Clinical Characteristics of First-Degree Relatives with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of first-degree relatives with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: Forty-four POAG patients (22 pairs of eyes from 2 first-degree relatives) were followed for an average of 3.3 years. Baseline characteristics and follow-up data were analyzed. Baseline data consisted of baseline intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), spherical equivalent, visual field mean deviation (VF MD) and average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Follow-up data consisted of mean follow-up IOP, mean IOP reduction from baseline (%) and progression rates determined by linear regression analysis of either VF MD value or OCT RNFL thickness. Mean data of both eyes and the worse eye were compared between first-degree relatives of the same family. RESULTS: Among the 22 families, 16 pairs of eyes were from parent/offspring and 6 from siblings. No difference in mean baseline IOP and CCT were found between first-degree relatives. The older patients in parent-offspring families showed significantly more advanced glaucoma in terms of both VF and RNFL thickness, but were less myopic; however, no differences in variables were found between relatives in the 6 families composed of siblings. Among the 22 families, worse baseline VF MD was observed in younger patients compared with the older patients in 4 families. Mean follow-up IOP, mean IOP reduction from baseline, and progression rate did not differ between the older and the younger patient in each family. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, similar characteristics in terms of baseline IOP, IOP response to medication, and glaucoma progression rate were found in members of the same family. However, in some of the families, the younger patient had poorer baseline severity and more aggressive characteristics compared with the older patient, suggesting the clinical course of the disease may vary among first-degree relatives.

Development and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy and Associated Risk Factors in Korean Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: The Experience of a Tertiary Center

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and progression to proliferative DR (PDR) in Korean patients. Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and followed for more than 5 years at a university-based clinic since 2000 were consecutively enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Based on the DR classification at the initial and final visits, the incidence and progression of DR was determined and patient characteristics were compared according to DR progression. Hazard ratios of each putative risk factor for DR progression were calculated with a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Rate of DR development and progression to PDR were 32.1/1,000 and 26.2/1,000 person-years, respectively. A longer duration of diabetes and higher mean HbA1c level were significant risk factors for the development of DR. Regarding progression to PDR, higher mean HbA1c level, higher standard deviation of HbA1c, and higher urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio were significant risk factors. The rates of development of DR and progression to PDR in Koreans with type 2 diabetes are lower than those reported over the last decade. An inadequate blood glycemic control is the common risk factor for development and progression of DR.

Relationship between the Lamina Cribrosa, Outer Retina, and Choroidal Thickness as Assessed Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics and relationship between peripapillary choroidal thickness (pCT), lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT), and peripapillary outer retinal layer thickness (pORT) as determined using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) enhanced depth imaging (EDI). METHODS: In total, 255 participants were included (87 healthy subjects, 87 glaucoma suspects (GS), and 81 glaucoma cases). The pORT, defined as the thickness between the posterior outer plexiform layer and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) interface, and the pCT, between the outer margin of the RPE and the choroidal-scleral interface, were manually measured using EDI scanning of the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). LCT was determined by EDI scanning of the optic nerve head (ONH). Baseline characteristics, including axial length (AXL) and the SD-OCT measurements of the participants, were compared among the three groups. The correlation between putative factors and pCT was determined using univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: In all three groups, both pORT and pCT were thinnest in the inferior area among the four quadrants. In the healthy group, the mean peripapillary RNFL, pORT, and LCT were significantly greater in comparison with those of the GS and glaucoma groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.038, and p < 0.001, respectively). The pCT demonstrated no significant differences among the three groups (p = 0.083). Only age and AXL were associated with pCT by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The pCT is substantially thinner in the inferior area of the ONH. In addition, the pCT demonstrates the strongest correlation with age and AXL, but was not associated with glaucoma or LCT.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Different IOL Sizes after Microincisional Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes between different IOL sizes after microincisional cataract surgery. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was done in 68 eyes of 68 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and implantation with two different-sized aspheric IOLs (AKREOS MI60 Bausch & Lomb, Inc., Rochester, NY). The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I consisted of 38 eyes between 15.5-22.0 diopter (D) (optic size 6.0 mm, overall size 10.7 mm), and group II consisted of 30 eyes between 22.5-30.0 D (optic size 5.6 mm, overall size 10.5 mm). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive error, and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively and were compared between groups. RESULTS: Postoperative 6 month BCVA was 0.08 +/- 0.10 D in group I and 0.07 +/- 0.11 D in group II. During the same period, the spherical equivalent was -0.32 +/- 0.65 D in group I and -0.16 +/- 0.59 D in group II (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in ACD or refractive error during the postoperative period (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of postoperative visual acuity and spherical equivalent between different sizes of Akreos MI-60(TM) IOLs showed no differences.

A Clinical Evaluation of Postoperative Acute Renal Failure / 대한마취과학회지

Postoperative acute renal failure is a major problem in surgical patients and may result from varieties of prerenal, renal, and postrenal causes. Mortality of this disorder was distressingly high despite improvement in dialysis and intensive general care. Clinical data from 31 patients with postoperative acute renal failure treated between 1989 and 1993 were reviwed. The results were summerized as follows: 1) There were 16 men and 15 women with a median age of 49 years. Twenty one(6896) of 31 patients were over 50 years old. 2) General surgery 14 cases(45%), cardiac surgery 11 cases(35%), neurologic surgery 3 cases, orthopedic surgery 2 cases and gynecologic surgery 1 case were performed. 3) Preoperative clinical characteristics were over 50 years old in 21 cases(68%), antibiotics in 9 cases(29%), infections in 6 cases, hypertention in 5 cases, diabetes mellitus in 4 cases, radiocontrast agent in 3 cases, jaundice in 3 cases, cardiovascular disease in 3 cases, emergeney operation in 10 cases(32%), and trauma in 4 cases. 4) Perioperative hypotension was 9 cases(29%) and massive blood transfusion was 20 cases(65%). Fourteen of the 31 patients(45%) received intraoperative diuretics, and twenty of 31 patients(66%) received diuretics within 24 hours after operation. 5) Enflurane(66%) was the most commonly used anesthetic, followed by intravenous anesthetics(16%), isoflurane(10%), and halothane(10%). 6) When acute renal failure was diagnosed, urinalysis showed gross or microhematuria in 27 cases (87%), pyuria in 10 cases(32%), and proteinuria in 21 cases(68%). Urine specific gravity in 7 patients(23%) were below 1.010. Routine CBC showed anemia less than 10 g/dl in 16 cases(52%), and thrombocytopenia less than 50,000/mm in 10 cases(32%). During postoperative period blood chemistry showed elevated BUN in most of the cases. BUN levels in 20 cases(65%) were above 60 mg/dl and serum creatinine levels in 26 cases(84%) were above 3mg/dl. Serum sodium levels in 4 cases were below 125 mEq/L and serum potassium levels in 11 cases(35%) were above 6 mEq/L. 7) Nineteen(61%) of 31 patients were nonoliguric type, nine(29%) were oliguric type and three(10%) were anuric type. Fourteen(45%) of 31 patients underwent hemodialysis. 8) Postoperative complications were developed in 25 cases(81%) and pulmonary complications were most common. 9) Median time interval between onset of acute renal failure and death was 18 days(rang to 45 days) and. median time to recovery was 24 days(range, 3 to 72 days). 10) Twenty(6496) of 31 patients were died. Main causes of death were respiratary failure, cardiac failure and sepsis. The high mortality rate was seen in patients with abdceninal operation(79%), postoperative complications(80%), over 50 years old(71%) and oliguric(78%) or anuric(100%) renal failure.

A Case Report of Anaphylactoid Reaction to Dextran 40 / 대한마취과학회지

Dextran 40, a polysaccharide with molecular weight of 40,000, has been used clinically for expansion of plasma volume, improvement of microcirculation in low flow states and thromboprophylaxis especially in major operation such as vascular and hip surgery. However severe anaphylactoid reaction to dextran 40 can occur rarely. We experienced a case of cardisc arrest due to a severe reaction of dextran 40 in a patient who underwent aortofemoral bypass surgery. The patient was resuscitated immediately and followed up carefully.

A Case Report of Anaphylactoid Reaction to Dextran 40 / 대한마취과학회지

Dextran 40, a polysaccharide with molecular weight of 40,000, has been used clinically for expansion of plasma volume, improvement of microcirculation in low flow states and thromboprophylaxis especially in major operation such as vascular and hip surgery. However severe anaphylactoid reaction to dextran 40 can occur rarely. We experienced a case of cardisc arrest due to a severe reaction of dextran 40 in a patient who underwent aortofemoral bypass surgery. The patient was resuscitated immediately and followed up carefully.