2012 Survey of KSCRS and KOS Member: Current Trends in Cataract Surgery in Korea

PURPOSE: This study investigated the current trends and changes in the field of cataract surgery in Korea. METHODS: The members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) and the members of the Korean Ophthalmological Society (KOS) participated in a survey on cataract surgery in 2012, the 16th survey, consisting of 108 multiple-choice questions, mailed in July 2013 to 301 KSCRS and KOS members. Sixty two (20.6%) members answered the questions. Current data were compared with previous surveys performed in 2006 and 2009. RESULTS: Most of the respondents (46%) were in the fourth decade, 43% in the fifth decade and 10% in the sixth decade of life. The duration of hospital stay had decreased annually and the use of topical anesthesia (69%) was the most preferred. Self-sealing wound construction was the main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification (72%). The most preferred intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract surgery was hydrophobic acrylic (76%) which showed an increasing trend. The implantation of phakic IOL was performed by 41% of the respondents and interest in the value added IOLs such as presbyopia IOL and toric IOL had increased annually. In addition, to minimize astigmatism following cataract surgery, several methods were performed according to the degree of astigmatism. However, there was little interest in new cataract surgery techniques such as femtosecond laser and many respondents were skeptical whether to adopt the femtosecond laser cataract surgery system. CONCLUSIONS: This survey summarized current trends and changes in the field of cataract surgery in Korea.

Treatment of Acute Central Retinal Artery Occlusion with Ocular Ischemic Syndrome

PURPOSE: We report a case of treatment of acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS). CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old man presented with acute loss of vision in the right eye on that day. At initial examination, visual acuity tested positive for light sensitivity in the right eye. Fundus examination demonstrated a visible embolus at the central retinal artery overlying the optic disc head and a cherry-red spot in the fovea. Fluorescein angiography revealed that filling of the choroidal circulation was delayed, and the arteriovenous transit time was even further delayed. Carotid angiography showed marked stenosis within the right internal carotid artery. Laboratory tests included blood tests for hypercoagulability evaluation, for which the results were non-specific. To treat acute CRAO with OIS in the right eye, transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolectomy (TYE) was performed twice, and carotid angioplasty with stenting was conducted within the stenosed internal carotid artery. One month after the TYE procedure and carotid stenting, the patient's visual acuity improved to 0.06 and the arteriovenous transit time was within normal limits on fluorescein angiography. CONCLUSIONS: The visual prognosis in eyes with CRAO plus an associated choroidal circulatory disturbance is extremely poor. However, we experienced and reported a case of CRAO with OIS treated successfully through a prompt TYE procedure and carotid angioplasty with stenting.

Orbital Emphysema Causing Eye Movement Restriction Without Orbital Fractures Due to Compressed Air Injury

PURPOSE: The authors experienced a case of orbital emphysema causing eye movement disorder following conjunctival tear without any orbital wall fractures after exposure to compressed air. CASE SUMMARY: A 28-year-old man's left periorbital area was injured while working with compressed air. There was marked lid swelling on the left side with palpable crepitus. The patient had an exotropia and hypertropia of the left eye. In addition, the extraocular movement of the left eye was restricted on upgaze without nausea and vomiting. On slit-lamp examination, conjunctival partial laceration and subconjunctival air bubbles adjacent to the conjunctival laceration could be seen. Orbital computed tomography showed air in the periorbital and retrobulbar region of the left eye and no evidence of orbital fracture. On examination 4 days after the primary repair of the conjunctival laceration, the patient completely recovered without any complication. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital emphysema following a conjunctival laceration caused by compressed air without any orbital wall fractures can cause restriction of eye movement.

Antibiotics Susceptibility in Bacterial Keratitis and Proper Initial Treatment

PURPOSE: The present study aims to determine the common pathogens involved in the etiology of bacterial keratitis and to analyze not only the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates from patients with bacterial keratitis but also the propriety of initial treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study of 161 eyes in 161 patients with bacterial keratitis, who were diagnosed by cultures from 2000 to 2011, was performed. Causative bacteria and antibiotic susceptibility were evaluated in consecutive 6-year periods. RESULTS: The most common bacteria was the pseudomonas species in the 2 time periods tested and cefazolin with tobramycin was the most commonly used antibiotic (125 cases, 77.6%) for initial treatment of bacterial keratitis. In vitro testing showed gram-negative susceptibility to tobramycin and ciprofloxacin was over 70%, gram-positive susceptibility to cephalothin and vancomycin was 100% and there was no significant difference between the 2 time periods tested. Eight cases had resistance to the initial treatment, but only 1 case showed treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotics used for initial treatment of bacterial keratitis were able to obtain a proper effect but several cases showed bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Thus, continued testing is essential to monitor for antibiotic resistance.

Clinical Features of Refractive Accommodative Esotropia with Hyperopic Anisometropia

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features of refractive accommodative esotropia with hyperopic anisometropia. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed for 71 patients with refractive accommodative esotropia and hyperopic anisometropia. Patients were divided into isometropia and anisometropia groups, as well as disappeared anisometropia and maintained anisometropia groups. Clinical features such as amblyopia, stereopsis, decompensation, and cessation of spectacle use were reviewed. RESULTS: Anisometropia was found in 14 patients (19.7%). Amblyopia was detected in 35% of the patients in the isometropia group and 67% of the patients in the anisometropia group on the first visit (p = 0.048), but improved to 14% in the isometropia group and 21% in the anisometropia group on the final visit. Good stereopsis was reported in 28% of the patients in the isometropia group and 21% of the patients in the anisometropia group on the first visit, and improved to 67% in the isometropia group and 79% in the anisometropia group on the final visit. There were no differences of prevalence of decompensation and cessation of spectacle use between the 2 groups. Cases with disappeared anisometropia on the final visit were observed in 42.9% of the patients. Disappearance of anisometropia was not related with amblyopia, stereopsis, decompensation, and cessation of spectacle use. CONCLUSIONS: Although refractive accommodative esotropia accompanied by anisometropia has a greater chance to show amblyopia on the initial visit, good prognosis can be expected when the patients are carefully managed with hyperopic correction and occlusion therapy.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Refractive Accommodative Esotropia: Decompensation and Cessation of Spectacle Use

PURPOSE: To analyze clinical characteristics of refractive accommodative esotropia related with the occurrence of decompensation and cessation of spectacle use. METHODS: The records of 60 patients with refractive accommodative esotropia were reviewed. Patients were divided into a control or decompensation group. Twenty-nine patients in the control group who were followed up for long-term were divided into two groups based on spectacle use. RESULTS: In the decompensation group, the amounts of near and distant esodeviation without correction at the first visit and the frequency of failure to achieve central fusion were significantly greater than the control group (p 0.05). In the group that no longer required glasses, the age at the first visit was greater and the amount of hyperopia and the near and distant esodeviations without correction at the first visit were significantly greater than the glasses-wearing group (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In refractive accommodative esotropia, a larger amount of esodeviation at the first visit and failure to achieve central fusion are risk factors for developing decompensation. The older age at diagnosis and smaller amounts of hyperopia and esodeviation at the first visit are predictive factors for the cessation of spectacle use.