Changes in Retinal Circulation Time after Panretinal Photocoagulation in Patients with Nonproliferative and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose@#To explore whether panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) improved retinal blood circulation in patients with diabetic retinopathy of various levels of severity based on changes in the retinal circulation time as measured by video fluorescein fundus angiography. @*Methods@#We recruited patients with severe diabetic retinopathy indicated for PRP; we performed video fluorescein fundus angiography before and after PRP. We measured changes in the arterial circulation time (ACT), arteriovenous passage time (APT), and venous filling time (VFT) in patients with diabetic retinopathy of varying severity, and compared the findings. We recorded HbA1c levels and hypertension status. @*Results@#We enrolled 33 patients, 17 with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and 16 with early proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). After PRP, neither the ACT nor the APT changed significantly in patients with severe NPDR (p = 0.927, p = 0.138) or early PDR (p = 0.137, p = 0.268). After PRP, the VFT was significantly reduced in patients with both severe NPDR (p = 0.000) and early PDR (p = 0.022). The VFT reductions were similar in both groups (p = 0.217). @*Conclusions@#In patients with severe NPDR and early PDR, improvements in retinal blood circulation after PRP are reflected by reductions in the VFT evident on video fluorescein fundus angiography. We speculate that the improvements are similar in patients with severe NPDR and early PDR.

Changes in Retinal Circulation Time after Panretinal Photocoagulation in Patients with Nonproliferative and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose@#To explore whether panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) improved retinal blood circulation in patients with diabetic retinopathy of various levels of severity based on changes in the retinal circulation time as measured by video fluorescein fundus angiography. @*Methods@#We recruited patients with severe diabetic retinopathy indicated for PRP; we performed video fluorescein fundus angiography before and after PRP. We measured changes in the arterial circulation time (ACT), arteriovenous passage time (APT), and venous filling time (VFT) in patients with diabetic retinopathy of varying severity, and compared the findings. We recorded HbA1c levels and hypertension status. @*Results@#We enrolled 33 patients, 17 with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and 16 with early proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). After PRP, neither the ACT nor the APT changed significantly in patients with severe NPDR (p = 0.927, p = 0.138) or early PDR (p = 0.137, p = 0.268). After PRP, the VFT was significantly reduced in patients with both severe NPDR (p = 0.000) and early PDR (p = 0.022). The VFT reductions were similar in both groups (p = 0.217). @*Conclusions@#In patients with severe NPDR and early PDR, improvements in retinal blood circulation after PRP are reflected by reductions in the VFT evident on video fluorescein fundus angiography. We speculate that the improvements are similar in patients with severe NPDR and early PDR.

Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation after Unexpected Intralenticular Injection of a Dexamethasone Implant

PURPOSE: To report two cases of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation after inadvertent intralenticular injection of a dexamethasone implant. CASE SUMMARY: (Case 1) A 73-year-old male was referred to our hospital after an accidental intralenticular injection of a dexamethasone implant in a local clinic for treatment of branch retinal vein occlusion in his right eye. During the follow-up period, posterior capsular opacity progressed and phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were performed 10 days later. During the surgery, the dexamethasone implant shattered and could not be repositioned into the vitreous cavity. The remnants of that implant were removed and a second dexamethasone implant was successfully injected into the vitreous cavity. (Case 2) A 69-year-old female was being treated for branch retinal vein occlusion in her left eye in our hospital. A dexamethasone implant was accidentally injected into her lens, thus phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were performed the following day. During the procedure, we were able to successfully reposition the dexamethasone implant into the vitreous cavity. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract formation after intralenticular injection of a dexamethasone implant can be easily managed with phacoemulsification. However, the dexamethasone implant shattered 10 days after the injection and could not be repositioned. The implant kept its hardness for at least one day and we were able to reposition it into the vitreous cavity without extending the rupture site of the posterior capsule.

Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Retinal Vascular Changes in Koreans based on Health Check-ups

PURPOSE: To evaluate the associations between components of metabolic syndrome and retinal vascular changes in a Korean population based on data collected at health check-ups. METHODS: Fundus photographs of 381 patients participating in a health check-up were examined to identify central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), and arteriovenous ratio (AVR) by IVAN software. Retinal hemorrhage, arteriovenous nicking, and retinal exudate were also noted. The association between metabolic syndrome and each component was then analyzed. RESULTS: Significant associations were shown between metabolic syndrome and CRAE (p = 0.032), central obesity and CRAE (p = 0.037), triglyceride and CRAE (p = 0.011), and triglyceride and AVR (p = 0.005), in addition to central obesity and arteriovenous nicking (odds ratio [OR] = 2.68, p = 0.013), central obesity and retinal exudate (OR = 2.30, p = 0.038), serum glucose and retinal hemorrhage (OR = 8.06, p = 0.030), and blood pressure and arteriovenous nicking (OR = 2.78, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome showed a significant relationship with retinal artery diameter. Central obesity showed the greatest relationship with retinal vascular changes among each of the components of metabolic syndrome.

Relationship between Pain and Injection Site during Intravitreal Injection

PURPOSE: Using a visual analogue scale, patients pain was compared according to injection site during intravitreal injection. METHODS: A prospective, clinical trial was conducted on 171 eyes of patients experiencing age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, or central serous chorioretinopathy. After determining the anatomic quadrant of the injection site, patients were randomized to receive intravitreal bevacizumab, aflibercept, ranibizumab, or dexamethasone injection. Fifteen minutes after the injection, patients completed a survey about pain using a visual analogue scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain). RESULTS: According to the visual analogue scale, pain score was 3.20 at the superotemporal site, 3.03 at the superonasal site, and 2.35 at the inferonasal site. Pain was lowest when injected in an inferotemporal site (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injection at an inferotemporal site can help reduce patient pain.

Influence of RNFL Thickness on Visual Acuity and Visual Field in Bilateral Temporal Optic Atrophy

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness on visual acuity and visual field in patients with bilateral temporal optic atrophy. METHODS: Patients with characteristic features of gradual visual loss and temporal atrophy of both optic nerves were enrolled in this study. Among the patients, RNFL thickness of each area was measured with optical coherence tomography, and its influence on the best corrected visual acuity, mean deviation and pattern standard deviation calculated from the refractive test and Humphrey visual field test was analyzed. RESULTS: The present study included 13 patients with bilateral temporal optic atrophy (26 eyes) and 13 normal controls (26 eyes). Optical coherence tomography was performed to calculate RNFL thickness in the 52 eyes. Among 26 eyes of patients with bilateral temporal optic atrophy, the Humphrey visual field test was performed to calculate the mean deviation and pattern standard deviation. The mean age in the patient group was 66.0 ± 12.3 years (37-80 years), and 8 (30.8%) patients were male and 18 (69.2%) female. The mean best corrected visual acuity was 30/50 (20/200-20/20). Simple regression analysis showed that a thinner temporal RNFL thickness was correlated with a lower the best corrected visual acuity (p = 0.015). The mean deviation was low when inferotemporal RNFL was thin (p = 0.005). Pattern standard deviation was high when inferotemporal (p = 0.003), inferonasal (p = 0.04) and nasal (p = 0.008) RNFLs were thin. CONCLUSIONS: Inferotemporal RNFL thickness was significantly correlated with best corrected visual acuity, mean deviation and pattern standard deviation of automated visual field test in patients with bilateral temporal optic neuropathy. Optical coherence tomography can be further used to estimate visual acuity and visual field defects in patients with optic atrophy.

Choroidal Thickness at the Outside of Fovea in Diabetic Retinopathy Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To evaluate choroidal thickness at the outside of the fovea in patients with diabetic retinopathy using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS: We examined 87 eyes of 87 patients with diabetic retinopathy and 40 eyes of 40 normal patients. Patients with diabetic retinopathy were divided into 3 groups according to the grade of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. The choroidal thickness was obtained at the fovea and outside of the fovea using enhanced depth imaging of Spectralis optical coherence tomography. One foveal and 8 peripheral images were selected and choroidal thickness was measured from the outer border of the retinal pigment epithelium to the inner scleral border. RESULTS: Subfoveal choroidal thickness was thinner with increasing severity of diabetic retinopathy. However, there was no significant difference between groups without the nasal side of the fovea. A statistically significant difference was observed over the fovea at the superotemporal area. CONCLUSIONS: The choroidal thickness outside of the fovea was thinner with the severity of diabetic retinopathy and was more pronounced in the superotemporal area.

Central Corneal Thickness in Korean Subjects with Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To compare the central corneal thickness (CCT) in eyes of Korean subjects with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) to other patients with glaucoma and control subjects. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent examination for glaucoma and pre-operative examination for cataract surgery between March 2009 and August 2012 in our clinic were reviewed. CCT was compared in normal control eyes, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) eyes. RESULTS: The mean CCT of POAG eyes was significantly larger than that of normal control eyes, NTG eyes and PACG eyes (p = 0.027, 0.009 and 0.008, respectively). There was no significant difference in mean CCT between normal control eyes, NTG eyes or PACG eyes. CONCLUSIONS: PACG eyes had a CCT similar to that of NTG or normal eyes in Korean subjects.

Comparison of the Time Required for Panretinal Photocoagulation and Associated Pain between Navilas(R) and Conventional Laser Therapy in Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE: To compare the pain scale and time necessary for panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) between Navilas(R) (OD-OS, Teltow, Germany) and conventional laser in diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Fifteen patients who required PRP for diabetic retinopathy were enrolled in the present study. PRP was performed using Navilas(R) (5 x 5 array patterned system) in the superior, nasal and inferior areas, and using conventional laser at the temporal area 1 week later. Total time of laser application and number of laser shots were counted for calculating required time per 100 spots of each laser system. Immediately after the laser photocoagulation, patients were asked to quantify their pain on a visual analog pain scale (0 = no pain; 10 = worst pain). RESULTS: PRP using Navilas(R) required shorter time per 100 laser spots (27.7 sec vs. 102.0 sec, p < 0.001) and subjects had lower treatment-related pain than with the conventional laser system (3.3 vs. 6.9, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PRP using Navilas(R) can be considered as an efficient method for improving patient and operator's comfort with faster laser application and lower treatment-related pain.

Foveal Shape According to Age and Gender Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To compare foveal shapes in Koreans according to age and gender using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: This study included 230 eyes of 115 healthy adults. The subjects were divided into three groups: group 1 (20-39 years of age), group 2 (40-59 years of age) and group 3 (60-79 years of age). Using spectralis OCT, we measured central foveal thickness (CFT), regional maximal retinal thickness (MRT), pit diameter and pit depth and compared the differences between the groups. RESULTS: The MRT of the superior, inferior and nasal sides in group 1 was higher than in groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the MRT of the temporal side. Regarding differences based on age, no significant differences in CFT, pit diameter and pit depth were observed. Regarding differences in gender, the temporal regional MRT of males in group 3 was significantly lower than in group 1 and the pit depth of males in group 1 was significantly higher than in groups 2 and 3. Therefore, differences were observed according to gender. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, differences in foveal shape were found according to age and gender which should be considered when foveal diseases are evaluated.

A Study of Foveal Shape in Emmetropia and Myopia Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To investigate the shape of normal fovea in Korean subjects in their 20's using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: One hundred-twelve emmetropic eyes of 60 subjects and 100 myopic eyes of 58 subjects between 20 and 29 years of age were included in this study. Central foveal thickness (CFT), regional maximal retinal thickness (MRT), pit diameter, pit depth, and slope were obtained using Spectralis OCT and analyzed according to spherical equivalent and gender. RESULTS: In emmetropic and myopic eyes, MRT was significantly thinner temporally (p < 0.001) than in other regions and pit diameter was wider horizontally than vertically (p < 0.001). The CFT was significantly thicker and all regional MRT was thinner in myopic eyes than in emmetropic eyes (p < 0.001). Foveal pits were narrower and shallower in myopic eyes (p < 0.001). In both groups, CFT and all regional MRT in males were significantly thicker than in females (p < 0.05); however, no difference between the genders in horizontal pit diameter, pit depth, and slope were found. CONCLUSIONS: In normal subjects, statistically significant differences were found in foveal shapes between subjects with different spherical equivalent and gender. These differences should be considered when interpreting a foveal shape. Knowledge of the normal foveal morphology is important when conducting further macular studies.

Clinical Features for Patients Presenting with Diplopia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features, causes and outcomes of patients with diplopia. METHODS: All patients presenting with diplopia from October 2010 to March 2012 and followed up for more than 3 months were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: During the study period, 59 patients with diplopia were identified. There were 42 males and 17 females with an average age of 50 years. Binocular diplopia accounted for 54 cases (92%) and 5 cases (8%) had monocular diplopia. Cranial nerve palsies were the most common cause of binocular diplopia (28 cases, 52%). Within the cranial nerve palsies group, 14 cases (50%) were accompanied by hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Binocular diplopia spontaneously resolved in 35 cases (65%) by 3 months rising to 41 cases (76%) by 7 months. Thirteen (93%) out of 14 cases of cranial nerve palsies with hypertension or diabetes resolved spontaneously by 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Binocular diplopia was caused most commonly by cranial nerve palsy and resolved after 3 months in 65% of patients. A spontaneous recovery from diplopia was observed after 3 months in 93% of patients with cranial nerve palsies and microvascular disease such as hypertension or diabetes. Therefore, the initial observation without additional treatment would be sufficient in these patients.

A Case of Visual Loss and Ophthalmoplegia Following Injection of Hyaluronic Acid into the Glabella

PURPOSE: To report a case of sudden unilateral visual loss and total external ophthalmoplegia combined with multifocal brain infarction following injection of hyaluronic acid (Restylane; Q-Med AB, Uppsala, Sweden) into the glabella area. CASE SUMMARY: A 25-year-old woman was referred for sudden unilateral visual loss and blepharoptosis. Visual acuity was no light perception in the right eye and 0.15 in the left eye. The best corrected visual acuity was no light perception in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. The right pupil was dilated and a relative afferent pupillary defect was detected. The patient showed blepharoptosis and total external ophthalmoplegia on the right side. Fundus examination revealed central retinal artery occlusion and pale disc in the right eye. The patient had developed skin necrosis and a surrounding reddish reticular pattern on her face around the glabella. She was injected with hyaluronic acid for 5 times into the glabella area. Fluorescein angiography of the right eye revealed markedly prolonged choroidal filling around the optic disc with no retinal arterial filling. Brain MRI showed multifocal punctuate acute infarction in both frontal lobes. After 2 months, ophthalmoplegia improved partially although her right eye vision did not, and 15 PD right exotropia was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although most complications of dermal fillers are mild and transient, severe and persistent adverse effects can occur including tissue necrosis, retinal artery occlusion, and brain infarction. Therefore cosmetic procedures should be carefully performed when administering periocular dermal filler injection. A prompt consultation with an ophthalmologist is recommended when there is evidence of visual problems after injection.

Age-Related Changes in the Thickness of the Lamina Cribrosa Measured by Spectral Domain OCT

PURPOSE: To measure the lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) in vivo of healthy people and to determine any association between the LCT and age or sex. METHODS: We evaluated 100 eyes of 100 healthy volunteers. Forty eyes were selected and divided into 2 specific age groups (38-49 and 78-89 years) and the differences were assessed with respect to age and sex. Each participant underwent a complete eye examination and the LCT was evaluated with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode. RESULTS: Eighty-seven eyes were considered for the measurement and analysis of the LCT and 13 eyes were excluded because of an unclear image for identifying the LCT. The mean age was 55.0 +/- 19.5 years. The mean LCT in healthy volunteers was 231.3 +/- 41.6 microm (range, 152.5 - 327.5 microm) and a negative relationship was found between LCT and age (LCT = -1.614 x age + 320.191 microm, 95% CI for slope -1.91 to -1.32, r2 = 0.572, p < 0.001). Regarding differences related to sex, males had relatively thicker LCT than females, irrespective of age, although not statistically significant (p = 0.623). CONCLUSIONS: The present study results showed a decrease in human LCT with increasing age. Therefore, a decreasing LCT with an increasing age could be considered a strong risk factor for the development of glaucoma. In addition, measuring the LCT may help to understand the disease prognosis.

The Effect of Hemodialysis on Intraocular Pressure, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Corneal Thickness

PURPOSE: To compare the intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and central corneal thickness (CCT) in healthy individuals and patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing hemodialysis, and to evaluate the changes in each parameter before and after hemodialysis in patients with CRF. METHODS: Thirty-six eyes of 36 patients with CRF undergoing hemodialysis were included in the hemodialysis group and 54 eyes of 54 healthy subjects were recruited as the control group. All subjects underwent a complete eye examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp examination, dilated funduscopic examination, gonioscopy, automated perimetry, IOP measurement, corneal pachymetry, and evaluation of RNFL thickness. In the hemodialysis group, IOP, RNFL thickness, and CCT were measured again within 1 hour of hemodialysis. RESULTS: Age, sex, BCVA, cup-to-disc ratio, IOP, and CCT were not statistically different between the 2 groups. The RNFL of the hemodialysis group was statistically significantly thinner than the control group (p < 0.001). The IOP decreased from 16.52 +/- 2.95 mm Hg to 14.88 +/- 2.03 mm Hg after hemodialysis (1.63 +/- 3.27 mm Hg; p = 0.005). The changes in RNFL thickness and CCT were not statistically significant (p = 0.148, p = 0.352). CONCLUSIONS: In CRF patients with hemodialysis, RNFLs were thinner in the control group and hemodialysis induced significant IOP reduction. The results from the present study should be considered for the proper evaluation of ocular disorders in CRF patients with hemodialysis.

Correlation Between Central Corneal Thickness and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Normal Tension Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between central corneal thickness (CCT) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in the eyes of patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) at the initial examination and to examine the difference in the degrees of damage of RNFL thickness depending on the CCT. METHODS: Fifty-one eyes of 36 patients with NTG were included in the study, and 51 eyes of 30 people without the disease were used as a control group. CCT and peripapillary RNFL thickness were measured in each eye by ultrasonic pachymetry and optical coherence tomography(OCT), respectively. Patients from the normal NTG group who underwent OCT more than three times inthree years were identically assigned to two groups based on CCT: thin ( or = 553.6 micrometer). Thus, a comparison of the changes in the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer was performed between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients with NTG showed a significant positive correlation between CCT and the mean peripapillary RNFL thickness at the initial examination (R=0.68, p0.05) CONCLUSIONS: At the time of initial diagnosis of NTG, there was a significant correlation between the thickness of CCT and RNFL. Howeverthere was no significant correlation between the thickness of CCT and the progression of the damage of RNFL.

A Case of Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma in a Nanophthalmos Patient

PURPOSE: To present a case of acute angle-closure glaucoma in a nanophthalmos patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 28-year-old woman visited the hospital for a sudden pain in the left eye, she had a small orbital bone and narrow palpebral fissurea in both eyes. Her intraocular pressure (IOP) was 58 mmHg in the left eye. The slit lamp examination showed shallow anterior chambers in both eyes, and the gonioscopic examination showed a closed angle in the left eye. The diameters of the corneas were 11 mm , and the axial lengths were 19.7 mm in the right eye and 19.6 mm in the left eye. The depths of the anterior chambers were 1.51 mm in the right eye and 1.82 mm in the left eye. The disease was diagnosed as acute angle-closure glaucoma in the left eye of the patient with nanophthalmos, and thus the IOP of the left eye was lowered using ophthalmic drugs and medications. Laser iridotomy was performed on both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: For around a year of follow-up after laser iridotomy, complications such as the rise of intraocular pressure and choroidal effusion were not observed. This suggests that laser iridotomy can be an effective treatment for acute angle-closure glaucoma accompanying nanophthalmos.

Clinical treatment of postoperative infection following sinus augmentation

PURPOSE: The aim of this case report is to present the successful clinical treatment of two cases of postoperative infection following maxillary sinus augmentation. METHODS: In the two cases of postoperative infection, immediate total removal of the grafted material from the sinus was conducted to stop the spread of the infection, after which a high dose of antibiotics was administrated. Re-augmentation procedures were then conducted after the infection subsided. RESULTS: No further complications occurred after sinus re-augmentation. The dental implants placed in the re-augmented sinus were clinically osseointegrated, and the implant-supported restorations in the two cases of postoperative infection have been functioning very well for over 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of infection of the grafted sinuses, it is necessary to completely remove the graft materials and then administer a high dose of antibiotics to treat the acute infection, after which sinus re-augmentation is suggested.

Performance Evaluation of BD GeneOhm MRSA PCR Assay for Detection of Nasal Colonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Endemic Intensive Care Units / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: The BD GeneOhm MRSA PCR assay (Becton Dickinson, USA) is a qualitative real-time PCR test for rapid detection of nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We evaluated the performance of BD GeneOhm MRSA PCR assay versus MRSASelect (Bio-Rad, France) and broth enrichment cultures for detection of MRSA from nasal swabs. METHODS: From August 2008 to January 2009, 295 nasal swabs were taken from patients in intensive care units and transported to the laboratory with BD CultureSwab Liquid Stuart Single Swab (Becton Dickinson, USA). The swabs were inoculated onto MRSASelect first and then suspended into GeneOhm sample buffer: 100 microliter of the suspension was inoculated into 6.5% NaCl-tryptic soy broth (Becton Dickinson, USA), which was subcultured on MRSASelect after overnight incubation (TSBS). Performances of GeneOhm MRSA and MRSASelect were compared to TSBS. RESULTS: With GeneOhm MRSA, 125 swabs (44.6%) were positive for MRSA, 13 (4.4%) were unresolved, and 2 were not determined. With MRSASelect and TSBS 86 (29.4%) and 106 swabs (36.2%), respectively, were positive. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of GeneOhm MRSA were 85.8%, 77.5%, and 72.8% and 93.5%, respectively, and corresponding values for MRSASelect were 78.3%, 94.8%, and 96.5% and 88.9%. Of the 33 patients whose 34 specimens were found false positive in GeneOhm MRSA, 23 patients were MRSA-positive either previously or subsequently to this study. All of the 10 patients with false-negative specimens in GeneOhm MRSA PCR assay were previously MRSA or methicilln-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCNS)-positive and were treated for MRSA, but they became MRSA-positive after 1 to 4 negative surveillance cultures. CONCLUSIONS: GeneOhm MRSA PCR assay showed a relatively high negative predictive value. However, its low specificity and frequent occurrence of unresolved results would be problematic in the endemic areas with a high prevalence of MRSA.

The Possibility of Fluid Contamination Within Syringes in Case of Experimental Needle Contamination

PURPOSE: The present study examined the risk of intraocular infection only in cases where the injection needle was replaced when the injection needle was contaminated before intraocular injection. METHODS: Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were cultured and smeared on the end of 30 syringe needles containing 0.1 mL normal saline. After removing only the injection needle, the normal saline in the syringes was injected onto blood agar plates and cultured. RESULTS: The culture results were positive in 21 out of 30 samples in the group smeared with Staphylococcus aureus, and in 25 out of 30 samples in the group smeared with Staphylococcus epidermidis. CONCLUSIONS: When the injection needle is contaminated, the replacement of the needle does not eliminate the possibility of intraocular infection.