group for, respectively, systolic blood pressure (3-month: −10 versus −6 mmHg; 6-month: −11 versus −8 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (3-month: −10 versus −4 mmHg; 6-month: −11 versus −6 mmHg), weight (3-month: −2 versus −1 kg; 6-month: −4 versus −1 kg), body mass index (3-month: −0.5 versus −0.2 kg/m2; 6-month: −1.1 versus −0.4 kg/m2) and improvement in HDL (3-month: 2 versus 0.64 mg/dl; 6-month: 6 versus 4 mg/dl). The findings suggest that the web-based interactive program was beneficial for individuals with metabolic syndrome. Comprehensive interactive web-based prevention programs are promising to help involve patients in improving management of metabolic syndrome and adopting a healthy lifestyle. IRCT201111198132N1 . Registered 27 May 2013.

Long-term visual outcome of congenital cataract at a Tertiary Referral Center from 2004 to 2014.

Abstract: Purpose To assess the long-term visual acuity (VA) outcome after congenital cataract surgery at Imam Hossein Medical Center (Tertiary Referral Center) (2004–2014). Methods In this descriptive study, records of 120 patients with a history of congenital cataract surgery were studied. Those with traumatic, metabolic cataract, aged Results In this study, 20 males and 22 females with a mean age of 11.80 ± 6 years at their last visit were studied. Bilateral and unilateral cataract was seen in 69% and 31% of cases, respectively. Posterior and anterior subcapsular opacity was the most common (53.70%) and rarest (1.90%) type of congenital cataract, respectively. The mean age at the time of operation and surgical interval was 65 ± 66.6 (range: 1–200) and 12.9 ± 23.5 (range: 0–96) months, respectively. The most common method of refractive error correction was pseudophakia plus glasses (56.3%) with the mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.29 ± 0.28 LogMAR., The mean BCVA was 0.7 ± 0.53 LogMAR for aphakic patients correcting by glasses. In our study, amblyopia (56%), glaucoma (23.90%), and posterior capsular opacity (16.40%) were observed during their follow-ups on an average of 76 ± 65 months (median: 60, range: 6–240). Unilateral cataract, aphakia, nystagmus, female gender, and strabismus were risk factors of VA loss. Conclusion Based on our results, 56% of cases showed amblyopia. It could be due to late operation (especially in unilateral cases), longer surgical interval between two eyes, and no compliance of amblyopia therapy. Early detection through screening may reduce the rate of amblyopia. Refractive errors, visual acuity, amblyopia, glaucoma, posterior capsular opacity, and compliance of amblyopia therapy should be checked regularly at follow-up visits.

Hypertension and fluoride in drinking water: Case study from West Azerbaijan, Iran

Abstract: Hypertension is a major public health challenge in Iran and its detection and control are vitally important to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. Fluoride can be a risk factor for hypertension and, in this cross-sectional study, the effects on the prevalence of hypertension of high (3.94 mg F/L) and low (0.25 mg F/L) fluoride exposure via drinking water were investigated in two areas in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. The number of persons studied, aged 20–65 yr, was 897 (male: 453; female: 444) in the high fluoride area and 1981 (male: 945; female: 1036) in the low fluoride area. Cases were excluded who had aetiological factors known to contribute to hypertension, such as smoking, age >65 yr, a family history of hypertension, lack of mobility, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. In the high fluoride area, compared to the low fluoride area, hypertension, without known aetiological factors, was increased (p<0.05) in females aged 50–59 yr and decreased (p<0.05) in the combined group of males and females aged 40–49 yr. Because of the varying results of the studies in this topic, further research is recommended.

Oral colchicine for prevention of proliferative vitreoretinopathy: a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract: activity significantly higher in the aqueous humour of eyes with PEX than in that of cataractous eyes without PEX, in our group, these values in blood plasma appeared to be lower in PEX patients. According to Cumurcu et al. (2008) serum A-1-AT activity was increased in patients with PEX, which is in accordance with our results. It may indicate the role of inflammation in this group of patients. To our best knowledge, this is the first study on AS and CAT D activities in PEX patients. Our observations may shed light on the complex metabolic contribution and molecular pathway of the disease.

Intraocular lens power changes after mitomycin trabeculectomy.

Abstract: Purpose To evaluate biometric changes after mitomycin C augmented trabeculectomy and their effect on intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation using different formulas. Methods In this prospective, interventional case series study, 34 eyes of 31 phakic glaucoma patients who were scheduled for primary trabeculectomy were enrolled. Using a noncontact biometry device (Lenstar, Haag-Streit AG, Koeniz, Switzerland), axial length (AL), mean corneal power, and IOL power were calculated with the Hoffer Q, Holladay, and SRK/T formulas 1 day before surgery and compared to those obtained 3 and 6 months after the operation. Bland-Altman plot was used to determine agreement between preoperative and postoperative IOL power values. Results The AL was significantly decreased at month 3 (-0.14 ± 0.13 mm) and month 6 (-0.14 ± 0.15 mm) as compared to baseline values (both p values l0.001). Mean corneal power increased significantly at month 3 (0.41 ± 0.46 D; pl0.001) and month 6 (0.27 ± 0.47 D; p = 0.008). Using different formulas, IOL power did not change significantly after the operation (all ps≥0.17). The IOL power changes using the Hoffer Q formula were -0.09 ± 0.76 (p = 0.505) and 0.14 ± 0.9 D (p = 0.442) at 3 and 6 months, respectively; corresponding values were -0.1 ± 0.75 (p = 0.427) and 0.16 ± 0.79 D (p = 0.319) for Holladay and 0.01 ± 0.64 (p = 0.895) and 0.2 ± 0.71 D (p = 0.17) employing the SRK/T formula. Conclusions Despite significant changes in AL and corneal power after trabeculectomy, IOL power calculation remains unchanged; therefore adjustment of IOL power calculation after trabeculectomy seems unnecessary.

Safe dose of intravitreal imatinib and its effect on laser-induced choroidal neovascularization: a rat-model experiment

Abstract: This two-phase experimental study was conducted to determine the maximum safe dose of intravitreal imatinib (IVI) and its inhibitory effect on a rat model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). In phase I, 60 rats were divided into six groups (A to F); five of which received IVI with concentrations of 330 (A), 250 (B), 165 (C), 80 (D), and 40 (E) µg/5 µl, and the control group (F) received balanced salt solution (BSS). In addition to electroretinography (ERG), routine histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein were performed. In phase II, CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in 25 rats and the animals were divided into two groups. One group received the maximum safe dose of IVI, determined in phase I, and the other received intravitreal BSS. After 4 weeks, the groups were compared in terms of mean scores of fluorescein leakage in fluorescein angiography and the mean CNV areas in histopathological sections. In phase I, ERG and the histopathological findings revealed retinal toxicity in groups A to D and A to C, respectively; therefore, a dose of 40 µg/5 µl imatinib was specified as the maximum safe dose for phase II. In phase II, late phase fluorescein leakage and the CNV areas were not significantly different between the imatinib-treated eyes and the controls (p = 0.62 and p = 0.5, respectively). Despite the safety of IVI with a dose of 40 µg/5 µl, no inhibitory effect on laser-induced CNV was observed. Further studies are required to investigate the possible synergistic effects of Imatinib with conventional anti-CNV drugs.

Visual Outcomes and Complications of Piggyback Intraocular Lens Implantation Compared to Aphakia for Infantile Cataract.

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the long.term visual outcomes and complications of the piggyback intraocular lens. (IOL) implantation compared to aphakia for infantile cataract Patients and Methods: In a comparative study from 1998 to 2007, piggyback IOL implantation (piggyback IOL group) was performed for 14 infants (23 eyes) with infantile cataract and 20 infants (32 eyes) who were aphakic (aphakia group) after infantile cataract surgery. Data were collected on logMAR visual acuity, and postoperative complications over a mean follow-up time of 6.2 ± 1.7 years and 5.8 ± 1.7 years. Results: The mean age at surgery was 7.5 ± 0.6 months and 6.0 ± 3.3 months for the piggyback and the aphakic group respectively (P > 0.05). At the last follow-up visit, visual acuity was 0.85 ± 0.73 (median = 0.70, interquartile range = 0.3–1.32) in the piggyback IOL group and 0.89 ± 0.56 (median = 0.86, interquartile range = 0.50–1.24) in the aphakic group (P > 0.05). There was a positive relationship between age and visual outcomes in the aphakic group (r = 0.4, P = 0.04) but not in the piggyback IOL group (P = 0.48). There was no significant difference between the mean myopic shift in the piggyback IOL group (–5.28 ± 1.06 D) and the aphakic group (–5.10 ± 1.02 D) (P > 0.05). The incidence of reoperation due to complications in piggyback IOL group was higher than aphakic group (%48 vs. %16, respectively, P ≤ 0.01). However, in patients older than 6 months, this risk was not significantly different compared to the aphakic group. Conclusions: Although piggyback IOL implantation for infantile cataract is optically acceptable as a treatment option, there is no significant difference in visual outcomes compared to aphakia. The incidence in reoperation due to complications in patients aged 6 months or younger is higher than those treated with aphakia.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Trachoma in Rural Areas of Sistan-va-Baluchestan Province, Iran: A Population-Based Study

Abstract: Purpose: To determine the prevalence of trachoma and risk factors associated with the disease in rural areas of the Sistan-va-Baluchestan province in Iran from 2012–2013. Population-based prevalence data for trachoma is lacking in this region.Methods: In this population-based cross-sectional study, 80 clusters were selected using a systematic and probability proportional to size method. All participants underwent clinical eye examinations according to the World Health Organization simplified trachoma grading system. The prevalence of follicular trachoma (TF) in children aged 1–9 years and the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in women aged over 15 years were the most important clinical indicators of trachoma.Results: The study surveyed 8187 individuals and analyzed 7912 participants (96.6%) including 3737 children aged 1–9 years and 4175 females >15 years. The prevalence of TF and TT in the relevant indicator groups were 0.59% (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.36–0.89%) and 0.02% (95% CI 0....

Semantic Priming Effect on Relative Clause Attachment Ambiguity Resolution in L2

Abstract: This study examined whether processing ambiguous sentences containing relative clauses (RCs) following a complex determiner phrase (DP) by Persian-speaking learners of L2 English with different proficiency and working memory capacities (WMCs) is affected by semantic priming. The semantic relationship studied was one between the subject/verb of the main clause and one of the DPs in the complex DP to see if, as predicted by Spreading Activation Model, priming one of the DPs affects the L2 learners’ preference. The results of a task using Rapid Serial Visual Processing showed that semantic priming does not affect the choice of the antecedent; rather, the L2 learners' processing is guided by syntactic information. A negative correlation was found between WMC and RC attachment preferences. The findings support the predictions of the chunking hypothesis for L2 learners.

Vision Therapy/Orthoptics among Three to Seven Year Old Children

Abstract: Background: Vision Therapy/Orthoptics(VT/O) is a package of treatments that enables patients to achieve the maximum level of visual performance.The aim was to determine the effect of three months vision therapy/orthoptics on best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fusion, stereopsis and ocular alignment in 3-7 year old children.Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 80 children with amblyopia and/or non-paralytic horizontal deviations were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Intervention group was treated by vision therapy/orthoptics for three months. These modalities included patch, red filter, sector patch, over minus lens, prism and synoptophore exercises. Controls were treated by only patching for the same period. Pre and post-treatment BCVA, fusion, stereopsis and alignment were compared. Visual performance was classified as excellent (BCVA≥20/30, deviation≤10pd and stereopsis≤70sec/are), acceptable (BCVA≥20/30, deviation ≤10pd and stereopsis 70 to 3000sec/are) and unsatisfactory (BCVA 10pd and no stereopsis).Results: A total of 80 cases (56 girls and 24 boys) with the mean age of 5.6±1.4 years entered the study. Although more improvement of fusion and stereopsis was seen in the intervention group (P<0.001 for both groups), there was no significant differences in BCVA and alignment between two groups. Also the difference of visual performance was not statistically significant between two groups, whereas the improvement was significant in each group (P<0.001, for both groups).Conclusion: Vision therapy/orthoptics treatment can be effective for improving sensory status in 3 to 7 year old children with amblyopia and/or strabismus. Further studies with larger sample sizes and focusing on accommodation and fusional amplitude are warranted.