AIM: To evaluate the relationship between damages of visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)with highly myopia. POAG with highly myopia group (21 eyes of 17 cases), POAG with non-highly myopia group (17 eyes of 16 cases), highly myopia without POAG group (25 eyes of 20 cases) and normal control group (19 eyes of 17 cases).automated perimeter and thickness of RNFL was measured by optical coherent tomography(OCT). Main outcome mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD) and mean sensitivity at superior, inferior, nasal and temporal sectors in total deviation probability plots. Thickness of RNFL at superior, inferior, nasal and temporal sector.total deviation probability plots of the early POAG with highly myopia than that of POAG without highly myopia,and the early visual field defects of glaucoma in pattern deviation probability plots of this group. MD of POAG with highly myopia was more than those of others (P＜0.05).The differences of MD, PSD and mean sensitivity between POAG with highly myopia and others were significant(P＜0.05).Mean sensitivities in each sector of POAG without highly myopia were similar to those of highly myopia(P＞0.05). The thickness of RNFL of POAG with highly myopia was thinner than that of others and the thickness of RNFL of normality was thicker than that of others. The relationship between mean sensitivity and the thickness of RNFL in each quadrant was significant(P＜0.05).judgment of the visual field changes in POAG with highly myopia. The relationship between RNFL thickness by OCT and visual field damage may provide clinically relevant information in diagnosis of POAG with highly myopia. Field; optical coherent tomography

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and curative effect of thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG) by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) through right anterior-lateral approach.

METHODSFifty-six patients of MG were treated with thoracoscopic thymectomy and mediastinal fat dissection through right anterior-lateral approach from August 2001 to October 2007. The feasibility, safety, complication and remission for MG were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSFifty-five operations were completed by VATS. The mean operative time and blood loss were (96.2 +/- 52.1) min and (68.7 +/- 21.4) ml, respectively. The brachiocephalic vein injury by the electric coagulator occurred in two cases and one of them performed thoracotomy for homeostasis, the other performed ligation. The postoperative pathology showed hyperplasia in 38 cases, atrophy in 5 cases, thymoma in 12 cases and cyst of thymus in 1 case. And the operative complication included one myasthenia crisis (1.8%) at the third day and one death (1.8%) at the eighth day because of postoperative hemorrhage. The average length of stay was (7.9 +/- 2.9) d. All cases were followed up from one to seventy months. Eight (14.3%) of complete remission, 39 cases (69.6%) of partial remission and 7 cases (12.5%) of no change were found. The total effective rate was 83.9%.

CONCLUSIONSThoracoscopic thymectomy through right anterior lateral approach is technically feasible, safe and minimally invasive. It has a high remission rate for MG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thymectomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome