The Relationship Between Intraocular Pressure and Visual Field Defect Progression in Normal-tension Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual field defect progression (VFP) in normaltension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients who were enrolled according to the following inclusion criteria: at least one IOPmeasurement at every section, which was divided into four sections (90 minutes) by IOP measurement time and a follow-up for 2 years or more. Patients were divided into VFP (n=9) and non-visual field defect progression (NVFP, n=28) groups. The baseline IOP was defined as an average IOP measured five times with 90-minute intervals before treatment. The maximal, minimal and mean IOPs were defined as the highest, lowest and average IOPs among all checked IOPs during follow-up. IOP fluctuation was defined as the difference between the maximal and minimal IOPs. The section IOP was defined as an average IOP among all checked IOPs in each section, and section IOP fluctuation was the difference between the highest and lowest section IOPs. We reviewed and compared the IOP indices of the two groups and the risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, migraine, familial history of glaucoma, disc hemorrhage, and number of eyedrops. RESULTS: Thirty-seven eyes with an average follow-up of 50.4+/-18.9 months were included. The baseline and the maximal IOPs were higher than those of the NVFP group (p=0.001 and 0.032, respectively), but the mean, minimal and IOP fluctuations were not different (all, p>0.05). All section IOPs, section IOP fluctuations and other risk factors were not different (all, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The baseline and the highest IOPs were a risk factor of VFP in NTG.

The Effect of Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis on Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity following LASIK

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual outcome and the changes of contrast sensitivity (CS) after diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK). METHODS: Using retrospective chart review, 48 eyes of 25 patients who underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with Visx S4 (VISX Inc., Santa Clara, CA) and M2 (Moria, France) and who were followed for at least six months were included. They were divided into two groups: DLK and non-DLK, by diagnosis of DLK or its absence after LASIK. Postoperative logMAR visual acuities and logCS measured using the VCTS(R) 6500 (Vistech Consultants, Inc., Dayton, OH) were compared with preoperative values in the DLK and non-DLK groups at three and six months after LASIK. RESULTS: There was no difference in logMAR visual acuity between the DLK and non-DLK groups until the sixth postoperative month. However, CS was significantly decreased at 12 and 18 cycle/degree compared with preoperative values (p=0.043 and p=0.045, respectively) in the DLK group, whereas CS was significantly increased at 12 cycle/degree in the non-DLK group (p=0.042) at six months. CONCLUSIONS: DLK seemed to be strongly associated with a postoperative decrease of CS.

Limbal Transplantation: A Midterm Clinical Outcome with Continuous Systemic Immune Suppression

PURPOSE: To investigate the midterm outcome of limbal transplantation combined with continuous systemic immune suppression. METHODS: The medical records of 15 eyes in 14 patients who underwent limbal transplantation were reviewed retrospectively. All had been followed up for 6 months or more. Limbal transplantation was performed with 360 degrees of 0.19 mm partial corneal trephined tissues, accompanied with transient amniotic membrane transplantation. The procedure was accomplished with systemic cyclosporine or mycophenolate. We defined complete success as neither rejection nor epithelial defect; partial success as partial conjunctival ingrowth and neovascularization without epithelial defect; and graft failure as persistent epithelial defect or total conunctivalization with neovascularization. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 45.1 years. 9 eyes yielded complete success, 2 had partial success, and graft failure occurred in 4 on an average of 23.4 months postoperatively. Success including complete and partial success showed 67% incidence (4 of 6) of chemical burn, 33% (1 of 3) with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and 100% (6 of 6) experienced another intractable ocular surface disease. Of 10 eyes (67%), which experienced graft rejection in an average of 2.7 months; 4 demonstrated full recovery with oral corticosteroid and enhanced immunosuppression, 2 presented with chronic graft rejection, and the other 4 ended in graft failure. CONCLUSIONS: Total success rate was revealed as 73.3% for on average 23.4 months in limbal transplantation with continuous systemic immune suppression, utilized for chronic intractable ocular surface disease.

Limbal Transplantation: A Midterm Clinical Outcome with Continuous Systemic Immune Suppression

PURPOSE: To investigate the midterm outcome of limbal transplantation combined with continuous systemic immune suppression. METHODS: The medical records of 15 eyes in 14 patients who underwent limbal transplantation were reviewed retrospectively. All had been followed up for 6 months or more. Limbal transplantation was performed with 360 degrees of 0.19 mm partial corneal trephined tissues, accompanied with transient amniotic membrane transplantation. The procedure was accomplished with systemic cyclosporine or mycophenolate. We defined complete success as neither rejection nor epithelial defect; partial success as partial conjunctival ingrowth and neovascularization without epithelial defect; and graft failure as persistent epithelial defect or total conunctivalization with neovascularization. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 45.1 years. 9 eyes yielded complete success, 2 had partial success, and graft failure occurred in 4 on an average of 23.4 months postoperatively. Success including complete and partial success showed 67% incidence (4 of 6) of chemical burn, 33% (1 of 3) with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and 100% (6 of 6) experienced another intractable ocular surface disease. Of 10 eyes (67%), which experienced graft rejection in an average of 2.7 months; 4 demonstrated full recovery with oral corticosteroid and enhanced immunosuppression, 2 presented with chronic graft rejection, and the other 4 ended in graft failure. CONCLUSIONS: Total success rate was revealed as 73.3% for on average 23.4 months in limbal transplantation with continuous systemic immune suppression, utilized for chronic intractable ocular surface disease.

Changes in Corneal Curvature after Suture Removal in Penetrating Keratoplasty

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in corneal curvature after suture removal in penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: Forty-six patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty without any other surgery which may affect on the corneal keratometric values were included, and their data were retrospectively reviewed. The mean follow-up was 11.5 months and the average donor-recipient size gap was 0.47 mm. Corneal curvature was estimated by the Simulated Keratometric index in 17 eyes with continuous sutures and in 29 eyes with interrupted sutures. The changes of corneal curvature were compared between suture-removed and not suture-removed groups. RESULTS: In patients with continuous suture, the corneal curvature increased significantly from 47.12D at 5.1 months to 49.30D at 10.6 months after suture removal (p=0.002); in patients with interrupted suture, corneal curvature increased from 37.93D at 4.1 months to 42.44D at 11.5 months (p<0.001) after an average removal of 4.23 interrupted sutures, but it was not changed in each not suture-removed groups. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal curvature increased, on average, by 2.18D after one continuous suture removal and by 2.26D after an average of 2.12 interrupted sutures removal in penetrating keratoplasty. Prediction of keratometric value after removal of the sutures can be helpful to determine intraocular lens power in cataract surgery simultaneously combined with penetrating keratoplasty.

Intraocular Lens Power Calculation in High Myopic Eyes with Previous Radial Keratotomy

PURPOSE: To elucidate a proper method of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in highly myopic eyes with previous radial keratotomy (RK). METHODS: Five post-RK-surgery eyes with pre-RK-surgery myopia over -10.0 diopters (D) were studied retrospectively. The keratometric values obtained via the clinical history method, the contact lens over-refraction method, conventional keratometry, and Orbscan II were compared to the true keratometric value calculated retrospectively using the SRK/T formula. RESULTS: The mean pre-RK-surgery refractive power was -19.35+/-5.86D (-14.50 ~ -29.50D) and cataract surgery was performed on average 16.6 years after RK. The true keratometric value was closest to that estimated by the contact lens over-refraction method in 1 eye and to the flatter keratometric value between Sim K and the 3mm zone mean Pwr obtained with axial keratometric power map of Orbscan II in 4. CONCLUSIONS: The flatter keratometric value between Sim K and the 3mm zone mean Pwr from Orbscan II was closest to the true post-RK-surgery keratometric value of the central cornea.

The Clinical Analysis and Treatment Results of Coats' Disease in Children

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment result of Coats' disease in children. METHODS: Data on demographics, clinical presentation, and ocular findings were analyzed for 67 eyes of 67 patients with Coats' disease by retrospective chart review. Among these, treatment results were analyzed from 56 eyes which had received local treatment or subretinal fluid drainage (SRFD). Treatment was considered successful when telangiectatic vessels or exudates had regressed after local treatment or when pupillary block glaucoma was treated or prevented after SRFD. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 5.0 years (5 months-15 years) and 90% were males. 67% of retinal telangiectasias were located in the temporal. There were exudative retinal detachments in 46 (69%) eyes. Among them, SRFD was performed in 19 (28%) to treat or prevent pupillary block glaucoma. The mean age at diagnosis of patients that underwent treatment was 5.1 years. In 37 of 56 patients, 95% of retinal telangiectasias were regressed after primary local treatment, and 21 eyes (31%) underwent SRFD. Management of glaucoma was achieved after SRFD in 16 patients, and one more SRFD was needed after primary SRFD in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In Coats' disease, it is necessary to eradicate retinal telangiectasia with local treatment and to follow up carefully for secondary glaucoma, which can be treated with SRFD in cases of severe exudative retinal detachment.

The Detection of Retinal Never Fiber Layer Defect by Modification of Non-mydriatic Digital Fundus Photograph

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of digital retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) photographs converted from a non-mydriatic digital fundus camera for detecting RNFL defects. METHODS: Ninety-five eyes were evaluated with both a non-mydriatic digital fundus photograph and a digital RNFL photograph by two glaucoma specialists independently. The red-free, monochrome modified digital fundus photograph was acquired from non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs using Photoshop 7.0. Whether a localized wedge-shaped or diffuse RNFL defect existed or not was evaluated on a non-mydriatic digital fundus photograph and a modified digital fundus photograph, and inter- and intraobserver agreement were also evaluated. Regarding the use of digital RNFL photographs as a standard method, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the two types of photographs. RESULTS Interobserver agreement (Cohen's kappa values) about localized RNFL defects observable on digital RNFL photographs, non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs, and modified digital fundus photographs were 0.749, 0.634, and 0.793, respectively, but all were 0.417 or less with regard to diffuse RNFL defects. Regarding localized RNFL defects, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of modified digital fundus photographs were 85.7%, 95.5%, 85.7% and 94.1%, respectively, showing superiority to those of non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs. But, in cases of diffuse RNFL defect, the sensitivity and specificity of modified digital fundus photographs were 60.0% and 97.8%, respectively, indicating no superiority to non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs. CONCLUSIONS: The localized RNFL defect can be detected more efficiently with modified digital fundus photographs than non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs, but the diffuse RNFL defect cannot.

The Application of Electronic Medical Record and Users' Satisfaction in Ophthalmology

PURPOSE: To introduce the electronic medical record (EMR) system used in the department of ophthalmology and to report improvements to be made and user satisfaction. METHODS: The EMR, used since October 15, 2004, was shown in several figures. Some problems were revealed on the figures and improved. The satisfaction results for the EMR's efficacy and quality of eye description compared to the paper chart were obtained from a questionnaire of twenty-one ophthalmologic residents who had at least 6 months of experience with EMR using 5-point Linkerd scale. RESULTS The EMR was shown to be useful in ophthalmology. Problems were solved by resizing the pictures automatically, introducing a convenient picture input method using an LCD tablet monitor system, and by minimizing the automatic fill-in system in ocular examination records. Twenty-one ophthalmologic residents replied, and the efficacy of EMR was satisfactory, scoring 2.6 on a 5-point Linkerd scale, whereas the complete and proper description of patients' information was unsatisfactory, scoring 3.6. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized ophthalmologic EMR and its easy and fast input device will improve ophthalmologists' satisfaction. EMR should be supplemented to make more proper and complete description of patients information.

The Detection of Retinal Never Fiber Layer Defect by Modification of Non-mydriatic Digital Fundus Photograph

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of digital retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) photographs converted from a non-mydriatic digital fundus camera for detecting RNFL defects. METHODS: Ninety-five eyes were evaluated with both a non-mydriatic digital fundus photograph and a digital RNFL photograph by two glaucoma specialists independently. The red-free, monochrome modified digital fundus photograph was acquired from non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs using Photoshop 7.0. Whether a localized wedge-shaped or diffuse RNFL defect existed or not was evaluated on a non-mydriatic digital fundus photograph and a modified digital fundus photograph, and inter- and intraobserver agreement were also evaluated. Regarding the use of digital RNFL photographs as a standard method, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the two types of photographs. RESULTS Interobserver agreement (Cohen's kappa values) about localized RNFL defects observable on digital RNFL photographs, non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs, and modified digital fundus photographs were 0.749, 0.634, and 0.793, respectively, but all were 0.417 or less with regard to diffuse RNFL defects. Regarding localized RNFL defects, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of modified digital fundus photographs were 85.7%, 95.5%, 85.7% and 94.1%, respectively, showing superiority to those of non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs. But, in cases of diffuse RNFL defect, the sensitivity and specificity of modified digital fundus photographs were 60.0% and 97.8%, respectively, indicating no superiority to non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs. CONCLUSIONS: The localized RNFL defect can be detected more efficiently with modified digital fundus photographs than non-mydriatic digital fundus photographs, but the diffuse RNFL defect cannot.

The Application of Electronic Medical Record and Users' Satisfaction in Ophthalmology

PURPOSE: To introduce the electronic medical record (EMR) system used in the department of ophthalmology and to report improvements to be made and user satisfaction. METHODS: The EMR, used since October 15, 2004, was shown in several figures. Some problems were revealed on the figures and improved. The satisfaction results for the EMR's efficacy and quality of eye description compared to the paper chart were obtained from a questionnaire of twenty-one ophthalmologic residents who had at least 6 months of experience with EMR using 5-point Linkerd scale. RESULTS The EMR was shown to be useful in ophthalmology. Problems were solved by resizing the pictures automatically, introducing a convenient picture input method using an LCD tablet monitor system, and by minimizing the automatic fill-in system in ocular examination records. Twenty-one ophthalmologic residents replied, and the efficacy of EMR was satisfactory, scoring 2.6 on a 5-point Linkerd scale, whereas the complete and proper description of patients' information was unsatisfactory, scoring 3.6. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized ophthalmologic EMR and its easy and fast input device will improve ophthalmologists' satisfaction. EMR should be supplemented to make more proper and complete description of patients information.