Seung Young Yu

An Overview of Ophthalmologic Survey Methodology in the 2008-2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a national program designed to assess the health and nutritional status of the noninstitutionalized population of South Korea. The KNHANES was initiated in 1998 and has been conducted annually since 2007. Starting in the latter half of 2008, ophthalmologic examinations were included in the survey in order to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of common eye diseases such as visual impairment, refractive errors, strabismus, blepharoptosis, cataract, pterygium, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye disease, and color vision deficiency. The measurements included in the ophthalmic questionnaire and examination methods were modified in the KNHANES IV, V, and VI. In this article, we provide detailed information about the methodology of the ophthalmic examinations in KNHANES in order to aid in further investigations related to major eye diseases in South Korea.

Comparison of Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab for Macular Edema Associated with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose To assess the effectiveness and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab compared with bevacizumab for the treatment of macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods This was a retrospective study of 80 eyes with macular edema associated with BRVO. Patients received either 0.5 mg of ranibizumab (n = 24) or 1.25 mg of bevacizumab (n = 56) intravitreally. Both groups received three initial monthly injections followed by as-needed injections. The best-corrected visual acuity, central subfield thickness, mean number of injections, and retreatment rate were evaluated monthly for 6 months after the initial injection. Results The best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved from logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) 0.55 ± 0.26 at baseline to 0.24 ± 0.26 at 6 months in the ranibizumab group (p < 0.001) and from logMAR 0.58 ± 0.21 at baseline to 0.29 ± 0.25 at 6 months in the bevacizumab group (p < 0.001), which is not a statistically significant difference (p = 0.770). The mean reduction in central subfield thickness at 6 months was 236 ± 164 µm in the ranibizumab group (p < 0.001) and 219 ± 161 µm in the bevacizumab group (p < 0.001), which is not also a statistically significant difference (p = 0.698). The mean numbers of ranibizumab and bevacizumab injections were 3.25 ± 0.53 and 3.30 ± 0.53, respectively (p = 0.602). In addition, after the three initial monthly injections, the retreatment rates for ranibizumab and bevacizumab injections were 20.8% and 26.7%, respectively (p = 0.573). Conclusions Both ranibizumab and bevacizumab were effective for the treatment of BRVO and produced similar visual and anatomic outcomes. In addition, the mean number of injections and the retreatment rates were not significantly different between the groups.

En Face Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of Outer Retinal Hard Exudates in Diabetic Macular Edema Based on Optical Coherence Tomography Patterns.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To evaluate en face spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings of the outer retinal hard exudates in diabetic macular edema (DME). PATIENTS AND METHODS Exploratory analyses of prospective and consecutive case series. Fifty-five eyes treated with intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) (Lucentis; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) for 12 months were classified according to OCT features of DME: diffuse retinal thickening (DRT), cystoid macular edema (CME), and serous retinal detachment (SRD). Area fraction of outer nuclear layer (ONL) hard exudates (HEs) was assessed from en face OCT images. RESULTS Area fraction of ONL HEs increased from 1.45% ± 1.22% to 2.24% ± 1.31% in DRT and from 2.24% ± 1.85% to 3.25% ± 1.52% in CME. HE gain was greatest during first 3 months (DRT = 0.83%; CME = 1.25%). SRD showed no difference in HEs (P = .462). CONCLUSIONS ONL HEs increased in DRT and CME at month 12 following IVR. Rapid gain of HEs was found during the initial loading phase of IVR.

Unilateral Papillitis after Bee Stings on the Hand

This article reports a case of papillitis occurring after the patient was stung on the hand by bees. A healthy 27-year-old man with no specific disease complained of a decrease in visual acuity in the right eye 3 days after he was stung by five bees on the right hand. The best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes and anterior segment examination findings and pupil response were normal. Fundus examination, however, revealed optic disc swelling in the right eye. No abnormalities were detected in a visual field test, visual evoked potential examination, serologic test, or cerebral spinal fluid test and brain magnetic resonance imaging studies. No specific treatment was administered, and the optic swelling improved in 2 weeks. Three months later, however, temporal pallor of the optic disc and a retinal nerve fibre defect were observed in the temporal and nasal sides. These findings persisted for 6 months.