What do retina fellows-in-training think about the vitreoretinal surgical simulator: A multicenter survey

Purpose: To profile vitreoretinal (VR) fellows?in?training from India exposed to the Eyesi surgical simulator, to identify potential barriers to voluntary use, and enumerate the most preferred tools and tasks before incorporating them into a formal skill?transfer curriculum. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 22 questions was designed and circulated through an online portal (surveymonkey.com) to four different institutes of India having a VR surgical fellowship program and using a functional Eyesi (Haag–Streit) simulator. All fellows and trainees who were exposed to the simulator were eligible to participate, irrespective of time spent on the simulator and exposure to training steps on real patients. The responses collected were private and anonymous. Results: Of the 37 respondents, most (n = 25, 68%) considered surgical simulators to be the best training tool before operating on the human eye. A majority (n = 35, 94.5%) of participants spent <3 h per week on the simulator, which, most (n = 30, 81%) felt was not enough time. The main reasons for this underutilization were work?hour limitations (54.8%), lack of a structured training program (19.3%), or a dedicated supervisor (16.1%). Again, the majority (n = 33, 89%) of participants responded that VR surgical skills acquired during simulator training were transferrable to the operating room, which was reflected by their response (n = 31, 83.7%) that simulator?based training should be made mandatory before operating room exposure. Conclusion: This study gives an insight into the overall practice patterns and preferences in simulation training of surgical VR fellows?in?training across India. It indicates that the simulator is extremely helpful to fellows and if adopted, VR surgical simulators with organized, directed, and supervised sessions will considerably improve the surgical training experience.

Postdoctoral team construction and scientific research ability analysis in a university affiliated hospital / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:To understand the current status of postdoctoral team construction and scientific research capacity of a university affiliated hospital, and provide guidance and evidence for optimizing the post-doctoral management in the hospital.Methods:A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information from all postdoctoral research fellows who entered the hospital from 2016 to 2020, statistical analysis of data collected was completed.Results:From 2016 to 2020, the hospital has recruited 38 postdoctoral research fellows in total, with an average age of 28.95±1.77 years old. The co-supervisors can provide regular and adequate guidance to postdoctoral research fellows. The average score of postdoctoral research problem-solving ability is 3.93±0.51, among which the dimensionality of retrospective and reflection ability is the highest, with an average of 4.21±0.51, and the ability to identify and discover problems is the lowest, with an average of 3.58±0.68.Conclusions:The hospital's postdoctoral team construction has begun to take shape. With the joint effort of the hospital, co-supervisors and postdoctoral research fellows, the postdoctoral personnel have got strong scientific research capabilities, have obtained certain scientific research results, and have considerable development potential. Initial success has been achieved in postdoctoral training in the hospital.

Surgical outcomes, complications and learning curve of glued intraocular lens of a vitreo retinal fellow in training

Purpose: To evaluate surgical outcomes, complications and learning curve of glued intraocular lens surgery by a vitreoretinal (VR) fellow in training. Methods: Analysis of 50 eyes requiring glued intraocular lens (GIOL) surgery for various indications was done. Both the consultant VR surgeon (Group 1) and VR fellow in training (Group 2) operated 25 eyes each. The primary outcome measures were visual acuity at 3 months, and time taken for completion of surgery. Secondary outcome measures were refractive correction, intraocular pressure and intraoperative or postoperative complications. Results: The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) improved from log MAR 1.54�56 (Snellen 20/693) to 0.45�26 (Snellen 20/56) and from 1.64�53 (Snellen 20/873) to 0.56�45 (Snellen 20/72) in group 1 and 2, respectively. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from log MAR 0.74�61 (Snellen 20/109) to 0.33�26 (Snellen 20/42) and from 1�68 (Snellen 20/200) to 0.40�50 (Snellen 20/50) in group 1 and 2, respectively (P > 0.05). The surgical time was significantly less in group 1 when compared to that of group 2 (64.26 vs 107.16 minutes) P value <0.05). The mean time taken for the initial 10 cases and later 15 cases in group 2 were 131.9 and 91.2 minutes, which was statistically significant. The complication rates in both groups were comparable. Transient hypotony (IOP < 11) was seen in 56% (14/25) of eyes in group 2 and 44% (11/25) in group 1 (P = 0.39). Conclusion: The study results are encouraging for a VR fellow with good short-term visual outcomes and comparable surgical complications. The procedure gives promising results and the learning curve is overcome by a desire to learn and with increasing number of procedures done under supervision.

Vitreoretinal surgery on the fellow eye: A retrospective analysis of 18 years of surgical data from a tertiary center in England

Purpose: To determine the long-term incidence of fellow-eye surgical involvement in patients who have undergone first-eye vitreoretinal (VR) surgery for a variety of indications. This was a single-institution retrospective, consecutive series. Methods: Eighteen years of electronic surgical data were reviewed at our institution. All patients having surgery for the following indications were included: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), macular hole (MH), epiretinal membrane (ERM), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), vitritis, and dropped nucleus. Primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of fellow-eye surgery at 10 years by Kaplan朚eier analysis. Results: Total follow-up was 29,629 patient-years. Cumulative incidence (� standard error) of fellow-eye surgery at 10 years was 7.2% � 0.6% for RRD, 9.1% � 1.3% for ERM, 7.5% � 1.8% for MH, 30.6% � 1.9% for PDR, 13.7% � 2.9% for vitritis, and 2.8% � 1.6% for dropped nuclei. The hazard for second-eye surgery was greatest in the early postoperative period after first-eye surgery for all indications. For RRD, the hazard was 2.7% � 0.3% at year 1, 1.1% � 0.2% at year 2, and 0.5% � 0.2% at year 5. Risk factors for fellow-eye involvement for RRD were younger age (P < 0.001) and male gender (P < 0.01). Conclusion: We report the long-term risk of fellow-eye involvement in various VR pathologies, which is important in counseling patients regarding their risks as well as planning service provision.

Clinical analysis of 426 emmetropia patients with unilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and retinal lesions in the contralateral eyes / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective To observe the fundus lesions in the unilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) eyes and contralateral eyes in non-traumatic emmetropia patients,and explore the risks of lateral eyes.Methods This is a retrospective case analysis.A total of 426 patients of unilateral RRD diagnosed by clinical examination were enrolled in this study.There were 273 males and 74 females.The average age of onset was 54.7 years.81.46％ of them (347 patients) were 51-70 years old.The average detachment time was 2.12 months.They were divided into two groups,equal or lesser than 50 years old group and more than 50 years old group.A total of 100 patients (200 eyes) with ocular surface disorders were randomly selected as control.The lattice-like degeneration,cystic degeneration and dry retinal holes were treated with prophylactic laser photocoagulation.Follow-up period was 6 to 24 months.The age,gender,proliferative vitreous retinopathy (PVR) grading,best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),distribution and quantity of retinal holes,and posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) were retrospectively analyzed.The incidence of PVD among different age groups was compared with Chi square.Results Among 426 RRD eyes,there were 239 eyes (56.10％) with PVD.Among them,there were 30 eyes with age equal or lesser than 50 years old (12.55％) and 209 eyes with age more than 50 years old (84.75％).There were 187 eyes (43.90％) without PVD,which including 38 eyes with age equal or lesser than 50 years old (20.32％) and 149 eyes with age more than 50 years old (79.68％).The incidence of PVD among different age groups was statistically significant (x2=4.72,P＜ 0.05).There were 10,254,40 and 5 eyes in class A,B,C and D of PVR,respectively;117 eyes without PVR.The retinal hole was located in superior temporal,inferior temporal,superior nasal,inferior nasal and macular in 305,91,22,4 and 4 eyes,respectively.The number of holes was 1,2,and more than 3 in 297,89 and 40 eyes,respectively.The retinal detachment range of 1,2,3 quadrants and total dissociation were 92,230,71,33 eyes,respectively.The fundus lesion was found in 47 eyes (11.03％) in the lateral eyes.There were 20 RRD eyes in class B of PVR,and 27 RRD eyes in class C of PVR.Retinal degenerated area was found.Among them,the degeneration of 41 eyes was located in the temporal retina,45 eyes involved in a quadrant.There were 16 eyes with peripheral retinal dry holes;the holes diameter was less than 1,1-2,greater than 2 optic-discs in 6,11 and 5 retinal holes.At the end of the follow-up,there were 47 eyes with almost normal visual field,16 eyes with decreased visual acuity,noeyes with retinal detachment.In the control group,4 patients (5 eyes,2.50％) had fundus lesions.Conclusion The unilateral RRD in non-traumatic emmetropia mostly occurs in elderly patients;11.03％ of patients had fundus lesions in the contralateral eyes,higher than the general population.

Comparison of Inner Retinal Thickness between the Fellow Eyes of Unilateral Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion and Normal Control

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare inner retinal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness between fellow eyes with unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and normal control eyes. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study including 59 patients diagnosed with unilateral BRVO and 51 control subjects. Using spectral domain optical coherence tomography, we investigated the average, 4 quadrant, and 12 clock-hour RNFL thicknesses and the average, minimum, superior, superonasal, superotemporal, inferior, inferonasal, and inferotemporal thicknesses of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) layer. RESULTS: Patients with unilateral BRVO had a higher incidence of hypertension. In the fellow eyes of the unilateral BRVO patients, 7 and 11 o'clock RNFL thicknesses were significantly thinner than for the control eyes. There was no significant difference in the GCIPL thickness between the two groups CONCLUSIONS: The RNFL thickness of the fellow eyes of the unilateral BRVO patients showed significant decreases in the 7 and 11 o'clock sectors (p=0.005, 0.017, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference in the GCIPL thickness between the two groups. In the RNFL thickness analysis, the 7 and 11 o'clock sectors were found to be dominant locations of decreased RNFL thickness for the open angle glaucoma. Further, glaucomatous change should be carefully monitored in the fellow eyes of unilateral BRVO patients.

Ser estudiante universitario en la hipermodernidad

Se trata de una investigación en curso sobre ser universitario en la hipermodernidad. Se parte de las siguientes interrogantes ¿cómo marca ser universitario? ¿De qué forma se da la construcción identitaria en estudiantes de la UdelaR? Se presenta el trabajo de campo que consistió en entrevistas a estudiantes de tres carreras correspondientes a tres áreas de la UdelaR. Se presentan algunos resultados obtenidos en relación al modo en que los estudiantes caracterizan el lugar al que llegan y el proceso de devenir universitarios en tanto ser modificados en el recorrido.

The article is about an ongoing investigation on how to be a college student in the hypermodernity. Starting with some questions: How it affects being a college student? Forming identity in students of UdelaR. The field research presented consists of interviewing students in three faculties from different areas. It also presents some results obtained in relation to how students characterize the place they arrive in (UdelaR-University) and the process of becoming a college student while being modified during it.

Medida del grosor central coroideo con tomografía óptica coherente de imagen de profundidad mejorada (EDI OCT) en ojos contralaterales de pacientes con coriorretinopatía serosa central (CSC) / Central choroidal thickness measured by enhanced depth imaging (EDI OCT) in fellow eyes of subjects with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC)

Diseño: Estudio descriptivo y trasversal. Objetivos: Medición del grosor coroideomacular en el ojo contralateral (ojo sano) de pacientes con coriorretinopatía serosa central (CSC), utilizando tomografía óptica coherente de imagen de profundidad mejorada (EDI OCT). Pacientes y métodos: Fueron evaluados 32 ojos de 16 pacientes voluntarios, con diagnostico de coriorretinopatía serosa central (CSC) aguda. Ambos ojos fueron sometidos a estudio de tomografía óptica de dominio espectral con profundidad mejorada (EDI SD-OCT) con el Tomógrafo RTVue® (Optovue, USA). Se realizó escaneo horizontal de alta definición a través de la fóvea, tanto en el ojo afectado, como en el sano contralateral. Se realizaron 5 medidas del grosor coroideo. El promedio del grosor coroideo fue calculado y comparado, entre los ojos con CSC y el ojo contralateral. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 40+/-7 (rango entre 29 y 56 años). Quince de los 16 ojos sintomáticos eran derechos. Dos mujeres y 14 hombres. La media del grosor coroideo en el ojo sintomático fue de 470.4+/-35.7µm, y en el ojo contralateral el grosor fue de 413.4+/-47.1µm. La relación entre ambos ojos mostró una alta correlación (0,979) y una correlación estadísticamente significativa (p<0.001). Conclusión: La tomografía óptica coherente de dominio espectral con profundidad mejorada, es una herramienta útil en evaluar el grosor coroideo en pacientes con CSC, donde el grosor coroideo también aparece aumentado en el ojo contralateral.

Design: Descriptive and cross-sectional study. Objective: To measure macular choroidal thickness in fellow eyes of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy, using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI OCT). Patients and methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. A total of 32 eyes of 16 patients were evaluated. Sixteen volunteers with acute central serous corioretinopathy (CSC) diagnosis underwent high-definition scanning using SD-OCT (RTVue®, Optovue, USA) with enhanced depth imaging technique (EDI OCT) in both eyes. One horizontal scan across the fovea was selected for each affected and healthy eye, five choroidal thickness measurements were taken. The average choroidal thickness was also calculated and compared among eyes with CSC and fellow eyes. Results: Mean age was 40+/-7 years (range between 29 and 56 years old). Fifteen of 16 symptomatic eyes where right eyes. Two women and 14 men were involved. The mean choroidal thickness in symptomatic eyes was 470.4+/-35.7 µm, and the fellow eyes thickness was 413.4+/-47.1 µm. The matching shows a high correlation (0,979) between paired samples and statistical signifi cance of its correlation (p<0.001). Conclusions: Enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography is a helpful tool for assessing choroidal thickness in fellow eyes of patients with CSC, where the choroid is as thickened as in affected eyes.

Fellows' perception of fellowship training and overarching issues

Patient expectations for specialized medical care have spawned fellowship programs that require additional subspecialty training after residency training completion. The present study assessed the curricula and training environment adequacy of fellowship programs as perceived by current trainees and identified improvement areas for South Korea's overall fellowship program. A questionnaire was distributed to 1,764 fellows training at 6 university hospitals in Seoul, Korea during October 2014. From a return rate of 33.1%, 26.2% (403 responses) of all questionnaires distributed were compete enough to include in the analysis. Fellows participating in the survey were enrolled in fellowship programs with occupational aspirations of professorship and academic aspirations of subspecialty exploration. Nevertheless, more than half of the participating fellows did not have a clear understanding of their program's objectives. Many hoped for reduced clinical hours, increased research time allowance, and higher pay compared to current training environment and salary. The fellows' satisfaction with their program's curriculum and training environment was above 3 points on a Likert scale of 1 to 5. Receiving a training objective and financial support for academic activities by the training institution were factors influencing fellows' satisfaction level regarding both the curriculum and training environment. Clearly defined program objectives, a specialized curriculum for fellows, improved working conditions, and reflection on medical workforce policies are imperative for the advancement of Korean fellowship programs.

Comparison of anterior segment parameters between fellow eyes of unilateral acute angle closure glaucoma and primary angle closure suspects / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To explore the differences of anterior segment parameters in the patients with fellow eyes of unilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma ( AACG ) , primary angle-closure suspects ( PACS) and normal group. METHODS: Twenty-six eyes of 26 patients with fellow eyes of AACG, 28 eyes of 28 age- and gender-matched PACS and 34 normal eyes were imaged using optical coherence tomography ( OCT) and pentacam scheimpflug system ( Pentacam ) . Anatomical parameters including central corneal thickness ( CCT ) , corneal volume ( CV ) , pupillary diameter ( PD ) , central anterior chamber depth ( CACD ) , peripheral anterior chamber depth ( PACD ) , anterior chamber volume ( ACV ) and anterior chamber angle ( ACA) were obtained from Pentacam. Iris thickness (IT750,IT2000), cross-sectional area (IS), volume (IV) and angle opening distance 500 (AOD500) were estimated using OCT combined with a computer image processing. Statistic analysis was performed with SPSS. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in corneal parameters (CCT, CV), PD and iris values (IT750, IT2000, IS, IV) among the three groups (P> 0. 05). Compared with the fellow eyes of AACG and PACS, normal eyes had larger ACV, wider AOD500 and ACA, deeper CACD and PACD ( P 0. 05). Using the fellow eyes of AACG as the standard to predict high risk of angle closure, areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the above parameters were all less than 0. 7. CONCLUSION:All the anterior segment parameters are no different significantly between the fellow eyes of AACG and PACS. They may be notaccurate criteria for determining high risk group of PACS.

Evolución cronológica de variables asociadas al bypass gástricolaparoscópico. Bases para normatizar el entrenamiento en cirugía bariátrica en el hospital domingo lucian / Chronologic evolution of variables asso-ciated with laparoscopic gastric bypass. Basis for bariatric surgery training standardization At hospital domingo luciani

La cirugía bariátrica ha sido una de las especialidades que mayor crecimiento ha tenido en los últimos años. Objetivo: Caracterizar la curva de aprendizaje del bypass gástrico laparoscópico. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, de base de datos llenada prospectivamente, con los primeros 300 pacientes a quienes se les realizó bypass gástrico laparoscópico por obesidad mórbida, un solo cirujano, entre agosto del 2008 y junio del 2011 en el Hospital Domingo Luciani, Caracas, Venezuela. Se analizaron tiempo quirúrgico, complicaciones, mortalidad, reintervenciones y con-versiones a cirugía abierta. Resultados: El mínimo de tiempo quirúrgico se logró después de 75 casos, manteniéndose éste entre70 y 110 minutos. Las complicaciones se mantuvieron alrededor de 5% después de superar este número. Solo hubo dos conversiones y cuatro reintervenciones, distribuidas a lo largo de la experiencia presentada. La mortalidad fue 0. Conclusiones: Caracterizarla curva de aprendizaje permite desarrollar programas de entrena-miento adaptados a la realidad de cada centro, de manera que la adquisición de las habilidades del estudiante no afecte la evolución de los pacientes(AU)

Bariatric surgery is one of the specialties of mayor growth inlast years. Objective: Characterize the laparoscopic gastric bypass learning curve. Methods: Retrospective study, of a prospective maintain date of base, with the first 300 obese patients operated,between august 2008 and july 2011 at Hospital Domingo Luciani, Caracas, Venezuela. All surgeries were perform by the author.Operative time, complications, mortality, reoperations, and conver-sions to open surgery were analyzed. Results:The minimal opera-tive time was obtain after the 75 case, being between 70 to 110min after that. Complications were around 5% after that number.There were two conversions to open surgery, and four reoperations,along the experience presented. Mortality was 0. Conclusions:Characterizing the learning curve, allows the development of trai-ning programs adapted to the reality of each center, so that the stu-dent skills acquirement does not affect the patient's evolution(AU)

The Effect of Unilateral Superior Rectus Recession for Dissociated Vertical Deviation (DVD)

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the outcome of unilateral superior rectus recession in patients with asymmetrical dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) in terms of effectiveness and influence on the fellow eye. METHODS: Medical records of 40 patients (40 eyes) who had undergone unilateral superior rectus recession for the treatment of asymmetrical DVD were retrospectively reviewed from February 1993 to March 2009. The minimum follow-up period was 1 year after the operation. RESULTS: The overall success rate in the operated eye was 97.5% at 12 months and 90% at the last follow-up. However, a DVD larger than 10 PD developed in the fellow eye in 20% (8) of the patients. In patients who preoperatively had DVD in their fellow eyes, 50% developed DVD postoperatively in their fellow eyes. In patients who preoperatively did not have DVD in their fellow eyes, 14.7% developed DVD postoperatively in their fellow eyes. Furthermore, the angle of the DVD in the fellow eye increased with the surgical dosage. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral SR recession is effective in patients with asymmetrical DVD. However, a high incidence rate of DVD in the fellow eye should be considered, especially when preoperatively there is a small DVD in the fellow eye or a large DVD angle in the operated eye, whenever monocular superior rectus recession surgery is performed.

Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Fellow Eyes of Patients with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness of fellow eyes and choroidal vascular hyperpermeability in unilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: Thirty patients with unilateral CSC and 28 normal subjects underwent enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography to evaluate bilateral subfoveal choroidal thickness. The subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured from the outer RPE border to the inner sclera border. Choroidal vascular hyperpermeability was visualized with indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness in the affected eyes (439.6 +/- 136.5 microm) was significantly thicker than that in fellow eyes (340.0 +/- 103.3 microm, p = 0.002), and both showed statistically significant difference compared with normal subjects (266.5 +/- 111.5 microm, p < 0.001, p = 0.019). The subfoveal choroidal thickness of fellow eyes with choroidal vascular hyperpermeability was 370.0 +/- 176.5 microm, which differed significantly (p = 0.037) from the choroid without choroidal vascular hyperpermeability. The choroidal thickness of acute CSC was 441.6 +/- 118.6 microm, and that of chronic CSC was 454 +/- 166.5 microm, a difference that was not statistically significant (p = 0.676). CONCLUSIONS: The subfoveal choroid with hyperpermeability was thicker than that without hyperpermeability on ICGA in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral CSC. Enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography can indirectly evaluate the effects of choroidal hyperpermeability by noninvasively measuring the choroidal thickness.

Usuário ou toxicômano?: Um estudo psicanalítico sobre duas formas possíveis de relação com as drogas na contemporaneidade / User or drug addicts?: A psychoanalytic study of two possible forms of relationship with the drugs in the contemporariness

O presente trabalho aborda o fenômeno do uso de drogas a partir da perspectiva psicanalítica, com ênfase no referencial de Freud e Lacan. Tal escolha justifica-se porque, apesar de o recurso às drogas ser universal, o modo como cada sujeito delas faz uso é singular, o que explica alguns se tornarem dependentes e outros não. Assim, a configuração de uma toxicomania remete a aspectos da subjetividade e da constituição psíquica de cada um. Nesse sentido, objetiva-se, a partir da análise das entrevistas de dois sujeitos que narraram suas experiências de recurso aos tóxicos, entender as diferenças entre usuários e toxicômanos. Os resultados apontam para a importância dos conceitos de gozo, narcisismo, identificação e laço social na configuração de uma ou outra modalidade de consumo de drogas.

This paper addresses the use and abuse of drugs through psychoanalysis, with emphasis on reference of Freud and Lacan. This choice is justified because, despite the use of drugs is universal, how each fellow makes use of them is unique, which explains some become addicted. Thus, the configuration of a drug refers to aspects of subjectivity and psychic constitution of each. In this sense, the objective is, from the analysis of the interviews of two fellows who narrated their experiences of use of drugs, understand the differences between users and addicts. The results point to the importance of the concepts of pleasure, narcissism, identification and social ties in the configuration of one or another form of drug use.

Follow-up of laser peripheral iridotomy in fellow eyes with unilateral acute attack of primary angle closure glaucoma / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Laser peripheral iridotomy(LPI) is used as the primary therapy for the eyes at risk of angle closure.But there are still 28% eyes with primary angle closure suspect occur angle closure within 2 years after LPI.It is necessary to explore the associated factors of the efficacy of LPI.Objective The aim of this study was to explore the changes of intraocular pressure(IOP) and anterior chamber angle in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral acute attack of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) and analyze the relevant factors influencing the successful rate of LPI.Methods Eighty-seven fellow eyes received LPI from 87 patients with unilateral acute attack of PACG were included in this study and retrospectively analyzed.The IOP and gonioscopy were performed before and 1 week,3,6,9,12 months after LPI.Successful signs of LPI were defined as an IOP 6-21mmHg without any anti-glaucoma medication,none of glaucomatous neuropathy and the coincident visual field loss,and no need of additional glaucomatous medication or surgery.This study was approved by Ethic Committee of the First Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College,and written informed consent was obtained from each patient.Results Seventy-nine eyes of 79 cases finished the medical visit throughout the follow-up duration with the age 61.4±0.4 years and 33(41.8%) males and 46(58.2%) females.The mean IOP was lowed in various time points after LPI in comparison with before operation with the general difference among different time visiting groups(F=4.056,P＜0.01).Shaffer grade was increased in superior,temporal and nasal quadrants and significant differences were found between 1 week group,3 months group or 6 months group and before operation group (P＜0.05).LPI lessened the range of appositional angle closure (AAC) in postoperative 1 week group and 3 months group compared with pre-operative group (P＜0.05),but no statistically significant reduce was seen in range of AAC from 6 months through 12 months after LPI in comparison with pre-operation (P＞0.05).LPI was determined as successful in 61 cases (77.2%) during one-year fellow-up period.Several variables,such as preoperative IOP,Shaffer grade of each quadrant,mean Shaffer grade and the extent of AAC,were significantly different between LPI success and failure group(P＜0.01).Cox stepwise regression analysis found that the success rate was significantly associated with the extent of AAC (Wald=48.150,RR=1.963,P＜0.01) rather than pre-IOP,Shaffer grade of each quadrant,mean Shaffer grade,age and gender (P＞0.05).Conclusion LPI can widen the anterior chamber angle and low IOP in the fellow eyes of PACG attack eyes.The success rate of LPI is associated with the extent of pre-AAC,suggesting that it is necessary for LPI in consideration of the extent of pre-AAC.

Evaluation of Glaucomatous Damage in the Fellow Eyes of Patients With Unilateral Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To investigate the visual field (VF) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) status of the fellow eyes in patients with unilateral retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: Fifty patients with unilateral RVO and 35 normal control subjects wereconsecutively recruited. Humphrey VF parameters and RNFL status using scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDx-VCC) were compared between the fellow eyes of the patients with unilateral RVO and control eyes. We also assessed the risk factors for the development of glaucomatous damage in the fellow eyes of unilateral RVO patients. RESULTS: Twelve fellow eyes out of 50 patients with unilateral RVO showed glaucomatous VF and RNFL changes assessed by GDx-VCC. VF indices and RNFL thickness parameters in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). Increased age and vertical cup-to-disc ratio were significantly associated with severity of VF and RNFL damage in the fellow eye of unilateral RVO patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The fellow eyes in patients with unilateral RVO showed significantly worse VF indices and lower RNFL thickness than normal control eyes. The glaucomatous change should be carefully monitored in the fellow eyes of unilateral RVO patients.

Surgical Practice and Fellowship Training

Although the subspecialization of surgical practice and fellowship training have progressed well in most of the university hospitals in Korea, no apparent supervision system has yet been activated. There have recently been active debates and discussions between society members on the issue of a certification for fellowship training, which ultimately prompted the Korean Surgical Society to prepare appropriate measures. In order to facilitate the process of establishing ideal measures, in our unique circumstance of surgical practice, I can suggest some of my personal opinions. First of all, I recommend that the Korean Surgical Society and its all member to strive against government interference and achieve an attending system for surgical practice and to obtain reasonable insurance reimbursement for surgeons' work, which are all prerequisites for both general and subspecialty surgical practices. Rigorous criteria for approval and credentialing of a fellowship training program should be established, whether certification will be given or not. Certification should be offered only when there is agreement between all the members of subspecialty boards and the association of practicing surgeons. All measures should be taken so as not to compromise surgical residency training by subspecialty fellowship. As subspecialization progresses, the specialty of general surgery also needs to be redefined. A discreet long-range plan of the surgical work force should be done to keep the proper number of both generalist- general surgeons and subspecialist-general surgeons. In order to take the initiative for the moderation of the interests between different subspecialty boards, and to establish a structured fellowship training program, the Korean Surgical Society should reinforce its administrative functions.

Glaucomatous Optic Nerve Damage in the Fellow Eyes of Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To determine whether glaucomatous optic nerve damage occurs in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral acute primary angle-closure glaucoma. METHODS: This study included both eyes of 75 subjects with unilateral acute primary angle-closure glaucoma in one eye, and 92 eyes of age- and refraction-matched normal controls. The presence or absence of qualitative signs for differentiating between normal and glaucoma eyes, vertical cup to disc ratio, and extent of zone beta were recorded. All subjects underwent examination with a Humphrey Field Analyser. RESULTS: Twelve fellow eyes (16%), 28 attacked eyes (37.3%), and no eyes in the control group had a vertical cup to disc ratio of 0.7 or greater (p<0.05). Thinnest rim width outside the temporal sector, rim shape alteration (alteration of ISN'T rule), baring of circumlinear vessel, and abnormal form of peripapillary atrophy were detected more frequently in fellow eyes than in normal controls (P<0.05). After excluding the attacked eyes with vertical cup to disc ratios of 0.69 or less and their fellow eyes, interocular correlation of mean deviation (r=0.31), corrected pattern standard deviation (r=0.32), extent of zone beta (r=0.57), and vertical cup to disc ratio (r=0.38) for attacked and fellow eyes were significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Some of the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral acute primary angle-closure glaucoma had glaucomatous optic nerve damage, particularly the fellow eyes with a large cup to disc ratio.

Harmonization of the Medical Specialist Certification System and the New Postgraduate Clinical Training System in Japan / 医学教育

Each medical specialist certification system in internal medicine and its subspecialities was founded and controled byeach medical society, but not by the public. Thus, each system had not been harmonized each other, and not recognizedas the public system until the the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)'s declaration of permission for publicnotification of each certificated medical speciality when approved according to their criterion. Based on the longstandingdiscussion and negotiation in the special committee on internal medicine of the Japanese Board of MedicalSpecialist, on the other hand, the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine (JSIM) and the societies of subspecialities in theinternal medical fields agreed to build up the so-called 2 stair-system as the framework of medical specialist certificationsystem, where the Certified Member of the JSIM is inevitable for application or renewal of the Fellow of the JSIM andother certifications of medical specialist of the internal medical subspecialities. In face to the new compulsory postgraduateclinical training system with super-rotation for 2 years starting from 2004 fisical year, JSIM decided that 2 yearpostgraduate clinical training is included to the 3 year training period necessary for the application of the Board CertifiedMember of JSIM, because clinical training with super-rotaion system aimed to master the capability of primary medicalcare is recognized to be also an essential part of the training program for internists. For the better medical specialist certificationsystem in the future, the Japanese Board of Medical Specialist should be approved to be the public and independentorganization for quality control of Japanese medical specialist certification system as a whole to improve medicaland welfare quality which fit for the requirement of Japanese people in the 21th century.

Long-term Intraocular Pressure Change in Attacked and Fellow eyes with Acute Angle-closure Glaucoma after Laser Iridotomy

PURPOSE: To study long-term change of intraocular pressure (IOP) in attacked and fellow eyes after laser iridotomy (LI) in the patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG). METHODS: All eyes of 72 patients were studied for more than 6-month follow-up (range: 6-67 months). LI was performed in both eyes. Subsequent long-term IOP change, and additional medical or surgical management were analyzed retrospectively. We defined re-elevation as, (1) IOP greater than 21mmHg or, (2) progression of glaucomatous optic disc change or visual field defect despite initial reduction of IOP after LI. RESULTS: The mean IOP of attacked eyes dropped from 46.6 +/- 16.5 to 13.8 +/- 6.9 mmHg after LI. Among the attacked eyes, 32 (44.4%) required further medical therapy due to re-elevation of IOP, of which 4 (5.6%) eventually underwent operation. Among the fellow eyes, 16 (22.2%) underwent further medical therapy, although none required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend close, long-term follow-up for patients with AACG, because there is high risk of re-elevation of IOP, despite well-controlled immediate IOP after LI in both attacked and fellow eyes.