Background & Objective: In order to avoid amblyopia, the welfare organization of Iran performs a special program every year. Since there was no research regarding the mistake rates made by the educators, this study was conducted to determine the probable differences between educators and optometrists in terms of their mistakes in examining amblyopia. The study aimed also at decreasing the amount of this difference and programming for the better performance of amblyopia examination in the future.

 Methods: This study was performed on 260 children in 22 nursery schools of Ardabil using systematic sampling method. These children were first examined by the educators and after some time they were examined for a second time by optometrists using retinoscopy and the fingertip. The data was collected using a questionnaire filled out by both the educators and the optometrists. This data was then analyzed by X² tests and ANOVA using SPSS program.

 Results: 51.2% of the subjects were male and the rest of them (48.8%) were female. 63.5% of the nursery schools (day- care centers) were private and the others were run by the ministry of education. 13.8% of the subjects used eye glasses and 8.1% were under the control of a physician. 36.4% of the centers did not observe the standard interval. 18.8% of the educators were not skillful enough. 17.7% of the children suffered from astigmatism and 5.3% of them had a weak eyesight. Because of these factors, there was a 17.7% difference between the examination of educators and that of the optometrists.

 Conclusions: It seems necessary for the authorities to have better and more careful programs in the future for examining amblyopia.

  Background & Objectives: Oculocardiac reflex (OCR) is presented with bradycardia and other arrhythmias, is induced by mechanical stimulation and therefore, encountered during strabismus surgery. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and risk factors of cardiac arrhythmias during strabismus surgery in children and adults.

  Methods: In this prospective, randomized and double-blind study, 46 patients ASA class I and II underwent elective strabismus surgery with general anesthesia and were allocated to one of the two groups: children under 12 and adults over 12. All patients received standard general anesthesia based on their age. Demographic data, type of involved muscle, the incidence, (type and frequency) and the cause of arrhythmias and skillfulness of the surgeon (professor-assistant) were recorded.

  Results: There were 26 patients in children group and 20 patients in adult group. The overall incidence of arrhythmias was 91% with 96.15% in children and 85% in adults. There was not any significant difference in the incidence of arrhythmias, and the mean rate of occurence between two groups. Most of the arrhythmias were due to external ocular muscles traction. Conjunctival traction and pressure on the globe were the other causes. Stimulation of median rectus muscle as the most important arrythmogenic factor was seen in 13 children and 12 adults. Bradycardia and tachycardia were among common arrhythmias, but there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05) in terms of their incidence.

  Conclusion: This study showed that the incidence of arrhythmias during strabismus surgery is high in both children and adults. This reflex does not often lead to hemodynamic compromise, however, for its early diagnosis and treatment, close and continuous monitoring of the patient as well as cooperation and communication between anesthesiologist and surgon is needed.