The Effects of Alcohol on Visual Evoked Potential and Multifocal Electroretinography

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of ethanol administration on pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (VEP) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG). Fifteen healthy subjects with no ocular or general disease were recruited. VEP (0.25° pattern sizes) and mfERG with 19 elements in two recording segments were performed before ethanol administration to obtain baseline for each participant. A few days later, the participants visited again for VEP and mfERG measurements after ethanol administration. Ethanol (0.75 g/kg) was administered orally over the course of 30 minutes. VEP and blood alcohol concentration were evaluated one hour after ethanol administration, and mfERG was conducted after pupil dilation. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare parameter changes after randomized eye selection. The mean blood alcohol concentration was 0.034% ± 0.05% by volume. VEP revealed a P100 latency delay (109.4 ± 5.3; 113.1 ± 8.2; P = 0.008) after alcohol administration. The P1 implicit time of ring 1 on mfERG showed a trend of shortening after alcohol administration (37.9 ± 1.0; 37.2 ± 1.5; P = 0.048). However, the changes did not show statistical significance after Bonferroni correction. In conclusion, orally administrated ethanol (0.75 g/kg) appears to suppress the central nervous system, but it is not clear whether alcohol intake affects the retina.

Simplified Method to Measure the Peripapillary Choroidal Thickness Using Three-dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To evaluate a simplified method to measure peripapillary choroidal thickness using commercially available, three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3D-OCT). METHODS: 3D-OCT images of normal eyes were consecutively obtained from the 3D-OCT database of Korea University Medical Center On the peripapillary images for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) analysis, choroidal thickness was measured by adjusting the segmentation line for the retinal pigment epithelium to the chorioscleral junction using the modification tool built into the 3D-OCT image viewer program. Variations of choroidal thickness at 12 sectors of the peripapillary area were evaluated. RESULTS: We were able to measure the peripapillary choroidal thickness in 40 eyes of our 40 participants, who had a mean age of 41.2 years (range, 15 to 84 years). Choroidal thickness measurements had strong inter-observer correlation at each sector (r = 0.901 to 0.991, p < 0.001). The mean choroidal thickness was 191 +/- 62 microm. Choroidal thickness was greatest at the temporal quadrant (mean +/- SD, 210 +/- 78 microm), followed by the superior (202 +/- 66 microm), nasal (187 +/- 64 microm), and inferior quadrants (152 +/- 59 microm). CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of choroidal thickness on peripapillary circle scan images for RNFL analysis using the 3D-OCT viewing program was highly reliable and efficient.

A Case of Secondary Macular Hole Formation after Phacoemulsification in a Vitrectomized Eye

PURPOSE: To report a case of secondary macular hole formed after phacoemulsification in a vitrectomized eye which was treated with macular hole surgery. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old man with a history of pars plana vitrectomy developed a cataract in his left eye. Uncomplicated cataract surgery involving phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation was performed. At his routine 3-month post-operative visit, he reported metamorphopsia. Fundus examinations and optical coherence tomography revealed a cystoid macular edema and a full thickness macular hole. He underwent repair of the macular hole including internal limiting membrane peeling and gas injection. Three months later, post-operative examinations showed anatomical closure of the macular hole. CONCLUSIONS: When performing cataract surgery, even in a previously vitrectomized eye, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of cystoid macular edema. A thorough pre- and post-operative assessment, including fundus examinations and optical coherence tomography must be carefully performed in order to detect a macular hole associated with cystoid macular edema. And prompt treatment is required when a macular hole is detected.

A Case of Secondary Macular Hole Formation after Phacoemulsification in a Vitrectomized Eye

PURPOSE: To report a case of secondary macular hole formed after phacoemulsification in a vitrectomized eye which was treated with macular hole surgery. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old man with a history of pars plana vitrectomy developed a cataract in his left eye. Uncomplicated cataract surgery involving phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation was performed. At his routine 3-month post-operative visit, he reported metamorphopsia. Fundus examinations and optical coherence tomography revealed a cystoid macular edema and a full thickness macular hole. He underwent repair of the macular hole including internal limiting membrane peeling and gas injection. Three months later, post-operative examinations showed anatomical closure of the macular hole. CONCLUSIONS: When performing cataract surgery, even in a previously vitrectomized eye, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of cystoid macular edema. A thorough pre- and post-operative assessment, including fundus examinations and optical coherence tomography must be carefully performed in order to detect a macular hole associated with cystoid macular edema. And prompt treatment is required when a macular hole is detected.

Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease among University Students

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) and risk factors among young people based on the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. METHODS: The authors of the present study distributed the OSDI questionnaire to 263 university students. DED was diagnosed when the OSDI score was greater than 13 points. According to the OSDI score, DED was classified as mild (13-22 points), moderate (23-32 points), or severe (33-100 points). Additionally, the associations between the OSDI score and possible risk factors such as gender, contact lens use and allergic conjunctivitis were studied. RESULTS: Of 263 students, diagnosed DED was present in 133 (50.6%) and severe cases of DED were observed in 49 (18.6%). A high OSDI score was associated with female sex (p < 0.01), a history of allergic conjunctivitis (p = 0.02), contact lens use (p < 0.01), self-awareness of the dry eye symptoms (p < 0.01) and a history of clinically diagnosed DED (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of DED, which has been reported to be high in the elderly, was considered high at 50.6% among young people in the present study. Caution or education regarding DED is necessary for people who have a high OSDI score, particularly females, contact lens wearers and people with allergic conjunctivitis.