OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of self-esteem as a moderator of the factors influencing suicidality among middle-schoolers. METHODS: Moderated multiple regression analysis was applied to assess the influence of happiness, depression, and hostility on suicidality and to determine the degree to which self-esteem served as a moderator of those relationships. Data were collected from 268 students at a middle school in Busan, Korea, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Happiness, depression, and hostility had significant direct effects on suicidality. Self-esteem showed no direct effect, but had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between hostility and suicidal behavior. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that various interventions, such as counseling programs, should be designed to alleviate hostility and depression and to enhance happiness and self-esteem among early adolescents.
Adolescent ; Busan ; Counseling ; Depression ; Happiness ; Hostility ; Humans ; Korea

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of self-esteem as a moderator of the factors influencing suicidality among middle-schoolers. METHODS: Moderated multiple regression analysis was applied to assess the influence of happiness, depression, and hostility on suicidality and to determine the degree to which self-esteem served as a moderator of those relationships. Data were collected from 268 students at a middle school in Busan, Korea, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Happiness, depression, and hostility had significant direct effects on suicidality. Self-esteem showed no direct effect, but had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between hostility and suicidal behavior. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that various interventions, such as counseling programs, should be designed to alleviate hostility and depression and to enhance happiness and self-esteem among early adolescents.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of an optimized prolate ablation procedure for correcting residual refractive errors following laser surgery. METHODS: We analyzed 24 eyes of 15 patients who underwent an optimized prolate ablation procedure for the correction of residual refractive errors following laser in situ keratomileusis, laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy, or photorefractive keratectomy surgeries. Preoperative ophthalmic examinations were performed, and uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction values (sphere, cylinder, and spherical equivalent), point spread function, modulation transfer function, corneal asphericity (Q value), ocular aberrations, and corneal haze measurements were obtained postoperatively at 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Uncorrected distance visual acuity improved and refractive errors decreased significantly at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Total coma aberration increased at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, while changes in all other aberrations were not statistically significant. Similarly, no significant changes in point spread function were detected, but modulation transfer function increased significantly at the postoperative time points measured. CONCLUSIONS: The optimized prolate ablation procedure was effective in terms of improving visual acuity and objective visual performance for the correction of persistent refractive errors following laser surgery.
Coma ; Humans ; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Laser Therapy* ; Phosmet* ; Photorefractive Keratectomy ; Refractive Errors* ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of instrument aging on optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements. METHODS: Single eyes of 60 healthy participants (60 eyes) aged 20-30 years were examined twice using a 5-year-old OCT instrument and a new OCT instrument (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA). The measurements and changes in signal strength were investigated using both instruments. RESULTS: The signal strengths of the new and aged instruments were 8.6 ± 0.8 and 5.0 ± 1.0, respectively, which was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). In addition, the central macular thicknesses (CMT) of the new and aged instruments were 201.1 ± 16.1 µm and 210.3 ± 16.0 µm, respectively. The thickness was significantly greater using the aged instrument (p < 0.001). Repeated measurements within the same eye were compared, and the difference in CMT was 3.2 using the new instrument and 10.5 using the aged instrument (p < 0.05). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was compared to evaluate the reproducibility of each instrument. The ICC values of nine areas of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study in the aged instrument were 0.371-0.872, indicating low reproducibility. However, the new instrument showed high reproducibility with values of 0.806-0.947. CONCLUSIONS: Higher signal strength and lower CMT were observed using the new instrument compared to the aged instrument. Additionally, there were no differences in signal strength errors between the instruments. However, the error in CMT measured using the new instrument was significantly smaller compared to that using the aged instrument. Therefore, the effect of instrument aging should be accounted for in analyses of OCT measurements.
Aging* ; Child, Preschool ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

We report a case of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with udenafil. A 54-year-old male presented with an acute onset visual field defect of the right eye after udenafil use. Examination revealed a relative afferent pupillary defect and a swollen disc. Automated visual fields revealed an enlarged blind spot and a narrowed visual field. Fluorescein angiography revealed both an inferior choroidal filling delay and an inferior sector filling delay of the optic disc in the arteriovenous phase as well as diffuse leakage of the optic disc in the late phase. Optical coherent tomography revealed increased thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, especially in the area of the inferior disc. The patient was counseled to discontinue the use of udenafil and to monitor his blood pressure regularly. The disc swelling was resolved with residual optic atrophy one month after discontinuing the use of udenafil.
Acute Disease ; Choroid/*pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic/*chemically induced/diagnosis ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors/adverse effects ; Pyrimidines/*adverse effects ; Sulfonamides/*adverse effects ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: To report a case of congenital idiopathic microcoria corrected with pupilloplasty and amblyopia treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 4-year-old girl was referred for pupillary abnormality of the left eye. Her mother experienced no problems during gestation, and the patient was born at full term. On initial examination, visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and counting finger at 50 cm in the left eye. Slit lamp examination revealed that the left pupil was displaced superonasally. A band of fibrous tissue extended across the left pupil and there was no red reflex. There was very slight reaction to mydriatics. Using 23-gauge vitrectomy scissors, a pupilloplasty was performed, and the synechiae are removed. Postoperatively, the pupillary light reflex was brisk, and occlusion therapy was initiated. After 3 months, the visual acuity of the left eye improved to 20/30. CONCLUSIONS: In our case, although microcoria was diagnosed at a relatively old age, the patient's clinical features were consistent with congenital idiopathic microcoria. Therefore, we diagnosed the patient with gradually progressed congenital idiopathic microcoria. In the case of typical congenital idiopathic microcoria, the red-reflex is absent at birth because of the small pupil. However, as in our case, it is possible that the pupil can contract gradually due to movement of the fibrous strand. The point must be considered in such patients.
Amblyopia ; Contracts ; Eye ; Fingers ; Humans ; Light ; Miosis ; Mothers ; Mydriatics ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Preschool Child ; Pupil ; Reflex ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between fish consumption and blood mercury levels in a sample of adult Koreans. METHODS: The study subjects were 299 residents of Busan (male: 65, female: 234) and 185 residents of Namhae (male: 69, female: 116), South Korea. Demographic characteristics, current smoking, current drinking, fish consumption per week, past history of amalgam treatment, and residential district were recorded by trained interviewers in June and July, 2009. We considered a portion of fish to be equivalent to 70 gm weight, and calculated amounts of fish consumed per week. Using chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis, we estimated the relationships between blood mercury levels and amount of fish consumed per week and other factors. RESULTS: The mean blood mercury level of our subjects was 6.61 microgram/L, higher than the criterion defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (5.8 microgram/L). In multiple linear regression analysis, residential district and amount of fish consumed per week were associated with blood mercury levels. However, marital status, current drinking, and gender, and age were not associated with blood mercury levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we suggest the implementation of systematic and periodic population-based studies to decrease the risks of mercury poisoning among South Koreans who consume fish as a regular part of the diet.
Adult ; Diet ; Drinking ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Marital Status ; Mercury Poisoning ; Republic of Korea ; Smoke ; Smoking ; United States Environmental Protection Agency ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To report a case of isolated anterior capsule rupture with cataract after blunt ocular trauma. CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old male complained of decreased visual acuity in the right eye after blunt ocular trauma 5 days earlier. The visual acuity was counting fingers at 30 cm in the right eye, and intraocular pressure, measured using an applanation tonometer, was 25 mm Hg. Slit lamp examination showed a white intumescent cataract with anterior lens capsule rupture and cortical lens material extruding into the anterior chamber. Under local anesthesia, removal of the cataract was approached via a clear corneal incision. After removal of the cataract using irrigation and aspiration, the intact posterior capsule was observed. IOL haptic was implanted in the sulcus, and IOL optic was implanted in the bag. Postoperatively, the BCVA improved in the right eye to 0.8 at 1 month, and the intraocular pressure, by the Goldmann applanation tonometer was 13 mm Hg at that time.
Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; Anterior Chamber ; Cataract ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Eye ; Fingers ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Rupture ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To describe the use of botulinum toxin injection of the lacrimal gland for palliative treatment of epiphora secondary to nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: A prospective non-comparative interventional case series study was designed to include 13 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Under topical anesthesia botulinum toxin A (1-4unit) was injected into the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland via a transconjunctival approach. Patients underwent a Schirmer test and a subjective evaluation of their epiphora symptoms was performed at 0 (baseline), 1, 4 and 12 weeks after injection. RESULTS: Subjective epiphora scores improved in 10 out of the 13 patients (76.9%). Schirmer test results showed objective reduction in tearing from baseline but did not strongly correlate with the subjective epiphora scores. Transient ptosis were experienced by two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum A toxin injection for palliative treatment of epiphora secondary to nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a simple, effective and safe treatment.
Anesthesia ; Botulinum Toxins* ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases* ; Nasolacrimal Duct* ; Palliative Care* ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the levels of psychosocial stress, job stress and their related factors among medical doctors practicing at local clinics. METHODS: A survey using a self administered questionnaire was administered to 1,456 doctors practicing at private clinics via post for 2 months (2006. 1 - 2006. 3). Psychosocial stress, job stress,demographic factors, job related factors and health related behaviors were investigated. Among the eligible study population, the respondents were 428 doctors (29.4%). RESULTS: The average scores of psychosocial stress and job stress were 2.19 and 3.13, respectively. The levels of psychosocial stress and job stress were statistically lower in older respondents, those who worked shorter or who were more satisfied with their job, and those with higher socioeconomic status. The level of psychosocial stress was related with smoking status, drinking status and exercise. The level of job stress was related with smoking status and exercise. In multiple linear regression analysis using psychosocial stress as a dependent variable, age, working hours per day, job satisfaction and perception on socioeconomic status were significant independent variables. In analysis using job stress as a dependent variable, age, working hours per day and job satisfaction were significant independent variables. CONCLUSIONS: Stress affects the doctor-patient relationship, productivity and overall health level of people. Therefore, it is important to manage and relieve the stress of doctors. It is suggested that more advanced studies on stress level and related factors and ways to improve the stress and health related behaviors of medical doctors should be conducted.
*Stress, Psychological ; Questionnaires ; Psychology ; Physicians/*psychology ; Occupational Exposure ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Korea ; Humans ; Female ; *Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Adult