Microstructure of the corneal endothelial transition zone in different laboratory animals.

Purpose: To compare the microstructure of the corneal endothelial transition zone in different laboratory animals.

Methods: Flat-mount corneas of rabbits, rats, and mice were stained with Alizarin Red S (ARS) and observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The progenitor cell markers p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5), telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), and proliferation marker K-67 were examined in the flat-mounted corneas of three laboratory animals using immunofluorescence microscopy.

Deep learning-based prediction of the retinal structural alterations after epiretinal membrane surgery.

To generate and evaluate synthesized postoperative OCT images of epiretinal membrane (ERM) based on preoperative OCT images using deep learning methodology. This study included a total 500 pairs of preoperative and postoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) images for training a neural network. 60 preoperative OCT images were used to test the neural networks performance, and the corresponding postoperative OCT images were used to evaluate the synthesized images in terms of structural similarity index measure (SSIM).

Analysis of ocular fluid in patients with ranibizumab-recalcitrant neovascular age-related macular degeneration who have serum anti-ranibizumab antibodies.

Purpose: To evaluate whether anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) are present in the ocular fluid of patients with ranibizumab-recalcitrant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods: Two serum ADA-positive ranibizumab-recalcitrant patients and two serum ADA-negative controls were recruited from patients with nAMD treated with ranibizumab monotherapy. Recalcitrance was defined as persistent fluid after ≥6 monthly ranibizumab injections.

Frosted Branch Angiitis; Case Series and Literature Review.

Purpose: Frosted branch angiitis (FBA) is a rare form of retinal vasculitis. Four case series and an extensive literature review of 236 cases were conducted to clarify the characteristics of this rare condition.

Methods: Case series and literature review.

A real-world study assessing the impact of retinal fluid on visual acuity outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Korea.

To evaluate the real-world treatment outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in Korea, focusing on retinal fluid resolution. This multi-institutional retrospective chart review study, analyzed medical records of patients with nAMD (age ≥ 50 years) who received their first anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in ophthalmology clinics across South Korea between January 2017 and March 2019. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with retinal fluid after 12 months of anti-VEGF treatment.

LONGITUDINAL ASSESSMENT OF CHOROIDAL STRUCTURE IN PATIENTS WITH MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION.

Purpose: To investigate morphologic changes of choroidal structure through chronologic aspect in progression of macular neovascularization (MNV) with pachychoroid features.

Methods: One hundred seventy-one MNV participants above 50 years old with or without pachychoroid features were included in the analysis. Age-matched 132 normal patients were analyzed as control group.

Efficacy of Pretreatment with Preservative-Free Topical Bromfenac in Improving Post-Intravitreal-Injection Pain: A Prospective Pilot Study.

(1) Background: To determine the analgesic effect of pretreatment topical bromfenac instillation in patients undergoing intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment. (2) Methods: A prospective, non-randomized pilot study was conducted in patients scheduled to receive repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF injections at a single tertiary hospital. Before the planned second injection, the patients received topical bromfenac eye drops twice a day for 3 days.

Clinical Characteristics of Lamellar Macular Hole Subtypes: Degenerative and Tractional.

Purpose: To analyze clinical parameters of two subtypes of lamellar macular hole (LMH): degenerative and tractional.

Methods: This retrospective chart review study included patients monitored for more than 6 months after the initial diagnosis of LMH from January 2011 to January 2018. LMH was classified in two subtypes: degenerative and tractional.

Factors associated with ocular surface epithelial damage in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemic parameters, laboratory findings, oral parameters, and other ocular surface parameters on ocular surface epithelial damage in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: A total of 82 dry eye disease (DED) patients with pSS were enrolled in this study. Ocular surface epithelial damage was measured by ocular staining score (OSS).

Eckardt keratoprosthesis for combined pars plana vitrectomy and therapeutic keratoplasty in a patient with endophthalmitis and suppurative keratitis.

This is a case report on the use of Eckardt keratoprosthesis for pars plana vitrectomy in a patient with endophthalmitis and suppurative keratitis that developed after cataract surgery. A 79-year-old woman developed acute-onset infectious endophthalmitis and suppurative keratitis after cataract surgery that failed to respond to treatment with antibiotic eyedrops and intravitreal antibiotic injection. Using a temporary keratoprosthesis that enabled sufficient visualization, vitrectomy was performed, followed by therapeutic keratoplasty using a cryopreserved donor cornea.

Changes in the Ganglion Cell-inner Plexiform Layer after Consecutive Intravitreal Injections of Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Age-related Macular Degeneration Patients.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections on ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with continuous anti-VEGF treatment who were administered at least three consecutive injections for unilateral neovascular AMD. The GCIPL thickness of the study eyes was compared before and after treatment and with healthy fellow eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation formulas using a swept-source optical biometer.

Purpose: To compare the accuracy of the five commonly used intraocular lens (IOL) calculation formulas integrated to a swept-source optical biometer, the IOLMaster 700, and evaluate the extent of bias within each formula for different ocular biometric measurements.

Methods: The study included patients undergoing cataract surgery with a ZCB00 IOL implant, using IOLMaster 700 optical biometry. A single eye per patient was included in the final analysis for a total of 324 cases.

Relationships between Hearing Loss and the Prevalences of Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Korea.

This study was conducted using the database of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to determine whether age-related eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are related to hearing loss. 12,899 participants ≥ 40 years of age were included. The weighted prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was not significantly different between the normal hearing group and hearing-impaired group, but the weighted prevalences of cataract, glaucoma, early AMD, and late AMD were significantly different in the two groups.

Location and pattern of non-invasive keratographic tear film break-up according to dry eye disease subtypes.

Purpose: To compare the non-invasive keratographic tear film break-up time (NIKBUT) and the location and pattern of non-invasive keratographic tear film break-up between normal group and each group of three dry eye disease (DED) subtypes.

Methods: We enrolled 55 normal subjects and 250 patients with DED, who underwent tear meniscus height and NIKBUT measurements using the Keratograph 5M. Ocular surface parameter assessments such as the fluorescein tear break-up time, ocular surface staining, Schirmer's test, and lid margin and meibomian gland examinations were performed, and the ocular surface disease index was determined.

Melatonin Levels in Patients With Primary Open-angle Glaucoma With High or Low Intraocular Pressure.

Purpose: To evaluate circulatory melatonin levels by assessing nocturnal urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to compare the high-tension group and the low-tension group.

Methods: This study included 80 eyes of 41 POAG patients and 87 eyes of 44 control subjects. POAG group was further classified into high-tension group and low-tension group according to the pretreatment intraocular pressure (IOP).

Optic nerve changes in chronic sinusitis patients: Correlation with disease severity and relevant sinus location.

Purpose: This study was to evaluate whether optic nerve damage occurs in eyes with adjacent chronic sinusitis.

Methods: Data were collected from eighty-eight eyes of 46 chronic sinusitis patients and 93 eyes of 57 normal controls. Visual sensitivity using standard automated perimetry (SAP) and inner retinal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) were measured.

Long-term effects of intense pulsed light treatment on the ocular surface in patients with rosacea-associated meibomian gland dysfunction.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the long-term effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment in rosacea-associated meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods: We enrolled 17 rosacea subjects with moderate and severe MGD who underwent four IPL sessions at 3-week intervals and were followed up for 12 months. The subjects underwent clinical examinations at baseline (first IPL) and at 3 (second), 6 (third), 9 (fourth), and 12 weeks, as well as 6 and 12 months, after baseline.

Comparison of Repeatability and Agreement between Swept-Source Optical Biometry and Dual-Scheimpflug Topography.

Purpose: To assess the repeatability and agreement of parameters obtained with two biometers and to compare the predictability.

Methods: Biometry was performed on 101 eyes with cataract using the IOLMaster 700 and the Galilei G6. Three measurements were obtained per eye with each device, and repeatability was evaluated.

Assessment of meibomian glands and tear film in post-refractive surgery patients.

Importance: Corneal refractive surgery may impact meibomian gland and tear film in post-refractive surgery patients.

Background: To compare ocular surface parameters between post-refractive surgery patients and normal controls.

Design: Cross-sectional single centre study.

Effects of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (Valproic Acid) on the Expression of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 Alpha in Human Retinal Müller Cells.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI), on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human retinal Müller cells under hypoxic conditions.

Methods: Chemical hypoxia was induced in human retinal Müller cells (MIO-M1) by treatment with increasing concentrations of cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl). Müller cells were also treated with a set concentration of CoCl, along with various concentrations of VPA.

Assessment of the Tear Meniscus by Strip Meniscometry and Keratograph in Patients With Dry Eye Disease According to the Presence of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the tear meniscus measurements using strip meniscometry (SM) and Keratograph5M (K5M) between 3 subtypes of dry eye disease patient groups, classified according to the presence of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and normal subjects.

Methods: We enrolled 145 eyes from 145 subjects and measured the tear meniscus using SM and K5M, tear film breakup time, ocular surface staining, and ocular surface disease index; the Schirmer test; and examined lid margins and meibomian glands. Correlation of tear meniscus parameters with other parameters and efficacy of the 2 measurements were evaluated.