Fifty hypertensive Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients were allocated, in a controlled trial, to a treatment diet of high fibre, low fat and low sodium composition, or to a control diet by the hospital dietitian. After 3 months treatment, the modified diet-treated group showed a highly significant reduction in mean systolic (180.5 +/- 19.0 to 165.0 +/- 20.7 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (96.6 +/- 9.3 to 88.0 +/- 10.5 mmHg), accompanied by significant reductions in urinary sodium excretion (183.0 +/- 62.1 to 121.7 +/- 65.8 mmol/day) glycosylated haemoglobin (12.4 +/- 3.1 to 10.5 +/- 2.9%), weight (74.6 +/- 13.5 to 71.7 +/- 12.1 kg) and serum triglyceride levels (p less than 0.05). The mean values of diastolic pressure (p less than 0.01), urinary sodium/potassium ratio (p less than 0.001), urinary potassium (p less than 0.01) was significantly reduced at 3 months compared to control. No changes in serum HDL-cholesterol levels were observed. The number of patients with normal blood pressure at 3 months was greater in the modified diet-treated group (ten versus five). Treatment of mild hypertension in diabetic subjects with this form of dietary regimen has a hypotensive response, with improvement in glycaemic control and no side effects. This modified diet may be an attractive alternative to anti-hypertensive drug therapy as a first line treatment.

SummaryFifty-three diabetic patients with mild hypertension were allocated to a treatment diet with a high fibre, low fat and low sodium dietary regime or a control diet. After a 1-month treatment period, the modifieddiet treated group (n=35) showed a highly significant reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure (P<04001) accompanied by significant reduction in urinary sodium excretion (P<0-01). The mean values of diastolic pressure (P<0 05) and urinary sodium/potassium ratio (P<0-01) were also significantly reduced at 1 month compared to control. White (n= 16) and West Indian (n-10) diabetic hypertensive patients demonstrated a similar significant hypotensive response (P<0-05 and <0-01 respectively) with reduction in urinary sodium excretion to the modified diet. In contrast, Asian patients demonstrated no significant changes.Treatment of hypertension in diabetic subjects with a high fibre, low fat and low sodium dietary regimen may have a hypotensive response after a period of 1 month and there is a similar response in both black and white ethnic groups. Further observation of these patients will determine long-term response and compliance.

PURPOSE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARSCoV2) can affect eyes in various forms. Furthermore, ocular surface can act as potential port of entry and ocular secretions as possible route of transmission of SARSCoV2. The aims of the study are to identify ocular manifestation in confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) patients and to evaluate conjunctival secretions as the possible route of transmission of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, populationbased, observational study was done. Ocular symptoms and signs of every hospitalized patient with SARSCoV2 infection between September 15, 2020, and November 15, 2020, were recorded. Tear samples of the first 60 participants (30 each of patients with severe and moderate illness, can be removed) with ocular manifestations were selected for real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science Software (SPSS) program, version 23. When comparing mean values, ttest was used otherwise Chisquare test. RESULTS: Out of 804 admitted patients during study period, 309 (38.4%) patients were identified with ocular manifestations, out of which 78% (241) had conjunctival hyperemia, 65.6% (203) had follicular reaction in palpebral conjunctiva, 58% (180) had chemosis, and 58% (99) had discharge and 18.4% (57) complained of burning in their eyes. Mean duration from systemic manifestation to onset of ocular symptoms was 4.52 ± 1.47 days while 8 patients (1%) had conjunctivitis as the presenting symptom. SARSCoV2 was detected in 18.3% patients (11 out of 60) using RTPCR. CONCLUSION: The presence of SARSCoV2 in ocular secretions of patients with ocular manifestations suggests that COVID19infected patients with ocular manifestations should wear protective glasses to prevent secretions contamination to healthy persons.

Eccrine acrospiroma are benign skin tumors of sweat duct origin which are occurring in eyelids. They present as small solid or cystic lesions that are confused clinically with other lesions. This is a case of eccrine acrospiroma with malignant potential of a 90 year-old female with mass over the ventral aspect of the left upper eyelid with bleeding, ulceration, and discharge. This is a rare presentation of histopathological that confirmed eccrine acrospiroma so as to alert the clinician about the differential diagnosis of mass over eye lids. By careful examination, meticulous wide excision and rigorous follow-up potential vision can be restored.