• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.177-186
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• 2015

Purpose: The Purpose of this study is to investigate if the relative legibility of optotypes affects the corrected visual acuity in visual acuity test. Methods: After measuring the relative legibility of 'Landolt ring target', 'arabic number target', 'alphabet target' by showing as a single-letter-target in 24 subjects without specific ocular diseases and ocular surgery experience, the relative legibility of 0.8, 1.0, 1.25 row of vision according to type of target in 7 types of chart were compared. After then we compared by measuring the corrected visual acuity according to type of target by using binocular MPMVA test (#7A) in 60 myopic subjects. Results: In 3 types of target the worst relative legibility target was 'Landolt ring target' with legible distance of $98.97{\pm}4.57cm$ and the best relative legibility target was 'alphabet target' with legible distance of $108.42{\pm}3.46cm$. There was no difference of the relative legibility according to type of chart or visual acuity level in the row of vision if other conditions are the same. In 1.0 and 1.25 row of vision the difference of relative legibility according to type of target was shown the statistically significant difference between 'Landolt ring target' and 'alphabet target' as $-0.07{\pm}0.06$ (p=0.02) and $-0.06{\pm}0.06$ (p=0.04) respectively. In myopia the difference of corrected visual acuity according to type of target was statistically significant difference between 'Landolt ring target' and 'arabic number target' as $-0.04{\pm}0.02$ (p=0.02) and it was especially remarkable in the low myopia. Conclusions: Measuring visual acuity with different optotypes could cause the errors in best vision measurement value because there was difference of the relative legibility according to type of target even though visual acuity level is same in the row of vision.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2015

As FK506 binding proteins (FK506BPs) are known to play an important role in the regulation of a variety of biological processes related to cell survival, this study was designed to examined the protective effects of FK506 binding protein 12 (FK506BP) on low humidity air flow induced dry eye in a rat model using transduced PEP-1-FK506BP. After the topical application of PEP-1-FK506BP, tear volumes were markedly increased and significant prevention of cornea damage was observed compared with dry eye rats. Further, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that PEP-1-FK506BP markedly prevented damage to the cornea, the bulbar conjunctiva, and the palpebral conjunctiva epithelial lining compared with dry eye rats. In addition, caspase-3 and PARP expression levels were found to be decreased. These results demonstrated that topical application of PEP-1-FK506BP significantly ameliorates dry eye injury in an animal model. Thus, we suggest that PEP-1-FK506BP can be developed as a new ophthalmic drop to treat dry eye diseases.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.533-537
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• 2011

A 13-year-old, female, Shih-tzu and a 10-year-old, female, Yorkshire terrier were presented with ulcerative keratitis caused by corneal endothelial degeneration. Generalized corneal edema, conjunctival hyperemia, focal corneal pigmentation, corneal neovascularization, sub-epithelial bullae, and positive fluorescein staining were observed during ophthalmic examinations. Thermokeratoplasty was performed on the overall edematous corneas. Healing of the cornea was completed within 25 days and corneal ulceration has not recurred after healing of the cornea in both cases. Other ocular complications were not observed except for a slight increase in corneal pigmentation. According to this study, thermokeratoplasty could be an effective treatment for corneal ulceration secondary to corneal endothelial diseases in dogs.

• Korean Journal of Ophthalmology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.506-516
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• 2018

Purpose: We measured the thicknesses of the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), the macula, and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in patients with idiopathic macula holes to analyze the repeatability of these measurements and compare them with those of the fellow eye. Methods: We evaluated 85 patients who visited our retinal clinic. The patients were divided into two groups according to their macular hole size: group A had a size of $<400{\mu}m$, while group B had a size of ${\geq}400{\mu}m$. Repeatability was determined by comparing the thicknesses of the GCIPL, macula, and RNFL with those of the normal fellow eye. Results: The average central macular thickness in patients with macular holes was significantly thicker than that in the normal fellow eye ($343.8{\pm}78.6$ vs. $252.6{\pm}62.3{\mu}m$, p < 0.001). The average thickness of the GCIPL in patients with macular holes was significantly thinner than that in the normal fellow eye ($56.1{\pm}23.4$ vs. $77.1{\pm}12.8{\mu}m$, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the average RNFL thickness between eyes with macular holes and fellow eyes ($92.4{\pm}10.0$ vs. $95.5{\pm}10.7{\mu}m$, p = 0.070). There were also no significant differences in the thicknesses of the GCIPL and RNFL among the two groups (p = 0.786 and p = 0.516). The intraclass correlation coefficients for the macula and RNFL were 0.994 and 0.974, respectively, in patients with macular holes, while that for the GCIPL was 0.700. Conclusions: Macular contour change with macular hole results in low repeatability and a tendency of thinner measurement regarding GCIPL thickness determined via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The impact of changes in the macular shape caused by macular holes should be taken into consideration when measuring the GCIPL thickness in patients with various eye diseases such as glaucoma and in those with neuro-ophthalmic disorders.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.164-175
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• 2001

Purpose : Alport syndrome is a hereditary nephrotic disease characterized by progressive nephrotic symptom, sensorineural hearing loss, ophthalmic abnormality, typical microscopic findings, and familial occurrence. In this study, we tried to find the risk factors related with its prognosis by taking a close observation on clinical symptoms of children with Alport syndrome reviewing retrospectively. Materials & methods : We chose children diagnosed as Alport syndrome in renal biopsy during 20 years(from 1980, Jan. until 1999, Dec.) who could receive follow up studies in tile department of pediatrics. They were divided into two groups by comparing renal function at the time of diagnosis and at current status. We compared several clinical aspects in them, and applied nonparametric test for statistical analysis. Results : The sex ratio(male:female) of 24 children was 3:1. The most common clinical symptom presented at their first visit was gross hematuria. Among those 24 children, 11 cases($46\%$) of progressing into chronic renal failure(Group II) were observed. Hypertension, proteinuria and edema were seen much frequently in group II. The level of serum protein, albumin, and creatinine clearance were decreased while BUN, creatinine were relatively increased. All the results were statistically significant. Conclusion Clinically significant risk factors related to prognosis in Alport syndrome were the presence of hypertension, edema, and proteinuria at the time of diagnosis. Also, the level of serum protein, albumin, BUN, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate were proved to be important factors in predicting prognosis. We believe that studies on these possible risk factors would be of great help in treating and predicting prognosis of children suffering with Alport syndrome. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2001;5 : 164-75)

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.25 no.3 s.39
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• pp.247-268
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• 1992

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of VDT work on eyes and vision among workers in a TV manufacturing plant. The study subjects consisted of 264 screen workers and 74 non-screen workers who were less than 40 years old male and had no history of opthalmic diseases such as corneal opacities, trauma, keratitis, etc and whose visual acuity on pre-employment health examination by Han's test chart was 1.0 or above. The screen workers were divided into two groups by actual time for screen work in a day : Group I, 60 workers, lesser than 4 hours a day and group II, 204 workers, more than 4 hours a day. From July to October 1992 a questionnaire was administered to all the study subjects for the general charateristics and subjective eye symptoms after which the opthalmologic tests such as visual acuity, spherical equivalent, lacrimal function, ocular pressure, slit lamp test, fundoscopy were conducted by one opthalmologist. The proportion of workers whose present visual acuity was decreased more than 0.15 in comparison with that on the pre-employment health examination by Han's test chart was 20.6% in Group II. 15.0% in Group I and 14.9% in non-screen workers. However, the differences in proportion were not statistically significant. The proportion of workers with decreased visual acuity was not associated with the age, working duration, use of magnifying glass and type of shift work (independent variables) in all of the three groups. However, screen workers working under poor illumination had a higher proportion of persons with decreased visual acuity than those working under adequate illumination (P<0.05) . The proportion of workers whose near vision was decreased was 27.5% in Group II, 18.3% in Group I, and 28.4% in non-screen workers and these differences in proportion were not statistically significant. Changes of near vision were not associated with 4 independent variables in all of the three groups. Six out of seven subjective eye symptoms except tearing were more common in Group I than in non-screen workers and more common in Group II than in Group I (P<0.01). Mean of the total scores for seven subjective symptoms of each worker(2 points for always, 1 point for sometimes, 0 point for never) was not significantly different between workers with decreased visual acuity and workers with no vision change. However, mean of the total scores for Group II was higher than those for the Group I and non-screen workers (P<0.01). Total eye symptom scores were significantly correlated with the grade of screen work, use of magnifying glass, and type of shift work. There was no independent variable which was correlated with the difference in visual acuity between the pre-employment health examination and the present state, the difference between far and near visions, lacrimal function, ocular pressure, and spherical equivalent. Multiple linear regression analysis for the subjective eye symptom scores revealed a positive linear relationship with actual time for screen work and shift work(P<0.01). In this study it was not observed that the VDT work decreased visual acuity but it induces subjective eye symptoms such as eye fatigue, blurred vision, ocular discomfort, etc. Maintenance of adequate illumination in the work place and control of excessive VDT work are recommended to prevent such eye symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.163-193
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• 1997

Medical services are a fundamental and essential service in all urban areas. The location and accessibility of medical service facilities and institutions are critical to the diagnosis, control and prevention of illness and disease. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study on the location of medical facilities in Kwangju and the utilization of these facilities by the inhabitants. The following information is a summary of the findings: (1) Korea, like many countries, is now witnessing an increase in the age of its population as a result of higher living standards and better medical services. Korea is also experiencing a rapid increase in health care costs. To ensure easy access to medical consultation, diagnosis and treatment by individuals, the hierarchical efficient location of medical facilities, low medical costs, equalized medical services, preventive medical care is important. (2) In Korea, the quality of medical services has improved significantly as evident by the increased number of medical facilities and medical personnel. However, there is still a need for not only quantitative improvements but also for a more equitable distribution of and location of medical services. (3) There are 503 medical facilities in Kwangju each with a need to service 2,556 people. This is below the national average of 1,498 inhabitants per facility. The higher locational quotient and satisfactory population per medical facility showed at the civic center. On the other hand, problem regions such as the traditional residential area in Buk-Gu, Moo-deung mountain area and the outer areas of west Kwangju still maintain rural characteristics. (4) In the study area there are 86 general medicine clinics which provide basic medical services. i. e. one clinic per every 14,949 residents. As a basic service, its higher locational quotient showed in the residential area. The lower population concentration per clinic was found in the civic center and in the former town center, Songjeong-dong. In recently build residential areas and in the civic center, the lack of general medicine clinics is not a serious medical services issue because of the surplus of medical specialists in Korea. People are inclined to seek a consultation with a specialist in specific fields rather than consult a general practitioner. As a result of this phenomenon, there are 81 internal medicine facilities. Of these, 32.1% provide services to people who are not referred by a primary care physician but who self-diagnose then choose a medical facility specializing in what they believe to be their health problem. Areas in the city, called dongs, without any internal facilities make up 50% of the total 101 dongs. (5) There are 78 surgical facilities within the area, and there is little difference at the locational appearance from internal medicine facilities. There are also 71 pediatric health clinics for people under 15 years of age in this area, represents one clinic per 5,063 people. On the quantitative aspect, this is a positive situation. Accessibility is the most important facility choice factor, so it should be evenly located in proportion to demander distribution. However, 61% of 102 dongs have no pediatric clinics because of the uneven location. (6) There are 43 obstetrical and gynecological clinics in Kwangju, and the number of residents being served per clinic is 15,063. These services need to be given regularly so it should increase the numbers. There are 37 ENT clinics in the study area with the lower concentration in Dong-gu (32.4%) making no locational differences by dong. There are 23 dermatology clinics with the largest concentration in Dong-Gu. There are 17 ophthalmic clinics concentrated in the residential area because of the primary function of this type of specialization. (7) The use of general medicine clinics, internal medicine clinics, pediatric clinics, ENT clinics by the inhabitants indicate a trend toward primary or routine medical services. Obstetrics and gynecology clinics are used on a regular basis. In choosing a general medicine clinic, internal medicine clinic, pediatric clinic, and a ENT clinic, accessibility is the key factor while choice of a general hospital, surgery clinic, or an obstetrics and gynecology clinic, thes faith and trust in the medical practitioner is the priority consideration. (8) I considered the efficient use of medical facilities in the aspect of locational and management and suggest the following: First, primary care facilities should be evenly distributed in every area. In Kwangju, the number of medical facilities is the lowest among the six largest cities in Korea. Moreover, they are concentrated in Dong-gu and in newly developed areas. The desired number of medical facilities should be within 30 minutes of each person's home. For regional development there is a need to develop a plan to balance, for example, taxes and funds supporting personnel, equipment and facilities. Secondly, medical services should be co-ordinated to ensure consistent, appropriate, quality services. Primary medical facilities should take charge of out-patient activities, and every effort should be made to standardize and equalize equipment and facility resources and to ensure ongoing development and training in the primary services field. A few specialty medical facilities and general hospitals should establish a priority service for incurable and terminally ill patients. (9) The management scheme for the inhabitants' efficient use of medical service is as follows: The first task is to efficiently manage medical facilities and related services. Higher quality of medical services can be accomplished within the rapidly changing medical environment. A network of social, administrative and medical organizations within an area should be established to promote information gathering and sharing strategies to better assist the community. Statistics and trends on the rate or occurrence of diseases, births, deaths, medical and environment conditions of the poor or estranged people should be maintained and monitored. The second task is to increase resources in the area of disease prevention and health promotion. Currently the focus is on the treatment and care of individuals with illness or disease. A strong emphasis should also be placed on promoting prevention of illness and injury within the community through not only public health offices but also via medical service facilities. Home medical care should be established and medical testing centers should be located as an ordinary service level. Also, reduced medical costs for the physically handicapped, cardiac patients, and mentally ill or handicapped patients should be considered.