No abstract available.
Cataract*

Epidemiological data on visual disabilities in Korea are rare. In order to partly understand the situation of visual disability in Korea, the authore performed a retrospective study on the major causes and the degree of visual disability of patients who got the authorized document of vusual disability between January, 1993 to June, 1996. Of the 150 patients with availble clinical data, men were more than women(75.3%). The patients in their forties were most common(45 patients, 30.3%). First degree and fourth degree visual disability(4/9) were most common(43.2%, 49.1%) until 1995 and from 1996, respectivelly. Of the 300 eyes, 257 eyes were diagnosed to have visual problems. Optic neuropathy (52 eyes, 20.2%), trauma(31 eyes, 12.1%), retinitis pigmentosa(29 eyes, 11.3%), and corneal opacity (23 eyes, 8.9%) were the common causes of visual disability. These results might be helpful for partly understanding the visual disability in Korea.
Corneal Opacity ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; Retinitis ; Retrospective Studies

Delayed reattachment of the muscle to the sclera may be desirable to correct the deviation of eye developed after the surgery. Based upon the results of the author` s previous experimental study on rabbits, polytetrafluoroethylene was placed around the cut end of the muscle as a physical barrier between the free muscle end and the sclera in seven strabismus patients in order to prevent the postoperative adhesions. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was effective in delaying the adjustment more than 2 weeks after surgery in 4 out of 7 patients. In 3 remaining patients, adjustment was not necessary in 2 patients up to 22 days postoperatively because of the desirable postoperative state and suture was lost in a 65-year-old patient. In every case, PTFE was removed after final adjustment. In conclusion, PTFE may be clinically useful for delaying the timing of adjustment.
Aged ; Humans* ; Polytetrafluoroethylene* ; Rabbits ; Sclera ; Strabismus* ; Sutures

The author attempted to discover a method for performing delayed suture adjustment to investigate whether it actually provides more relable and stable results. In order to prevent the fromation of postoperative adhesions and delay the time of adjustment, the author used 0.1mm-thick polyteetraful-oroethylene(PTFE) as a physical barrier. PTFE was placed between the free muscle end and the sclera in 60 strabismic patients during adjustable strabismus surgery. Adjustment was not necessary in eight patients until PTFE removal. In thirteen patients, adjustment was not necessayr after first adjustment until two weeks postoperatively. PTFE was effective in delaying the adjustment after two weeks postoperatively in the remaining 39 patients. To my knowledge, this study represents the longest delayed adjustment in humans. In conclusion, PTFE can be clinically beneficial for delaying the timing of adjustment in strabismus surgery.
Humans* ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Sclera ; Strabismus* ; Sutures

PURPOSE: In order to know the outcome in patients with initial overcorrection of 20 delta or more after the surgery of exotropia. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients initially overcorrected 20delta or more following surgery for an exotropia were managed with an alternate full time occlusion, echothiopate iodide, or prism glasses for the period of overcorrection. The alternate prism cover test was performed at near and distance during the follow up period. Reoperation was performed if esotropia of 20delta or more persist more than three months postoperatively. RESULTS: Most patients (87%) had a preoperative deviation of 35 delta or less at distance. Forty nine patients (72%) had 10 delta or less within 4 weeks postoperatively at distance and near, and 11 patients (16%) including 7 patients with prism glasses between five to 16 weeks postoperatively. One patient who was lost to follow up was found to be orthophoric 32 months postoperatively, and another patient refused to come to the hospital for having straight eyes. Four patients with consecutive esotropia and one patient for postoperative hypotropia after combined recession of superior rectus needed a reoperation. One remaining patient was managed with an alternate full time occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Initial overcorrection of 20 delta or more occurred mostly in patients with a preoperative exotropia of 35 delta or less at distance. Most patients had 10 delta or less within 3 to 4 months postoperatively; however, 6% needed a reoperation for consecutive esotropia.
Esotropia ; Exotropia* ; Eyeglasses ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Reoperation

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of polyurethane with sustained release dexamethasone in delayed adjustable strabismus surgery in rabbits. METHODS: After recession of the superior rectus muscle(SRM), balanced salt solution or polyurethane film with/without sustained release dexamethasone was applied beneath and over the SRM in the control group(group C), polyurethane-steroid group(group P-S) and polyurethane group(group P), respectively. Delayed adjustment was performed once on each SRM at four and six weeks postoperatively by a masked observer. The possible length to adjust and the necessary force required for the adjustment, as well as the degree of any adhesions, were also evaluated. RESULTS: In the control group, adjustment was impossible in all of the eyes at four and six weeks postoperatively. In group P-S, adjustment was possible in 11 out of 11(11/11) eyes four weeks postoperatively and in 10/11 eyes six weeks postoperatively. In group P, adjustment was possible in 9/11 eyes four weeks postoperatively and in 10/12 eyes six weeks postoperatively. In addition, the degree of adhesion was significantly less in group P and in group P-S compared to the control group. The degree of adhesion between the SRM and the sclera was marginally better(p=0.051) in group P-S four weeks postoperatively than in group P. CONCLUSIONS: Use of polyurethane film could delay adjustment in most of the rabbit eyes for up to six weeks postoperatively. Sustained release dexamethasone is helpful for delaying adjustment in rabbit eyes until six week postoperatively without the need for frequent topical instillation of steroids.
Dexamethasone* ; Masks ; Polyurethanes* ; Rabbits ; Sclera ; Steroids ; Strabismus*

We report a false positive case of I-131 scan due to a sialolithiasis in right submandibular gland. I-131 images showed not only remnant thyroid tissues and functional metastases in the anterior neck but also a hot uptake near right submandibular gland. We confirmed the sialolithiasis by radiologic studies. Sialolithiasis should be regarded as a false positive cause when I-131 scan shows a hot spot near salivary bed.
Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Salivary Gland Calculi* ; Submandibular Gland ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

No abstract available.

Alcoholic celiac plexus blocks have been used to relieve intractable upper abdominal cancer pain. Various techniques have been proposed including the use of the X-ray and CT scanner to improve results and to avoid complications. We used the CT scanner and the X-ray fluroscope for 36 cases of alcoholic celiac plexus blocks to determine the depth and position of the needle without previous diagnostic blocks. Good to excellent pain relief occurred in more than 72% of the patients and the advantages of the use of the CT scanner showed that 1) placement of the needle tip is easily established according to the surrounding anatomical structures. 2) the operator can introduce the needle without anxiety. 3) the time required for block are saved.
Alcoholics ; Anxiety ; Celiac Plexus* ; Humans ; Needles

A 44-year-old woman with Castleman disease presented with acute visual loss in the left eye. A full ophthalmologic examination and imaging were performed. Visual acuity was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye. Total dyschromatopsia, a relative afferent pupillary defect, and a cecocentral scotoma were observed in the left eye. Mild disc edema, without leaking during fluorescein angiography, was also observed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a small cystic epidermoid-like lesion in the right prepontine and suprasellar cistern. Her visual acuity did not improve and deteriorated to 20/200 in the left eye at 22 months after the initial visual loss. Optic neuropathy may rarely be associated with Castleman disease and suggests a poor prognosis.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Fundus Oculi ; Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia/*complications/diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Optic Nerve Diseases/diagnosis/*etiology/physiopathology ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Field Tests ; Visual Fields