PURPOSE: To compare the effect of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with conventional cataract surgery on effective phacoemulsification time (EPT). METHODS: This study included 66 patients 100 eyes who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and 68 patients 100 eyes who underwent conventional cataract surgery. Both groups underwent phacoemulsification using pulsed ultrasound energy and EPT was evaluated. The groups were further analyzed according to preoperative Lens opacities classification system (LOCS) III grading. Patients who had femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery underwent lens fragmentation with quadrant, hybrid, or grid pattern and the EPT was respectively evaluated. RESULTS: The mean EPT was 5.85 +/- 4.31 seconds in the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery group and 10.34 +/- 6.61 seconds in the conventional group. Overall, EPT was statistically significantly lower in the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery group compared to the conventional group. When the groups were analyzed according to LOCS III grading, this result was consistent for all cataract grades and the reduction in EPT was increased with the higher LOCS III grade. When the groups were analyzed according to lens fragmentation patterns, the mean EPT was lower with 350 microm grid pattern than the quadrant or hybrid pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The femtosecond laser-assisted system in cataract surgery can be an efficient cataract surgery using lower EPT compared to the conventional procedure. Additionally, significant differences were observed in the mean EPT of cataract surgery using the femtosecond laser-assisted system among the 3 lens fragmentation pattern groups.
Cataract* ; Classification ; Humans ; Phacoemulsification* ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors affecting successful occlusion treatment and visual recovery time in patients with amblyopia when best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved up to 1.0 after occlusion. METHODS: Forty-eight patients aged 2 to 13 years old with amblyopia due to refractive errors or strabismus were selected. The duration of treatment needed to achieve a BCVA of 1.0 was compared according to the cause of amblyopia (anisometropia, strabismus, combined), initial BCVA of the amblyopic eye, and the age at treatment, as well as other factors. RESULTS: The mean age of amblyopic treatment was 5.4 years old and the mean duration of treatment was 22.9 months. The duration of treatment was longer in children whose initial BCVA was lower than 0.2, those with spherical equivalent of the amblyopic eye higher than +3.0D and those older than 6 years old. However, there were no significant differences according to the cause of amblyopia. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of treatment needed to achieve a BCVA of 1.0 was prolonged when the initial BCVA in the amblyopic eye was lower than 0.2, the age at treatment was more than 6 years old, or the spherical equivalent of the amblyopic eye was higher than +3.0D at treatment. These factors can be used to predict the duration of occlusion treatment.
Amblyopia* ; Child ; Humans ; Refractive Errors ; Strabismus ; Visual Acuity

Purpose: To distinguish the dominant eye in patients with intermittent exotropia by comparing the width of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), the vascular density (VD), and the choroidal thickness (CT) in both eyes. Methods: A total of 34 subjects with intermittent exotropia were enrolled. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was performed after discrimination of the dominant eye using a prism cover test (PCT). FAZ widths in the superficial capillary plexus (referred to here as superficial FAZ or SFAZ) and in the deep capillary plexus (deep FAZ or DFAZ); VDs of the 1-mm fovea and 3-mm parafovea, specifically the superficial capillary plexus density (SCPD); and CT measured by OCTA were compared between both eyes using a one-sample t-test. These abovementioned parameters were compared between dominant and non-dominant eyes through Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: The widths of SFAZ and DFAZ, the 1-mm fovea and 3-mm parafovea SCPDs, and CT of dominant eye showed positive correlations with respect to the non-dominant eye. Although there was no statistically significant difference in SFAZ and DFAZ widths, the 3-mm parafovea SCPD, or CT between eyes, the 1-mm fovea SCPD in the non-dominant eye showed a statistically significant higher density than that of the dominant eye (p = 0.039). Conclusions Our results suggest that the higher 1-mm fovea SCPD in the non-dominant eye is due to the secondary development of capillaries around the FAZ of the non-dominant eye after the retina of both eyes had developed to some extent.

Purpose: To distinguish the dominant eye in patients with intermittent exotropia by comparing the width of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), the vascular density (VD), and the choroidal thickness (CT) in both eyes. Methods: A total of 34 subjects with intermittent exotropia were enrolled. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was performed after discrimination of the dominant eye using a prism cover test (PCT). FAZ widths in the superficial capillary plexus (referred to here as superficial FAZ or SFAZ) and in the deep capillary plexus (deep FAZ or DFAZ); VDs of the 1-mm fovea and 3-mm parafovea, specifically the superficial capillary plexus density (SCPD); and CT measured by OCTA were compared between both eyes using a one-sample t-test. These abovementioned parameters were compared between dominant and non-dominant eyes through Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: The widths of SFAZ and DFAZ, the 1-mm fovea and 3-mm parafovea SCPDs, and CT of dominant eye showed positive correlations with respect to the non-dominant eye. Although there was no statistically significant difference in SFAZ and DFAZ widths, the 3-mm parafovea SCPD, or CT between eyes, the 1-mm fovea SCPD in the non-dominant eye showed a statistically significant higher density than that of the dominant eye (p = 0.039). Conclusions Our results suggest that the higher 1-mm fovea SCPD in the non-dominant eye is due to the secondary development of capillaries around the FAZ of the non-dominant eye after the retina of both eyes had developed to some extent.

This study aimed to investigate structural differences in the retinal and choroidal blood vessels before and after patch occlusion treatment in patients with amblyopia using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to determine whether these differences are related to clinical improvement in patients. A total of 26 eyes of 17 patients with monocular or binocular amblyopia who underwent patch occlusion treatment for at least 1 month were retrospectively enrolled. The width of the foveal avascular zone, retinal blood vessel density, choroidal thickness, and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) measured by OCTA were compared before and after the treatment; the correlation with change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was analyzed for the data showing statistically significant differences. The mean BCVA of amblyopic eyes before and after patch occlusion treatment was 0.41 ± 0.23 and 0.25 ± 0.16 in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units, respectively. A decrease of about 2% in CVI was observed after the treatment (p = 0.011). The correlation between the changes in CVI and the changes in BCVA were insignificant (Rs = 0.086, p = 0.718). The results indicated that a decrease in CVI was observed after the patch occlusion treatment, but the relationship between CVI and BCVA could not be established. Patch occlusion treatment in amblyopia appears to affect the changes in the choroidal vessels and stroma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) for examining horizontal extraocular muscle thickness, distance from the corneal limbus to the insertion of the horizontal extraocular muscle (limbus to insertion distance), and scleral thickness in Korean pediatric strabismus patients. METHODS: This study included pediatric strabismus patients between 5 and 10 years of age. Children with any ocular disease other than strabismus or a history of ocular surgery were excluded. SS-OCT was used to measure horizontal extraocular muscle thickness, limbus to insertion distance, and scleral thickness. Eyes were classified into subgroups by sex, spherical equivalent of the refractive error (measured with cycloplegic refraction), and fixating/deviating eye. RESULTS: One patient initially included in this study was excluded due to poor cooperation. Of the remaining 35 eyes of 20 patients, 19 eyes (54.3%) were from male patients and 16 eyes (45.7%) were from female patients. The mean patient age was 7.86 ± 1.38 years. Lateral scleral thickness was greater in male eyes than in female eyes (p = 0.048). No other differences were noted between male and female children. Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences between fixating and deviating eyes or among spherical equivalent groups for any parameter examined. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior segment SS-OCT can successfully and comfortably measure horizontal extraocular muscle and scleral anatomy in children. These measurements may be helpful for treatment and follow-up of pediatric strabismus patients.
Child* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Limbus Corneae ; Male ; Oculomotor Muscles ; Refractive Errors ; Sclera ; Strabismus ; Tomography, Optical Coherence*

PURPOSE: The authors report their experience with four cases of paralytic exotropia from a pit viper snakebite, accompanied with a literature review. METHODS: Four patients (two males and two females) visited the emergency room in the hospital with symptoms including diplopia, limitation of eye movement, exotropia, and blepharoptosis, after being bitten by a presumed pit viper, and were treated by antivenom. RESULTS: No visual disturbance was observed in the first examination, while limitation of adduction was found in four cases in the ocular movement test. As to the type of tropia, three patients showed intermittent exotropia and the other showed exotropia. The angle of strabismus in the distance was 20~30 prism diopters (PD) while that in the near was 18~35 PD. Two cases were accompanied with blepharoptosis. Except one case which was unavailable for follow-up observation, three cases became normal in diplopia, blepharoptosis, and limitation of ocular movement between the 4th and 11th day after the snakebite. CONCLUSIONS: Neurotoxicity induced by a pit viper snakebite is rare. However, neurotoxicity including strabismus and blepharoptosis can occur because extraocular muscles have a higher ratio of nerve fibers to the extraocular muscle fibers compared with skeletal muscles.
Blepharoptosis ; Diplopia ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Exotropia* ; Eye Movements ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles ; Nerve Fibers ; Snake Bites* ; Strabismus

Annular pancreas divisum is a very rare congenital anomaly involving the coexistence of an annular pancreas and pancreatic divisum in one pancreas, and showing characteristic radiologic findings of ring-like pancreatic tissue surrounding the second portion of the duodenum and no evidence of connection between ventral and dorsalductal systems. We described the radiologic findings of annular pancreas divisum, diagnosed by hypotonic duodenography, CT and ERCP.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Duodenum ; Pancreas*

OBJECTIVE: To establish management strategy and to improve outcome of callosal arteriovenous malformations(AVMs), forty-six consecutive cases hospitalized from 1984 to 2001 are analyzed. METHODS: Clinical and radiologic files were reviewed. Average follow-up period was 20.3 months in microsurgery group, and 28.2 months in radiosurgery group. RESULTS: The resection rate of microsurgery was considered total in 12 patients(85.7% ), subtotal 2(14.3%). The final clinical outcome of microsurgery was good in 13 patients(92.8%), fair in 1(7.2%). One patient with splenial lesion had postoperative disconnection syndrome. Initial insults and hemodynamic complications were the major cause of an unfavorable outcome. In radiosurgery the complete regression of nidus was considered in 16 patients(51.6%), partial shrinkage in 13(41.9%), and no response in 2(6.5%). The clinical outcome of radiosurgery was good in 26 patients(83.9%), fair in 3(9.75%), and poor in 2(6.5%). Rebleeding during the latency period(3 patients), radiation necrosis(1 patients) and initial insults(1 patients) were the major cause of postradiosurgery morbidity. Rebleeding during the latency period occurred in 3 patients(9.7%). Two lesions were in the splenium, and one lesion in the body of corpus callosum. All lesions were larger than 3cm in diameter. Two of them occurred during the second year, and the rest one during the third year of latency period. CONCLUSION: Microsurgery, which eliminates the risk of bleeding immediately, is referred for callosal AVMs. Radiosurgery is another effective treatment modality for splenial lesions with large bridging veins that interfere with microsurgical approach, and combined endovascular treatment would be strongly recommended for the splenial lesions larger than 3cm in diameter that has higher risk of hemorrhage during the latency period.
Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Corpus Callosum ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Microsurgery ; Radiosurgery ; Veins

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcome and optical quality in eyes with diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (DMIOL) implantation after myopic refractive surgery. METHODS: Nineteen eyes (15 patients) were implanted with AcriSof ReSTOR(R) SN6AD1, the aspheric DMIOL after myopic refractive surgery (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis [LASIK] 14 eyes, photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] 4 eyes, laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis [LASEK] 1 eye). Preoperative and postoperative visual acuities and manifest refraction were measured. Preoperative corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) were measured using Hartmann-Shack (H-S) aberrometer in dilated pupils, and optical qualities were measured 1 month postoperatively using H-S aberrometer and a double-pass system under mesopic conditions. Patient satisfaction was investigated using a questionnaire at 2 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Uncorrected distant and near visual acuities at postoperative 2 months were 0.11 +/- 0.19, and 0.19 +/- 0.12 (log MAR), respectively. Postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) of 16 eyes (84.2%) was within +/-0.50 diopters (D) and all eyes were within +/-1.00 D from emmetropia. Preoperative corneal and postoperative ocular spherical aberrations in a 4.0 mm pupil diameter were 0.08 +/- 0.08 and 0.07 +/- 0.07 (microm), respectively. Objective scatter index was 3.42 +/- 1.71 and modulation transfer function (MTF) cut-off value was 21.03 +/- 12.37 cpd. General satisfaction score was 3.52 +/- 0.96 points out of 5, and 8 patients (11 eyes) were not satisfied with DMIOL implantation. CONCLUSIONS: After DMIOL implantation in the eyes with previous myopic refractive surgery, postoperative SE was close to the target D, but optical qualities and patient satisfaction were poor.
Emmetropia ; Humans ; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Patient Satisfaction ; Photorefractive Keratectomy ; Pupil ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Refractive Surgical Procedures* ; Visual Acuity