Comparison of Vision-related Quality of Life Between Normal Tension Glaucoma and Primary Open-angle Glaucoma.

Prcis: Although there was little difference in overall vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) between patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) after controlling for confounding factors, POAG tended to have poorer VRQOL, especially in social functioning and dependency, than NTG.

Purpose: The fundamental goal of treatment of patients with glaucoma is to preserve their VRQOL. The aim of this study was to compare VRQOL between patients with NTG and those with POAG.

Vision-related quality of life according to location of visual field loss in patients with glaucoma.

Purpose: To assess influence of the location of visual field (VF) loss on vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) in patients with glaucoma.

Methods: We included 826 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) enrolled in the prospectively designed Life Quality of Glaucoma Patients Who Underwent Treatment (LIGHT) study organized by the Korean Glaucoma Society. We divided the integrated binocular visual field (IVF) into four regions and evaluated the associations between Rasch-analysed 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and location of the IVF using univariate and hierarchical multivariable linear regression.

Factors influencing vision-related quality of life according to glaucoma severity.

Purpose: To identify factors influencing vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) according to glaucoma severity.

Methods: A total of 901 patients with varying stages of glaucoma were recruited from the prospectively designed LIGHT (Life Quality of Glaucoma Patients Who Underwent Treatment) study organized by the Korean Glaucoma Society. Participants completed a basic questionnaire collecting socioeconomic status and clinical information, in addition to the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25).

Long-term efficacy and safety of ExPress implantation for treatment of open angle glaucoma.

Aim: To compare the long-term efficacy and safety of ExPress implantation and standard trabeculectomy in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: In this retrospective study, we compared 17 eyes treated by ExPress implantation with 23 eyes treated by trabeculectomy. Efficacy was assessed according to the relevant intraocular pressure (IOP) values and success rates during the first year of follow-up.

Choroidal Thickness Variation According to Refractive Error Measured by Spectral Domain-optical Coherence Tomography in Korean Children.

Purpose: To assess choroidal thickness (CT) variation according to refractive errors using enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

Methods: Eighty-nine eyes (in 89 children) <±6 diopter were categorized into three groups: hyperopia, emmetropia, and myopia, according to refractive error, and underwent choroidal scans using enhanced-depth imaging-optical coherence tomography. CT was measured at the fovea and at 1 mm and 3 mm nasal (N1 and N3), temporal (T1 and T3), superior (S1 and S3), and inferior (I1 and I3) from the fovea.

Inhibition of Pterygium Fibroblast Migration and Outgrowth by Bevacizumab and Cyclosporine A Involves Down-Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinases-3 and -13.

We examined the connection between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression/activity and pterygium fibroblast migration, and how these were affected by bevacizumab and/or cyclosporine A (CsA). Fibroblasts were obtained from 20 pterygia and 6 normal conjunctival specimens. Expression levels of MMP-3 and MMP-13 were examined after bevacizumab administration.

Cyclosporine A inhibits TGF-β2-induced myofibroblasts of primary cultured human pterygium fibroblasts.

Cyclosporine A (CsA), an immunomodulatory drug, and is increasingly used to treat moderate dry eye syndrome and ocular surface inflammation. However, any inhibitory effect on differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts remains unclear. Here, we show that the inhibitory effect of CsA on transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2)-induced myofibroblasts in primary cultured human pterygium fibroblasts.

Vision-related Quality of Life in Korean Glaucoma Patients.

Purpose Of The Study: The purpose of the study was to evaluate vision-related quality of life in Korean glaucoma patients and to explore the associated factors.

Methods: A total of 907 glaucoma patients were recruited from the prospectively designed LIGHT (Life quality of the glaucoma patient who underwent treatment) study organized by the Korean Glaucoma Society. Basic questionnaire that included items related to socioeconomic status, comorbidity, and lifestyle, and the validated Korean version of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) were collected.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Fluorometholone With and Without Benzalkonium Chloride in Ocular Surface Disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity and antiinflammatory effect of preserved and unpreserved 0.1% fluorometholone (FML).

Methods: Drug-induced morphological changes and cytotoxicity were examined in human corneal epithelial cells.

In Vivo Effects of Preservative-free and Preserved Prostaglandin Analogs: Mouse Ocular Surface Study.

Purpose: Chronic use of topical hypotensive agents induces several side effects caused by preservatives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of prostaglandin analogs with varying concentrations of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), preservative-free (PF), and alternative preservatives on mouse corneal tissue.

Methods: Thirty-five, 8- to 10-week-old female C57BL/6 mice (five mice for each group) were used for this study.

Efficacy and Safety of Glaucoma Patients' Switch from a 2% Dorzolamide/0.5% Timolol Fixed-Combination Brand-Name Drug to Its Generic Counterpart.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of the brand-name and generic 2% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol fixed-combination (DTFC) drugs in glaucoma patients.

Methods: This was a prospective single-center study, in which patients using only the brand-name DTFC (Cosopt(®); Merck and Co, Inc.

Cyclosporine A Downregulates MMP-3 and MMP-13 Expression in Cultured Pterygium Fibroblasts.

Purpose: To investigate the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and MMP-13 expression over time and in the presence of cyclosporine A (CsA) in primary cultured human pterygium fibroblasts. We also examined the effects of CsA on cultured human pterygium fibroblasts.

Methods: Primary cultured human pterygium fibroblasts subjected to scratch assays were exposed to 1 and 100 µg/mL of CsA for 3 or 10 minutes.

Comparison of the thickness of the lamina cribrosa and vascular factors in early normal-tension glaucoma with low and high intraocular pressures.

Purpose: To compare the thickness of the lamina cribrosa (LC) and vascular factors of early normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients with high and low intraocular pressure (IOP) that are expected to be associated with the development of glaucoma.

Methods: Seventy-one Korean NTG patients with low IOP (the highest IOP <15 mmHg, 40 patients) and high IOP (the lowest IOP >15 mmHg, 31 patients) were included in this study. The thickness of LC and vascular factors were compared.

In vitro effects of preservative-free and preserved prostaglandin analogs on primary cultured human conjunctival fibroblast cells.

Purpose: Long-term use of topical medication is needed for glaucoma treatment. One of the most commonly prescribed classes of hypotensive agents are prostaglandin analogs (PGs) used as both first-line monotherapy; as well as in combination therapy with other hypotensive agents. Several side effects of eye drops can be caused by preservatives.

Prognostic factors for the success of laser iridotomy for acute primary angle closure glaucoma.

Purpose: To identify the prognostic factors for successful laser iridotomy for acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 77 eyes of 77 patients with AACG with initial intraocular pressure (IOP) above 40 mmHg. All of the patients received maximum tolerable medical therapy (MTMT) followed by laser iridotomy.

Conjunctivolimbal autograft using a fibrin adhesive in pterygium surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fibrin bioadhesive in conjunctivolimbal autograft surgery for primary pterygium.

Methods: Thirty-six eyes in 34 patients were reviewed with nasal primary pterygium who were treated with pterygium excision with superior conjunctivolimbal transplantation with fibrin bioadhesive. Surgical durations were recorded and the patients were followed up on the first day after surgery and then at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively.

Asymmetry analysis of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in normal eyes using optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To investigate the asymmetry of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) with respect to the horizontal and vertical meridian and between the right and left eye in normal subjects.

Methods: The RNFLT was measured in 121 normal volunteers by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The RNFLT was analyzed by dividing the circle scanning area (diameter 3.