PURPOSE: Intermittent exotropia may be decreased by stimulation of accommodative convergence. Once excessive accommodation has been related to myopia, our objective was to evaluate refractive errors changes in children under overcorrecting minus lens therapy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 21 children with intermittent exotropia was performed. All patients were treated with occlusion, and a 13-patient subset of them received overminus lens therapy (group A). Eight children received spectacles as necessary (group B). Initial age, age interval, initial spherical equivalent (SE), and magnitude of overcorrection were considered as co-variables of the mean variation in refractive error (SE of each eye) between groups, through a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Overcorrection used in group A ranged from 0.5 D to 3.5 D (2.46 ± 0.87 D). Although initial SE of each eye was significant different between group A and B (OD - p=0.02; OS - p=0.01), initial age (p=0.69), age interval (p=0.90), and mean variation in refractive errors (p=0.36) did not differ between groups. Multivariate analysis with linear regression showed no significantly difference regarding all co-variables enrolled. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of intermittent exotropia with overcorrecting minus lens did not induce refractive errors changes, even considering age, treatment period, initial spherical equivalent and overcorrection magnitude used.

Keywords: Exotropia; Eyeglasses; Myopia; Refractive error; Strabismus

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of an apodized diffractive intraocular lens (IOL) (Acrysof ReSTOR NaturalTM) and its yellow counterpart (Natural IQ TM) on frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry results. METHODS: This study included 37 eyes from 22 patients at the "Centro Oftalmológico Tranjan" who had undergone uncomplicated phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (17 Acrysof ReSTOR NaturalTM, 20 Natural IQ TM) performed by the same surgeon, at least three months prior to the study. Patients were subject to frequency doubling technology Matrix Perimeter testing. RESULTS: The patients were between 41 to 79 years old (mean, 70.78 ± 9.83) in the Natural IQ TM and 49 to 81 years old (mean, 67.11± 11.48) in the Acrysof ReSTOR NaturalTM group, and the mean IOP was 13.64 ± 2.02 mmHg in the Natural IQ TM 12.94 ± 1.39 mmHg in the Acrysof ReSTOR NaturalTM group. The mean pupillary diameter under scotopic conditions was 6.63 ± 1.16 mm in the Natural IQ TM group and 7.20 ± 1.8 mm in the Acrysof ReSTOR NaturalTM group (p=0.20). The mean deviation was -1.83 ± 3.46 dB in the Natural IQ TM group and -1.77 ± 3.94 dB in the Acrysof ReSTOR NaturalTM group (p=0.28). The pattern standard deviation was 3.49 ± 0.79 dB in the Natural IQ TM group and 3.20 ± 0.86 dB in the Acrysof ReSTOR NaturalTM group (p=0.27). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the results of FDT Matrix perimetry in eyes that received apodized diffractive IOLs implant or eyes that received monofocal intraocular lens implant.

Keywords: Cataract; Lenses, intraocular; Perimetry; Glaucoma; Lens implantation, intraocular; Contrast sensibility; Phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal vascularization (CV) and the clinical aspects induced by interlamellar graft with native (NCM) and anionic (ACM) collagen membranes in rabbits corneas. METHODS: An interlamellar graft with a 0.25 x 0.25 cm NCM (group 1) or ACM (group 2) fragment was performed in the right eye (treated eye). In the left eye, an estromal tunnel was done (control eye). Sixteen rabbits were used, and they were subdivided into two experimental groups of eight animals each. The clinical evaluation was performed at the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th and 30th postoperative days. Corneal vascularization analysis was performed after 30 days by the Images Analizator System Leica Qwin-550®. RESULTS: After 7 days, corneal vascularization was observed at about 2.25 ± 0.71 mm (NCM) and at about 1.0 ± 1.69 mm (ACM), respectively, from the limbus in direction to the central cornea. After 15 days, CV increased in both groups (5.25 ± 1.03 mm - NCM; 2.0 ± 2.39 mm - ACM) and then progressively decreased until day 30 (2.25 ± 2.10 mm - NCM; 0.75 ± 2.12 mm - ACM). The statistical analysis indicated that the averages of the distances from the limb vessels to the grafts observed after 7 and 15 days had not differed statistically (p=0.17), and after 15 and 30 postoperative days had a tendency to differ statistically (p=0.09). The control eyes did not present any changes. CONCLUSION: The interlamellar graft with native and anionic collagen membranes induced corneal vascularization when applied to rabbit corneas, but anionic collagen membrane induced a smaller corneal vascularization when compared to native collagen membrane. Although further studies are required, the results found in this study demonstrated the usefulness of interlamellar graft with native and anionic collagen membranes in keratoplasties. These membranes consists in one more graft option for the surgical treatment of corneal repair in rabbits and others animals, when other forms of medical and surgical treatment are not effective.

Keywords: Membranes; artificial; Cornea; Collagen; Anions; Disease models; animal; Rabbits

PURPOSE: To identify mothers' feeling and reactions when facing the diagnosis of low vision and their comprehension of this diagnosis. METHODS: This study features a qualitative research. Eleven low vision children's mothers attended at the Visual Stimulation Service of Ophtalmology Sector of Unicamp Hospital were interviewed. Semi-strutured interviews were used to collect data. The main issues of the interview were: feelings when faced with the diagnosis and comprehension of this low vision diagnosis. RESULTS: The results revealed mothers' fear of blindness and a low comprehension of the meaning of low vision, and their interpretation of medical diagnosis according to their subjectivity. CONCLUSIONS: The way the diagnosis is transmitted to the families is extremely important. Parents cultural, economical and emocional background may often impair the diagnosis comprehension.

Keywords: Vision, low; Vision, low; Emotions; Maternal behavior; Mother-child relations; Comprehension

PURPOSE: To quantify the relation between eye and eyelids placement in different positions during downgaze and upgaze in healthy subjects. METHODS: The position of the eye and eyelids of 10 healthy individuals was quantified by palpebral fissure image processing with NIH Image software. Upper and lower mid-pupil margin distance was measured in 7 positions: -30, -20, -10, 0, +10, +20 and +30 degrees (positive signs correspond to upgaze and negative signs to downgaze) along vertical meridian. RESULTS: The upper mid-pupil margin distance decreases in upgaze and even more in downgaze. The lower mid-pupil margin distance increases in upgaze and decreases in downgaze. About the palpebral fissure height, it gets larger in upgaze until 20 degrees and smaller in downgaze. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that the interpalpebral fissure height varies with vertical meridian gaze amplitude and that considerations about mid-pupil margin distance must consider the amount of upgaze or downgaze.

Keywords: Eyelids movements; Eyelids; Fixation; ocular

PURPOSES: To establish the visually impaired resource class users profile in the city of Assis - SP, to estimate the visually impaired employment percentage and to compare employment rate with age, gender, deficiency type and causing disease between two periods:1984 - 1996 and 1997 - 2009. METHODS: Retrospective review of both medical and school records from visually impaired individuals attending visually impaired resource class in Assis - SP between 1984 and 2009. This time period was divided into two intervals: 1984 - 1996 (G1) and 1997 - 2009 (G2). Collected data included demographic features and diseases, type of visual impairment (blindness or low vision), education, optic aids, attendance to visually impaired resource class and employment rate. Employment rate was associated with age, gender, type of visual impaiment and causing disease between both study time intervals. RESULTS: A total of 149 visually impaired individuals were identified - 61.07% male, 38.9% female, 82.5% white, and 17.4% non-white. Mean age was 18 years. Of the 149 visually impaired, 63.75% had low vision and 36.24% were blind. In decreasing order, the more frequent conditions leading to visual impairment were toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis (17.40%), congenital optic atrophy (9.39%), high hyperopia (8.72%), pigmentary retinosis and high myopia (with 6.71% each) and congenital glaucoma and congenital cataract (with 6.04% each). Attendance to visually impaired resource class was good by over 50% of the patients. Of the individuals >14 years-old, 44.7% and 12.3% were regularly employed during 1984 - 1996 and 1997 - 2009 periods, respectively. Employment rate only correlated with age (individuals with higher mean age were most frequently employed) and there was not correlation with demographic characteristics, deficiency type and causing diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The main characteristics of the individuals attending the visually impaired resource class are: male, white, with low vision and ocular toxoplasmosis. Nearly half of the individuals older than 14 years-old (44.7%) were regularly employed up to 1996, suggesting that the joint effort of ophthalmologists and teachers helps the social inclusion of these patients. Employment rate dropped over 1997 - 2009 period, and the rate of retirees increased.

Keywords: Vision disorders; Blindness; Vision, low; Employment; Community health centers; Socialization

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual acuity (VA) measurement by Snellen chart at three main Ophthalmology centers in Curitiba, compare these measurements with a computerized method for calibrating VA and also with the standard theory developed by Hermann Snellen. METHODS: Descriptive study including 15 Ophthalmology clinics and a computerized method to measure the VA. Using a tape measure and a caliper, measurement of the distance was obtained from the sitting patients' eye to VA optotypes projection on the wall. At the same time, measurement of the size of the letters of 4 lines of the VA projection on the wall was performed. RESULTS: To analyze the results, it was opted to compare the angles presented by each clinic for each measurement. It was not surprising that no clinic presented an exact angle of 5 arch minutes. Comparing clinics results with computerized method, we observed that only 2 clinics obtained better results if compared with the angles obtained from optotypes projection, but the data is very similar and with no statistical significance. In relation to the other clinics, the superiority of the computerized method is very relevant. All had differences in comparison to the gold standard. Individually, comparing computerized method to standard Snellen theory, it was observed that a condition very close to the ideal was obtained, in other words, results very similar to 5 arch minutes were noted in all the visual acuities analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that there is a great heterogeneity in the evaluation of VA in different Ophthalmology centers. Also, the same patient, evaluated in different clinics, can obtain different VA measurements. The computerized method is practical, portable, adjustable for different distances, and maintains optotypes proportionality ratio based on visual angle and approaches the theoretical values recommended by Herman Snellen in 1862.

Keywords: Visual acuity; Vision; Diagnostic techniques; ophthalmological

PURPOSE: To determine a correction factor for refractive errors evaluated without cycloplegy effect. METHODS: A study was made with 623 patients (1,246 eyes) of both sexes, aging between 3 and 40 years old. The dynamic and static refractometries were obtained using the automated refractor Shin-Nippon Accuref-K 9001. 1% Cyclopentolate was dropped and the static refractometry was performed in 30 minutes. Data were analyzed using the linear regression model and the multiple regression model of the diopter values with and without cycloplegy effect according to age. RESULTS: The correlation between the astigmatism diopter values with and without cicloplegy ranged from 81.52% to 92.27%. Analyzing the spherical diopter values, the correlation was lower (53.57% to 87.78%). The astigmatism axis also revealed low correlation values (28.86% to 58.80%). The multiple regression model according to age demonstrated multiple determination coefficient with high values for myopia (86.38%) and astigmatism (79.79%). The lowest multiple determination coefficient was observed for astigmatism axis (17.70%). CONCLUSION: It was possible to demonstrate a high correlation in refractive errors with and without cycloplegy effect on the cylindrical ametropies. Mathematical formules, for cylindrical and spherical ametropies, were presented as a correction factor for refraction of the patients not submitted to cycloplegy.

Keywords: Refraction errors; Ocular accommodation; Myopia; Hyperopia; Astigmatism

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the early changes of the sensory retina induced by hypercholesterolemia in an experimental model. METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: CG (Control Group) was fed a normal diet for 6 weeks. G1 was initially fed a 1% cholesterol diet for two weeks and from the 14th day on a 0.5% cholesterol diet until the 42nd day. The eyes underwent an immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibodies anti-calretinin and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). RESULTS: G1 cells and cell elements presented significant immunoreactivity to anti-calretinin. No immunoreactivity to anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that a hypercholesterolemic diet may induce early changes in the sensory retina in rabbits. The anti-calretinin monoclonal antibody was able to reveal calcium accumulation inside the nerve cells.

Keywords: Retina; Models, animal; Calcium-binding proteins; Cholesterol; Anoxia; Immunohistochemistry; Rabbits

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of 6.0% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in modifying the oculomotor system of rabbits by means of viscoelastic action forces, the durability of this effect and possible inflamatory reaction. METHODS: Twenty-five New Zealand rabbits were divided into two experimental groups: one treated with a peribulbar injection of 6.0% CMC and a control group submitted to peribulbar injection of 3.0 cc of physiological saline. The group submitted to peribulbar CMC injection was divided into four subgroups respectively receiving the following volumes: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 cc. The force needed to promote tangential adduction dislocations, external ophthalmologic signs and intraocular pressure were evaluated. The animals were sacrificed on the 60th day after the injection for histological analysis. RESULTS: The mean force detected 60 days after the injection of 6.0% CMC was lower in the 1.0 treated subgroup and higher in the 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 treated subgroups relative to the force before injection. Histological analysis revealed histiocytic infiltration with fibrosis in the subgroups in which there was an increase in force and the presence of CMC in periocular tissues. CONCLUSIONS: 6.0% CMC acted as a modifier of the oculomotor system of rabbits, facilitating or impairing movements. It was not possible to conclude whether the increase in force occurred as a consequence of the inflammatory process alone or of the sum of inflammation and a possible viscous attrition provoked by CMC.

Keywords: Oculomotor muscles; Viscosity; Carboxymethylcellulose; Injections; Rabbits

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of atopic keratoconjunctivitis, its symptoms and changes in patients of Pediatric Dermatology Service of "Santa Casa de Misericordia de São Paulo" Hospital with a previous diagnosis of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with atopic dermatitis under 16 years old (mean age 8.9 ± 4.1 between 2 and 16 years old) were evaluated through a protocol of questions and assessment of signs and symptoms. The signs and symptoms were graded from 0 (absent) to 4 (highest intensity), and in some cases only as present or not. The analysis was descriptive and statistical, with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: The frequency of atopic keratoconjunctivitis was 76.9% among the 52 patients with atopic dermatitis, including atopic conjunctivitis (26.7%) and atopic blepharitis (50.2%). Atopic dermatitis is more frequent in female patients and atopic conjunctivitis in male. Age was practically the same in both groups. The most frequent symptoms were red eye and itching, especially in the atopic conjunctivitis group. Itching was the most intense symptom and was present in all patients of the atopic conjunctivitis group. Blepharitis and papillae were the most common signs. Other signs were less frequent. The tear break-up time was changed in most patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of atopic keratoconjunctivitis was 76.9% in patients with atopic dermatitis. Itching was the most frequent symptom, followed by red eye, in patients with atopic conjunctivitis. Blepharitis and papillae were the most frequent signs in patients with atopic conjunctivitis. Due to the increasing prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children, it would be prudent to perform a routine ophthalmologic evaluation of these patients. From the patients evaluated in this study, none had been previously monitored with ophthalmological exams.

Keywords: Conjunctivitis; allergic; Dermatitis; atopic; Blepharitis; Keratoconjunctivitis; Corneal diseases

Two cases of endophthalmitis with choroidal detachment submitted to enucleation are presented. The histopathologic study allowed the identification of vascular and nervous tissue between the choroid and sclera, as it was seen on ultrasound examination.

Keywords: Choroid; Choroid; Choroid hemorrhage; Choroid diseases; Case reports

A case of identical male twins with Cohen syndrome who present multiple ophthalmic findings is reported. The patients were identical 16 year-old twin boys who showed down slanting eyelids, mild ptosis, high-grade myopia, small cortical lens opacities, posterior subcapsular cataracts, myotic and corectopic pupils with poor dilation due to focal iris atrophy and retinochoroidal dystrophy. Ophthalmologists must be aware of the ocular and systemic findings of Cohen syndrome in the evaluation of young patients with mental retardation and visual impairment.

Keywords: Syndrome; Twins, monozygotic; Myopia; Retina; Mental Retardation; Abnormalities, multiple; Eye diseases; Vision, low; Male; Adolescent; Case reports

Basosquamous carcinoma is a rare tumor with features of both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, linked by a transition area. It is a rare epithelial neoplasm with a tendency for local recurrence. It also has a high incidence of distant metastasis, a condition that differentiates it from the basal cell carcinoma. In this case, the slow course of the infiltrative lesion associated to patient non-compliance to treatment led to a poor prognosis.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Carcinoma; basosquamous; Case reports

Ocular involvement of paracoccidioidomycosis is rare and when it occurs it is usually secondary to hematogenic dissemination. A case of multifocal paracoccidioidomycosis in a 73 year-old male after history of blunt trauma in the right eye with a stick of wood that presented as the first clinical sign a lid-conjunctival lesion is described. The possible primary ocular infection spreading by contiguity is argued and the disease manifestation in an advanced age is highlighted.

Keywords: Paracoccidioidomycosis; Palpebral diseases; Diagnosis; differential; Eyelids; Conjunctiva; Case reports

The authors present a rare case of acute bilateral dacryoadenitis in association with infectious mononucleosis. A 27 year-old woman had acute bilateral lacrimal gland enlargement with inflammatory signs. The CT scan findings and laboratorial investigations confirmed the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis. The systemic treatment with intravenous steroids was initiated leading to complete remission of the signs and symptoms. COMMENTS: Dacryoadenitis is an uncommon manifestation of infectious mononucleosis and may minimize other signs of the disease. Mononucleosis has to be considered in acute dacryoadenitis cases. Systemic steroids contribute to the fast regression of inflammatory condition.

Keywords: Dacryocystitis; Infectious mononucleosis; Epstein-Barr virus infections; Dexamethasone; Adult; Female; Case reports

This study is a retrospective case series aiming to evaluate the relation between toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis scars and the occurrence of retinal tears. Ten patients with retinal tear and toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis examined at the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto Clinics Hospital, between January 2007 and April 2008, were included. Fisher test and qui-square test with significance level of p<0.05 were used. Eight cases (80%) had retinal detachment. Twelve tears were found and localized mostly in the temporal superior periphery (6 cases, 50%). No statistically significant association between retinal tear and chorioretinal scar localization was observed considering five retinal quadrants (p=0.0828) or three zones (p=0.2507). The occurrence of retinal tears in patients with uveitis may be related to early posterior vitreous detachment caused by the intraocular inflammatory process. No correlation was observed between the localization of retinal tears and chorioretinal scars in this study, which suggests a causative factor not directly related to the presence of a scar.

Keywords: Retinal perforations; Retinal detachment; Toxoplasmosis; Chorioretinitis; Uveitis; Human; Case reports

The optical coherence tomography (OCT) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) findings of a 58-year-old male with acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis are reported herein. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/150 in the right eye (OD) and 20/30 in the left eye (OS) at presentation. On funduscopy, there was a central subretinal placoid yellowish lesion in OD. VDRL and serum FTA-ABS were positive. OCT showed increased reflectance and thickening of the subfoveal RPE-choriocapillaris complex corresponding to the lesion in OD. ICGA revealed a hypofluorescent spot corresponding to the lesion in OD and confluent small dots extending to periphery, without any correspondence in fundus examination. The same dots were also seen in OS, even though no lesions could be observed clinically. Intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g daily was given for 10 days. One month after the first visit, visual acuity improved to 20/30 and marked improvement of the lesion was seen. OCT was normal in both eyes at the final visit.

Keywords: Syphilis; Uveitis; Choroiditis; Tomography; optical coherence; Indocyanine green; Case reports

From March to November 2001, a case of eye's argyrosis was diagnosed based on clinical history, eye's biomicroscopy and histopathology. In the biomicroscopy exam, there were gray deposits of pigments in corneal stroma and conjunctiva. In the incisional biopsy of conjuctiva, lens, upper lacrimal canaliculi and lacrimal sac deposits of silver were found.

Keywords: Argyria; Conjunctiva; Cornea; Eye diseases; Lacrimal apparatus; Dacryocystorhinostomy; Dacryocystitis; Silver; Human; Female; Case reports

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are yellow pigments located at the macula. Because of your location macular pigments decrease and filter the amount of blue light that reach photoreceptors, protect the outer retina from oxidative stress and may improve the vision quality. This is a review regarding incorporation mechanism, function and knowledge update.

Keywords: Retinal pigments; Macula lutea; Carotenoids; Lutein; Xanthophylls; Vitamins; Dietary supplements; Aging

The aim of this article is to present the current data with regard to the application of vital dyes during vitreoretinal surgery, "chromovitrectomy", as well as to overview the current literature regarding the properties of dyes, techniques of application, indications and complications in chromovitrectomy. A large body of published research has recently addressed the toxicity profile of indocyanine green for chromovitrectomy. Experimental data demonstrate dose-dependent toxicity of indocyanine green to various retinal cells. Newer generation vital dyes for chromovitrectomy include trypan blue, patent blue, triamcinolone acetonide, infracyanine green, sodium fluorescein, bromophenol blue, fluorometholone acetate and brilliant blue. Novel instruments may enable a selective painting of preretinal tissues during chromovitrectomy. This review suggests that the field of chromovitrectomy represents an expanding area of research. The first line agents for internal limiting membrane staining in chromovitrectomy are indocyanine green, infracyanine green, and brilliant blue. Patent blue, bromophenol blue and trypan blue arose as outstanding biostains for visualization of epiretinal membranes. Novel dyes available for chromovitrectomy deserve further investigation.

Keywords: Vitrectomy; Vitreous body; Indocyanine green; Macular hole; Retina; Trypan blue; Coloring agents; Epiretinal membrane