Purpose: Comparison of the 6-month outcomes of ab externo XEN 45 gel stent implantation with conjunctival resection in Korean glaucoma patients. Methods: From January to May 2021, 43 open-angle glaucoma patients who underwent ab externo XEN stent insertion alone and were followed for more than 6 months were classified into incision (n = 23) and non-incision (n = 20) groups according to the presence or absence of a conjunctival incision and analyzed retrospectively. Qualified or complete success was defined as achieving the personal target intraocular pressure (IOP) with or without medication, respectively. Results: The IOP measured 6 months after surgery decreased significantly in both groups. The number of IOP-lowering drugs required was also reduced. The decrease in IOP after surgery was greater in the non-incision group. Six months after surgery, the qualified success rate was 55% in the non-incision group and 52.2% in the incision group, while the complete success rate was 40% and 8.7%, respectively. During follow-up, 58.1% of the patients underwent bleb needling more than once, and 20.9% underwent additional IOP-lowering surgery, but there was no difference between the two groups. Conclusions XEN stent insertion helped to reduce IOP and the number of IOP-lowering agents after 6 months regardless of a conjunctival incision. However, to maintain the target IOP, bleb manipulation was required in many cases.

In this study, gold nanotubes were fabricated by electrophoretic deposition using a titania nanotube layer as a template, and then the surface characteristics, biocompatibility and antibacterial effect of gold nanotubes were evaluated. Gold nanotubes of 100 nm diameter were fabricated by depositing 4 nm and 15 nm gold nanoparticles on anodized 100 nm titania nanotubes by citrate reduction and electrophoretic deposition. As a result of the UV-Vis diffuse spectrophotometer, 4 nm and 15 nm gold nanotubes showed strong absorption at 702~774 nm and 753~760 nm, respectively. Also, the maximum absorption wavelength was shifted to the longer wavelength as the coating time of the gold nanoparticles increased. FE-SEM observation and EDX analysis resulted that 0.1~0.5 wt% gold nanoparticles uniformly were stacked on the top layer of titania nanotubes. As a result of MTT cell test, the relative absorbance value of all experimental groups after 24 hours and 48 hours of incubation exceeded 70% indicating excellent biocompatibility. The effect of the near infrared laser light on the adhesion and growth of gold nanotubes showed excellent antibacterial activity regardless of the coating time of gold nanoparticles. Therefore, it is confirmed that the gold nanotube coating technology based on the titania nanotube template is supposed to be highly applicable to a titanium implant surface treatment technology with the remote control thermal treatment of a near-infrared laser.
Absorption ; Citric Acid ; Nanoparticles ; Nanotubes ; Titanium

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nasogastric administration of cola for dissolution of phytobezoar was reported but the mechanism is not well understood. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cola ingestion for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients who have had distal gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were enrolled from July 2007 to October 2007 and all previously received subtotal gastrectomy. We conducted a randomized case-control study which the patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A had preparation with cola and group B had no preparation. Cola preparation group ingested about 1,500 mL of cola between 7 PM to 10 PM in the evening before the procedure. Two examiners who were blinded to the type of preparation performed the endoscopy. We assessed the degree of food residue and bile reflux by Japanese classification. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were included. The comparison of clinical and laboratory characteristics between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference. During endoscopy, food residue was less found in group A than B, but without statistically significance (group A=12.1%, group B=21.6%, P=0.087). However, bile reflux was significantly less found in group A than B (group A=36.4%, group B=67.6%, P=0.015). Multivariate analysis, cola preparation significantly reduced food residue (OR, 0.032; P=0.001) and bile reflux (OR, 0.102; P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preparation with cola in the evening before endoscopic examination may provide a good quality of preparation in patient with remnant stomach after distal gastrectomy.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bile Reflux ; Case-Control Studies* ; Classification ; Cola* ; Eating* ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Gastrectomy ; Gastric Stump* ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) evades early diagnosis due to non-specific clinical manifestations and difficulties in confirming the disease process. In the current study, we determined the diagnostic appearance and clinical manifestations of ITB in recent 10 years according to diagnostic guidelines, as proposed by the IBD Study Group of Korean Association for the Study of the Intestinal Diseases (KASID). METHODS: Fifty-six patients with ITB who were diagnosed at Seoul Paik Hospital between January 2001 and August 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of ITB was defined as definite or probable in accordance with the diagnostic guidelines and the clinical features were analyzed in comparison with previous studies involving ITB in Korea. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 45+/-15 years (range, 17-71 years). Definite and probable diagnoses were obtained in 29% and 71% of the patients, respectively. Twenty-three percent of the patients had synchronous active pulmonary TB and 14% of the patients had other forms of abdominal TB, such as TB mesenteric lymphadenitis or peritonitis. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (43%), followed by diarrhea (30%), weight loss (14%). Twenty-seven percent of the patients (15 cases) were asymptomatic and diagnosed on comprehensive health care or post-operative surveillance. Only 2 patients (3.6%) underwent surgery for complications, such as intestinal obstruction and perforation. CONCLUSIONS: ITB is still prevalent in Korea; however, in the recent 10 years the symptoms of ITB have been milder than previously reported. In addition, the complication rates of ITB were remarkably decreased, suggesting that early diagnosis of ITB was increased.
Abdominal Pain ; Comprehensive Health Care ; Diarrhea ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Mesenteric Lymphadenitis ; Peritonitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: Although eosinophilia is a common laboratory finding in many neonatal intensive care units (ICUs), its causative mechanisms remain obscure. We aimed to determine the causes of eosinophilia in the neonatal ICU environment. METHODS: Serial eosinophil counts were determined weekly for 288 hospitalized, appropriately grown neonates. Infants were divided into four groups according to gestational age, and the incidence and etiologic factors of eosinophilia were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: Absolute eosinophilia (>700/mm3) was documented in 18% (52/288) of neonates. Twenty-two infants (42.3%) exhibited mild eosinophilia (700-999 cells/mm3), 27 (51.9%) exhibited moderate eosinophilia (1,000-2,999 cells/mm3), and 3 (5.8%) exhibited severe eosinophilia (>3,000 cells/mm3). Of the 288 infants studied, 54 suffered sepsis. Thirty of these 54 infants (55.6%) showed eosinophilia, and 22 out of the remaining 234 infants (9%) without sepsis showed eosinophilia, indicating that eosinophilia was more prevalent in the sepsis group (P <0.05). All 5 infants suffering from bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed eosinophilia, and 47 out of the remaining 283 infants (16.7%) without bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed eosinophilia. Thus, eosinophilia was more prevalent in the bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (P <0.05). Furthermore, increased prevalence of eosinophilia was associated with respiratory distress syndrome, ventilator use, blood transfusion, and total parenteral nutrition (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that eosinophilia is influenced by sepsis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, although it can also occur idiopathically at birth. Moreover, the potential role of eosinophils in conditions such as wound healing and fibrosis in sepsis or chronic lung disease may be a cause of eosinophilia.
Blood Transfusion ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Fibrosis ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Lung Diseases ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Parturition ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Stress, Psychological ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: To examine how SCUBA diving activities in high-pressure underwater environment affect their intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field (VF), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and the shape of optic disc. METHODS: We performed visual acuity and refractory test, IOP test, VF test, RNFL photography, optical coherent tomography, and 3D optic disc photography for a group of 32 people and a control group of 32 non-divers, and analyzed the differences between the two groups. For the diver group, we conducted a questionnaire survey on the patterns of diving and diving experience, and analyzed their correlation with results of test. RESULTS: Compared to the Control, the diver group showed significant difference in the mean IOP (diver group: 15.71 +/- 2.54 mmHg, control group: 14.23 +/-2.15 mmHg, p = 0.019), and abnormal visual field (diver group: 7 eyes (11.3%), control group: 0 eye (0%), p = 0.006). 85.7% of abnormal visual field belonged to early defect. The diver group did not showed significant difference in the shape of optic disc (p = 0.546), but the optic nerve atrophy in shape of optic disc test field (diver group: 8 eyes (12.9%), control group: 2 eyes (3.1%), p = 0.042) was significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Divers who did SCUBA diving activities need to have a glaucoma test regularly. Additional research and large cross or longitudinal study are needed to evaluate causes that scuba diving activities affect.
Atrophy ; Diving ; Eye ; Glaucoma ; Intraocular Pressure ; Nerve Fibers ; Optic Nerve ; Photography ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: Posterior scleritis is known to be a rare disease. The authors of the present study herein report a case of posterior scleritis, which occurred in a patient's eye, accompanied by hyperthyroidism and recurring in the other eye one year later. CASE SUMMARY: A 39-year-old female patient visited the hospital for ocular pain in the left eye and a headache. The patient was diagnosed with posterior scleritis through fundus examination, ultrasonography, CT and MRI, and an effective outcome of treatment was obtained by oral administration of methylprednisolone. Four months after discharge, the patient received left subtotal thyroidectomy for thyroid papillary cancer. Seven months after surgery she visited again, due to ocular pain that started 1 week earlier in the left eye, as well as a headache, and was diagnosed with posterior scleritis upon fundus examination, ultrasonography and MRI. Methylprednisolone was administered orally and an effective treatment result was obtained. After discharge, the patient was followed up for 5 months and did not show any signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: When a hyperthyroidism patient has ocular pain or a headache, the possibility of posterior scleritis accompaniment should be considered, as well as the possibility that posterior scleritis, which already occurred in one eye, may recur in the other eye.
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Eye ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Methylprednisolone ; Rare Diseases ; Scleritis ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroidectomy

PURPOSE: To measure intraocular pressure (IOP) as a function of positional changes of the head during heavy weight lifting. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 30 healthy adult males in their twenties to forties. This study investigated their ophthalmic examinations, BMI (body mass index), and 1RM (one repetition maximum) according to the three bench press positions. RESULTS: Before exercising, the IOP was higher in the lowered head position in the decline bench press (18.20+/-2.89 mmHg) than in the incline bench press (14.38+/-2.32 mmHg) (p<0.001). The IOP increased significantly during the bench press exercise, relative to during the pre-exercise (p<0.001). Upon lift down, IOP increased by 3.72+/-1.85 mmHg greater than upon lift up, and mean IOP increased by 2.61+/-1.63 mmHg (p<0.001). In our experiments, IOP increased to a maximum of 22.10+/-2.79 mmHg, measured during lift down in the decline bench press configuration. The BMI and the IOP before exercise showed significant correlation (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IOP increased more during exercise involving a lower head position. Further study is needed to know the extent to which this result is relevant for glaucoma patients and which activities and head positions during exercise may worsen glaucoma. In the meantime, patients with severe glaucoma may need to avoid lifting heavy objects with a lowered head position.
Adult ; Glaucoma ; Head ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Lifting ; Male ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Weight Lifting

PURPOSE: To report a case of isolated posterior pole-penetrating ocular injury treated by nonsurgical methods such as argon laser photocoagulation and administration of antibiotics. CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old male visited the hospital complaining of floaters in his left eye which had occurred when his cheek was penetrated by scissors from the inferior posterior part to the superior anterior part while working earlier that day. Upon initial examination, his best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the left eye was 0.8, and his intraocular pressure (IOP) was 10 mmHg. No cells or aqueous flares were observed in the anterior chamber. Fundus examination was performed, and three disc diameter-large breaks of the retina and choroid, scleral rupture and vitreous hemorrhage were observed at the posterior pole three disc diameters away from the fovea. It was difficult to make a surgical approach as the lesion was situated on the posterior pole, and there was the risk of prolapse of the eye contents. Therefore, we first performed argon laser photocoagulation around the lesion and administered topical as well as and systemic antibiotics. After admission the patient was observed carefully as the tractional retinal fold was located at the posterior pole. Additional argon laser photocoagulation was performed. After six months of treatment, BCVA in the left eye was 1.0, IOP was 16 mmHg, and no pathologic change was observed on fundus examination.
Anterior Chamber ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Aqueous Humor ; Argon ; Cheek ; Choroid ; Eye ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Light Coagulation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prolapse ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Rupture ; Traction ; Visual Acuity ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To report a case of conjunctival autotransplantation using the conjunctival flap of the pterygium for thetreatment corneal ulcer perforation. CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because her left eye had a corneal ulcer due topine needle trauma, and she did not respond to the initial therapy in a private clinic for 1 week. We first applied topical and systemic antibiotics. However, the lesion did not subside, and necrosis progressed in the stroma at the center of the cornea. On day 6 of admission, perforation was found at the center of the cornea, and we excised the necrotic tissue and performed bilateral pedicle conjunctival flap transposition. After the operation, an ischemic change was observed, and in the fourth week perforation occured at the center of the transplanted conjunctival flap. Because we considered it difficult to perform the transplantation of a conjunctival flap in the left eye, we performed autotransplantation on the corneal perforation in the left eye using conjunctival flap obtained through a pterygium excision in the right eye. After the operation, vascular ingrowth started from the edge of the flap, and there were no symptoms of inflammation, shrinkage, or necrosis of the flap. During the follow-up observation, the flap survived well without necrosis.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cornea ; Corneal Perforation ; Corneal Ulcer ; Eye ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Necrosis ; Needles ; Pterygium ; Transplants