Lee CM, et al. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2011 Oct;25(5):358-361. https://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2011.25.5.358

Purpose. To evaluate the degree of psychological distress in symptomatic vitreous floater patients and to evaluate whether these psychological factors are associated with the severity of discomfort associated with vitreous floaters. Methods. We recruited 61 patients with symptomatic vitreous floaters and 34 controls. The degree of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was evaluated using optical coherence tomography. We measured the level of depression, perceived stress, state, and trait anxiety and the degree of floater-associated discomfort with self-administered questionnaire. We compared psychological parameters between floater patients and control. We also compared clinical and psychological characteristics among different floater-associated discomfort severity groups. Results. Symptomatic vitreous floater patients showed higher rate of complete PVD and higher psychological distress compared to the control. On multiple logistic regression analysis, complete PVD (p=0.001), depression (p=0.001), and younger age (p=0.037) were significantly associated with symptomatic floaters. There were no significant differences in complete PVD rate among different discomfort groups, while severe discomfort group showed higher depression, perceived stress, and state and trait anxiety compared to the other two milder symptom groups. Conclusions. Symptomatic vitreous floater patients showed substantial level of psychological distress, and the severity of floater symptoms was significantly associated with psychological distress.

Purpose We examined the association between abnormal fundus autofluorescence (FAF) features on images obtained by a modified fundus camera (mFC) and geographic atrophy (GA) progression in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Serial FAF images of 131 eyes from 131 patients with GA were included in the study. All FAF images were obtained with an mFC (excitation, ∼500–610 nm; emission, ∼675–715 nm). The GA area was quantified at baseline and 1 year later using a customized segmentation program. The yearly GA enlargement rate was then calculated. Abnormal FAF patterns in the junctional zone of GA were classified as None or Minimal change, Focal, Patchy, Banded, or Diffuse according to previously published classification based on confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO). The relationship between GA enlargement and abnormal FAF was evaluated. Results The mean rate of GA enlargement was the fastest in eyes with Diffuse pattern (1.74 mm² per year), followed by eyes with the Banded pattern (1.69 mm² per year). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that eyes with the Banded and Diffuse pattern had significantly higher risk for GA enlargement compared with eyes with the other patterns. Conclusions FAF image obtained by mFC appears to be acceptable for evaluating GA in accordance with an established cSLO-based classification. Eyes with the Banded or the Diffuse patterns of abnormal FAF at baseline indicate a high risk for GA progression. Identifying patients at high risk for GA progression using an mFC is broadly available method that can provide additional information to help predict disease course.

Globally, glaucoma is a common cause of visual impairment and blindness.^1,2 The number of patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma was reported to be 20.17 million worldwide in 2013 and is expected to increase to 32.04 million by 2040.³

Kim JY, et al. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2009 Dec;23(4):259-265. https://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2009.23.4.259