Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is considered an ophthalmologic emergency. The prognosis of this disease is very poor. Currently, there is no generally effective therapy available to treat CRAO. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can increase the volume of oxygen delivered to the ischemic retinal tissue until spontaneous or assisted reperfusion occurs. We report the case of a patient who experienced sudden visual loss due to CRAO that was treated with HBOT. The patient was an 81-year-old woman who presented with CRAO in her right eye (OD). She exhibited “hand motion” visual acuity before treatment. She underwent three sessions of HBOT at a pressure of 2.8 atmospheres absolute, performed over 3 days. After 4 days in hospital, her visual acuity improved to 0.4 (OD) for far vision and 0.5 (OD) for near vision. Her vision was stable without the supply of oxygen; therefore, she was discharged.
Aged, 80 and over ; Atmosphere ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Ophthalmic Artery ; Oxygen* ; Prognosis ; Reperfusion ; Retinal Artery Occlusion* ; Retinal Artery* ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To analyze the association of visual efficiency and quality of life using data from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V). METHODS: The present study included 5,244 glaucoma or glaucoma suspect subjects who completed a visual acuity test, visual field test and health-related questionnaire from the KNHANES V. Visual efficiency was calculated using best corrected visual acuity and visual field test. Quality of life was assessed with EuroQoL 5D (EQ-5D). Visual efficiency was compared with best corrected vision of the better eye to evaluate the relationship with quality of life. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and partial correlations analysis were used to analyze the associations between factors. RESULTS: Both visual efficiency and best corrected visual acuity of the better eye were significantly different with all EQ-5D parameters (p < 0.005). After controlling for age, gender, income, education, spouse and house ownership, visual efficiency showed a positive correlation coefficient of +0.040 (p = 0.006) with the quality of life and the best corrected visual acuity of the better eye showed negative correlation coefficient of -0.044 (p = 0.002) with the quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Visual efficiency was associated with the quality of life. Not only visual acuity but also visual efficiency would be a valuable parameter when considering the quality of life. Further studies are needed to evaluate non-glaucomatous populations.
Education ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Korea* ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Ownership ; Quality of Life* ; Spouses ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Field Tests

PURPOSE: To report a case study of a penetrating fish hook ocular injury. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old male visited the emergency department complaining that he injured his eye with a fish hook. He had no specific ophthalmologic or medical history. A fish hook had penetrated the sclera 1.5 mm temporal to the limbus. The tip of the fish hook was visible at the posterior surface of the lens. His visual acuity was hand motion. The fish hook was removed through the entrance wound using the backout method. Anterior chamber irrigation and extracapsular cataract extraction with phacoemulsification were performed and intracameral antibiotic injection administered. Intraocular lens implantation was performed at a later date. Presently, the patient has a best correctional visual acuity of 0.7 with no signs of infections. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of ocular fish hook injury, determining a removal method is crucial for recovery. Herein, we report a case of successfully treated fish hook ocular perforation along with a literature review.
Anterior Chamber ; Athletic Injuries ; Cataract Extraction ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hand ; Humans ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification ; Sclera ; Visual Acuity ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: To report a case of recurrent uveitis associated with autoimmune liver disease. CASE SUMMARY: A 50-year-old female with severe fatigue and arthritis visited the ophthalmology department due to decreased visual acuity and discomfort in her right eye for ten days. She had intermittent injection and blurred vision in both eyes for 30 years. Slit lamp examination of her right eye showed keratic precipitates, pigment deposits on the anterior capsule of the lens and anterior chamber cells; fundus examination was normal without any sign of chorioretinitis. Inflammatory reaction was improved after steroid and cycloplegic eye drop treatment. Two months later, her left eye developed anterior uveitis. Inflammation was well controlled with steroid and cycloplegic eye drop treatment. To evaluate the cause of uveitis and associated systemic disease, serological testing was performed, and abnormal elevation of liver enzymes was detected. The patient was referred to the Gastroenterology Department and diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease. Oral ursodeoxycholic acid was prescribed. Liver function profile improved to normal range, and the patient is currently under routine follow-up with no sign of recurrent uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: When a patient with recurrent uveitis presents symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice or abnormal liver profile, association with autoimmune liver disease should be considered.
Abdominal Pain ; Anterior Capsule of the Lens ; Anterior Chamber ; Arthritis ; Chorioretinitis ; Fatigue ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroenterology ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Jaundice ; Liver ; Liver Diseases* ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; Ophthalmology ; Reference Values ; Serologic Tests ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; Uveitis* ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To report a patient with ocular ischemic syndrome who suffered from sudden decrease in visual acuity after bevacizumab injection. CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old patient visited the Department of Ophthalmology due to progressively decreasing visual acuity in the right eye. Corrected visual acuity in his right eye was 0.1 on the first visit; ocular ischemic syndrome was suspected. Despite panretinal photocoagulation, severe iris neovascularization was still present in the right eye. Intravitreal bevacizumab injection was performed to regress the iris neovascularization. One day after injection, iris neovascularization regressed significantly, however, visual acuity was decreased to finger counting. CONCLUSIONS: In ocular ischemic syndrome, bevacizumab injection for reduction of iris neovascularization should be carefully considered due to possibility of acute visual loss.
Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Eye ; Fingers ; Humans ; Iris ; Light Coagulation ; Ophthalmology ; Visual Acuity ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: To report a patient with ocular ischemic syndrome who suffered from sudden decrease in visual acuity after bevacizumab injection. CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old patient visited the Department of Ophthalmology due to progressively decreasing visual acuity in the right eye. Corrected visual acuity in his right eye was 0.1 on the first visit; ocular ischemic syndrome was suspected. Despite panretinal photocoagulation, severe iris neovascularization was still present in the right eye. Intravitreal bevacizumab injection was performed to regress the iris neovascularization. One day after injection, iris neovascularization regressed significantly, however, visual acuity was decreased to finger counting. CONCLUSIONS: In ocular ischemic syndrome, bevacizumab injection for reduction of iris neovascularization should be carefully considered due to possibility of acute visual loss.
Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Eye ; Fingers ; Humans ; Iris ; Light Coagulation ; Ophthalmology ; Visual Acuity ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: The authors of the present case report observed a bilateral retinal racemose hemangioma which was located within the peripapillary area. CASE SUMMARY: A 17-year-old man presented with floaters in both eyes. Fundus revealed tortuous and anastomosed retinal vasculature around the optic disc. In addition, fluorescein angiography showed a non-leaking retinal arteriovenous anastomosis. Seven years after the initial visit, vitreous hemorrhage occurred in the patient's left eye, and then 1 year later, subretinal hemorrhage was found in his left eye. CONCLUSIONS: Because retinal racemose hemangioma can accompany vitreous hemorrhage and subretinal hemorrhage regardless of size, a routine periodic ophthalmic examination is recommended.
Adolescent ; Arteriovenous Anastomosis ; Eye ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Hemangioma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Retinaldehyde ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To observe the degree of damage in a 30-gauge injection needle by observing the changes in needle tip following an intravitreal injection with the use of a scanning electron microscope. METHODS: The present study evaluated 11 injection needles collected following the use of an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Ten unused injection needles were selected as the control group. Needle examination was performed using a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: Following 11 intravitreal injections, seven bent needle tips, two stubbed needle tips and two almost normal needle tips were observed following intravitreal injections. In the control group, a single damaged needle tip was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Significant damage to the needle tip was observed following intravitreal injection using a 30-gauge injection needle. The results indicate that needles should be manipulated carefully during an intravitreal injection. Additionally, in the control group where no procedures were performed, a single injection needle with damaged status was found. These results indicate that needles should be replaced in cases in which resistance is perceived during the procedure.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Electrons ; Intravitreal Injections ; Microscopy, Electron ; Needles ; Bevacizumab

A 53-year-old woman visited the Department of Rheumatology with a chief complaint of a 3-day history of fever and chills and also presented with pain occuring in both knees at the time of outpatient visit. Based on rheumatologic and hematological lab studies, ultrasonography, and a needle aspiration biopsy of the articular cavity, the patient was diagnosed with reactive arthritis. On hospitalization day 3, consultation with the Department of Ophthalmology was requested regarding decreased visual acuity lasting for 3 days. Upon ophthalmologic examination, the corrected visual acuity was 0.1 in the right eye and 0.05 in the left eye. Upon slit lamp microscopy, there were no abnormal findings in the anterior segment. Upon fundus examination, however, there were yellow-white lesions in the macular area of both eyes. Fluorescein angiographywas performed to assess the macular lesions, and the findings were suggestive of macular infarction in both eyes. Due to a lack of other underlying disease, a past surgical history, and a past history of drug administration, the patient was diagnosed with macular infarction in both eyes associated with reactive arthritis. To date, there have been no other such cases reported. In a patient with reactive arthritis, we experienced a case of macular infarction in both eyes, which occurred without association with a past history of specific drug use or underlying disease. Herein, we report our case, with a review of the literature.
Angiography ; Arthritis, Reactive/*complications/diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Infarction/diagnosis/*etiology ; Macula Lutea/*blood supply ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: A corneal epithelial debridement using three different instruments was performed in rabbits, and the rates of corneal epithelium recovery were compared. Additionally, the extent of corneal damage as determined by the scanning electron microscopy was evaluated in each group. METHODS: Nineteen eyes of ten rabbits were classified into three groups according to the instruments used. The corneal epithelial debridement was performed using three different instruments: a Beaver blade (group A), a Bard-Parker blade No.15 (group B) and a dry cotton-tipped ap plicator (group C). After epithelial debridement, each cornea was observed every 24 hours for three days. After completion of the corneal recovery, each cornea was severed along the limbus and observed under the scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: The rate of corneal epithelial healing of the group C (dry cotton-tipped applicator) showed no statistical significance from those of the other groups. However, according to the corneal status observed under scanning electron microscope after debridement, cracks in the corneal surface in portions of group A and B were observed in contrast with no creaks in group C. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, corneal epithelial debridement using a cotton-tipped applicator is expected to reduce the occurrence of postoperative corneal complications. Use of a dry cotton-tipped applicator for corneal epithelial debridement in vitreoretinal surgery is suggested.
Cornea ; Debridement ; Electrons ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Eye ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Rabbits ; Rodentia ; Vitreoretinal Surgery