· AIM: To evaluate contrast sensitivity in patients who had undergone uncomplicated excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia.· METHODS: Monocular contrast sensitivity function was measured with the CSV-I000E chart in 41 patients who had received PRK by the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser system.Mean preoperative refractive error was -2.62±1.33 D (range,-0.75 to -4.00 D). Contrast sensitivity function was measured preoperatively, 1week, 1, 3 and 6months after surgery through the CSV-1000E contrast sensitivity unit (VectorVision).· RESULTS: Logarithmic values of contrast sensitivity at each spatial frequency were used for statistical analysis and normalized values were used for graphical representation.Contrast sensitivity decreased 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. Starting from the first month, there was rapid recovery of contrast sensitivity especially at low spatial frequencies, and at the third month, only at 6 and 12 cycles per degree (cpd) statistically significant decrease was seen.Six months after surgery, there was an increase in contrast sensitivity values at ail spatial frequencies.· CONCLUSION: Photorefractive keratectomy can induce significant reductions in contrast sensitivity in the first month after surgery; these values returned to the preopereative values at 6 months after surgery.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a common and disabling problem among carpet weavers and is linked to physical and psychosocial factors of work. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSP, its psychosocial risk factors, and association of pain in each pair of anatomical sites among carpet weavers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among 546 hand-woven carpet weavers in rural small-scale workshops of Iran. Data were collected by using parts of a standardized CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) questionnaire focused on MSP in 10 body sites, including the low-back, neck, both right and left shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, individual, physical and psychosocial risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed applying logistic regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of MSP in at least one body site was 51.7% over the past month. The most common sites were low back and right shoulder pain 27.4% and 20.1%, respectively. A significant difference was found between the mean number of painful anatomical sites and the level of education, age, physical loading at work, time pressure, lack of support, and job dissatisfaction. In pairwise comparisons, strongest association was found between pain in each bilateral anatomical site (odds ratio = 11.6-35.3; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In home-based workshops of carpet weaving, psychosocial factors and physical loading were associated with MSP. This finding is consistent with studies conducted among other jobs. Considering the preventive programs, the same amount of attention should be paid to psychosocial risk factors and physical loading. Also, further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the relationship of psychological factors.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Elbow ; Floors and Floorcoverings* ; Iran* ; Logistic Models ; Musculoskeletal Pain* ; Neck ; Occupational Injuries ; Prevalence ; Psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Pain