Internet of Things-Enabled Patch With Built-in Microsensors and Wireless Chip: Real-Time Remote Monitoring of Patch Treatment.

Purpose: We aimed to design, develop, and evaluate an internet of things-enabled patch (IoT patch) for real-time remote monitoring of adherence (or patch wear time) during patch treatment in child participants in clinical trials. This study provides healthcare providers with a tool for objective, real-time, and remote assessment of adherence and for making required adjustments to treatment plans. Methods: The IoT patch had two temperature microsensors and a wireless chip. One sensor was placed closer to the skin than the other, resulting in a temperature difference depending on whether the patch was worn. When the patch was worn, it measured temperatures every 30 seconds and transmitted temperature data to a cloud server via a mobile application every 15 seconds. The patch was evaluated via 2 experiments with 30 healthy adults and 40 children with amblyopia. Results: Excellent monitoring accuracy was observed in both adults (mean delay of recorded time data, 0.4 minutes) and children (mean, 0.5 minutes). The difference between manually recorded and objectively recorded patch wear times showed good agreement in both groups. Experiment 1 showed accurate monitoring over a wide range of temperatures (from 0 to 30°C). Experiment 2 showed no significant differences in wearability (ease-of-use and comfort scores) between the IoT and conventional patches. Conclusions: The IoT patch offers an accurate, real-time, and remote system to monitor adherence to patch treatment. The patch is comfortable and easy to use. The utilization of an IoT patch may increase adherence to patch treatment based on accurate monitoring. Translational Relevance: Results show that the IoT patch can enable real-time adherence monitoring in clinical trials, improving treatment precision, and patient compliance to enhance outcomes.

Compressive optic neuropathy due to posterior ethmoid mucocele.

Mucoceles are cystic formations characterized by the presence of mucus-secreting epithelial cells, which enlarge when the excretory duct becomes obstructed. Posterior ethmoidal mucoceles are rare conditions that can lead to severe ocular complications requiring immediate intervention. The close anatomical proximity of posterior ethmoidal mucoceles to the optic nerve underscores their significance. In this case report, we present a case of rapidly progressing compressive optic neuropathy secondary to a posterior ethmoidal mucocele. A previously healthy forty-six-year-old woman presented with sudden visual loss in her left eye, preceded by left-sided headache and periorbital pain. Clinical examination and imaging studies revealed an oval-shaped mass within the posterior ethmoid cell compressing the left optic nerve. Emergency surgery was performed to alleviate optic nerve compression, which successfully relieved periocular pain. However, the patient's visual acuity and visual field defect remained unchanged postoperatively. Thinning of the ganglion cell layer in the macula region was observed during follow-up examinations. The role of corticosteroids and antibiotics in visual rehabilitation and the impact of delayed surgical decompression on visual outcome remain subjects of debate. Additional cases of mucocele-associated optic neuropathy should be published and analyzed to establish optimal treatment approaches.

Central retina thickness measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in Parkinson disease: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can detect visual alterations associated with Parkinson disease, such as damage to the retinal nerve fiber layer or changes in retinal vasculature. Macula thinning in association with Parkinson disease (PD) remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the central retina thickness in PD measured using spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT). METHODS: We searched PubMed and the Excerpta Medica database to identify studies that compared macular thickness between patients with PD and healthy controls published before July 31, 2021. A random-effects model was used to examine PD-associated changes in macular thickness. Meta-regression analysis was performed by assessing heterogeneity, publication bias, and study quality. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies with a cross-sectional design were selected, including 2118 patients with PD and 2338 controls. We identified significant differences in the thickness of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.66 to -0.16; I2 = 80%), ganglion cell complex (SMD, -0.33; 95% CI, -0.50 to -0.17; I2 = 0%), and of all inner and outer sectors of the macula (SMD range, -0.21 to -0.56; all P < .05) between patients with PD and controls. DISCUSSION: These results corroborate the increased prevalence of changes in OCT measures in individuals with PD, highlighting the efficacy of SD-OCT-determined macular thickness as a biomarker for PD. Our findings may provide helpful guidelines for clinicians in rapidly evolving areas of PD diagnosis.

Dilute pilocarpine test for diagnosis of Adie's tonic pupil.

We have compared the diagnostic ability of different concentrations of 0.125% and 0.0625% dilute pilocarpine for detecting denervation supersensitivity in unilateral Adie's tonic pupil. This retrospective, observational, case-control study involved 117 subjects, consisting of 56 patients with unilateral Adie's tonic pupil and 61 controls with other causes of unilateral dilated pupils. Subjects underwent the dilute pilocarpine test with one of the two concentrations, 0.125% or 0.0625%. Pupillary light reflex was recorded with a dynamic pupillometer at baseline and at 30-40 min after instilling one of the two concentrations of dilute pilocarpine. Diagnostic accuracy of two different concentrations of the dilute pilocarpine test, 0.125% group versus 0.0625% group, were compared by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Diagnostic ability of the dilute pilocarpine test for detecting denervation supersensitivity in unilateral Adie's tonic pupil was significantly better in the 0.0625% group than in the 0.125% group (AUC = 0.954 vs. 0.840, respectively, P = 0.047). In the 0.0625% group, the change in maximal pupil diameter of ≥ 0.5 mm after topical pilocarpine instillation showed 100% sensitivity and 82.8% specificity for detecting Adie's tonic pupil. This study confirmed that pupillary constriction with 0.0625% pilocarpine is better than 0.125% pilocarpine for detecting denervation supersensitivity in Adie's tonic pupil. Digital pupillometry is a reliable method for assessing denervation supersensitivity in Adie's tonic pupil.

Pupillary light reflex in ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy.

We evaluated changes in the pupillary light reflex (PLR) of ethambutol (EMB)-induced optic neuropathy and analyzed the correlations between PLR parameters and other structural changes in EMB-induced optic neuropathy. This retrospective, observational, case-control study involved thirty-two eyes of 17 patients with EMB-induced optic neuropathy (EON group), sixty eyes of 60 patients without EMB-induced optic neuropathy (non-EON group) while taking ethambutol, and forty-five eyes of 45 normal controls. PLR was measured by digital pupillometry. The clinical characteristics, optical coherence tomography measurements and PLR parameters including pupil diameter, constriction latency, constriction ratio/velocity, and dilation velocity were noted. The differences in PLR measurements were compared among the three groups. Correlations between PLR parameters and other structural parameters in EMB-induced optic neuropathy were evaluated. The pupillary constriction ratio, constriction and dilation velocities were significantly reduced in the EON group compared to the non-EON group and controls (all P < 0.05). In EMB-induced optic neuropathy, average outer macular ganglion cell layer (mGCL) thickness showed a significant correlation with the pupillary constriction ratio (ß = 4.14, P = 0.003) and maximal constriction velocity (ß = 1.08, P < 0.001). This study confirmed that pupillary constriction and dilation velocities were significantly decreased in patients with EMB-induced optic neuropathy, compared to normal controls. Digital pupillometry may be a useful tool in the evaluation of EMB-induced optic neuropathy.

Age-related Changes of Macular Ganglion Cell-inner Plexiform Layer Thickness in Korean Elderly Subjects.

PURPOSE: We sought to establish normative ranges of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in Korean elderly individuals and to identify factors that influence GCIPL thickness. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 114 healthy subjects (75 years old or older) who underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations at a single institution. GCIPL thickness was measured with the Cirrus spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system and automatic segmentation. Subjects were divided into two age groups: those younger than 80 years and those 80 years or older, respectively. A cross-sectional analysis was adopted to evaluate associations of GCIPL thickness with sex, age, intraocular pressure, optic disc rim area, axial length, spherical equivalent (SE) refractive errors, astigmatism, and body mass index. RESULTS: The average and minimum GCIPL thicknesses were 80.3 ± 5.6 µm and 76.3 ± 5.9 µm, respectively. The GCIPL thickness was significantly lower in the older group than in the younger group in the inferior, inferonasal, and inferotemporal segments (all p < 0.01). A thinner average GCIPL thickness was strongly associated with increasing age (ß = -2.87, p = 0.021) and thinner circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (ß = 2.87, p < 0.001) in all segments. CONCLUSIONS: GCIPL thickness decreased with age globally and in all segments, even after 75 years of age. Thinner GCIPL was associated with older age and thinner circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer. Age-related changes should be considered when using GCIPL thickness to assess glaucoma and other optic neuropathies characterized by retinal ganglion cell loss.

Neuro-ophthalmologic Findings in Visual Snow Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The findings of ophthalmic examinations have not been systematically investigated in visual snow syndrome. This study reviewed the abnormal neuro-ophthalmologic findings in a patient cohort with symptoms of visual snow syndrome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients who were referred for symptoms of visual snow to a tertiary referral hospital from November 2016 to October 2019. We defined the findings of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field testing, pupillary light reflex, contrast sensitivity, full-field and multifocal electroretinography, and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Twenty patients (71%) were finally diagnosed as visual snow syndrome. Their additional visual symptoms included illusionary palinopsia (61%), enhanced entoptic phenomenon (65%), disturbance of night vision (44%), and photophobia (65%). A history of migraine was identified in ten patients (50%). The mean BCVA was less than 0.1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, and electrophysiology showed normal retinal function in all patients. Contrast sensitivity was decreased in two of the seven patients tested. Medical treatment was applied to five patients which all turned out to be ineffective. Among the eight patients who were excluded, one was diagnosed with rod-cone dystrophy and another with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Neuro-ophthalmologic findings are mostly normal in patients with visual snow syndrome. Retinal or neurological diseases must be excluded as possible causes of visual snow.

Ocular coloboma combined with cleft lip and palate: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ocular coloboma is an excavation of ocular structures that occurs due to abnormal fusion of the embryonic optic fissure. Further, cleft lip/palate (CL/P), a congenital midline abnormality, is caused by a defect in the fusion of the frontonasal, maxillary, and mandibular prominences. No study has reported the association between these two phenotypes in the absence of other systemic abnormalities. We present a case of ocular coloboma along with CL/P and without other neurological abnormalities. CASE PRESENTATION: A 5-year-old Asian boy presented with decreased visual acuity in his right eye. Physical examination revealed no abnormal findings except CL/P, which was surgically corrected at the age of 9 months. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left eye. Anterior segment examination revealed iris coloboma in the inferior quadrant of his right eye as well as a large inferonasal optic disc and chorioretinal coloboma in the same eye. He was prescribed glasses based on his cycloplegic refractive errors and part-time occlusion of the left eye was recommended. After 3 months, best-corrected visual acuity improved to 20/30 in the right eye. CONCLUSION: The association of ocular coloboma should be kept in mind when encountering a patient with CL/P without other neurological or systemic abnormalities.

Prognostic value of macular ganglion cell layer thickness for visual outcome in parasellar tumors.

PURPOSE: Optic nerve compression by mass lesions at the optic chiasm leads to loss of visual function which can be recovered after decompression surgery. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic ability of macular ganglion cell layer (mGCL) thickness measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for predicting postoperative visual outcome of compressive optic neuropathy (CON) related to parasellar tumors. METHODS: This observational cohort study used data from the Department of Neurosurgery and Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2013 and 2018. Seventy-nine eyes from 79 patients with CON due to parasellar tumors who underwent surgery were included. Patients were divided into either a visual recovery group or a non-recovery group according to the degree of postoperative visual field (VF) impairment. SD-OCT scanning with automated segmentation was performed to measure the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) and the mGCL thickness in the nine macular subfields as defined by the ETDRS and 8 × 8 posterior pole grid. Correlations between preoperative cpRNFL thickness, mGCL thickness and postoperative VF sensitivity were assessed. The prognostic ability of mGCL thickness for predicting visual recovery after surgical decompression in each ETDRS subfield and posterior pole grid quadrant was evaluated. RESULTS: The central inferonasal and superonasal quadrant mGCL thicknesses measured by the 8 × 8 posterior pole grid showed the best predictability of postoperative visual outcome (AUROC = 0.963 and 0.953, respectively), which was superior to the prognostic power of the average cpRNFL. The central inferonasal quadrant mGCL thickness significantly correlated with the superotemporal quadrant VF sensitivity (R2 = 0.589). CONCLUSIONS: The mGCL thickness in the central nasal quadrants measured by SD-OCT is an excellent predictor of visual recovery after chiasmal decompression.

Inner macular layer thickness by spectral domain optical coherence tomography in children and adults: a hospital-based study.

PURPOSE: To establish the normative ranges of macular ganglion cell layer (mGCL) and macular inner plexiform layer (mIPL) thickness using Spectralis spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) (Heidelberg Engineering, Inc., Heidelberg, Germany) in both Korean children and adults, and to determine factors associated with mGCL and mIPL thickness. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 573 healthy subjects (5-70 years old) who underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations in a single institution. Each inner retinal layer thickness was measured using SD-OCT and automatic segmentation software. Cross-sectional analysis was used to evaluate the effect of gender, age and ocular parameters on mGCL and mIPL thickness. Normative ranges of mGCL and mIPL thickness according to age, gender and factors associated with mGCL and mIPL thickness were measured. RESULTS: The mean mGCL and mIPL thickness were 40.6±2.8 and 33.8±2.0 µm, respectively. Determinants of inner sector mGCL thickness were circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (cpRNFL) thickness (ß=1.172, p<0.001), age (ß=-0.019, p=0.021) and male gender (ß=1.452, p<0.001). Determinants of inner sector mIPL thickness were cpRNFL (ß=0.952, p<0.001) and male gender (ß=1.163, p<0.001). The inner sector mGCL and mIPL thickness increased significantly with age in children (ß=0.174, p=0.009 and ß=0.115, p=0.013), and then decreased in adults (ß=-0.070, p<0.001 and ß=-0.024, p=0.032). In the case of outer sectors, mGCL and mIPL thickness were not significantly related to age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: This study ensured a normative range of the mGCL and mIPL thickness using Spectralis OCT. Gender, age and cpRNFL thickness significantly correlated with mGCL and mIPL thickness. This information should be considered in the interpretation of SD-OCT data.

Infrared photographs with a selective wavelength filter to diagnose small-angle esotropia in young children.

PURPOSE: To validate the effectiveness of the selective wavelength filter analysis with infrared photographs for diagnosing small-angle esotropia in children under age 4. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, case-control study. A total of 83 esotropes with an esodeviation of ≤ 16 prism diopters (PD) and 75 orthotropic controls under 4 years of age were included. Full-face infrared photographs were taken with a selective wavelength filter in front of either eye. The angles of esodeviation on photographs were measured with the three-dimensional Strabismus Photo Analyzer. The alternate prism and cover test or the Krimsky test were repeatedly performed to measure ocular alignment. RESULTS: The testability of infrared photographs using selective wavelength filters in children under 4 years of age was 85.6%. The mean angle of esodeviation was 11.3 ± 4.0 PD by manual measurements and 11.5 ± 4.4 PD by the infrared photograph analysis. Manual measurements and the infrared photograph analysis showed a strong positive correlation (R = 0.815, P < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the infrared photograph analysis for detecting small-angle esotropia were 95.2% and 77.9%, respectively, with a cutoff value of 4.0 PD. CONCLUSIONS: The automated infrared photograph analysis was simple and effective for diagnosing small-angle esotropia in young children.

Efficacy of collagen matrix implant on adhesions in restrictive strabismus: An experimental study in a rabbit model.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of a biodegradable collagen matrix implant (Ologen, Aeon Astron Europe BV, Leiden, the Netherlands) in reducing adhesions in a rabbit model of restrictive strabismus. METHODS: A prospective, masked-observer, controlled experimental study was performed. Sixty superior rectus muscles of 30 rabbits were resected and Marlex mesh was fixed beneath the resected muscle using nonabsorbable suture. Forty eyes underwent one of two different procedures; the resected muscle was wrapped with preserved human amniotic membrane (AM group) or Ologen (Ologen group). Randomly selected 20 eyes served as controls. Eyes were enucleated at 4 weeks after surgery to measure the severity of adhesion using a push pull gauge. Histopathological examination was performed. RESULTS: At postoperative week four, the average tensile strength of the myoscleral adhesion was significantly lower in the Ologen group (151.8 ± 42.7 gram force) compared to controls (347.9 ± 68.6 gram force) and AM group (193.0 ± 44.3 gram force) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.045, respectively). Ologen group showed significantly lower degree of acute inflammation, chronic inflammation and rectus muscle fibrosis compared with controls (all p < 0.01). The degree of chronic inflammation was significantly lower in the Ologen group compared with AM group (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Compared to amniotic membrane, Ologen is more effective in reducing mesh-related extraocular muscle adhesions in a rabbit model of restrictive strabismus.

Efficacy and Safety of Loteprednol 0.5% and Fluorometholone 0.1% After Strabismus Surgery in Children.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of topical loteprednol and fluorometholone in children who underwent strabismus surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational case series. A total of 60 Korean children who underwent strabismus surgery between January 2016 and September 2016 were included. Patients were prescribed topical loteprednol etabonate 0.5% or fluorometholone 0.1% until 3 weeks after surgery. Four parameters (intraocular pressure [IOP], conjunctival injection, conjunctival inflammation, and patient discomfort) were assessed every week for up to 4 weeks after surgery. Main outcome measures were comparison of parameters between the 2 groups at each following week after surgery. In addition, factors associated with clinically meaningful IOP elevation were evaluated. RESULTS: IOP was significantly elevated at the second and third postoperative week compared with baseline (P = 0.028 and 0.001) in the loteprednol group but not significantly in the fluorometholone group. The mean IOP of the loteprednol group at 1 and 3 weeks after surgery were significantly higher than that of the fluorometholone group (P = 0.032 and 0.017, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that age ≤8 years (odds ratio 14.52, 95% confidence interval 1.16-139.05) was associated with IOP >21 mmHg. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in patient discomfort, conjunctival inflammation, and conjunctival injection. CONCLUSIONS: Loteprednol and fluorometholone showed similar anti-inflammatory effect after strabismus surgery in children. Loteprednol appeared to have more effect on IOP elevation than fluorometholone, especially in children ≤8 years of age. When treating young patients with loteprednol, clinicians should be aware of IOP elevation.

Case Report: Ocular Myasthenia Gravis Associated with In Vitro Fertilization Procedures.

SIGNIFICANCE: Ocular myasthenia gravis is a localized form of myasthenia gravis, which is a postsynaptic disorder of the neuromuscular junction that causes fluctuating weakness of extraocular muscles resulting from autoimmune mechanisms. In women with myasthenia, changes in sex hormone levels and administration of corticosteroids can trigger or worsen symptoms of myasthenia gravis. PURPOSE: To describe a case of seronegative ocular myasthenia gravis whose first symptom appeared a day after in vitro fertilization procedure. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old woman suddenly developed mild ptosis and fluctuating diplopia that worsened in the evening. Before the development of symptoms, she had undergone in vitro fertilization procedure and had taken oral steroids. Ocular motility examination revealed an intermittent exotropia in primary gaze at both distance and near. The neostigmine test confirmed her diagnosis as ocular myasthenia gravis. CONCLUSIONS: When taking a history for young women with sudden onset of binocular diplopia, steroids and sex hormones should be taken into account, which may trigger or exacerbate symptoms of ocular myasthenia gravis.

Pediatric orbital wall fractures: Prognostic factors of diplopia and ocular motility limitation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the factors affecting recovery of diplopia and limited ocular motility in pediatric patients who underwent surgery for orbital wall fracture. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. METHODS: In this retrospective observational case series, 150 pediatric patients (1-18 years old) who were diagnosed with orbital medial wall or floor fracture and underwent corrective surgery between 2004 and 2016 at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital were included. The medical records of patients with orbital medial wall or floor fracture were reviewed, including sex, age, diplopia, ocular motility, preoperative computed tomographic finding, and surgical outcomes. Factors affecting recovery of diplopia and ocular motility limitation were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 150 patients (134 boys; mean age, 14.4 years) who underwent corrective surgery for orbital wall fracture, preoperative binocular diplopia was found in 76 (50.7%) patients and limited ocular motility in 81 (54.0%). Presence of muscle incarceration or severe supraduction limitation delayed the recovery of diplopia. In case of ocular motility limitation, presence of muscle incarceration and retrobulbar hemorrhage were related with the delayed resolution. Multivariate analysis revealed supraduction limitation (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19-2.55), larger horizontal orbital floor defects (HR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.07-1.38), and shorter time interval to first visit (HR = 0.73) as negative prognostic factors for the recovery of diplopia. In addition, muscle incarceration (HR = 3.53, 95% CI = 1.54-8.07) and retrobulbar hemorrhage (HR = 3.77, 95% CI = 1.45-9.82) were found as negative prognostic factors for the recovery of motility limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of muscle incarceration and retrobulbar hemorrhage, horizontal length of floor fracture, supraduction limitation, and time interval from trauma to first visit were correlated with the surgical outcomes in pediatric orbital wall fracture patients. These results strengthen that the soft tissue damage associated with bony fracture affects the orbital functional unit. When managing children with orbital wall fracture, meticulous physical examination and thorough preoperative computed tomography based evaluation will help physicians to identify damage of orbital functional unit.

Differences in pupillary light reflex between optic neuritis and ischemic optic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the differences in pupillary light reflex (PLR) between the acute and chronic phases of optic neuritis (ON) and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS: The study included 30 patients with ON and 22 patients with NAION whose PLR were measured by a dynamic pupillometer (PLR-200; NeurOptics Inc., Irvine, USA). Age-matched controls included 58 healthy individuals with normal vision and optic nerve function. Pupil diameters, latency, constriction ratio, constriction velocity and dilation velocity were noted. The differences in PLR measurements were compared among the acute and chronic phases of ON and NAION, and in age-matched controls. Regression analysis determined factors associated with PLR measurements, including visual acuity, color vision defect, visual field defects and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements on optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Pupillary constriction velocity, constriction ratio and latency were all significantly decreased in the acute phase of ON and NAION. ON showed significantly delayed constriction latency compared to NAION (P = 0.047). Pupillary constriction velocity, constriction ratio and latency were recovered in the chronic phase of ON (P = 0.038, 0.018, and 0.045), however, these parameters were not recovered in NAION (P = 0.693, 0.173 and 0.994). CONCLUSIONS: Pupillary constriction velocity, constriction ratio, and latency were significantly decreased in the acute phase of ON and NAION compared to normal controls. ON showed delayed constriction latency compared to NAION. Decreased PLR were recovered in the chronic phase of ON, but not in NAION.