Author Correction: Major ocular trauma in Taiwan: 2002-2004 versus 2012-2014.

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Major ocular trauma in Taiwan: 2002-2004 versus 2012-2014.

We investigated the temporal changes in major eye injuries in Taiwan by reviewing the medical records of all patients with ocular trauma hospitalized at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital during 2002-2004 and 2012-2014. A total of 169 eyes (161 patients) during 2002-2004 and 121 eyes (120 patients) during 2012-2014 were enrolled (mean ± SD age: 41.9 ± 20.8 years in 2002-2004, and 51.8 ± 19.3 years in 2012-2014). Males accounted for ~75% of patients. The most frequent injury-causing object was metallic material (~24%), and blunt traumas were most frequently attributable to traffic accidents and falls. The most common locations of injuries for males and females were the workplace and home, respectively. Open-globe injuries occurred in ~70% of eyes, requiring primary repair, cataract extraction, and/or intraocular lens implantation. The frequencies of fall injury, lacrimal system laceration, lens injury, corneal/scleral foreign bodies, and use of intracameral antibiotics increased from 2002-2004 to 2012-2014, while those of closed-globe injury, vitreous haemorrhage, optic nerve injury, and medical treatment decreased. The final visual acuity remained poor (≤20/200) in >1/3 of injured eyes. Despite therapeutic advancements, major eye injuries still pose a high risk for poor visual outcome.

Spontaneous suprachoroidal hemorrhage: Case report and review of the literature.

We present the clinical course, management, and final outcome of spontaneous suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SSCH) in an age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patient-a 64-year-old male receiving antiplatelet therapy who developed SSCH during the Valsalva maneuver. In addition to our case study, we discuss the results of a systemic review of the literature and reference lists of retrieved studies published from January 2001 to December 2013. Among a total of 31 patients (32 eyes), acute secondary glaucoma was a complication in 87.5% of the cases, and over half of the cases (20 eyes, 62.5%) received surgery. Twenty cases (64.5%) were characterized by systemic hypertension (HTN), followed by cardiovascular or cerebral vascular disease in 17 cases (54.8%). The Valsalva maneuver was performed in five cases (16.1%) prior to the episode. Twenty-three cases (74.2%) had abnormal hemostasis, including use of anticoagulants or thrombolytic agents (18 cases), chronic renal failure (CRF, 5 cases), and blood dyscrasia (3 cases). AMD was the most common (17 eyes of 16 patients, 53.1%) ocular disease. Visual acuity was classified as hand motion (HM) or worse in 20 eyes (of 28 eyes, 71.4%) at initial presentation and in 24 eyes (of 30 eyes, 80%) upon final examination. Anticoagulated patients with AMD should be informed of the risk of intraocular hemorrhage. Medical therapy usually fails in the treatment of glaucoma. Surgical intervention provides an option for the purpose of pain relief. Even so, the final visual prognosis is usually poor.

Effects of Exercise Training on Autonomic Function in Chronic Heart Failure: Systematic Review.

Objectives. Cardiac autonomic imbalance accompanies the progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). It is unclear whether exercise training could modulate autonomic control in CHF. This study aimed to review systematically the effects of exercise training on heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with CHF. Methods. Literatures were systematically searched in electronic databases and relevant references. Only published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on exercise training for CHF were eligible for inclusion. Outcome measurements included HRR and HRV parameters. Results. Eight RCTs were eligible for inclusion and provided data on 280 participants (186 men). The participants were 52-70 years of age with New York Heart Association functional class II-III of CHF. Each study examined either aerobic or resistance exercise. Two trials addressed outcome of HRR and six HRV among these studies. Two RCTs showed that moderate aerobic exercise could improve HRR at 2 minutes after exercise training in CHF. Five of six RCTs demonstrated positive effects of exercise training on HRV which revealed the increments in high frequency (HF) and decrements in LF (low frequency)/HF ratio after training. Conclusion. Participation in an exercise training program has positive effects on cardiac autonomic balance in patients with CHF.

Partial vision recovery after iatrogenic retinal artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND: To describe the first case of partial vision recovery in a 32-year-old woman with iatrogenic retinal artery occlusion (RAO) following glabella calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) injection, and to explore appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures according to a literature review. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old woman had left eye RAO and a bilateral visual field defect after CaHA injection into the glabella region. Topical and systemic intraocular pressure lowering agents, isovolemic hemodilution, globe massage, and anticoagulation with acetylsalicylic acid were prescribed. Carbogen inhalation and oral corticosteroids were also given. In addition to the above therapies, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was implemented as adjuvant treatment. The final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the left eye improved from hand motion at 15 cm to 0.1. Improved retinal circulation and decreased retinal vessel leakage were found in the follow-up fluorescein angiography. However, there were still multiple emboli in the conjunctival and retinal arteries. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report on partial recovery of BCVA after iatrogenic RAO following cosmetic CaHA injection. Because no reliable treatments have been reported for such complications, HBOT may be considered as an alternative adjuvant therapy.

Comparison of effectiveness of pressure threshold and targeted resistance devices for inspiratory muscle training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies have provided little information about the comparative efficacy of treatment with pressure threshold and targeted resistive inspiratory muscle training devices. This study compared the efficacy of these two types of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) devices on inspiratory muscle function, exercise capacity, and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Forty two patients with moderate to severe COPD were randomly assigned to either a control group, a group receiving pressure threshold inspiratory muscle training, or a group receiving targeted resistive inspiratory muscle training. The training intensity was 50% of patients' maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). Home-based training comprised two 15-minute sessions a day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Inspiratory muscle function measurement included MIP and inspiratory muscle endurance. RESULTS: Thirty patients completed the program, 10 from each group. Twelve patients were excluded because of changes in pharmacological regimen or admission to the hospital (n = 5), study withdrawal (n = 4), or poor compliance with the training program (n = 3). After training, a significant increase in endurance time was found for the threshold group and targeted resistive group (4.4 +/- 3.2 min and 3.0 +/- 2.9 min, respectively, both p < 0.05 vs control), with no significant difference between the 2 training groups. The 6-minute walking distance also increased significantly in both training groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Targeted resistive IMT with a controlled training load has a similar efficacy to the more popularly used pressure threshold IMT and can be incorporated in the treatment of COPD patients. The targeted resistance device offers a less expensive and easily used treatment choice.