PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of focal verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients diagnosed with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).METHODS: This study enrolled 52 eyes of 52 patients with chronic CSC who had received verteporfin PDT. The laser spot size of 26 eyes covering only the localized hyperfluorescent area in indocyanine green angiography was classified as focal PDT. The PDT spot size of the other 26 eyes covered the total area of retinal pigment epithelial detachment including the leaking point and was defined as conventional PDT. The central subfield thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness were measured using Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomography before PDT and at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after PDT.RESULTS: The mean spot size of the PDT was 1,995 µm in the focal group and 2,995 µm in the conventional group. Central subfield thickness steadily decreased in both groups. The mean baseline subfoveal choroidal thickness for the two groups was 334.95 and 348.35 µm, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.602). Subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly to 304.20 µm at 1 month, 284.85 µm at 3 months, 271.60 µm at 6 months, and 265.95 µm at 12 months in the focal group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively, compared with baseline). In the conventional group, subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly to 318.75, 300, 284, and 272 µm at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 compared with baseline). There were no significant differences between the two groups in subfoveal choroidal thickness based on PDT spot size at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (p = 0.633, p = 0.625, p = 0.676, and p =0.755, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: Focal verteporfin PDT for CSC significantly decreased the subretinal fluid and sufoveal choroidal thickness to the same extent as conventional PDT.
Angiography ; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy ; Choroid ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green ; Photochemotherapy ; Retinal Detachment ; Subretinal Fluid ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

Tackling socioeconomic inequalities in health risk factors is an important pathway for alleviating health inequalities. The aim of this study was to analyze the current state of inequality in health risk factors by socioeconomic status in Korea through a literature review of recently published studies and description of secondary data from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES). We evaluated the extent and trends of socioeconomic inequalities in health behavior (smoking, high-risk alcohol drinking, moderate exercise, and nutritional deficiency) and clinical risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity) with 1998 to 2010 KNHANES data based on socio-economic status. Furthermore, we summarized the impact of several distal health determinants like income, education and occupation, and childhood period on health inequalities in Korea. The results showed that a wide range of health risk factors including more distal causes were socio-economically patterned to varying degrees. In order to reduce health inequalities by socioeconomic status, more comprehensive monitoring and measures, and well-designed studies are required for promoting the understanding of the causal pathway and developing interventional strategies.
Alcohol Drinking ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Health Behavior ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Korea ; Occupations ; Risk Factors ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors

Both social interest in and studies of socioeconomic inequalities in health have increased in recent years. This article presents the current state of socioeconomic inequalities in health status in Korea, based on recent research. Socioeconomic inequalities in health status have been consistently observed in Korea as well as abroad. In both men and women, from birth-sometimes evenfrom before birth-to death, inverse relationships between socioeconomic position and most indicators of healthexist. For some health indicators, such as suicide, absolute and relative inequalities have become significantly worse than in the past. Knowledge of health inequalities in small geographic areas can be useful for allocating health resources. Representative indicators of socioeconomic inequalities in health shouldundergo ongoing monitoringby the government. In addition, there is a need for research to explore the mechanisms and to evaluate the effectiveness of specific policies and intervention programs as well as to identify socioeconomic inequalities in a variety of health outcomes. Learning the status of and trends in socioeconomic inequalities in health isan essential step toward increasing awareness of these inequalities in society and promoting an integrated and systematic policy for tackling them.
Female ; Health Resources ; Humans ; Korea ; Learning ; Male ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Suicide

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relation between recovery of visual function and microperimetric fixation area in eyes with idiophthic macular hole after vitrectomy. METHODS: We used SLO (Scanning laser microscope, Rodenstock, Germany) microperimetry to examine foveal retinal function and fixation area in 14 eyes with idiopathic macular hole following pars plana vitrectomy. The relation between those preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity and fixation area was studied. RESULTS: The macular hole size was correlated with preoperative visual acuity (p=0.026) and the closure of hole was related to the size of fixation area (p=0.003). The postoperative visual acuity was related to symptom duration before the vitrectomy (p=0.03), but not related to preoperative macular hole size. The fixation area correlated with the postoperative best corected visual acuity (p=0.043) and the direction of movement was variable. In most eyes, fixation area was located above the horizontal meridian. CONCLUSIONS: The fixation area was correlated with postoperative visual acuity and we think functional macular hole closure as well as anatomical closure were useful parameter of the success of macular hole surgery.
Ophthalmoscopes* ; Retinal Perforations* ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of facet joint injection in the conservative management of osteoporotic spinal compression fractures METHOD: Among 27 patients with osteoporotic spinal compression fractures which were confirmed by plain radiography and bone densitometry (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), 9 patients were control group and 18 patients received facet joint injection treatment. Facet joint injection of thoracolumbar spine was done under fluoroscopic guide with 1% lidocaine 1 ml and triamcinolone 10 mg at each joint above and below the level of compression fracture at both side. Main outcome measures were visual analog scale (VAS), spinal movement (modified Schober's and lateral bending test), and physical activity from bed-ridden state (grade I) to outdoor activity without pain (grade V). The treatment outcomes were assessed before injection, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after injection. RESULTS: There were significant decrease in VAS at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after injection in the study group (p<0.05). Physical activity was significantly improved at post injection 2 weeks and 4 weeks (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in spinal movement. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that facet joint injection of thoracolumbar spine is useful method in the conservative management of painful osteoporotic compression fractures.
Densitometry ; Fractures, Compression* ; Humans ; Joints ; Lidocaine ; Motor Activity ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Radiography ; Spine ; Triamcinolone ; Visual Analog Scale ; Zygapophyseal Joint*

PURPOSE: we clinically measured the temperature rise in real time and analyzed the difference of albino rabbit and pigmented rabbit in use of the specially designed thermometer. METHODS: Specially designed thermometer was attached into the subretinal pigment epithealial and choroidal space through the suprachoroidal space in three pigment and three albino rabbits, with diode laser of 810 nm wave length, 3 mm spot size. We examined the retinal temperature according to laser irradiance power at each ten seconds during sixty seconds and the laser power setting was 200 mW, 300 mW, 400 mW in pigmeted rabbit and 300 mW, 600 mW, 800 mW in albino rabbit. We analyzed the results based on the measurements at least three times per each irradiance power. RESULTS: In albino rabbit, the maximal range of retinal temperature change was 1.2 degrees C and 1.7 degrees C in 300 mW and 600 mW, 14.1 degrees C in 800 mW power of 810 nm diode laser irradiance. In pigmented rabbit, the maximal range of retinal temperature change was 12.1 degrees C in 200 mW of laser irradiance power, 16.2 degrees C in 300 mW, 24.3 degrees C in 400 mW during sixty seconds in 810 nm diode laser. CONCLUSIONS: We investigated the ratinal temperature at transpupillary thermotherapy in 810 nm wavelength diode laser on rabbits. The difference of retinal temperature change was in accordance with the amount of chorioretinal melanin pigment. Therefore if the laser power setting used in caucasians would be attempted in orientals, it is the point to be considered during transpupillary thermotherapy.
Choroid ; Hyperthermia, Induced* ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Melanins ; Rabbits* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Thermometers

PURPOSE: Scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) has improved Infrared (IR) imaging. Since greater penetration of IR light permitted better visualization of subretinal structures, we evaluated chorioretinal layer in various chorioretinal dieases with SLO. METHODS: Cases of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), drusen, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, MEWDS (multiple evanesant white dot syndrome) and inflammatory choroiditis, toxoplasmosis, Stargardt's disease, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and submacular hemorrhage were included. We used SLO (101, Rodenstock, Germany) for IR image and compared argon laser image with monochromatic IR image (780 nm wave length). RESULTS: The demarcation and extent of serous retinal detachment and macular star were more distinct in IR image. Small drusen, subretinal deposit and RPE atropy which could not be seen in argon green laser image were visible and appeared brightly with high reflectance in IR image. The CNV membrane which was not seen in full extent in argon laser image were observed completely in IR image. In case of inflammatory choroiditis, patch-like hot spot with surrounding high reflectance was observed in IR image. The subretinal structures and new vessels were clearly visible in IR image despite overlying thick preretinal fibrous prolifertive membrane and vitreous hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: The IR image using SLO is a fast and non-invasive diagnostic tool. Compared to fluorescein angiography, IR image gave a improved image for subretinal structure and additional information. Therefore IR imaging is recommended along with clinical symptom, FAG, ICGA for the diagnosis and treatment.
Argon ; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy ; Choroid ; Choroiditis ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Diagnosis ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Hemorrhage ; Macular Degeneration ; Membranes ; Ophthalmoscopes ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment ; Toxoplasmosis ; Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To analyze the hyperacuity defects of preferential hyperacuity perimeter (PHP) in myopic CNV and correlate with the other macular anatomical or physiological properties obtained with fluorescein angiography (FA), Optical coherence Tomography (OCT), and central perimeter. METHODS: Seven patients with myopic CNV diagnosed by FA underwent PHP, OCT, central visual field (VF). We examined the locational correlation among FA, central VF and PHP hyperacuity defect and then compared PHP hyperacuity defect with the CNV size by OCT. Also we made a comparison with macular sensitivity change in VF and hyperacuity defects change in PHP after PDT in 4 patients. RESULTS: All the 7 eyes with myopic CNV tested positive for hyperacuity defects. 5 eyes showed locational correlation among PHP and FA, central VF. The size of hyperacuity defect of PHP and CNV size by OCT was positive correlation (p=0.007). Four eyes treated with PDT showed decrease of PHP hyperacuity defect size and changes in location according to decrease of CNV size after PDT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the PHP may be used to detect myopic CNV and beneficial for analyzing functional effect following PDT in myopic CNV patients. These results require further validation in a larger population.
Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Photochemotherapy ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: This study analyzed iodine intake by establishing an iodine database of general Korean foods eaten by Korean adults based on the data from the 1998 ~ 2014 KNHANES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). METHODS: Data on 56,818 subjects aged 19 years and older were obtained from health behavior interviews and a 24-hour dietary recall survey. Iodine intake of subjects was analyzed according to general characteristics, dietary lifestyle, food groups, and cooking method. RESULTS: An iodine database was established for 312 food items. The mean iodine intake of Korean adults decreased from 641.6 μg in 1998 to 236.2 μg in 2014 per day. Iodine intake of women was higher than that of men. For age distribution, those aged 30 ~ 49 years constituted more than 39 ~ 46% of subjects by survey year. Regarding iodine intake according to dietary lifestyle, the highest iodine intake was 29.4 ~ 34.4% for lunch while that of breakfast decreased. The highest iodine contribution by food group was seaweed such as kelp, sea mustard, and laver. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that iodine intake of Korean adults has been decreasing, and iodine intake is associated with the prevalence of thyroid disease. This study provides basic data for the estimation of iodine intake in Korean adults.
Adult* ; Age Distribution ; Breakfast ; Cooking ; Female ; Functional Food ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Iodine* ; Kelp ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Lunch ; Male ; Methods ; Mustard Plant ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Prevalence ; Seaweed ; Thyroid Diseases

Purpose: This study examined the eating-out patterns of Korean infants and school-aged children and compared diet quality. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects were 306 children aged 3 to 11 years old that ate dinner at restaurants. Percentage energy intakes of 24 food groups were calculated, and cluster analysis was used to identify eating-out patterns. Diet quality was assessed by calculating percentage energy and nutrient intakes using one-third of the 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Korean (KDRIs), nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ). Results: Cluster analysis identified 2 eating-out patterns, that is, a ‘rice-centered’ (53%) and a ‘mixed diet’ (47%) pattern. For those with the mixed diet pattern, ratios of carbohydrates, protein, and fat to total calories were 48:20:31, whereas for the rice-centered pattern, ratios were 62:15:21 (p < 0.001). Intakes of energy and most nutrients in the mixed diet pattern were excessive, but the intakes of the most nutrients in the rice-centered pattern were much lower than their KDRIs. MARs were higher for the mixed diet pattern than the rice-centered pattern (0.74 vs. 0.66) (p < 0.001), and INQs for vitamin C (p = 0.007) and calcium (p = 0.018) were lower for the rice-centered pattern, whereas INQ for iron (p = 0.003) was lower for the mixed diet pattern. Conclusion The quality of meals for infants and school-aged children depended on eating-out patterns, but the rice-centered and mixed diet patterns both failed to provide an appropriately balanced meal pattern. The results of this study suggest that healthy menus need to be developed for children in restaurants.