Purpose: To report a case of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) formation secondary to demarcation laser retinopexy in a retinal break with localized retinal detachment patient.Case summary: A 59-year-old male visited our clinic with ocular discomfort in both eyes. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.63 in right eye. Large retinal break in 1:30 o/c, localized retinal detachment and laser marking scars all around the right eye were found in fundoscopic exam. Posterior-vitreous detachment or vitreomacular traction was not observed in optical coherence tomography (OCT). Demarcation laser retinopexy was performed around the margin of retinal detachment and peripheral degenerative lesions. Three months after demarcation laser retinopexy, UCVA in right eye of the patient was decreased to 0.16 and full thickness macular hole was observed on OCT examination. Pars planar vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and SF6 gas tamponade were performed in the right eye. One month after the surgery, closure of FTMH was observed. Three months after surgery, there were no recurrence of FTMH in the right eye. Conclusions Demarcation laser photocoagulation of localized retinal detachments may predispose to FTMH formation. Even though it can be occurred rarely, follow-up check-up is necessary in consideration of the possibility of FTMH, which can cause serious visual loss.

Purpose: We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on myopia progression in pediatric patients who received low-dose atropine (0.01%) eye drops. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of pediatric patients who received ≥ 12 months of low-dose atropine (atropine sulfate 0.01%) eye drops for myopia. The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was defined as February 2020. Patients were divided into two groups for comparative analysis. Patients in group A received low-dose atropine for ≥ 12 months between July 2013 and January 2020, whereas patients in group B received low-dose atropine between February 2020 and July 2021; atropine eye drops were administered once daily. The spherical equivalent and axial length of the right eye were measured at the initiation of treatment and after 12 months. Results: Among the 72 patients, 34 in group A received low-dose atropine before the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas 38 in group B received low-dose atropine after the COVID-19 pandemic. After 12 months of treatment with low-dose atropine eye drops, the changes in spherical equivalent were -0.58 ± 0.47 diopters (D) in group A and -0.84 ± 0.56 D in group B (p = 0.045). Moreover, the changes in axial length were 0.30 ± 0.23 mm in group A and 0.50 ± 0.31 mm in group B (p = 0.011). Conclusions The efficacy of low-dose atropine eye drops in pediatric myopia patients has decreased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To investigate the postoperative effect of intralesional steroid injection during incision and curettage of chalazia. Methods: From January 2015 to January 2021, patients who underwent incision and curettage for the diagnosis of chalazia were divided into groups: with or without intralesional steroid injection during incision and curettage. Incision and curettage were performed in 88 eyes, and concurrent intralesional steroid injection, incision, and curettage were performed in 44 eyes. Each group was further divided according to the incision site: subconjunctival or skin incisions. The degree of erythema, recurrence, and recurrence rate were reviewed in patients who underwent skin incisions, while the degree of swelling, recurrence, and recurrence rate, in those who underwent subconjunctival incisions. Results: In the group that underwent incision and drainage through skin incisions, no significant difference was observed in the degree of erythema reduction 1 week after surgery between patients treated with steroid injections and those without (p = 0.609). No difference was observed in the degree of swelling reduction 1 week after surgery between the two groups that underwent incision drainage with steroid injection and the group that did not (p = 0.502). No significant difference was observed between the two groups, with a rate of 0.04% of remaining chalazia after 1 month in patients who underwent incision and drainage alone and 0.02% in patients who received both incision drainage and steroid injections (p = 0.414). Conclusions In the treatment of chalazia, concurrent intralesional steroid injections were not effective in the regression of postoperative lesional erythema and swelling.

Purpose: To present a case of a patient diagnosed with idiopathic hemolacria.Case Summary: A healthy 19-year-old man without pre-existing medical conditions presented to the hospital for treatment of intermittent bloody tears from his right eye. The patient reported experiencing bloody tears in his right eye approximately once per month during stressful events for the preceding 6 years. These episodes were associated with ocular pain, right-eye hyperemia, headaches, and nausea. However, these symptoms of bloody tears spontaneously resolved without intervention. Corrected visual acuity in the right eye was 1.0, and the intraocular pressure was 16 mmHg. There were no abnormalities in the ocular appendages, anterior chamber, or eyelids. Nasolacrimal duct probing and irrigation, as well as fundus examination, revealed normal findings. Brain and orbital magnetic resonance imaging did not show abnormalities in the brain or the orbital region, although slight mucosal thickening was present around the right lacrimal gland. Other examinations, including an electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, blood test, and nasal endoscopy, all revealed normal findings. Conclusions Recurrent bloody tears (hemolacria) occurred in the right eye of a 19-year-old man with no history of trauma, intraocular surgery, or underlying medical conditions. Comprehensive ophthalmic examination and brain and orbital magnetic resonance imaging failed to identify any specific abnormalities leading to a diagnosis of idiopathic hemolacria.

A recent understanding of the dynamic continuous spectrum of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection has led to the recognition of incipient tuberculosis, which refers to the latent infection state that has begun to progress to active tuberculosis. The importance of early detection of these individuals with a high-risk of progression to active tuberculosis is emphasized to efficiently implement targeted tuberculosis preventive therapy. However, the tuberculin skin test or interferon-γ release assay, which is currently used for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection, does not aid in the prediction of the risk of progression to active tuberculosis. Thus, a novel test is urgently needed. Recently, simultaneous and systematic analysis of differentially expressed genes using a high-throughput platform has enabled the discovery of key genes that may serve potential biomarkers for the diagnosis or prognosis of diseases. This host transcriptional investigation has been extended to the field of tuberculosis, providing promising results. The present review focuses on recent progress and challenges in the field of blood transcriptional signatures to predict progression to active tuberculosis.

Objective: While using digital technologies for social health is widely acknowledged, the relationship between loneliness, social isolation, and digital health literacy remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the levels of loneliness, social isolation, and digital health literacy in older women living alone and to explore the associations between these factors. Methods: In August 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on 145 older women living alone, selected using convenience sampling. The study used the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (version 3), Lubben Social Network Scale-6, and Digital Health Technology Literacy-Assessment Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman’s rho correlation, and a generalized linear model (GLM). Results: Of the participants, 22.8% (n=33) reported moderate loneliness, 20.7% (n=30) reported severe loneliness, and 36.6% (n=53) were at risk for social isolation. The mean digital health literacy score among participants was 4.85 (SD=6.92), which is relatively low. Importantly, our findings using a GLM to control for covariates revealed a significant association between loneliness (B=-0.013, p=0.018) and digital health literacy. Conclusion The increased loneliness experienced during the pandemic may contribute to low digital health literacy, alienating these individuals from the benefits of digital technologies. Therefore, in developing digital health programs or policies, it is imperative to consider the psychosocial status of individuals, including loneliness, while enhancing digital health literacy.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the level of digital health literacy and identify factors associated with digital health literacy among older adults living alone in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 140 older adults aged 65 and above who live alone. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric methods were used to explore the relationship between digital health literacy and independent variables. A generalized linear model was used to identify factors associated with digital health literacy. Results: Among 140 smartphone-owning older adults living alone, 52.1% were using the Internet via digital devices, and the participants’ average digital health literacy score was 6.64±7.46. Univariate analysis results showed significant differences in digital health literacy according to age, education level, and multimorbidity. The factors associated with digital health literacy were identified as gender (B=−0.36, p=.031), age (B=−0.06, p<.001), education level (B=0.12, p<.001), and sleep problems (B=−0.06, p=.006). Conclusion Despite widespread Internet and smartphone use, older adults living alone with chronic diseases showed low levels of digital health literacy, which were significantly associated with gender, age, education level, and sleep problems. Enhancing digital health literacy among vulnerable populations is crucial for the effective implementation of digital health services. Collaborative efforts, including tailored digital health interventions to enhance the digital health literacy of vulnerable populations and supportive policies, are essential to bridge the digital divide and promote health equity.

Objective: While using digital technologies for social health is widely acknowledged, the relationship between loneliness, social isolation, and digital health literacy remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the levels of loneliness, social isolation, and digital health literacy in older women living alone and to explore the associations between these factors. Methods: In August 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on 145 older women living alone, selected using convenience sampling. The study used the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (version 3), Lubben Social Network Scale-6, and Digital Health Technology Literacy-Assessment Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman’s rho correlation, and a generalized linear model (GLM). Results: Of the participants, 22.8% (n=33) reported moderate loneliness, 20.7% (n=30) reported severe loneliness, and 36.6% (n=53) were at risk for social isolation. The mean digital health literacy score among participants was 4.85 (SD=6.92), which is relatively low. Importantly, our findings using a GLM to control for covariates revealed a significant association between loneliness (B=-0.013, p=0.018) and digital health literacy. Conclusion The increased loneliness experienced during the pandemic may contribute to low digital health literacy, alienating these individuals from the benefits of digital technologies. Therefore, in developing digital health programs or policies, it is imperative to consider the psychosocial status of individuals, including loneliness, while enhancing digital health literacy.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the level of digital health literacy and identify factors associated with digital health literacy among older adults living alone in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 140 older adults aged 65 and above who live alone. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric methods were used to explore the relationship between digital health literacy and independent variables. A generalized linear model was used to identify factors associated with digital health literacy. Results: Among 140 smartphone-owning older adults living alone, 52.1% were using the Internet via digital devices, and the participants’ average digital health literacy score was 6.64±7.46. Univariate analysis results showed significant differences in digital health literacy according to age, education level, and multimorbidity. The factors associated with digital health literacy were identified as gender (B=−0.36, p=.031), age (B=−0.06, p<.001), education level (B=0.12, p<.001), and sleep problems (B=−0.06, p=.006). Conclusion Despite widespread Internet and smartphone use, older adults living alone with chronic diseases showed low levels of digital health literacy, which were significantly associated with gender, age, education level, and sleep problems. Enhancing digital health literacy among vulnerable populations is crucial for the effective implementation of digital health services. Collaborative efforts, including tailored digital health interventions to enhance the digital health literacy of vulnerable populations and supportive policies, are essential to bridge the digital divide and promote health equity.

Objective: While using digital technologies for social health is widely acknowledged, the relationship between loneliness, social isolation, and digital health literacy remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the levels of loneliness, social isolation, and digital health literacy in older women living alone and to explore the associations between these factors. Methods: In August 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on 145 older women living alone, selected using convenience sampling. The study used the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (version 3), Lubben Social Network Scale-6, and Digital Health Technology Literacy-Assessment Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman’s rho correlation, and a generalized linear model (GLM). Results: Of the participants, 22.8% (n=33) reported moderate loneliness, 20.7% (n=30) reported severe loneliness, and 36.6% (n=53) were at risk for social isolation. The mean digital health literacy score among participants was 4.85 (SD=6.92), which is relatively low. Importantly, our findings using a GLM to control for covariates revealed a significant association between loneliness (B=-0.013, p=0.018) and digital health literacy. Conclusion The increased loneliness experienced during the pandemic may contribute to low digital health literacy, alienating these individuals from the benefits of digital technologies. Therefore, in developing digital health programs or policies, it is imperative to consider the psychosocial status of individuals, including loneliness, while enhancing digital health literacy.