Levofloxacin susceptibility of Staphylococci from conjunctiva in patients with atopic dermatitis.

PURPOSE: The ocular surface in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is known to harbor an abundance of gram-positive cocci, particularly Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This study reviewed the results of microbial cultures from the conjunctiva in AD patients, with special attention to the levofloxacin susceptibility of Staphylococci. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center study. METHODS: This study involved 131 eyes of 112 Japanese patients with AD (87 men and 25 women, mean age: 40.4 ± 12.2 years) who underwent ocular surgery at Kyorin University Hospital. Bacterial isolates were collected from the conjunctival sacs in the preoperative period. Drug resistance to methicillin and levofloxacin was judged using the minimal inhibitory concentrations of oxacillin and levofloxacin determined by the broth dilution method. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven strains were identified in 103 of the 131 eyes examined. S. aureus was isolated from 74 eyes (56.5%), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). In S. aureus, 11 strains (14.9%) were methicillin-resistant, and 18 (24.3%) were levofloxacin-resistant. In S. epidermidis, 15 strains (26.8%) were methicillin-resistant, and 17 (30.4%) were levofloxacin-resistant. No significant differences were observed in levofloxacin susceptibility with age, sex, previous ocular surgery, or duration of previous surgery. However, logistic multivariate analysis revealed that levofloxacin-resistant Staphylococci were concurrently resistant to methicillin, suggesting multidrug resistance. CONCLUSION: Distinctive bacterial distribution and drug resistance need consideration in the managing of ocular disorders among patients with AD.

Fulminant Marginal Keratitis Induced by Atezolizumab, a Programmed Death Ligand 1 Inhibitor for Lung Cancer.

Introduction: With the increasing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, ocular adverse events have gained attention. We describe a case of atypical keratitis presumably induced by atezolizumab, a programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitor. Case Presentation: A 73-year-old Japanese woman developed ring-shaped marginal infiltrations with epithelial breakdown of the corneas in both eyes. The patient had advanced small cell lung cancer and had received intravenous carboplatin, etoposide, and atezolizumab. She was treated with topical administration of 0.1% sodium phosphate betamethasone and 0.5% moxifloxacin six times daily. On day 14 following initial presentation, marked reduction of bilateral corneal infiltration was observed. During the succeeding cycles of chemotherapy, marginal keratitis did not recur, and then, the topical steroid was gradually tapered. Conclusions: Cancer immunotherapy, including atezolizumab, may lead to active T-cell recruitment into the cornea, which result in autoimmune corneal keratitis. We believe that this report is informative to both ophthalmologists and oncologists involved in the treatment of patients receiving cancer immunotherapy.

Ocular Manifestations of Peters Plus-Like Syndrome in 8q21.11 Microdeletion Syndrome.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report a case of Peters plus-like syndrome, which revealed to have an 8q21.11 microdeletion by copy number variation analysis using exome data. METHODS: A 6-month-old Japanese boy presented with bilateral corneal opacity since birth. The right eye maintained central corneal transparency with slightly inferior nasal and superior peripheral corneal opacities. The entire cornea was opacified in the left eye, particularly in the superior quadrants with vascularization, suggesting Peters anomaly. Identification of intraocular structures in the left eye was difficult; however, hypoplasia of the circumferential anterior iris stroma appeared bilaterally present, and no abnormalities were present in the posterior segment on funduscopic examination of the right eye and ultrasonography in the left eye. He had several facial malformations in addition to corneal opacity, but no other external abnormalities. General examination, including biochemical tests of blood and urine, physiological and imaging tests including abdominal echo, auditory brain stem response, brain computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, showed no abnormalities. However, the patient showed intellectual disability and delayed motor development. RESULTS: Although his karyotype was normal, copy number variation analysis using exome data and subsequent quantitative polymerase chain reaction identified a de novo 4.6-Mb deletion at 8q21.11q21.13; thus, the patient was diagnosed with 8q21.11 microdeletion syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a de novo 4.6-Mb deletion at 8q21.11q21.13 in a patient with ophthalmic anterior segment dysgenesis and systemic complications, clinically diagnosed as Peters plus-like syndrome. Clinically, the 8q21.11 microdeletion syndrome shows a phenotype similar to that of Peters plus syndrome, and a genetic diagnosis is required.

A pediatric case of congenital stromal corneal dystrophy caused by the novel variant c.953del of the DCN gene.

We report a 1-year-old girl with congenital stromal corneal dystrophy confirmed by genetic analysis. The ocular phenotype included diffuse opacity over the corneal stroma bilaterally. We performed a genetic analysis to provide counseling to the parents regarding the recurrence rate. Whole exome sequencing was performed on her and her parents, and a novel de novo variant, NM_001920.5: c.953del, p.(Asn318Thrfs*10), in the DCN gene was identified in the patient.

Combining Optical Coherence Tomography and Fundus Photography to Improve Glaucoma Screening.

We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of glaucoma screening using fundus photography combined with optical coherence tomography and determine the agreement between ophthalmologists and ophthalmology residents. We used a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination dataset obtained from 503 cases (1006 eyes). Of the 1006 eyes, 132 had a confirmed glaucoma diagnosis. Overall, 24 doctors, comprising two groups (ophthalmologists and ophthalmology residents, 12 individuals/group), analyzed the data presented in three screening strategies as follows: (1) fundus photography alone, (2) fundus photography + optical coherence tomography, and (3) fundus photography + optical coherence tomography + comprehensive examination. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity). The respective sensitivity and specificity values for the diagnostic accuracy obtained by 24 doctors, 12 ophthalmologists, and 12 ophthalmology residents were as follows: (1) fundus photography: sensitivity, 55.4%, 55.4%, and 55.4%; specificity, 91.8%, 94.0%, and 89.6%; (2) fundus photography + OCT: sensitivity, 80.0%, 82.3%, and 77.8%; specificity, 91.7%, 92.9%, and 90.6%; and (3) fundus photography + OCT + comprehensive examination: sensitivity 78.4%, 79.8%, and 77.1%; specificity, 92.7%, 94.0%, and 91.3%. The diagnostic accuracy of glaucoma screening significantly increased with optical coherence tomography. Following its addition, ophthalmologists could more effectively improve the diagnostic accuracy than ophthalmology residents. Screening accuracy is improved when optical coherence tomography is added to fundus photography.

The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error in Japan: the Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Uncorrected refractive error (URE) is the leading cause of vision impairment and the second leading cause of blindness. It is a major public health challenge worldwide. However, the current status of URE in Japan is unclear. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: In 2012, a population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among community dwellers aged 40 years and older who received health check-ups in Minamiaizu and Tadami, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. URE was considered when the presenting visual acuity in the better-seeing eye was < 0.5 and when visual acuity improved more than 1 line with refractive correction in the better-seeing eye. We estimated the age-specific prevalence of URE, and calculated the p-value for trend to examine the linear pattern of the association of the prevalence of URE and age. RESULTS: This analysis included 2952 participants. The mean age (standard deviation [SD]) of the study population was 69.10(9.67) years and 57.79% were women. The overall prevalence of URE was 10.90% (95% CI, 9.77-12.05%). Prevalence by age category was 5.00% (95% CI, 2.03-10.03%), 6.09% (95% CI, 3.59-9.58%), 7.02% (95% CI, 5.49-8.81%), 11.96% (95% CI, 10.15-13.97%), and 22.39% (95% CI, 18.41-26.78%) for 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80 years or older, respectively (p-for trend, < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of URE was 10.9% and exceeded 20%, especially in individuals older than 80 years. Given the correlation between increasing incidence of URE and increase in age, public health intervention to promote awareness of URE is important, especially for the older population.

Real-world effectiveness of screening programs for age-related macular degeneration: amended Japanese specific health checkups and augmented screening programs with OCT or AI.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of screening and subsequent intervention for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japan. STUDY DESIGN: Best-case-scenario analysis using a Markov model. METHODS: The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening for AMD were assessed by calculating the reduction proportion of blindness and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The Markov model simulation began at screening at the age of 40 years and ended at screening at the age of 90 years. The first-eye and second-eye combined model assumed annual state-transition probabilities in the development and treatment of AMD. Data on prevalence, morbidity, transition probability, utility value, and treatment costs were obtained from previously published reports. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the influence of the parameters. RESULTS: In the base-case analysis, screening for AMD every 5 years, beginning at age 40 years and ending at age 74 years (reflecting the screening ages of the current Japanese legal "Specific Health Checkups") showed a decrease of 40.7% in the total number of blind patients. The screening program reduced the number of blind people more than did the additional AREDS/AREDS2 formula supplement intake. However, the ICER of screening versus no screening was ¥9,846,411/QALY, which was beyond what people were willing to pay (WTP) in Japan. Sensitivity analysis revealed that neither OCT nor AI improved the ICER, but the scenario in which the prevalence of smoking decreased by 30% improved the ICER (¥4,655,601/QALY) to the level under the WTP. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologic screening for AMD is highly effective in reducing blindness but is not cost-effective, as demonstrated by a Markov model based on real-world evidence from Japan.

Severe Ocular Complications Associated With Wearing of Contact Lens in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the severe ocular complications associated with contact lens wearing in Japan. METHOD: A questionnaire was sent to 964 ophthalmologist training facilities inquiring for cases of contact lens-associated complications from April 2016 to March 2018. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) corrected distance visual acuity ≤0.1 decimal after treatment for 3 months, (2) corneal perforation observed during follow-up, and (3) requiring surgery. A secondary analysis was conducted, inquiring for further information on the type of contact lens, clinical manifestations, and course of treatment. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with infectious keratitis met the inclusion criteria. Eight patients were users of rigid gas-permeable contact lens, and 34 were users of soft contact lens. Microbiological tests were positive in 73.0%. The organisms isolated in microbiological culture were bacteria in 11 patients (Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 9 patients), fungi in 2 patients, and Acanthamoeba in 14 patients. Ten patients were treated with local antibiotics, 11 with a combination of systemic antibiotics, and 21 with a combination of surgical approaches, including 13 with corneal transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The major cause of serious contact lens-associated ocular complications was microbial keratitis, and P. aeruginosa and Acanthamoeba were the major pathogens in Japan.

Corneal Eccentricity in a Rural Japanese Population: The Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study (LOHAS).

PURPOSE: To determine normal corneal eccentricity in a rural Japanese population and to examine factors associated with eccentricity value. METHODS: This used data from the Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study (LOHAS) project between 2009 and 2012. Residents of Minamiaizu and Tadami in Fukushima, Japan, who were aged 40 years or over, were invited for a comprehensive eye examination. For 1371 patients with no history of internal eye surgery, corneal eccentricity was measured using a Pentacam. RESULTS: Of 1371 people recruited to the study, 1215 (1215 eyes) met the inclusion criteria. The overall mean eccentricity was 0.46 (SD = 0.18; range, -0.85 to 0.88). Corneal eccentricity was significantly associated with age, spherical equivalent, pupil diameter, anterior chamber angle, anterior chamber volume, and central corneal thickness, but not with gender or body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the normal cornea in this Japanese population was prolate. Corneal eccentricity was likely to decrease with increasing age. Also, spherical equivalent and other anterior segment parameters had an influence on corneal eccentricity. Corneal eccentricity measurements might be helpful in the diagnosis of corneal diseases and in calculations for intraocular lens implantation and corneal refractive surgery.

Effects of 0.01% Atropine Instillation Assessed Using Swept-Source Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography.

In this paper, we assessed the short-term effects of 0.01% atropine eye drops on anterior segment parameters by performing ocular biometry using a swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography system (AS-OCT). We recruited 17 healthy volunteers (10 men and 7 women aged 24-35 years) with no history of eye disease. Participants without accommodative demand demonstrated significant mydriasis 1 h after the atropine instillation (4.58 ± 0.77 to 5.41 ± 0.83 mm). Pupil diameters with a 5 diopter (D) accommodative stimulus at 1 h (4.70 ± 1.13 mm) and 24 h (4.05 ± 1.06 mm) after atropine instillation were significantly larger than those at baseline (3.71 ± 0.84 mm). Barring pupil diameter, no other biometric parameters significantly changed at any point in time after atropine instillation without accommodative demand. However, with an accommodative stimulus, anterior chamber depth (ACD) at 1 h and posterior curvature of the lens at 1 and 24 h were both significantly larger than those before atropine instillation. Using AS-OCT, we detected a slight decrease in the accommodation response of ocular biometric components evoked by 0.01% atropine instillation. Morphologically, our measurements suggested a change in the ACD and horizontal radius of the lens' posterior surface curvatures due to the subtle reduction of accommodation.

Safety and efficacy of depatuxizumab mafodotin in Japanese patients with malignant glioma: A nonrandomized, phase 1/2 trial.

INTELLANCE-J was a phase 1/2 study of a potent antibody-drug conjugate targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), depatuxizumab mafodotin (Depatux-M), as a second- or first-line therapy, alone or combined with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in 53 Japanese patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grade III/IV glioma. In second-line arms, patients with EGFR-amplified recurrent WHO grade III/IV glioma received Depatux-M plus chemotherapy (temozolomide) or Depatux-M alone regardless of EGFR status. In first-line arms, patients with newly diagnosed WHO grade III/IV glioma received Depatux-M plus chemoradiotherapy. The study was halted following lack of survival benefit with first-line Depatux-M in the global trial INTELLANCE-1. The primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with EGFR-amplified tumors receiving second-line Depatux-M plus chemotherapy. Common nonocular treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) with both second-line and first-line Depatux-M included lymphopenia (42%, 33%, respectively), thrombocytopenia (39%, 47%), alanine aminotransferase increase (29%, 47%), and aspartate aminotransferase increase (24%, 60%); incidence of grade ≥3 TEAEs was 66% and 53%, respectively. Ocular side effects (OSEs) occurred in 93% of patients receiving second-line Depatux-M plus chemotherapy and all patients receiving second-line Depatux-M alone or first-line Depatux-M plus chemoradiotherapy. Most OSEs were manageable with dose modifications and concomitant medications. The 6-month PFS estimate was 25.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.4-42.6), and median PFS was 2.1 months (95% CI 1.9-3.9) with second-line Depatux-M plus chemotherapy in the EGFR-amplified subgroup. This study showed acceptable safety profile of Depatux-M alone or plus chemotherapy/chemoradiotherapy in Japanese patients with WHO grade III/IV glioma. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02590263).

Prevalence and factors associated with uncorrected presbyopia in a rural population of Japan: the Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with uncorrected presbyopia among rural community dwellers in Japan. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 among community dwellers aged 40-74 years who received specific health checkups in Minamiaizu and Tadami, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. METHODS: Uncorrected presbyopia was considered as when the distance-corrected visual acuity in the better eye was ≥0.5 and the near-presenting visual acuity in the better eye was <0.4, regardless of distance refractive status. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for uncorrected presbyopia and to adjust for possible confounders. RESULTS: A total of 2054 individuals participated in the specific health checkups. In the 1156 individuals (response rate: 56.28%) analyzed in the study, the mean (SD) age was 63.0 (8.7) years, the percentage of women was higher (57.87%), and the prevalence of uncorrected presbyopia was 26.38% (95% CI 23.86%-29.03%). Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors associated with uncorrected presbyopia were older age (adjusted OR: 1.054 [95% CI: 1.034-1.075]), female sex (adjusted OR: 1.388 [95% CI: 1.006-1.915]), and distance-presenting vision impairment (adjusted OR: 2.651 [95% CI: 1.697-4.143]). CONCLUSION: Approximately one-quarter of the participants in this study from a rural population of Japan did not have adequate near vision. It is recommended that a public health intervention should be enacted to correct presbyopia, especially in the older age group, women, and those with uncorrected refractive errors.

Tear protein analysis in patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction treated with lacrimal passage intubation.

PURPOSE: The pathophysiology of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) may involve quantitative as well as qualitative changes in tears. We measured tear protein concentrations in patients with primary acquired NLDO and compared them with the tear proteins in healthy individuals and patients with dry eye disease. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Twenty-four patients diagnosed with primary acquired NLDO who underwent endoscopic lacrimal passage intubation were included in the study. Tear fluid was collected with Schirmer's test strips three times: before intubation, after intubation while the nasolacrimal tube was in place, and after extubation. At the same time, 24 age-matched normal controls and 24 patients with dry eye were selected from subjects whose tears were collected during the same study period. We measured the following components of tear fluid: total protein, lactoferrin, albumin, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels. RESULTS: Total proteins and albumin levels in tears of the NLDO group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.014, respectively, Mann-Whitney U test). Total proteins, albumin, and lactoferrin levels were significantly increased after extubation of nasolacrimal tube (P < 0.001, P = 0.004, and P = 0.029, respectively, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test). There were no statistically significant differences in total protein, albumin, lactoferrin and IL-6 levels between patients with NLDO after lacrimal passage extubation and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows distinct differences in protein composition of tear fluid in NLDO eyes and demonstrates that these can be normalized by nasolacrimal tube placement.

Higher Participation Rate for Specific Health Checkups Concerning Simultaneous Ophthalmic Checkups.

BACKGROUND: Improving the specific health checkups participation rate is an essential task nationwide; however, studies on measures to accomplish this are limited. This study aimed to examine the influence of ophthalmic checkups on the specific health checkups' participation rate. METHODS: We conducted a postal questionnaire survey on 1,741 countrywide municipalities in Japan from January to February 2019. The questionnaire specifically addressed health checkup participation rates of 2017, health checkups formats (group, individual, or both), simultaneous cancer screenings, simultaneous ophthalmic checkups, and the state of implementation of ophthalmic checkups. We used multiple linear regression analyses to calculate the partial regression coefficients (ßs) and their 95% confidential intervals (CIs) to identify the influence of simultaneous ophthalmic checkups on specific health checkup participation rates. RESULTS: There was a significant association between specific health checkup participation rates and simultaneous ophthalmic checkups (ß: +2.5%; 95% CI, 1.3-3.8) after adjusting for covariates. The fundus photos of all applicants, fundus photos with restrictions, and ophthalmology consultation for all applicants were associated with a significant increase in the specific health checkup participation rate (ß: +2.8%, 95% CI, 1.2-4.4; ß: +2.0%, 95% CI, 0.2-3.9; ß: +7.4%, 95% CI, 1.2-13.6 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that additional simultaneous ophthalmic checkups as specific health checkups could increase the specific health checkup participation rate.

Detection of Glaucoma and Other Vision-Threatening Ocular Diseases in the Population Recruited at Specific Health Checkups in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of vision screening for adults has not been well established. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of vision-threatening ocular diseases, including glaucoma, among subjects who participated in specific health checkups in Japan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1360 individuals who underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations at 16 ophthalmology clinics located in three municipalities. We surveyed the study participants using a questionnaire. The participants also underwent visual acuity and refraction tests, intraocular pressure tests, slit-lamp microscopy, fundus examinations, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, and static perimetry. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 63.7 ± 8.7 years (range, 40-74 years). Among the 1360 participants, 168 (12.4%) were diagnosed with glaucoma and 33 (2.4%) with preperimetric glaucoma. Cataracts were seen in 741 participants (54.5%), and 77 (5.7%) were diagnosed with clinically significant cataracts. Retinal diseases included macular degeneration (1.2%), diabetic retinopathy (1.0%), chorioretinal atrophy (0.5%), macular epiretinal membrane (2.9%), branch retinal vein occlusion (0.7%), and others (2.0%). Regarding the type of glaucoma, 93.5% of participants with glaucoma were diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma in a broad sense (81.0% with normal-tension glaucoma and 12.5% with primary open-angle glaucoma). Multivariate analysis showed that male sex, age, systemic comorbidities, and myopia were significant risk factors for open-angle glaucoma. CONCLUSION: Many adults with ocular diseases were screened by ophthalmic checkups. The addition of simultaneous ophthalmic checkups to specific health checkups could be an effective measure for the prevention of visual impairment in the older population.

Characteristics and Utility of Fluorescein Breakup Patterns among Dry Eyes in Clinic-Based Settings.

(1) Background: To evaluate the characteristics of fluorescein breakup patterns (FBUPs) among patients with dry eye disease (DED) and efficacy of FBUPs as a diagnostic test for DED subgroups. (2) Methods: The study enrolled 449 patients with DED. FBUPs were categorized as follows: area break (AB), line break (LB), spot break (SB), dimple break (DB), and random break (RB). Schirmer value, fluorescein breakup time (FBUT), keratoconjunctival score, DED subgroups and subjective symptoms were examined. (3) Results: LB patients presented with short FBUT and high keratoconjunctival score. AB patients presented with short FBUT, high cornea and keratoconjunctival scores. SB patients were young with short FBUT. DB patients exhibited low keratoconjunctival score. RB patients were young, with long FBUT and low keratoconjunctival scores. Among DED subgroups, LB and AB constituted 74.7% of aqueous-deficiency dry eye (ADDE). SB and DB constituted 42.4% of short FBUT dry eye (short FBUT-DE). Post-test probabilities and positive likelihood ratios for ADDE were 58.7% and 1.63, respectively; those for short FBUT-DE were 46.3% and 2.02, respectively. Patients with SB and AB exhibited significantly severe subjective symptoms than other FBUPs. (4) Conclusions: FBUPs are associated with both objective findings and symptoms of DED and may be a clinical tool for identification of DED subgroups.

Cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis of a patient visit support system for blindness reduction in Japanese patients with glaucoma.

AIM: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness (CE) and budget impact (BI) of introducing a patient visit support system (ACT Pack) along with standard of care (SoC), in glaucoma treatment in Japan. METHODS: A Markov model was designed to estimate the CE and BI of introducing the support system from Japanese payer and governmental perspective, respectively. Inputted data for CE and BI analysis were referred from published literature and based on medical specialists' inputs. Base case scenario for CE considered the support system cost of 30,000 yen per patient per year and a time horizon of 45 years. BI analysis compared the financial impact due to introduction of support system with SoC compared to SoC alone scenario on Japanese healthcare system with a time horizon of 20 years. RESULTS: The base case of CE analysis showed the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained with the support system was 3,241,729 yen/QALY (29,470 USD/QALY). The sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of this support system being cost-effective at a threshold of 5 million yen/QALY (45,455 USD/QALY) was 53.26%. Blindness reduction after introduction of this support system was 8.68%. The BI analysis showed that the introduction of support system will lead to a cumulative cost savings of 1,132 billion yen (10 billion US dollars) for Japanese healthcare system over 20 years of time horizon. LIMITATION: Due to paucity of similar comparative studies, some assumptions were made based on medical specialists' inputs. Death status was not considered in the analysis. CONCLUSION: Introduction of this support system with SoC is cost-effective and will lead to blindness reduction in Japanese patients with glaucoma. Over a 20 year period, it will lead to an overall cost savings of 1,132 billion yen (10 billion US dollars) for the Japanese healthcare system.

Association of Systemic Comorbidities with Dry Eye Disease.

We investigated the association between dry eye disease and systemic comorbidities, including dry eye subtype, quality of life (QOL) and health utility among patients with dry eye disease. This cross-sectional, observational study enrolled 449 patients with dry eye disease (386 females; mean age, 62.6 ± 15.7 [range, 21-90] years). Ophthalmic examination findings included tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I value and keratoconjunctival staining score. QOL and health utility were evaluated using the Dry Eye-Related Quality-of-Life Score (DEQS) and Human Utility Index Mark 3 (HUI-3), respectively. Background information, including systemic comorbidities, was obtained. Prevalence of systemic comorbidities was 48.8% (219/449). No significant difference occurred between DEQS and systemic comorbidity. However, patients with dry eye disease and systemic comorbidities (depression and insomnia) exhibited significantly worse ocular surface parameters, particularly regarding TBUT, than those without. Dry eye disease with insomnia or depression comorbidity significantly correlated with friction-related diseases (including conjunctivochalasis or lid wiper epitheliopathy). A high prevalence of several systemic comorbidities occurred in patients with dry eye disease. This study shows an association between ocular signs and systemic comorbidities, particularly depression and insomnia. Ophthalmologists should be aware of patients' systemic comorbidities in the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease.

Anterior Segment Biometry During Accommodation and Effects of Cycloplegics by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: We analyzed changes in the crystalline lens during accommodation and the effects of cycloplegics by swept-source anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (7 males and 13 females, aged 22-34 years), with no history of eye disease except for refractive errors, were recruited. Biometric parameters, including anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and anterior and posterior curvature of the lens (ACL and PCL), were measured using AS-OCT (CASIA2). The measurements were performed with or without an accommodative demand of 5.0 diopters (D). The same tests were repeated following the topical administration of 1% cyclopentolate or a compounding agent comprising 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine. RESULTS: The AS-OCT system was capable of simultaneous visualization of all optical components of the anterior segment in a single frame. ACD, LAC, and LPC decreased and LT increased significantly during 5.0 D accommodative stimulation in both eyes. Both cyclopentolate and tropicamide/phenylephrine eyedrops led to deeper ACD, thinner LT, and flatter LAC. There were no significant differences in all lens parameters despite having 5.0 D accommodative stimulation in both eyes with cycloplegia. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that both tropicamide/phenylephrine and cyclopentolate eyedrops have enough cycloplegic effects in young adults.

A New Perspective on Dry Eye Classification: Proposal by the Asia Dry Eye Society.

The 2017 consensus report of the Asia Dry Eye Society (ADES) on the definition and diagnosis of dry eyes described dry eye disease as "Dry eye is a multifactorial disease characterized by unstable tear film causing a variety of symptoms and/or visual impairment, potentially accompanied by ocular surface damage." The report emphasized the instability of tear film and the importance of visual dysfunction in association with dry eyes, highlighting the importance of the evaluation of tear film stability. This report also discussed the concept of tear film-oriented therapy, which stemmed from the definition, and which is centered on provision of insufficient components in each tear film layer and ocular surface epithelium. The current ADES report proposes a simple classification of dry eyes based on the concept of tear film-oriented diagnosis and suggests that there are three types of dry eye: aqueous-deficient, decreased wettability, and increased evaporation. It is suggested that these three types respectively coincide with the problems of each layer: aqueous, membrane-associated mucins, and lipid/secretory mucin. Although each component cannot be quantitatively evaluated with the current technology, a practical diagnosis based on the patterns of fluorescein breakup is recommended. The Asia Dry Eye Society classification report suggests that for a practical use of the definition, diagnostic criteria and classification system should be integrated and be simple to use. The classification system proposed by ADES is a straightforward tool and simple to use, only through use of fluorescein, which is available even to non-dry eye specialists, and which is believed to contribute to an effective diagnosis and treatment of dry eyes.