PURPOSE: To evaluate the change of corneal endothelial cell following acute angle closure glaucoma attack, the central endothelial cell between the affected and the fellow eye was compared. METHODS: Twelve patients with uniocular acute angle closure glaucoma were enrolled. After acute attacks were resolved with medical treatment, 12 affected and 12 fellow eyes received laser peripheral iridotomy. The central endothelial cell counts of the affected and the fellow eyes were measured with specular microscope. RESULTS: While the mean central endothelial cell count of the affected eye was 1758.67+/-794.33 cells/mm2, that of the fellow eye was 2727.17+/-355.20 cells/mm2. The average difference of endothelial cell count between the affected and the fellow eye was 968.5 cells/mm2. It showed a mean decrease in cell density of 35.51% (p=0.000). There was a clear correlation between the duration of elevated pressure and the number of central corneal endothelial cells lost (p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Even if the intraocular pressure was well controlled after acute angle closure glaucoma attack, the endothelial cell count of cornea can be decreased. Therefore, if acute angle closure glaucoma attack occurs, intraocular pressure should be reduced immediately. If the eye attacked by acute angle closure glaucoma is to have intraocular surgery, there clearly needs to be care not to injure the endothelium and measure the endothelial cell count preoperatively.
Cell Count ; Cornea ; Endothelial Cells* ; Endothelium ; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure

OBJECTIVE: Premorbid demographic backgrounds of injured individuals are likely to reflect more accurately the status of patients with traumatic brian injury (TBI) than clinical factors. However, the concrete study about the relationship between the demographic factors and neurocognitive function in TBI patients has not been reported. The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of premorbid demographic factors on the recovery of neurocognitive function following TBI. METHODS: From July 1998 to February 2007, 293 patients (male: 228, female: 65) with a history of head injury, who had recovered from the acute phase, were selected from our hospital to include in this study. We analyzed the effect of premorbid demographic factors including age, sex, educational level and occupation on the recovery of neurocognitive function in each TBI subgroup as defined by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. Intelligence and memory are components of neurocognitive function, and the Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS) and the Korean memory assessment scale (K-MAS) were used in this study. The results were considered significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: The higher level of education was a good prognostic factor for intelligence regardless of GCS score and younger age group showed a better result for memory with an exception of severe TBI group. In the severe TBI group, the meaningful effect of demographic factors was not noted by the cause of influence of severe brain injury. CONCLUSION: The demographic factors used in this study may be helpful for predicting the precise prognosis and developing an appropriate rehabilitation program for TBI patients.
Brain Injuries ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Demography ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Memory ; Occupations ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of 0.2% brimonidine tartrate and that of 0.5% apraclonidine hydrochloride for controlling IOP elevation after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. METHODS: Thirty eyes were given with 0.2% brimonidine (group 1) and fourteen eyes with 0.5% apraclonidine (group 2) before and after the procedure. Fifteen eyes served as untreated controls (group 3). Intraocular pressure and visual acuity were measured preoperatively and 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, and 1 week postoperatively in all cases. RESULTS: The postoperative mean intraocular pressures of group 3 (14.97+/-3.58, 16.47+/-3.93 mmHg) at 1 hour and 3 hours were statistically significant higher than those of group 1 (11.23+/-3.43, 11.50+/-3.01mmHg), and those of group 2 (10.79+/-3.51, 11.57+/-3.03 mmHg)(p< 0.05), but, there were no statistically significant differences in mean IOP at 1 hour and 3 hours between group 1 and group 2 (P=0.569, P=0.610). At 1 hour and 3 hours, there was no case of IOP elevation of 5 mmHg above baseline in group1 and group 2. but, there were 5 cases (33.3%) at 1 hour and 6 cases (40%) at 3 hours in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that 0.2% brimonidine and 0.5% apraclonidine are equally effective for preventing acute IOP elevation after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, that is, 0.2% brimonidine is an effective and well-tolerated agent for preventing acute IOP rises after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.
Intraocular Pressure* ; Posterior Capsulotomy* ; Visual Acuity ; Brimonidine Tartrate

PURPOSE: To study the frequency and aspects of ptosis in Koreans aged 50 years or older. METHODS: In this study, 377 elderly people visiting retirement center were included. Margin-reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and palpebral fissure (PF) were evaluated with an attempt to eliminate eyebrow elevation. Levator function (LF) was measured with Berke's method. If the measured MRD1 was less than 2 mm, ptosis was diagnosed and its frequency, relation to sex, age, levator function and superior deep sulcus were investigated. RESULTS: There was a correlation between decreasing MRD1, PF and LF with increasing age. Ptosis was observed in 207 subjects (54.9%), and its frequency was augmented as age increased. Although it was not statistically significant, the levator function of those with ptosis (10.0+/-1.9 mm) was lower than those without ptosis (11.3+/-1.9 mm). Questionnaires were administered and 196 respondents (51%) said that their eyelid droop had become more pronounced over time. Among these respondents, 33 (16.1%) indicated that their droopy eyelid causes discomfort by blocking their vision. Their MRD1 was 1.2+/-1.0 mm, which was significantly lower than that of the other 163 respondents (1.8+/-1.1 mm, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Koreans aged 50 years or older showed a very high frequency (54.9%) of ptosis and as age increased, the frequency of ptosis also increased. Surgical correction is recommended when the ptosis causes patient discomfort due to impaired vision.
Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Retirement

PURPOSE: To study the frequency and aspects of ptosis in Koreans aged 50 years or older. METHODS: In this study, 377 elderly people visiting retirement center were included. Margin-reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and palpebral fissure (PF) were evaluated with an attempt to eliminate eyebrow elevation. Levator function (LF) was measured with Berke's method. If the measured MRD1 was less than 2 mm, ptosis was diagnosed and its frequency, relation to sex, age, levator function and superior deep sulcus were investigated. RESULTS: There was a correlation between decreasing MRD1, PF and LF with increasing age. Ptosis was observed in 207 subjects (54.9%), and its frequency was augmented as age increased. Although it was not statistically significant, the levator function of those with ptosis (10.0+/-1.9 mm) was lower than those without ptosis (11.3+/-1.9 mm). Questionnaires were administered and 196 respondents (51%) said that their eyelid droop had become more pronounced over time. Among these respondents, 33 (16.1%) indicated that their droopy eyelid causes discomfort by blocking their vision. Their MRD1 was 1.2+/-1.0 mm, which was significantly lower than that of the other 163 respondents (1.8+/-1.1 mm, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Koreans aged 50 years or older showed a very high frequency (54.9%) of ptosis and as age increased, the frequency of ptosis also increased. Surgical correction is recommended when the ptosis causes patient discomfort due to impaired vision.
Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Retirement

PURPOSE: to investigate the effect of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) on corneal epithelial healing. METHODS: A 4-mm epithelial debridement was made in central rabbit cornea. Then, human amniotic membrane was transplanted (AMT group) or a contact lens was applied (contact lens group). The contralateral eyes were unwounded as controls. After surgery 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected via ear vein. Each corneal tissue including the limbus was obtained on postoperative 12, 24 and 48 hours. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in limbal and peripheral corneal epithelium and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) in limbal stroma were immunolocalized by immunohistochemical method. Incorporation of BrdU in limbal and peripheral corneal epithelium was visualized by indirect immunofluorescent method. RESULTS: AMT group significantly accelerated the expression of PCNA and BrdU at limbal and peripheral corneal epithelial cells. The expression of PCNA and BrdU showed a peak at 24hr in both groups and increased in limbal epithelial cells more than peripheral corneal epithelial cell in AMT group. The expression of KGF on limbal keratocyte increased in AMT group more than contact lens group and coincided wiht the expression pattern of PCNA and BrdU. The number of keratocyte in significantly decreased in contanct lens group compared wiht AMT group. CONCLUSION: AMT enhanced corneal epithelial wound healing in vivo by stimulating limbal epithelial proliferation which is indirectly mediated in part by upregulating the expression of KGF, which is a potent epithelial mitogen secreted by limbal keratocytes.
Amnion* ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cornea ; Debridement ; Ear ; Epithelial Cells* ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 ; Humans ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Veins ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVE: A subdural drain using urokinase after a burr hole hematoma evacuation was performed for subacute subdural hematoma (SASDH), and its effectiveness and safety in elderly patients were evaluated. METHODS: Between January 2013 and May 2015, subdural drains using urokinase after burr hole hematoma evacuation were performed in 19 elderly patients. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) a subdural hematoma occurring between 4 and 20 days after injury; 2) worsening neurological symptoms, from mild to moderate or severe, due to injury during the subacute stage; 3) a mix of solid clots (high-density lighter shadow) and fluid hematoma (low-density darker shadow) on the computed tomography (CT) scan; 4) a score of ≥9 on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assessed immediately before surgery; and 5) an age of ≥65 years. When the majority of the hematoma was evacuated on the CT, we removed the catheter. RESULTS: Under local anesthesia, a catheter was inserted into the hematoma through a burr hole. The mean age of the patients was 73.7 years (range, 65-87 years). The mean preoperative GCS score was 11.2 (range, 10-13), and the mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score for all patients was 5 at discharge. No recurrences of hematomas or surgical complications were observed. CONCLUSION: A subdural drain using urokinase after burr hole hematoma evacuation under local anesthesia is thought to be an effective and safe method of blood clot removal with low morbidity. This surgical method is less invasive for treating elderly patients with SASDH.
Aged* ; Anesthesia, Local ; Catheters ; Drainage ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural* ; Humans ; Methods ; Recurrence ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator*

OBJECTIVE: Transsphenoidal approach(TSA) has been used as useful operative method for pituitary tumor but is still controversal in case of cavernous sinus invasion or severe suprasellar extension. This study was performed to evaluate the surgical result, recurrence, effect of adjuvant treatment, especially in cases of suprasellar extension or cavernous sinus invasion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 56 cases of surgically treated pituitary adenoma that we were able to follow up, treated by TSA from 1993 to 1998. There were 24 cases of suprasellar extension and 11 cases of cavernous sinus invasion. The medical records and radiological findings were reviewed. Surgical results including hormonal function and recurrence rates were analyzed according to extent of tumor invasion. Mean follow-up period was 19.1 months. RESULTS: Tumors with suprasellar extension were removed totally in 54%, whereas total tumor removal was possible only in 38% with cavernous sinus invasion. Overall of recurrence rate was 14% and recurrence rate was 25% in suprasellar extension and 9% in cavernous sinus invasion. In cases of both suprasellar extension and cavernous sinus invasion, tumors that were treated by TSA and radiation showed recurrence rate of 7%, whereas those treated by surgery alone showed 28% of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Transsphenoidal approach is safe and useful operative method for pituitary adenoma and adjuvant therapy including radiation therapy is effective means to decrease the recurrence in cases of suprasellar extension or cavernous sinus invasion.
Cavernous Sinus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Medical Records ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Recurrence