Maciej Czepita

Publications of Maciej Czepita

• The effect of genetic factors on the occurrence of myopia.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Artur Mojsa, Maria Ustianowska, Maciej Czepita, Ewelina Lachowicz

  Klinika oczna. 01/2011; 113(1-3):22-4.

  The aim of this study was to investigate on a large population if and how genetic factors have an influence on the occurrence of myopia. A total of 5533 students were examined (2659 boys and 2874The aim of this study was to investigate on a large population if and how genetic factors have an influence on the occurrence of myopia. A total of 5533 students were examined (2659 boys and 2874 girls, in age 6 18 years, mean age 11.9, S.D. 3.2). The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia induced with 1% tropicamide. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of at least -0.5 dioptres. The students and their parents completed a questionnaire on the child's family history of myopia. Data analysis was performed using chi-squared test; p-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. It was found that myopia occurs more often in students whose father (p < 0.001), mother (p < 0.001) or siblings (p < 0.0001) have myopia. A relation between the occurrence of myopia in grandparents and grandchildren was not observed (p > 0.05). The obtained results indicate that genetic factors have a significant effect on the occurrence of myopia.

• Reading, writing, working on a computer or watching television, and myopia.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Artur Mojsa, Maria Ustianowska, Maciej Czepita, Ewelina Lachowicz

  Klinika oczna. 01/2010; 112(10-12):293-5.

  The aim of our study was to investigate on a large population if reading, writing, working on a computer or watching television might be associated with the occurrence of myopia. A total of 5865The aim of our study was to investigate on a large population if reading, writing, working on a computer or watching television might be associated with the occurrence of myopia. A total of 5865 schoolchildren were examined (2792 boys and 3073 girls, at the age 6-18 years, mean age 11.9, S.D. 3.3). The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia induced with 1% tropicamide. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of at least -0.50 dioptres. Mean refractive error was -1.2, SD 1.3. (The students and their parents completed a questionnaire on the child's visual work. Data analysis was performed using independence chi-squared Pearson test; p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. It was observed that myopia occurs more often in students who read and write >2 hours/day (p<0.001), and also work >0.8 hours/day on a computer (p<0.01). Furthermore, no increase in the prevalence of myopia in subjects who spend >2 hours/day watching television was found (p>0.05). The obtained results indicate that reading, writing, working on a computer might be associated with the occurrence of myopia among schoolchildren. Watching television is not related to the occurrence of myopia.

• Are children with myopia more intelligent? A literature review.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Ewa Lodygowska, Maciej Czepita

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 02/2008; 54(1):13-6; discussion 16.

  PURPOSE: Refractive errors are a serious worldwide problem. So far a few papers have described the relationship between refractive errors and intelligence. However, based on the growing interest intoPURPOSE: Refractive errors are a serious worldwide problem. So far a few papers have described the relationship between refractive errors and intelligence. However, based on the growing interest into the relationship between refractive errors and intelligence quotient (IQ) we decided to present and discuss the latest results of the clinical studies on that subject. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the literature concerning the relationship between refractive errors and IQ was done. RESULTS: In 1958 Nadell and Hirsch found that children in America with myopia have a higher IQ. A similar relationship has been described by other researchers from the USA, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Israel, New Zealand, and Singapore. In other related studies, it was reported that myopic children regardless of their IQ gain better school achievements--table 1. It was also observed that schoolchildren with hyperopia have a lower IQ and gain worse school achievements--table 2. Several hypotheses explaining the relationship between refractive errors and intelligence have been published. Recently, Saw et al. concluded that higher IQ may be associated with myopia, independent of books read per week, in schoolchildren. According to them "the association between genetically driven IQ and myopia of hereditary predisposition could be forged because of a pleiotropic relationship between IQ and myopia in which the same causal factor is reflected in both genetic traits. There may be similar genes affecting eye size or growth (associated with myopia) and neocortical size (possibly associated with IQ)". CONCLUSIONS: The conducted clinical observations suggest that children with myopia may have a higher IQ. This relationship is most probably determined by genetic and environmental factors.

• Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis as a cause of chronic marginal blepharitis.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Wanda Kuźna-Grygiel, Maciej Czepita, Andrzej Grobelny

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 02/2007; 53(1):63-7; discussion 67.

  INTRODUCTION: Intensive long-term studies of Demodex spp. (D.) and its role in chronic blepharits have been carried out in recent years by scientists from the Pomeranian Medical University inINTRODUCTION: Intensive long-term studies of Demodex spp. (D.) and its role in chronic blepharits have been carried out in recent years by scientists from the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. It has resulted in numerous publications, spurring a lot of interest worldwide. A few of the papers have been cited in leading American medical journals. In recent years many papers dealing with demodicosis of the eyelids have been published worldwide. Based on the growing interest in the role of Demodex spp. in chronic blepharitis we decided to present and discuss the results of the latest experimental and clinical studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the literature concerning the role of D. folliculorum and D. brevis in the pathogenesis of chronic blepharitis was done. RESULTS: Demodex spp. are intradermal parasites, which thrive in follicles and sebaceous glands of humans and animals. D. is spread by direct contact and probably by dust containing eggs (figs. 1, 2, 3). Currently, it is thought that pathological changes in the course of demodicosis of the eyelids are consequences of: (1) blockage of follicles and leading out tubules of sebaceous glands by the mites and by reactive hyperkeratinization and epithelial hyperplasia; (2) a mechanical vector role of bacteria; (3) host's inflammatory reaction to the presence of parasite's chitine as a foreign body; and (4) stimulation of the host's humoral responses and cell-mediated immunological reactions under the influence of the mites and their waste products. It has been established that: (1) D. folliculorum and D. brevis are cosmopolitan in terms of their distribution; (2) Infection of Demodex spp. often occurs in the course of chronic blepharitis; (3) With the increase in age, the prevalence rate of eyelid demodicosis rises; (4) Demodicosis of the eyelids may be the effect of the decrease of immunity of some patients. Treatment of demodicosis of the eyelids as a general rule lasts a few months. The use of yellow mercurial ointment, sulphur ointment, camphorated oil, crotamiton, choline esterase inhibitors, sulfacetamide, steroids, antibiotics, as well as antimycotic drugs offers some improvement. A good response has been observed after oral application of ivermectin along with topical application of cream permethrin. However, the best results were obtained after 2% metronidazole gel or ointment treatment. Medical University in Szczecin. It has resulted in numerous publications, spurring a lot of interest worldwide. A few of the papers have been cited in leading American medical journals. In recent years many papers dealing with demodicosis of the eyelids have been published worldwide. Based on the growing interest in the role ofDemodex spp. in chronic blepharitis we decided to present and discuss the results of the latest experimental and clinical studies. Material and methods: A review of the literature concerning the role of D. folliculorum and D. brevis in the pathogenesis of chronic blepharitis was done. Results: Demodex spp. are intradermal parasites, which thrive in follicles and sebaceous glands of humans and animals. D. is spread by direct contact and probably by dust containing eggs (figs. 1, 2, 3). Currently, it is thought that pathological changes in the course of demodicosis of the eyelids are consequences of: (1) blockage of follicles and leading out tubules of sebaceous glands by the mites and by reactive hyperkeratinization and epithelial hyperplasia; (2) a mechanical vector role of bacteria; (3) host's inflammatory reaction to the presence of parasite's chitine as a foreign body; and (4) stimulation of the host's humoral responses and cell-mediated immunological reactions under the influence of the mites and their waste products. It has been established that: (1) D. folliculorum and D. brevis are cosmopolitan in terms of their distribution; (2) Infection ofDemodex spp. often occurs in the course of chronic blepharitis; (3) With the increase in age, the prevalence rate of eyelid demodicosis rises; (4) Demodicosis of the eyelids may be the effect of the decrease of immunity of some patients. Treatment of demodicosis of the eyelids as a general rule lasts a few months. The use of yellow mercurial ointment, sulphur ointment, camphorated oil, crotamiton, choline esterase inhibitors, sulfacetamide, steroids, antibiotics, as well as antimycotic drugs offers some improvement. A good response has been observed after oral application of ivermectin along with topical application of cream permethrin. However, the best results were obtained after 2% metronidazole gel or ointment treatment.

• Prevalence of refractive errors in schoolchildren ranging from 6 to 18 years of age.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Artur Mojsa, Maria Ustianowska, Maciej Czepita, Ewelina Lachowicz

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2007; 53(1):53-6.

  PURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to study the prevalence of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5724 children from elementaryPURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to study the prevalence of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5724 children from elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools were examined (2765 boys and 2959 girls, aged 6-18 years, mean age 11.7, SD = 3.2). The examined students were Caucasian and resided in and around Szczecin, Poland. The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia. The refractive error readings were expressed as the spherical equivalent (SE). Myopia was defined as SE of at least -0.5 D, hyperopia as SE of at least +1.0 D. Astigmatism was diagnosed when the difference in the refraction of axes in one eye was greater than 0.5 DC. The statistical analysis of data was performed by calculating the linear correlation coefficients and the coefficients for the regression equation. Additionally, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: It was observed that 13% of Polish students in the age group from 6 to 18 were myopic, 38% of students were hyperopic and 4% were astigmatic. Besides, a positive correlation was found between the prevalence of myopia and age (p <0.001) as well as a negative correlation between prevalence of hyperopia and age (p < 0.001). An association between the prevalence of astigmatism and age was not observed.

• Role of gender in the occurrence of refractive errors.

  Authors: Damian Czepita, Artur Mojsa, Maria Ustianowska, Maciej Czepita, Ewelina Lachowicz

  Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis. 01/2007; 53(2):5-7.

  PURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to study the role of gender in the occurrence of refractive errors in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5865 children fromPURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to study the role of gender in the occurrence of refractive errors in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 5865 children from elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools were examined (2845 boys, aged 6-18 years, mean age 11.4, SD = 3.0 and 3020 girls, aged 6-18 years, mean age 11.9, SD = 3.3). The examined students were Caucasian and resided in and around Szczecin, Poland. The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia. The refractive error readings were reported as spherical equivalent (SE). Myopia was defined as SE of at least -0.5 D, hyperopia as SE of at least +1.0 D. Astigmatism was diagnosed when the difference in the refraction of axes in one eye was > 0.5 DC. Data analysis was performed using chi2 test. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: It was found that myopia occurs more frequently in girls (7.4%) than in boys (5.1%) - p < 0.001. Hyperopia occurs more frequently in boys (19.6%) than in girls (18.2%) - p < 0.001. A slightly higher prevalence of astigmatism in girls (1.9%) than in boys (1.5%) was also observed (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gender influences the occurrence of myopia and hyperopia in schoolchildren ranging from 6-18 years of age.