Sexual Behavior of the Elderly in Urban Areas

PURPOSE: This study aimed at investigating sexual behavior patterns of elderly residents of urban areas in South Korea and their correlation with lower urinary tract symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May, 2009 to October, 2009, 154 males and 299 females over 60 years old who visited senior welfare centers of Seoul were administered a questionnaire on sex life patterns and voiding symptoms. RESULTS: Among the 154 males, 59 (38.3%) had sexual intercourse at least one time per month. The remaining 95 males (61.7%) did not have sexual intercourse, because of impotence for 52 males (52.6%), no sexual desire for 28 males (29.4%), and sex partner's problems for 15 males (15.7%). The higher International Prostate Symptom Score was, the lower International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 was (p=0.035). Among 299 females, 37 (12.4%) had sexual intercourse at least one time per month. The remaining 262 females (87.6%) did not have sexual intercourse, because of no spouse for 163 females (63.2%), no sexual desire for 48 females (18.6%), the spouse's impotence for 34 females (13.2%), and the spouse's bad health for 10 females (3.9%). It was found that self-diagnosis of overactive bladder affects sex life negatively. CONCLUSIONS: The sexual behaviors of the elderly included varying activity. Sexual intercourse were significantly associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Our results suggest that the counseling with the elderly about sexual health is as important as it is with non-elderly individuals.

The Effect of Superior Rectus Re-recession for Dissociated Vertical Deviation

PURPOSE: When recurrent dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) is cosmetically objectionable after superior rectus recession is used to surgically treat DVD, inferior rectus resection or superior rectus re-recession should be considered. The effect of re-recession of the superior rectus was, therefore, evaluated as a treatment of recurrent DVD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 9 eyes from 7 patients who had undergone superior rectus re-recession as a second surgery due to recurrence after superior rectus recession for DVD. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period after re-recession of the superior rectus was 32.1 (22~66) months. The preoperative mean deviation was 16.0 prism diopters (PD), and the postoperative mean deviation was 4.9PD. According to the classification of recurrent DVD by Scott, the surgical results of five eyes were excellent (0~4PD), those of 2 eyes were good (10~14PD), and those of 2 eyes were fair. The mean corrected DVD was 4.1PD per 1 mm recession. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperatively, 7 of 9 eyes (77.7%) were aligned within 9PD. In cases of recurrent DVD, superior rectus re-recession yielded satisfactory results with minimum surgery on the superior rectus. The results of this study will be helpful in deciding surgical amount of superior rectus re-recession to be performed.

A Case of Bulbar Conjunctival Schwannoma

PURPOSE: The schwannoma is a tumor originating from Schwann cell proliferation. Schwannoma is a rare disease, making up only 1% of all the tumors that develop in the orbit. Schwannomas usually arise from the choroids or the ciliary body, and occurrence in the conjunctiva is especially rare. Few cases have been reported worldwide, and no cases have been reported in Korea thus far. We report our case along with a literature review. CASE SUMMARY: A 31-year-old male patient visited our department with a history of discomfort of in his right eye for the past 5 years caused by a bulbar conjunctival mass. On ophthalmologic examination, a 5x3x3 mm, elevated, yellowish mass with a smooth surface was observed on the bulbar conjunctiva adjacent to the superonasal limbus near the 2 o'clock area of the right eye. We performed excision and biopsy for diagnosis and treatment of the bulbar conjunctival mass and confirmed the pathologic report for the diagnosis of schwannoma.