A Statistical Observation of the Ocular Injuries

PURPOSE: We investigated the regional characteristics and new currents of ocular injuries and use the results for the prevention and treatment of ocular injuries. METHODS: We retrospectively surveyed 1115 eyes of 1013 patients who visited Gachon medical center from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003. The incidence of ocular injuries, sex, age, monthly and seasonal distribution, causes, diagnosis, visual acuity and complications were reviewed statistically. RESULTS: The incidence of ocular injuries was 4.2%. The incidence was more common in males (75.8%) and in the 4th decade (22.2%). The patients who needed admission or surgery were 22.2%. Ocular injuries were more common in summer (28.5%) and less in winter (20.4%). The most common cause was industrial accidents (40.0%) and the second common cause was violence (30.9%). The most common injured site was the orbit (36.3%). Among the diagnoses of the inpatients, orbital wall fracture was most common (41.9%). The initial visual acuity was less than 0.1 for 14.2% of the eyes and the final acuity was less than 0.1 of the eyes for 5.2%. CONCLUSIONS: This survey gathered the regional characteristics and new currents of ocular injuries.

Concentrations of Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin in Human Aqueous Humor after Topical Administration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the concentrations of commercially available ofloxacin 0.3%, levofloxacin 0.5%, and ciprofloxacin 0.3% topical ophthalmic solutions in human aqueous humor. METHODS: Patients scheduled to undergo phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens insertion for treatment of cataract were enrolled in this prospective study. After informed consent was obtained, patients were randomized to receive 1 drop of ofloxacin 0.3%, levofloxacin 0.5%, or ciprofloxacin 0.3% topical ophthalmic solution 5 times at 1-hour intervals from 6pm one day before surgery and 3 further times at 5-min intervals immediately before surgery. After aspirating approximately 0.1 mL of aqueous fluid by paracentesis, surgery was commenced. We recorded the interval between the last drop and paracentesis. Specimens were stored at -70 degrees C until assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled. 14 male and 19 patients female. The mean age was 59.4 years. The mean concentrations of levofloxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in aqueous humor were 577.8 ng/ml, 279.6 ng/ml and 53.0 ng/ml, respectively. The differences of concentration among the three groups were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of levofloxacin 0.5% solution was highest, followed in order by ofloxacin 0.3% and ciprofloxacin 0.3%.

Clinical Evaluation of Endoscopic Endonasal Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) with Jones Tube Placement

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic endonasal primary conjunctivodacryocysto-rhinostomy (CDCR) and revision CDCR after primary CDCR. METHODS: Twenty patients who had undergone endoscopic endonasal CDCR with Jones tube and who were followed for over 6 months at our hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Our analysis included success rate, operation time and causes of failure. RESULTS: The indications for revision CDCR were prolapse of Jones tube and inadequate tube length. The initial success rate in the primary and revision groups was 78.6% (11/14) and 100% (6/6), respectively. Two initial failures in the primary group were later successful after revision. The mean operation time in the groups was 23.9 minutes ( +/- 6.3) and 21.7 minutes ( +/- 6.1), respectively. The main causes of failure included inaccurate tube length and abnormal tube position. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic endonasal CDCR appears to be a reasonable approach for revision, as well as primary, because of accurate measurement of Jones tube length during surgery and the shortened operation time.

2002 Survey for KSCRS Members: Current Trends in Cataract and Refractive Surgery in Korea

PURPOSE: Since 1995, we have annually surveyed the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) on cataract surgery technique, anesthesia, intraocular lens and refractive surgery to understand the current situation and future trends in these fields. METHODS: Eighth annual survey forms consisted of 114 multiple-choice questions mailed in Feburary 2003 to 385 ophthalmologists of the KSCRS. Approximately 28.1% of the questionaires mailed were returned. Current data were compared with previous annual survey and data from Japan and USA. RESULTS: Hospitalized period is decreased annually and use of topical anesthesia (44%) increased. Self sealing wound construction was the main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification accounted for 54%. Most preferred intraocular lenses for small incision cataract surgery are acrylic (58%), increased highly. The number of members performing excimer laser keratomileusis for refractive surgery was increased (77%). Most respondants preferred LASIK without regard to diopter range. Legal problems on excimer laser and LASIK is in increased. The implantation of phakic IOL is performed by 17% of the members and 91% of members are interested in it. CONCLUSIONS: From this survey, we found current trend and change in cataract and refractive surgery in Korea are similar to those of Japan and USA.

Atmospheric Concentration of Heavy Metals of Pusan Area / 예방의학회지

This study was carried out to assess the present level of atmospheric metals. Five metals-lead, cadmium, chromium, manganese, vanadium-were checked on the industrial(Sasang) and residental area(Daeshindong) in the city of Pusan sampling period was the year of 1986, 1990, and 1994, and the sampling time was 2 days of each site. As the result of comparison with the atmospheric standard of ASHRAE(1980) the average concentrations of lead was above the standard, the average concentrations of chromium was around the standard, and the average concentrations of cadmium and vanadium was below the standard. The average concentrations of manganese was above the standard of industrial environment. And the average concentrations of five metals was higher in the industrial area than the residental area The average concentrations of lead cadmium and chromium showed the increase tendency by the year, and the average concentrations of vanadium showed no change, and the average concentrations of manganese showed the decrease tendency. As a result of correlation analysis, lead and cadmium(r=0.31), vanadium and manganese(r=0.24), vanadium and chromium(r=0.19) showed significance.

A Study of Working Environments and Workers Exposed to Chromium / 예방의학회지

For the purpose of providing the basic data for health management of workers who are exposed to chromium and for improving the quality of working environment, the authors evaluated blood and urinary level of chromium, the occupational history, AST, ALT, Hb, Hct, nasal specular examination on 287 workers who have been dealed chromium compounds in 56 manufacturing industries of five types, that is, 38 metal plating services(plating), 4 manufacture of other fabricated metal products (fabricated metal product), 5 manufacturing of dyestuff(dyestuff), 6 dressing and dyeing of leather (leather), 3 others (manufacture of pottery and ceramic household wares, motor vehicles, electronic valves and tubes and other electronic components) and also measured the level of chromium in air from February to october 1993. The results were as follows; 1. The utilized type of chromium compounds was the hexavalent state in plating, fabricated metal product, dyestuff leather and the trivalent state in other, and atmospheric chromium concentration as geometric mean was 0.0138m3(0.001~0.068 mg/m3) in plating, 0.0115 mg/m3(0.006~0.015 mg/m3) in fabricated metal product, 0.068 mg/m3 (0.002~0.019 mg/m3)in dyestuff, 0.0083 mg/m3(0.002~0.028 mg/m3) in leather, 0.0039 mg/m3(0.003~0.005 mg/m3) in other by the type of industry and it exceeded TLV-TWA (0.05 mg/m3) in five(13.6%) of plating services. 2. The geometric mean of chromium in blood was 1.54 microgram/dl(0.10~3.62 microgram/dl) in planting, 0.94 microgram/dl(0.27~2.82 microgram/dl) in fabricated metal product, 0.51 microgram/dl(0.10~3.25 microgram/dl) in dyestuff, 0.87 microgram/dl(0.15~8.00 microgram/dl) in leather 0.55 microgram/dl(0.20~2.28 microgram/dl) in other by the type of industry(P<0.001). 3. The geometric mean of chromiurn in urine was 14.47 microgram/l(6.90~28.00 microgram/l) in planting, 4.63 microgram/l(0.24~43.00 microgram/l) in fabricated metal product, 5.93 microgram/l(1.00~33.00 microgram/l) in dyestuff. 11.09 microgram/l(0.80~48.00 microgram/l) in leather, 12.41 microgram/l(10.10~41.00 microgram/l) in other by the type of industry(P<0.001). 4 As the result of nasal specular examination, twenty four cases(8.4%) of nasal septal perforation among 287 total subjects was observed, and there were 17(9.7%) cases in plating, 4 cases(14.3%) in dressing and dyeing of leather. In the comparison of chromium concentration in blood and urine between the perforated group and nonperforated group the perforated group showed a significantly higher value as 1.883+/-3.055 microgram/dl and 0.793+/-0.815 microgram/dl(P<0.001). 21.31+/-34.610 microgram/L and 9.304+/-11.079 microgram/L(P<0.001). 5. The mean concentration of chromium in blood, urine and the mean level of AST, ALT, Hb and Hct in exposure group were higher than those of control group(P<0.001).