Purpose: : This study aimed to comprehensively understand the work experience of the person in charge of the adequacy evaluation of small-and medium-sized hospitals and explore its meaning and essence in-depth. Methods: : This was a descriptive qualitative study. The study participants were 10 nurses who understood the purpose of this study and participated voluntarily. Data collection was conducted via in-depth interviews in January 2021. The interviews were conducted 1-2 times per participant and lasted approximately 40-50 minutes per session. Data analysis was performed using a qualitative content analysis. Results: : The work experience of the person in charge of the adequacy evaluation of small-and medium-sized hospitals included four themes: “difficulty in preparing for evaluation,” “negative views on evaluation,” “lack of a support system,” and “positive improvements and changes due to an evaluation.” Conclusion : Based on the above results, an education program and support system should be developed to strengthen the competence of nurses in charge of the adequacy evaluation of small- and medium-sized hospitals.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for the treatment of dry eye with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 124 eyes of 62 patients with dry eye with MGD who underwent 3 IPL sessions at 3 week intervals. All patients underwent clinical examination before and during treatment as well as 3 weeks after the last treatment. Measured parameters include Meibomian gland expressibility (MGE), Meibomian gland secretion (MGS) score, tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive break-time (NIBUT), corneal staining score (Oxford scale), Ocular Surface Diseases Index (OSDI), and subjective ocular discomfort improvement. Results: Meibomian gland function (MGE, MGS), ocular surface parameters (NIBUT, Oxford scale) and dry eye symptom (OSDI, subjective ocular discomfort improvement) of patients were significantly improved from baseline to after the 1st IPL, and the 3rd IPL weeks (p < 0.05 for all). However, no significant difference in TMH was observed. Conclusions This study showed that IPL was a useful and effective treatment in patients of dry eye with MGD to stabilizes the tear film and improve meibomian gland function and ocular symptoms.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for the treatment of dry eye with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 124 eyes of 62 patients with dry eye with MGD who underwent 3 IPL sessions at 3 week intervals. All patients underwent clinical examination before and during treatment as well as 3 weeks after the last treatment. Measured parameters include Meibomian gland expressibility (MGE), Meibomian gland secretion (MGS) score, tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive break-time (NIBUT), corneal staining score (Oxford scale), Ocular Surface Diseases Index (OSDI), and subjective ocular discomfort improvement. Results: Meibomian gland function (MGE, MGS), ocular surface parameters (NIBUT, Oxford scale) and dry eye symptom (OSDI, subjective ocular discomfort improvement) of patients were significantly improved from baseline to after the 1st IPL, and the 3rd IPL weeks (p < 0.05 for all). However, no significant difference in TMH was observed. Conclusions This study showed that IPL was a useful and effective treatment in patients of dry eye with MGD to stabilizes the tear film and improve meibomian gland function and ocular symptoms.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a non-diffractive extended-depth-of-focus (EDoF) intraocular lens in eyes by epiretinal membrane (ERM) stage. Methods: Clinical records of 289 eyes with AcrySof® IQ Vivity TM (Alcon Laboratories) implantation were reviewed. Eyes were grouped according to ERM stage as no ERM (n = 228), stage 1 (n = 29), stage 2 (n = 20), and stage 3 (n = 12) ERM. Corrected and uncorrected distant visual acuity (CDVA and UDVA, respectively), uncorrected intermediate and near visual acuity (UIVA and UNVA), contrast sensitivity detected by the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF), Strehl ratio, area ratio, and intraocular aberration were compared. Results: There was no difference in UDVA, UIVA, UNVA, or CDVA between groups (p = 0.639, p = 0.871, p = 0.963, and p = 0.051, respectively). There was no significant difference in Strehl ratio (p = 0.208), area ratio at 4 mm (p = 0.434), area ratio at 5 mm (p = 0.511), or ocular aberrations (p = 0.311 for total aberration). The AULCSF showed significant differences during both day (1.48 ± 0.21, 1.41 ± 0.18, 1.33 ± 0.17, and 1.31 ± 0.19 for no ERM, stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 ERM, respectively; p = 0.036) and night (1.21 ± 0.21, 1.22 ± 0.12, 1.02 ± 0.20, and 1.08 ± 0.10 for no ERM, stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 ERM; p = 0.027). Conclusions Eyes with stage 3 ERM without outer retinal involvement may benefit from EDoF technology when there is no metamorphopsia and when accompanied by timely membrane removal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cataract surgery in highly myopic Korean subjects. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 694 eyes of 694 patients who underwent cataract surgery. The case group included 347 eyes of 347 patients whose axial lengths (AXL) were > or =26.00 mm, and the control group included 347 eyes of 347 patients with AXL between 22.00 and 25.99 mm. Cataract density was determined preoperatively using the Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging system. We compared age at operation, cataract type, coexisting disease, visual prognosis, and complications. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of the operation was 59.60 +/- 12.28 years in the case group and 67.47 +/- 11.36 years in the control group. The case group had a larger proportion of nuclear cataracts and posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSC), 40.63% and 26.22%, respectively, versus 25.07% and 11.82%, respectively, in the control group. Postoperative corrected visual acuity showed a negative correlation with AXL (R2 = 0.172), and severe funduscopic findings were related to poor visual prognosis (p = 0.05). The incidence of retinal detachment in the case group after cataract surgery was 1.72%, compared with 0.28% in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Highly myopic eyes tend to develop cataracts earlier than normal eyes and to have a higher prevalence of coexisting disease and complications, such as retinal detachment. Nuclear cataracts and PSC were more common in the highly myopic group. Poor visual prognosis was associated with longer axial length and retinal myopic degeneration.
Aged ; *Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cataract/*complications/epidemiology/physiopathology ; *Cataract Extraction ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myopia/*complications/epidemiology/physiopathology ; Postoperative Period ; *Refraction, Ocular ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; *Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of clear corneal incisional size on astigmatism during cataract surgery. METHODS: Randomized prospective study of 78 patients (108 eyes) who had received cataract surgery for a corneal astigmatism over against-the-rule (ATR) 1.0 Diopter (D) was performed. The eyes were checked by corneal topography and autorefractor preoperatively and one week, one month, two months, and six months postoperative. Group 1 included patients who received an inserted foldable intraocular lens (IOL) through a 2.8 mm incision, and Group 2 included patients who underwent IOL implantation through a corneal incision enlarged to 4 mm. RESULTS: Postoperative visual acuity showed a better visual acuity in Group 2 at both one week postoperatively (0.598+/-0.352 vs., 0.713+/-0.345, for Groups 1 and 2, respectively, p=0.046) and one month postoperatively (0.604+/-0.237 vs., 0.791+/-0.242, respectively, p=.043). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups after two and six months (p=.135, .087). Postoperative astigmatism measured by corneal topopgraphy showed 1.62+/-0.44D and, 0.94+/-0.30D for groups 1 and 2 respectively, (P=.045) at 2 months, and 1.73+/-0.45 D and, 0.92+/-0.34 D (P=.042) at six months. These results showed a statistically significant amount of residual astigmatism in Group 2. Autorefractor measurements showed similar results. There were no complications, such as wound leakage, resulting from the increased incision size. CONCLUSIONS: Widening of the incision during cataract surgery can reduce corneal astigmatism without significant complications.
Astigmatism ; Cataract ; Corneal Topography ; Eye ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Prospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

A 13-year-old girl with a right intraorbital optic nerve glioma (ONG) was referred to our glaucoma clinic because of uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) in her right eye. The IOP reached as high as 80 mmHg. Several months earlier, she had undergone stereotactic image-guided robotic radiosurgery using the CyberKnife for her ONG; the mass had become smaller after treatment. Her visual acuity was no light perception. Slit lamp examination revealed rubeosis iridis, a swollen pale optic disc, and vitreous hemorrhage. After medical treatment, the IOP decreased to 34 mmHg, and no pain was reported. Although the mass effect of an ONG can cause neovascular glaucoma (NVG), this case shows that stereotactic radiosurgery may also cause NVG, even after reducing the mass of the tumor. Patients who undergo radiosurgery targeting the periocular area should be followed carefully for complications.
Adolescent ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fundus Oculi ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/diagnosis/*etiology/physiopathology ; Glioma/diagnosis/*surgery ; Gonioscopy ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Optic Nerve Neoplasms/diagnosis/*surgery ; Radiosurgery/*adverse effects

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and the correlates of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in firefighters. We also investigated the mediating role of NSSI frequency in the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidal behavior. Methods: A total of 51,505 Korean firefighters completed a web-based self-reported survey, including demographic and occupational characteristics, NSSI, PTSD, depression, and suicidal behavior. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and serial mediation analyses were performed. Results: The 1-year prevalence of NSSI was 4.67% in Korean firefighters. Female gender, the presence of recent traumatic experience, and PTSD and depression symptoms were correlated with NSSI. Serial mediation analyses revealed that NSSI frequency mediated the association between PTSD, depression, and suicidal behavior; it indicates more severe PTSD was sequentially associated with more severe depression symptoms and more frequent NSSI, leading to higher risk of suicidal behavior. Conclusion NSSI is prevalent and may play a significant mediating role when PTSD is associated with suicidal behavior in firefighters. Our results imply the need for screening and early intervention of NSSI in firefighters.

This study was conducted to collect the patents of microbiome-based treatment technology for pets. An electronic search for microbiome or probiotics in brain nervous system disease was studied using the WINTELIPS database. Patent Cooperation Treaty of Korea, Japan, the EU, the US, and China that were registered by October 31, 2022 were selected in this study.A total of 206 patents were included for final analysis. Since 2016, patent activity has shown an explosive increase in recent years. China is the leading market in this technology field, and Korea has the second-highest market share. To provide the groundwork for the next research and development, we examined the industrial trend of microbiome for brain nervous system diseases in this study using an analysis of patents that have been applied for andregistered up to this point. Looking at the overall patent trends by year in the technology field related to treating of brain and nervous system diseases using the microbiome, there was a tendency to repeat increasing and decreasing trends. However, considering 2021 and 2022, which have undisclosed sections, it can be seen that patent activity has tended to increase explosively in recent years, starting in 2016. If related studies use the patent analysis data constructed in this way strategically, it is expected that it will lead to patent registration and the development of new products, ultimately contributing to the revitalization of the companion animal industry.

This study was conducted to collect the patents of microbiome-based treatment technology for pets. An electronic search for microbiome or probiotics in brain nervous system disease was studied using the WINTELIPS database. Patent Cooperation Treaty of Korea, Japan, the EU, the US, and China that were registered by October 31, 2022 were selected in this study.A total of 206 patents were included for final analysis. Since 2016, patent activity has shown an explosive increase in recent years. China is the leading market in this technology field, and Korea has the second-highest market share. To provide the groundwork for the next research and development, we examined the industrial trend of microbiome for brain nervous system diseases in this study using an analysis of patents that have been applied for andregistered up to this point. Looking at the overall patent trends by year in the technology field related to treating of brain and nervous system diseases using the microbiome, there was a tendency to repeat increasing and decreasing trends. However, considering 2021 and 2022, which have undisclosed sections, it can be seen that patent activity has tended to increase explosively in recent years, starting in 2016. If related studies use the patent analysis data constructed in this way strategically, it is expected that it will lead to patent registration and the development of new products, ultimately contributing to the revitalization of the companion animal industry.