Purpose: We compared the efficacy of focal laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab injection in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis involving 46 eyes of 46 patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy who received focal laser photocoagulation (22 eyes) or intravitreal bevacizumab injection (24 eyes). Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BVCA), central macular thickness, and rates of complete subretinal fluid (SRF) resolution and recurrence were compared over a 6-month period. Results: Although the focal laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab injection groups demonstrated a significant reduction in central macular thickness at 6 months (p < 0.001), no statistically significant differences were observed between these groups at the end of the follow-up period. Notably, a gradual improvement in BVCA was observed in both groups following initial treatment, with significant improvement seen at 6 months (p = 0.049 and p = 0.048 for the laser and injection groups, respectively). However, no statistically significant difference in BVCA improvement was observed between the groups. Complete SRF resolution was achieved in 22 eyes in the laser group and 23 eyes in the injection group. Although recurrence of SRF was observed in 9 and 13 eyes in the laser and injection groups, respectively, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.229). Conclusions Focal laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab injection significantly improved anatomical and visual acuity outcomes in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. Although focal laser photocoagulation was associated with more rapid visual recovery and a lower recurrence rate compared to intravitreal bevacizumab injection, further studies are needed to evaluate its potential complications.

Purpose: To study the short-term intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect and optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow improvement after switching from latanoprost 0.005% w/v to latanoprostene bunod 0.024% w/v. Methods: This prospective study ran from May 2022 to December 2022 and included 40 patients with open-angle glaucoma who switched from latanoprost 0.005% w/v to latanoprostene bunod 0.024% w/v. The IOP, ONH blood flow, and conjunctival hyperemia, corneal erosion, and eyelid pigmentation status were measured 3 months after switching. We recorded all possible side effects. Results: The baseline IOP significantly dropped from 17.53 ± 6.49 to 16.00 ± 8.06 mmHg at 3 months (p = 0.032). The best-corrected visual acuity did not significantly change (0.24 ± 0.19 to 0.23 ± 0.16); neither did eyelid pigmentation (1.16 ± 0.78 to 1.16 ± 0.82) nor the corneal erosion score (0.58 ± 0.85 to 0.39 ± 0.76). Conjunctival hyperemia significantly decreased from 2.00 ± 0.69 to 1.67 ± 0.63 (p = 0.010). Neither the whole-image vessel density nor the peripapillary vessel density significantly changed. However, pruritus became significantly worse after the change (p = 0.008). Conclusions In the short term, latanoprostene bunod 0.024% w/v lowered the IOP more effectively than did latanoprost 0.005% w/v. However, there was no significant change in ONH blood flow after the switch.

Background and Objectives: De-escalation of dual-antiplatelet therapy through dose reduction of prasugrel improved net adverse clinical events (NACEs) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), mainly through the reduction of bleeding without an increase in ischemic outcomes. Whether the benefits of de-escalation are sustained in highly thrombotic conditions such as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unknown. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of de-escalation therapy in patients with STEMI or non-STsegment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS). Methods: This is a pre-specified subgroup analysis of the HOST-REDUCE-POLYTECH-ACS trial. ACS patients were randomized to prasugrel de-escalation (5 mg daily) or conventional dose (10 mg daily) at 1-month post-percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary endpoint was a NACE, defined as a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, clinically driven revascularization, stroke, and bleeding events of grade ≥2 Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria at 1 year. Results: Among 2,338 patients included in the randomization, 326 patients were diagnosed with STEMI. In patients with NSTE-ACS, the risk of the primary endpoint was significantly reduced with de-escalation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48– 0.89; p=0.006 for de-escalation vs. conventional), mainly driven by a reduced bleeding. However, in those with STEMI, there was no difference in the occurrence of the primary outcome (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.48–2.26; p=0.915; p for interaction=0.271). Conclusions Prasugrel dose de-escalation reduced the rate of NACE and bleeding, without increasing the rate of ischemic events in NSTE-ACS patients but not in STEMI patients.

Purpose: It is crucial to identify the causative allergen of respiratory allergic disease. Air pollution and climate change affect the allergen concentration as well as the sensitization rate. This study aims to analyze the inhalant allergen sensitization in patients with respiratory allergic disease in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do province. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed skin prick test results from patients who visited an allergy clinic at a university hospital in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do in 2011 and 2016. Sensitivity to inhalant allergens was identified and analyzed by year and region. The pollen allergen concentration in Busan was also analyzed. Results: The total numbers of participants were 697 in 2011 and 1,644 in 2016. The mite sensitization rate was the highest at approximately 36%, and tree pollen sensitization rate showed 10%–15%. However, the sensitization of most tree pollen and Japanese hop significantly decreased in 2016. In 2011, the mite sensitization rate of patients in the Western Gyeongsangnam-do region was remarkably low at 26%–28%, but this difference disappeared in 2016. The concentration of pollen allergens in Busan showed a tendency to decrease. Conclusion This study confirmed the longitudinal change in the sensitization rate of major inhalant allergens in patients with respiratory allergy in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do province, as well as a significant decrease in tree pollen antigen. Based on our results, this information can be used as a basis for future patient management, and further research will be made possible by establishing a research network.