Purpose: To compare a biometer using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) with a partial coherence interferometry (PCI)-based biometer in measurements of two ocular biometry parameters, i.e., the axial length and anterior cornea curvature. Methods: We compared the two biometers SS-OCT (ANTERION, Heidelberg Engineering Inc., Heidelberg, Germany) and PCI (IOL Master, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) in terms of the axial length (AL) and corneal curvature (K) measurements of 175 eyes. Paired t-tests were used to compare the two biometers. Agreement between the biometers was evaluated using the Bland–Altman method. Results: The mean age was 36.0 ± 25.6 years (range: 5 to 85 years). The mean axial length was 24.42 ± 0.13 mm for SS-OCT and 24.45 ± 0.14 mm for PCI. The mean corneal curvature was significantly different between the two biometry in flat K (K1) but not in steep K (K2). The limit of agreement was -0.15 to 0.21 in the axial length, -1.18 to 0.83 in K1, and -1.06 to 0.95 in K2. All above ocular biometric measurements between SS-OCT and PCI correlated significantly (Pearson's correlation, p<0.001). Conclusions: The axial length measured using SS-OCT is useful in clinical practice. It shows a good correlation and agreement with that measured using PCI. However, the axial length and corneal curvature measured using SS-OCT cannot be used interchangeably with that measured using PCI in clinical practice.

Objective: To elucidate the clinical features of ocular motility and the risk factors for recurrence in idiopathic orbital myositis. Methods: The medical records of 31 patients diagnosed with idiopathic orbital inflammation between 2003 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were initially treated with corticosteroids. Treatment outcome and ocular motility were noted. Results: Twenty-six patients (84%) had unilateral involvement and five patients (16%) were bilateral. Of the 31 patients, 22 patients (71%) showed ocular motility limitation. The mean grading scale of extraocular muscle (EOM) limitation was −1.65 ± 1.80. EOM limitation was found in the same direction of the most affected muscle in 14 patients (64%), while 8 patients (36%) showed duction limitation in the opposite direction. Nine patients (35%) suffered from recurrence. Recurrence was more likely to occur in patients with multiple muscle involvement (p < 0.001). The interval to relapse of symptoms after discontinuation of steroids was significantly shorter in patients with multiple recurrences compared to those with a single recurrence (1.8 ± 0.8 weeks versus 6.0 ± 1.4 weeks, p = 0.020). Conclusions: Idiopathic orbital myositis showed variable degrees of ocular motility limitation, and limitation in the same direction of the action of the affected muscle was more frequent. Recurrent myositis was more likely to have multiple muscle involvement. Rapid relapse of symptoms after discontinuation of steroids was a significant indicator of multiple recurrences.

A pterygium is a common conjunctival degeneration and inflammatory condition. It grows onto the corneal surface or limbus, causing blurred vision and cosmetic issues. Ultraviolet is a well-known risk factor for the development of a pterygium, although its pathogenesis remains unclear, with only limited understanding of its hereditary basis. In this study, we collected RNA-seq from both pterygial tissues and conjunctival tissues (as controls) from six patients (a total of twelve biological samples) and retrieved publicly available data, including eight pterygium samples and eight controls. We investigated the intrinsic gene regulatory mechanisms closely linked to the inflammatory reactions of pterygiums and compared Asian (Korea) and the European (Germany) pterygiums using multiple analysis approaches from different perspectives. The increased expression of antioxidant genes in response to oxidative stress and DNA damage implies an association between these factors and pterygium development. Also, our comparative analysis revealed both similarities and differences between Asian and European pterygiums. The decrease in gene expressions involved in the three primary inflammatory signaling pathways—JAK/STAT, MAPK, and NF-kappa B signaling—suggests a connection between pathway dysfunction and pterygium development. We also observed relatively higher activity of autophagy and antioxidants in the Asian group, while the European group exhibited more pronounced stress responses against oxidative stress. These differences could potentially be necessitated by energy-associated pathways, specifically oxidative phosphorylation.

Myopia is a substantial global public health concern primarily linked to the elongation of the axial length of the eyeball. While numerous animal models have been employed to investigate myopia, the specific contributions of genetic factors and the intricate signaling pathways involved remain incompletely understood. In this study, we conducted RNA-seq analysis to explore genes and pathways in two distinct myopia-inducing mouse models: form-deprivation myopia (FDM) and lens-induced myopia (LIM). Comparative analysis with a control group revealed significant differential expression of 2362 genes in FDM and 503 genes in LIM. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) identified a common immune-associated pathway between LIM and FDM, with LIM exhibiting more extensive interactions. Notably, downregulation was observed in OxPhos complex III of FDM and complex IV of LIM. Subunit A of complex I was downregulated in LIM but upregulated in FDM. Additionally, complex V was upregulated in LIM but downregulated in FDM. These findings suggest a connection between alterations in energy metabolism and immune cell activation, shedding light on a novel avenue for understanding myopia’s pathophysiology. Our research underscores the necessity for a comprehensive approach to comprehending myopia development, which integrates insights from energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and immune response pathways.

Objective: To investigate the morphometric characteristics of the oculomotor nerve and its association with horizontal rectus muscle volume in patients with Duane’s retraction syndrome (DRS) according to the presence of the abducens nerve. Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with unilateral DRS were divided into two groups according to high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings; DRS without an abducens nerve on the affected side (absent group, n = 41), and DRS with symmetric abducens nerves on both sides (present group, n = 9). Oculomotor nerve diameter was measured on high-resolution MRI in the middle of the cisternal space. The medial rectus muscle (MR) and lateral rectus muscle (LR) volumes were measured on T2-weighted coronal MRI of the orbit. Associations of oculomotor nerve diameter and horizontal rectus muscle volumes were performed according to the presence and absence of the abducens nerve. Results: Oculomotor nerve diameter on the affected side was thicker than that of the non-affected side in the absent group (p < 0.001), but not in the present group (p = 0.623). In the absent group, there was a positive correlation between oculomotor nerve diameter and MR volume (r = 0.779, p < 0.001), as well as the LR volume (r = 668, p = 0.023) of the affected eye. Conclusions: In DRS patients with an absent abducens nerve, the oculomotor nerve diameter was thicker in the affected eye compared to the non-affected eye. Oculomotor nerve diameter was associated with MR and LR volumes in the absent group. This study provides structural correlates of aberrant innervation of the oculomotor nerve in DRS patients.

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of differentiating polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) from exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), using color fundus photography (CFP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) without using fluorescein angiography/ indocyanine green angiography (FA/ICGA). Treatment-naïve eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that underwent CFP, OCT, SS-OCTA, and FA/ICGA imaging before treatment were identified. Images of each patient were categorized into 2 sets (Set A: CFP+OCT; Set B: CFP+ SS-OCTA). In Set B, both the en face and cross-sectional B-scans were analyzed. Each set was reviewed by two graders, and it was determined whether the presumed diagnosis was PCV. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for the diagnosis of PCV were assessed for each set by comparing diagnoses that included ICGA. The number of polypoidal lesions in each set was calculated and compared to ICGA. A total of 94 study eyes from 94 patients with AMD were included in the study, of which 66.0% were male, and the mean age was 71.8±9.0 years. The PCV diagnosis rate using ICGA was 45.7%. Sensitivity of sets A, B: 0.88, 0.93; specificity: 0.94, 0.96; positive predictive value: 0.93, 0.95; negative predictive value: 0.91, 0.94, AUC: 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]:0.83-0.97), 0.96 (95% CI:0.90-1.00). Set A detected polypoidal lesions 1.28±0.91, Set B detected polypoidal lesions 1.47±1.01, ICGA showed 1.51±0.86. In the interclass correlation coefficient analysis, the correlation between Set A and ICGA was ICC=0.76(95% CI:0.60-0.86, p<0.001), and the correlation between Set B and ICGA was ICC=0.84(95% CI:0.72-0.91, p<0.001). This study highlights that, without using ICGA, both CFP combined with OCT and CFP combined with SS-OCTA demonstrate high sensitivity, specificity, and AUC in diagnosing PCV. It is evident that SS-OCTA contributes to enhancing sensitivity, specificity, and AUC for PCV diagnosis.