Quiescence and Subsequent Anterior Chamber Inflammation in Adalimumab-treated Pediatric Noninfectious Uveitis

Purpose@#To evaluate the effect of adalimumab in pediatric uveitis and subsequent changes in anterior chamber inflammation following the inactivation of uveitis. @*Methods@#In this retrospective study, patients with noninfectious uveitis younger than 18 years of age who were treated with adalimumab for more than 12 months were included. The rate of complete suppression and the relapse in anterior chamber inflammation following the initiation of adalimumab therapy were evaluated using anterior chamber cell score and laser flare photometry (LFP) values, if available. Changes in visual acuity and the sparing effect of topical steroid agents were also evaluated. @*Results@#Among 22 eyes of 12 pediatric uveitis patients enrolled, 13 eyes were associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and nine eyes had idiopathic uveitis. The mean ± standard deviation age was 10.2 ± 3.6 years. Types of uveitis included ante-rior uveitis (n = 17) and panuveitis (n = 5). Quiescence was observed in 14 eyes (63.6%) at 3 months and in 21 eyes (95.5%) at 12 months after initiation, respectively. After achieving inactive uveitis, uveitis relapsed in two eyes at 6 months, even with adalimumab treatment. In 11 eyes, anterior chamber showed 0.5+ cell scores during the rest of the follow-up period and one of those eyes met the criteria for the relapse based on LFP values. The dosage of topical steroids decreased significantly at 3, 9, and 12 months after the initiation of therapy (p ≤ 0.05). Visual acuity did not show improvement. There were no severe adverse effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α treatment reported. @*Conclusions@#In this study, adalimumab achieved a quiescent state in most eyes with pediatric noninfectious uveitis for 12 months with a relapse rate of 9.5%. LFP values together with the anterior chamber cell score can be utilized to monitor the improvement or relapse in anterior chamber inflammation in pediatric noninfectious uveitis.

A Case of Silicone Band Migration Following an Encircling Procedure

PURPOSE: In the present study, a case of silicone band migration following an encircling procedure was reported. CASE SUMMARY: A seven-year-old male was admitted to our hospital after undergoing primary corneal suture and cataract extraction for traumatic corneal laceration and cataract in the left eye at another hospital. The cornea was well sutured, but due to vitreous bleeding and retinal detachment, we performed vitrectomy and silicone oil injection in combination with scleral buckling. The retina was well attached for 7 months following the procedure but the silicone oil was removed due to uncontrolled intraocular pressure elevation. Ten days later, the patient was readmitted for blurred vision in the left eye and vitreous bleeding as well as superotemporal retinal detachment were observed. During vitrectomy, we could not locate the indentation caused by scleral buckle, therefore extraocular area was closely examined. The scleral fixation sutures were well maintained in all 4 quadrants but the silicone band was not observed within the sutures. The band was located anterior to the fixation sutures and was displaced anterior to the medial rectus muscle insertion. The encircling silicone band was removed. The encircling procedure was again performed with a new silicone band combined with vitrectomy and silicone oil injection. Retinal attachment has been maintained and the silicone band well anchored since the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior migration of the silicone band through the outer layer of the sclera or one or more tendons of recti muscles is a rare but potential complication of scleral buckling. Hence, clinicians must note the possibility of this complication when retinal detachment recurs and the encircling buckle is not observed.

Safety and Efficacy of Intravitreal Ganciclovir Injections More than 10 Times for Cytomegalovirus Retinitis

PURPOSE: To study the treatment outcomes in patients who were administered multiple intravitreal ganciclovir injections more than 10 times alone without systemic anti-cytomegalovirus therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old man who underwent immunosuppressive therapy after thymectomy due to an invasive thymoma and pure red-cell aplasia, a 60-year-old woman who underwent chemotherapy after diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a 49-year-old man with a history of bone marrow transplantation due to acute myeloid leukemia, a 29-year-old woman with dermatomyositis treated with oral steroids and cyclosporine, and a 47-year-old woman who received intravitreal dexamethasone implant injections, intravitreal and subtenon steroid injections due to Behcet's disease were diagnosed with cytomegalovirus retinitis. All patients showed systemic complications such as pancytopenia after systemic anti-cytomegalovirus therapy, and therefore, they were administered multiple intravitreal ganciclovir injections alone. Best-corrected visual acuities improved in all patients, except in one case, where viral lesions were observed in the fovea. Retinal hemorrhaging and infiltrative lesions decreased in all patients. No severe complication was observed during the injection and in the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple intravitreal ganciclovir injections alone can be used as a treatment modality for cytomegalovirus retinitis to avoid the systemic side effects of systemic anti-cytomegalovirus therapy.

Long-Term Outcome of Ahmed Valve Implantation Combined with 23-Gauge Vitrectomy in Eyes with Neovascular Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To investigate the surgical outcome of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation (AVI) combined with 23-gauge vitrectomy in eyes with medically uncontrolled neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS: Thirty six eyes of 35 NVG patients who underwent AVI combined with 23-gauge vitrectomy and have been followed-up at least 6 months after surgery and were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical success was defined as the control of intraocular pressure (IOP) between 6 and 21 mm Hg, irrespective of the use of topical IOP lowering medications. Surgical failure was defined as the failure of IOP control or visual acuity aggravated to no light perception after the surgery. Overall success rate, median survival time, and clinical factors associated with survival time were investigated. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 63.2% after a mean of 34.0 ± 31.7 months postoperative follow-up. The success rate was 83.3% at postoperative 6 months, 72.7% at postoperative 12 months and 63.2% at postoperative 3 years. The underlying retinal diseases were proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR; n = 20, 55.5%), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO; n = 12, 33.3%), ocular ischemic syndrome (n = 2, 5.6%), and other retinal vascular diseases (n = 2, 5.6%). The survival times were significantly shorter in eyes with CRVO (20.2 ± 30.5 months) compared to PDR (33.1 ± 30.8 months), and in phakic eyes (33.1 ± 30.8 months) compared to pseudophakic eyes (37.7 ± 35.4 months) (p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, preoperative phakic eyes were significantly associated with a shorter survival time (hazard ratio = 5.626, p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Combined surgery of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation and 23-gauge vitrectomy showed favorable outcome in the treatment of medically uncontrolled NVG. Preoperative lens status may affect the long-term success rate in such patients.

Intravitreal Injection of Dexamethasone Implant during Cataract Surgery in Patients with Noninfectious Uveitis

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone implant for controlling postoperative inflammation among uveitis patients undergoing cataract extraction. METHODS: Ten eyes with noninfectious uveitis underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation followed by intravitreal injection of 0.7-mg dexamethasone implant (implant group) between February 2011 and January 2014. Twenty age- and gender-matched controls who received cataract surgery without implantation during the same period were recruited (non-implant group). Medical records of the subjects were retrospectively reviewed and 6-month postoperative clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The mean age was 42.30 +/- 15.81 years in the implant group and 45.65 +/- 13.63 years in the non-implant group. The 2 groups were similar in terms of age, gender, preoperative inflammatory status, and preoperative visual acuity (p = 0.552, 1.000, 0.133 and 0.767, respectively). After surgery, oral steroid was used in the non-implant group (8.8 +/- 1.5 mg/day on average) and the implant group (3.5 +/- 1.3 mg/day; p = 0.029). Visual acuity (log MAR) improved significantly in both groups (p = 0.789) with no significant difference between the 2 groups. Postoperative recurrence rates of uveitis were reduced more (40%) in the implant group than in the non-implant group (50%) but without significance (p = 0.709). Elevated intraocular pressure > or =25 mm Hg occurred in 3 eyes (30%) in the implant group and 4 eyes (20%) in the non-implant group (p = 0.657), of which 1 in each group required a filtering surgery. Otherwise, no significant complications developed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal dexamethasone implants help reduce conventional oral steroid dosage for controlling postoperative inflammation. Dexamethasone implants could be an effective and safe alternative to control the inflammation after cataract surgery in uveitis patients.

Comparison of Choroidal Hyperpermeability Change after Photodynamic Therapy and Ranibizumab for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To compare changes in choroidal hyperpermeability after half-energy photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: Post-hoc analysis was performed in a randomized, controlled trial comparing half-energy PDT versus intravitreal ranibizumab for chronic CSC; during the experiments, the other treatment was available for salvage treatment if the original was unsuccessful at 3 months. A commercially available image analysis program (Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) CS6 [Adobe Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA]) was used for quantification of change in choriodal hyperpermeability on indocyanine green angiography after half-energy PDT or three consecutive intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Post-treatment images were subtracted from pre-treatment images after adjustments were made to create images depicting the change in choroidal hyperpermeability with treatment. Integrated gray scale values per area in this image were used for analysis of change in choroidal hyperpermeability. RESULTS: The calculated change in choroidal hyperpermeability was significantly greater in the half-energy PDT group (17.36 +/- 8.74) than in the ranibizumab group (6.78 +/- 5.03) (p < 0.001). All eyes in the half-energy PDT group showed complete resolution of subretinal fluid, and no significant difference in change of choroidal hyperpermeability was found in eyes that received half-energy PDT as primary or salvage treatment. In the ranibizumab-treated group, subretinal fluid resolution was accomplished in 5 eyes, and these eyes showed a significantly larger decrease in choroidal hyperpermeability when compared with eyes showing poor response (10.31 +/- 4.00 vs. 2.74 +/- 2.16, p = 0.005). In the successfully treated eyes with ranibizumab, there was no significant difference in choroidal hypopermeability change when compared to half-energy PDT (p = 0.124). CONCLUSIONS: Using our novel method of analysis of change in choroidal hyperpermeability following treatment for chronic CSC, greater change was found in eyes with good response, and the superior outcome of half-energy PDT over ranibizumab may be attributed to greater influence on choroidal hyperpermeability.

Cytomegalovirus Retinitis after Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection in an Immunocompetent Patient

We report a case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis after intravitreal bevacizumab injection. A 61-year-old woman with diabetic macular edema developed dense vitritis and necrotizing retinitis 3 weeks after intravitreal bevacizumab injection. A diagnostic vitrectomy was performed. The undiluted vitreous sample acquired by vitrectomy was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and culture. Polymerase chain reaction of the vitreous was positive for CMV DNA. Other laboratory results did not show evidence of other infectious retinitis and systemic immune dysfunction. Human immunodeficiency virus antibodies were also negative. After systemic administration of ganciclovir, retinitis has resolved and there has been no recurrence of retinitis during the follow-up period of 12 months. Ophthalmologists should be aware of potential risk for CMV retinitis after intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

Efficacy of Autologous Plasmin-Assisted Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and complication of autologous plasmin (AP) injected before vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: Intravitreal AP injection (0.2 ml) was performed on the eyes without posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) 20 minutes before the vitrectomy for RRD. The extent of PVD was evaluated intraoperatively. Surgical PVD induction was performed and the ease of the procedure was graded. The extent of PVD, ease of PVD induction, and complications (including incidence of iatrogenic retinal break) were compared to those of the control eyes. In order to evaluate complications and measure activated partial thromboplastin time, a microbial culture of injected AP was performed and the rate of postoperative intraocular hemorrhage was investigated. Change in visual acuity and the rate of retinal reattachment were compared in order to evaluate the long-term surgical outcome. RESULTS: The extent of PVD was greater in the AP group than in the control group, and vitreal separation was facilitated by intravitreal AP injection. However, ease of PVD induction and frequency of iatrogenic retinal break found were not significantly different between cases and controls. Neither postoperative intraocular hemorrhage nor systemic coagulation abnormality occurred. Postoperative endophthalmitis and positive microbial culture of the AP solution were also not reported. There was no significant difference in the change in visual acuity and the rate of retinal reattachment between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal AP injection can facilitate vitrectomy for RRD and has no effect on the rate of retinal reattachment.

A Case of Endophthalmitis With Necrotizing Scleritis Treated With Vitrectomy and Permanent Amniotic Membrane Transplantation

PURPOSE: To report a case of a patient with infectious endophthalmitis associated with necrotizing scleritis that was treated with pars plana vitrectomy and permanent amniotic membrane transplantation. CASE SUMMARY: A 76-year-old man with pain and visual loss in the right eye was diagnosed with infectious endophthalmitis and necrotizing scleritis. The visual acuity in the right eye was hand motion, and the slit lamp examination showed infection of the conjunctiva and sclera, corneal edema, hypopyon, and necrosis of nasal sclera. An intravitreal antibiotic injection was given, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured in vitreous fluid. Two days afterward, when vitrectomy was performed, leakage from the scleral microperforation and necrosis of the peripheral cornea was observed. Thus, a 10-layered permanent amniotic membrane transplantation was performed. The patient was given topical antibiotics and steroids, oral prednisolone, and cyclophosphamide postoperatively. After 74 days, endophthalmitis was remitted, and scleritis was well controlled. His visual acuity recovered to 20/40. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious endophthalmitis due to scleral microperforation by necrotizing scleritis can be treated effectively with vitrectomy combined with permanent amniotic membrane transplantation.

A Validation and Reliability Study of the Korean Version of National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25

PURPOSE: To translate and evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25). METHODS: Two bilingual ophthalmologists independently translated the original English version of the NEI-VFQ-25 into written Korean. A panel of the Korean Retina Society reviewed the translations to form a single reconciled forward translation of the Korean version of the NEI-VFQ-25. Another ophthalmologist back-translated this first draft into English. Both the first draft and back-translated draft were edited by a professional translator. To evaluate the correlation and validity, results between the original NEI-VFQ-25 and the Korean version, completed by the bilingual participants, were compared. RESULTS: The Korean version of the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 was developed by translation, back-translation, and expert supervision. Results from 23 bilingual participants between the original NEI-VFQ-25 and the Korean version were compared and showed statistically significant correlation, with a Spearman's correlation coefficient of 0.4 or greater. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test results showed no statistically significant differences between the two questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: Translation and validation of the Korean version of the NEI-VFQ-25 was achieved.

Endophthalmitis Caused by an Intraocular Cilium

PURPOSE: To report a case of intraocular cilium revealed by diagnostic vitrectomy in a case of stubborn uveitis that was unresponsive to steroid therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 39-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to decreased vision in his right eye that started two months prior to presentation. He had previously been treated for a diagnosis of iridocyclitis. The patient's history revealed a blunt trauma to the right eye while wearing glasses after which he developed a microhyphema and was treated for traumatic iritis at another clinic 3 months ago. He was treated with topical and oral steroids after being diagnosed with iridocyclitis and had recently been prescribed additional oral cyclosporine because his condition had not improved. Ocular examination revealed inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity with hand motion vision. Ultrasonography revealed a hazy vitreous cavity but the retina was flat. Diagnostic vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotic injection was performed and an intraocular foreign body presumed as a cilium was detected without an entrance wound on the exterior or interior surface of the eye. After removal of the foreign body, the patient's vision was completely recovered. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of chronic uveitis that do not respond to immunosuppressive treatment without a clearly definable cause, diagnostic vitrectomy should be considered, keeping in mind the possibility of intraocular foreign body.

Aspergillus fumigatus Scleritis Associated with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

A 68-year-old woman presented with pain in her left eye. Necrosis with calcium plaques was observed on the medial part of the sclera. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the culture of the necrotic area. On systemic work-up including serum and urine electrophoresis studies, the serum monoclonal protein of immunoglobulin G was detected. The patient was diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and fungal scleritis. Despite intensive treatment with topical and oral antifungal agents, scleral inflammation and ulceration progressed, and scleral perforation and endophthalmitis developed. Debridement, antifungal irrigation, and tectonic scleral grafting were performed. The patient underwent a combined pars plana vitrectomy with an intravitreal injection of an antifungal agent. However, scleral and intraocular inflammation progressed, and the eye was enucleated. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the cultures of the eviscerated materials. Giemsa staining of the excised sclera showed numerous fungal hyphae.

Short-term Clinical Outcome of Patterned Scanning Laser Photocoagulation With Short Exposure Time in Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical effect and complications of patterned scanning laser photocoagulation with short exposure time in diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on patients with diabetic retinopathy who required panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Twenty-nine eyes of twenty five consecutive patients underwent patterned scanning laser photocoagulation with exposure time of 0.02 sec over the entire retina. Pain score at treatment, best-corrected visual acuity, the development of macular edema, regression of neovascularization in fluorescein angiography, and related complications were monitored during a three-month follow-up. RESULTS: Treatment time for PRP was much reduced to 6.1 min on the entire retina. Pain during the photocoagulation was moderate, and enabled patients to finish PRP with ease. During a three-month follow-up, visual acuity was well preserved. Foveal minimum thickness increased at 1 month after treatment and maintained in a study period of three months. Macular volume showed significant increase (3.6%) at 1 month after treatment, maximum increase (9.8%) at 2 months, and persistent increase (4.9%) at 3 months. In every patient with very severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, retina was maintained, and in 10 of 18 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neovascularization regressed during follow-up period. No significant complication occurred except a transient vitreous hemorrhage in one eye. CONCLUSIONS: Patterned scanning laser photocoagulation with short exposure time may induce transient macular edema, but the visual acuity was preserved without any other significant complication. It is considered to be a safe and efficient treatment method in diabetic retinopathy.

Long-term Results of Vision and Fundus Findings in X-linked Juvenile Retinoschisis

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term changes in visual acuity, fundus findings and complications in X-linked juvenile retinoschisis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 48 patients diagnosed with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis and followed for a minimum of 12 months. RESULTS: Forty-eight males (mean age 5.7 years) were followed for a mean of 6.3 years. The mean visual acuities were 0.14 at the initial and most recent examinations without significant change (p=0.67). Macular abnormalities were seen in all eyes. Macular lesions varied as follows: decreased foveal reflex (12.5%), typical foveal schisis (77.1%), atrophic change (5.2%), and macula-involving peripheral schisis (5.2%). When patients had different macular findings, the mean visual acuities were significantly different among groups (p< or =0.005), except those between the atrophic change group and the macula-involving peripheral schisis group. Peripheral schisis was detected in 66% of patients. The fundus findings were stationary during the follow-up period except in complicated cases with vitreous hemorrhage (15.6%). CONCLUSIONS: X-linked juvenile retinoschisis causes bilateral visual acuity loss, affecting maculae. In uncomplicated cases, changes in visual acuity and fundus findings were not significant during the follow-up period.

Early versus Late Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide for Macular Edema associated with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of early versus late intravitreal injection of triamcinolone in patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Twenty eyes of 20 patients with macular edema from BRVO, including 10 with duration after onset of 3 months, were treated using a single intravitreal triamcinolone injection (4 mg/0.1 ml). Best-corrected visual acuity and foveal thickness by optical coherence tomography were measured 1, 3, and 6 months post-injection. RESULTS: In patients that received treatment after a disease duration of 3 months, improvements in visual acuity and foveal thickness, though apparent at 1 month, were not maintained at 3 and 6 months post-triamcinolone. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal triamcinolone is more effective in patients with BRVO who are treated earlier.

Clinical Characteristics of Leber's Congenital Amaurosis in Korea

PURPOSE: To study the clinical characteristics and visual prognosis of Leber's congenital amaurosis in Korea. METHODS: Children who were diagnosed with Leber's congenital amaurosis at Seoul Natioanl University Children's Hospital between 1992 and 2004, were included in this study. The medical records pertaining to the clinical characteristics and visual outcomes of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at presentation and during the subsequent follow-up period was 15.5 and 62.7 months, respectively. The principal symptoms included lack of fixation (69.0%) and nystagmus (23.8%). At first observation, nystagmus was found in 40 patients, and the appearance of the fundi were variable, including 'normal' (23.8%), pigmentary degeneration (54.8%), vascular attenuation (35.7%) and macular coloboma (19.0%). At the age of three to five years, 44.4% of patients had hyperopia greater than +5D. At the time of last follow-up, the visual acuities of the patients who were examined after the age of four were 'hand motion' in 68.7%, > or =20/400 in 9.4%. No patient had visual acuity better than 20/200. Eight (25%) patients could read with glasses or low-vision aids. CONCLUSIONS: The visual prognosis of patients with Leber's congenital amaurosis was poor in most cases, but a majority of our patients displayed a stable clinical course. Progression was rare, and one fourth of the patients were able to read with appropriate aides. In conclusion, regular follow-up care to assess visual function is necessary for optimal outcomes.

Clinical Characteristics of Leber's Congenital Amaurosis in Korea

PURPOSE: To study the clinical characteristics and visual prognosis of Leber's congenital amaurosis in Korea. METHODS: Children who were diagnosed with Leber's congenital amaurosis at Seoul Natioanl University Children's Hospital between 1992 and 2004, were included in this study. The medical records pertaining to the clinical characteristics and visual outcomes of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at presentation and during the subsequent follow-up period was 15.5 and 62.7 months, respectively. The principal symptoms included lack of fixation (69.0%) and nystagmus (23.8%). At first observation, nystagmus was found in 40 patients, and the appearance of the fundi were variable, including 'normal' (23.8%), pigmentary degeneration (54.8%), vascular attenuation (35.7%) and macular coloboma (19.0%). At the age of three to five years, 44.4% of patients had hyperopia greater than +5D. At the time of last follow-up, the visual acuities of the patients who were examined after the age of four were 'hand motion' in 68.7%, > or =20/400 in 9.4%. No patient had visual acuity better than 20/200. Eight (25%) patients could read with glasses or low-vision aids. CONCLUSIONS: The visual prognosis of patients with Leber's congenital amaurosis was poor in most cases, but a majority of our patients displayed a stable clinical course. Progression was rare, and one fourth of the patients were able to read with appropriate aides. In conclusion, regular follow-up care to assess visual function is necessary for optimal outcomes.

Serous Retinal Detachment in Patients with Choroidal Neovascularization Following Photodynamic Therapy

PURPOSE: To quantify the development and resolution of serous retinal detachment in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) following photodynamic therapy (PDT). METHODS: Six eyes of five patients who developed serous retinal detachment two days after PDT were included in this study. Retinal thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) before PDT, and at two days, seven days, and three weeks after PDT. The number of PDT and the greatest linear dimension (GLD) of the CNV lesion were recorded. RESULTS: Serous retinal detachment was demonstrated on OCT at two days after PDT. Retinal elevation increased significantly from 313.2 micrometer before PDT to 640.7 micrometer two days after PDT (P<0.01); elevation and decreased to 303.2 micrometer seven days after PDT, and decreased to 223.4 micrometer three weeks after PDT. The mean number of PDT treatments 2.0 (range: 1~3), and the mean GLD before PDT was 3122.8+/-1275.9 micrometer. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggest that serous retinal detachment in patients with CNV may develop following PDT but may also resolve spontaneously seven days after PDT.

Lens-sparing Vitrectomy for Stage 4 and Stage 5 Retinopathy of Prematurity

PURPOSE: To describe the results of lens-sparing vitrectomy for the correction of retinal detachment associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and its associated complications. METHODS: Seventeen patients who underwent a lens-sparing vitrectomy for stage 4 and stage 5 ROP with plus disease at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1999 and 2003 were enrolled in this study. The patients who had bilateral retinal detachment of ROP underwent a lens-sparing vitrectomy in one eye and a scleral buckling surgery or lensectomy-vitrectomy in the other eye. The patients who had a retinal detachment in one eye and a regressed ROP in the other eye underwent unilateral lens-sparing vitrectomies. A review of their preoperative clinical findings (including the status of retinal detachment and plus disease), post-operative results, and any complications encountered was performed. RESULTS: In 17 patients, the postoperative success rate of lens-sparing vitrectomy was 58.8%. However, lens-sparing vitrectomy as a treatment for stage 5 ROP (25.0%) produced more negative post-operative results than it did when used to treat either those for stage 4a (75,0%) or 4b (66.7%) ROP. Among the 10 eyes in which the retina was attached, form vision was shown in six eyes, light could be followed by three eyes, and no light perception was present in one eye. Intra- and post-operative complications included retinal break formation, cataracts, vitreous hemorrhages, and glaucoma in patients with stages 4b and stage 5 ROP. CONCLUSIONS: Lens-sparing vitrectomy resulted in encouraging surgical outcomes in the correction of retinal detachment of ROP, especially in stage 4 patients. Therefore, a lens-sparing vitrectomy for stage 4 ROP patient may be beneficial, although it is still associated with some intra- and post-operative complications.

The Clinical Analysis and Treatment Results of Coats' Disease in Children

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment result of Coats' disease in children. METHODS: Data on demographics, clinical presentation, and ocular findings were analyzed for 67 eyes of 67 patients with Coats' disease by retrospective chart review. Among these, treatment results were analyzed from 56 eyes which had received local treatment or subretinal fluid drainage (SRFD). Treatment was considered successful when telangiectatic vessels or exudates had regressed after local treatment or when pupillary block glaucoma was treated or prevented after SRFD. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 5.0 years (5 months-15 years) and 90% were males. 67% of retinal telangiectasias were located in the temporal. There were exudative retinal detachments in 46 (69%) eyes. Among them, SRFD was performed in 19 (28%) to treat or prevent pupillary block glaucoma. The mean age at diagnosis of patients that underwent treatment was 5.1 years. In 37 of 56 patients, 95% of retinal telangiectasias were regressed after primary local treatment, and 21 eyes (31%) underwent SRFD. Management of glaucoma was achieved after SRFD in 16 patients, and one more SRFD was needed after primary SRFD in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In Coats' disease, it is necessary to eradicate retinal telangiectasia with local treatment and to follow up carefully for secondary glaucoma, which can be treated with SRFD in cases of severe exudative retinal detachment.