Nam Ju Moon

Effect of taxifolin glycoside on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

Increased levels of eosinphils, IgE, IL‐4, 5, and 13 and pro‐inflammatory factors (COX‐2, iNOS) are observed in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Taxifolin 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (TAX) from the roots of Rhododendron mucronulatum (RM) was examined to determine whether its immunomodulatory effect was applicable for treating atopic dermatitis.

The Changes in Corneal Astigmatism after Botulinum Toxin-A Injection in Patients with Blepharospasm

To determine if the involuntary contractions of eyelids may have any effects on the development of corneal astigmatism, we performed this prospective study which includes 19 patients with either essential blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm. In hemifacial spasm, the degree of corneal astigmatism was evaluated between two eyes. Then the topographic changes were checked using vector analysis technique before and after passively opening the eyelids. They were also measured before and at 1 and 6 months after the injection of Botulinum toxin. Resultantly, 20 eyes had the with-the-rule (group1) and 9 eyes against-the-rule (group2) astigmatism. In hemifacial spasm, significantly more astigmatism was found at spastic eyes. The corneal topographic changes after passively opening the eyelids showed 10 eyes with the astigmatic shift to the with-the-rule, while the remaining 19 to the against-the-rule. At 1 month after injection of Botulinum toxin, group 1 showed reduced average corneal astigmatism, whereas group 2 showed increased astigmatism. The astigmatic change vector showed significantly more against-the-rule. In the contrary, 6 months after treatment, corneal astigmatism again increased in group 1 and decreased in group 2. So they took on the appearance of pretreatment astigmatic status eventually. Conclusively eyelids may play an important role in corneal curvature.

Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions Reduced by Topical Application and Intraperitoneal Injection of Hirsutenone in NC/Nga Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease. The increasing prevalence and severity of AD have prompted the developments of safer, more effective drugs. Although topical corticosteroids have been used as first line therapy for AD, their potential side effects limit their clinical applications. To investigate the effect of hirsutenone (HIR), a diarylheptanoid compound, on AD-like skin lesions and other factors related to immune response is the aim of this paper Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), eosinophil, IgE inflammatory factors (COX-2, iNOS) levels were reduced in blood, lymphocytes, and tissue after HIR treatment. These results suggest that HIR might be an effective treatment for AD.

Ophthalmological factors influencing visual asthenopia as a result of viewing 3D displays

Aims To identify ophthalmological factors influencing asthenopia as a result of viewing three-dimensional (3D) displays. Methods Thirty adult subjects without ophthalmological abnormality watched the same 3D displays for 30 min. Each subjects near point of accommodation (NPA) and convergence (NPC), amplitude of fusional convergence and divergence, stereopsis, tear break-up time and temperature of ocular surface, and angle of phoric deviation were measured before and after viewing the 3D displays. In addition, a survey for subjective symptoms was conducted immediately following the viewing of the 3D displays. The above mentioned experiments were performed equally with two-dimensional (2D) displays in the same 30 subjects for detection of innate influence of 3D displays. Results The NPA and NPC in the subjects were significantly altered after watching the 3D displays (p<0.05) as compared with 2D displays. In addition, all of the 10 subjective symptoms measured were significantly increased after watching 3D displays (p<0.05). Conclusions Accommodation and binocular vergence are predominant ophthalmological factors that may influence asthenopia significantly following the viewing of 3D displays. Subjective visual discomfort also significantly increased following the viewing of 3D displays. And there is the need for more detailed evaluation for detecting the practically related factors with asthenopia.

Clinical evaluation of accommodation and ocular surface stability relavant to visual asthenopia with 3D displays

BackgroundTo validate the association between accommodation and visual asthenopia by measuring objective accommodative amplitude with the Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS®, Visiometrics, Terrassa, Spain), and to investigate associations among accommodation, ocular surface instability, and visual asthenopia while viewing 3D displays.MethodsFifteen normal adults without any ocular disease or surgical history watched the same 3D and 2D displays for 30 minutes. Accommodative ability, ocular protection index (OPI), and total ocular symptom scores were evaluated before and after viewing the 3D and 2D displays. Accommodative ability was evaluated by the near point of accommodation (NPA) and OQAS to ensure reliability. The OPI was calculated by dividing the tear breakup time (TBUT) by the interblink interval (IBI). The changes in accommodative ability, OPI, and total ocular symptom scores after viewing 3D and 2D displays were evaluated.ResultsAccommodative ability evaluated by NPA and OQAS, OPI, and total ocular symptom scores changed significantly after 3D viewing (p = 0.005, 0.003, 0.006, and 0.003, respectively), but yielded no difference after 2D viewing. The objective measurement by OQAS verified the decrease of accommodative ability while viewing 3D displays. The change of NPA, OPI, and total ocular symptom scores after 3D viewing had a significant correlation (p < 0.05), implying direct associations among these factors.ConclusionsThe decrease of accommodative ability after 3D viewing was validated by both subjective and objective methods in our study. Further, the deterioration of accommodative ability and ocular surface stability may be causative factors of visual asthenopia in individuals viewing 3D displays.

A nationwide population-based study of low vision and blindness in South Korea.

PURPOSE To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of low vision and blindness in the Korean population. METHODS This cross-sectional, population-based study examined the ophthalmologic data of 22,135 Koreans aged ≥5 years from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V, 2010-2012). According to the World Health Organization criteria, blindness was defined as visual acuity (VA) less than 20/400 in the better-seeing eye, and low vision as VA of 20/60 or worse but 20/400 or better in the better-seeing eye. The prevalence rates were calculated from either presenting VA (PVA) or best-corrected VA (BCVA). Multivariate regression analysis was conducted for adults aged ≥20 years. RESULTS The overall prevalence rates of PVA-defined low vision and blindness were 4.98% and 0.26%, respectively, and those of BCVA-defined low vision and blindness were 0.46% and 0.05%, respectively. Prevalence increased rapidly above the age of 70 years. For subjects aged ≥70 years, the population-weighted prevalence rates of low vision, based on PVA and BCVA, were 12.85% and 3.87%, respectively, and the corresponding rates of blindness were 0.49% and 0.42%, respectively. The presenting vision problems were significantly associated with age (younger adults or elderly subjects), female sex, low educational level, and lowest household income, whereas the best-corrected vision problems were associated with age ≥ 70 years, a low educational level, and rural residence. CONCLUSIONS This population-based study provides useful information for planning optimal public eye health care services in South Korea.

Management of complicated multirecurrent pterygia using multimicroporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene

Aims To evaluate the efficiency of multimicroporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) insertion in complicated multirecurrent pterygia. Methods A total of 62 eyes from 62 patients with a multirecurrent pterygium associated with symblepharon or motility restriction-related binocular diplopia were recruited. All eyes underwent pterygia excision followed by application of 0.033% mitomycin C, amniotic membrane transplantation and conjunctival limbal autograft. Multimicroporous e-PTFE was then inserted intraoperatively in 30 eyes between the transplanted amniotic membrane and the conjunctiva (group A), but not inserted in the other 32 eyes (group B). The main outcome measures were symblepharon formation, motility restriction, binocular diplopia, subjective score of conjunctival hyperaemia and postoperative pterygium recurrence. Results In the mean follow-up period of 17.2±2.3 months, symblepharon formation, motility restriction, diplopia and conjunctival hyperaemia were significantly improved after surgery in group A patients (p=0.000, 0.000, 0.008 and 0.000, respectively). Postoperative symblepharon formation, motility restriction and conjunctival hyperaemia were significantly less in group A compared to group B (p=0.024, 0.027 and 0.000, respectively). After surgery, corneal recurrence developed in one eye (3.3%) from group A, which was significantly lower than the eight eyes (25%) from group B (p=0.027). Conclusions Multimicroporous e-PTFE insertion may provide a novel approach for treating intractable complicated multirecurrent pterygia.

Treatment of infraorbital dark circles in atopic dermatitis with a 2790-nm erbium: yttrium scandium gallium garnet laser: A pilot study

Abstract Background: Although many Asian atopic patients have orbital darkening symptom and the demand to treat this condition is increasing, little has been reported in the literature on the treatment of infraorbital dark circles in atopic dermatitis. Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of 2790-nm erbium:yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er:YSGG) laser therapy for reducing infraorbital dark circles in atopic dermatitis patients. Materials and methods: Ten Korean patients over 21 year with mild atopic dermatitis and infraorbital dark circles were enrolled in this study. Patients who need active atopic dermatitis treatments are excluded because of the possibility of aggravation after laser treatment. They were treated for dark circles using a 2790-nm Er:YSGG laser. The treatment parameters were 1.8–2.2 J/cm² fluence, 6-mm spot size, and 0.3-ms pulse width with 10% overlap over the infraorbital areas once with a 4-week interval between treatments. Efficacy was assessed with a quartile grading score ranging from 0 to 5 by a blinded investigator, and the patients also documented their degree of satisfaction with the same grading score. All possible side effects were evaluated. Results: The clinical assessment showed 74.5% (2.7) and 72.5% (2.5) improvements, and the patient satisfaction scale scores improved an average of 74% (2.4) and 71.5% (2.3) at 2 months and 4 months after treatment, respectively. There were no severe side effects or aggravation of atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: Our study suggests that 2790-nm Er:YSGG laser therapy can be effectively and safely used in the treatment of infraorbital dark circles in atopic dermatitis patients.

A Study of Eccentric Viewing Training for Low Vision Rehabilitation

Purpose The definition of eccentric viewing (EV) is using non-foveal preferred retinal loci (PRL) for viewing. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical effect of EV training for low vision rehabilitation in patients with central scotomas. Methods The direction of EV was monitored in 30 low vision patients with central scotomas by moving the patients view. The PRL was found by using a direct ophthalmoscope and retinal camera; the preserved visual field was identified using a kinetic visual field analyzer. The relationships between EV, PRL, and visual field were evaluated. The patients and their guardians were educated regarding EV. After 2 weeks of self-training, maintenance of EV was checked and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), reading speed, and satisfaction questionnaire were evaluated. Results A relationship between EV, PRL, and visual field was in accordance in half of the patients. There were no significant differences in demographics and basic visual characteristics in patients where the relationship was not in accordance. EV was maintained in two-thirds of the patients, but there were no significant differences in demographics and basic visual characteristics in patients who discontinued EV. There were no significant improvements in BCVA; however, reading speed and the satisfaction scores increased significantly with EV. Conclusions The direction of EV was effectively detected by convenient access using an inexpensive method. Functional vision and satisfaction significantly improved following EV training. EV training can be used as an effective method for low vision rehabilitation in patients with central scotomas.

Case of regional lymphomatoid papulosis confined to the periorbital areas

A localized form of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) has been described very rarely. A 38‐year‐old Korean man presented with a single bean‐sized, non‐tender, erythematous nodule confined to periorbital areas with three recurrences over a 2‐year duration. With findings of biopsy, immunohistochemical staining and T‐cell receptor gene rearrangement, LyP was diagnosed. We report a case of CD30 (Ki‐1)‐positive LyP which developed recurrently and was confined to the periorbital areas.