6/0 prolene double-flanged IOL sutureless scleral fixation with a 27-gauge needle for intraocular lens surgery.

Purpose: To report our initial experience of a modified intraocular lens (IOL) scleral fixation technique using 6/0 prolene in a double-flanged sutureless technique with a 27-gauge needle.

Methods: 29 consecutive patients with IOL surgery were retrospectively reviewed between December 2021 and October 2023. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters, spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatism axial degree and intraocular pressure (IOP) were evaluated at baseline, and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months postoperatively.

Effect of spectacle correction on hyperopic children.

Hyperopia is a significant refractive error in children, often leading to vision impairment. This study aimed to investigate whether partial or full spectacle correction is benefit for hyperopia in preschool-aged children. A retrospective study was conducted on hyperopic children visited to teaching medical center outpatient clinic between October 2011 and October 2018, and were categorized into three groups: full correction, overcorrection, and undercorrection.

The Association between Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Objective: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly its exudative form, is a primary cause of vision impairment in older adults. As diabetes becomes increasingly prevalent in aging, it is crucial to explore the potential relationship between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and AMD. This study aimed to assess the risk of developing overall, non-exudative, and exudative AMD in individuals with DR compared to those without retinopathy (non-DR) based on a nationwide population study in Taiwan.

Impact of Endophthalmitis on the Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

Many studies have demonstrated an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Nevertheless, the influence of an endophthalmitis episode toward the future risks of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in AS patients has been unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the impact of endophthalmitis on AMI risk in this particular patient population by a population-based retrospective cohort study with a follow-up period up to 16 years.

Baseline characteristics and treatment response predictive of nAMD outcomes with ranibizumab therapy in treatment-naive patients: the RACER subgroup analysis.

Background: The Ranibizumab AMD Clinical Efficacy Study (RACER) conducted in treatment-naive adult Taiwanese patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) suggested the importance of early and intensive dosing of ranibizumab for optimal treatment outcomes. This subgroup analysis aims to provide clinical information on treatment response that can potentially guide on maintaining the treatment or switching anti-VEGF agents in the real-world setting.

Methods: Visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were assessed in the RACER subgroup population.

Correlation between Endophthalmitis and Stroke Development in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: This cohort study aimed to research the correlation between endophthalmitis and stroke development in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients by reviewing National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) data.

Methods: This study obtained data from the NHIRD over a sixteen-year period. The primary outcome was stroke development.

Uveitis increases the risk of stroke among patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A nationwide population-based longitudinal study.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is known to increase the risk of stroke. Among patients with AS, uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation. However, no previous investigations have discussed the association between uveitis and the risk for developing stroke in patients with AS.

Dental caries and periodontitis and the risk of myopia in young adults: CHIEF oral health study.

Aim: Oral health and ocular diseases may be associated with collagen defects and inflammation status. However, the results from prior studies are conflicting. The aim of this study was to explore the association of dental caries and periodontitis with myopia in young adults.

MicroRNA-4516 suppresses proliferative vitreoretinopathy development via negatively regulating OTX1.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) progression is associated with TGF-β2-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. In cancer cells, miR-4516 downregulates orthodenticle homeobox 1 (OTX1)-mediated cell invasion. Moreover, OTX1 is shown to be involved in invasion and EMT.

Increased Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients With Uveitis: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Uveitis, a sight-threatening ocular inflammatory state, is associated with autoimmune diseases and systemic inflammation. This prolonged systemic inflammation may cause plaque formation in coronary arteries, subsequently resulting in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: This retrospective, population-based study (15-year period) used the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database based on the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

Diabetic Macular Edema Detection Using End-to-End Deep Fusion Model and Anatomical Landmark Visualization on an Edge Computing Device.

Purpose: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a common cause of vision impairment and blindness in patients with diabetes. However, vision loss can be prevented by regular eye examinations during primary care. This study aimed to design an artificial intelligence (AI) system to facilitate ophthalmology referrals by physicians.

Association Between Endophthalmitis and the Incidence of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study.

Purpose: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the influence of infectious insults, such as endophthalmitis, on the risk of ACS among AS patients has not been studied yet. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between endophthalmitis in patients with AS and the incidence of ACS.

A deep learning-based system capable of detecting pneumothorax via electrocardiogram.

Purpose: To determine if an electrocardiogram-based artificial intelligence system can identify pneumothorax prior to radiological examination.

Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective, electrocardiogram-based artificial intelligence (AI) system study that included 107 ECGs from 98 pneumothorax patients. Seven patients received needle decompression due to tension pneumothorax, and the others received thoracostomy due to instability (respiratory rate ≥ 24 breaths/min; heart rate, < 60 beats/min or > 120 beats/min; hypotension; room air O saturation, < 90%; and patient could not speak in whole sentences between breaths).

Uveitis as a Risk Factor for Developing Acute Myocardial Infarction in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A National Population-Based Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Excess cardiovascular risks were well recognized in patients with AS and were attributed to prolonged systemic inflammation. Uveitis is one of the most common extra-articular symptoms of AS and is also considered an indicator of systemic inflammation.

Optimal approaches and criteria to treat-and-extend regimen implementation for Neovascular age-related macular degeneration: experts consensus in Taiwan.

The management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) has taken a major stride forward with the advent of anti-VEGF agents. The treat-and-extend (T&E) approach is a refined management strategy, tailoring to the individual patient's disease course and treatment outcome. To provide guidance to implementing anti-VEGF T&E regimens for nAMD in resource-limited health care systems, an advisory board was held to discuss and generate expert consensus, based on local and international guidelines, current evidence, as well as local experience and reimbursement policies.

Association Between Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is a possible extraintestinal manifestation (EIM) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We investigate the relation between IBD and ION and possible risk factors associated with their incidence. Medical records were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2013.

A Deep-Learning Algorithm-Enhanced System Integrating Electrocardiograms and Chest X-rays for Diagnosing Aortic Dissection.

Background: Chest pain is the most common symptom of aortic dissection (AD), but it is often confused with other prevalent cardiopulmonary diseases. We aimed to develop deep-learning models (DLMs) with electrocardiography (ECG) and chest x-ray (CXR) features to detect AD and evaluate their performance.

Methods: This study included 43,473 patients in the emergency department (ED) between July 2012 and December 2019 for retrospective DLM development.

The Importance of Close Follow-Up in Patients with Early-Grade Diabetic Retinopathy: A Taiwan Population-Based Study Grading via Deep Learning Model.

(1) Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) can cause blindness. Current guidelines on diabetic eye care recommend more frequent eye examinations for more severe DR to prevent deterioration. However, close follow-up and early intervention at earlier stages are important for the prevention of disease progression of other diabetes mellitus (DM) complications.

Glycemic Gap as a Useful Surrogate Marker for Glucose Variability and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy.

(1) Background: Recent studies have reported that the glucose variability (GV), irrespective of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), could be an additional risk factor for the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, measurements for GV, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) variability, are expensive and time consuming. (2) Methods: This present study aims to explore the correlation between the glycemic gap as a measurement of GV, and DR.

Repression of Smad4 by MicroRNA-1285 moderates TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether microRNA (miR)-1285 can suppress the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Expression of miR-1285 was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The features of EMT were assessed using Western blotting, immunocytochemical staining, scratch wound healing tests, modified Boyden chamber assay, and collagen gel contraction assay.

Predisposing Factors for Severe Complications after Cataract Surgery: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

We conducted a retrospective group study to evaluate the potential systemic risk factors for major postoperative complications of cataract surgery. Individuals diagnosed with ( = 2046) and without ( = 8184) serious complications after cataract surgery were matched 1:4 for age, sex, and index date obtained using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. The outcome was defined as at least one new inpatient or outpatient diagnosis of systemic disease one year before the index date.

Increased risk for central serous chorioretinopathy in nephrotic syndrome patients: A population-based cohort study.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by various etiologies that damage the glomerulus. Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a retinal disease characterized by neurosensory detachment of the retina. Several case reports have described the relationship between both.

Ultra-widefield retinal imaging for adjunctive resident training in retinal break detection.

We evaluated the clinical utility of ultra-widefield imaging as an adjunctive tool for training resident ophthalmologists in the detection of retinal breaks. This was a prospective study conducted at a secondary health care center (Tri-Service General Hospital) in Taiwan. Participants were 44 patients (53 eyes) who were referred to our hospital after being diagnosed with retinal breaks.

A Pulmonary Pleomorphic Carcinoma Patient with Exudative Retinal Detachment Secondary to Choroid Metastasis as Initial Presentation-A Case Report.

Choroid metastasis is the initial presentation of pleomorphic carcinoma (PC) of the lung. PC is classified as poorly differentiated non-small cell lung carcinoma. It has a tendency to metastasize early and has a poor response to chemotherapy, which often results in poor prognosis.