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Background Intracorneal implants have been proposed over the years as a possible easier way for managing keratoconus, having a favorable influence on the course of the disease. KERATACx is a relatively new form of intracorneal ring segments that has been recently introduced but not thoroughly studied regarding its safety and efficacy. Moreover, implanting a complete intrastromal ring into a corneal pocket, MyoRing (Dioptex GmbH, Austria), is an alternative technique, which can be considered safe, effective, and relatively easy for the treatment of keratoconus. Aim To compare between the effect of MyoRing and KERATACx corneal implants as new modalities of treatment on the visual acuity, as well as assess corneal topography findings in cases with moderate to severe keratoconus. Patients and methods Our study is a prospective comparative study conducted at specialized eye centers in Cairo. A total of 20 keratoconic eyes were eventually recruited. Overall, 10 of those eyes had 355° intracorneal ring segment implants (KERATACx ring segments) inserted into a femtosecond laser-created corneal tunnel at a depth of 75% of the thinnest location at the proposed tunnel site (group A), whereas the other 10 eyes had complete ring (MyoRing) implantation into a femtosecond laser-created corneal pocket at a 300-μm corneal depth (group B), by the same designated surgeon. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ain-Shams University. Results Both types were proven to be statistically effective, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups related to any of the followed up parameters. In fact, both proved safe, effective, and reliable methods for managing keratoconus, with no difference of importance even to the degree of myopic refractive error correction. There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications reported within both groups throughout the whole study and follow-up period, but in turn, stability of the achieved results was found in both groups. Conclusion Both MyoRing and KERATACx were found to be equally effective, safe, and reliable methods for keratoconus management.

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) was observed in children worldwide, and it adversely affects the oral health-related quality of life. ECC is multifactorial, and the concepts of poor nutrition and inappropriate feeding bottle habits as its risk factors could not provide sufficient evidence. Aim: The study aimed to assess the relation between Healthy Eating Index (HEI), body mass index (BMI), and ECC in the age group of 5–6 years children. Materials and Methods: A case–control study was carried out among 350 schoolchildren of Sakaka, KSA. Caries experience was recorded using decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index (WHO criteria 1997); various anthropometric measures such as weight, BMI, and height were recorded as per the standard guidelines. The Pearson's correlation coefficient and unpaired t-tests were used as bivariate tests; ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc for multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 350 male participants participated in the study, with the age range of 5–6 years and the mean age being 5.4 ± 0.7. The prevalence of ECC in the study population was 87%. The mean dmft values for each BMI category among the underweight, normal, overweight, and obese children were 4.73, 7.8, 9.4, and 10.8, respectively. The mean intake of grains was 1.9, vegetables 0.61, fruits 1.31; milk 1.78, meat/dal 4.8, total fat 9.9, saturated fat 9.9, cholesterol 10 refined carbohydrates 10, and variety 0.17 in children with severe ECC (S-ECC). Overall mean HEI score was significantly higher in children with S-ECC compared to simple ECC low (43.25 ± 3.44 vs. 57.46 ± 4.12), and HEI and dmft values were negatively correlated (−0.932). Conclusion: There is a negative relationship between ECC and HEI scores and positive correlation between BMI scores and ECC. Diet is again proved as a common risk factor for dental caries and obesity. Hence, the Nutritional Education Program is the need of an hour for these children and parents.

Background: keratoconus is bilateral (usually asymmetrical), progressive, non inflammatory, cone like anterior protrusion of the cornea involving the central and the inferior para central areas that results in corneal ectasia, astigmatism and diminution of vision. It usually seen after puberty, with incidence of 1 in 2000 of general population, the major benefit of corneal tomography is the measurement of the posterior corneal surface, because the posterior surface contributes minimally to the overall refractive power of the eye (due to the minimal difference between the index of refraction of the cornea and aqueous) it was considered less important both diagnostically and therapeutically. The posterior cornea, however, is an earlier indicator of ectatic change or ectasia susceptibility. Aim of the Work: to determine the changes of posterior corneal astigmatism in cases with keratoconus. Patients and Methods: one hundred eyes of 50 patients were included in this retrospective, case control study which adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committees of the Ain Shams University Hospitals. All patients included in the study provided informed consent, these cases were divided into: 1- Keratoconus group: comprised 50 eyes of 25 patients with keratoconus diagnosed on the basis of clinical and topographic signs and 2- Control group comprised 50 eyes of 25 normal candidates for refractive surgery. Results: the mean magnitudes posterior corneal astigmatism(PCA) were approximately 1 D, and The PCA values were significantly associated with the severity ofKeratoconus(KC), the posterior corneal surface was more affected in the early stages of KC. Conclusion: we found that the mean magnitudes PCA were approximately 1 D, and The PCA values were significantly associated with the severity of KC, the posterior corneal surface was more affected in the early stages of KC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]