We investigated the association between retinal changes measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and diverse clinical grading scales in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Seventy-four eyes of 74 patients with de novo PD and 53 eyes of age-matched control subjects were included. The thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) were measured. We analyzed the correlations between the clinical PD grading scales and OCT parameters, and between the OCT parameters and volumetric data in the cerebral cortical and subcortical structures. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated for diagnosing cognitive impairment in patients with PD. Statistically significant reductions in the thickness of average, temporal, and inferior pRNFL and overall mGCIPL were observed in patients with PD. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment score was significantly associated with mGCIPL thinning. The AUC of the mGCIPL parameters for diagnosing cognitive impairment in patients with PD ranged from 0.651 to 0.760. Moreover, thinning of the mGCIPL was significantly associated with the volumetric parameters of associated brain structures. Our findings highlight the clinical implications of OCT measurements as a potential biomarker for early detection of cognitive impairment in patients with PD.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to survey male high school students on their MERS(Middle East Respiratory Syndrome)-related knowledge, risk perception, and health behaviors and to identify the factors affecting health behaviors during the MERS outbreak in Korea. Methods: The subjects in this study were 144 students in a male high school. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires in July, 2015. The collected data were analyzed by ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: The proportion of correct answers to questions testing MERS-related knowledge was 71.6% among male high school students; their health behaviors were rated at 48.9%; and their risk perception rate was 1.8 out of 4. There was a positive correlation between knowledge, risk perception, and health behaviors. Knowledge and risk perception explained 15.1% of the variance in health behaviors. Conclusion: To improve students' health behaviors, their risk perception and knowledge over MERS should be strengthened. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement efficient and feasible MERS education programs for high school students.

No abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of intracameral bevacizumab in patients with neovascular glaucoma.MethodsThis retrospective study included 26 eyes of 26 neovascular glaucoma patients who received intracameral bevacizumab injection between January 2013 and May 2015, and were followed-up for at least 1 year. All patients were treated with topical and/or systemic intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications, intracameral bevacizumab, and panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). The main outcome measures were changes in visual acuity, IOP, and neovascularization of the iris (NVI) and the anterior chamber angle (NVA). To assess the safety of intracameral bevacizumab, corneal endothelial changes were also determined using specular microscopy. Patients whose IOP was uncontrolled received IOP-lowering surgery. Clinical factors associated with IOP-lowering surgery were also investigated.ResultsIn all patients, intracameral bevacizumab resulted in a rapid and marked reduction of IOP, NVI, and NVA within 1 week. At 12 months after initial injection, 19 of 26 eyes (73%) underwent IOP-lowering surgery. The average interval between initial injection and surgical treatment was 33.6 ± 26.9 days. Baseline IOP (p = 0.018), NVA grade (p = 0.029), and incomplete PRP (p = 0.005) were identified as predictive factors for IOP-lowering surgery. During the follow-up period, there were no statistically significant corneal endothelial changes after intracameral bevacizumab injection.ConclusionsDuring 1 year of follow-up after intracameral bevacizumab, the procedure was found to be safe for the corneal endothelium. However, the IOP-lowering effect was transient, and 73% of patients eventually required IOP-lowering surgery. Predictive factors for IOP-lowering surgery were high baseline IOP and NVA grade, and incomplete PRP.

No abstract