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Biomedical subjects

L D Pizzarello

Publications and source records attributed to L D Pizzarello.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia in western Yemen.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of xerophthalmia and the extent of vitamin A deficiency in western Yemen. DESIGN: A stratified cluster sample of children aged 1-5 years with clinical examination for signs of xerophthalmia as well as blood serum survey. SETTING: The 18 districts of western Yemen, of which 10 clusters were chosen at random. SUBJECTS: All children aged 1-5 years resident in the cluster sites (n = 2438). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical signs of xerophthalmia, a history of night blindness, serum retinol levels in a random sample of clinically normal children (n =338) in addition to all children with xerophthalmia. RESULTS: Night blindness was found in 0.5% of the children, Bitot's spots in 1.7%, corneal ulceration in 0.04% and corneal scars in 0.04% Of the subsample, 7.2% (95% confidence interval [c.i.] 4.4-10.0%) had serum retinol values below 10 micrograms/dl; 63.0% (95% c.i. 57.6- 68.4%) had values below 20 micrograms/dl. CONCLUSIONS: Xerophthalmia and vitamin A deficiency are public health problems in western Yemen.

Child Nutrition Disorders↗
PubMed1996

Cataract free zone and primary health care approach to prevention of blindness in Shunyi county of Beijing.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a three-level eye care network, together with a referral and monitor system for the prevention of blindness, with the aim of creating a cataract free zone. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Shunyi County with a population of 548364 was chosen as the target site. Our activities included (1) establishment of a County Guiding Committee for the prevention of blindness: (2) training local ophthalmologists and primary eye care personnel: (3) extensive publicity of knowledge for the prevention of blindness: (4) screening for blindness and low vision, (5) cataract surgery as the chief measure for creating a cataract free zone. RESULTS: A referral and monitor system for cataract blindness was established in 1987. Seven local ophthalmologists, 449 primary eye care health workers and six optometrists were trained. 815 cataract-blind patients were identified. Up to December 1991, 667 patients (737 eyes), accounting for 81.84% of the total, were treated with cataract surgery, 90.64% of these eyes had their sight restored, and 59.66% patients resumed work. A cataract free zone has been created in Shunyi County. CONCLUSIONS: The prevention of blindness with cataract surgery as the chief measure can dramatically decrease the prevalence of blindness in a relatively short period of time.

Blindness↗
PubMed1989

Temporal arteritis associated with Borrelia infection. A case report.

A 71-year-old man had sudden vision loss associated with headache. A temporal artery biopsy revealed a typical picture of giant cell arteritis. Subsequent steroid therapy failed to restore sight. A later blood culture contained spirochetes compatible with Borrelia species, and a silver stain of the temporal artery biopsy specimen demonstrated a similar spirochete. Treatment with i.v. ceftriaxone sodium led to some limited return of sight. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a spirochete compatible with Borrelia found in a temporal artery biopsy specimen.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Cataract extractions for senior surgeons.

Two groups of surgeons over the age of 70 were contacted to determine their personal experience with cataract surgery. One hundred fifty-three of 250 ophthalmologists and 107 of 250 members of the American College of Surgeons responded to a questionnaire. Sixteen (10.5%) ophthalmologists and nine (8.4%) FACS members had undergone cataract surgery in at least one eye. The mean age at the time of surgery was 72.7 years for the ophthalmologists and 66.4 years for the FACS members. Results were excellent, with 24 of the 25 eyes among the ophthalmologists having vision of 20/30 or better. Rates for surgery among spouses of both groups were lower than those for the surgeons.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

The dimensions of the problem of eye disease among the elderly.

America is aging rapidly. Within the next 30 years, those over 65 years of age will grow to form 17% of the population of the United States; the number of people over 85 will more than double. Currently, the rates of eye disease such as cataract, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma are highest in the older group. The risk of blindness is ten times greater for those over age 65 than for younger individuals. This combination of high rates of disease in the fastest growing segment of the population means that the demand for eye care services will increase dramatically. Undoubtedly, new approaches will appear to deal with the epidemiologic reality.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Age specific xerophthalmia rates among displaced Ethiopians.

The recent famine in Ethiopia has resulted in the dislocation of millions of people. Many of these individuals have moved to refugee camps in Sudan or to feeding centres within Ethiopia. A total of 1325 children up to the age of 15 years were examined by an ophthalmologist in January 1985 at several sites in these two countries. The rates of Bitot's spots were three times greater in those between the ages of 7 and 10 compared with those under 7. Rates of corneal xerosis were comparable for each group. Previously, xerophthalmia was considered predominantly to affect children aged under 6. These data document the presence of the disease in older children and raise questions regarding future modifications in the prevention and treatment of xerophthalmia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Intralesional corticosteroid therapy of chalazia.

Twelve adult patients with 17 chalazia underwent trial intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Seven chalazia resolved within two weeks after only one injection, and another six after two injections. Two lesions failed to respond to two injections, and two lesions responded to one injection, but either recurred or another lesion developed. Patients were satisfied with the procedure, which appears to be a safe, convenient, and effective altefnative to chalazion surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

The cost of upper respiratory tract infections in Canadian children.

We reviewed reports of the incidence, duration, causative organism, sequelae, and cost of upper respiratory tract infections (URI). Using these data, we projected the extent and cost of URI in Canadian children from birth to age 14. We estimated that in 1973, some 6.2 million Canadian children suffered between 23.8 and 42.3 million episodes of URI, of which 5.6 million needed medical attention; approximately 215,300 children were admitted to hospital for treatment of URI-related diseases and utilized 742,800 hospital days. Some direct costs were estimated, including physicians' fees, hospitalization, antibiotics, "cold remedies", and pharmacists' prescription fees; in 1973 these ranged from $141 million to $211 million. The common cold is as common as its name implies, and we need to intensify the search for a solution. Until this is found, both medical profession and the public should be warned of the uselessness, and possible hazards of some of the "remedies" for colds, and made aware of the vast amounts of money expended upon them.

Adolescent↗