When do patients with retinitis pigmentosa present to ophthalmologists? A multi-centre retrospective study.

Background: Planned gene therapies for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) depend on viable photoreceptors for efficacy. Understanding disease severity at presentation, and drivers that influence time to presentation is important when planning interventions. We examined features that influence RP severity at initial presentation.

The economic burden of inherited retinal disease in Singapore: a prevalence-based cost-of-illness study.

Objective: To assess the economic impact of inherited retinal disease (IRD) among Singaporeans.

Methods: IRD prevalence was calculated using population-based data. Focused surveys were conducted for sequentially enrolled IRD patients from a tertiary hospital.

Part-time use of 1% atropine eye drops for prevention of myopia progression in children.

Background: To determine the effectiveness of atropine 1% administered once, twice and thrice per week.

Methods: Retrospective review of 166 cases in a tertiary eye hospital.

Results: In total, 166 patients started atropine 1% at different frequencies (once, twice and thrice per week) between January 2003 and August 2013 were identified.

Ocular manifestations and the clinical course of carotid cavernous sinus fistulas in Asian patients.

Purpose: To study the clinical course with regard to both the angiographic and visual outcomes of carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs).

Background: Carotid cavernous sinus fistulas (CCFs) are conditions which often present with ocular signs and symptoms. The clinical presentation of CCFs is varied according to the anatomy, haemodynamics and size of the CCF.

General practitioner's knowledge regarding the diagnosis and drug therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: To assess the general practitioners (GP) knowledge regarding the diagnosis and initial drug therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in randomly selected GPs of Karachi. Doctors working in community as GPs who were registered medical practitioners having a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery degree were included in the study.

Use of systemic T-lymphocyte signal transduction inhibitors in the treatment of atopic keratoconjunctivitis.

Purpose: Topical immunomodulators such as tacrolimus have revolutionized the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Because T lymphocytes are integral to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, systemic treatment with T-lymphocyte signal transduction inhibitors should ameliorate both the dermatologic and ocular manifestations. We describe the successful treatment of 6 patients with severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) resistant to conventional therapies.

Evaluation of immune response to Hepatitis B vaccine in health care workers at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan: an observational prospective study.

Background: Seroconversion rates reported after Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination globally ranges from 85-90%. Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk of acquiring HBV and non responders' rates after HBV vaccination were not reported previously in Pakistani HCWs. Therefore we evaluated immune response to HBV vaccine in HCWs at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.