Published papers

Purpose of review: Recently, functional visual acuity (FVA) measurement has been reported to be an important method of determining 'masked impairment of visual function' and assessing visual acuity in detail. This review discusses a new continuous FVA measurement system for the assessment of visual performance and introduces the application of FVA measurement in cataract and intraocular lens implantation. Recent findings: The FVA was first developed to detect impaired visual function for daily activities in dry eye syndrome. The usefulness of this new methodology has been described in patients with tear instability, undergoing laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis surgery, with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Sjögren syndrome and mild cataract opacities. The microstructure of the lenticular opacities is highly variable (nucleus sclerosis and/or posterior capsular cataract and/or cortical opacity) causing a combination of different effects on the incident light rays that can be refracted, reflected, absorbed or scattered. In some cases, patients have a good visual acuity but may complain of disturbances in vision quality. We reported the improvement of FVA after cataract surgery in patients with mild cataracts and visual symptomatology despite a good preoperative and postoperative conventional visual acuity. To detect visual impairment due to cataract, measurement of FVA was useful in the evaluation of vision quality and changes in kinetic vision after phacoemulsification surgery. Summary: FVA measurement is an effective and noninvasive test that reflects the complaints of blurring/glare and postoperative satisfaction in patients with mild cataract. © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health.

Purpose: To evaluate the irregularity of the anterior and posterior cornea after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Methods: This clinical study comprised 39 eyes: 13 consecutive eyes after DSAEK, 13 consecutive eyes after PK, and 13 age-matched normal eyes. Corneal elevation data were acquired using a rotating Scheimpflug camera 1 and 3 months after DSAEK and PK. Anterior and posterior corneal elevation data were decomposed into a set of Zernike polynomials up to eighth order. Total higher-order root mean square (RMS) and RMS from third to eighth order were calculated. The astigmatism and irregularity of the anterior and posterior surfaces were compared between DSAEK and PK. Results: The regular astigmatism and tilt components of the anterior surface were significantly lower after DSAEK than after PK at 1 and 3 months (P < 0.001), whereas there was no difference in astigmatism of the posterior surface between the groups (P = 0.07, 0.22). The higher-order RMS and RMSs of third- to eighth-order components of the anterior surface were significantly larger after PK than those after DSAEK at 1 and 3 months (P < 0.01), whereas there were no significant differences between DSAEK and PK in higher-order aberration RMS and RMSs of third- to eighth-order components of the posterior surface. Conclusions: Postoperative corneal irregularity of the anterior surface was greater after PK than after DSAEK, whereas there was no significant difference in posterior surface irregularity. DSAEK is superior to PK in terms of the higher-order irregularity of the anterior surface. Copyright © 2010 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of a biconvex accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) to restore near visual performance. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Methods: This 4-year study comprised eyes that had cataract surgery with implantation of a 1CU accommodating IOL. At all postoperative visits, the following were assessed: subjective spherical equivalent (SE) refraction; uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities; uncorrected (UNVA), distance-corrected (DCNVA), and corrected (CNVA) near visual acuities; change in minimum additional (add) power (diopters) to attain CNVA; and accommodation amplitude. A questionnaire was administered at the last visit. Results: Twelve eyes of 8 cataract patients (mean age 59.0 years ± 18.4 [SD]) were evaluated. Postoperatively, the mean SE at 1 year and 4 years was significantly more hyperopic than at 1 month (P<.05). The mean UDVA increased significantly at 4 years compared with 1 month (P<.05). There were no significant changes in CDVA, UNVA, CNVA, and DCNVA throughout the follow-up period. The change in the minimum add power to attain CNVA and in the subjective and objective accommodation amplitudes also did not change significantly over time. Eighty-three percent of patients reported being satisfied with the results. Conclusion: Four years after implantation of an accommodating IOL, most patients had good vision and were satisfied, although the accommodation amplitude for near vision was not sufficient throughout the follow-up. Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. © 2010 ASCRS and ESCRS.

PURPOSE: The aims of our study were to investigate whether laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to identify factors that affect postoperative HRQoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 213 Japanese patients who underwent primary LASIK were analyzed in this study. The average age of patients was 35.0+/-9.4 years. The subjects were asked to answer questions regarding subjective quality of vision, satisfaction, and quality of life (using the Japanese version of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Version 2) at three time points: before LASIK, 1 month after LASIK, and 6 months after LASIK. Longitudinal changes over 6 months in the outputs of mental component summary (MCS) score and the physical component summary (PCS) score from the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Version 2 questionnaire were compared between time points using a linear mixed-effects model. Delta MCS and PCS were calculated by subtracting the postoperative score (1 month after LASIK) from the preoperative score. Preoperative and postoperative factors associated with a change in the MCS score or PCS score were evaluated via a linear regression model. RESULTS: The preoperative MCS score was 51.0+/-9.4 and increased to 52.0+/-9.8 and 51.5+/-9.6 at 1 month and 6 months after LASIK, respectively, and the trend for the change from baseline in MCS through 6 months was significant (P=0.03). PCS score did not change following LASIK. Delta MCS was significantly negatively associated with preoperative spherical equivalent, axial length, and postoperative quality of vision, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Mental HRQoL is not lost with LASIK, and LASIK may improve mental HRQoL. Preoperative axial length may predict postoperative mental HRQoL.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate sleep quality in myopic children and adults. This cross sectional study surveyed 486 participants aged from 10 to 59 years with refractive errors using a questionnaire containing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Children (< 20 years) in the high myopia group exhibited the poorest PSQI scores (P < 0.01), while the adults showed no such correlations. Subscales of PSQI and HADS in children disclosed that the high myopia groups had the shortest sleep duration (P < 0.01), worst subjective sleep scores (P < 0.001), and latest bedtime (P < 0.05). Regression analyses in children significantly correlated myopic errors with PSQI (P < 0.05), sleep duration (P < 0.01), and bedtime (P < 0.01). Sleep efficacy (P < 0.05) and daytime dysfunction (P < 0.05) were significantly better in contact-lens users compared to the respective non-user groups across all participants. In conclusion, sleep quality in children was significantly correlated with myopic error, with the high myopia group worst affected.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate sleep and mood disorders and related ocular parameters in glaucoma patients. We focused on visual fields and the retinal nerve fibre layer, because decreased circadian photoreception by damaged intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells is suspected in glaucoma. A cross-sectional study was performed on 140 subjects: 69 with glaucoma and 71 normal controls. Individuals with cataract, dry eye, or retinal pathology were excluded from the study. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and underwent comprehensive ophthalmological examinations for glaucoma. Patients with advanced glaucoma had significantly worse PSQI scores than normal controls (P <0.05). Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis revealed PSQI was significantly correlated with the mean deviation in the worse eye, the number and frequency of medications, and anxiety and depression subscores of the HADS after adjustment for age and sex (P <0.05). We did not find a significant correlation between PSQI scores and the thickness of retinal nerve fibre layer. In conclusion, the subjective sleep quality of glaucoma patients was correlated with visual field loss and mood status.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy on the visual function in patients with posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and good visual acuity. Setting Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Design Observational case series. Methods Eyes were evaluated that had previous cataract surgery with a clinical diagnosis of PCO requiring Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy regardless of a good corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (at least 20/20). The CDVA, 10% low contrast visual acuity (LCVA), wavefront aberrations from the 3rd to 6th order, and retinal straylight were measured before and after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. Results The study included 16 eyes of 16 patients (10 men, 6 women; mean age 69.5 years ± 9.3 [SD]). The mean CDVA, LCVA, and straylight after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy improved significantly (P <.05). The root mean square (RMS) of the 3rd Zernike coefficients (S3) and the RMS of the total higher-order aberrations (HOAs) from the 3rd to 6th order decreased significantly after capsulotomy (P <.05). The straylight correlated significantly with the total HOAs (r = 0.727, P = .002) and S3 (r = 0.748, P = .001) before capsulotomy. Subjective symptoms resolved after capsulotomy in all cases. Conclusions Neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy enabled a significant improvement in visual function even in patients with PCO with good visual acuity. Straylight measurements might be useful to determine the indications for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy when patients report visual disturbances without decreased visual acuity.

Purpose: To evaluate visual function in patients with early presbyopia using the functional visual acuity (FVA) test. Methods: This study included 27 eyes of 27 healthy older volunteers (mean age, 44.1 ± 2.6 years) and 14 eyes of 14 healthy young volunteers (mean age, 28.4±4.8 years). The distance-corrected visual acuity (DCVA), distance-corrected near VA (DCNVA), subjective amplitude of accommodation (AA), and distance and near pupillary diameters were measured. The distance FVA and distance-corrected near FVA (DCNFVA) were measured using the FVA Measurement System. The standard Schirmer test and standard tear break-up time measurement also were performed. Results: The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) DCVA was better than 0 in all subjects. The percentages of subjects with logMAR DCNVA below 0 was significantly lower in the presbyopia group than in the young group. The DCNFVA in the presbyopia group was significantly (P <0.001) poorer than the DCNVA in that group. Significant linear negative correlations were seen between the DCNVA and AA (r = -0.507, P <0.001) and the DCNFVA and AA (r = -0.681, P <0.001) in the older subjects. Stepwise regression analysis showed that only the AA was a significant factor predictive of the DCNFVA in the presbyopia group. Tear function parameters were not adopted in the regression model. Conclusions: Measurement of the DCNFVA can detect decreased AA in early presbyopia better than measurement of the conventional near VA. The DCNFVA is a good index for early presbyopia.

Background: This study compared post-operative quality of life and sleep according to the type of cataract opacity and color of the implanted intra-ocular lens (IOL). Methods: This is a cohort study and participants were 206 patients (average age 74.1 years) undergoing cataract surgery with the implantation of a clear ultra-violet (UV)-blocking IOL (C) or a yellow blue-light-blocking IOL (Y). Participants were evaluated using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before surgery and 2 and 7 months after surgery. Changes in sub-scale scores of VFQ-25 and PSQI were compared. Results: Sub-scale analyses for improvement after surgery revealed significant differences in ocular pain scores on the VFQ-25 (Y>C; the higher the score, the better the outcome). Furthermore, there were significant differences between the two IOLs in terms of the sleep latency score (C>Y) and sleep disturbances score (C>Y). A posterior sub-capsular cataract was significantly correlated with improvements in ocular pain and sleep latency scores. These effects were successfully represented by the change in scores rather than absolute post-operative scores because individual standard of response may often change after intervention, recognized as a response shift phenomenon in patient-reported outcome study. Regarding seasonal differences, patients who had surgery in summer exhibited relatively better sleep quality than those who had surgery in winter. Conclusions: Analysis of sub-scales of health indices demonstrated characteristic prognoses for each IOL and cataract type. Cataract surgery may potentially contribute to systemic health in older adults.

Copyright 2019, SLACK Incorporated. PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations using ray tracing software in patients who had undergone phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). METHODS: In this retrospective case series, 37 eyes of 22 patients (mean age: 69.4 years; range: 56 to 85 years) who underwent cataract surgery after PTK were reviewed. The prediction error, defined as the difference between the estimated postoperative spherical equivalent and the postoperative manifest refraction at the spectacle plane, was calculated using the following formulas: OKULIX (Tedics, Dortmund, Germany), PhacoOptics (IOL Innovations ApS, Aarhus, Denmark), Barrett True K No History (NH), and Camellin-Calossi. The PhacoOptics formula was used in three different ways: historical method (H), no history method (NH), and C-constant method (C). The median values of the arithmetic and absolute prediction errors among these six IOL calculation methods were compared. RESULTS: The median arithmetic errors (in diopters [D]) and percentages of eyes within ±0.50 D of the absolute errors were as follows: OKULIX (0.33, range: -2.20 to 2.50, 30.6%), PhacoOptics (H) (-0.12, range: -3.28 to 4.85, 22.2%), PhacoOptics (NH) (-0.25, range: -2.08 to 1.70, 48.4%), PhacoOptics (C) (0.04, range: -1.40 to 2.18, 48.5%), Barrett True K (NH) (-0.35, range: -1.90 to 1.89, 48.6%), and Camellin-Calossi (-0.19, range: -1.78 to 1.47, 59.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The PhacoOptics, especially the C-constant method (C), and Camellin-Calossi formulas were good options for calculating IOL powers in eyes that underwent PTK. [J Refract Surg. 2019;35(5):310-316.].

© 2019 Ayaki et al. Purpose Tear secretion is critical for maintenance of healthy ocular surface and vision. Most of normal subjects and dry eye patients feel worsening of ocular dryness in the afternoon, however, diurnal variation of tear meniscus volume has not been directly measured because there was no appropriate method. We used a simple, non-invasive technique, tear strip meniscometry (SM) by self-examination. Previous investigations indicated the values of SM correlated strongly with those of the Schirmer test, tests of tear break up time, and tear meniscus height measurement by anterior optical coherence tomography. The purpose of this study was to capture diurnal variation of aqueous availability at the tear meniscus by measuring wetted length using SM through self-examination. Methods Thirty-six medical personnel (mean age; 35.7 years) participated and SM self-examination was performed using a mirror seven times a day. The strip is applied for 5 seconds to the lateral side of the lower lid tear meniscus without touching the ocular surface. Results The measured SM value was the highest upon awakening (4.44 ± 3.14 mm) and gradually decreased in the evening; 3.81 ± 3.12 at 9:00, 3.31 ± 2.72∗ at 12:00, 2.89 ± 1.88∗ at 15:00, 2.92 ± 1.87∗ at 18:00, 2.78 ± 1.85∗ at 21:00, and 2.89 ± 1.75∗ at bedtime with statistical significance compared to the value upon awakening (∗P < 0.05, Dunnett's multiple comparison test). Proportion of number of subjects with low SM value (< 4 mm) to total number of subjects was 52.8% upon awakening and 83.3% at 21:00, and gradually increased toward evening. Conclusion Our results could identify diurnal variation of tear meniscus volume in the general population.

Purpose To assess the effect of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on near visual function in presbyopic patients. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Fifty-three eyes of 40 patients 45 years of age and older who had undergone LASIK for high myopia (-6 diopters [D] and over) were included. The minimal add powers for obtaining the best-corrected near visual acuity (add powers) were measured preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, and the correlations with the powers corrected by LASIK, corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs), ocular HOAs, and patient ages were evaluated using univariate analysis. Factors correlated with the changes in add powers were evaluated further by multivariate analysis. Results The mean ± standard deviation patient age was 50.0 ± 4.1 years; the power corrected by LASIK was -7.56 ± 1.06 D. The mean add power was 1.80 ± 0.60 D preoperatively, which increased significantly (P <.001) to 2.18 ± 0.69 D postoperatively. Significant correlations with the increased add powers were detected with age (P =.01) and the power corrected by LASIK (P =.04) but not with corneal and ocular HOAs (P >.05). Multivariate analysis showed that only age was correlated significantly (P =.01). The percentage of eyes with increased add powers of 0.5 D or more was 60.4%, which was significantly (P =.02) higher in younger patients. Conclusions This study verified the apparent progression of presbyopia after LASIK and the importance of obtaining informed consent from patients, especially those with early presbyopia. © 2014 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PURPOSE: To investigate conventional visual acuity (VA) and changes therein over time in older drivers. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: One hundred twenty-four drivers (41 younger drivers aged 21-39 years, 40 middle-aged drivers aged 40-59 years, and 43 older drivers aged 60-77 years) who consented to undergo conventional and functional VA testing, perform the Trail Making Test B, and complete a questionnaire on visual performance while driving at an expressway rest stop in Ashigara, Japan, were studied. RESULTS: The overall proportion of the study subjects with a decimal bilateral VA less than 0.7, the Japanese threshold score for obtaining and renewing a driver's license, was 10%. The number of the subjects with decimal functional VA scores and minimum VA scores less than 0.7 was significantly higher in the older group than in the younger group (P < 0.05), although the conventional VA scores did not differ significantly between the older and younger groups (P = 0.621). The Trail Making Test B scores were significantly higher in the older group than in the younger and middle-aged groups (P < 0.05). The total score of the "visual performance during driving at night" category correlated significantly with the logMAR functional VA and logMAR minimum VA (P < 0.05) but not the logMAR VA. CONCLUSIONS: Older drivers might experience decreased functional VA and increased frequency of transient decreases in VA while driving. The functional VA test might capture visual impairment among older drivers that went undetected by the conventional VA test.

Purpose: To propose the central-peripheral (C-P) method, which requires no data history to calculate intraocular lens (IOL) powers for eyes that underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and compare the accuracy of the C-P method with other IOL formulas for eyes after LASIK. Methods: Sixteen patients with cataract (25 eyes) who underwent myopic LASIK were analysed retrospectively. The C-P method is a modified double-K method using the SRK/T formula, in which the estimated pre-LASIK keratometric power calculated from the post-LASIK peripheral anterior sagittal power (also called the axial power) is used for the Kpre in the double-K method using the SRK/T formula, and the post-LASIK anterior sagittal power is used for the Kpost. We compared the accuracy of the C-P method with other popular IOL calculation formulas for use in eyes after LASIK. Results: The median values of the arithmetic and absolute prediction errors with the C-P method were 0.11 diopter (D) (range, -1.67 to 1.97 D) and 0.55 D (range, 0.02-1.97 D), respectively. The prediction error using the C-P method was within ±0.5 D in 48% of eyes, within -1.0 to +0.5 D in 60% of eyes, and within ±1.0 D in 68% of eyes. The C-P method resulted in a significantly higher percentage of eyes within ±0.5 D than the BESSt formula, Shammas-PL formula, true net power method, double-K method using 43.5 D for Kpre, and Feiz-Mannis method. Conclusion: The C-P method may be a good option for calculating IOL powers in eyes undergoing cataract surgery after LASIK when the preoperative LASIK data are unavailable. © 2013 The Authors Acta Ophthalmologica © 2013 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.

To report a case who received exchange of intraocular lens (IOP) for impaired vision due to glistening and whitening. Case: A 78-year-old woman presented with impaired vision in her right eye. She had received cataract surgery with implantation of IOL 6 years before. She had had reportedly visual acuity of 0.8 immediately after surgery. Findings: Corrected visual acuity was 0.4 in the right eye. Slitlamp examination showed glistening and whitening of IOP. Funduscopy showed slight chorioretinal atrophy which was the same as immediately after surgery. She received exchange of IOL resulting in corrected visual acuity of 0.8. Conclusion: This case illustrates that glistening and whitening of IOL may result in impaired visual function. Exchange of IOL may be useful in such a situation.

An imbalance between free radical generation and radical scavenging antioxidant systems results in oxidative stress, which has been associated with cell injury observed in many age-related diseases. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) family is a major antioxidant system, and deficiency of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase-1 (Sod1) in mice leads to many different phenotypes that resemble accelerated aging. In this study we examined the morphologic features and the secretory functions of the lacrimal glands in Sod1 -/- mice. Lacrimal glands showed atrophy of acinar units; fibrosis; infiltration with CD4 + T cells, monocytes, and neutrophils; increased staining with both 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine; increases in apoptotic cells; and the presence of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in senescent Sod1 -/- mice. Electron microscopy findings revealed evidence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, presence of swollen and degenerated mitochondria, and the presence of apoptotic cell death in the lacrimal glands of senescent Sod1 -/- mice. These alterations were also associated with the accumulation of secretory vesicles in acinar epithelial cells, decreased production of both stimulated and nonstimulated tears, and a decline in total protein secretion from the lacrimal glands. Our results suggest that Sod1 -/- mice may be a good model system in which to study the mechanism of reactive oxygen species-mediated lacrimal gland alterations. © 2012 American Society for Investigative Pathology.

Copyright © SLACK Incorporated. PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the current practice, trends, and outcomes of refractive surgery in Japan. METHODS: This multicenter survey comprised 78,248 eyes of 39,727 consecutive patients who underwent refractive surgery at 45 major institutions in Japan. The corresponding ophthalmologists responded to a self-administered questionnaire. The authors especially evaluated the safety, efficacy, predictability, stability, and adverse events of LASIK and phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The most common refractive surgery was LASIK (90.9%), followed by corneal inlay (5.0%), posterior chamber phakic IOL implantation (1.3%), laserassisted subepithelial keratomileusis (1.0%), refractive lens exchange (0.9%), photorefractive keratectomy (0.3%), and refractive lenticule extraction (0.2%). For subgroup analysis, 69,987 eyes (99.5%) and 67,512 eyes (95.9%) achieved corrected and uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better, respectively, after LASIK, and 935 eyes (98.8%) and 890 eyes (94.1%), respectively, after phakic IOL implantation. There were 69,176 eyes (98.3%) and 908 eyes (96.0%) within ±1.00 diopter (D) of the attempted correction after LASIK and phakic IOL implantation, respectively. There were 1,926 eyes (2.7%) and 1 eye (0.1%) with changes in refraction of 1.00 D or less from 1 week to 3 months after LASIK and phakic IOL implantation, respectively. No vision-threatening complications occurred in any case. CONCLUSIONS: According to this survey, LASIK remains the most prevalent surgical technique in Japan. Both LASIK and phakic IOL implantation offered good safety and efficacy outcomes, yielding predictable and stable results.

Myopia is increasing worldwide. Although the exact etiology of myopia is unknown, outdoor activity is one of the most important environmental factors for myopia control. We previously reported that violet light (VL, 360-400 nm wavelength), which is abundant in the outdoor environment, suppressed myopia progression for individuals under 20 years of age. However, whether VL is also effective for adult high myopia, which can be sight-threatening, has remained unknown. To investigate the influence of VL for adult myopia, we retrospectively compared the myopic progression and the axial length elongation over five years in adult high myopic patients over 25 years of age after two types (non-VL transmitting and VL transmitting) of phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation. We found that high myopic patients with the non-VL transmitting pIOLs implanted are almost two times more myopic in the change of refraction and four times longer in the change of axial length, compared to those implanted with the VL transmitting pIOLs. This result indicated that the VL transmitting pIOL suppressed myopia progression and axial length elongation compared with the non-VL transmitting one. In conclusion, our study showed the VL possibly has an anti-myopia effect for human adults with high myopia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess patients' satisfaction and change in subjective happiness after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Patients and methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 307 patients (mean age, 34.3 years; range, 20-63 years) who underwent bilateral LASIK surgery and ocular examinations, including subjective refraction and visual acuity axial length measurements at Minamiaoyama Eye Clinic. Patients also completed questionnaires on their satisfaction with the surgery, and on the subjective happiness scale (SHS) within 1 month before and 1 month after surgery. A multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors of the SHS score. Results: In total, 91.2% of the patients were satisfied with surgery (very satisfied: n=155; satisfied: n=125). The SHS score increased postoperatively from 5.2+/-0.9 to 5.3+/-0.9 (P<0.001). The multiple regression analysis revealed that the preoperative SHS score (beta=0.77; P<0.001) and satisfaction with surgery (beta=-0.11; P=0.05) were predictors of postoperative SHS score. Conclusion: LASIK may contribute to increased patient happiness.

It is well recognized that visual impairments (VI) worsen individuals' mental condition. However, little is known about the positive aspects including subjective happiness, positive emotions, and strengths. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the positive aspects of persons with VI including their subjective happiness, positive emotions, and strengths use. Positive aspects of persons with VI were measured using the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience-Balance (SPANE-B), and the Strengths Use Scale (SUS). A cross-sectional analysis was utilized to examine personal information in a Tokyo sample (N = 44). We used a simple regression analysis and found significant relationships between the SHS or SPANE-B and SUS; on the contrary, VI-related variables were not correlated with them. A multiple regression analysis confirmed that SUS was a significant factor associated with both the SHS and SPANE-B. Strengths use might be a possible protective factor from the negative effects of VI.