Ophthalmology
-
Few population-based data on the prevalence and causes of visual impairment are available from East Asia. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in an elderly Chinese population in Taiwan. ⋯ The rate of blindness and low vision is close to that reported for other developed countries. The high frequency of myopic macular degeneration as a major cause of visual loss, however, is not observed in European-derived populations. Specific prevention or low-vision rehabilitation programs should be developed for the elderly Chinese population.
-
To report a new treatment for acquired periodic alternating nystagmus in which medical therapy with baclofen was not tolerated. ⋯ Simultaneous bilateral retroequatorial horizontal rectus recessions may be an effective treatment for intractable acquired periodic alternating nystagmus.
-
To perform a reference case cost-utility analysis of second-eye cataract surgery by using the current literature on cataract outcomes and complications. ⋯ Second-eye cataract surgery is an extremely cost-effective procedure when compared with other interventions across medical specialties. The cost-effectiveness of second-eye surgery diminishes only slightly from the 2023 US dollars per QALY gained from first-eye cataract surgery. This suggests that patients with good vision in one eye and visual loss from cataract in the fellow eye derive substantial benefit from cataract extraction.
-
Forward shift of the cornea after excimer laser refractive surgery has been assessed on a difference map generated from two elevation maps of the scanning-slit corneal topography. The current study was conducted to test whether similar evaluation is possible on a postoperative color-coded elevation map alone. ⋯ Forward shift of the cornea after excimer laser surgery should be evaluated on the difference map generated from two elevation maps, such as preoperative and postoperative maps.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Risks and benefits of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication use before cataract surgery.
To estimate the risks and benefits associated with continuation of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medication use before cataract surgery. ⋯ The risks of medical and ophthalmic events surrounding cataract surgery were so low that absolute differences in risk associated with changes in routine anticoagulant or antiplatelet use were minimal.