Original Articles


Prevalence of Refractive Errors among Elementary School Students in Iranshahr, Iran

Mojgan Jamalzehi

Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023), 11 July 2024, Page 1-8
https://doi.org/10.22037/joos.v7i2.45974

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of refractive errors among elementary school students in Iranshahr, Iran.
Materials and Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 1,745 students from elementary schools in Iranshahr city, Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran, were chosen using a multi-staged cluster sampling method. The examinations included measuring uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cycloplegic refraction, cover test, and ophthalmoscopy. In this study, the Refractive Error Study in Children (RESC) protocol was applied. Cycloplegic refraction spherical equivalent of less than or equal to -0.50 D was considered myopia, ≥ 2.00 D was considered hypermetropia, and a cylinder ≥ 0.50 D was considered astigmatism.
Results: Information was completed for 1,576 students (response rate: 90.31 %). Participants were on average 9.76 ± 1.86 years old. UCVA and BCVA of 20/20 or lower were found in 15.7 % and 2.5 % percent of the study population, respectively. The prevalence of hyperopia and myopia were 5.7  % and 7.3  % respectively.
Conclusion: Elementary school children in Iranshahr city, Iran show a relatively high prevalence of refractive errors, particularly astigmatism. It is necessary for the health system to focus on identifying and correcting these refractive errors among this age group.

The Relationship between Keratoconus and Joint Hypermobility

Seyed Hashem Daryabari, Sajad Mansourian , Atefeh Shiravandi

Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023), 11 July 2024, Page 9-13
https://doi.org/10.22037/joos.v7i2.45975

Purpose: To evaluate the relation between joint hypermobility and keratoconus.
Patients and Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Ophthalmology Department of Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from September 2020 to April 2021. The case group consisted of patients with keratoconus, while the control group included healthy individuals. The hypermobility score (Beighton test) was calculated for patients in both groups.
Results: A total of 127 keratoconus patients were enrolled as the case group. Additionally, 34 healthy individuals were evaluated as the control group. When comparing joint hypermobility individually, the case group showed significantly higher spinal column forward flexion hypermobility (P < 0.01) and elbow joint hypermobility (P = 0.03). In the case group, 43 patients (33 %) had a Beighton mobility score of more than 4, implying general joint hypermobility, compared to 8 patients (23.5 %) in the control group, indicating no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.22). Despite the lack of correlation between general joint hypermobility and the presence or absence of keratoconus, a significant correlation was observed between the severity of keratoconus and joint hypermobility in patients with keratoconus, such that higher stages of keratoconus were associated with greater joint hypermobility (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Based on our findings, it can be concluded that although joint hypermobility and keratoconus may not necessarily be related diseases, there might be a correlation between the severities of these two conditions.

Ocular Manifestations of COVID-19 among Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Khatam-Al-Anbia Tertiary Center, Tehran, Iran

Nafeeseh Montazerin, Zhale Rajavi, Hossein Ziaei Ardakani, Azadeh Haseli-Mofrad

Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023), 11 July 2024, Page 14-24
https://doi.org/10.22037/joos.v7i2.45976

Purpose: This study reports ocular findings in patients with COVID-19 diagnosis admitted to the intensive care unit of Khatam-Al-Anbia Tertiary Center, Tehran, Iran, from October 2020 to October 2021.
Patients and Methods: In this case series study, comprehensive ophthalmic examinations of patients admitted with COVID-19 diagnosis to the intensive care unit of Khatam-Al-Anbia Tertiary Center, Tehran, Iran, was performed and data were collected during one year (October 2020 - October 2021). This included assessments of the eyelids, conjunctiva, extraocular muscle motility, anterior and posterior segments, orbit, and paraclinical imaging.
Results: The most prevalent ophthalmic findings were conjunctival problems (62.5 %), multiple manifestations (45.8 %), eyelid issues (41.6 %), and proptosis (37.5 %). Other manifestations were less common. Notably, mucormycosis involvement and its impact on the disease course were significant, regardless of its low frequency. It was observed that the female gender showed greater resistance to the infection and its complications.
Conclusion: Ophthalmic manifestations of Covid-19 are common and should be considered in patients’ care. Serious ophthalmic manifestations although rare might lead to severe visual impairments. Central nervous system involvement severely decreases the chance of survival and gender plays a role, in patients’ reaction to the infection.

Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccination among the Personnel of Negah Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Azadeh Haseli-Mofrad , Zhale Rajavi, Hamideh Sabbaghi , Bahar Kheiri

Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023), 11 July 2024, Page 25-34
https://doi.org/10.22037/joos.v7i2.45977

Purpose: To investigate the complications of coronavirus vaccination among the personnel of Negah Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Patients and Methods: In this questionnaire-based survey we collected demographic characteristics as well as local and general vaccine complications among the personnel of Negah Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran, including gastrointestinal, cardiac, pulmonary and ocular complications between June and August 2021.

Results: In this study, all personnel (n = 259) were evaluated. The mean age of participants was 42.58 ± 11.98 years. It was observed that 70.3 %, 24.7 %, and 5.0 % were vaccinated with AstraZeneca, Sputnik, and Baharat vaccines, respectively. Cases who were vaccinated with the first dose of AstraZeneca showed higher rate of fever (P < 0.001), chills (P < 0.001), muscle pain (P = 0.001), joint pain (P = 0.004), confusion (P = 0.002), drowsiness (P < 0.001), nausea (P = 0.014), and injection site pain (P = 0.005) compared to other types of vaccination. Post-injection complications mostly declined after the second dose. The most frequent complications secondary to vaccination were observed among younger and female participants (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Complications were significantly higher after the first dose of AstraZeneca compared to Sputnik, and Bharat vaccines. Vaccine complications were higher after the first dose which remarkably decreased after the second dose of vaccination. Younger and female cases were in more risk of complication compared to older and male patients.

Review Articles


The Role of Mitomycin C in the Treatment of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia

Nader Nassiri, Mansoor Shahriari , Arvin Porkar Rezaeyeh , Sara Kavousnezhad , Maryam Yadgari

Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023), 11 July 2024, Page 35-40
https://doi.org/10.22037/joos.v7i2.45981

Ocular surface tumors, arising from the squamous epithelium, melanocytes, and lymphocytic resident cells of the conjunctival stroma and cornea, present a challenge in ophthalmic oncology. Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) encompasses a spectrum of epithelial squamous malignancies that range from mild to severe dysplasia to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Traditionally, surgical excision has been the treatment of choice for OSSN, but Mitomycin C (MMC) has emerged as a valuable adjunctive treatment option, decreasing the recurrence rate of these tumors. This review provides an overview of the use of MMC in the management of OSSN, including dosing regimens, complications, and long-term outcomes.

Case Reports


Visual Loss Following Cranial Radiotherapy to Treat a Pituitary Tumor

Seyed Mohammad Masoud Shushtarian, Reza Pour Mazar

Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023), 11 July 2024, Page 41-43
https://doi.org/10.22037/joos.v7i2.45978

A patient was referred to the Basir Eye Clinic in Tehran, Iran, for a visual evoked potential exam. He was a 35-year-old man with light perception (LP) in his right eye and no light perception (NLP) in his left eye. The patient's history indicated that he underwent adenomectomy and cranial radiotherapy to treat a pituitary tumor. Six months after radiotherapy, he lost his vision. The patient was diagnosed with radiation-induced optic neuropathy leading to blindness.

Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizure in a Child Following Electrophysiology Examination of the Eyes

Seyed Mohammad Masoud Shushtarian, Khadijeh Haji Naghitehrani, Ahmad Shojaei , Ardeshir Papei

Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 2 (2023), 11 July 2024, Page 44-46

An eleven-year-old boy suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, deafness, and aphasia was referred to Basir Eye Clinic, Tehran, Iran, for visual evoked potential (VEP) and electroretinography (ERG) recordings. He left the laboratory on foot, but after fifteen minutes, he suffered a seizure. The condition was managed, and the diagnosis of a psychogenic non-epileptic seizure was reached.