The Effect of Silicone Tube Intubation in Pediatric Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of silicone tube intubation in pediatric patients whose tearing was not relieved by probing method. OBJECTS AND METHODS: We intubated Crawford type and Monoka type silicone tube from 1995 to 2000 in forty eyes which had persistent tearing in spite of conservative treatment and probing method, and inferior turbinate was fractured if necessary. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 16.9 months. The successful results were obtained in 80% of Crawford type, and in 85% of Monoka type. Especially, in cases of the inferior turbinate fracture, success rate was 100% regardless of the type of silicone tube. There was no significant difference in complications in the two types. Monoka type was easier to proceed and less irritant to eyes than Crawford type but there were some cases in which the tube was extruded during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Monoka type silicone tube intubation in pediatric nasolacrimal duct obstruction was as successful as Crawford type and the procedure was easier than Crawford type. In addition, silicone tube intubation could be performed more simply with inferior turbinate fracture.

A survey of the Refractive State of Elementary School Children in Rural Area

To evaluate the refractive error and glasses wering state, we performed screening eye examination on elementary school children living in rural area. Among 1254 shcool children(male : 542, female : 712), 352(28.1%) children were emmetropia and 902(71.9%) children ametropia. Three hundred ninety two(72.3%) of 542 male students and 510(71.6%) of 712 female students were not emmetropia. There was no statistical significance in sexual difference of refractive errors. As refractive errors, 38.3%(481) were myopia, 27.8%(348) hyperopia, and 5.8%(73( mixed astigmatism respectively. In diopteric distribution of refractive errors, refractive error under +/-2.0D was 72.0%(650/902). Among children with refractive errors, 333(36.9%) children did not require glasses, but rest of childfen needed glasses. Three hundred nine(34.3%) children did not wear glasses inspite of refractive errors, 33(3.7%) children were wearing incorrect glasses and 2 children were wearing glasses unnecessarily. In children, early eye examination is essential for their eye health. Therefore attention to early eye examination and correct glasses wearing seem to be very important especially for child living in rural area.

A Study on Objective Personality Characteristics of the Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Patients

A study on objective personality characteristics of 41 central serous chorioretinopathy patients was performed to investigate the etiologic relationship of psychological behaviors about the central serous chorioretinopathy. Fourty-one healthy subjects were used as a control group. Authors used the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) which consisted of 4 validity scales and 10 clinical scales. Three neurotic scales of hypochondriasis, depression and hysteria in the atients group were significantly higher than in the normal control group even though the mean scores on each clinical scale were within normal ranges in both groups.