Effect and Prognostic Factors of Systemic Steroid Treatment for Strabismus Associated Thyroid Ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of steroid treatment on strabismus associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy. METHODS: The present retrospective study was conducted on 22 patients diagnosed with strabismus associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy, who were treated with steroids orally or intravenously and followed up for more than one year. Patients were divided into three groups for analysis: an improved group, with no strabismus at the final follow-up visit; a stable group, with no change in the strabismus angle; and a deteriorated group, in which the strabismus angle had worsened. We investigated the characteristics of each group. RESULTS: In the gender/sex distribution of the 22 patients, 11 of the 15 patients in the improved or stable group were female; six of seven patients in the deteriorated group were male (p = 0.012). Two of the 15 patients in the improved or stable group had a smoking history. However, none smoked after the treatment had started. On the other hand, five of seven patients in the deteriorated group had a smoking history and continued to smoke during and after treatment (p = 0.001). No significant between-group differences were observed with respect to age, diplopia period, strabismus angle, or thyroid function level. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with steroids may improve or stabilize strabismus associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy. However, the effect of treatment may differ, depending on whether the patient continues to smoke after treatment is initiated.

Clinical Manifestations and Prognosis of Patient with Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical manifestations, management, ophthalmologic complications, and prognosis of traumatic optic neuropathy. METHODS: A retrospective survey of 55 patients who visited Chosun Hospital from April 2009 to February 2016 was performed. The sex, age, causes, fracture characteristics, neurologic injury, and combined craniofacial bone fractures of patients who were diagnosed with traumatic optic neuropathy were statistically analyzed. Also, we investigated the rate of visual impairment in the patients with intracranial hemorrhaging and craniofacial fracture on radiologic examination and development of sensory strabismus. RESULTS: Traffic accidents were the most common cause of traumatic optic neuropathy. Among the patients, more than 60% showed severe visual impairment of less than 0.1 that lasted until the final observation. Altitudinal visual defects were the most common visual field defect and presented as marginal atrophy and central scotoma. While intracranial hemorrhaging was showed in 52.4% of the patients, craniofacial fracture was observed in 90.5% of the patients. The initial visual acuity was decreased when the patient presented with orbital fracture located in the retrobulbar area. Intravenous high-dose steroid injection did not affect visual prognosis. Sensory strabismus occurred more commonly under conditions of poor initial vision (p = 0.007) or young age (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic optic neuropathy in Korea has a high rate of initial visual impairment with poor prognosis of vision. In addition, high-dose intravenous steroid injection did not result in visual improvement.

A Case of Subconjunctival Thelasia Callipaeda Infestation

PURPOSE: To report one case involving Thelazia callipaeda subconjunctival infestation. CASE SUMMARY: A 52-year-old man came in with left eye discomfort that started about a month prior to hospital visit. Slit lamp examination identified a live white translucent parasite about 10 mm in length and about 0.3 mm in width moving under the lower left eye subconjunctiva. No other abnormal findings were found in the front or fundus. An incision of about 5 mm in the conjunctiva where the parasite was located was carried out, and after opening the area, the parasite was slowly pulled out using a clamp. Then, the bottom of the conjunctiva was washed with normal saline. Further, five additional parasites were found in the conjunctival sac and were removed. The parasite was identified as Thelazia callipaeda, and through outpatient follow-up for 1 month after removal, additional parasites were not found. CONCLUSION: The authors report this case of intraocular Thelazia callipaeda infestation because it is not known to be common; however, the authors witnessed a number of parasites in the conjunctival fornix, as well as Thelazia callipaeda in the subconjuctiva.