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Ocular findings in children with thalassemia major in Eastern Mediterranean

Adnan Aksoy1, Murat Aslankurt1, Lokman Aslan1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, KSU Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş 46050, Turkey.

International Journal of Ophthalmology
|March 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Children with thalassemia major (TM) show reduced tear function and visual acuity compared to healthy children. This study highlights potential ophthalmologic impacts of TM on tear production and vision.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Thalassemia major (TM) is a severe inherited blood disorder requiring lifelong transfusions.
  • Ophthalmologic complications in TM are not fully understood.
  • Assessing ocular health in children with TM is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate ophthalmologic findings in children with thalassemia major.
  • To compare ocular parameters between children with TM and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 43 children with TM and 47 healthy controls.
  • Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations including Schirmer test, tear break-up time (BUT), pachymetry, and axial length measurement.
  • Statistical comparison of right eye values between the two groups.

Main Results:

  • Children with TM had significantly lower visual acuity (P<0.05).
  • Schirmer test scores were significantly lower in children with TM (P<0.01).
  • Corneal thickness, axial length, and BUT were comparable between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Thalassemia major may affect tear function and visual acuity.
  • While corneal and axial length parameters are similar, reduced tear production and visual acuity are notable in children with TM.
Abstract

Keywords:
axial lengthcentral corneal thicknessocular findingstear function testthalassemia major

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