The Difference in Graft Rejection between Two Corneal Preservation Methods(Moist Chamber vs Optisol)

To know the difference in graft rejection after corneal transplantation between moist chamber and Optisol(Chiron Co. Irvine, CA, U.S.A.) as cornea preservation methods, we compared two groups involving 50 patients(71 eyes) who had undergone partially penetrating keratoplasty (PPKP) for the treatment of keratoconus or corneal dystrophy from 1991 to 1995. The graft rejection had occurred in 10 of 40 eyes(25%) in moist chamber group and 9 of 31 eyes(29%) in Optisol group, and the cases of permanent corneal opacity after rejection were 5 of 40 eyes(12.5%), 3 of 31 eyes(9.7%) respectively. No difference in the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). We found the fact that the difference did not exist in the results from graft rejection after PPKP using moist chamber method for short preservation period, or Optisol method for the relatively long period allowing serological and immunological screen test.

The Therapeutic Effect of Levocabastine Eye Drops on Allergic Conjunctivitis: A Multicenter Study

The efficacy nd tolerance of topical administration of levocabastine(0.5mg/ml)were evaluated in patients with allergic conjunctivitis. A total of 166 patients who had a typical history of atopy and a positive skin test were recruited in this study. Five clinicl symptoms(itch, tearing, chemosis, lid edema and conjunctival injection) were assessed according to a four point scale before the treatment and at 1 and 2 weeks post-therapy. Total symptom severity score before the therapy, 6.68, was remarkably decreased to 2.86 at 1 week and 2.08 at 2 weeks after the treatment. The investigators rated the treatment as globally good or excellent in 68.1% of patients checked at 1 week and 72.5% at 2 weejs after treatment. And the patients evaluated that the therapy ws good to excellent in 66.9% at 1 week and 73.1% at 2 weeks after treatment. Levocabastine eye drops has a fast onet of action with 55.4% of the patients feeling symptom relief within 15 minutes after the first administration. The adverse effect was experienced in 44 patients. Ocular irritation sign, such as foreign body sensation or soreness, was the most frequently reported complaint. These results suggest that levocabastine eye drops is an effective and safe topical alternative for treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

Clinical Analysis of Keratoplasty over a 23 Year-Time Span

The authors analysed 808 of 837 eyes with keratoplasty over 23 years from April 19, 1967 to December 31, 1989 in the Department of Ophthalmology at Catholic University St. Mary Hospital. The results were as follows: 1. Sex and age distribution of recipient: male patients were predominant, and the age group from 21 to 30 years was the most common. 2. Sex and age distribution of donor: female patients were predominant, although the number of males increased with time. The age group from 71 to 80 years was the most common, which indicates a tendency toward older donors. 3. In looking for causative diseases which resulted in corneal opacity, herpes, measles and non-herpetic ulcers decreased, but keratoconus and bullous keratopathy increased. 4. Penetrating keratoplasty was the most common type of corneal graft. However combined and triple surgery were also performed. 5. The continuous suture was the most common except in the 1st period, and the 7.0 mm trephine size was usually selected. 6. The most common cause of opaque grafts after keratoplasty was graft rejection in the 1st and 2nd periods and corneal edema in the 3rd and 4th periods.

Clinical Evaluation of Multiple Punctate Epithelial Erosion

The 747 corneal epithelial erosion cases were evaluated clinically from January 1986 to February 1988 at Catholic University Medical College, St. Mary's Hospital. The results were as follows: 1. Out of 747 corneal epithelial erosion cases, 286 cases(38.3%) and 283 cases(37.9%) resulted from mechanical and postoperative causes, respectively. 2. The large number of cases were foung in the age group of 1 to 9 years(21.9%) and in the ages older than 60 years(l9.8%), which were in proportion to the said causes. 3. The onset of corneal erosion after cataract extraction within postoperative 3 weeks(56.1%) was most common. There were 115 cases(45.3%) in which corneal erosions developed after the cataract extraction lasted up to 2 weeks. 4. The cure rate of corneal erosion was 85.0%(635 cases), and in corneal erosion developed after cataract extraction was 89.8%(254 cases). 5. There was no statistical significance in the frequency of corneal erosions developed after cataract extraction among diabetics and nondiabetics.

Clinical Evaluation of Fibrinous Membrane after Extracapsular Cataract Extraction

1380 extracapsular cataract extractions were perfomed from January, 1987 to August, 1988 at St. Mary's Hospital. Among them 88 eyes which developed postoperative fibrinous membrane were evaluated. The incidence of fibrinous membrane was about 6.4%. The fibrinous membrane was developed in 3 to 5 days and resolved within 15 days after surgery in most cases. Mild type of fibrinous membrane was most common and was located on the surgace of the intraocular lens in most cases. Although the presumed causes of the fibrinous membrane were uncertain yet, authors thought that inflammatory reactions from the intraoperative trauma, the remained lens cortex and the posterior chamber lens itself were the causative factors.

Clinical Evaluation of Extracapsular Cataract Extraction and Phacoemalsification

This study covers comparison and examination of the clinical results of visual acuity recovery, astigmatic change and comparison of patients who underwented extracapsular cataract extraction(ECCE) with insertion of posterior chamber lens(PCL) or phacoemulsification(PE) with insertion of posterior chamber lens. Among 1446 patients who underwented ECCE with PCL or PE with PCL from April. 1983 to December, 1987. 623 patients being followed up their conditions during 6 months were selected. Visual acuity, astigmatism and keratometry were followed up at preoperative and postoperative period of 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, and 6 months. The results were as follows. 1. In PE with PCL, the recovery of visual acuity is earlier than in ECCE with PCL. 2. In PE with PCL, the post operative change of astigmatic axis to the against the rule is more rapid than in ECCE with PCL. 3. In PE with PCL, recovery of astigmatism is earlier than in ECCE with PCL and the amount of astigmatism is lower than in ECCE with PCL.