Purpose.A population-based study was conducted to determine the prevalence of color deficiencies in secondaryschool students (ages 12-14) in Tehran. Methods. A total of 2058 students (1136 males, 922 females) were examined with Ishihara pseudoisochromatic color plates. Results. In the study population, 97 cases of defective color vision were detected, including 93 males and 4 females. The affected individuals all had negative histories of previous systemic and ocular disease or chronic use of medications. The visual acuity was 20/20 and the fundus was normal in all affected students. Of the 93 cases of defective color vision in males (8.18%), 56 cases (4.93%) involved deuteranomaly, 13 (1.14%) protanomaly, 13 (1.14%) deuteranopia, and 11 (0.97%) protanopia. The four cases in females (0.43%) involved deuteranomaly in three cases (0.32%) and protanomaly in 1 case (0.11%). Deuteranopia and protanopia were not detected in females. Conclusion. This is the first study to determine the prevalence of congenital color blindness in Iran. The results agree with reports of prevalence of congenital color blindness from Western Europe.

A Ab bs st tr ra ac ct t Many factors such as aging, changes in blood electrolytes levels, and possibly family history are involved in senile cataract formation. Changes in serum electrolytes levels can induce changes in aqueous electrolytes levels and effect on lens metabolism and probably cataract formation. In this paper, we study serum level of Na + and K + in senile cataract patients and normal individuals.

Purpose: The causes of age-related cataract are multifactorial and particular consideration has been given to the role of nutritional factors in cataract formation. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of certain blood biochemistry constituents in cataract patients and controls and evaluate their potential, if any, as identifying risk factors in cataractogenesis. Methods: This is a case-control study where 155 cataract patients and 155 matched controls were chosen for evaluation. Cataract subjects were further divided into subgroups depending on the location of the cataract. All underwent routine eye examinations and blood samples were taken from each one for blood biochemistry analysis including serum levels of glucose, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, calcium, sodium and potassium and the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Results: Mean levels of total protein, bilirubin, calcium, sodium, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase differed significantly between patient and control groups. Patients with posterior subcapsular cataract had significantly higher glucose levels (p = 0.05) compared with patients with other types of cataract. It was also found that those patients with a cortical cataract had the highest level of urea, differing significantly from other subgroups and controls. Conclusions: The mean levels of all constituents under study fell within normal body range. However, the levels of several important factors demonstrated a positive and significant correlation with cataract. While we do not presume to present these results as conclusive, it is possible that a gradual and constant variation in these parameters may be predisposing factors in cataractogenesis.

No abstract