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Summary Background Vision loss is an important public health issue in China, but a detailed understanding of national and regional trends in its prevalence and causes, which could inform health policy, has not been available. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, causes, and regional distribution of vision impairment and blindness in China in 1990 and 2019. Methods Data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 were used to estimate the prevalence of moderate and severe vision impairment and blindness in China and compare with other Group of 20 (G20) countries. We used GBD methodology to systematically analyse all available demographic and epidemiological data at the provincial level in China. We compared the age-standardised prevalences across provinces, and the changes in proportion of vision loss attributable to various eye diseases in 1990 and 2019. We used two different counterfactual scenarios with respect to population structure and age-specific prevalence to assess the contribution of population growth and ageing to trends in vision loss. Findings In 2019, the age-standardised prevalence was 2·57% (uncertainty interval [UI] 2·28–2·86) for moderate vision impairment, 0·25% (0·22–0·29) for severe vision impairment, and 0·48% (0·43–0·54) for blindness in China, which were all below the global average, but the prevalence of moderate and severe vision impairment had increased more rapidly than in other G20 countries from 1990 to 2019. The prevalence of vision loss increased with age, and the main causes of vision loss varied across age groups. The leading causes of vision impairment in China were uncorrected refractive error, cataract, and macular degeneration in both 1990 and 2019 in the overall population. From 1990 to 2019, the number of people with moderate vision impairment increased by 133·67% (from 19·65 to 45·92 million), those with severe vision impairment increased by 147·14% (from 1·89 to 4·67 million), and those with blindness increased by 64·35% (from 5·29 to 8·69 million); in each case, 20·16% of the increase could be explained by population growth. The contributions to these changes by population ageing were 87·22% for moderate vision impairment, 116·06% for severe vision impairment, and 99·22% for blindness, and the contributions by age-specific prevalence were 26·29% for moderate vision impairment, 10·91% for severe vision impairment, and −55·04% for blindness. The prevalence and specific causes of vision loss differed across provinces. Interpretation Although a comprehensive national policy to prevent blindness is in place, public awareness of visual health needs improving, and reducing the prevalence of moderate and severe vision impairment should be prioritised in future work. Funding China National Key Research and Development Programme and Beijing Municipal Special Funds for Medical Research on Public Welfare Development and Reform.

PURPOSE To analyze anatomical factors contributing to angle closure based on anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) imaging. METHODS A total of 238 patients with angle closure and 1122 normal controls were consecutively recruited for this study. Participants' eyes were imaged using AS-OCT under the same darkened ambient light conditions. The following parameters were analyzed: central anterior chamber depth (ACD); anterior chamber area (ACA); anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber width (ACW); corneal diameter (CD); posterior cornea curvature (PCC); anterior cornea curvature (ACC); maximum iris thickness (ITM); iris thickness at 750 um (IT750) and 2000 um (IT2000) from the scleral spur; iris curvature (IC); iris area (IA); lens vault (LV); angle opening distance (AOD); trabecular iris space area at 500 um (TISA500) and 750 um (TISA750) from the scleral spur; angle recess area (ARA). Lasso regression models were used to detect the collinearity of parameters. The multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the independent association between angle closure and those parameters included in Lasso regression model. Also Factor analysis was performed to extract a few underlying factors (components) from these parameters. RESULTS Lasso regression showed that ACD, ACV, PCC, IT750, IT2000 and LV were screened in the model. The multivariable logistic regression indicated that ACV, PCC, IT750 and LV were significantly associated with angle closure. Factor analyses revealed that 4 factors, each with its closely associated clusters of variables, produced the best results: ACA, ACV and ACD (Factor 1); LV, tIC and nIC, (Factor 2); ACW, CD and PCC (Factor 3); and tITM, tIT2000, tIT750, nIT2000 and nIT750 (Factor 4). CONCLUSIONS Four separate mechanisms were showed to be involved in the pathogenesis of angle closure, from anterior chamber dimensions, lens, iris and cornea respectively. The parameters ACV, PCC, IT750, and LV are more predominant in determining angle closure.

We compare multifocal intraocular lenses (MFIOLs) to monofocal IOLs for visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity, and adverse events using data from 21 randomized controlled trials with 2951 subjects. There was no statistical difference between uncorrected distance VA and corrected distance VA. Compared with monofocal IOLs, MFIOLs showed a better performance on uncorrected intermediate VA measured at 60 cm and uncorrected near VA; the mean differences were -0.06 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.10, -0.03) and -0.13 (95% CI: -0.20, -0.07). Distance-corrected intermediate VA and distance-corrected near VA were measured wearing distance correction. MFIOLs performed better than monofocal IOLs on distance-corrected intermediate VA at 60 cm and distance-corrected near VA; the mean differences were -0.09 (95% CI: -0.12, -0.06) and -0.31 (95% CI: -0.43, -0.19). The contrast sensitivity of the MFIOL group was lower than that of the monofocal IOL group; mean difference was -0.06 (95% CI: -0.11, -0.02). More patients were spectacle free in the MFIOL group; the risk ratio was 2.86 (95% CI: 1.73, 4.73). More patients were troubled by glare and halos in the MFIOL group; the risk ratios were 1.91 (95% CI: 1.24, 2.95) and 3.08 (95% CI: 2.11, 4.49). We conclude that, compared with monofocal IOLs, MFIOLs give patients better near vision and intermediate vision at 60 cm, both corrected and uncorrected. Patients undergoing MFIOLs implantation are more likely to be spectacle free but have a higher risk of glare, halos, and lower contrast sensitivity.

Background: To assess the prevalence and demographics of lower eyelid epiblepharon in Chinese preschool children and to evaluate its association with refractive errors. Methods: In this population-based, cross-sectional study, a total of 3170 children aged 3 to 6 years from Beijing, China underwent examinations including weight, height, cycloplegic autorefraction and slit-lamp examination of external eyes. The prevalence of lower eyelid epiblepharon in preschool children was evaluated and its association with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and refractive errors was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of lower eyelid epiblepharon was 26.2%, which decreased with age, with prevalence in 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-year-olds of 30.6, 28.0, 15.0, and 14.3%, respectively. Boys had a higher risk of having epiblepharon than girls (OR = 1.41; 95%CI, (1.20–1.66)) and no significant correlation was detected between BMI and epiblepharon after adjusting for age and sex (p = 0.062). Epiblepharon was significantly associated with a higher risk of refractive errors, including astigmatism (OR = 3.41; 95% CI, (2.68–4.33)), myopia (OR = 3.55; 95% CI, (1.86–6.76)), and hyperopia (OR = 1.53; 95% CI, (1.18–1.99)). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of lower eyelid epiblepharon in Chinese preschool children, particularly among boys and younger children. Preschoolers with lower eyelid epiblepharon are subject to a higher risk of developing astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia, than those without. Increased attention should be paid to this eyelid abnormality in the preschool population. Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Ministry of Education (MOE) Ministry of Health (MOH) National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Published version This study was supported by the Ministry of Education Singapore under its Academic Research Fund Tier 1 (2018-T1-001-144), Agency for Science,Technology and Research (A*STAR) under its Industrial Alignment Fund (Pre-positioning) (H17/01/a0/008), National Medical Research Council Singapore under its Open Fund - Individual Research Grant (MOH-OFIRG19may-0009), and Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University under its Hospital Fund (2017-C07). The Funding sponsors were not involved in the study design, data analysis, results interpretation, or manuscript writing.

This paper proposes a modified version of the standard search and matching model of the labour market that includes a shirking mechanism. We show that our model delivers a close match to the simulated volatilities, correlations and autocorrelations of unemployment, vacancies, labour market tightness and the job finding rate with values observed in US data. In doing so, it outperforms prominent alternative models. Our model also has novel policy implications for the impact of income taxes, subsidies on hiring and employment taxes on unemployment and its volatility.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the association between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the risk of 6-year death, as well as the association between visual impairment (VI) and the risk of 6-year death in a rural Chinese population of age ≥30 years. Methods: This was a population-based cohort study. In 2006–2007, 6,830 subjects aged ≥30 years were recruited from 13 villages in Northern China through clustered randomization. In 2012–2013, a 6-year follow-up was further done. Six different proportional hazards models, with different confounders adjusted, were used to explore the association between baseline DR and risk of death. Results: 5,570 subjects were included in this study by our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Four hundred and ten (7.36%) subjects died by follow-up. The median ages of the dead subjects and survived subjects were 67 (interquartile range [IQR]: 58–72) years and 52 (IQR: 42–58) years (Z = 21.979, p < 0.001). Male accounted for 62.20 and 44.92% among the dead and survived subjects (χ2 = 45.591, p < 0.001). Besides, compared with those survived, the dead were found to be with lower education (χ2 = 109.981, p < 0.001), lower marriage rate (χ2 = 101.341, p < 0.001), lower income (χ2 = 123.763, p < 0.001), higher proportion of smoking (χ2 = 8.869, p = 0.003), higher systolic blood pressure (Z = 10.411, p < 0.001), lower body mass index (Z = −3.302, p = 0.001), larger spherical equivalent error (Z = 4.248, p < 0.001), lower intraocular pressure (Z = −4.912, p < 0.001), smaller anterior chamber depth (Z = −9.186, p < 0.001), larger length thickness (Z = 11.069, p < 0.001), higher fast blood glucose level (Z = 5.650, p < 0.001), higher total cholesterols (Z = 2.015, p = 0.044), higher low-density lipoprotein (Z = 2.024, p = 0.043), and higher proportion of drug usage (χ2 = 56.108, p < 0.001). Besides, the dead subjects were more likely to be with VI, glaucoma, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, and DR. Hundred and forty-eight subjects were diagnosed with DR at baseline, and 33 (22.30%) of them were dead before follow-up. By adjusting all relative confounders in a proportional hazards model, DR was found to be a risk factor of 6-year death, the hazard ratio was 1.739 (95% confidence intervals: 1.080, 2.803). Another 5 different statistical models with different confounders adjusted also revealed a statistically significant association between DR and 6-year death. The association between VI and 6-year death was not statistically significant. Conclusions: DR increased the risk of 6-year death in a rural Chinese population aged ≥30 years, while VI did not.

Purpose To explore the effectiveness and safety of vitrectomy for congenital cataract surgery. Methods We searched PubMed, Science Direct, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and the Wanfang Database. Two researchers extracted data and assessed paper quality independently. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) or visual axis opacification (VAO), reoperation rate, visual acuity, intraocular lenses (IOL) deposit, synechias, uveitis, secondary glaucoma, low‐contrast sensitivity and IOL decentration were compared. Results We included 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 634 congenital cataract eyes. Cases of posterior capsule opacification in vitrectomy group were significantly less than that of control group, with risk ratio (RR) of 0.15 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09, 0.26], and there was no heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.94). Reoperation rate in vitrectomy group was lower than that of control group either (RR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.17, 0.94), and there was no heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.85). Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured in LogMAR unit of vitrectomy group was smaller, with a mean difference (MD) of −0.17 (95%CI: −0.28, −0.05), and I 2 was only 22%, indicating of a small heterogeneity. No statistical difference was found between two groups on IOL deposit (RR = 1.23, 95%CI: 0.70, 2.17), and the heterogeneity was small (I 2 = 16%, p = 0.31). No statistical difference was found between two groups on synechias (RR = 1.08, 95%CI: 0.60, 1.94), with a quite small heterogeneity (I 2 = 3%, p = 0.38). No statistical difference was found between two groups on uveitis (RR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.15, 2.01), and there was no heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.94). There was no statistical difference on IOP either, with a MD of 0.25 (95%CI: −1.56, 2.07), and there was no heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%). Egger's test showed that there was no publication bias for all assessed outcomes. Low‐contrast sensitivity was better in the vitrectomy group. And no evidence indicated vitrectomy could lead to a higher risk on secondary glaucoma or IOL decentration. Conclusion Vitrectomy helps lower the PCO risk and reoperation risk after congenital cataract surgery, and also, vitrectomy helps patients gain a better BCVA and achieve a better low‐contrast sensitivity, with no trade‐off on IOP control, IOL deposit, synechias, uveitis and secondary glaucoma. We recommend performing vitrectomy during congenital cataract surgery.

his paper puts Search Frictions models under novel empirical scrutiny and tests their ability to match empirical observations. To capture changing dynamics, we fit an extended Bayesian time-varying parameter VAR to US labour market data from 1962--2016. Our results show significant and important parameter change that is difficult to explain using standard theoretical models. We find that the key transmission mechanism in the Search Frictions model, a strong response of vacancies to productivity shocks, is not present in the data. This raises issues for the extensive debate on unemployment volatility. Our analysis uncovers that a shock to the cost of vacancy creation contributes substantially to the variation in labour market variables; and that these results hold for more sophisticated New Keynesian DSGE models.

In order to understand the fire hazard of combustible materials used in the China’s high-speed train, pyrolysis behaviors of four typical seat cushion materials, including seat cushion fabric for first-class seats (SCFI), seat cushion fabric for second-class seats (SCFII), seat cushion foam (SCFO) and fire resisting blanket (FRB), were investigated based on the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. TG experiments were conducted in wide heating rates from 5 to 40 K min−1 under nitrogen atmosphere, and kinetic parameters were estimated based on Kissinger method. Only one reaction appeared in the whole SCFI and SCFII pyrolysis process while two reactions for SCFO and FRB. All the materials can be fully decomposed when the temperature increases to 1060 K, except FRB, with more than 40% of the sample mass left in the crucible. What is more, the maximum mass loss rates of FRB at the three heating rates are much lower than that of the other three materials. Values of E a for the reaction of SCFI, SCFII, the first and second reaction of SCFO and the second reaction of FRB are roughly at the same level (189, 182, 206, 185 and 195 kJ mol−1, respectively). The first reaction of FRB has much lower values of E a and A, which shows that the first reaction of FRB is relatively easy to be triggered. But once it reacts, a slower reaction rate happens.

Enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) coupled with macroporous resin column chromatography (MRCC) was successfully used for the extraction and purification of cordycepin and adenosine from cultured Cordyceps militaris. After optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM), the extraction yields of cordycepin and adenosine were 86.45% and 70.06%, respectively. Subsequently, under the optimal separation conditions on NKA-II resins (loading 1 BV of extraction solution with pH 8.0, and eluting with 4 BVs of 70% ethanol at a flow rate of 3 BV/h), cordycepin (purity of 32.5%), and adenosine (purity of 39.9%) were obtained with an overall recovery rate more than 90%.

Background：To compare the clinical performance of bifocal and trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) in cataract surgery, a meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials was conducted. Methods: A comprehensive literature retrieval of PubMed, Science Direct and EMBASE was performed in this systematic review. Clinical outcomes included visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), spectacle independence, postoperative refraction and surgical satisfaction. Results: There were 8 RCTs included in this study. The difference of uncorrected near VA (UNVA) between the bifocal IOLs and trifocal IOLs had no clinical significance [MD=-0.01, 95%CI: (-0.02,0.00), p=0.97]. There was no difference for the distant-corrected near VA (DCNVA) with MD of 0.01[95%CI (-0.02, 0.05), p=0.86]. Compared with trifocal group, bifocal group showed a significantly worse uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) [MD=0.09,95%CI:(0.01,0.17), p＜0.01]. No difference was found in distance-corrected intermediate VA(DCIVA) [MD= 0.09, 95%CI: (-0.04, 0.23) , p＜0.01] between two groups. For the AT LISA group, the subgroup analysis also indicated the bifocal group had worse intermediate VA than trifocal group (AT LISA tri 839M) [MD= 0.18, 95%CI: (0.12, 0.24), p=0.35 for UIVA and MD= 0.19, 95%CI: (0.13, 0.25), p=0.21 for DCIVA]. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the uncorrected distance VA(UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) [MD=0.01, 95%CI: (-0.01,0.04), p=0.51 for UDVA; MD=0.00, 95%CI: (-0.01,0.01), p=0.94 for CDVA]. The postoperative refraction of bifocal group was similar to that of trifocal group [MD=-0.08, 95% CI: (-0.19, 0.03), p=0.51 for spherical equivalent; MD=-0.09, 95%CI: (-0.21, 0.03), p=0.78 for cylinder; MD=-0.09, 95% CI: (-0.27, 0.08), p=0.28 for sphere]. No difference was found for spectacle independence, Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) incidence and patient satisfaction between bifocal IOLs and trifocal IOLs. [RR=0.89, 95% CI: (0.71, 1.12), p=0.69 for spectacle independence; RR=0.81, 95% CI: (0.74, 1.15), p=0.65 for PCO; RR=0.98, 5% CI: (0.86, 1.12), p=0.97 for satisfaction]. Conclusion: Patients receiving trifocal IOLs have a better intermediate VA than bifocal IOLs, especially for the AT LISA subgroup. Near and distance visual performance, spectacle independence, postoperative refraction and surgical satisfaction of bifocal IOLs were similar to those of trifocal IOLs.

Appendix. Details of the search strategy of this meta-analysis. (DOCX 14 kb)

In this study, novel molecularly imprinted composite membranes (MICMs) for inducing crystallization of oleanolic acid (OA) in supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) have been described. The MICMs were synthesized by the UV initiated photo-copolymerization, with OA as a template molecule, copolymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker and polysulfone (PSF) ultrafiltration membranes as porous supports. The preparation conditions of OA–MICMs were optimized as follows: the molar ratio of OA, MAA and EGDMA 1 : 4 : 12, the amount of photoinitiator 1.5%, the concentration of OA 1 mmol L−1 and the elution time 6 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for the characterization of MICMs. The MICMs were used for inducing crystallization of OA in ScCO2. The purity and the crystallization rate of OA were 98.3% and 45.3%, respectively. Our work presents a new method to induce crystallization of OA in ScCO2 by using MICMs, with specific adsorption properties and capacities.

Basing on PYTHON coding, honeycomb floor static and dynamic strength simulation modular had been developed. Modular automatic analysing, database parallel saving and parametric modelling technique were introduced. By means of the modular, component-level actual loading test was simulated and results of test and simulation were compared. It was presented that result deviation between test and simulation was small and accuracy of the modular could be verified. References of related honeycomb floor design and simulation could be provided.

Basing on unite simulation method with INSPIRE and HYPERMESH, topological lightweight optimization on coach luggage rack bracket structure of China Standard EMU train had been executed. By comparing the simulation results with the test data, accuracy of the computational models had been verified. It was proved that the modified luggage rack bracket structure would have better mechanical performance and reach the goal of lightweight at the same time.

In the original version of the article, the order of funding program in the acknowledgement section was published incorrectly.

The existing literature often incorporates ad-hoc models of exogenous real wage rigidity into search frictions models of the labour market in order to match the large volatility of unemployment observed in the data. In this paper, we develop an alternative version of the search frictions model that incorporates insights from behavioural economics. We derive a model in which endogenous real wage rigidity emerges from optimal wage-setting and show that this model can match the observed volatility of unemployment. Thus our proposed model can match the data as closely as the existing literature but without the disadvantage of assumingexogenous and ad hoc forms of real wage rigidity.

BACKGROUND To determine the magnitude of uncontrolled hypertension and smoking among patients visiting an eye clinic, and ascertain if referral to care providers is effective. METHODS Information on smoking status and blood pressure (BP) was collected among patients ≥18 years visiting an eye clinic. Those with high BP (systolic: ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic: ≥90 mm Hg) received a pamphlet on harms of hypertension on vision and were referred to a primary care physician. Smokers received a pamphlet on negative effects of smoking on vision and were offered referral to a tobacco quitline. Patients were followed up for referral outcome within 10 weeks from screening. RESULTS Screening: A total of participants screened included 140 (29.5%) with high BP and 31 (6.6%) current smokers. In the high BP group, 92 (66%) subjects were previously diagnosed with hypertension. Follow-up: Of the 140 participants with elevated BP, 84 (60%) responded to follow-up. Among these 84 participants, 57 (67.9%) had consulted primary care, of whom 5 (8.8%) reported being newly diagnosed with hypertension, and 11 (19.3%) reported a change in their antihypertensive prescription. Among the 31 smokers, 24 (77.4%) were willing for quitline referral. Sixteen (66.7%) of these patients responded to follow-up, 8 (50%) of whom reported participation in a smoking-cessation program with 1 patient (6.3%) successfully quitting smoking. CONCLUSIONS Nearly one-third of patients attending an eye clinic had elevated BP, and a smaller, but substantial, number of patients were current smokers. Eye clinics may serve as point for identification and referral of these patients with unmet needs.

BACKGROUND Recent studies showed that increased fresh fruit consumption is significantly associated with lower risks of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD); other studies suggested that albuminuria is associated with diabetes, hypertension, and CVD. Therefore, we hypothesized that lower fresh fruit consumption is associated with higher risk of incident albuminuria among Chinese adults in rural areas, where fresh fruit consumption level is very low and prevalence of albuminuria is high. METHODS We tested the hypothesis in a village-based cohort study of 3574 participants aged ≥ 30 years from the Handan Eye Study conducted from 2006 to 2013. Albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g. RESULTS Overall, 35.4% of the participants never or rarely consumed fresh fruits, and 33.9, 21.6, and 9.1% consumed fresh fruits 1-3 times/month, 1-2 times/week, and ≥ 3 times/week, respectively. During a median follow-up period of 5.6 years, albuminuria developed in 17.6% (n = 629) of the participants. Compared with participants who consumed fresh fruits ≥ 3 times/week, the multivariable adjustment odds ratios (ORs) for incident albuminuria associated with fruit consumption 1-2 times/week, 1-3 times/month, and no or rare consumption were 1.58 (95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.05-2.40), 1.74 (95% CI, 1.17-2.58), and 1.78 (95% CI, 1.20-2.64), respectively. After excluding participants with diabetes, the association remained significant. CONCLUSIONS Lower fresh fruit consumption was significantly associated with higher risk of incident albuminuria, and fresh fruit consumption frequency could be an essential intervention target to prevent albuminuria in rural China.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-fatigue activity of polysaccharide fractions from Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (AE) in mice. After crude polysaccharide (CAEP) was extracted from AE and purified by DEAE cellulose-52 column, two polysaccharide fractions (AEP-1 and AEP-2) were obtained. The structural analysis suggested that AEP-1 and AEP-2 were a RG-I polysaccharide and an AG-II polysaccharide, respectively. According to the results of the weight-loaded swimming test, compared with the negative control group, the CAEP, AEP-1 and AEP-2 treatment groups could prolong the swimming time, decrease serum urea nitrogen (SUN) and blood lactic acid (BLA), and increase hepatic glycogen (HG) and muscle glycogen (MG), which indicated that okra polysaccharides have an effective anti-fatigue activity. Furthermore, our study exhibited the anti-fatigue mechanism of okra polysaccharide was correlated with retarding the accumulation of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum, and enhancing succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) levels. In addition, the anti-fatigue activity of AEP-1 was stronger than that of AEP-2, and significantly better than that of CAEP. Therefore, AEP-1 and AEP-2 may be the main active anti-fatigue functional substances of AE.

This paper explores the decomposition of equilibrium unemployment into involuntary and frictional components using a model that combines efficiency wages with search and matching frictions in the labour market. In deriving our results we generalise the celebrated Solow Condition, expressing the wage as the sum of a pure efficiency wage component and a component that reflects search frictions. Using standard values of calibrated parameters, we find that the bulk of unemployment is involuntary

AimsTo assess the burden of vision loss due to eye disease in China between 1990 and 2015, and to predict the burden in 2020.MethodsData from the GBD 2015 (Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015) were used. The main outcome measures were prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) for vision loss due to cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, other vision loss, refraction and accommodation disorders and trachoma.ResultsPrevalence for eye diseases increased steadily from 1990 to 2015, and will increase until 2020. From 1990 to 2015, the most common eye disorder was refraction and accommodation disorders. From 1990 to 2015, the vision loss burden due to eye disease decreased for those aged 0–14 years, and increased for those aged 15 years and above, with the most notable increases occurring among those aged 50 years and above. China ranked 10th when comparing YLDs for vision loss due to eye disease with the other members of the G20 (Group of Twenty, an international forum for the governments from 20 major economies) . Age-standardised YLD rates for vision loss due to eye disease declined in all 19 countries, except for China. The burden from vision loss due to eye disease ranked 12th and 11th among all causes of health loss in China in 1990 and 2015, respectively.ConclusionAlone among major economies, China has experienced an increase in the burden of age-standardised vision loss from eye disease over the last two decades. In the future, China may expect a growing burden of vision loss due to population growth and ageing.

To assess the burden of vision loss due to eye disease in China between 1990 and 2015, and to predict the burden in 2020.Data from the GBD 2015 (Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015) were used. The main outcome measures were prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) for vision loss due to cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, other vision loss, refraction and accommodation disorders and trachoma.Prevalence for eye diseases increased steadily from 1990 to 2015, and will increase until 2020. From 1990 to 2015, the most common eye disorder was refraction and accommodation disorders. From 1990 to 2015, the vision loss burden due to eye disease decreased for those aged 0-14 years, and increased for those aged 15 years and above, with the most notable increases occurring among those aged 50 years and above. China ranked 10th when comparing YLDs for vision loss due to eye disease with the other members of the G20 (Group of Twenty, an international forum for the governments from 20 major economies) . Age-standardised YLD rates for vision loss due to eye disease declined in all 19 countries, except for China. The burden from vision loss due to eye disease ranked 12th and 11th among all causes of health loss in China in 1990 and 2015, respectively.Alone among major economies, China has experienced an increase in the burden of age-standardised vision loss from eye disease over the last two decades. In the future, China may expect a growing burden of vision loss due to population growth and ageing.

To explore the relationship between total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentration and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in the acute phase in a Chinese population.This was a matched case-control study, and participants were recruited between January 2008 and April 2012. The cohort included 68 consecutive patients with CRVO and 68 controls, matched for age and gender, aged 50 years and over. The total plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate levels and the presence of C677T MTHFR polymorphisms were analyzed in all patients and controls. Fasting venous blood samples were collected within three days after CRVO.There were no significant differences (p = 0.134) in mean plasma tHcy between CRVO patients (10.73 ± 3.21 µmol/l) and controls (9.99 ± 2.57 µmol/l), nor were there any statistically significant differences when subjects were categorized by ischemic and nonischemic CRVO. However, six patients (27.3%) in the ischemic group and three patients (6.5%) in the nonischemic group were found to have hyperhomocysteinemia (p = 0.018). There were no statistically significant differences in serum folate (p = 0.503) or vitamin B12 levels (p = 0.419) between CRVO patients (folate, 5.97 ± 2.06 ng/ml; vitamin B12, 411 ± 122 pg/ml) and controls (folate, 6.18 ± 1.42 ng/ml; vitamin B12, 427 ± 115 pg/ml). The prevalence of the homozygous genotype of the MTHFR C677T mutation was not significantly different in patients than in controls.We found no association between tHcy in the acute phase after CRVO and CRVO occurrence in a Chinese population, but hyperhomocysteinemia were associated with the development of CRVO.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of bilateral primary glaucoma on glaucoma-specific functioning in Asians. METHODS: Patients with bilateral primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) aged 40 years or above of Chinese ethnicity in Singapore were recruited. All underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment of glaucoma. Glaucoma was diagnosed with a standard criteria including optic disc abnormality and visual field defect. The Glaucoma Quality of Life-15, a glaucoma-specific questionnaire, was used to evaluate the impact of glaucoma, and Rasch analysis was used to validate the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients (mean±SD age, 65.73±17.6 y and 65.1% male) were recruited, of which 56.2% (n=108) and 43.8% (n=84) had POAG and PACG, respectively. Fifty-four (28.1%), 85 (44.3%), and 53 (27.6%) had bilateral mild glaucoma, mild glaucoma in 1 eye and moderate/severe glaucoma in the other, and bilateral moderate/severe glaucoma, respectively. In multivariate analyses, compared with patients with mild glaucoma in both eyes, those with (a) mild glaucoma in 1 eye and moderate/severe in other; and (b) moderate/severe glaucoma in both eyes, reported significantly poorer functioning (β-coefficient=-8.20; confidence interval, -14.36 to -2.04; P

Objetivos: oligoelementos como zinc (Zn), hierro (Fe) y cobre (Cu) tienen una influencia significativa en el mantenimiento de la función inmune y del metabolismo normales; modulan la función immune e influyen en la susceptibilidad del organismo ante infecciones. Pero la relación entre trazas de estos elementos y la bronconeumonía resultó incierta. Métodos: en este estudio fueron incluidos 28 niños con bronconeumonía y 46 niños sanos agrupados por edad. Se determinaron los niveles de Zn, Cu, Fe, calcio (Ca) y/o magnesio (Mg) en el suero de los niños con bronconeumonía y sin ella mediante espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. Resultados: los resultados muestran que varios niveles de microelementos como Zn, Ca, Mg y Fe en el grupo con bronconeumonía son menores que en el grupo control. En el grupo de niños con bronconeumonía el nivel de Ca en el suero está asociado positivamente con el zinc (Zn) (p0,05) y el hierro (Fe) (p0,05), mientras que hay una correlación positiva entre el cobre (Cu) y el calcio (Ca) (p0,05), magnesio (mg) (p0,05). Conclusión: el nivel de oligoelemento en el suero puede estar asociado con el riesgo de bronconeumonía entre los niños.

Objectives: Trace elements like Zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) have a significant influence in maintaining the normal metabolic, modulating immune function and influencing the susceptibility of the organism to infection. But the relationship between trace element and bronchopneumonia was unclear. Methods: In this study, 28 children with bronchopneumonia and 46 healthy age-matched children were recruited. Serum (Zn), Cu, Fe, calcium (Ca) and/or magnesium (Mg) levels in children with and without bronchopneumonia were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: The results show that several microelement levels such as Zn, Ca, Mg, and Fe in bronchopneumonia group are lower than in control group. In bronchopneumonia group, serum Ca level is positively associated with zinc (Zn) (p < 0.05) and iron (Fe) (p < 0.05), while there is a pronounced positive correlation between copper (Cu) and calcium (Ca) (p < 0.05), magnesium (Mg) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum trace element level may be associated with risk of bronchopneumonia among children. Objetivos: oligoelementos como zinc (Zn), hierro (Fe) y cobre (Cu) tienen una influencia significativa en el mantenimiento de la función inmune y del metabolismo normales; modulan la función immune e influyen en la susceptibilidad del organismo ante infecciones. Pero la relación entre trazas de estos elementos y la bronconeumonía resultó incierta. Métodos: en este estudio fueron incluidos 28 niños con bronconeumonía y 46 niños sanos agrupados por edad. Se determinaron los niveles de Zn, Cu, Fe, calcio (Ca) y/o magnesio (Mg) en el suero de los niños con bronconeumonía y sin ella mediante espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. Resultados: los resultados muestran que varios niveles de microelementos como Zn, Ca, Mg y Fe en el grupo con bronconeumonía son menores que en el grupo control. En el grupo de niños con bronconeumonía el nivel de Ca en el suero está asociado positivamente con el zinc (Zn) (p < 0,05) y el hierro (Fe) (p < 0,05), mientras que hay una correlación positiva entre el cobre (Cu) y el calcio (Ca) (p < 0,05), magnesio (mg) (p < 0,05). Conclusión: el nivel de oligoelemento en el suero puede estar asociado con el riesgo de bronconeumonía entre los niños.

PURPOSE To examine the diagnostic value of a modified dark room provocative test (DRPT) in detecting primary closure of the anterior chamber angle. METHODS The cross-sectional observational prospective clinical study included suspects of primary angle closure. Using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), we measured the anterior chamber angle configuration at room light and after 3 minutes of dark adaptation. Gonioscopy and Perkin's applanation tonometry were performed in room light conditions at baseline and after 1.5 hours of dark adaptation. The number of closed angle quadrants assessed on AS-OCT images and upon gonioscopy were recorded. The DRPT was positive, if intraocular pressure increased by ≥8 mm Hg after 1.5 hours of dark adaptation. RESULTS The study included 76 subjects (76 eyes). Among 32 (42%) eyes with a positive DRPT, the number of eyes with an increased number of closed angle quadrants was significantly higher for the OCT examination at 3 minutes of dark adaptation than for gonioscopy at 1.5 hours of dark adaptation [29 (91%) eyes vs 21 (66%) eyes; P=0.01]. Kappa statistics showed a moderate agreement between increased closed angle quadrants obtained both after 3 minutes of dark adaptation (κ=0.44; P

To study the associations between changes in pupil diameter and in the anterior chamber angle configuration during the dark room provocative test.The study included 70 suspects of primary angle closure (study group) and 40 normal participants (control group). Using anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), we measured the anterior chamber angle configuration and pupil diameter at 3 minutes and at 1.5 hours of dark adaptation.In the study group, the mean number of closed angle segments was significantly (P0.001) higher at 3 minutes of dark adaptation (3.9 ± 2.3) than at room light conditions (2.6 ± 2.2) or at 1.5 hours of dark adaptation (3.1 ± 2.1), with no statistically significant (P0.05) difference between the 2 latter values. In the study group, the pupil diameter was significantly associated with the number of closed angle segments at 3 minutes of dark adaptation (P0.01), but not at 1.5 hours of dark adaptation (P=0.13). Defined as an increased number of closed angle segments, the dark room test was positive in a significantly higher number of participants at 3 minutes than at 1.5 hours of dark adaptation [44 (63%) eyes vs. 31 (44%) eyes; P0.05]. Final interocular pressure was statistically better correlated with the angle configuration segments assessed at 3 minutes (correlation coefficient r2=0.33) than at 1.5 hours of dark adaptation (r2=0.21).After short-term dark adaptation of 3 minutes, the assessment of the anterior chamber angle configuration by AS-OCT is more reliable than as if carried out after a long-term dark adaptation and may be used to identify suspects of primary angle closure.

To investigate the relationship between quantitative iris parameters and angle closure disease. methods: Participants with angle closure were recruited prospectively from glaucoma clinics. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was performed under standardised dark conditions. Customised software was used on horizontal AS-OCT scans to measure iris thickness at 750emsp14;um (IT750) and 2000 um (IT2000) from the sclera spur, maximal iris thickness (ITM) and cross-sectional area of the iris (I-Area).167 Angle closure (consisting of 50 primary angle-closure (PAC), 73 primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) and 44 fellow eyes of acute PAC) and 1153 normal participants were examined. After adjusting for age, sex, pupil size and anterior chamber depth, mean IT750 (0.499 vs 0.451 mm, p0.001), IT2000 (0.543 vs 0.479 mm, p0.001), ITM (0.660 vs 0.602 mm, p0.001) and I-Area (1.645 vs 1.570 mm(2), p=0.014) were significantly greater in angle closure (combined groups) versus normal eyes. Multivariate adjusted odd ratios (OR) of each parameter for the angle closure as compared with normal eyes were: IT750 OR1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.7, p=0.032); IT2000 OR2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.8, p=0.006) and ITM OR2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.6, p=0.003), respectively, per 0.1 unit increase.Increased iris thickness is associated with angle closure.

Purpose To investigate the relationship between quantitative iris parameters (iris curvature [I-Curv], iris area [I-Area], and iris thickness) and the presence of narrow angles. Design Cross-sectional, community-based study. Participants We recruited 2047 subjects >50 years old without ophthalmic symptoms from a community clinic in Singapore. Methods All subjects underwent gonioscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) under dark conditions. An eye was considered to have narrow angles if the posterior pigmented trabecular meshwork was not visible for ≥180° on nonindentation gonioscopy with the eye in the primary position. Customized software was used on horizontal AS-OCT scans to measure I-Curv, I-Area, and iris thickness 750 μm (IT750) and 2000 μm (IT2000) from the scleral spur. The average of both temporal and nasal measured values of the right eye was used for analysis. Main Outcome Measures The association between iris parameters and narrow angles on gonioscopy. Results Iris parameters from 1465 eyes (71.6%) were available for analysis. Of these, 315 subjects (21.5%) had narrow angles. The mean I-Curv (0.366 vs 0.259 mm; P P P = 0.010) were greater in persons with than without narrow angles. After adjusting for age, gender, anterior chamber depth, axial length, and pupil size, the greater I-Curv, I-Area, IT750, and IT2000 were significantly associated with narrow angles (odds ratio [OR] 2.5 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–5.1; OR, 2.7 and 95% CI, 1.6–4.8; OR, 2.6 and 95% CI, 1.6–4.1; OR, 2.7 and 95% CI, 1.5–4.7, comparing 4th with 1st quartile for each parameter, respectively). In stratified analysis, women and subjects aged ≥60 years had stronger associations for most iris parameters with narrow angles than men and younger subjects. Conclusions Quantitative iris parameters (I-Curv, I-Area, and iris thickness) are independently associated with narrow angles, particularly in women and older subjects. These data provide further insights into the pathogenesis of angle closure in Singaporeans. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

To study changes in anterior segment morphology after laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in primary angle closure (PAC) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).LPI was performed on 15 consecutive primary angle closure patients (15 eyes). AS-OCT was used to record the morphology of the anterior segment before and after LPI. The central anterior chamber (AC) depth, the diameter of the pupil, the lens thickness, and the AC volume were measured. The peripheral AC depth and the configuration of iris were also observed qualitatively. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometer.The mean central AC depth was 1.939+/-0.228 and 1.970+/-0.235 mm before and after LPI, respectively, increasing by 1.6%, P=0.001. In all eyes but two, the central AC depth increased. The AC volume changed significantly after LPI (73.86+/-14.58 vs 84.14+/-17.45 microl, P0.001) and it increased in all eyes. The iris flattened and the peripheral AC deepened after LPI in all 15 eyes. The mean IOP was 17.8+/-3.3 and 15.9+/-3.1 mmHg before and after LPI, respectively, P=0.042. The changes of pupil diameter and lens thickness were not statistically significant.LPI leads not only to the increase of peripheral anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber volume but also to an increase of central anterior chamber depth in eyes with primary angle closure.

AIM To study the association between the insertion location of iris root and narrow angle. METHODS This was a prospective observational study. A total of 142 eyes of 142 subjects were recruited, including 78 with narrow angles and 64 normals. All participants underwent ultrasound biomicroscopy and customized software was used to quantitatively analyze the images. An eye was considered to have narrow angle if there was iridotrabecular contact for at least 180 degrees on nonindentation gonioscopy in the primary position. The difference in various parameters between subjects with narrow angle and normal controls were analyzed. The association between the distance from the iris root to scleral spur (IrisD) and angle open distance was also analyzed. RESULTS Significant differences between narrow angle and normal eyes were found for anterior chamber depth (ACD, 2.01±0.26 vs. 2.66±0.34 mm, P≤0.001), anterior chamber width (ACW, 10.96±0.45 vs. 11.19±0.39 mm, P=0.003), IrisD (0.083±0.091 vs. 0.174±0.094 mm, P

This study aims to ascertain whether cytokines in the aqueous humor can predict macular edema (ME) in diabetic patients following uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Undiluted aqueous humor samples were obtained from 136 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients who underwent cataract surgery. The concentrations of 27 cytokines were measured in aqueous humor using the multiplex bead immunoassay. At the final follow-up examination, 116 patients completed 4 weeks of follow-up, and the incidence of macular edema was 29.31% (34 patients) 4 weeks after cataract surgery. Compared to the ME (−) patients, the concentrations of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) (P<0.001), IL-6 (P<0.001), IL-8 (P<0.001), interferon-induced protein-10 (IP-10) (P=0.003), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) (P<0.001), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (P<0.001) in the ME (+) patients were significantly higher. In addition, the aqueous levels of IL-1β(r=0.288), IL-6 (r=0.345), IL-8 (r=0.256), IP-10 (r=0.377), MCP-1 (r=0.423), and VEGF (r=0.279) were positively correlated with the postoperative foveal center point thickness (FCPT). However, the aqueous levels of IL-10 (P=0.003) and IL-12 (P=0.017) were significantly lower in patients with ME. These results suggest IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IP-10, MCP-1, and VEGF may be potential predictors of postoperative macular thickness in patients with diabetes following uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Purpose Retinal microglia can be activated by retinal neuronal monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and play a pivotal role in early retinal degeneration. The current study investigates the pathways via which retinal neuronal MCP-1 stimulates tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in rat microglia. Methods Primary rat retinal neurons and microglia were separated and cocultured in a Transwell apparatus. The levels of TNF-α mRNA and soluble TNF-α produced by the microglia in response to advanced glycation end product (AGE)-induced retinal neuronal MCP-1 were measured with real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ability of neuronal MCP-1 to stimulate microglia activation was examined by preexposing the retinal neurons to AGEs and an MCP-1 antibody or by pretreating microglia with AGEs and siRNA specific for CC-chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) knockdowns. Additionally, we investigated the effects of microglial activation on neuronal MCP-1-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Results Stimulation with AGEs significantly increased the expression of TNF-α mRNA and soluble TNF-α in the microglial cells. Retinal neurons that had been pretreated with AGEs and an MCP-1 antibody or microglia that were CCR2 knockdowns displayed greatly reduced TNF-α secretion. Using signaling pathway-specific inhibitors, we showed that blocking the p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and NF-κB signaling pathways significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α by retinal neuronal MCP-1-stimulated microglia. Conclusions This study indicates that TNF-α was released from the activated microglia induced by retinal neuronal MCP-1 via the p38, ERK, and NF-κB pathways, but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which may be an important finding in diabetic retinopathy pathogenesis.

Purpose To compare the changes in the levels of 27 aqueous humor cytokines between nondiabetic controls and patients with type 2 diabetes and to ascertain the association of these cytokines with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods Undiluted aqueous humor samples were obtained from 102 nondiabetic patients (102 eyes) and 136 consecutive diabetic patients (136 eyes) who were divided into nine groups according to the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study severity scale. The concentrations of 27 cytokines in the aqueous humor samples were measured using a multiplex bead immunoassay. Results Compared with the nondiabetic controls, the diabetic patients had significantly higher concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β; p

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracameral triamcinolone acetonide in phacotrabeculectomy. Setting Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. Design Prospective randomized controlled trial. Methods Patients having combined trabeculectomy and cataract surgery were enrolled from March 2010 through January 2012. The patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. At the conclusion of the surgery, Group A received intracameral triamcinolone acetonide 0.5 mg, Group B received triamcinolone acetonide 1.0 mg, Group C received triamcinolone acetonide 2.0 mg. Group D was the control group and did not receive triamcinolone acetonide. All patients had a conventional 2-side trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification with foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Visual acuity and clinical indexes of anterior segment inflammation were assessed 1, 7, 14, and 28 days postoperatively. Results One hundred twenty-six eyes of 126 patients with a mean age of 64.09 years ± 8.22 (SD) were enrolled. The eyes treated with triamcinolone acetonide had better visual acuity and less anterior chamber inflammation than the control eyes. Intracameral triamcinolone acetonide was highly effective in controlling postoperative inflammation in phacotrabeculectomy, and triamcinolone acetonide 1.0 mg provided the best postoperative result. Conclusion Intracameral injection of triamcinolone acetonide in phacotrabeculectomy resulted in a significant reduction in aqueous inflammation and improvement in visual acuity. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PURPOSE We evaluated dynamic changes in anterior segment morphology during the Valsalva maneuver with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). METHODS For this prospective observational study, a group of patients with narrow angles and a group of normal subjects were recruited. The anterior segment of subjects was imaged and analyzed quantitatively using UBM before and during the Valsalva maneuver. Changes in anterior segment parameters from baseline and during the Valsalva maneuver, and the differences in parameters between the narrow angle and control groups were analyzed. RESULTS Of 151 subjects recruited for the study, 68 (45.0%) were men and 83 (54.9%) had narrow angles. For the overall group, during Valsalva maneuver, the subjects' central anterior chamber depth (ACD) became shallower (from 2.286-2.262 mm, P < 0.001), and the anterior chamber angle became narrower (from 14.673-13.370 degrees, P = 0.004), the angle opening distance became smaller (from 0.158-0.140 mm, P = 0.014), and the peripheral iris thickness became thicker (from 0.494-0.508 mm, P = 0.041), while the central iris thickness did not change. Compared to normal controls, narrow angle subjects had shallower ACD and thicker iris at baseline, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in dynamic changes in the anterior segment after the Valsalva maneuver. CONCLUSIONS The Valsalva maneuver, performed frequently in daily activities, can lead to significant narrowing of the angles in subjects with open and narrow angles. This factor may be important in eyes at risk for angle closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE To clarify the risk parameters measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for elevated intraocular pressures (IOP) provoked by the darkroom test and to provide recommendations for its clinical usage. METHODS Subjects aged >40 years and whose peripheral anterior chambers were ≤1/4 corneal thickness were recruited. The anterior segment of the eye was imaged in sitting position and under both light and dark conditions and biometry was performed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. The analyzed parameters were: (1) central anterior chamber depth (ACD); (2) anterior chamber width; (3) pupil diameter; (4) iris curvature; (5) lens thickness; and (6) number of meridians with closed angles (NCA). Then the darkroom test was performed and a positive provocative test result was defined as a rise in IOP ≥8 mm Hg after the test. Statistical analyses included: (1) the difference in parameters between positive and negative eyes; (2) the association between posttest IOP and the parameters; and (3) the difference in parameters between the 2 eyes in subjects with the asymmetric results. RESULTS A total of 70 subjects were recruited. ACD (P=0.022), NCA in light (P

Anterior chamber volume (ACV) is very important for an oculist to make rational pathological diagnosis as to patients who have some optic diseases such as glaucoma and etc., yet it is always difficult to be measured accurately. In this paper, a method is devised to measure anterior chamber volumes based on JPEG-formatted image files that have been transformed from medical images using the anterior-chamber optical coherence tomographer (AC-OCT) and corresponding image-processing software. The corresponding algorithms for image analysis and ACV calculation are implemented in VC++ and a series of anterior chamber images of typical patients are analyzed, while anterior chamber volumes are calculated and are verified that they are in accord with clinical observation. It shows that the measurement method is effective and feasible and it has potential to improve accuracy of ACV calculation. Meanwhile, some measures should be taken to simplify the handcraft preprocess working as to images.