Analysis of the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Alzheimer Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

PURPOSE: To compare the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) as well as the macula volume and thickness in the eyes of age-matched healthy controls with no cognitive disabilities with those of elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer disease (AD). We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to determine the effectiveness of the above quantities for early diagnosis of MCI or AD. METHODS: Ninety eyes were considered in this study, split between 30 normal eyes, 30 eyes from patients with MCI, and 30eyes from patients with AD. All subjects underwent ophthalmologic and cognitive examinations, and measurements of the RNFL thickness as well as macular volume and thickness were taken for all patients using OCT. RESULTS: The mean RNFL thickness upon OCT was significantly thinner in the AD group than in the MCI group (p = 0.01). The RNFL was thinner in the superior quadrant in patients with AD when compared to the healthy controls (p = 0.03). The RNFL thicknesses in the inferior, nasal, and temporal quadrants did not differ significantly between the groups. Measurements in the 12 clock-hour zones revealed that zone 11 had a significantly thinner RNFL in the AD group as compared with the healthy control group (p = 0.02). In zone 2, the MCI group had a significantly thinner RNFL than the AD group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our OCT findings revealed a neuroanatomic difference in the RNFL thickness among the three groups, i.e., the AD, MCI, and healthy control groups. This suggests that a change in average RNFL thickness could be a meaningful index for diagnosing early AD.

A Case of Intractable Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis Treated by Papillectomy and Amniotic Membrane Transplantation

PURPOSE: To report a successful case of intractable vernal keratoconjunctivitis treated by papillectomy and amniotic membrane transplantation. CASE SUMMARY: A 20-year-old female patient presented with repeated vernal keratoconjunctivitis in both eyes since the age of 14. Despite medical therapy, she developed severe itching, burning and foreign body sensations, and limbal nodules with mutiple giant papillae of the upper tarsal plate. Surgical resection of the giant papillae and amniotic membrane transplantation in her left eye was performed. One month later, the same procedure was performed in her right eye. The patient's symptoms then improved. Neither recurrence nor serious complication were observed during the 6 months follow up period after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In intractable vernal keratoconjunctivitis, papillectomy with amniotic membrane transplantation may potentially be a good treatment option for better clinical outcome and low recurrence rates.

To Report a Case of Tamoxifen-induced Retinopathy Diagnosed Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To report a case of tamoxifen-induced retinopathy diagnosed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old female presented with metamorphopsia in the left eye and binocular vision loss which started 5 months prior. She had no record of external trauma, diabetes or high blood pressure; however, she had been taking 21.9 g tamoxifen (20 mg/day) since October 2012 after a surgery of her left breast due to cancer. On the initial visit, fundus photography showed crystalline dot-like deposits in both parafoveae. Additionally, fluorescence angiography revealed a small leakage around the macular area. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was obtained to differentiate from other diseases because fundus photography showed crystalline retinopathy. The OCT revealed a normal right eye but the left macula had a microcystic lesion. Based on the diagnosis of tamoxifen-induced retinopathy, the patient stopped taking tamoxifen. Three months after discontinuation of tamoxifen, fundus photography showed slightly decreased crystalline deposits in the parafoveal area and visual acuity of the right eye was slightly improved. However, SD-OCT showed a slightly aggravated disruption of the outer retina in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Although retinopathy caused by treatment with tamoxifen occurs infrequently, to prevent complications and irreversible damage, patients who take tamoxifen for medical purposes need to undergo a regular ophthalmologic examination.

A Case of Eyelid Paraffinoma Misdiagnosed as a Chalazion

PURPOSE: Paraffinoma is a granulomatous reaction to paraffin or oily substances. We report delayed diagnosis of paraffinoma that was misdiagnosed as chalazion. CASE SUMMARY: A 49-year-old male presented with masses, swelling, and erythema in the right lower eyelid, masses and swelling in the right upper eyelid, and intermittent conjunctival injection that had appeared 3 months ago. The patient admitted having received paraffin injection to the right lateral canthal area and nasal bridge for cosmetic purposes by non-medical personnel 17 years prior to presentation. The mass showed partial response to intralesional triamcinolone injection but did not respond to systemic steroid. CONCLUSIONS: Paraffinoma can present diagnostic confusion given its protracted latency period and discordance of injection area and mass location. Detailed history taking is required and the possibility of paraffinoma should be considered for mass lesions of the eyelid.

A Case of Acute Bilateral Solar Retinopathy Diagnosed with Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To report a case of acute bilateral solar retinopathy diagnosed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). CASE SUMMARY: A 74-year-old female patient consulted for amblyopia and metamorphopsia at a local hospital. On the patient's first visit, there were no abnormal findings based on slit lamp microscope. Additional examinations were conducted since the patient complained of metamorphopsia with visual acuity and corrected vision. Fundus photography and SD-OCT examination showed symmetrical lesions near the bilateral macula. Several evaluations of the patient's medical history confirmed that the patient was exposed directly to the sun for 30 minutes. One month after the first visit, visual acuity improved but metamorphopsia remained unchanged. Lesion status could not be confirmed by fundus photography. There was no abnormal finding on fluorescence angiography. SD-OCT examination still showed bilateral symmetric disruption of the outer retina but with no significant interval change. CONCLUSIONS: In the present case, the patient with bilateral intraocular lenses who complained of acute binocular amblyopia was diagnosed accurately through SD-OCT tests for bilateral symmetric disruption on the outer retina and repetitive evaluations of patient's medical history.