AA BOLOURIAN; E SHIRZADEH
Volume 14, Issue 3 , September and October 2007, , Pages 179-184
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Pinguecula causes cosmetic effects and induces pterygium in some cases. Burning, irritation, lacrimation and foreign body sensation, occasional significant astigmatism and decreased vision are among the major symptoms of pterygium. As most findings in this regard are hospital-based, ...
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Background and Purpose: Pinguecula causes cosmetic effects and induces pterygium in some cases. Burning, irritation, lacrimation and foreign body sensation, occasional significant astigmatism and decreased vision are among the major symptoms of pterygium. As most findings in this regard are hospital-based, the present population- based study was conducted to study the prevalence of pterygium and pinguecula and the effect of population variables in the rural population of sabzevar, Iran.
Methods and Materials: This descriptive epidemiologic study was conducted cross- sectionally and the population was rural residents in sabzevar, Iran. Cluster sampling was used for random sampling from 40 villages amounting to 2508 subjects.
The study was conducted in 2002-2004. The subjects were interviewed and fully examined. Diagnoses were made clinically.
The relationships between population variables and the two disorders were evaluated. The obtained data were analyzed using chi- square, t- test and logistic regression.
Results: Mean age of 1014 men (40.5%) and 1494 women (59.5%) participating in the study were 27.84± 22.07 and 26.90± 19.05 years respectively. Of 2508 subjects, 396 cases of pterygium and pinguecula were diagnosed with an overall prevalence of 15.8%; 187 men (18.44%) and 209 women (14%). Its prevalence was higher in men than in women. Its distribution as asymmetric, i.e. OD: OS ratio = 0.64. Also, its prevalence across different jobs rendered the following results for farmers, workers and housewives: 39.5; 33.3 and 23 respectively:
Conclusion: The overal prevalence of pterygium and pinguecula in rural population of Sabzevar is 15.7%, which may be attributed to population variables and risk factors, geographical location, climatic conditions, racial and familial factors.
E SHIRZADEH; AA BOLOURIAN
Volume 14, Issue 1 , March and April 2007, , Pages 38-43
Abstract
Background and purpose: Cataract is the lens opacity which brings about vision disorders and is generally divided into four types: congenital, traumatic, secondary and age-related. It is commonly a disease of middle-age and geriatric age and the main factor in low vision and blindness throughout the ...
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Background and purpose: Cataract is the lens opacity which brings about vision disorders and is generally divided into four types: congenital, traumatic, secondary and age-related. It is commonly a disease of middle-age and geriatric age and the main factor in low vision and blindness throughout the world. This study is intended to survey the prevalence of cataract in the rural population of Sabzevar in Iran.
Methods and Materials: This research is a cross-sectional epidemiological descriptive study. 40 villages were selected through cluster sampling and the statistical population included all rural residents in 2002-2004 (1381-1383). 2805 subjects (with the age range of 11 days to 92 years old) participated in the primary screening which consisted of tests of visual acuity, red reflex, retinoscopy and the examination of anterior segment via torch or ophthalmoscope. Subjects with visual disorders or defected red reflex were referred to ophthalmologist for complete examinations.
Results: Mean age for 1014 male (40.5%) and 1494 female (59.5%) were 27.84±22.07 and 27.90±19.05 years respectively.
The overall prevalence of cataract was 6% (confidence interval 95%). Its prevalence in men and women were 7.8% and 4.8% respectively.
Conclusion: Regarding the limited number of similar epidemiological studies in Iran, further studies can be helpful in estimating the magnitude of cataract and visual disorders due to cataract in the rural population since estimating the magnitude of this controllable disease can be of considerable personal, social and economical advantages.