Progression of optic atrophy in traumatic optic neuropathy: retrograde neuronal degeneration in humans.

OBJECTIVE: We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to document the time course of retrograde neuronal degeneration following indirect optic nerve injury. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients diagnosed with unilateral indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). Patients with total or near-total optic atrophy were included. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations, including OCT imaging, within 1 day and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks after trauma. RESULTS: The mean thicknesses of the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) and macular retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) decreased significantly at 2 weeks after trauma (p = 0.027 and p = 0.043). Changes in mGCIPL thickness preceded changes in cpRNFL thickness. The rates of reduction in mGCIPL and cpRNFL thicknesses were greatest between 2 to 4 weeks and 4 to 6 weeks after trauma. The reduction in mGCIPL thickness then slowed, and stabilized at 12 weeks after trauma. The proportions of cpRNFL and mGCIPL losses at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks compared to 24 weeks were 17.1, 33.7, 59.8, 77.9, and 87.9% and 30.0, 73.3, 76.1, 88.3, and 97.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OCT revealed optic atrophy progression 2 weeks after trauma, which was most rapid from 2 to 6 weeks, and then gradually stabilized. Loss of retinal ganglion cell bodies and dendrites seemed to precede the axonal degeneration. Observations of morphological changes in retinal layers using OCT in TON patients improve our understanding of retrograde neuronal degeneration of the central nervous system.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of Total Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have reported clinical features, surgical outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), studies focusing on total RRD are rare. In this study, we investigate the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis of total RRD. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on cases of 44 total RRD and an age- and sex-matched 88 partial RRD. Two groups were compared for clinical characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of total RRD in all cases of retinal detachment was 4.4%. Pseudophakic eye, ocular trauma, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) were significantly associated with a risk of total RRD (P = .002, P = .003, and P < .001, respectively). In the total RRD group, retinal breaks were located in both superior and inferior parts of the retina, and macular holes and giant retinal tears were frequently found. The best-corrected visual acuity (log MAR) before surgery and final best-corrected visual acuity after surgery were 2.23 ± 0.45 and 1.88 ± 0.96, which was significantly poorer than in the partial RRD group (P < .001). The success rate after primary surgery was 75.0% in the total RRD group, which was significantly lower than partial RRD group (P < .001). Old age, pseudophakic eye, and macular hole as the type of retinal break were highly associated with low success rate. (P = .010, P = .0500, and P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with total RRD had higher recurrence rate and poorer visual outcome after surgery than patients with focal RRD. Old age, pseudophakic eye, and presence of macular hole were important risk factors for recurrence after total RRD repair. Additional surgical procedures should be considered to combine with vitrectomy to achieve better surgical outcomes in these patients.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Various Retinal Diseases.

SIGNIFICANCE: Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements may be influenced by the range and severity of lesions that are observed distinctively in each retinal disease. PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of various macular (central serous chorioretinopathy, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, wet age-related macular degeneration) and retinal vascular (branch retinal vein occlusion, central retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema) diseases on peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS: Six hundred thirty-one eyes from 464 patients with various retinal diseases and 167 controls of similar age were included in this retrospective study. Using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, we measured the thickness of the macula and the RNFL in both various retinal disease eyes and normal control eyes. Four sectorial and average RNFL thicknesses were compared between each disease and age-matched control eyes. The macular thicknesses were also compared. RESULTS: In the macular disease group, superior (P = .033) and temporal (P = .024) quadrant RNFL thicknesses of central serous chorioretinopathy and temporal (P < .001) quadrant RNFL thicknesses of epiretinal membrane were greater than the age-matched control eyes. No RNFL measurements in macular hole or wet age-related macular degeneration differed significantly from the controls. In the retinal vascular disease group, all sectorial and average RNFL thicknesses of diabetic macular edema and central retinal vein occlusion were greater than those of the controls (all P < .05). In branch retinal vein occlusion, superior (P = .012) and temporal (P < .001) quadrant RNFL thicknesses were greater than those of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements may be influenced by the range and severity of lesions that are observed distinctively in each retinal disease. It also appeared that macular disease had a local effect on RNFL thickness, whereas retinal vascular disease had a diffuse effect on RNFL thickness.

Effects of Measurement Center Shift on Ganglion Cell-inner Plexiform Layer Thickness Measurements.

SIGNIFICANCE: Our authors studied the effects of measurement center shift on ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness measurements in Cirrus spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The measurement center shift affects the GCIPL thickness measurement depending on the distance of shift. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore changes in macular GCIPL thicknesses measurements after manual shifting of the measurement center using SD-OCT. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. A total of 30 normal eyes of 30 subjects were included in the study. An experienced examiner obtained two consecutive measurements of GCIPL thickness using SD-OCT. Coefficients of repeatability were calculated for the average, minimum, and sectoral (superotemporal, superior, superonasal, inferonasal, inferior, and inferotemporal) thicknesses. Next, the measurement center was manually shifted from the foveal center. Three measurement centers were horizontally placed at 59-µm intervals from the foveal center, and two further centers were placed 176 µm apart. Also, three measurement centers were vertically placed at 47-µm intervals from the foveal center, and two further centers were placed 142 µm apart. The thickness of GCIPL was measured again at each shift point, and the changes of thickness before and after movement were analyzed. RESULTS: When the measurement centers were shifted to positions 59 µm horizontally or 47 µm vertically from the fovea, no significant changes in GCIPL thicknesses were evident. However, upon more pronounced shifting, the average GCIPL thickness of the direction of the shift region was significantly lower than baseline, whereas the GCIPL of the diametrically opposite sector was thicker than baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of changes associated with shifting of the measurement center should be taken into consideration when measuring GCIPL thickness in patients with retinal diseases, glaucoma, or neuro-ophthalmological conditions.

The effect of center point shift on the measurement of macular thickness: a spectral domain-optical coherence tomography study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurement center shift on the measurement of macular thickness. METHODS: This was a prospective observational case series. A total of 60 normal eyes of 60 subjects included in the study. SD-OCT macular scanning (macular cube 512 × 128 scan) was performed twice by an experienced examiner. The average retinal thicknesses of the nine macular sectors as defined by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) were recorded. Each coefficient of repeatability was calculated for the macular thickness measurements of the ETDRS subfields. Thereafter, the measurement center was manually decentered to a seven scan point, each from the central fovea in steps of 58.7 µm horizontally and 47.2 µm vertically. At each shift point, the change in the macular thickness was compared. RESULTS: When the displacement distance between the measurement center point and the foveal center was within 117.4 µm horizontally and 141.6 µm vertically, the macular thickness measurements did not show any significant differences. However, if the offset of the EDTRS grid center from the anatomic fovea exceeded, we noted that the thickness at the fovea increased and the opposite-direction region at the inner circle was significantly thinner than the displaced point. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of measurement center shift needs to be considered when analyzing the macular thickness measurements in various ophthalmologic diseases.

The role of diagnostic monocular occlusion test in basic type intermittent exotropia.

To assess the response to monocular occlusion test in basic type intermittent exotropia (IXT) and to evaluate the surgical outcomes of titrated surgery based on the test's result. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for patients who underwent bilateral lateral rectus recession for basic type IXT. Patients were categorized into two groups: those who underwent a preoperative diagnostic monocular occlusion test (occlusion group) and those who did not (no occlusion group). In the occlusion group, patients exhibiting a change in deviation angle of ≥ 5 prism diopters (PD), either at distance or near fixation following occlusion therapy, were classified as responders, and augmented surgery was performed for patients with an increased deviation. A total of 215 patients were included in this study, with 79 patients (36.7%) in the no occlusion group and 136 patients (63.3%) in the occlusion group. In the occlusion group, while the mean distance deviation did not significantly change, the mean near deviation significantly increased from 27.2 ± 7.7 PD to 32.5 ± 8.6 PD after diagnostic monocular occlusion (p < 0.001). 58% (58%) of patients showed an increase in near deviation angle of 5 PD or more. Patients with good fusional control at near fixation were more likely to show a change in their deviation after the occlusion (odds ratio = 1.722, p = 0.028). The success rate of the strabismus surgery was significantly higher, and recurrence rate was significantly lower in the occlusion group compared to the no occlusion group (p = 0.025 and p = 0.030), while overcorrection rate was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 1.000). Over half of the patients with basic type IXT demonstrated a significant increase in near deviation angle after diagnostic monocular occlusion. Diagnostic monocular occlusion may be useful for revealing the maximum deviation angle at near fixation and may help determine the optimal surgical dosage in basic type IXT.

Conjunctival myxoma: A case report and review of a rare tumor.

RATIONALE: Conjunctival myxoma is a rare benign tumor, which can mimic more common conjunctival lesions such as a cyst, lymphangioma, amelanotic nevus, neurofibroma, amelanotic melanoma, or lipoma. We describe a patient with the conjunctival myxoma, who was initially misdiagnosed as a conjunctival cyst. This case report includes intraoperative photographs and various immunohistochemical staining images. PATIENTS CONCERNS: A 55-year-old woman presented with a painless mass in the superotemporal conjunctiva of the left eye, which she had noticed 1 month ago. The patient had no previous history of trauma or eye surgery. Slit-lamp examination revealed a well-circumscribed, freely movable, pinkish, semi-translucent mass on the temporal bulbar conjunctiva, suggestive of a conjunctival cyst. DIAGNOSES: Histopathological analysis showed stellate- and spindle-shaped cells within the loose myxoid stroma, confirming a diagnosis of conjunctival myxoma. INTERVENTIONS: The conjunctival lesion was completely excised under local anesthesia. OUTCOMES: After 4 months of follow-up, the patient remained in good health without recurrence of the conjunctival lesion and no evidence of any systemic abnormality. LESSONS: Myxoma is an extremely uncommon benign tumor derived from primitive mesenchyme. Considering the rarity of the tumor and its similarity to other conjunctival tumors, diagnosis can be challenging. Ophthalmologists should consider myxoma as a possible differential diagnosis when encountering conjunctival lesions. Surgical excision is essential to confirm the diagnosis and careful systemic evaluation is required to prevent potentially life-threatening underlying systemic conditions.

Retinal neurodegeneration in diabetic retinopathy with systemic hypertension.

PURPOSE: To identify the impact of hypertension (HTN) on inner retinal layer thickness in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, participants were divided into three groups: type 2 diabetes patients without DR (DM group), patients with DR (DR group), and patients with both DR and HTN (DR+HTN group). The peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thicknesses, measured using optical coherence tomography, were compared among the groups. RESULTS: A total of 470 eyes were enrolled: 224 eyes in the DM group, 131 eyes in the DR group, and 115 eyes in the DR+HTN group. The mean RNFL thicknesses were 95.0 ± 7.7, 92.5 ± 10.1, and 89.2 ± 11.2 µm, and the mean GC-IPL thicknesses were 84.0 ± 5.7, 82.0 ± 7.6, and 79.2 ± 8.1 µm in each group, respectively (all P < 0.001). In the DR+HTN group, the DR stage showed a significant association with pRNFL (B = - 5.38, P = 0.014) and GC-IPL (B = - 5.18, P = 0.001) thicknesses in multivariate analyses. Subgroup analyses revealed that pRNFL (P = 0.007) and GC-IPL (P = 0.005) thicknesses decreased significantly as DR progressed only in the DR+HTN group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with both DR and HTN exhibited much thinner pRNFL and GC-IPL, compared with patients with DR only. These results may have been related to the amplified diabetic retinal neurodegeneration and synergistic impact of ischemia in DR patients with concurrent HTN. Additionally, the progression of DR resulted in more severe inner retinal damage when combined with HTN.

Changes in peripapillary microvasculature in patients with type 2 diabetes patients: effect of systemic hypertension.

To determine the effect of hypertension (HTN) on the peripapillary microvasculature in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR). The patients were classified into three groups: the control group (group 1), T2DM group (group 2), and both T2DM and HTN group (group 3). Peripapillary vessel density (VD) was compared using analysis of covariance and linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting the peripapillary VD. A total of 286 eyes were enrolled: 124 in group 1, 111 in group 2, and 51 in group 3. The peripapillary VDs for the full area were 18.3 ± 0.6, 17.8 ± 1.0, and 17.3 ± 1.2 mm-1 in group 1, group 2, and group 3, respectively, which were significantly different after adjustment for age and best-corrected visual acuity (P < 0.001). In post hoc analyses, group 1 versus group 2 (P < 0.001), group 1 versus group 3 (P < 0.001), and group 2 versus group 3 (P = 0.001) showed significant differences. In linear regression analysis, HTN (B = - 0.352, P = 0.043) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness (B = 0.045, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with peripapillary VD in T2DM patients. Peripapillary VD in T2DM patients without clinical DR were lower compared to normal controls, and they were more decreased when HTN was comorbid. The combination of ischemic damage by high blood pressure and impairment of the neurovascular unit by hyperglycemia would result in more severe deterioration of peripapillary microvasculature, and this impairment could be also reflected by pRNFL thinning.

Analyses of the ratio of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness to vessel density according to age in healthy eyes.

PURPOSE: To identify how the inner retinal layer and microvasculature change with age by analyzing the relationships of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness, vessel density (VD), and the ratio of these measurements with age in healthy eyes. METHODS: Participants were divided into five groups according to age. The GC-IPL thickness, VD, and GC-IPL/VD ratio were compared among the groups. Linear regression analyses were performed to identify relationships of GC-IPL/VD ratio with age. RESULTS: The average GC-IPL thicknesses were 84.84 ± 5.28, 84.22 ± 5.30, 85.20 ± 6.29, 83.29 ± 7.06, and 82.26 ± 5.62 µm in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s age groups, respectively. The VDs were 20.94 ± 1.50, 21.06 ± 1.50, 20.99 ± 1.03, 20.71 ± 0.93, and 19.74 ± 1.73 mm-1 in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s age groups, respectively. The GC-IPL/VD ratio was 4.05, 4.00, 4.06, 4.02, and 4.17 in each group, respectively, and the ratio of the 60s age group was significantly higher than that of other groups. In linear regression analyses, the GC-IPL/VD ratio was significantly associated with age in the participants aged ≥ 50 years (B = 0.014, P = 0.013), whereas it was not in the participants aged < 50 years (B = 0.003, P = 0.434). CONCLUSIONS: GC-IPL thickness and macular VD showed a tendency to decrease beginning in the 50s age group and the GC-IPL/VD ratio was significantly increased in the 60s age group. Additionally, the GC-IPL/VD ratio was positively associated with age in subjects aged ≥ 50 years, which implies a more pronounced decline over time in VD rather than GC-IPL thickness.

Effect of prophylactic anti-VEGF injections on the prevention of recurrent vitreous hemorrhage in PDR patients after PRP.

We evaluated the effectiveness of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) antibody injection (IVAI) for the prevention of recurrent vitreous hemorrhage (VH) due to neovascularization on disc (NVD) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). This retrospective case series reviewed the medical records of 12 PDR patients with recurrent VH after PRP from NVD. The interval between IVAIs was decided on the basis of the interval between VH recurrences after the initial IVAI, and NVD regression/recurrence during follow-up. We recorded the success rate of VH prevention, and the interval between IVAIs. Fundus examination revealed NVD regression at 1 month after the injection. However, NVD progressed gradually and VH recurred after 3-4 months. Thereafter, IVAIs were administered every 3-4 months; VH did not recur and visual acuity remained stable during the treatment period. In one case, NVD did not recur after 4 years of periodic injections. No systemic or ocular complications of IVAI were observed. In conclusion, proactive and periodic IVAIs (at 3-4-month intervals) may prevent recurrent VH in association with NVD in PDR patients after PRP.

Different characteristics of retinal damage between chronic hypertension and hypertensive retinopathy.

The purpose of this study was to identify how chronic hypertension (HTN) and hypertensive retinopathy (HTNR) have different effects on retinal damage including inner retinal thinning and microvasculature impairment. The subjects were divided into three groups: controls, HTN patients without HTNR (HTN group), and patients with relieved HTNR (HTNR group). The ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness, vessel density (VD), and GC-IPL/VD ratio were compared among the groups. A total of 241 eyes were enrolled; 101 in the control group, 92 in the HTN group, and 48 in the HTNR group. The mean GC-IPL thicknesses were 83.5 ± 5.7, 82.1 ± 6.2, and 75.9 ± 10.7 µm in each group, respectively (P < 0.001). The VD was 20.5 ± 1.3, 19.6 ± 1.4, and 19.5 ± 1.6 mm-1 in each group, respectively (P = 0.001). The GC-IPL/VD ratio was 4.10 ± 0.33, 4.20 ± 0.40, and 3.88 ± 0.56 in each group, respectively (P < 0.001). In the HTNR group, HTN duration (B = 0.054, P = 0.013) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (B = -0.012, P = 0.004) were significantly associated with the GC-IPL/VD ratio. In conclusion, inner retinal reduction and retinal microvasculature impairment were observed in patients with HTN and HTNR, and the GC-IPL/VD ratio of HTNR patients was significantly lower than that of HTN patients, indicating more prominent damage to the inner retina than microvasculature in HTNR patients. Additionally, the GC-IPL/VD ratio was significantly associated with SBP in HTNR patients, so more strict BP control is required in HTNR patients.

The Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness/Vessel Density of Superficial Vascular Plexus Ratio According to the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the gangion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) and retinal vasculature in the context of the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: The subjects were divided into four groups according to DR stage: normal controls (group 1), patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) without DR (group 2), patients with mild or moderate nonprogressive DR (NPDR; group 3), and patients with severe NPDR (group 4). GC-IPL thickness, vessel density of superficial vascular plexus (SVD), and the GC-IPL/SVD ratio were compared among the groups. Results: A total of 556 eyes were enrolled; 288 in group 1, 140 in group 2, 76 in group 3, and 52 in group 4. The mean GC-IPL thicknesses were 83.57 ± 7.35, 82.74 ± 7.22, 81.33 ± 6.74, and 79.89 ± 9.16 µm in each group, respectively (P = 0.006). The mean SVDs were 20.40 ± 1.26, 19.70 ± 1.56, 18.86 ± 2.04, and 17.82 ± 2.04 mm-1 in each group, respectively (P < 0.001). The GC-IPL/SVD ratios were 4.11 ± 0.38, 4.22 ± 0.40, 4.36 ± 0.54, and 4.54 ± 0.55 in each group, respectively (P < 0.001). In Pearson's correlation analysis, DR stage was significantly correlated with the GC-IPL/SVD ratio (coefficient = 0.301; P < 0.001). Conclusions: As the DR stage progressed, the GC-IPL thickness tended to decrease, with the macular SVD showing a significant reduction. Additionally, the impairment of retinal vasculature was more prominent than GC-IPL thinning as DR progressed, which suggests that retinal vasculature changes may precede diabetic retinal neurodegeneration.

Risk Factors for Orbital Implant Extrusion after Evisceration.

This study analyzed risk factors for extrusion of orbital implants after evisceration by comparing patients with and without implant extrusion. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent evisceration with primary implant placement by a single surgeon from January 2005 to December 2019 at the Chungnam National University Hospital. Age, sex, underlying systemic diseases, axial length of the fellow eye, the cause of evisceration, endophthalmitis type, implant type and size, and preoperative computed tomography findings were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for implant extrusion. RESULTS: Of the 140 eyes of 140 patients, extrusion occurred in five eyes (3.6%). Endophthalmitis (odds ratio (OR), 15.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.70 to 2038.56; p = 0.010), endogenous endophthalmitis (OR, 18.73; 95% CI, 3.22 to 125.21, p = 0.002), orbital cellulitis (OR, 320.54; 95% CI, 29.67 to 44801.64; p < 0.001), implant size (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.79; p = 0.004), and hydroxyapatite for the implant (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.66; p = 0.016) were risk factors for implant extrusion in univariate logistic regression analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified orbital cellulitis as the only risk factor for extrusion (OR, 52.98; 95% CI, 2.18 to 15367.34; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Evisceration with primary orbital implantation is a feasible option in endophthalmitis, but the risk of extrusion should be taken into consideration. When performing evisceration in a patient with orbital cellulitis, secondary implantation should be carried out only after any infection is controlled.

Multiple facial candidal abscesses after self-administered acupuncture in a patient with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Facial abscess caused by Candida albicans infection is a rare condition even in immunocompromised patients, and only a few cases have been reported. To our knowledge, this is the first case of multiple facial candidal abscesses caused by self-administered acupuncture in an undiagnosed diabetes mellitus patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old woman who had self-acupuncture treatment 2 weeks previously, presented with a 1-week history of progressive left eyelid swelling, erythema, and pain. Despite the antibiotic treatment, the lesion progressed. Surgical incision and drainage was performed and Candida albicans was isolated from the obtained pus culture. The patient was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on a random serum glucose level of 350 mg/dl and 9.2% HbA1c. The abscess resolved after seven incision and drainage cycles and 4 weeks of intravenous fluconazole treatment with an appropriate control of diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Unusual organisms and underlying immunocompromised condition should be suspected in cases of recurrent abscess showing an inadequate response to antibiotic treatment.

Modified ocular surface disease index as a screening criteria for dry eye syndrome presenting after successful dacryocystorhinostomy.

OBJECTIVE: To find preoperative screening criteria for dry eye syndrome (DES) that present after successful endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 110 patients who underwent EDCR for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. DES diagnostic criteria were defined as tear break-up time (TBUT) less than 10 seconds, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score greater than 13 points. After EDCR, patients were divided into DES group and control group according to the DES diagnostic criteria. Preoperative OSDI score alone or in combination of preoperative TBUT and OSDI score were used to find screening criteria, which could discriminate the two groups preoperatively with a high positive predictive value (PPV). Criteria A was set same as the diagnostic criteria of DES, and Criteria B and C were set to improve PPV by increasing specificity while maintaining similar sensitivity to Criteria A. RESULTS: Thirty patients (27.3%) were diagnosed with DES after EDCR, while 80 patients (72.7%) were normal. In patients with DES, preoperative TBUT was not different (p = 0.851), but OSDI score was significantly higher (p<0.001). Criteria A showed a sensitivity of 73.3%, specificity of 55.0%, and PPV of 38.0%. Criteria B and C excluded preoperative TBUT, which had no difference between the two groups, and set screening criteria with preoperative OSDI score alone. Criteria B (preoperative OSDI score of 19.6 points or more) showed a sensitivity of 75.0%, specificity of 60.6%, PPV of 41.7% and AUC of 0.739 (p < 0.001). Criteria C was consisted of 5 out of 12 OSDI items that showed significant differences between the two groups; blurred vision, reading, working with a computer, low humidity, and air conditioning. Criteria C (preoperative 5-item OSDI score of 24.4 points or more) was a better predictability, with a sensitivity of 75.0%, specificity of 71.3%, PPV of 49.5%, and AUC of 0.804 (p < 0.001). The AUC of Criteria C was significantly higher than that of Criteria B (p = 0.0037). CONCLUSION: DES occurred after successful EDCR in 27.3% of patients, and an OSDI questionnaire helped to screen DES. The predictability could improve using the modified OSDI score which showed noticeable difference in five OSDI items before and after EDCR.

Optimal Timing for Primary Early Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy in Acute Dacryocystitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of primary early endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EnDCR) in acute dacryocystitis (AD) and to determine the optimal timing for surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed on consecutive patients who underwent primary early EnDCR (within 1 week) for AD between May 2010 and June 2020 (AD group) and an age- and gender-matched control group of NLDO patients who underwent EnDCR (non-AD group). The primary outcome measures were the surgical outcomes at the final follow-up examination. The secondary outcome measure was the clinical course of AD patients. Subgroup analysis was performed to determine the optimal timing of surgery by comparing the outcomes of very early EnDCR (within 3 days) and those of early EnDCR (between 4 and 7 days). RESULTS: Forty-one patients were included in the AD group and 82 patients in the non-AD group. The anatomical and functional success rates were 87.8% and 82.9% in the AD group, and 91.5% and 84.1% in the non-AD group, which were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.532 and p = 0.863). In the AD group, the mean times for pain relief and resolution of swelling after surgery were 2.4 and 6.5 days after surgery, respectively. In the subgroup analysis according to the timing of surgery, the time for symptom resolution after diagnosis, the length of hospital stays, and the duration of antibiotic treatments were significantly shorter after very early EnDCR (all ps < 0.05), whereas the surgical outcomes were not different between the two groups (p = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Primary early EnDCR is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of AD. In particular, very early EnDCR performed within 3 days leads to faster recovery and shortens the course of antibiotic treatment.

A Novel Technique for Measuring Ocular Duction Ranges.

Purpose: To report a novel technique for measuring ocular ductions and evaluate its performance in normal participants. Methods: We developed a laser pointer technique (LPT), a novel technique for quantitative measurement of ocular ductions. The device consists of a screen and headset with a laser pointer. Participants rotate their head while wearing the headset maintaining fixation on an optotype in the center of the screen until the target becomes blurry. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers were enrolled. The ocular ductions were measured with the LPT and compared to those of the Goldmann perimeter technique (GPT). Results: The mean horizontal and vertical duction ranges were 95.2° ± 10.1° and 84.1° ± 10.8° using the LPT, respectively, and 113.2° ± 14.1° and 105.8° ± 12.5° using the GPT, respectively; both were significantly greater in the GPT than LPT (both P < 0.05). The total time required for testing was shorter with the LPT compared to the GPT (56.1 ± 4.5 seconds and 92.3 ± 11.6 seconds, P = 0.003). Both the LPT and GPT measurements showed excellent intraobserver repeatability, and LPT showed better interobserver repeatability. Conclusions: Considering its reproducibility, accuracy, and simplicity, the LPT is expected to be useful for evaluating patients with ocular motility disorders as a first-order evaluation in the absence of sophisticated examination devices. Translational Relevance: The laser pointer technique, the new method for measuring ocular ductions, could be useful for evaluating patients with ocular motility disorders in clinical practice.

Comparison of surgery versus observation for small angle intermittent exotropia.

In young children with small angle exotropia, making decisions for the individual patient whether to perform surgery or not, and choosing the optimal time for surgical intervention are quite difficult. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of small angle intermittent exotropia of 20 prism diopters (PD) or less after observation versus strabismus surgery. A retrospective study was performed on 164 patients aged 3 to 13 who underwent surgical intervention or observation with or without conservative management for intermittent exotropia of 14 to 20 PD. The minimum follow-up period was 2 years. The average follow-up period was 3.9 ± 2.2 years in the observation group and 4.5 ± 2.3 years in the surgery group. At the final examination, the mean angle of deviation at distance was 11.1 ± 8.9 PD in the observation group and 9.0 ± 7.5 PD in the surgery group, which was not significantly different (P = 0.121). Changes in sensory outcome and fusional control were not significantly different between both groups (P = 0.748 and P = 0.968). Subgroup analysis including patients with poor fusional control also showed similar results. By multivariate analysis, the type of surgery, unilateral recess-resect procedure, was the only predictive factor of good motor outcome in the surgery group. In conclusion, long-term surgical outcomes in small angle exotropia did not appear to be more satisfying than observation in terms of motor and sensory outcomes.

Efficacy for Differentiating Nonglaucomatous Versus Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy Using Deep Learning Systems.

PURPOSE: We sought to assess the performance of deep learning approaches for differentiating nonglaucomatous optic neuropathy with disc pallor (NGON) vs glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) on color fundus photographs by the use of image recognition. DESIGN: Development of an Artificial Intelligence Classification algorithm. METHODS: This single-institution analysis included 3815 fundus images from the picture archiving and communication system of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital consisting of 2883 normal optic disc images, 446 NGON images, and 486 GON images. The presence of NGON and GON was interpreted by 2 expert neuro-ophthalmologists and had corroborated evidence on visual field testing and optical coherence tomography. Images were preprocessed in size and color enhancement before input. We applied the convolutional neural network (CNN) of ResNet-50 architecture. The area under the precision-recall curve (average precision) was evaluated for the efficacy of deep learning algorithms to assess the performance of classifying NGON and GON. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of the ResNet-50 model to detect GON among NGON images showed a sensitivity of 93.4% and specificity of 81.8%. The area under the precision-recall curve for differentiating NGON vs GON showed an average precision value of 0.874. False positive cases were found with extensive areas of peripapillary atrophy and tilted optic discs. CONCLUSION: Artificial intelligence-based deep learning algorithms for detecting optic disc diseases showed excellent performance in differentiating NGON and GON on color fundus photographs, necessitating further research for clinical application.