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BACKGROUND: Purpose was to determine the prevalence of amblyopia and its related risk factors in children aged 3–6 years in Bojnurd, north-eastern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, from 12,331 children aged 3–6 in Bojnurd, 6600 children participated in annual amblyopic screening program and among them, around 1100 suspected cases were referred for full ophthalmic examinations. Measurement of visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction, subjective refraction, and cover test were performed for all participants. Amblyopia was defined as CDVA of 0.2 LogMar or less in each eye or 2-line difference or more in best-corrected visual acuity between two eyes. RESULTS: The prevalence of amblyopia was estimated 0.95% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73%–1.2%). There was no relationship between amblyopia with age and genders. Most amblyopic children were hyperopic (61.9%; 95% CI: 48.7–73.8). Strabismus was found in 17.4% of amblyopic patients (95% CI: 9.05%–29.09%). Approximately half of the amblyopic children were anisometropic (55.5%; 95% CI: 42.40%–68.08%). The most common type of amblyopia was anisohyperopic (55.56%; 95% CI: 42.5%–67.5%). The prevalence of bilateral amblyopia was more than unilateral amblyopia. The assessment of data showed that hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were the most common causes of amblyopia in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of amblyopia was estimated about 1% in north-eastern Iran. Our study indicated a valuable information around the effect of refractive error and anisometropia on amblyopia which could be helpful in designing a comprehensive vision screening program for preschool children.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relation between the severity of reading disorder and visual functions among children with dyslexia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 32 dyslexic children selected from two centers for learning disabilities in Mashhad, Iran. Dyslexics were then classified as mild, moderate, and severe based on an instrument used to determine the severity of their reading disorder. Complete optometric examinations to measure visual acuity, refractive errors, latent and manifest deviations, stereoacuity, and amplitude of accommodation were performed for all participants. The correlation between visual functions among dyslexics and their reading disorder severity was investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants in this study was 8.1 ± 0.8 years. Among participants, 40.6%, 31.3%, and 28.1% presented with severe, moderate, and mild levels of reading difficulties, respectively. Only exophoria significantly correlated with the severity of reading disorders. No significant correlation was found between other visual functions and the severity of reading disorders in dyslexic children. CONCLUSION: We found that higher exophoria at near has a significant correlation with the severity of dyslexia. A complete and detailed eye examination of patients with dyslexia and correcting their visual impairments might be helpful.

Abstract Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hypothyroidism on visual functions such as visual acuity, refractive errors, colour vision, and contrast sensitivity, among hypothyroid adults. Methods Forty‐three patients with clinical hypothyroidism along with 43 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy individuals underwent visual examinations, including visual acuity, refractive errors, eye deviations with the cover test, colour vision with the D15 test, and contrast sensitivity with Pelli‐Robson test. Results It was indicated that visual acuity, refractive errors, phoria, and colour vision had no significant difference between the hypothyroid and control groups. Contrast sensitivity decreased in hypothyroid subjects as compared with controls. The mean values of binocular contrast sensitivity were 1.85 ± 0.09 log in the hypothyroid group and 1.93 ± 0.09 log in controls, which showed a statistically significant difference (p = .03). Conclusions Our findings illustrated a reduced contrast sensitivity in adult hypothyroidism. Since CS is related to functioning and quality of life, a comprehensive and detailed eye examination may be beneficial for hypothyroidism patients.

Introduction: Diabetes interfere the glucose homeostasis and reduces physical fitness and brain health. This study was performed with aim to compare some physical fitness and physiologic factors in overweight diabetic and non-diabetic elderly women. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 34 elderly women in Khorramabad city in 2019. One week before performing physical fitness tests, blood sample was taken in fasting state to measure serum levels of glucose, irisin, HbA1c and BDNF. Five days before doing the study, the subjects were familiarized with the method of performing the tests. Then, on the day of the study, some physical fitness tests special for the elderly were performed. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient test. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was no significant difference between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups in all physical fitness variables (p>0.05). However, all physiologic variables showed a significant difference (p