ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of using artificial tears and eye exercise for intervention of dry eye disease in aircrew members. METHODS: A accidental sampling method was used and 86 patients diagnosed with dry eye disease were selected as study subjects. Artificial tears or artificial tears plus eye exercise were used in patients. Symptoms of dry eye disease were investigated. RESULTS: of break up time( BUT) and schirmer I test( SIT) were recorded.RESULTS: The main symptoms of these 86 aviators diagnosed with dry eye disease were visual fatigue( 82. 6%),dry feeling( 60. 5%),and itchy eyes( 29. 1%). Among them,28 patients( 32. 6%) were treated with artificial tears only( artificial tears group) and 58 patients( 67. 4%) were treated with artificial tears plus eye exercise( combined treatment group). The duration of treatment of less than 4 weeks,4-weeks,and 6-9 weeks were 25,36 and 25 cases,respectively.After treatment,the symptoms improved in 71 patients( 82. 6%). All patients of these two groups showed improved SIT and BUT compared with the same group before treatment( P < 0. 01). There was no significant difference in the change of SIT and BUT between the artificial tears group and the combined treatment group after treatment( P > 0. 05). There was statistical significance in the change of SIT in the main effect of treatment time( P < 0. 01),but no significant difference in the main effect of treatment measures and the interaction effect( P > 0. 05). There was no statistical significance in the change of BUT in the main effect of treatment measures,treatment time and the interaction effect( P > 0. 05).CONCLUSION: The intervention using artificial tears or artificial tears combined with eye exercise improved the subjective symptoms of dry eye disease in aircrew members. The SIT and BUT also improved after intervention.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by repetitive partial or complete occlusion of the upper airway during sleep that affects quality of life. The aim of this study was to develop the Korean version of the sleep apnea quality of life index (K-SAQLI) and apply it in Korean patients with OSA. METHODS: Ninety-three patients with OSA completed the K-SAQLI. Its construct validity and responsiveness were tested by comparing the baseline and change scores obtained in each domain (i.e., daily functioning, social interactions, emotional functioning, and symptoms) using the medical outcome survey-short form 36 (SF-36). RESULTS: The Cronbach alpha coefficients of internal reliability exceeded 0.60 in all the domains (daily functioning, 0.89; social interactions, 0.88; emotional functioning, 0.92; symptoms, 0.67; and total, 0.94). The K-SAQLI had a high test-retest correlation coefficient of 0.73 in the 20 randomized selected patients. The construct validity was confirmed by significant correlations with SF-36 subscale scores. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that the K-SAQLI may be applicable for clinical purposes.