Changes in Higher-order Aberrations after Superior-incision Cataract Surgery in Patients with Positive Vertical Coma

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare changes in higher-order aberrations after superior-incision cataract surgery between eyes with a within-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism and an against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism in patients with positive vertical coma. METHODS: This study included patients who presented with positive vertical coma and who underwent cataract surgery through a 2.5 mm superior clear corneal incision. The eyes included in this study were divided into two groups (37 eyes with WTR astigmatism and 33 eyes with ATR astigmatism), and uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, and corneal astigmatism were measured before and after surgery. In addition, anterior, posterior, and total aberrations (i.e., oblique trefoil, horizontal trefoil, vertical coma, horizontal coma, spherical aberration, and total higher-order aberrations) were measured using a Pentacam. RESULTS: In the WTR astigmatism group, anterior/posterior corneal aberrations and total aberrations were significantly decreased after surgery (p < 0.05). However, in the ATR astigmatism group, a significant decrease in the posterior vertical coma (p = 0.008) was observed, although there was no change in total vertical coma. A significant increase in oblique trefoil was observed in both groups, while a significant decrease in horizontal trefoil was found in the ATR astigmatism group (all p < 0.05). For spherical aberration, the ATR astigmatism group showed a significant decrease in anterior cornea aberrations (p < 0.001). For total higher-order aberrations, the WTR astigmatism group showed a significant increase in anterior and posterior aberrations, while the ATR astigmatism group showed a significant increase in posterior aberrations (p < 0.05, p = 0.001, respectively). In the case of horizontal coma and corneal astigmatism, both groups exhibited no significant changes after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: When superior-incision cataract surgery was performed, vertical coma was affected by the axis of astigmatism, resulting in a significant decrease in the WTR astigmatism group. However, no significant changes in corneal astigmatism were observed before and after surgery.

Clinical Features of Acquired Paralytic Strabismus

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the cause of acquired third, fourth, and sixth nerve palsy while also establishing recovery rates and important factors for recovery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for 92 patients who visited the ophthalmologic department of Konyang University Hospital with acquired third, fourth, and sixth nerve palsy from March 2015 to February 2016. Recovery rates and factors for recovery were evaluated in only 66 patients who received first ocular exam within 2 weeks of onset and who were followed up for at least 6 months. Complete recovery was defined as both complete recovery of the angle of deviation and the restoration of eye movement in all directions. For the degree of ocular motor restriction, −4 was defined as not crossing the midline and −2 was defined as 50% eye movement. The degree of ocular motor restriction was analyzed from −1/2 to 4. RESULTS: The fourth nerve was affected most frequently (n = 37, 40.2%), followed by the sixth cranial nerve (n = 33, 35.9%), the third cranial nerve (n = 18, 19.6%), and a combination of 2 or more cranial nerves (n = 4, 4.3%). Vasculopathy (n = 44, 47.8%) was the most common etiology, followed by trauma (n = 14, 15.2%), idiopathic (n = 13, 14.1%), inflammation(n = 10, 10.9%), neoplasm (n = 9, 9.8%), and aneurysm (n = 2, 2.2%). Complete recovery rate occurred for 66.7% (n = 44) of patients, and the overall recovery rate (i.e., at least partial recovery) was 86.3% (n = 57). Significant factors for complete recovery were the initial deviation angle and the limitation of extraocular movement (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, respectively, according to univariate analysis). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, paralytic strabismus due to vasculopathy was the most common etiology, and a lower degree of initial deviation resulted in an improved complete recovery rate. In addition, a high overall recovery rate was possible through quick diagnosis and early treatment of cranial nerve palsy.

Changes in Macular Retinal Layers and Peripapillary Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness after 577-nm Pattern Scanning Laser in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in thickness of each macular retinal layer, the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and central macular thickness (CMT) after 577-nm pattern scanning laser (PASCAL) photocoagulation in patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 33 eyes with diabetic retinopathy that underwent 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation. Each retinal layer thickness, peripapillary RNFL thickness, and CMT were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography before 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation, as well as at 1, 6, and 12 months after 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation. Computerized intraretinal segmentation of optical coherence tomography was performed to identify the thickness of each retinal layer. RESULTS: The average thickness of the RNFL, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, inner retinal layer, and CMT at each follow-up increased significantly from baseline (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Each macular retinal layer and CMT had a tendency to increase for one year after 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation, whereas the average thickness of retinal pigment epithelium decreased at one-year follow-up compared to the baseline. Although an increase in peripapillary RNFL thickness was observed one month after 577-nm PASCAL photocoagulation, there were no significant changes at the one-year follow-up compared to the baseline.

Chronic Irreducible Anterior Dislocation of the Shoulder without Significant Functional Deficit

Shoulder dislocation is frequently encountered by orthopedists, and closed manipulation is often sufficient to treat the injury in an acute setting. Although most dislocations are diagnosed and managed promptly, there are rare cases that are missed or neglected, leading to a chronically dislocated state of the joint. They are usually irreducible and cause considerable pain and functional disability in most affected patients, prompting the need to find a surgical method to reverse the worsening conditions caused by the dislocated joint. However, there are cases of even greater rarity in which chronic shoulder dislocations are asymptomatic with minimal functional or structural degeneration in the joint. These patients are usually left untreated, and most show good tolerance to their condition without developing disabling symptoms or significant functional loss over time. We report on one such patient who had a chronic shoulder dislocation for more than 2 years without receiving treatment.

Systemic Steroid Therapy for Serous Retinal Detachment Caused by Excessive Endolaser during Diabetic Retinopathy Surgery

PURPOSE: To report cases of macular serous retinal detachment caused by excessive intraoperative endolaser in patients with diabetic vitreous hemorrhage. Macular serous retinal detachment was improved by systemic steroid therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old male (case 1) and a 67-year-old female (case 2) treated with vitrectomy and endolaser (case 1, 3,184 shots; case 2, 1,734 shots) because of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage visited our out-patient clinic with blurred vision. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in case 1 was hand motion and 0.03 in case 2. Fundus examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed extensive subretinal fluid accumulation of the posterior pole. With the diagnosis of macular serous retinal detachment caused by excessive intraoperative endoaser, oral steroid (40 mg/qd, 5 days) was administered and then later reduced in case 1. In case 2, we administered intravenous high-dose steroid (250 mg/qid, 3 days). After systemic steroid therapy, BCVA was improved to 20/30 in case 1 and 20/40 in case 2 and OCT showed the subretinal fluid was resolved. CONCLUSIONS: During diabetic retinopathy surgery, excessive endolaser induced macular serous retinal detachment and systemic steroid therapy was necessary in diabetic patients. Thus, physicians should be well acquainted with this complication.

Noninfectious Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Injection of Aflibercept

PURPOSE: To report a case of noninfectious endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of aflibercept. CASE SUMMARY: A 67-year-old male patient presented with sudden vision loss 2 days after intravitreal aflibercept injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Mild conjunctival injection and moderate inflammation in the anterior chamber were noted, but he had no ocular pain or hypopyon. The patient was diagnosed with noninfectious endophthalmitis and successfully treated with topical antibiotics and topical steroid eye drops. The infection was apparently cleared at 3 days. At 10 days after the initial presentation, his vision loss resolved completely. CONCLUSIONS: Noninfectious endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of aflibercept can be treated with topical steroids.

A Clinical Study of Dermatologic Diseases in Elderly Patients / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: According to developments in socioeconomic status and medical science, the population of aged individuals has significantly increased. Therefore, this group needs a fundamental epidemiologic survey of dermatologic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dermatologic diseases in the elderly and to compare with those of previous studies. METHODS: 729 out-patients over 65 years of age who had visited the Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju Christian Hospital from January, 2004 to December, 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The elderly group over 65 years of age accounted for 9.7% of all new patients (729/7,532 cases). The ratio of males to females was 1 to 0.99 (366 cases : 363 cases). Patients between 65 and 69 years of age were the majority (36.2%). They visited the hospital most frequently in the summer (31.8%), especially August (11.0%). The most common disease was herpes zoster (10.5%), followed by fungal infection (10.3%), and allergic contact dermatitis (8.4%). Fungal infection was the most frequent disease in patients between 65 and 69 years old and herpes zoster was the most frequent disease between 70 and 79 years old. Scabies was the most frequent disease in patients over 80 years old. Pruritis was found in 9.7% and xerosis in 7.0%. Eczema was the most common disease group (in 22.0%) and the second mmost common was viral infection (12.3%). CONCLUSION: This study provides useful data on the prevalence and characteristics of dermatologic diseases in elderly Korean patients.

Predictive Factors of Neurologic Outcome in Patients With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy After Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can lead to various neurologic outcomes in patients with hypoxicischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This study investigated the usefulness of clinical markers and electroencephalography (EEG) in predicting the neurologic prognosis of HIE after CPR. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical findings of 51 patients with HIE, including the medical history, the duration from the onset of symptoms to the recovery of spontaneous circulation, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) scores, and presence of seizure or status epilepticus. Patients were divided into three outcomes groups: death, persistent vegetative state, and recovering alertness and awareness. Digital EEG and visual and quantitative analyses were performed in each patient. For quantitative EEG (qEEG) analysis, we defined and compared the distance in the spatial band-power patterns and phase coherence patterns between healthy normal subjects and each patient. RESULTS: Patients with HIE showed a high mortality rate (54.9%, 28/51), and their neurologic prognosis was significantly related to the initial GCS and FOUR scores. In the qEEG analysis, patients' groups showed a prominent delta frequency band, and the healthy normal group presented a marked alpha predominance. As the severity decreased, the similarity in the spatial band-power pattern and functional connectivity pattern between normal subjects and patients increased. CONCLUSIONS: Low initial GCS and FOUR scores could be predictive of a poor neurologic prognosis in patients with HIE, and qEEG analysis might be a useful predictor of their neurologic outcomes.

Relationships between 24-Hour Blood Pressures, Subcortical Ischemic Lesions, and Cognitive Impairment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The most important treatment for subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) is controlling the blood pressure (BP). However, the few studies that have investigated the relationships between diurnal BP rhythm and subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment have produced inconclusive results. In the study presented here, the 24-hour BP values of three groups of subjects-patients with subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (SvMCI), patients with SVaD, and normal controls-were compared using working criteria and 24-hour ambulatory BP (ABP) monitoring. METHODS: The subjects (42 patients with SVaD, 37 patients with SvMCI, and 30 controls) were selected according to the study's inclusion/exclusion criteria. All subjects underwent brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography, detailed neuropsychological testing, and 24-hour ABP monitoring. RESULTS: The prevalence of nondippers differed markedly between the control group and both the SVaD and SvMCI groups. Loss of nocturnal dipping was significantly associated with SVaD [odds ratio (OR), 4.827; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-12.05]. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that SVaD is associated with loss of nocturnal BP dipping combined with increased pulse pressure and systolic BP (SBP) variability. Correction of these factors could therefore be important in the prevention of SVaD, independent of measures used to reduce BP.