PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of rotary epithelial scrubber, cold BSS(R) irrigation, and bandage contact lens on the clinical outcome of excimer laser PRK. METHODS: This updated PRK was performed in 90 eyes (Group I: -4.54 +/- 0.91 D). Conventional PRK with mechanical epithelial removal using Beaver(R) blade and patch dressing was performed in 181 eyes (Group II: -4.30 +/- 0.97 D). Clinical outcome was compared between group I and group II retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean epithelial removal time was significantly shorter in group I (6.6 +/- 0.9 sec) than in group II (33.2 +/- 11.2 sec) (p<0.05). Mean epithelial healing time showed more rapid epithelial healing in group I (2.0 +/- 0.3 days) than in group II (3.0 +/- 1.0 days) (p<0.05). At 1 week and 24 months, UCVA of 0.7 or better was achieved in 91.1%, 97.8% in group I and in 71.8%, 88.2% in group II (p<0.05). At 6 and 24 months, spherical equivalent within 0.5 D of emmetropia was in 91.1%, 91.3% in group I and in 80.7%, 56.9% in group II (p<0.05). After 1 year follow-up, no eye in group I showed either corneal haze worse than grade 1 or loss of 2 or more lines of BSCVA. CONCLUSIONS: Updated PRK provided more rapid epithelialization than conventional PRK. And there was significant improvement in clinical outcome and safety in group I compared with group II. We suggested that updated PRK should be used for the correction of mild to moderate myopia.
Bandages* ; Emmetropia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Lasers, Excimer ; Myopia ; Retrospective Studies

We present a case of bilateral serous retinal detachment (SRD) as a presenting sign of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). A 45-year-old woman presented with decreased vision and was found to have bilateral serous retinal detachment. Peripheral blood smears revealed leukocytosis of 53.9x10(3)/microliter with 64.6% lymphoblasts. A bone marrow aspirate revealed the presence of lymphoblasts. Cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis detected a reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 and 22, t(9;22) (q34;q11). A diagnosis of Ph+ ALL was made. Following systemic chemotherapy, the bilateral SRD resolved completely with full recovery of vision. The sudden appearance of SRD should raise suspicion for leukemia. Prompt recognition of this disease is important for early systemic treatment and restoration of visual function.
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/*complications/diagnosis/drug therapy ; Recovery of Function ; Retinal Detachment/diagnosis/*etiology/physiopathology ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity/physiology

PURPOSE: The preoperative axial length measured by ultrasonography in the phthisis bulbi and the postoperative surgical outcome was evaluated in order to determine the surgical procedure of an evisceration or enucleation. METHODS: The preoperative axial length was measured by ultrasonography in 30 eyes of 30 patients with phthisis bulbi from January 2000 to October 2002. Enucleation was performed on 20 eyes with a relatively short preoperative axial length. The axial length of the enucleated globe was measured and compared with the preoperative axial length. Evisceration was performed in 10 eyes with a relatively long preoperative axial length. The size of the implant, the thickness of prosthesis, and the complications were evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: In the 20 eyes that underwent enucleation, the preoperative axial length was 6.8~16.6 mm (mean 12.4 mm) and the axial length of the enucleated globes was 9.0~20.0 mm (mean 15.3 mm). The size of implants was 16.5~20.0 mm (mean 19.5 mm). In the 10 eyes that underwent evisceration, the preoperative axial length was 13.5~22.7 mm (mean 19.1 mm). The size of the implants was 18.5~20.0 mm (mean 19.4 mm). During a follow-up period of 6-30 months (mean 16.0 months), none of the eyes showed any complications such as conjunctival dehiscence or implant exposure or extrusion. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative axial length measurement was helpful in deciding if enucleation or evisceration of the phthisis bulbi should be performed. Evisceration was performed sufficiently in cases of a preoperative axial length of 16 mm or more.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: To evaluate foveal avascular zone (FAZ) microvascular structural changes in healthy Korean subjects stratified by age using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: Eighty eyes of 43 healthy volunteer subjects who had 20/20 or better best corrected visual acuity without other ocular or systemic disease except vitreous floaters and dry eye syndrome were enrolled and stratified by age group. To measure FAZ size and vascular density (VD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), OCTA (DRI OCT Triton, Swept Source OCT, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) scans were performed over fovea-centered 3 × 3 mm² regions, and then compared with central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 46.4 ± 16.1 (20–78). The SCP and DCP FAZ sizes were 0.32 ± 0.11 mm² and 0.41 ± 0.14 mm², respectively. There was a significant difference by age group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), respectively. The FAZ VD for SCP and DCP was 28.96 ± 3.05% and 33.15 ± 3.64%, respectively. There was no difference between age groups (p = 0.118, p = 0.637). Univariate and multiple linear regression analysis showed that the FAZ size of SCP and DCP was significantly correlated with age (p = 0.039, p = 0.002) and CMT (p = 0.007, p = 0.013), respectively. The SCP and DCP FAZ size were positively correlated with age (R² = 0.279, p < 0.001, R² = 0.344, p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with CMT (R2 = 0.354, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.285, p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The FAZ size of SCP and DCP increased with age and were negatively correlated with CMT. These results suggest that consideration of age and CMT is important when performing the clinical evaluation of FAZ size in healthy subjects.
Angiography* ; Capillaries ; Choroid ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Neptune ; Tomography, Optical Coherence* ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implant according to previous responses to Bevacizumab treatment in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Sixty eyes of 60 patients who received an intravitreal dexamethasone implant for ME secondary to BRVO and followed up for at least 6 months were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 31 patients were treatment naïve and 29 patients had previously received intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Out of these previously-treated patients, 17 patients were categorized as a refractory group who did not respond to previous injection and 12 patients were categorized as a responder group who showed recurrent ME despite a good response to previous anti-VEGF treatment. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and recurrence of ME were assessed monthly for 6 months. RESULTS: At each 3-month follow-up, the BCVA improved significantly from baseline in the naïve group, while the refractory group and the responder group showed significant improvement for only 2 months. At each 3-month follow-up, the CMT showed significant decreases in every group. However, the mean change in CMT from baseline showed significant differences between the 3 groups at month 3 (p < 0.001). During follow-up, 18 eyes in the naïve group (58.1%), 16 eyes in the refractory group (94.1%), and 6 eyes in the responder group (50.0%) received retreatment for the recurrence of ME, and there was a significant difference in the retreatment rate between the three groups (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal dexamethasone implant showed early good functional and anatomical improvements irrespective of the response to the previous treatment in patients with ME secondary to BRVO. However, when treating the refractory group, more careful observation and intensive retreatment are required, considering the short duration of its efficacy.
Bevacizumab* ; Dexamethasone* ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Edema* ; Recurrence ; Retinal Vein Occlusion* ; Retinal Vein* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

We report 3 cases of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) effectively managed with intravitreal bevacizumab. One patient (case 1) who had recurrent CCH (1.6 mm in thickness) with prior laser photocoagulation was treated with intravitreal bevacizumab alone. Two patients (case 2 and 3) who had CCH (2.4 mm and 2.2 mm in thickness, respectively) with recent visual impairment were treated with bevacizumab followed by photodynamic therapy (PDT). Ophthalmic evaluations included visual acuity, ophthalmoscopic examination, fluorescein angiography, ultrasonography, and optical coherence tomography. Patients were followed up for 6-9 months. After therapy, all patients showed improved visual acuity due to complete resorption of subretinal fluid and macular edema. Ultrasonography demonstrated a reduction of the thickness of CCH in case 1 and complete regression of the lesions in case 2 and 3. No patient showed tumor recurrence. Intravitreal bevacizumab, alone or in combination therapy with PDT, may be a useful alternative for the treatment of symptomatic CCH with subretinal fluid.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*administration & dosage ; Choroid Neoplasms/diagnosis/*drug therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma/diagnosis/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ophthalmoscopy ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vitreous Body

We report three cases of neovascular glaucoma secondary to central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) which were effectively managed with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) followed by panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Neovascular glaucoma without peripheral anterior synechiae developed between one and five weeks following CRAO onset. All patients received 0.75 mg (0.03 ml) IVB. In all patients, complete regression of the iris and anterior chamber angle neovascularization was confirmed within one week. PRP was applied two weeks after the injection. The follow-up period was four to seven months (average, five months). Intraocular pressure was controlled in all patients using topical antiglaucoma medications alone. However, one patient experienced a recurrence of neovascularization three months after the initial combination treatment. This patient received another IVB injection and additional PRP, and the recurrent neovascularization resolved. There were no local or systemic adverse events in any patients. Therefore, intravitreal bevacizumab may be an effective adjunct in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma associated with CRAO.
Aged ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*administration & dosage ; Female ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/*drug therapy/*etiology ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retinal Artery Occlusion/*complications ; Retreatment ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors ; Vitreous Body

Purpose: To investigate the functional and anatomical effectiveness of bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution for the treatment of cystoid macular edema (CME) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Methods: A retrospective chart review of 53 patients was performed. Thirty-seven eyes received topical 0.1% bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] group), and 16 eyes were treated with subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection (injection group). Of the NSAID group, 27 eyes underwent PPV with cataract surgery, and 10 eyes underwent PPV without cataract surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured at baseline and monthly after treatment initiation over a 6-month period. Results: No significant difference in mean BCVA from baseline was found for either group over the 6-month follow-up. The injection group showed significantly greater improvement in CMT than the NSAID group at 4 months; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups at the 5-month follow-up visit. IOP was significantly higher in the injection group (p = 0.035 at 2 months), but not in the NSAID group. In the NSAID group, neither PPV group, with and without cataract surgery, showed any significant difference in mean BCVA from baseline over the 6 months of follow-up. The baseline CMT was significantly greater in the PPV with cataract surgery group than in the PPV without cataract surgery group (p = 0.023). However, at the 1-month follow-up, no significant difference in mean CMT from baseline values was observed in either group over the remaining follow-up examinations, up to 6 months. Conclusions Topical bromfenac resulted in an improvement in the BCVA and a reduction in the CMT, with a less adverse effect in the treatment of CME after PPV, regardless of whether cataract surgery was performed at the same time.

Purpose: To investigate the functional and anatomical effectiveness of bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution for the treatment of cystoid macular edema (CME) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Methods: A retrospective chart review of 53 patients was performed. Thirty-seven eyes received topical 0.1% bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] group), and 16 eyes were treated with subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection (injection group). Of the NSAID group, 27 eyes underwent PPV with cataract surgery, and 10 eyes underwent PPV without cataract surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured at baseline and monthly after treatment initiation over a 6-month period. Results: No significant difference in mean BCVA from baseline was found for either group over the 6-month follow-up. The injection group showed significantly greater improvement in CMT than the NSAID group at 4 months; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups at the 5-month follow-up visit. IOP was significantly higher in the injection group (p = 0.035 at 2 months), but not in the NSAID group. In the NSAID group, neither PPV group, with and without cataract surgery, showed any significant difference in mean BCVA from baseline over the 6 months of follow-up. The baseline CMT was significantly greater in the PPV with cataract surgery group than in the PPV without cataract surgery group (p = 0.023). However, at the 1-month follow-up, no significant difference in mean CMT from baseline values was observed in either group over the remaining follow-up examinations, up to 6 months. Conclusions Topical bromfenac resulted in an improvement in the BCVA and a reduction in the CMT, with a less adverse effect in the treatment of CME after PPV, regardless of whether cataract surgery was performed at the same time.

Purpose: To compare efficacies of bupivacaine-lidocaine and ropivacaine-lidocaine mixtures in terms of inducing retrobulbar anesthesia during vitrectomy. Methods: Sixty patients who underwent retrobulbar anesthesia during vitrectomy were divided into two groups. Patients in group 1 received a mixture of bupivacaine and lidocaine (n = 30); patients in group 2 received a mixture of ropivacaine and lidocaine (n = 30). The effects of the two combinations were retrospectively compared and analyzed. The onset times of analgesia and akinesia were measured. Two hours after surgery, sensory blockade was assessed by touching the corneas with cotton swabs and by communicating with patients. Ocular movement was evaluated in four gaze direction quadrants. A 10-point visual analog pain scale was used to assess pain during and 2 hours after surgery. Intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: The mean analgesia onset times in groups 1 and 2 were 94.62 ± 28.87 and 92.32 ± 35.53 seconds, respectively (p = 0.071); the mean akinesia onset times were 147.89 ± 59.35 and 132.57 ± 76.38 seconds (p = 0.223), respectively. Patients in group 2 reported significantly less postoperative pain and exhibited less postoperative ocular movement, compared with patients in group 1 (both p = 0.002). One patient in group 1 experienced respiratory depression after retrobulbar blockade. Conclusions When retrobulbar anesthesia is required during vitrectomy, a ropivacaine-lidocaine mixture and a bupivacaine-lidocaine mixture induce anesthesia with similar rapidity. However, the ropivacaine-lidocaine mixture is safer and affords better-quality intra- and postoperative anesthesia.