Correlation Between Macular, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness, and Visual Field in Open Angle Glaucoma

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and to evaluate their association with glaucomatous visual field change. METHODS: Forty normal eyes of 24 subjects, 30 ocular hypertension eyes of 15 patients, 30 pre-perimetric glaucoma eyes of 18 patients and 90 open angle glaucoma eyes of 59 patients. The macularand peripapillary RNFL thickness were measured by the optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT(TM) model 3000, Carl Zeiss Meditec) and visual field tests were performed by the Humphrey's automated perimetry. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease of both the macular (p<0.05) and peripapillary RNFL thickness (p<0.001) in the open angle glaucoma group compared with the normal group. In 190 eyes, statistically significant positive relationship was demonstrated between mean deviation (MD) and all areas of peripapillary RNFL thickness (p<0.001) as well as between MD and all areas of macular thickness except the fovea, central ring (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The macular and peripapillary RNFL thickness were significantly decreased and the findings indicated a significant association with the visual field change in open angle glaucoma eyes.

A Case of Corneal Ulcer Caused by Ralstonia Paucula Infection

PURPOSE: There has not been any reports of Ralstonia paucula causing any ophthalmologic disease. However, we have detected Ralstonia paucula in the lens washing agents of a corneal ulcer patient wearing contact lens. METHODS: A 26-years-old female patient was admitted to our hospital complaining of loss of visual acuity and hyperemia. Slit lamp biomicroscopy and smear culture was done to the anterior segment of the eye and the lens cleansing agent. The patient was treated with antibiotic eye drop and intravenous antibiotic medication. RESULTS: The results of both smear and culture showed the presence of Ralstonia pacula and responded well to antibiotics treatment with ceftazidime.

A Case of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Concomittantly Presented with GI Bleeding and Its Gastrofiberscopic Findings / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (T~EN) is a severe mucocutaneous disease characterized by epidermal necrosis possibly extended to the entire body surface and involving multiple internal organs. Digestive tract may be involved too, but there is few report about gastrointestinal lesion in patient with TEN. Recently we experienced a case of TEN with gastrointestinal bleeding in previously healthy 32-year-old woman. The condition developed three days after the initiation of treatment with NSAID and progressed caudally, involving 60 percent of the skin surfaces. During a period of admission gastrointestinal bleeding was noticed. The gastrofiberscopy showed diffuse superficial mucosal lesion with oozing from swollen friable and erythematous mucosa. The skin lesion was progressed inspite of withdrawal of causative agents. The patient was expired due to combined septic shock 10 days later. We report this case with gastrofiberscopic findings and a brief review of literature.