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Phacoemulsification in a vitrectomized eye is associated with a higher rate of posterior capsule rupture than the one in combined vitrectomy. These results may have been caused by hard nucleus cataract in a vitrectomized eye.

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To investigate the changes in the aqueous levels of various cytokines after intravitreal triamcinolone or bevacizumab for branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: Twenty-four eyes with macular oedema associated with BRVO and six eyes of six patients undergoing cataract surgery participated in this study. Each patient with BRVO randomly received an intravitreal injection of either 4 mg triamcinolone or 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Aqueous samples were obtained before and 4 weeks after the intravitreal injection in the BRVO group and before surgery in the control group. Aqueous concentrations of 16 cytokines were measured via multiplex bead assay. Results: Prior to the administration of the drugs, aqueous levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly higher in the BRVO group than in the control group (p = 0.044, p = 0.013, p < 0.001, and p = 0.008, respectively). Between the control group and the BRVO group, no significant differences were noted between pre-and postinjection best-corrected visual acuity (p = 0.60, p = 0.54) and central foveal thickness (p = 0.47, p = 0.82). In the triamcinolone group, levels of IL-6, IL-17, IP-10, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA and VEGF were reduced significantly (p = 0.012, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.015, and p < 0.001, respectively). But in bevacizumab group, only VEGF was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Between the IVTA group and the IVBe group, no significant differences in the changes in VEGF levels were noted (p = 0.06). Conclusion: Triamcinolone injection reduces plural inflammatory cytokines in BRVO, while bevacizumab has no influence on other cytokines as selective anti-VEGF therapy. No differences in the therapeutic effect were noted between an inhibition of plural inflammatory cytokines and an inhibition of VEGF only.

Both Macropore and Medpor were associated with equally safe and satisfactory patient outcomes without notable complications.

PurposeThe aims of this study were to examine the distribution of refractive errors and clinical characteristics of strabismus in Korean patients with Down's syndrome.MethodsA total of 41 Korean patients with Down's syndrome were screened for strabismus and refractive errors in 2009.ResultsA total of 41 patients with an average age of 11.9 years (range, 2 to 36 years) were screened. Eighteen patients (43.9%) had strabismus. Ten (23.4%) of 18 patients exhibited esotropia and the others had intermittent exotropia. The most frequently detected type of esotropia was acquired non-accommodative esotropia, and that of exotropia was the basic type. Fifteen patients (36.6%) had hypermetropia and 20 (48.8%) had myopia. The patients with esotropia had refractive errors of +4.89 diopters (D, ±3.73) and the patients with exotropia had refractive errors of -0.31 D (±1.78). Six of ten patients with esotropia had an accommodation weakness. Twenty one patients (63.4%) had astigmatism. Eleven (28.6%) of 21 patients had anisometropia and six (14.6%) of those had clinically significant anisometropia.ConclusionsIn Korean patients with Down's syndrome, esotropia was more common than exotropia and hypermetropia more common than myopia. Especially, Down's syndrome patients with esotropia generally exhibit clinically significant hyperopic errors (>+3.00 D) and evidence of under-accommodation. Thus, hypermetropia and accommodation weakness could be possible factors in esotropia when it occurs in Down's syndrome patients. Based on the results of this study, eye examinations of Down's syndrome patients should routinely include a measure of accommodation at near distances, and bifocals should be considered for those with evidence of under-accommodation.