Changes in Aqueous Concentrations of Various Cytokines after Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Purpose@#This study aimed to investigate changes in cytokine levels after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). @*Methods@#In a prospective interventional trial, 12 eyes from 12 patients with chronic CSC and six eyes from six patients who underwent cataract surgery were included as controls. Patients diagnosed as with CSC received a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL). Aqueous humor samples were collected from the patients and controls. Best-corrected visual acuity and foveal thickness were evaluated, and aqueous samples were obtained before and 4 weeks after injection. The aqueous concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon-induced protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured using a multiplex bead assay. @*Results@#After injection, the foveal thickness decreased significantly from 328.08 μm (range, 210–477 μm) to 283.91 μm (range, 168–356 μm; p = 0.048), but the best-corrected visual acuity was not significantly different (p = 0.066). The aqueous levels of IL-8 increased significantly from 3.3 pg/mL (range, 1.5–8.3 pg/mL) to 4.7 pg/mL (range, 2.2–11.6 pg/mL) at 4 weeks after the injection (p = 0.046). The aqueous levels of VEGF decreased significantly from 31.4 pg/mL (range, 17.0–53.3 pg/mL) to 15.2 pg/mL (range, 7.7–21.5 pg/mL; p < 0.01). No significant changes in levels of IL-6 (p = 0.455), IP-10 (p = 0.055), MCP-1 (p = 0.076), and PDGF-AA (p = 0.339) were noted 4 weeks after injection. @*Conclusions@#In this study we found intravitreal bevacizumab injection decreased VEGF and increased IL-8 in the eyes of patients with chronic CSC. This study suggests the possibility that the pathogenesis of CSC may be related to abnormal circulation of the choroidal blood vessels through VEGF and IL-8 cytokine level changes.

Learning Curve in Phaco Chop Cataract Surgery Using an Illuminated Chopper

Purpose@#To confirm that the phaco chop method using an illuminated chopper (iChopper; Oculight, Seongnam, Korea) can reduce cataract surgery complications, and that even beginners can safely and effectively perform phaco chop. @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the first 30 phaco chop cases using illuminated chopper of four cataract surgeons. Four ophthalmologists had a variety of empirical backgrounds, from those who have experienced more than 10,000 cataract surgery, to beginners who have experienced 20 cataract surgery. @*Results@#Of the total 120 eyes, two eyes (1.67%) had posterior capsule rupture. The chopping method was changed from phaco chop to stop and chop in three eyes (2.5%) including one eye with brown cataract with pseudoexofoliation syndrome and two eyes with nuclear opacity grade ≥5. @*Conclusions@#The rates of posterior capsule rupture of phaco chop using an illuminated chopper were very low in four surgeons with various experiences and who became proficient shortly in phaco chop.

Illuminated Chop Using an Illuminated Chopper in Cataract Surgery: on the Way to Minimal-energy Phacoemulsification

Purpose@#To minimize ultrasound power use and surgical phaco time in illuminated chop cataract surgery. @*Methods@#The charts of patients who underwent senile cataract surgery by a single surgeon were reviewed retrospectively. A conventional intracameral endoilluminator was used in a Stop & Chop group (n = 45), while an illuminated chopper was used in an illuminated chop (I-Chop) group (n = 71). EFX, a unitless value that roughly correlates with ultrasound energy during phacoemulsification, surgical phaco time, and changes in endothelial cell count were compared between the two groups and the ratio of zero phacoemulsification in the I-Chop group was evaluated. @*Results@#EFX of the Stop & Chop and I-Chop groups was 18.08 ± 16.15 and 0.82 ± 3.53, respectively (p = 0.001), while the surgical phaco time was 185.08 ± 41.42 and 162.04 ± 49.65 seconds (p = 0.01). However, the endothelial loss did not differ in the two groups (7.03 ± 7.89 vs. 7.13 ± 9.47%, p = 0.76). In the I-Chop group, 56 (86%) eyes had zero phaco energy and patients with EFX >1 (n = 6) had more severe nuclear sclerosis grading (2.90 ± 0.71 vs. 4.5 ± 1.0; p = 0.001). @*Conclusions@#The I-Chop group had lower EFX and shorter surgical phaco time than the Stop & Chop group. Illuminated chop using an illuminated chopper is one way to attain minimal phacoemulsification.

Clinical Effects of Non-damaging Retinal Laser Therapy in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Purpose@#This study analyzed the effects of non-damaging retinal laser therapy (NRT) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. @*Methods@#A retrospective study was conducted on patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy who were undergoing follow-up with NRT from November 2016 to February 2018. NRT was performed in patients who underwent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection at least two times with no improvement in visual acuity and a reduced amount of subretinal fluid. Before and after treatment, logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) evaluation and subretinal fluid (SRF) according to thickness measurements of the macula determined from optical coherence tomography imagery were performed over a period of at least 6 months. @*Results@#Eighteen eyes of 18 patients (11 male and 7 female) with chronic central serous retinopathy were treated with NRT. The mean age of patients was 54.6 ± 13.19 years old and the mean duration of follow-up was 9.75 ± 3.20 months. The central macular thickness decreased from 375 to 246 nm (p < 0.001) and BCVA improved from 0.48 to 0.40 (p = 0.028). SRF completely resolved in 55.56% of the patients after NRT. @*Conclusions@#In patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, which did not improve even after intravitreal anti-VEGF injection, NRT is a relatively safe and effective treatment.

Optic Nerve Sheath Meningocele Diagnosed in Patients with Exophthalmos

Purpose@#To report a rare case of bilateral optic nerve sheath meningocele diagnosed in a patient with exophthalmos.Case summary: A 33-year-old male visited our clinic with bilateral exophthalmos for 6 months. The patient had been diagnosed with hypertension 3 years previously; however, the condition had been poorly controlled. He also had a history of treatment associated with retinal vein occlusion, macular edema, and papilledema 2 years earlier. There was no limitation in his ocular movement. A Hertel exophthalmometry test showed bilateral exophthalmos of 20 mm in both eyes. Visual field tests showed an inferior arcuate visual field defect in the right eye and a superotemporal peripheral field defect in the left eye. In orbital magnetic resonance imagery, cerebrospinal fluid space widening along the optic nerve and flattening of the bilateral posterior pole of the eye were evident. The patient was diagnosed with optic nerve sheath meningocele. @*Conclusions@#Optic nerve sheath meningocele should be considered as a differential diagnosis of exophthalmos patients. Because it is a disease that can affect visual function in a manner similar to that of a visual field defect, rapid diagnosis through imaging study and thorough regular follow-up examinations are essential.

Optic Nerve Sheath Meningocele Diagnosed in Patients with Exophthalmos

Purpose@#To report a rare case of bilateral optic nerve sheath meningocele diagnosed in a patient with exophthalmos.Case summary: A 33-year-old male visited our clinic with bilateral exophthalmos for 6 months. The patient had been diagnosed with hypertension 3 years previously; however, the condition had been poorly controlled. He also had a history of treatment associated with retinal vein occlusion, macular edema, and papilledema 2 years earlier. There was no limitation in his ocular movement. A Hertel exophthalmometry test showed bilateral exophthalmos of 20 mm in both eyes. Visual field tests showed an inferior arcuate visual field defect in the right eye and a superotemporal peripheral field defect in the left eye. In orbital magnetic resonance imagery, cerebrospinal fluid space widening along the optic nerve and flattening of the bilateral posterior pole of the eye were evident. The patient was diagnosed with optic nerve sheath meningocele. @*Conclusions@#Optic nerve sheath meningocele should be considered as a differential diagnosis of exophthalmos patients. Because it is a disease that can affect visual function in a manner similar to that of a visual field defect, rapid diagnosis through imaging study and thorough regular follow-up examinations are essential.

Comparison of Posterior Capsule Rupture Rate during Phacoemulsification by Novice Ophthalmologists: Microscope vs. Intracameral Illumination

PURPOSE: We compared the posterior capsule rupture (PCR) rate between microscope versus intracameral illumination in phacoemulsification surgery performed by novice ophthalmologists. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 300 eyes of 211 patients who underwent phacoemulsification by novice ophthalmologists from March 2012 to October 2017. Novice ophthalmologists (n = 6) were divided into those using microscope illumination (n = 4) and intracameral illumination users (n = 2). The first 50 cataract surgery cases of each novice ophthalmologist were reviewed. The results using a phacoemulsification machine and microscopy were the same. The intraoperative complications and learning curve in each case were evaluated. RESULTS: Phacoemulsifications performed by novice ophthalmologists showed a statistically significant difference in PCR rate between the microscope illumination (19.0%, 38/200) and intracameral illumination (4.0%, 4/100) groups (p = 0.001). The incidence of PCR was reduced to 22%, 18%, 16%, 12%, and 8% per 10 cases in the microscope group, while it was 15% in the first 10 cases and 0% in 50 cases thereafter in the intracameral illumination group. CONCLUSIONS: Novice surgeons had a lower PCR rate during cataract surgery using intracameral illumination than using microscope illumination. Both groups showed a tendency for the PCR to decrease with increasing surgical cases, but the intracameral illumination group showed a shorter learning curve.

Main Reasons for and Associated Factors of the First Fundus Examination in Diabetic Patients

PURPOSE: To determine the major reasons that diabetics decide to undergo their first fundus examination, and the factors influencing such reasons. METHODS: Of the patients with type II diabetes who presented to the Department of Ophthalmology in Gachon University Gil Medical Center, 164 patients who underwent their first fundus examination after being diagnosed with diabetes were included in the study. Face-to-face and phone interviews with these patients were conducted. RESULTS: The average prevalence period from the diagnosis of diabetes to the first fundus examination was 8.3 ± 7.5 years. Of the diabetics who underwent their first fundus examination, 52.4% had diabetic retinopathy, with no significant difference in prevalence between the male and female patients (p = 0.118). The most common reason for deciding to undergo the first fundus examination was recommendation by a doctor (53.7%). For those patients who received their first fundus examination after recommendation by a doctor, the prevalence period from diabetes was the shortest among all patients (p < 0.001), and the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy were the lowest (p < 0.001 and p = 0.017, respectively). The number of fundus examinations conducted following recommendation by a doctor was significantly higher in secondary and tertiary hospitals than in primary hospitals (p < 0.001). Education on diabetes and knowledge of diabetic ocular complications were found to be significantly correlated (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients who are diagnosed with diabetes and treated in primary hospitals, who are older, or who did not receive education on diabetes, recommendation by a doctor for early fundus examination is particularly important regardless of subjective visual disturbance. Moreover, patient education should be offered and ophthalmic examination should be recommended in primary hospitals.

Treatment of Acute Central Retinal Artery Occlusion with Ocular Ischemic Syndrome

PURPOSE: We report a case of treatment of acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS). CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old man presented with acute loss of vision in the right eye on that day. At initial examination, visual acuity tested positive for light sensitivity in the right eye. Fundus examination demonstrated a visible embolus at the central retinal artery overlying the optic disc head and a cherry-red spot in the fovea. Fluorescein angiography revealed that filling of the choroidal circulation was delayed, and the arteriovenous transit time was even further delayed. Carotid angiography showed marked stenosis within the right internal carotid artery. Laboratory tests included blood tests for hypercoagulability evaluation, for which the results were non-specific. To treat acute CRAO with OIS in the right eye, transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolectomy (TYE) was performed twice, and carotid angioplasty with stenting was conducted within the stenosed internal carotid artery. One month after the TYE procedure and carotid stenting, the patient's visual acuity improved to 0.06 and the arteriovenous transit time was within normal limits on fluorescein angiography. CONCLUSIONS: The visual prognosis in eyes with CRAO plus an associated choroidal circulatory disturbance is extremely poor. However, we experienced and reported a case of CRAO with OIS treated successfully through a prompt TYE procedure and carotid angioplasty with stenting.

A Case of Episcleritis as a Manifestation of Neurosyphilis

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of episcleritis as the only manifestation of neurosyphilis. CASE SUMMARY: A 40-year-old female was referred to the outpatient clinic because of right episcleritis that was unchanged during the month of treatment. Her headache persisted, and slit lamp examination showed tortuous congestion of engorged episcleral vessels with swelling in the superior-temporal region of the right eye, but fundus and radiological studies showed normal findings. Serological tests were reactive for venereal disease research laboratory test, treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay test, and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test. Under the suspicion of persistent syphilis infection, cerebrospinal fluid examination was performed, and the diagnosis of neurosyphilis with episcleritis was diagnosed. Treatment consisted of intravenous injections of 5 million IU penicillin G potassium every 4 hours for 14 days. The ocular inflammation resolved within the first week of treatment and did not recur. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of intractable episcleritis that required examination for syphilitic infection using serological and CSF tests, and the appropriate antimicrobial therapy for syphilis with follow-up examinations.

Case of Macular Hole after Surgery in Macular Detachment with Optic Disc Pit in a Child

PURPOSE: To report a case of macular hole after surgery in macular serous detachment associated with optic disc pit in a child, which was treated with silicone oil as an intraocular substitute. CASE SUMMARY: A 12-year-old boy was referred for examination due to visual disturbance in his left eye for the last 1 week. Corrected visual acuity at presentation was 0.08 in the left eye. The anterior part of the left eye was normal on slit lamp examination. Funduscopic examination revealed optic disc pit associated with macular detachment. The patient was treated with vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and gas tamponade. One week after treatment, the patient presented with central visual disturbance and showed a full thickness macular hole in the left eye. Extensive ILM peeling and silicone oil instillation were performed and after 2 months, silicone oil removal was performed. The macular hole appeared to be closed and visual acuity improved to 0.2. Recurrence was not observed until 20 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After surgical treatment due to macular detachment associated with optic disc pit in a child, occurrence of a macular hole is possible. Regarding macular hole treatment, silicone oil instillation and fast removal could be a beneficial option.

Pars Plana Ahmed Implantation Combined with 23-gauge Vitrectomy for Refractory Neovascular Glaucoma in Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a pars plana Ahmed valve implantation combined with 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy in the treatment of patients with medically uncontrolled neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 consecutive patients with refractory NVG in PDR who underwent a 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy combined with pars plana placement of an Ahmed valve implant. Control of intraocular pressure (IOP), pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity and the development of intra- and postoperative complications were evaluated during the follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 12.2 months (range, 8 to 25 months). Mean preoperative IOP was 35.9 +/- 6.3 mmHg and mean postoperative IOP at the last visit was 13.3 +/- 3.2 mmHg. Control of IOP (8 to 18 mmHg) was achieved in all patients, but 91% (10 of 11 patients) needed antiglaucoma medication (mean number of medications, 1.2 +/- 0.6). Postoperative visual acuity improved in 11 eyes, and the logarithmically to the minimum angle of resolution mean visual acuity in these eyes improved from 1.67 +/- 0.61 to 0.96 +/- 0.67. The complications that occurred were transient hypotony in one case, transitory hypertension in two cases, and postoperative vitreous hemorrhage which spontaneously cleared in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest the combination of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and Ahmed valve implantation is safe and effective in PDR patients with refractory NVG.

Comparison of Postoperative Visual Field and Nerve Fiber Layer Change in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To compare the visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer of scleral buckling (SB) and primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for treatment of simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: We studied 20 eyes with RRD that were underwent successful surgical reattachment. Visual field test and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements were performed in patients, and outcomes were compared not only between the operated eye and fellow eye, but also between SB and PPV 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: After the operation, PSD and MD were higher in the operated eye than in the fellow eye (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). RNFL thickness was lower in the operated eye than in the fellow eye (p < 0.001). No significant differences in BCVA were detected between SB and PPV. However, the respective differences between the operated eye and fellow eye regarding pattern standard deviation (4.0 +/- 4.0, 0.7 +/- 1.5), mean deviation (6.5 +/- 4.6, 1.9 +/- 1.9), and RNFL (8.2 +/- 10.3 microm, 1.8 +/- 2.7 microm) were significantly higher in PPV than in SB. CONCLUSIONS: Both visual field defect and retinal nerve fiber damage are significantly larger in PPV than in SB.

Presumed Intraocular Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma Combined with Nasal Lymphoma

PURPOSE: To report a case of presumed intraocular natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL). CASE SUMMARY: A 61-year-old male presented with visual disturbance of the left eye for duration of 3 years. He had been treated with systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy for nasal NKTL 1 year prior. Inflammatory reaction in the anterior chamber and vitreous opacity were observed in the left eye. The patient was diagnosed with uveitis in the left eye at a local clinic 3 years prior to visiting us. Because the patient did not respond to anti-inflammatory therapy, we performed diagnostic and therapeutic vitrectomy. Intraoperatively, vitreous opacity was thin sheet like in appearance. The vitreous specimen contained few lymphoid cells and was positive for Epstein Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER). Systemic workups showed no metastasis to other organs. The patient was treated with systemic methotrexate chemotherapy and intravitreal methotrexate injected 3 times (once per week). During the 12-month follow-up period after the last intravitreal injection, the recurrence of lymphoma and related uveitis was not observed.

Comparison between Retinal Tear and Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment as the Cause of Dense Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To analyze retinal tears and to compare the clinical outcomes between retinal tear and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) as the cause of dense non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage in patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery. METHODS: In a retrospective case series, the medical records of patients who presented dense non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage and who underwent vitreoretinal surgery between January 2005 and June 2009 were reviewed. Among the 134 patients, 27 patients had dense vitreous hemorrhage caused by retinal tears. The first group had retinal tears only and the second group had accompanying RRD. A comparison of clinical features and postoperative prognoses between the two groups was performed. RESULTS: Among the 27 eyes with non-traumatic retinal tear and RRD, 18 were categorized into the retinal tear group and 9 to the RRD group. The demographic findings between the two studied groups exhibited no significant differences except for time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis. However, the time to diagnosis was significantly delayed in the group with RRD (22.67 +/- 37.47 days) compared to the retinal tear group (5.00 +/- 3.41 days) (p = 0.035). The amount of visual improvement was also greater in the retinal tear group than the RRD group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal tears are a major cause of non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage. Vitreous hemorrhage caused by retinal detachment may result in delayed diagnosis and poor visual recovery. Therefore, early examinations in suspicion of RRD and appropriate treatments are needed in non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage.

Leber's Idiopathic Stellate Neuroretinitis with Peripapillary Serous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To report a patient with Leber's idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis accompanying peripapillary sensory retinal detachment detected with optical coherence tomography. CASE SUMMARY: A 26-year-old woman complained of visual disturbance in her right eye for several months. Her best corrected visual acuity was 0.5 in the right eye and 0.9 in the left eye. A relative afferent papillary defect was present in the right eye. Severe disc swelling with retinal hemorrhage and stellate macular exudates were observed in the right eye. Fluorescein angiography revealed optic disc leakage. There appeared to be no leakage from the other retinal vessels or from the retinal pigment epithelium. OCT revealed outer nuclear-plexiform layer fluid accumulation in the papillomacular region. Eight weeks after steroid treatment, the best corrected visual acuity in the right eye had improved to 0.7, and the optic disc edema had improved. The OCT showed that the fluid in the outer nuclear-plexiform layer space had largely been absorbed.

Effect of 23-gauge Sutureless Vitrectomy & Preoperative Bevacizumab on Results of Diabetic Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To investigate the results of 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and preoperative bevacizumab in diabetic retinopathy cases. METHODS: A total of 212 eyes received pars plana vitrectomy by a single surgeon for proliferative diabetic retinopathy and were followed up for at least 6 months. The change of visual acuity and operative complications among the 20-gauge vitrectomy (group I, 86 eyes), 23-gauge vitrectomy (group II, 30 eyes), and 23-gauge vitrectomy with preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection (group III, 96 eyes) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: One month postoperatively, visual improvement was better in groups II and III than in group I. Three months postoperatively, visual improvement was better in group III than in groups I and II. Six months postoperatively, visual improvement in group III was better than in group I, but there was no significant difference between group II and III. Intraoperative retinal breaks and postoperative vitreous hemorrhage were less common in group III than in groups I and II. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy showed faster visual recovery compared with 20-gauge vitrectomy, and vitrectomy with preoperative bevacizumab had less intraoperative and postoperative complications than vitrectomy without preoperative bevacizumab.

The 23-Gauge Sutureless Vitreoretinal Surgery in Previously Vitrectomized Eyes

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of major complications including postoperative hypotony after 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy in previously vitrectomized eyes. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed medical records of 52 eyes, which underwent 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy of previously vitrectomized eyes by a single surgeon. Major outcomes were postoperative hypotomy (<6 mmHg), intraoperative sclera shrinkage during sclerotomy,and other postoperative complications. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed that included 212 eyes with primary vitreoretinal surgery in order to validate secondary vitreoretinal surgery as a significant risk factor of postoperative hypotony. RESULTS: Postoperative hypotony occurred in 4 eyes (7.7%) out of 52 eyes that underwent a second vitrectomy. The odds ratio of the second vitreoretinal surgery (OR=1.15, p=0.283) was not significant by multiple logistic regression analysis that included age, sex, axial length of globe, and the number of surgeries as the independent variables. Choroidal detachment occurred in one eye but disappeared three days later. The intraocular pressure was normalized within one week in all cases. Scleral shrinkage during sclerotomy occurred in five eyes (9.6%), and there were no other major complications, such as endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS: A 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrecomy of previously vitrectomized eyesshowed a 7.7% incidence of postoperative hypotony and favorable prognosis.

Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Following Periocular Autologous Fat Injection

PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and choroidal ischemia after injection of autologous fat into the periorbital region due to embolism of the short posterior ciliary artery without involving the retinal artery. CASE SUMMARY: A 39-year-old female presented with sudden blurred vision, diplopia and ptosis of her left eye immediately after receiving an autologous fat injection into the periorbital area. The first ophthalmologic examination revealed that the patient s left eye had decreased visual acuity, relative afferent pupillary defect, exotropia, and hypertropia. Fundus examination of the left eye showed disc edema. Fluorescein angiography showed multiple choroidal vascular filling defects at the early phase and wedge-shaped or geographic fluorescein staining at the superior, inferior, and temporal peripheral areas at late phase. Humphrey visual field test results disclosed an inferior visual field defect. On the follow-up visit after oral steroid therapy (prednisolone 30 mg) for 7 days, diplopia disappeared and visual acuity recovered to 1.0. The inferior visual field defect and relative afferent pupillary defect were still present.

The Results of Nation-Wide Registry of Age-related Macular Degeneration in Korea

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.