Analysis of Leading Diseases Causing Epiretinal Membrane and Comparison of Prognosis after Epiretinal Membrane Peeling

PURPOSE: In the present study we analyzed the leading diseases causing epiretinal membrane and compared the prognosis after epiretinal membrane peeling. METHODS: We enrolled 158 (160 eyes) patients diagnosed with epiretinal membrane who underwent epiretinal membrane peeling from January 2005 to January 2014. The medical records including age, underlying ocular disease, and pre-operative symptoms of patients from Chonbuk National University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Additionally, we evaluated the changes in central macular thickness and visual acuity after the epiretinal membrane peeling. RESULTS: Idiopathic epiretinal membrane was the most common type of disease (44.4%, 71/160). The causes of secondary epiretinal membrane were diabetic retinopathy (20.6%, 33/160), retinal tear, and retinal hole (18.1%, 29/160). Other causes were post retinal detachment surgery, traumatic epiretinal membrane, retinal vein occlusion and uveitis; 6.9% (11/160), 4.4% (7/160), 3.8% (6/160), and 1.9% (3/160), respectively. The changes in central macular thickness after surgery did not differ significantly between the idiopathic epiretinal membrane and secondary epiretinal membrane patients after adjusting for age (p = 0.958, based on analysis of variance (ANOVA). Additionally, the visual acuity did not differ significantly after the surgery even after adjusting for age (p = 0.118, analysis of covariance [ANCOVA]). CONCLUSIONS: Various ocular diseases can be the leading causes of epiretinal membrane, but the leading disease does not affect the degree of central macular thickness changes after surgery or change the prognosis of post-surgical visual acuity.

A Case of Focal Choroidal Excavation Associated with Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To report a case of focal choroidal excavation associated with central serous chorioretinopathy. CASE SUMMARY: A 48-year-old female presented with a 20-year history of visual disturbance. Focal choroidal excavation with neurosensory retinal detachment was detected in the right eye on optical coherence tomography. Fluorescein angiography showed hyperfluorescene in the area of excavation and multiple focal hyperfluorescences in the perimacular area. Vertically linear hyperfluorescene line was detected in the excavated area caused by retinal pigment epithelial atrophy. Based on the 2 diagnostic findings, we diagnosed a focal choroidal excavation with central serous chorioretinopathy. No progression was detected for 2 months.

Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography of Choroidal Nevus : Comparison to B-Scan Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics of choroidal nevus using the enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI SD-OCT), with a comparison to the B scan ultrasound (BUS) findings. METHODS: Medical records of 124 eyes of 124 choroidal nevus patients were reviewed retrospectively. All patients underwent fundus photography (FP), EDI SD-OCT, and BUS. RESULTS: Of 124 eyes with choroidal nevus examined by EDI SD-OCT, 43 eyes (35%) displayed good images to study. The most common EDI-OCT imaging features included choroidal shadowing, choriocapillary thinning, retinal pigment epithelial changes, and overlying subretinal fluid. The mean nevus thickness was 817 microm (120-1850 microm) by EDI-OCT compared 1295 microm (780-2400 microm) by BUS. The mean difference in the tumor thickness between two techniques was 475 microm (27-1319 microm) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results have suggested that imaging of choroidal nevus with EDI-OCT shows superior measurement of its characteristics compared with ultrasonography. The clinical utility of this modality is emerging. EDI-OCT is useful in distinguishing suspicious nevi from other chorioretinal lesions, detecting tumor re-growth along the treatment margin, and demonstrating retinal or choroid tumor location.

Factors Influencing the Effect of the Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection in Patients with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors influencing the effect of the intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 54 patients (56 eyes) who had been symptomatic for more than 3 months with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), who had undergone intravitreal bevacizumab injection and been on regular follow-up for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Responders were 34 eyes (60.7%) and non-responders were 22 eyes (39.3%). The leaking points of the non-responder group were multiple and located more centrally than that of the responder group on fluorescein angiography (FA) (p = 0.01, p = 0.044). In addition, non-responder group showed cystoid macular edema on optical coherence tomography (OCT) as compared with responder group (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: CSC with multiple, centrally located leaks on FA or cystoid macular edema on OCT was ineffective or recurrent with intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

Steroid-Induced Ocular Hypertension Model in the Mice

PURPOSE: To determine whether rat eyes develop increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) in response to a topically applied corticosteroid and to investigate the relationship between ocular hypertension and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells. METHODS: IOP was monitored by rebound tonometry in a group of 10 rats that received topically administered dexamethasone in both eyes (experimental) and in another group of 5 rats that received artificial tears (control) three times daily for 4 weeks after the establishment of baseline IOP values. Only eyes that increased by more than 50% compared with the basal IOP were administered once per day for 5 weeks. After 8 weeks, selective immunofluorescence stain for retinal ganglion cells and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) stain were conducted. RESULTS: Among 20 experimental eyes, 11 eyes (55%) showed a greater than 50% increase in IOP compared with basal IOP. After 8 weeks, the mean IOPs for the experimental and control groups were 11.8 +/- 1.4 mm Hg and 18.5 +/- 1.0 mm Hg, respectively (p < 0.01). The counts of central retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were 2718 +/- 240 and 2612 +/- 443, respectively (p = 0.294). The results of the TUNEL stain also showed no differences. CONCLUSIONS: Rat eyes exhibit a steroid-induced ocular hypertensive response with no local complications. However, maintaining ocular hypertension increased by 50% for two months was not enough to detect changes in RGCs.

Comparison of Approaches for the Removal of Metallic Intraocular Foreign Bodies

PURPOSE: To review the management of posterior segment metallic intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) and to compare the use of an external approach using a large electromagnet and an internal approach using vitrectomy and its tools for their removal. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 49 eyes of 49 patients who underwent surgical removal of metallic IOFBs with either an internal or an external approach at a single institution between January 2003 and December 2006. We divided 49 eyes into two groups based on the type of approach: 26 external (n=26) and 23 internal (n=23). Visual acuity and the presence of any complications occurring with the two approaches were the main outcome measures studied. RESULTS: Thirty of 49 eyes (61%) showed improvements in visual acuity. When we compared patients treated with an external versus an internal approach, we found no statistically significant difference in regard to visual outcome. Preoperative vitreous hemorrhage and endophthalmitis were more common in the internal approach group. A trend toward a higher rate of reoperation was more common in the external approach group, but they were not statistically significant. Postoperative complications found to be significantly different between the two groups were the rate of postoperative endophthalmitis and retinal detachment, which were more common in the external approach group. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical removal of metallic IOFBs results in significant visual improvement regardless of the approach method. The internal approach by vitrectomy is recommended as the first choice in preoperative conditions such as severe cataracts, vitreous hemorrhage and endophthalmitis, as well as in groups at high risk for postoperative endophalmitis and retinal detachment.

The Results of a Combination of Cataract Surgery and Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection for Diabetic Macular Edema

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of cataract surgery and intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with cataract and diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Patients received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab(1.25 mg) combined with phacoemulsification and implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, LogMAR) and, central macular thickness (CMT) were measured using OCT at baseline and at one week, one, three, and six months after surgery, and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: The mean baseline LogMAR BCVA was 0.84+/-0.50 and mean CMT was 337.1+/-57.50 micrometer. At one week, one, three, and six months after surgery, the mean BCVAs were 0.52+/-0.40, 0.51+/-0.42, 0.52+/-0.34, and 0.46+/-0.37, and the mean CMTs were 356.4+/-86.44 micrometer, 338.8+/-138.4 micrometer, 349.0+/-122.9 micrometer, and 334.2+/-100.4 micrometer, respectively. No adverse events associated with cataract surgery or intravitreal bevacizumab injection were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term results from the present study suggest the combination of cataract surgery and intravitreal bevacizumab injection are safe and effective for the prevention of macular edema aggravation for one month, but has little effect on prevention of macular edema aggravation three months after surgery for diabetic macular edema patients.

A Case of Corneal Ulcer by Alcaligenes Faecalis

PURPOSE: To report a case of corneal ulcer due to Alcaligenes faecalis in a patient with a preexisting corneal ulcer. CASE SUMMARY: A 58-year-old male patient presented with a corneal ulcer without a history of any trauma. The patient had a history of corneal ulcer 9 months earlier. The patient had previously been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and neovascular glaucoma, and his visual acuity was no light perception. Corneal scraping and culture yielded Alcaligenes faecalis susceptible to most antibiotics in the antibiotic susceptibility test. After treatment with empirical systemic antibiotics and eyedrops, his eye improved with a remaining corneal scar. CONCLUSIONS: Alcaligenes faecalis should be considered as a causal pathogen of corneal ulcer in patients with suspicious compromised ocular surface, such as previous corneal ulcer.

Prognostic Factor and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Bacterial Keratitis: Results of an Eight-Year Period

PURPOSE: To identify the clinical manifestations and risk factors for poor visual outcome, as well as antibiotic susceptibility of isolates in bacterial keratitis. METHODS: A total of 128 eyes in 128 patients with bacterial keratitis, who were diagnosed by smears and cultures from January 2000 to December 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Sex, age, previous ocular disease, trauma history, pre-treatment duration, previous ocular surgery, clinical manifestation, causative bacteria, pre- and post-treatment visual acuity, and treatment results were evaluated. An initial univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify and select the main prognostic factors. The antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated in 2 consecutive 4-year periods. RESULTS: The mean age of the 128 patients was 59.0+/-18.2 years; 67 (52.3%) patients were male. The most common risk factor was ocular trauma (40.6%). The most prevalent isolate was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (43.7%). Large size (p 0.05). Among the fluoroquinolone antibiotics, susceptibility of ciprofloxacin was 75.7%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with bacterial keratitis, a large ulcer size and the presence of previous ocular disease were risk factors for poor visual outcome. Gentamicin, cefazolin, and ciprofloxacin should be avoided as primary monotherapy for bacterial keratitis.

Phacoemulsification in Previously Vitrectomized Eyes; Results of a 5-Year Period in Surgical Outcome

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of complications and the outcome of phacoemulsification surgery in patients with and without previous vitrectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 60 patients in a study group that received phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL implantation (PC-IOL) in the vitrectomized eye and 60 patients in a control group that received only phacoemulsification with PC-IOL implantation from January 2003 to December 2007. The interval from PPV to cataract extraction, sex, age, type of cataract, intraoperative and postoperative complications, pre- and postoperative refraction were reviewed. RESULTS: The most common indication of pars plana vitrectomy was diabetic retinopathy. Nucleosclerosis was the most common type of cataract. The most common intraoperative complication was posterior capsular rupture, but there was no statistical significance when compared with the control group (p=0.116). In addition, the most common postoperative complication was posterior capsular opacity. After phacoemulsification, the rate at which a BCVA of 0.5 or better was obtained was lower in the study group than the control group. The spread between actual and expected refraction showed no statistically significant difference when compared with the control group (p=0.309). CONCLUSIONS: Experienced surgeons can safely perform phacoemulsification and PC-IOL implantation in previously vitrectomized eyes. However, the outcome of visual acuity is limited by vitreoretinal pathology that requires vitrectomy.

Results of Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Macular Edema with Retinal Vein Occlusion and Diabetic Macular Edema

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term effect and safety of intravitreally injected bevacizumab in patients with macular edema (ME) caused by retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 59 eyes of 51 patients, 29 with ME caused by RVO and 30 with DME, who received intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Fifty-one consecutive patients (59 eyes) with ME associated with RVO and DME were treated with intravitreal injections of 1.25-2.5 mg (0.05-0.1 ml) of bevacizumab. Ophthalmic evaluation was performed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6 months after each injection. Clinical evidence of toxicity and complications, changes of visual acuity with an ETDRS chart (LogMAR), and central macular thickness (CMT) using optical coherence tomography (OCT), were evaluated. RESULTS: The follow-up period was 7.3 months (7.3+/-0.31) and the mean number of injections was 1.2. The baseline mean LogMAR was 1.06+/-0.53 and mean CMT was 479.6+/-160.4 micrometer. At 1, 3 and 6 months, the mean LogMAR was 0.90+/-0.52, 0.80+/-0.39 and 0.78+/-0.39, respectively, and the mean CMT was 316.9+/-86.7 micrometer, 281.1+/-67.4 micrometer and 278.4+/-64.6 micrometer, respectively. No adverse incidents were observed, including cataract, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and endophthalmitis, although transient increased intraocular pressure was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab injections are safe and effective in ME caused by RVO and DME.

Postoperative Endophthalmitis Following Cataract Surgery Over an Eight-Year Period

PURPOSE: To estimate the annual incidence rate, evaluate any changes, analyze the microbiologic spectrum of infecting organisms, antibiotic susceptibility, and factors associated with visual outcomes of postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery over an 8-year period. METHODS: A retrospective investigation of direction, sex, age, culture results, interval duration, and initial visual acuity of 29 patients with endophthalmitis following cataract surgery was conducted from January 2000 to December 2007. The study was divided into two 4-year periods, with patients categorized into either Group 1 or 2. RESULTS: The incidence rate was 0.359%, the major infective organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis, and no significant change was observed during the 8-year period. Vancomycin retained efficacy in all cases, but increased resistance occurred with ciprofloxacin during the 8 years. Increased visual acuity after treatment was greater in Group 2 and the interval from onset of ocular symptoms to ophthalmic consultation was shorter in Group 2, although a statistical significance was not demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Vancomycin remains effective for patients with endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. Patients who initially had good visual acuity showed greater improvement. However, sex, age, or whether or not the patients had a vitrectomy operation, were not statistically significant factors in the improvement of visual acuity.

Retinal Choroidal Collateral Circulation After Radial Optic Neurotomy for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of retinal choroidal collateral circulation after radial optic neurotomy (RON) with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) patients and to correlate these collaterals with changes in visual acuity. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 17 eyes of 17 consecutive patients diagnosed with CRVO who underwent RON after a standard three port-vitrectomy. Fundus examination and, FAG were performed to evaluate the incidence of retinal choroidal collateral circulation according to preoperative best corrected visual acuity. We evaluated changes in best corrected visual acuity according to chorioretinal circulation formation. RESULTS: Retinochoroidal shunts developed in 9 eyes (52.9%) at the site of radial optic neurotomy. The group whose initial visual acuity was better than 0.02 (72.7%) developed more shunts than the group whose initial visual acuity was under 0.02 (16.7%) (P=0.043). Changes in visual acuity were highly correlated with the development of collaterals from the retinal to choroidal circulation (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Patients whose that initial visual acuity is better than 0.02 have more retinal choroidal collaterals. Surgical induction of retinochoroidal venous anastomosis may result in visual acuity improvement. Randomized studies are needed to compare the current study modality with the natural course of central retinal vein occlusion.

A Case of White-centered Retinal Hemorrhage in Infective Endocarditis

PURPOSE: To report a case of white-centered retinal hemorrhage in infective endocarditis. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old patient complained of acute visual loss. The patient had a history of epidural anesthesia for the relief of back pain. On the day of admission the patient showed no light perception and had a white-centered retinal hemorrhage and cotton wool spot in the left eye upon fundus examination. Other ocular manifestations were not specific and there were no specific findings on a brain MRI and visual evoked potential. The patient was diagnosed with pyogenic spondylitis and was treated by abscess drainage and systemic antibiotics therapy. The patient's near vision improved up to 0.4/0.5. He was diagnosed with infective endocarditis based on the echocardiogram with epidural and subarachnoid hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Roth spot can occur in many diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, anemia, and trauma, but most commonly in sepsis due to infective endocarditis. Therefore, medical evaluation and an echocardiogram for patients with white-centered retinal hemorrhage should be considered.

Plasma Cell Granuloma Associated with Pulmonary Actinomycosis: A Case Report

Plasma cell granuloma (PCG) of the lung is a rare disease that usually presents as a pulmonary nodule or mass on incidental radiographic examination without symptoms. Although the etiology of PCG is still controversial, many findings have lent support to the lesion being a reactive inflammatory process rather than a neoplastic one. We describe a 53-yr-old male who presented with a hemoptysis and have a lung mass at the left upper lobe on chest radiograph. The lung mass was primarily diagnosed as PCG by percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy, and the patient was treated with oral steroid because he and relatives refused the operation. However, the size of the lung mass did not change and open thoracotomy and lobectomy were done therefore. He was confirmed as having pulmonary actinomycosis with PCG after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PCG associated with actinomycosis in Korea.

Enzyme Histochemical Study of Retinoblastoma

PURPOSE: The histiogenesis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular malignancy of childhood, has been investigated from the early times. But in spite of this effort, its origin has been controversial. This study was performed to investigated the cell of origin for retinoblastoma using enzyme histomchemistry for carbonic anhydrase. METHODS: We obtained enucleated eye that was diagnosed as retinoblastoma and its section was stained for hematoxylin-eosin for diagnosis of retinoblastoma. We used enzyme histomchemistry for carbonic anhydrase distinguishing Muller's cells, red-and green-sensistive cones from neuro-retinal cells. RESULTS: They were disagnosed as relatively well-differentiated retinoblastoma by hematoxylin-eosin staining and composed of tumor cells with numerous rosette. Neither numeric nor morphologic changes of Muller cells that are suspected of malignant features in enzyme histochemistry for carbonic anhydrase was found. CONCLUSIONS: The cells of retinoblastoma were originated from the two layers, inner nuclear and ganglion cell layer. The enzyme histochemistry for carbonic anhydrase is the one of the useful methods to investigate the origin of retinoblastoma although more cases is needed to assess.

The Morphological Changes of Muller Cell after Argon Laser Photocoagulation in Pigmented Rabbit

PURPOSE: Blood vessels within the retina are surrounded by Muller cells, and it is known that Muller cells may be related with the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy based on this histologic structure. Argon laser photocoagulation is routinely performed in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting neovascularization and edema, but its mechanism remains unclear. Muller cell changes were demonstrated utilizing carbonic anhydrase immunohistochemical staining to know a relation between argon laser photocoagulation and the effect of Muller cells in the rabbit retina. METHODS: Author used 16 rabbit retinas which were obtained from 8 rabbits. Exposure time and spot size were kept 0.15 second and 500 microgram. 150~350 mW of power intensity was needed to produce moderate degree coagulation in rabbit retina. RESULTS: We observed retina and its histological changes at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks after photocoagulation by using carbonic anhydrase staining. The differences in the morphological changes in Muller cells and retina layers were observed between moderate and severe degree coagulation. With severe degree coagulation, the loss of all the retinal layers was observed. On the other hand, with moderate degree coagulation, proliferated pigment epithelial cells and chorioretinal adhesion were observed with loss of photoreceptor and outer nuclear layer. Muller cells were observed by carbonic anhydrase staining with proliferated Muller cells with increased nuclei and proliferated process. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that Muller cells might be important in the scar formation by argon laser photocoagulation and that the proliferaration of Muller cells play a certain role in the therapeutic mechanism.

The Morphological Changes of Muller Cell in Human Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE: Vascular cells may not be the only cells affected by diabetes in the retina. In particular, b-wave abnormalities of the electroretinogram in diabetic patients with absentor minimal microangiopathy have suggested to possible dysfunction of Muller cells. METHODS: This study was performed to investigate the morphological changes of Muller cell in human diabetic retinopathy. Thirteen human retinas were obtained from donor eyes. These eyes were enucleated immediately after death. Five eyes were used as normal controls without specific medical history. Eight eyes were obtained from diabetes patients and four eyes of them had diabetic retinopathy in gross finding. RESULTS: In normal control group, Muller cells were observed in nerve fiber layer and inner nuclear layer of the retina. The Muller cells were found to have stained strong positive reaction and polygonal pattern. In the group of diabetic history without diabetic retinopathy, Muller cells had similar pattern with control group. But, in diabetic retinopathy, Muller cells had lightly positive pattern in inner nuclear layer and nuclei were oval, compared with polygonal shape in normal retina. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that Muller cells might have functional and morphological changes in diabetic retinopathy, and these changes can induce the diabetic microvascular abnormalities.

Carbonic Anhyd rase Activity in Muller Cell

Carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme catalysing the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide, is present in the Muller cells.Because the enzyme is not present in other uroretinal cells in the retina, it can be used as a marker for Muller cells.Carbonic anhydrase activity was demonstrated bnzymehistochemically in human and rabbit Muller cells to know a relation of metabolic functions and carbonic anhydrase activity.Human retinas were obtained from donor eyes.The eyes were enucleated immediately after death forenzymatic activity. In human retina, heavy staining was found in the inner nuclear layer and nerve fiber layer, moderate staining in the outer nuclear layer and weak or no staining in the plexiform layers.In rabbit retina, heavy staining was found in the nerve fiber layer and nuclear layers and weak reaction in the two plexiform layers. These findings suggest that Muller cells may participate in CO2 homeostasis mechanism of carbonic anhydrase in the retina.