Purpose: To report the results of a 2021 questionnaire survey assessing the current trends and practice patterns in the treatment of uveitis, conducted by the Korean Uveitis Society (KUS). Methods: To understand the current treatment and trends for uveitis in Korea, a total of 11 questions were surveyed in November 2021 among 300 members of the KUS. This survey comprised 11 multiple choice and dichotomy questions. Results: Of 300 participants, 179 responded, and the response rate was 59.7%. Among the respondents, 92.7% were retina specialists and 66.9% reported less than 10% of uveitis patients among outpatients. As imaging tests performed in patients with anterior uveitis, fundus photography and optical coherence tomography were typically performed (83.8% vs. 73.2%, respectively). The frequently performed blood tests for general screening were complete blood count, blood chemistry test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein (89.9% vs. 86.2% vs. 85.5% vs. 82.4%, respectively). Regarding local steroid treatment, subtenon injection was the most preferred (74.9%). Regarding systemic oral corticosteroids, 83.7% of respondents commonly used initial doses of 0.5-1 mg/kg. Cyclosporine, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and azathioprine were used for steroid-refractory uveitis patients in that order (36.2% vs. 34.8% vs. 21.7% vs. 7.3%, respectively). Concerning the currently used biologic agent, adalimumab was the most preferred, at 96.7%. Conclusions This survey highlights the recent trends and practice patterns in the treatment of uveitis in Korea.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) users. METHODS: The medical records of HCQ users were retrospectively reviewed. In these HCQ users, an automated perimetry, fundus autofluorescence photography, and SD-OCT with peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements were performed. The peripapillary RNFL thicknesses were compared between the HCQ users and the control groups. The relationships between the RNFL thicknesses and the duration or cumulative dosage of HCQ use were analyzed. RESULTS: This study included 77 HCQ users and 20 normal controls. The mean duration of HCQ usage was 63.6 ± 38.4 months, and the cumulative dose of HCQ was 528.1 ± 3.44 g. Six patients developed HCQ retinopathy. Global and six sectoral RNFL thicknesses of the HCQ users did not significantly decrease compared to those of the normal controls. No significant correlation was found between the RNFL thickness and the duration of use or cumulative dose. The eyes of those with HCQ retinopathy had temporal peripapillary RNFL thicknesses significantly greater than that of normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: The peripapillary RNFL thicknesses did not change in the HCQ users and did not correlate with the duration of HCQ use or cumulative doses of HCQ. RNFL thickness is not a useful biomarker for the early detection of HCQ retinal toxicity.
Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine* ; Medical Records ; Nerve Fibers* ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Field Tests

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and clinical characteristics of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy in Korean patients with rheumatologic diseases. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 310 patients taking HCQ. Ophthalmic examinations included spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), automated visual field test, and fundus autofluorescence. The severity of retinopathy was categorized as early, moderate, or severe, and the location was categorized as parafoveal, pericentral, or mixed pattern. Among 310 patients, 9 patients (2.9%) were diagnosed as HCQ retinopathy. Among the patients with HCQ use ≥ 5 years (n = 174), the frequency was 5.2%. Only 1 (11.1%) of the 9 patients was symptomatic. The mean daily dose per kilogram of real body weight of the 9 patients was 5.6 mg, and only 3 had used 6.5 mg or more. Four of the 9 patients had severe HCQ retinopathy. Six of the 9 patients showed pericentral or mixed pattern of retinal damage. Consequently, the frequency of HCQ retinopathy in Korean patients was not low, especially when administered at a high cumulative dose and for a long duration. Screening of HCQ retinopathy by the recommended guidelines that include SD-OCT seems useful and should be done to detect retinal damage earlier in patients with chronic exposure to HCQ.
Body Weight ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine* ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Field Tests

PURPOSE: To investigate the advantages of ultrawide-field fluorescein angiography (FA) over the standard fundus examination in the evaluation of diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: Ultrawide-field FAs were obtained in 118 eyes of 59 diabetic patients; 11 eyes with no DR, 71 eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and 36 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), diagnosed by the standard method. The presence of peripheral abnormal lesions beyond the standard seven fields was examined. RESULTS: Ultrawide-field FA images demonstrated peripheral microaneurysms in six (54.5%) of 11 eyes with no DR and all eyes with moderate to severe NPDR and PDR. Peripheral retinal neovascularizations were detected in three (4.2%) of 71 eyes with NPDR and in 13 (36.1%) of 36 eyes with PDR. Peripheral vascular nonperfusion and vascular leakage were found in two-thirds of eyes with severe NPDR and PDR. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrawide-field FA demonstrates peripheral lesions beyond standard fields, which can allow early detection and a close evaluation of DR.
Aged ; Diabetic Retinopathy/*diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography/*methods ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retina/*pathology

As younger preterm infants are able to survive, more extremely preterm infants are at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). To investigate the incidence, progression and risk factors of ROP in extremely preterm infants in Korea, the medical records of infants born before 25 weeks gestation were retrospectively reviewed. The criteria for laser treatment agreed with type 1 ROP as defined by the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity study. Of the 121 infants included in the analysis, 119 (98.4%) infants developed any stage ROP, including 78 infants (64.5%) with type 1 ROP. The mean postmenstrual age (PMA) at the onset of any ROP and type 1 ROP were 33.5 and 36.1 weeks, respectively. All but one infant developed type 1 ROP after 31 weeks PMA. Univariate analysis showed that duration of total parenteral nutrition and onset of any ROP (PMA) were associated with the development of type 1 ROP. In conclusion, this study shows high incidence of ROP in extremely preterm infants and suggests that, although current screening protocols are feasible for most preterm infants born before 25 weeks gestation, earlier screening before 31 weeks PMA may be necessary in infants with an unstable clinical course.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/*epidemiology/mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index

PURPOSE: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is common in patients with immunodeficient conditions caused by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), cytotoxic chemotherapy and immunosuppresive treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical manifestations and prognosis of CMV retinitis cases. METHODS: Thirty-one eyes of 21 patients who were diagnosed with CMV retinitis were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical manifestations and prognosis of all patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 24.4+/-19.8 years. Eight patients were female and 13 patients were male. The predisposing conditions of patients were leukemia (nine patients), immunosuppressed conditions due to organ transplantation (three patients), AIDS (two patients) and other (seven patients). Eleven patients exhibited bilateral disease. The mean follow-up period was 31.3 months, and there were no differences between mean initial visual acuity (0.70+/-0.31) and mean visual acuity (0.77+/-0.20) at final visit. The major causes of visual loss were retinitis and atrophic changes involving the macula. Although retinitis was successfully treated with anti-viral agents in all cases, cataract (10 eyes, 31.3%), cystoid macular edema (four eyes, 12.5%), retinal detachment (two eyes, 6.3%), epiretinal membrane (two eyes, 6.3%) and immune recovery uveitis (two eyes, 6.3%) developed after the initial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although the visual prognosis of CMV retinitis was relatively good after administration of appropriate antiviral therapy, clinicians should remain alert for the development of late complications, including retinal detachment, cystoid macular edema and immune recovery uveitis.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Cataract ; Cytomegalovirus ; Cytomegalovirus Retinitis ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Eye ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Macular Edema ; Male ; Organ Transplantation ; Prognosis ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants ; Uveitis ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of intermediate uveitis under new diagnostic standards. METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed with pars planitis or intermediate uveitis were followed for more than 6 months, and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients and 117 eyes were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 40.1 years, and the mean follow-up period was 43.0 months. Thirty percent of cases were bilateral. The most common initial symptom was decreased visual acuity. Snowbank was detected in 39.3%, snowballs in 15.4%, vitritis in 96.6%, and vasculitis in 56.4%. Common complications includedcystoid macular edema (57.3%), cataracts (43.6%), and epiretinal membrane (36.8%). Therapies included topical steroids (82.9% of cases), posterior sub-Tenon steroid injection (45.3% of cases), systemic steroid administration (67.8% of cases), and immunosuppressants (28.7% of cases). Vitrectomy was performed in 11.1% of patients due to complications such as epiretinal membrane and traction retinal detachment. The mean initial and final visual acuities were 0.67 and 0.74, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The patients in this study experienced various courses of symptoms that required different treatment plans. Future investigations may corroborate these results.
Cataract ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Macular Edema ; Medical Records ; Pars Planitis ; Retinal Detachment ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroids ; Traction ; Uveitis, Intermediate ; Vasculitis ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

Clinical features and prognosis of HLA-B27 positive anterior uveitis (AU) were assessed compared with HLA-B27 negative AU in a Korean population, based on the medical records of AU patients seen at a university hospital. Twenty-seven HLA-B27 negative, idiopathic AU patients (group I) and 55 HLA-B27 positive AU patients (group II) were studied. HLA-B27 positive group was further divided into 29 with associated systemic disease (seronegative spondyloarthropathy) (group IIA) and 26 without associated systemic disease (group IIB). Significantly more severe anterior chamber inflammation in terms of anterior chamber cells (P=0.006) and hypopyon formation (P=0.034) was observed with higher frequency of AU attacks (P=0.007) in the HLA-B27 positive group than in the HLA-B27 negative group. Systemic/periocular steroids were required in significantly more patients in the HLA-B27 positive group than in the HLA-B27 negative group (P=0.015). However, no significant differences were observed for final ocular and visual outcomes between these two groups. Associated systemic disease made no significant difference in the clinical features and prognosis in the HLA-B27 positive AU patients. In conclusion, despite more severe inflammation and a higher recurrence rate, HLA-B27 positive AU shows similar good final ocular and visual outcomes compared to HLA-B27 negative, idiopathic AU in a Korean population.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; HLA-B27 Antigen/genetics/*metabolism ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Steroids/therapeutic use ; Uveitis, Anterior/*diagnosis/drug therapy/metabolism ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of repeated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korean patients. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who were treated with repeated (3 times or more) PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD and followed up for more than 6 months were collected from 17 hospitals around the country. Visual outcomes at 12 and 24 months, follow-up were compared between subtypes of choroidal neovascularization. The factors related to final visual prognosis and PDT-related adverse effects were evaluated. RESULTS: 244 patients (244 eyes) were recruited (male: 60%, age: 67.7+/-9.1 years). The portion of patients with predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult without classic choroidal neovascularization was 57%, 13%, and 24%, respectively and that of patients with visual improvements or less than moderate visual loss at 24 months follow-up were 28%, 38%, 30% and 47%, 56%, and 65%, respectively. Baseline visual acuity and age were significantly related to the final visual prognosis (p<0.05). PDT-related adverse events developed in 15 (6.1%) patients, but most were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated PDT for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD has effects comparable to those of previous prospective, controlled trials without any significant safety concerns in Korea.
Choroid* ; Choroidal Neovascularization* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration* ; Photochemotherapy* ; Prognosis ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors and prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: All babies were screened for ROP at a postconceptional age of 31 weeks or at 4 weeks of chronological age. We divided the infants into two groups according to birth weight < 1000 g (ELBW) and 1000~1500 g (VLBW), to compare the incidence of ROP and photocoagulation, and to retrospectively evaluate the risk factors. RESULTS: Three hundred eight consecutive infants were included in the data analysis. The incidences of ROP were 70.5% (79/112) in ELBW infants and 36.7% (72/196) in VLBW infants (p<0.0001). 31 of 79 ELBW infants (39.2%) and 17 of 72 VLBW infants (23.6%) had undergone photocoagulation (p<0.0001). Among the various risk factors, mechanical ventilation (p=0.039) and surfactant (p<0.000) were the independent risk factors associated with ROP in all infant groups by logistic regression analysis. In the ELBW group, however, surfactant injection was the only factor independently associated with ROP (p=0.008). The use of surfactant, the only risk factor in ELBW infants, was attributed with the initiation of ROP. However, it did not act as an aggravating factor. CONCLUSIONS: ELBW was associated with a higher incidence of ROP and laser photocoagulation. The results of this study emphasize that more special attention is needed for immature infants when ventilators and surfactants are used.
Birth Weight ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Light Coagulation ; Logistic Models ; Prevalence ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retinopathy of Prematurity* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Statistics as Topic ; Surface-Active Agents ; Ventilators, Mechanical