Factors affecting do-not-resuscitate decisions among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Taiwan.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease. Usually, patients survive for approximately 2-4 years after the onset of the disease, and they often die of respiratory failure. This study examined the factors associated with signing a "do not resuscitate" (DNR) form in patients with ALS.

PLGA nanoparticles containing Lingzhi extracts rescue corneal epithelial cells from oxidative damage.

Oxidative stress-related ocular surface epithelial damage can be initiated by ambient oxygen, UV radiation, and chemical burns. The oxidative damage to cornea can lead to inflammation and even vision loss. Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a Chinese herbal drug and has been shown to prevent chronic diseases in clinical practices and has been proven to possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.

The presence and impact of herpes virus DNA in recipient cornea and aqueous humor on graft survival following penetrating keratoplasty.

Background/purpose: Reactivation of herpes viruses poses threat to corneal graft survival. This study evaluated the presence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV type 2 (HSV-2), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in recipient corneas and the aqueous humor of patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), and the impact on graft survival.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 90 eyes of 71 patients underwent PKP between 2008 and 2016.

Osteoporosis and dry eye syndrome: A previously unappreciated association that may alert active prevention of fall.

Objective: Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease associated with inflammation and hormone imbalance. It is noteworthy that dry eye syndrome shares a similar pathophysiology with osteoporosis. Both diseases are more prevalent among the elderly and females.

Intraocular lens opacification after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Compared with conventional penetrating keratoplasty, Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) more effectively maintain global integrity and rapid vision rehabilitation with less ocular surface disorders in patients with endothelial dysfunction. Here, we report a case of a 76-year-old woman who experienced opacification of a hydrophilic intraocular lens (IOL) approximately 10 months after DSAEK. The patient with no history of systemic disease developed pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in the right eye 2 years after undergoing cataract surgery.

Intraocular pressure monitoring by rebound tonometry in children with myopia.

Background/purpose: Topical atropine treatment is generally accepted to retard the progression of myopia, but it is associated with side effects such as photophobia and elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). IOP measurements in children are challenging. The traditional applanation tonometry by direct contact with the cornea will require patient's cooperation.

Is normal-tension glaucoma a risk factor for stroke?-A 10-year follow-up study.

Objectives: To investigate whether patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) have a higher incidence of stroke.

Design: A population-based retrospective cohort study based on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2010.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from the NHIRD.

Herpetic keratouveitis mixed with bilateral Pseudomonas corneal ulcers in vitamin A deficiency.

A 56-year-old woman complained of blurred vision and pain in her right eye for several days. Slit lamp examination revealed a large epithelial defect and disciform stromal edema with ring infiltration in her right cornea. Unfortunately, hypopyon and purulent discharge subsequently developed in both eyes.

Transient changes of intraocular pressure and anterior segment configuration after diagnostic mydriasis with 1% tropicamide in children.

Background: This study investigated the association of transient changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) with changes in the anterior chamber configuration in children after diagnostic mydriasis with 1% tropicamide.

Methods: In this prospective case-control study, 163 hospital clinic-based samples of unrelated children with or without myopia were enrolled. Complete ophthalmological examinations, including visual acuities, cycloplegic refraction, slitlamp examination, fundus examination, IOP, axial length measurement and Pentacam examination were performed.

An alternative way to think about glaucoma screening, using a questionnaire as a tool, Chinese version.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: To develop a short screening test for the detection of preclinical glaucoma.

Method: This case-control study involved 690 participants aged 40 years or older: 338 patients with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma and 352 patients without glaucoma, who served as a control group. All participants were interviewed by a single trained research assistant.

Recurrent cytomegalovirus corneal endotheliitis after penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: To report a case of recurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) corneal endotheliitis after penetrating keratoplasty.

Methods: Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) was performed in a 49-year-old man with bullous keratopathy. Pigmented keratic precipitates (KPs) were found in the corneal endothelium of the graft 13 days after surgery, with the subsequent appearance of coin-shaped lesions.

Visual outcomes and associated risk factors of cataract surgeries in highly myopic Taiwanese.

Aims: The purposes of this study were to describe the visual outcome of highly myopic eyes undergoing cataract surgery, to investigate associated risk factors for poor postoperative vision, and to assess postoperative complication frequency among the prevalent myopic Taiwanese population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, noncomparative case series study at the Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongxing Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taiwan. High myopia was defined as axial length of 26.

Validity of the keratometric index: evaluation by the Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera.

Purpose: To determine the keratometric index based on actual measurements of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces using a rotating Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam, Oculus) and evaluate the accuracy of this keratometric index in estimating total and posterior corneal powers.

Setting: Departments of Ophthalmology, Taipei Medical University Hospital and Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Methods: The right eye of 221 subjects was measured with the Pentacam system.

Visual outcomes and associated risk factors of cataract surgeries in highly myopic Taiwanese.

Aims: The purposes of this study are to describe the visual outcome of highly myopic eyes undergoing cataract surgery, to investigate associated risk factors for poor postoperative vision and to assess the postoperative complication frequency among the myopic Taiwanese population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, noncomparative case series study at the Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongxing Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taiwan. High myopia was defined as axial length > or =26.

Comparison of pain responses of premature infants to the heelstick between containment and swaddling.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of containment and swaddling on premature infants ' heart rates (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO(2), and the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scores after heelstick. The study used a cross-over experimental design, 32 premature infants with gestational age < 37 weeks, bodyweight View Article and Find Full Text PDF