Factors Affecting Intensive Aflibercept Treatment Response in Diabetic Macular Edema: A Real-World Study.

Objective: To investigate the systemic and ocular factors that affect the response to intensive aflibercept treatment in diabetic macular edema (DME) in a real-world setting.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 30 eyes of 23 patients with DME who underwent intensive intravitreal aflibercept injections (five monthly loading doses). Treatment response was assessed by central retinal thickness (CRT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at each monthly visit.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of diabetic choroidopathy using ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography.

To investigate angiographic characteristic features of diabetic choroidopathy, as well as choroidal vascular density (CVD) and fractal dimension (CFD) in diabetic eyes and controls using ultra-widefield (UWF) indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). All patients underwent UWF fluorescein angiography and ICGA. Using imageJ software, CVD and CFD was analyzed.

Predictive factors for microvascular recovery after treatments for diabetic retinopathy.

Background: To identify factors associated with microvascular recovery after intravitreal bevacizumab or panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 320 eyes/patients with DR treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and/or PRP. Two consecutive fluorescein angiographies (FAs) of each eye were compared.

Synthesizing realistic high-resolution retina image by style-based generative adversarial network and its utilization.

Realistic image synthesis based on deep learning is an invaluable technique for developing high-performance computer aided diagnosis systems while protecting patient privacy. However, training a generative adversarial network (GAN) for image synthesis remains challenging because of the large amounts of data required for training various kinds of image features. This study aims to synthesize retinal images indistinguishable from real images and evaluate the efficacy of the synthesized images having a specific disease for augmenting class imbalanced datasets.

MACULAR MICROVASCULATURE IN X-LINKED RETINOSCHISIS: Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study.

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the macular microvasculature of X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) and identify correlations between vascular changes, structural changes, and functional outcome.

Methods: Genetically confirmed XLRS patients and heathy control subjects underwent complete ophthalmic examination, dilated funduscopic examination, optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography. Schisis distribution, outer plexiform layer discontinuation, photoreceptor layer thickness, and photoreceptor outer segment length were reviewed using optical coherence tomography.

Prognostic value of myopic disk deformation in myopic choroidal neovascularization: A 6-year follow-up study.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) according to peripapillary atrophy (PPA) and optic disk tilt and to explore whether those myopic disk deformations are associated with the prognosis of mCNV.

Methods: Patients with subfoveal mCNV who received intravitreal bevacizumab injection and followed for ≥3 years were included. PPA was quantified as area of the ß-zone PPA/disk area ratio (PDR) and optic disk tilt as the tilt ratio (the longest/shortest disk diameter).

Vitrectomy and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in Elderly Patients With Vitreoretinal Diseases: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Purpose: To determine the all-cause and cause-specific mortality in elderly patients with vitreoretinal diseases based on vitrectomy status.

Methods: Elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) diagnosed with vitreoretinal diseases between 2003 and 2012 using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior cohort (2002-2015) were included in this nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study. The exposure of interest was vitrectomy, and information on mortality from patient inclusion until December 2015 was obtained.

Association of Epiretinal Membrane With Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma and Long-term Factors Affecting Visual Function.

Prcis: Epiretinal membrane (ERM) tended to deteriorate more in pseudoexfoliation eyes with than without glaucoma. Incremental change in central macular thickness (CMT) induced by ERM deterioration affected longitudinal visual function in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) eyes.

Purpose: The aim was to investigate longitudinal changes in the ERM and their association with glaucoma in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) and to identify factors associated with the changes in ERM and visual field (VF).

Associations Between the Macular Microvasculatures and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study.

Objective: To investigate the associations between the macular microvasculature assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We included patients with type 2 diabetes who received comprehensive medical and ophthalmic evaluations, such as carotid ultrasonography and OCTA at a hospital-based diabetic clinic in a consecutive manner. Among them, 254 eyes with neither diabetic macular edema (DME) nor history of ophthalmic treatment from 254 patients were included.

Genetic Profile and Associated Characteristics of 150 Korean Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Purpose: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) shows great diversity between genotypes and phenotypes, and it is important to identify the causative genes. This study aimed to analyze the molecular profiles, associated ocular characteristics, and progression of RP in Korean patients.

Methods: All the genetic variants in patients with RP, identified using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a panel of 88 RP-related genes between November 2018 and November 2019, were retrospectively reviewed.

Bilateral Multiple Retinal Detachments Associated with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Masquerading as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease.

Purpose: We report a case of intraocular involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma masquerading as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Methods: A 48-year-old woman presented with blurred vision in both eyes, fever, and hearing disturbance and underwent a complete ophthalmologic and systemic evaluation.

Results: Ophthalmologic examination showed bilateral exudative retinal detachment and signs of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Association between glaucoma surgery and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among elderly patients with glaucoma: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

This population-based, retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between glaucoma surgery and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among Korean elderly patients with glaucoma. A total of 16210 elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) diagnosed with glaucoma between 2003 and 2012 were included, and their insurance data were analyzed. The participants were categorized into a glaucoma surgery cohort (n = 487), which included individuals who had diagnostic codes for open angle glaucoma (OAG) or angle closure glaucoma (ACG) and codes for glaucoma surgery, and a glaucoma diagnosis cohort (n = 15,723), which included patients who had codes for OAG and ACG but not for glaucoma surgery.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE, EPIRETINAL PROLIFERATION, AND PROGNOSIS OF FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLE CLOSURE.

Purpose: To demonstrate the effects of epiretinal membrane (ERM) and epiretinal proliferation on surgical outcomes for full-thickness macular hole.

Methods: Nested case-control study with propensity score matching. Patients operated on for full-thickness macular hole between January 2011 and March 2020 were enrolled.

Clinical Characteristics Associated with the Development of Cystoid Macular Edema in Patients with Cytomegalovirus Retinitis.

We evaluated the incidence and characteristics of eyes with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis according to the occurrence of cystoid macular edema (CME) and identified the risk factors of its occurrence. Patients diagnosed with CMV retinitis and examined using optical coherence tomography were classified according to the development of CME. The CME group was further divided according to the presence of active retinitis at the time of CME development.

Diverse Genetic Landscape of Suspected Retinitis Pigmentosa in a Large Korean Cohort.

We conducted targeted next-generation sequencing (TGS) and/or whole exome sequencing (WES) to assess the genetic profiles of clinically suspected retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in the Korean population. A cohort of 279 unrelated Korean patients with clinically diagnosed RP and available family members underwent molecular analyses using TGS consisting of 88 RP-causing genes and/or WES with clinical variant interpretation. The combined genetic tests (TGS and/or WES) found a mutation in the 44 RP-causing genes and seven inherited retinal disease (IRD)-causing genes, and the total mutation detection rate was 57%.

Comparison of the Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Epiretinal Membrane in Pseudoexfoliation and Primary Open-angle Glaucoma.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the prevalence and clinical characteristics of epiretinal membrane (ERM) in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 211 PXG eyes, 210 age-matched normal eyes, and 220 POAG eyes were included. The presence and staging of ERM (stage 1, 2, and 3 or greater) were independently assessed by 2 observers.

Applying Learning Analytics to Detect Sequences of Actions and Common Errors in a Geometry Game.

Games have become one of the most popular activities across cultures and ages. There is ample evidence that supports the benefits of using games for learning and assessment. However, incorporating game activities as part of the curriculum in schools remains limited.

One-Year Anatomical and Functional Outcomes of the Argus II Implantation in Korean Patients with Late-Stage Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Prospective Case Series Study.

Purpose: To report the anatomical and functional outcomes of Argus II retinal prosthesis implantation in Korean patients.

Methods: We included 5 consecutive patients with end-stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP) who underwent Argus II retinal prosthesis implantation and were followed for at least 12 months. The transcorneal electrical evoked response was utilized for patient selection.

Clinical characteristics and disease progression of retinitis pigmentosa associated with PDE6B mutations in Korean patients.

Due to the genotype-phenotype heterogeneity in retinitis pigmentosa (RP), molecular diagnoses and prediction of disease progression is difficult. This study aimed to report ocular and genetic data from Korean patients with PDE6B-associated RP (PDE6B-RP), and establish genotype-phenotype correlations to predict the clinical course. We retrospectively reviewed targeted next-generation sequencing or whole exome sequencing data for 305 patients with RP, and identified PDE6B-RP in 15 patients (median age, 40.

Glaucoma as a prognostic factor of central retinal vein occlusion: visual and anatomical outcomes and occurrence of ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To compare the functional and anatomical outcomes of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) according to the presence of glaucoma before the onset of CRVO, and to assess whether pre-existing glaucoma affects the prognosis of CRVO in terms of development and conversion to ischaemic CRVO.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients with treatment-naïve CRVO were enrolled between December 2009 and February 2019. The patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of pre-existing primary open-angle glaucoma at CRVO diagnosis.

Efficacy of intravitreal AFlibercept injection For Improvement of retinal Nonperfusion In diabeTic retinopathY (AFFINITY study).

Introduction: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal aflibercept injection on retinal nonperfusion in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) using ultrawide field (UWF) fluorescein angiography (FA).

Research Design And Methods: Thirty-eight eyes of 38 consecutive patients with DR and substantial retinal nonperfusion (nonperfusion index (NPI): nonperfused/total gradable area >0.2) without macular edema were included in this prospective case series.

Diagnostic yield and clinical utility of whole exome sequencing using an automated variant prioritization system, EVIDENCE.

EVIDENCE, an automated variant prioritization system, has been developed to facilitate whole exome sequencing analyses. This study investigated the diagnostic yield of EVIDENCE in patients with suspected genetic disorders. DNA from 330 probands (age range, 0-68 years) with suspected genetic disorders were subjected to whole exome sequencing.