AIM:To determine the clinical characteristics of a prospective study of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.METHODS:We reviewed clinical manifestations,and medical records of 103 patients in whom Graves' ophthalmopathy WaS diagnosed between 2003 and 2005.RESULTS:Among 103 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy,48(46.6%)male and 55(53.3%)female(F:M=1.1),with mean age of 45 (range;18-73) years,95 (92.2%)patients had Graves' hyperthyroidism,3(2.9%) had primary hypothyroidism,and 5 (4.8%) were euthyroid.The mean duration of ocular symptoms was 13.2 (range 2-95) months) while the mean duration of dysthyroid symptoms was 39.4(range 6-180) months.Unilaterality was occurred in 12 patients.Eyelid retraction was present in 90 patients (87%),whereas the approximate frequency of exophthalmos was 77.6%(80 patients);restrictive extraocular myopathy.29% (30 patients);evidence of extraocular enlargement on CT-scan in 52 patients of 70 patients (74%) that was evaluated,and optic nerve dysfunction,5.8%(6 patients).22(21%)patients hadglaucoma associated with Graves' ophthalmopathy that 7 (6.7%)of them were normal-tension glaucoma.CONCLUSION:Eyelid retraction Was the most common clinical sign of Graves' ophthalmopathy in our patients.Larger prospective studies are suggested to evaluate both the prevalenoe and possible racial difference in its dinical presentation in Iranian population.

ATM:To determine the tearing angle and tearing force,and effects of associated pressures in tearing of various materials and human lens capsule in continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis(CCC).METHODS:Tearing was done on different materials such as aluminum Iaminated paper,different types of thin transplant plastics and human Iens capsule with blunt tip needle.During the procedure,angle and direction of force were measured.Effects of increased underlying pressure on tearing of tearable materials and effect of anterior chamber depth and vitreous pressure on 24 postmortem hunlan eyes with different ages (range from10 to 75 years),was evaluated.RESULTS:Tearing angle in every material was unique for that material.Angle and force of tearing was decreased reversely with increasing age (from 85 degree in a 10-years-old to 10 degree in older than 50 years).Increasing vitreous pressure and decrease in AC depth causes higher pressure on point of tearing.Safe methods in controlling CCC are discussed jn the context.OONCLUSION:Understanding the physics and vector of forces during CCC is necessary in good performance and avoidance of radial tears.Onange in capsular properties between difierent ages and different type of cataract causes different tearing angle and tearing force that should be considered during CCC.