The Objective Methods to Evaluate Ocular Fatigue Associated With Computer Work

PURPOSE: To develop methods for the objective measurement of ocular fatigue. METHODS: Fifteen patients were enrolled in the present study. Subjects performed visual tasks on a computer for one hour. A survey of ocular fatigue was conducted with a questionnaire. Tear break-up time, blinking rate, ocular protection index, conjunctival injection, maximal blinking interval, temperature of the ocular surface, and visual evoked potential were evaluated before and immediately after the task. Surface electromyography of the orbicularis oculi muscle was performed before and during the task. RESULTS: The survey showed increases in subjective ocular fatigue in all subjects. Tear break-up time, ocular protection index and maximal blinking interval decreased, while temperature of the ocular surface increased after the task. Conjunctival injection showed a tendency to increase. Electromyography, and visual evoked potential did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, tear break-up time, ocular protection index, maximal blinking interval, and temperature of the ocular surface changed as ocular fatigue increased. Therefore, these measures can be objectively used for the evaluation of ocular fatigue.

Clinical Characteristics of Children with Williams Syndrome According to Age

PURPOSE: Williams syndrome (WS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, caused by deletion at chromosome 7q11.23. Although WS is characterized by congenital heart disease (CHD), mental retardation, and distinctive facial dysmorphism, clinical features may vary according to a patient's age, making the diagnosis more difficult. We reviewed clinical, psychosocial, and behavioral developmental manifestations of WS patients according to age. METHODS: We retrospectively studied nine children with WS from March 2003 to February 2009 at NHIC Ilsan Hospital Developmental Disorder Clinic. Patients were divided into three groups by age: infancy, preschool age and school age. Patients' facial dysmorphism, motor, speech, and cognitive development and associated symptoms were analyzed. RESULTS: Prominent clinical features of the infants group were feeding difficulty, hypotonia, constipation, sleep disturbance, hernia with facial features which were not characteristic. The preschool age group showed developmental delays, had very friendly personalities, and hyperacusis. Their typical facial features included long philtrum, prominent lips, and teeth malocclusion. The school age group showed mental retardation, learning disorders, and typical facial dysmorphism, as well as short stature. Although overly sociable, they were not able to adapt to school life. Eight patients out of nine showed CHD. CONCLUSION: WS can be suspected when an infant primarily presents with hypotonia, feeding difficulty, failure to thrive with CHD, and occasional hypercalcemia. When a patient in early childhood presents with delayed development with good verbal language ability and has hyperacusis, WS must be suspected. When an older or adolescent child has unique learning disabilities and has facial dysmorphism, short stature, and a loquacious personality, WS should also be suspected.

Intravitreal Triamcinolone Injection with or Without Bevacizumab for Diabetic Macular Edema

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone injection with and without bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Of 69 patients (69 eyes) diagnosed with diabetic macular edema without any history of other intraocular disease or intraocular operation, 45 eyes (45 patients) were injected with intravitreal triamcinolone (4 mg) and the remaining eyes (24 patients) were injected with triamcinolone (2 mg) and bevacizumab (1.25 mg). The visual acuity and central macular thickness of treated eyes from both groups was measured using OCT, and these measurements were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the two groups with respect to baseline data. Central macular thickness (CMT) was reduced in both groups, and BCVA improved in both groups. No significant differences were detected in changes in CMT or BCVA between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone had a beneficial effect on DME in terms of CMT reduction and BCVA improvement. Addition of three consecutive intravitreal bevacizumab injections, however, did not show any significant addictive effect during the follow-up period.

Clinical Analysis of Epistaxis : Result of the Recent 10 Years / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epistaxis is a common occurrence and most of us have at least one episode in a life time. These episodes are usually minor events and resolved spontaneously, although those who need help can be admitted. It is important to know about etiologic factors of each case of epistaxis, sex and age distribution of patients, bleeding site, seasonal incidence and methods of management. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective study of epidemiology, etiology and control methods and their effectiveness in patients of epistaxis who visited Korea Veterans Hospital out-patient department in otolaryngology and emergency room from January, 1990 to December, 1999. RESULTS: It was more prevalent in male and commonly occured in the left nasal cavity. Incidence of epistaxis was the greatest in the month of May and the least in August. Among the age groups of patients, it was most prevalent among the fifties followed by the twenties. The most common cause was idiopathic, with the local causes being more attributable. It was found to easily occurr in the convex side with septal deformity. Kiesselbach's area was the most common bleeding site, although when compared with previous reports, the incidence rate has been decreasing. Recurrent bleeding was more common in posterior epistaxis. Most cases were adequately managed with anterior nasal packing (65.4%), but in the minority, posterior nasal packing and blood transfusion were needed. CONCLUSION: Incidence of bleeding have increased and the most frequent bleeding sites have become more variable, because of the increasing rate of air pollution, cerebrovascular accidents and heart diseases. Epistaxis easily occurred when the atmospheric changes were severe. Further prospective studies are mandatory to clarify the correlation between epistaxis and multifactorial causes.