The Prevalence and Demographic Characteristics of Anterior Polar Cataract in a Hospital-Based Study in Korea

Kim, Hyojin,Joo, Choun-Ki The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2008 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.22 No.2

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>Anterior Polar Cataract (APC) develops by a mechanism different from that of other age-related cataracts, and outside of Korea, it is an extremely rare condition. We investigated the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of APC in Koreans.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>The evaluation on the prevalence of APC in comparison to the other age-related cataracts was performed on the 2,108 cataract patients who were treated at 5 different areas in Korea from August 2003 to December 2003. The demographic characteristics of APC were studied on the, 656 cataract patients who were treated from January 2004 to January 2005 at one hospital. These patients were classified according to the type of lens opacity (nuclear, cortical, posterior subcapsular, mixed and APC).</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The prevalence of patients with APC among all the cataract patients was 6.02% during the 5 months in this hospital-based study. Eighty-seven per cent of patients with APC were male. In contrast, the proportion of female was greater than 50% in the other cataracts. The mean age of APC patients was 52.7 years. Among the APC patients, 38.9% were under 50 years of age, 42.6% in their 50s, 14.8% in their 60s, and 3.7% were in their 70s. However, 80% of patients were over the age of 60 years in nuclear, cortical, and mixed-type cataracts.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>The prevalence of APC among all cataracts was high in comparision with another country. The proportion of APC was high in individuals younger than 60 years of age, and in males.</P>

Prevalence of Eye Diseases in South Korea: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2009

Yoon, Kyung-Chul,Mun, Gui-Hyeong,Kim, Sang-Duck,Kim, Seung-Hyun,Kim, Chan Yun,Park, Ki Ho,Park, Young Jeung,Baek, Seung-Hee,Song, Su Jeong,Shin, Jae Pil,Yang, Suk-Woo,Yu, Seung-Young,Lee, Jong Soo,Lim The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2011 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.25 No.6

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The aim of this study is to report on preliminary data regarding the prevalence of major eye diseases in Korea.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>We obtained data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nation-wide cross-sectional survey and examinations of the non-institutionalized civilian population in South Korea (n = 14,606), conducted from July 2008 to December 2009. Field survey teams included an ophthalmologist, nurses, and interviewers, traveled with a mobile examination unit and performed interviews and ophthalmologic examinations.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The prevalence of visual impairment, myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in participants over 5 years of age was 0.4 ± 0.1%, 53.7 ± 0.6%, 10.7 ± 0.4%, and 58.0 ± 0.6%, respectively. The prevalence of strabismus and blepharoptosis in participants over 3 years of age was 1.5 ± 0.1% and 11.0 ± 0.8%, respectively. In participants over 40 years of age, the prevalence of cataract, pterygium, early and late age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma was 40.2 ± 1.3%, 8.9 ± 0.5%, 5.1 ± 0.3%, 0.5 ± 0.1%, 13.4 ± 1.5%, and 2.1 ± 0.2%, respectively.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>This is the first nation-wide epidemiologic study conducted in South Korea for assessment of the prevalence of eye diseases by both the Korean Ophthalmologic Society and the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This study will provide preliminary information for use in further investigation, prevention, and management of eye diseases in Korea.</P>

Clinical Association of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Receptor Antibody Levels with Disease Severity in the Chronic Inactive Stage of Graves' Orbitopathy

Woo, Young Jae,Jang, Sun Young,Lim, Tyler Hyung Taek,Yoon, Jin Sook The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2015 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.29 No.4

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>To investigate associations between serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody (TRAb) levels and Graves' orbitopathy (GO) activity/severity in chronic-stage GO and compare the performance of two newly-developed TRAb assays (third-generation TSH-binding inhibition immunoglobulin [TBII] assay versus Mc4 thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin [TSI] bioassay).</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>This study is a retrospective review of medical charts and blood tests from Korean GO patients who first visited the departments of ophthalmology and endocrinology, Yonsei University College of Medicine from January 2008 to December 2011, were diagnosed with GO and Graves' hyperthyroidism, and were followed up for ≥18 months. Third-generation M22-TBII and Mc4-TSI assays were performed in the chronic-inactive GO patients in whom euthyroidism status was restored. Patients' GO activity/severity clinical activity scores (CAS), and modified NOSPECS scores were examined for a correlation with TRAb assays.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Fifty patients (mean age, 41.3 years; 41 females) were analyzed. The mean duration of Graves' hyperthyroidism symptom was 63 months (range, 18 to 401 months) and that of GO was 46 months (range, 18 to 240 months). All patients had been treated previously with anti-thyroid drugs for a median period of 52.3 months, and two patients underwent either radioiodine therapy or total thyroidectomy. Mean CAS and NOSPECS scores were 0.5 ± 0.9 (standard deviation) and 4.8 ± 3.1, respectively. Mean M22-TBII and Mc4-TSI values were 7.5 ± 10.2 IL/L and 325.9 ± 210.1 specimen-to-reference control ratio. TSI was significantly correlated with NOSPECS score (R = 0.479, <I>p</I> < 0.001); however, TBII was not associated with NOSPECS score (<I>p</I> = 0.097). Neither TSI nor TBII correlated with CAS (<I>p</I> > 0.05), because GO inflammatory activity subsided in the chronic stages of GO.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>In chronic-inactive GO after euthyroid restoration, GO activity score did not associate with serum levels of TRAb or TBII. However, levels of the functional antibody Mc4-TSI did correlate with GO severity. Therefore, the TSI bioassay is a clinically relevant measure of disease severity even in chronic inactive GO.</P>

Long-term Results of Deep Sclerectomy with Small Collagen Implant in Korean

Rho, Seungsoo,Kang, Sung Yong,Hong, Samin,Seong, Gong Je,Jung, Jong Jin,Kim, Chan Yun The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2013 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.27 No.1

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>To describe the long-term results of deep sclerectomy with collagen implant (DSCI) with or without adjuvant mitomycin C in Korean patients with primary or secondary open-angle glaucoma (OAG).</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>This retrospective review was comprised of 65 Korean patients who received DSCI with or without adjuvant mitomycin C due to primary or secondary OAG. Patients were followed for 72 months after surgery. Complete success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <21 mmHg without medication and qualified success was defined as IOP <21 mmHg with or without medication.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Mean postoperative follow-up period was 53.0 ± 16.2 months. Mean IOP was 30.5 ± 11.7 mmHg preoperatively, 8.4 ± 4.3 mmHg at postoperative day one and 13.4 ± 3.8 mmHg 60 months after surgery. The mean number of glaucoma medications was decreased from 3.6 ± 1.1 to 1.6 ± 1.3 at 60 months after the operation. Complete and qualified success rates were 36.7% and 79.6% at postoperative 60 months, respectively (Kaplan-Meier survival curve). No shallow or flat anterior chamber, endophthalmitis, or surgery-induced significant cataract was observed.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>The results of DSCI in Korean patients presented here seem reasonably excellent with qualified success rates of over 70% at six years with negligible complications.</P>

Cyclosporine 0.05% Ophthalmic Emulsion for Dry Eye in Korea: A Prospective, Multicenter, Open-Label, Surveillance Study

Byun, Yong-Soo,Rho, Chang Rae,Cho, Kyungjin,Choi, Jin A,Na, Kyung Sun,Joo, Choun-Ki The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2011 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.25 No.6

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion (CsA) 0.05% in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease in Korea.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>This was a prospective, multicenter, open-label, surveillance study of 392 Korean patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease who were treated with CsA 0.05% for three months. An assessment of effectiveness was performed at baseline, and after 1, 2, and 3 months. The primary effectiveness outcomes were changes in ocular symptoms and Schirmer score. The secondary effectiveness outcomes were a change in conjunctival staining, use of artificial tears, global evaluation of treatment, and patient satisfaction. The primary safety outcome was the incidence and nature of adverse events.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>A total of 362 patients completed the study. After three months, all ocular symptom scores were significantly reduced compared to the baseline values, while the Schirmer scores were significantly increased relative to baseline (<I>p</I> < 0.0001). After three months, there were significant reductions from baseline in conjunctival staining (<I>p</I> < 0.01) and use of artificial tears (<I>p</I> < 0.0001). According to clinicians' global evaluations, most patients (>50%) experienced at least a 25% to 50% improvement in symptoms from baseline at each follow-up visit. The majority of patients (72.0%) were satisfied with the treatment results, and 57.2% reported having no or mild symptoms after treatment. The most common adverse events were ocular pain (11.0%).</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Our findings indicate that CsA 0.05% is an effective and tolerable treatment for dry eye disease in Korean clinical practice.</P>

Microscopic Characteristics of Lower Eyelid Retractors in Koreans

Cho, Won-Kyung,Paik, Ji-Sun,Han, Seung-Ho,Yang, Suk-Woo The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2011 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.25 No.5

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>To identify the microscopic characteristics of lower eyelid retractors in Korean individuals and to elucidate age-related changes in lower eyelid retractors.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>Eighteen Korean lower eyelids from formalin-fixed cadavers were stained with Masson's trichrome. Specimens were divided into two groups based on age at death (group A, ≤65 years; group B, >65 years), and the microscopic findings were analyzed and compared by light microscopy.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The capsulopalpebral fascia (CPF) had distinct junctions and no fusion with orbital septum in 14 eyelids (77.8%). The CPF was fused with the orbital septum in only two eyelids (11.1%). Although not significant, the inferior tarsal muscle was closer to the tarsus in group A (1.24 ± 0.71 mm) than group B (2.14 ± 1.18 mm, <I>p</I> = 0.07), and the tarsal height tended to be longer in group B (4.71 ± 0.55 mm) than group A (4.16 ± 1.01 mm, <I>p</I> = 0.20). Tarsal fatty infiltration was more evident in group B.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>The CPF was rarely fused with the orbital septum in our sample of Korean lower eyelids. Although we did not identify any remarkable age-related changes in lower eyelid structures, there was a tendency for the lower retractor to loosen from the tarsus and for increased fatty infiltration in the lower eyelids from elderly individuals.</P>

Differences in the Histopathology and Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Tenon's Tissue of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Seo, Je Hyun,Park, Ki Ho,Kim, Yu Jeong,Yoo, Young Cheol,Kang, Shin Hee,Kim, Dong Myung The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2008 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.22 No.1

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>To investigate the differences in the histopathology and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in the Tenon's tissue of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients, primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) patients, and non-glaucomatous patients.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>POAG and PACG patients, who underwent a trabeculectomy and had no history of ocular disease except glaucoma, were enrolled. The number and instillation period of topical eye drops were reviewed. For the controls, which were patients without glaucoma or a history of ocular surgery, the Tenon's tissue was obtained in the course of retinal detachment surgery. For glaucoma patients, the Tenon's tissue was obtained during the trabeculectomy. H&E and Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry for MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were performed. A total of six eyes of POAG, six eyes of PACG, and four control eyes were evaluated.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The duration of topical anti-glaucoma medication and the mean number of anti-glaucoma medications were similar in the POAG and PACG groups. The levels of MMP-1 and 2 were elevated in the POAG and PACG groups compared to the control group (<I>p</I>=0.03, 0.01, respectively). Compared with the control group, the MMP-2 level was higher in the POAG patients (<I>p</I>=0.01), whereas the MMP-1 was higher in the PACG patients (<I>p</I>=0.04). The levels of MMP-9 in the POAG and PACG patients were not significantly different from that of the control patients (<I>p</I>=0.48, 0.26). The levels of MMP-2 were significantly lower in the PACG patients than in the POAG patients (<I>p</I>=0.02).</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>The MMP expression was altered in the Tenon's tissue of glaucoma patients compared to the control group. The levels of MMP-2 were lower in the PACG patients than in the POAG patients. These results suggest that there may be histopathological differences in the Tenon's tissue of POAG and PACG patients.</P>

A Comparison of 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate Adhesives versus Conventional Suture Materials for Eyelid Wound Closure in Rabbits

Ahn, Hee-Bae,Shin, Dong-Min,Roh, Mee-Sook,Jeung, Woo-Jin,Park, Woo-Chan,Rho, Sae-Heun The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2011 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.25 No.2

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and histopathological tolerance of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate versus conventional suture materials for eyelid wound closure in rabbits.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>We performed an experimental study on 16 eyes of eight New Zealand albino rabbits. Eyelid incisions of 15 mm were done 4mm from the upper eyelid margin in both eyes. The eyes of the rabbits were divided into two groups: eyelid incisions of the right eye were closed by a 2-octyl cyanoacrylate adhesive (group A) and eyelid incisions of the left eye were closed by 7-0 nylon sutures (group B). At 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery, the rabbits were macroscopically examined and then sacrificed. The specimens of their eyelid tissues were stained by a hematoxylin and eosin stain and Masson-trichrome stain, and were observed under microscope.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Both eyelid surgical closure methods were found to be equally efficacious in fixing the eyelids of groups A and B, and their clinical efficacy was similar. Histopathological findings of the hematoxylin and eosin stain of group A showed less inflammatory infiltration than group B at 2 weeks. There were no significant histopathological differences between the two groups at 1, 4, and 8 weeks. The degree of fibrosis of the Masson-trichrome stain was similar between the two groups at 8 weeks.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>The 2-octyl cyanoacrylate adhesive proved to be an effective eyelid closure method and was very well tolerated by the skin surface. 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate could be used as an alternative tissue adhesive for eyelid wound closure along with conventional suture materials.</P>

Choroidal Neovascularization Following Epiretinal Membrane Peeling

Bae, Ki Woong,Woo, Se Joon The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2015 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.29 No.6

Circadian Blood Pressure and Intraocular Pressure Patterns in Normal Tension Glaucoma Patients with Undisturbed Sleep

Kim, Yong-Kyu,Oh, Won Hyuk,Park, Ki Ho,Kim, Joon Mo,Kim, Dong Myung The Korean Ophthalmological Society 2010 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.24 No.1

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>To investigate and compare the circadian pattern of blood pressure (BP), intraocular pressure (IOP) and mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) while experiencing undisturbed sleep in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and non-glaucoma control patient groups.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>Twenty-four eyes from 24 patients diagnosed with NTG and 22 eyes from 22 control group patients were enrolled. Systolic BP, diastolic BP and IOP were measured every two hours except for the period of time from 1 AM to 7 AM in the NTG group and from 11 PM to 7 AM in the control group over a one-day period. IOP and hemodynamic parameters were then compared between the two groups. NTG patients were subdivided according to the degree of morning BP dip and IOP, and hemodynamic parameters and visual field indices (mean deviation and pattern standard deviation) were also compared among these subgroups.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>There were no significant differences in mean systolic BP, mean diastolic BP and mean arterial pressure (MAP) between the NTG and the control groups. The NTG group showed a significantly large morning BP dip compared to the control group (7.1±4.2% vs. 3.8±3.4%, <I>p</I>=0.022). However, there were no significant differences in mean or fluctuation of MOPP between the two groups. Morning over-dippers showed significantly large MAP and MOPP fluctuations compared to non-dippers and dippers, while there were no significant differences in visual field indices among the three subgroups.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>NTG patients showed significant morning BP dips compared to the control group. The marked morning BP dip was associated with significantly large MAP or MOPP fluctuations but was not associated with visual field indices.</P>