Systemic factors associated with 10-year glaucoma progression in South Korean population: a single center study based on electronic medical records.

Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease where various systemic features are involved in the progression of the disease. Based on initial systemic profiles in electronic medical records, this study aimed to develop a model predicting factors of long-term rapid retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning over 5 years in 505 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Eyes with faster or slower RNFL thinning were stratified using a decision tree model, and systemic and ophthalmic data were incorporated into the models based on random forest and permutation methods, with the models interpreted by Shapley additive explanation plots (SHAP). According to the decision tree, a higher lymphocyte ratio (> 34.65%) was the most important systemic variable discriminating faster or slower RNFL thinning. Higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin (> 32.05 pg) and alkaline phosphatase (> 88.0 IU/L) concentrations were distinguishing factors in the eyes with lymphocyte ratios > 34.65% and < 34.65%, respectively. SHAP demonstrated larger baseline RNFL thickness, greater fluctuation of intraocular pressure (IOP), and higher maximum IOP as the strongest ophthalmic factors, while higher lymphocyte ratio and higher platelet count as the strongest systemic factors associated with faster RNFL thinning. Machine learning-based modeling identified several systemic factors as well as previously acknowledged ophthalmic risk factors associated with long-term rapid RNFL thinning.

Microbiologic Analysis of Removed Silicone Punctal Plugs in Dry Eye Patients.

This study analyzed the microbiologic results of removing silicone punctal plugs due to uncomfortable symptoms in dry-eye patients. Patients who were diagnosed with dry eye and received silicone punctal plugs-SuperEagle Punctum Plug™ (EagleVision, Denville, NJ, USA) or Parasol Punctum Plug™ (Beaver-Visitec international, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA)-into upper or lower puncta that were removed due to discomfort from January 2018 to June 2020 were enrolled and reviewed retrospectively. Out of the total 58 patients (64 eyes), 19 patients were male and 39 patients were female. Protrusion without granulation (21 patients, 32.8%) was the most common reason for plug removal, followed by protrusion with granuloma (19 patients, 29.7%). The positive rate of bacterial culture was 42.2% and Klebsiella aerogenes was the most common organism identified (18.5%). Vancomycin showed the highest susceptibility of 100% among all the antibiotics, third-generation cephalosporins were the most susceptible (88.5%) among cephalosporines, and levofloxacin was the most susceptible (81.0%) among quinolones. Among the patients who complained of discomfort after insertion of silicone punctal plugs, approximately 42% had a positive result in bacterial culture. Therefore, when removing punctal plugs in such patients, a microbiological examination may be needed for the appropriate selection of antibiotics.

Seasonal variation in acute post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis incidences in South Korea.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported conflicting results on the influence of seasons on post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis incidences. This study aimed to investigate the seasonality associated with the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis, and to evaluate its association with climate variables in South Korea. SETTING: South Korea. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The postoperative endophthalmitis incidences were identified using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claim data from July 2014 to June 2017. The monthly climate data were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration. The incidences of endophthalmitis were analyzed by the month of the year, and by the season. The association between postoperative endophthalmitis and the climatic variables, including mean temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and hours of sunshine, was investigated. RESULTS: The incidences were the highest in July, and they were the most prevalent during the summer months, although fewer cataract surgeries were performed in the summer months than during the rest of the year. The postoperative endophthalmitis incidences tended to increase with increasing relative humidity and increasing precipitation. CONCLUSIONS: The incidences of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis peaked during the hot and humid months. Understanding the seasonal and climatic influences on postoperative infection might help in risk stratification and outcome improvisation after the cataract surgery is performed.