Associations between Family Function and Smartphone Addiction Proneness in Middle School Students

Background@#Smartphone usage time has been increasing every year causing smartphone addiction, also known as cell phone dependency. This study investigated and analyzed the effects of family characteristics on adolescent smartphone use. @*Methods@#The subjects were 908 middle school students in Gangneung whose legal guardians agreed to participate in the study. We investigated general characteristics, family structure, smartphone usage time of family members, using Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale (K-SAPS), Family APGAR, and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III (FACES III). The participants were classified into three groups according to the scores of the SAPS: addiction proneness, addiction tendency group, and normal user. @*Results@#The prevalence of the addiction proneness group was 47 (5.2%). The K-SAPS scores were higher in the following categories: female (P<0.001); more monthly allowance (P<0.05); lower academic performance (P<0.001); fewer hours of exercise (P<0.001); longer smartphone usage time (P<0.001); and younger owners of smartphones (P<0.05). In family characteristics, the K-SAPS scores were significantly higher in single parent families (P<0.05), longer smartphone usage time of mother and siblings (P<0.05), less time spent watching TV with family members (P<0.05), more exposure to smartphones in childhood (P<0.05), and less time spent with mother (P<0.05). The K-SAPS scores were significantly higher when family APGAR, family adaptability, and cohesion scores were lower (P<0.001). @*Conclusion@#This study indicated that the smartphone addiction in middle school students is closely related to smartphone usage of family members and family functions. Therefore, family behavior that can be corrected should be considered for counseling to prevent smartphone addiction.

The Effect of Phacoemulsification with a Liquefaction Device on Cornea Endothelium

PURPOSE: To access the effect of phacoemulsification using the AquaLase(R) (Alcon Laboratories, TX, U.S.A.) on corneal endothelial cell. METHODS: This study comprised 47 eyes of 43 patients having phacoemulsification with the AquaLase(R). Various corneal endothelial cell parameters, including corneal endothelial cell density, corneal thickness and morphologic change, were evaluated up to 2 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative mean corneal endothelial cell density was 2818+/-282 cell/mm2. Postoperative mean corneal endothelial cell density was 2682+/-390 cell/mm2 at 1 day, 2701+/-263 cell/mm2 at 1 month and 2721+/-396 cell/mm2 at 2 month. Corneal endothelial cell loss was 4.74%, 4.00% and 3.55% at postoperative 1 day, 1 month and 2 months respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative corneal endothelial cell density (p>0.05). The corneal endothelial cell loss was not increased even though the phacoemulsification time with the AquaLase(R) was increased (p>0.05). Preoperative mean corneal thickness was 559.4+/-37.4 micrometer. Postoperative mean corneal thickness was 586.9+/-35.1 micrometer at 1 day, 573.3+/-30.1 micrometer at 1 month and 554.9+/-26.7 micrometer at 2 month. There was a significant increase in corneal thickness at postoperative 1 day (p=0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference of corneal thickness between preoperative and postoperative 1 month and 2 month (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The phacoemulsification with the AquaLase(R) dose not cause the significant corneal endothelial cell density and corneal thickness change postoperatively.

Intraocular Lens Power Calculation for Cataract Surgery after LASIK in the Absence of Pre-LASIK Data

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between the conventional method and the clinical history method those determine intraocular lens (IOL) power for cataract surgery in eyes with prior laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the absence of pre-LASIK data. METHODS: The medical records of 200 eyes in 100 patients who had been treated with LASIK for myopia and were followed up for more than 6 months were reviewed. The IOL powers by conventional method using post-LASIK keratometric value and by clinical history method were compared. RESULTS: The mean values of IOL powers by conventional method, and by clinical history method were +20.00+/-1.48D (+13.74~+23.23D) and +20.79+/-1.28D (+17.27~+24.32D), respectively. The following equation describes the regular relationship between the two METHODS: IOL(CHM) (clinical history method)=0.708*IOL(CM) (conventional method) +6.624 (r=0.816, p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: This equation may offer more accurate IOL power for cataract surgery in eyes with prior LASIK surgery in the absence of pre-LASIK data.

The Effect of Phacoemulsification with Oscillation Device on the Cornea and Lens Opcatiy

PURPOSE: To access the effect of phacoemulsification, using Neosonix(R) (Alcon Laboratories, TX, USA), on the cornea and lens opacity. METHODS: This study involved 42 eyes of 37 patients who underwent phacoemulsification using the Neosonix from December 2005 through March 2006. We measured the density and the thickness of lenses using a Scheimpflug camera and evaluated the correlation between the density and the phaco time. To evaluate the effects of Neosonix(R) on the corneal endothelium, we measured various corneal endothelial cell parameters, including corneal endothelial cell density, corneal thickness, and morphologic changes up to two months postoperatively. RESULTS: The preoperative mean values of lens density for the anterior cortex, nucleus, and posterior cortex were 105.86+/-34.99 CCT, 82.17+/-35.14 CCT, and 77.88+/-52.98 CCT, respectively. The mean phacoemulsification time was 48.67+/-29.79 seconds and increased significantly, according to the increase of the densities of the lens nucleus and cortex (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The phacoemulsification time using oscillation device significantly increased as the density of the lens cortex and nucleus increased, and there was no statistically significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative values of corneal endothelial cell density.

Evaluation of Donor Corneal Endothelium after Keratoplasty

PURPOSE: To investigate the difference in donor corneal cell changes after penetrating keratoplasty in various corneal diseases. METHODS: Subjects included 36 eyes from 35 people with at least 6 months of follow-up who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty between August 2000 and December 2002. The patients were classified into three groups based on the state of the corneal endothelium. Changes in cell density, polymorphisms, and polymegathism of the donor cornea were compared between groups. Results were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: The overall corneal endothelial cell density after grafting was lower, but the differences in endothelial cell states between the recipient cases were not statistically significant. The change in corneal endothelial cell density showed a significantly higher difference (p=0.0013) when patients had either undergone a rejection episode during recovery or recurred herpetic uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative state of the corneal endothelium may affect the survival of donor corneal endothelium after grafting. However, rejection of the transplant contributes more significantly to the survival of the donor corneal endothelium than other factors. We suggest close observation and keen therapy with respect to rejection after grafting.

Evaluation of Donor Corneal Endothelium after Keratoplasty

PURPOSE: To investigate the difference in donor corneal cell changes after penetrating keratoplasty in various corneal diseases. METHODS: Subjects included 36 eyes from 35 people with at least 6 months of follow-up who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty between August 2000 and December 2002. The patients were classified into three groups based on the state of the corneal endothelium. Changes in cell density, polymorphisms, and polymegathism of the donor cornea were compared between groups. Results were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: The overall corneal endothelial cell density after grafting was lower, but the differences in endothelial cell states between the recipient cases were not statistically significant. The change in corneal endothelial cell density showed a significantly higher difference (p=0.0013) when patients had either undergone a rejection episode during recovery or recurred herpetic uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative state of the corneal endothelium may affect the survival of donor corneal endothelium after grafting. However, rejection of the transplant contributes more significantly to the survival of the donor corneal endothelium than other factors. We suggest close observation and keen therapy with respect to rejection after grafting.