Arq. Bras. Oftalmol. 2025;88 (4 )
:1-7
| DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.2024-0229
Abstract
PURPOSE: The volume of the vitreous chamber varies with the size of the eye. The space created in the vitreous cavity by a vitrectomy is called the vitrectomized space. The volume of the vitrectomized space is strongly correlated with the axial length of the eye. This study aims to present guidelines for estimating the using participants stratified by axial length, sex, and history of cataract surgery.
METHODS: This retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study included 144 randomly selected participants who underwent vitrectomies between 2013 and 2023. Before surgery, the axial lengths of participants' eyes were measured using optical biometrics. The axial lengths of the eyes in our sample were between 20-32 mm. In all cases, a complete vitrectomy was performed, followed by complete fluid-air exchange and injection of a balanced saline solution. The volume infused was recorded.
RESULTS: The median (interquartile range; range) volume of the vitrectomized space was 6.1 (3.8; 3.1-11.3) mL in men and 6.1 (3.3; 3.2-11.2) mL in women (p=0.811). The median volume of the vitrectomized space was 5.9 (3.6; 3.1-11.2) mL in patients with phakic lenses and 6.25 (3.6; 3.3-11.3) mL in those with pseudophakic lenses (p=0.533). A positive correlation was found between the axial length and the volume of the vitrectomized space in this sample (r=0.968; p<0.001). In a cubic polynomial regression, the coefficient of determination was 0.948. Similar results were observed in both sexes and in both phakic and pseudophakic patients. The estimated cubic polynomial regression equation for this sample was VVS = 0.000589052857847605 × AL3 - 0.025114926401582700 × AL2 + 0.685961117595624000 × AL - 5.088226672620790000.
CONCLUSION: We developed this axial length estimation of the volume of vitrectomized space as a guideline for the determination of vitrectomized space volume using axial length.
Keywords: Cataract extraction; Retinal perforations/surgery; Epiretinal membrane/surgery; Vitreous body; Axial length, eye; Vitrectomy; Biometry/methods; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Guidelines as topic.
Arq. Bras. Oftalmol. 2025;88 (2 )
:1-7
| DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.2023-0265
Abstract
PURPOSE: Although Brazil has a high prevalence of retinoblastoma, there is a lack of epidemiological data on the disease. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with retinoblastoma in the ophthalmology department of a pediatric tertiary referral hospital in Ceara, Brazil.
METHODS: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted by retrospectively analyzing the clinical and socioeconomic data from the medical records of pediatric patients followed-up at the hospital between 2007 and 2021. Retinoblastoma was diagnosed on the basis of a fundoscopic or histopathologic examination.
RESULTS: The data of 105 patients were included in the study, and the mean patient age at the time of diagnosis was 1.7 years. Most of the patients were women (50.5%) and hailed from rural areas (57.4%), which was associated with a higher tumor stage. Of the 150 patients, 57.1% initially presented with leukocoria. Ocular hyperemia was associated with more advanced stages of retinoblastoma (p=0.004). Bilateral involvement was observed in 25.7% of the patients and at a significantly younger age (p=0.009). The presence of retinal detachment, vascularized lesions, and vitreous seeds significantly increased the likelihood of requiring enucleation.
DISCUSSION: This study presents an epidemiological description of retinoblastoma in Brazil, which highlights the significance of early detection. Delayed diagnosis is associated with a poorer visual prognosis and higher mortality rate, particularly in patients with unilateral disease. Risk factors for a more severe disease were retinal detachment, vascularized lesions, and vitreous seeds. The correlation between histopathological features and clinical outcomes was limited.
CONCLUSION: Further studies are required to assess the influence of ocular hyperemia, fundoscopic assessment, and histopathologic findings on the prognosis of retinoblastoma. Moreover, it is critical to devise interventions to reduce the time-to-diagnosis in rural areas.
Keywords: Retinoblastoma; Retinal neoplasms; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Risk factors; Delayed diagnosis; Child
Arq. Bras. Oftalmol. 2024;87 (4 )
:1-7
| DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.2023-0141
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum vitamin D levels and disease activity in patients with noninfectious uveitis.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective case-control study, assessing 51 patients with noninfectious uveitis, categorized into active (n=22) and inactive (n=29) groups, along with 51 healthy controls. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured. The uveitis group also completed a questionnaire regarding sunlight exposure habits and vitamin D supplementation.
RESULTS: Patients with inflammation-related uveitis exhibited low serum 25(OH)D levels in 68% of cases. The median 25(OH)D level in patients with active uveitis was 17.8 ng/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 15-21 ng/mL), significantly lower compared to the 31.7 ng/mL (IQR, 25-39 ng/mL) in patients with inactive uveitis (p<0.001) and the 27 ng/mL (IQR, 23-31 ng/mL) in the Control Group (p<0.001). Significantly, nearly all patients with uveitis taking vitamin D supplementation were in the Inactive Group (p<0.005). Moreover, reduced sunlight exposure was associated with active uveitis (p<0.003). Furthermore, patients with 25(OH)D levels below 20 ng/mL had ten times higher odds of developing active uveitis (p=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a prevalent 25(OH)D deficiency among patients with noninfectious uveitis and suggested a link between low 25(OH)D levels and disease activity. To prevent future episodes of intraocular inflammation, vitamin D supplementation and controlled sunlight exposure could be viable options.
Keywords: Vitamin D; 25-hydroxyvitamin D; Uveitis; Vitamin D deficiency; Immunity; Eye/immunology