Yun Taek Kim

Lee KS, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2026 Mar;41(12):e106. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2026.41.e106

Ocular trauma is a leading cause of visual impairment, with work-related incidents representing a substantial yet preventable portion. Using nationwide data from regional trauma centers, this study compared work-related and non-work-related ocular trauma cases to identify injury mechanisms and high-risk groups of vision loss. This retrospective cross-sectional study compared work-related and non-work-related ocular injuries in adults, excluding superficial cases, from the Korea Trauma Data Bank (2017-2023). Diagnostic codes were categorized into three risks of vision loss tiers using a modified Delphi expert consensus. Risk factors for vision loss and surgical intervention were identified via multivariable logistic regression. This study analyzed 10,272 adults with ocular trauma. Work-related trauma comprised 24.0% (N = 2,470) of cases, which were predominantly males (96.4%) aged 40-64 years (64.0%). Non-work-related trauma (N = 7,802) was more prevalent among females (25.0%) aged 65 years or older (30.6%). In the work-related group, non-Korean individuals had a significantly higher risk of vision loss (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-2.50). Cutting or piercing injuries and burns were the strongest predictors of vision loss in both groups, especially the work-related trauma group (aOR 74.73, 95% CI 33.37-167.36). Cutting or piercing accidents and burns were identified as high-risk accident types for vision loss, highlighting the need for strengthened safety measures to prevent these hazardous events. There was an elevated risk for work-related trauma among non-Korean individuals, as well as for non-work-related trauma among older adults, highlighting the need for targeted safety policies and training.

To evaluate subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) in eyes with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) in patients who were visualized by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. In this observational, comparative case series, subfoveal CT was measured with enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography in 35 eyes of normal individuals and 32 eyes of patients with NTG. Subfoveal CT in each eye was analyzed by measuring the vertical distance from Bruch membrane to the innermost sclera layer. The mean subfoveal CT in the normal individual group and the NTG patient group were 300.0±52.7 and 289.5±100.4 µm, respectively. There was no difference in subfoveal CT in the 2 groups (P=0.60). The mean subfoveal CT in all subjects was significantly correlated negatively with age only (P=0.03). The subfoveal CT does not differ between the eyes of the normal individual group and the eyes in the NTG patient group, suggesting that CT may not play a role in the pathogenesis of NTG.

To evaluate changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and macular thickness as measured by enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) after argon laser panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in patients with severe diabetic retinopathy. This prospective, comparative case series included 21 patients (28 eyes) with severe diabetic retinopathy. All patients underwent three sessions of PRP. The SFCT and macular thickness were measured using EDI-OCT at baseline and one week after completion of 3 sessions of PRP. SFCT before PRP was (318.1±96.5)µm and increased to (349.9±108.3)µm (P=0.001) after PRP. Macular thickness significantly increased at one week after PRP (from 273.1±23.9µm at baseline vs 295.8±25.3µm at one week; P<0.001). No significant relationship between the changes in macular thickness and SFCT was observed (r=-0.13, P=0.52). PRP induced increases in both SFCT and macular thickness. Changes in SFCT did not correlate with changes in macular thickness.

Purpose Methods Results Conclusions

The purpose of this study was to identify a correlation between engorgement of the vortex vein and the development of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Engorgement of the vortex vein was evaluated by masked observers using a montage of indocyanine green angiography images. Sixty-three eyes with PCV, 27 uninvolved fellow eyes with PCV, and 30 eyes of age-matched control subjects were included. The incidence and distribution pattern of engorgement were evaluated. Thirty-three eyes (52.4%) of PCV evidenced engorgement of the vortex vein, whereas such engorgement was detected in only 7 of the 30 eyes (30.4%) of the control subjects (P = 0.016). Among 27 fellow eyes with PCV, it was detected in 11 (40.7%) (P = 0.706 vs. control eyes). In all groups, it was most frequently detected at the inferior temporal quadrant. In eyes with PCV, mean (±standard deviation) choroidal thickness of the eyes evidencing vortex vein engorgement was 338.1 ± 131.3 μm and the thickness of those not evidencing vortex vein engorgement was 275.1 ± 107.7 μm. When the choroidal thickness increased to 10 μm in the eyes with PCV, the odds of detecting the engorgement was multiplied by a factor of 1.05 (P = 0.042). The incidence of the engorgement of vortex vein was correlated with the presence of choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (P = 0.009). This study demonstrates that engorgement of the vortex vein was observed more frequently in the eyes with PCV. Such a finding was associated with choroidal thickening and choroidal vascular hyperpermeability. These indicate that the engorgement of the vortex vein might be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of PCV.

Purpose Methods Results Conclusions

Purpose To assess longitudinal changes and determine their angiographic risk factors in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods We reviewed the medical records of 47 patients with unilateral PCV, all of whom had completed at least 12 months of follow-up. The angiographic features were evaluated including the development of active PCV over time, choroidal vessel dilation, choroidal vascular hyperpermeability, the branching vascular network (BVN) and late geographic hyperfluorescence (LGH), which was defined as a well-demarcated geographic hyperfluorescent lesion on late-phase on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Results The mean follow-up period was 30.3±12.2 months. Among 47 fellow eyes, 24 (51.1%) had choroidal vascular dilation, 27 (57.4%) had choroidal vascular hyperpermeability, six (12.8%) had BVN and 23 (48.9%) had LGH. The development of active PCV was noted in nine fellow eyes (19.1%), all of which had exhibited LGH at baseline. However, PCV did not develop in eyes without features of LGH at baseline (pConclusion The presence of LGH on ICGA in the fellow eye appears to be a significant risk factor for the development of active PCV and may constitute the diagnosis of preclinical PCV.