Comparison of systemic conditions at diagnosis between central retinal vein occlusion and branch retinal vein occlusion.

Objective: To compare systemic conditions at the time of diagnosis between patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Design: This study included patients diagnosed with CRVO or BRVO between February 2009 and August 2017 at three branch hospitals of Hallym University Medical Center. Demographic and anthropometric variables, systemic comorbidity profiles, and laboratory findings at diagnosis were collected from a clinical data warehouse system, and were compared between the CRVO and BRVO groups.

Optical Quality Assessment in Patients with Macular Diseases Using Optical Quality Analysis System.

Macular diseases cause vision loss, as the macula is the functional center for vision. In this study we assessed optical quality in eyes with macular diseases and evaluated the effectiveness of the Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS) to detect macular diseases. We analyzed 88 eyes of 88 patients with macular diseases (51 men and 37 women; mean age: 65.

Effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on hard exudates in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of orally administered grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Methods: In this randomized (1:2:2), multicentre, double-blind trial, patients (n = 124; age: 40-78 years) were administered placebo, calcium dobesilate (CD; 750 mg/d), or GSPE (150 mg/d) orally for up to 12 months. All patients had retinal thickening with hard exudates (HEs) that met predefined criteria; the median best-corrected visual acuity was 0.

Healthcare Utilization and Treatment Patterns in Diabetic Macular Edema in Korea: a Retrospective Chart Review.

Background: Limited data exist on real-world treatment patterns for diabetic macular edema (DME) in Korea. In this study, we investigated DME treatment patterns from 2009 to 2014 and the impact of baseline treatment on healthcare resource utilization and visual acuity (VA) outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort chart review of DME patients treated at 11 hospital ophthalmology clinics between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 was conducted.

Utility of the optical quality analysis system for decision-making in cataract surgery.

Background: A cataract is a common cause of vision impairment that requires surgery in older subjects. The Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS, Visiometrics SL, Terrassa, Spain) assesses the optical quality of the eye in cataract patients. This study shows the role of the optical quality evaluation system for decision-making in cataract surgery.

Prevalence, correlates, and impact of depressive and anxiety disorder in cancer: Findings from a multicenter study.

Unlabelled: ABSTRACTObjective:Our aim was to examine the prevalence, correlates, and association of depressive and anxiety disorders with quality of life (QoL) and such other outcomes as the need for psychosocial services in cancer patients.

Method: A total of 400 patients participated in a multicenter survey involving five cancer centers located throughout Korea. The Short-Form Health Survey, the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory, the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MINI-MAC), and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview were administered.

Vitamin D Supplementation for Patients with Dry Eye Syndrome Refractory to Conventional Treatment.

This study investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation in patients with dry eye syndrome (DES) refractory to conventional treatment with vitamin D deficiency. A total of 105 patients with DES refractory to conventional treatment and vitamin D deficiency that was treated with an intramuscular injection of cholecalciferol (200,000 IU). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured.

Development and validation of the National Cancer Center Psychological Symptom Inventory.

Objective: To report the development and validation of the National Cancer Center Psychological Symptom Inventory (NCC-PSI).

Methods: Psychometric properties of the NCC-PSI were examined by using multicenter surveys involving 400 patients with cancer in 5 cancer-treatment hospitals throughout Korea. Related measures including the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview were administered.

Oxidative Stress Levels in Aqueous Humor from High Myopic Patients.

Purpose: To compare oxidative stress status in the aqueous humor of highly myopic eyes and control eyes.

Methods: Aqueous humor samples were collected from 15 highly myopic eyes (high myopia group) and 23 cataractous eyes (control group) during cataract surgery. Central corneal thickness, corneal endothelial cell density, hexagonality of corneal endothelial cells, and cell area of corneal endothelial cells were measured using specular microscopy.

Baseline predictors of visual acuity and retinal thickness in patients with retinal vein occlusion.

This study investigated the baseline predictors of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) at 6 months in patients with treatment-naïve branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). This multicenter, interventional case series included 208 BRVO and 123 CRVO patients with follow-up period of 6 months or more. Outcome measures of BCVA (logMAR) included absolute change from baseline and a gain or loss of ≥ 0.

Effect of sulodexide in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy: diabetic retinopathy sulodexide study (DRESS).

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of sulodexide for the treatment of hard exudates (HE) in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Methods: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial involving 130 patients (65 for each group) who had mild-to-moderate NPDR with macular HE. Participants were given a daily dose of either 50 mg sulodexide or a matching dose of placebo orally for 12 months.

Improved visual outcome with early treatment in macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusions: 6-month results of a Korean RVO study.

Purpose: To determine the correlation between the duration of macular edema (ME) and visual outcomes among Korean patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: Multicenter, interventional case series. Treatment-naive patients (n = 249) with branch or central RVO (BRVO/CRVO) and ME for <6 months were included.

Endogenous endophthalmitis in the Korean population: a six-year retrospective study.

Purpose: To identify the clinical features, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of endogenous endophthalmitis in multiple tertiary referral centers of South Korea over a 6-year period.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 57 eyes of 43 patients diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis from January 2005 to December 2011, which was referred to tertiary referral centers.

Results: Fifty-seven cases of 43 patients were followed for a mean of 18.

Does intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for age-related macular degeneration affect long-term intraocular pressure?

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for age-related macular degeneration.

Patients And Methods: A total of 83 eyes that received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for age-related macular degeneration were enrolled. IOP measurements at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, and at the last follow-up after injection were analyzed.

A case of CMV endotheliitis treated with intravitreal ganciclovir injection.

We report a case of CMV corneal endotheliitis that was treated with intravitreal ganciclovir injection. A 56-year-old man who has suffered from uveitis was referred to our clinic due to corneal endothelial abnormality. Slit lamp examination showed a localized sectoral corneal edema and linear keratic precipitates along the boundary of edema.

Baseline characteristics and risk factors of retinal vein occlusion: a study by the Korean RVO Study Group.

We investigated the demographic characteristics and risk factors of Korean patients with naÏve central or branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO or BRVO). This study enrolled 41 clinical sites throughout Korea and included 557 consecutive patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) from May through November 2010. A total of 557 patients with new-onset RVO participated in this study.

Aqueous humor concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor in high myopic patients.

Purpose: To compare the aqueous humor levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in high myopic eyes and control eyes.

Methods: Aqueous humor samples were collected from 21 highly myopic eyes of 20 patients (high myopia group) and from 30 cataract eyes of 30 patients with no choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or other ocular or systemic diseases (control group). Of the 21 high myopic eyes, 13 had no complications secondary to high myopia (high myopia with no complications group), 3 had posterior staphyloma (high myopia with staphyloma group), and 5 had chorioretinal atrophy (high myopia with chorioretinal atrophy group).

Prevalence and correlates of psychiatric symptoms in north korean defectors.

Objective: The aim of the present study is to assess the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and associated factors in North Korean Defectors (NKDs).

Methods: One hundred forty-four NKDs (male: 20; female: 124; average age: 40.4±11.

Influence of the interaction between the serotonin 1A receptor C-1019G polymorphism and negative life stressors on the development of depression.

The current study aimed to investigate the interaction between the serotonin 1A receptor gene (HTR1A) C-1019G polymorphism and recent negative life stressors on depression in a Korean community sample. The HTR1A C-1019G polymorphism was genotyped in 416 community-dwelling Koreans (156 males, 260 females; 44.37 ± 14.

Macular hole after intravitreal ranibizumab injection for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

A 67-year-old man visited the clinic presenting with the complaint of decreased vision in his left eye. Visual acuity of the left eye was 6/6. On fundus examination, an orange polypoidal lesion and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) detachment were seen.

The effect of milrinone on the intraoperative hemodynamics during off-pump coronary bypass surgery in patients with an elevated echocardiographic index of the ventricular filling pressure.

Background: Hemodynamic derangement during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) is mainly attributed to impaired filling and diastolic dysfunction. An elevated ratio of the mitral velocity to the early-diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (E/e' > 15) is a relatively new indicator of diastolic function, and this was reported to be associated with impaired hemodynamics during OPCAB. We investigated the efficacy of milrinone on the perioperative hemodynamics and short term outcomes of patients with an E/e' > 15 and who underwent OPCAB.

The effect of postoperative pain on postoperative blood loss after sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Bilateral total knee arthroplasty is generally accompanied by a significant amount of blood loss. We investigated the relationship between the intensity of pain and the amount of blood loss in the early postoperative period after bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 91 patients who underwent elective sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.

Development of guidelines for distress management in Korean cancer patients.

Objectives: Psychological distress is common in cancer patients, and the need to develop a system for assessing and managing distress is widely recognized. This project developed recommendations that are feasible for Korean cancer patients and the Korean healthcare system.

Methods: Based on the findings from a series of studies in the context of this project, we developed guidelines following the steps and parameters recommended by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).

Pseudoaneurysm in the inferior epigastric artery and scrotal hematoma following removal of a femoral vein catheter -A case report-.

We report a rare case of pseudoaneurysm of the inferior epigastric artery and inguinal hematoma extending to the scrotum following the removal of a femoral venous catheter in a 24-year-old male patient undergoing two consecutive neurosurgical procedures.

Impact of photodynamic therapy on quality of life of patients with age-related macular degeneration in Korea.

Purpose: To assess quality of life (QOL) changes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) before and after treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods: In 625 patients with AMD, the EuroQol Health Questionnaire (EQ-5D) for general health status and the Visual Function Questionnaire (VF-4D) for vision-related reading ability, independence, and fear for the future were used and the results compared between within 1 week before PDT and 1 year after PDT. Subscale QOL changes were also scored with the Korean versions of EQ-5D and VF-4D.