Arq. Bras. Oftalmol. 2026;89 (1 )
:1-4
| DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.2024-0402
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the proportion of corneas discarded by the Eye Bank of Londrina, Paraná, due to positive serology over a 5-year period and its impact on transplant availability.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, analyzing 1,968 corneas from 1,056 donors collected between January 2014 and December 2018 at the Eye Bank of Londrina. Serological tests for hepatitis B (HBsAg and anti-HBc), hepatitis C (anti-HCV), and HIV (anti-HIV 1 and 2) were performed using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays. Data were analyzed descriptively and presented in tables and graphs.
RESULTS: Of the 1,968 corneas processed, 897 (45.57%) were discarded. Among these, 333 (37.12%) tested positive for serological markers. Hepatitis B accounted for 34.67% of positive cases (15% of total donations), hepatitis C for 1.11% (0.50% of total), and HIV for 0.89% (0.4% of total). Hepatitis cases remained stable between 2014 and 2016, with a marked decline in 2017 and 2018. Most discarded corneas were positive for anti-HBc (31.88%) and negative for HBsAg; however, the anti-HBs test was not performed to confirm immunity to the hepatitis B virus.
CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of serological testing to identify and eliminate contaminated corneas, thereby preventing the transmission of infectious diseases to recipients. Positive serology for hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B, was the leading cause of corneal disposal.
Keywords: Cornea; Corneal transplantation; Corneal donation; Eye banks; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus; HIV infections; Seropositivity; Serologic tests
Arq. Bras. Oftalmol. 2025;88 (4 )
:1-6
| DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.2024-0278
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of orbital conditions in a tertiary ophthalmic outpatient hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a focus on the main diagnoses and their distribution.
METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted involving patients registered and admitted to the orbital disease unit at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of São Paulo Medical School, from January 2004 to March 2018. A total of 838 medical charts were analyzed, of which 37 were excluded due to incomplete data. The remaining charts were categorized into eight diagnostic groups: Graves’ orbitopathy , inflammatory disorders, tumors, vascular lesions, acquired structural abnormalities, congenital structural abnormalities, infectious diseases, and others.
RESULTS: Of the 837,300 ophthalmological appointments, 3,372 (0.4%) were related to orbital diseases. The study included 801 patients, of whom 63.45% were women. The patients’ mean age was 42.86 years. Graves’ orbitopathy was the most common (55%), followed by tumor (17%), inflammatory disorders (9%), vascular lesions (7%), acquired structural abnormalities (5%), congenital structural abnormalities (4%), others (2%), and infectious diseases (1%). The study found significant differences in the incidence and types of orbital diseases, indicating the specialized nature of tertiary care and referral biases.
CONCLUSION: Published data on epidemiological orbital diseases is scarce. Therefore, this study focused on the diverse nature of orbital diseases and their low incidence among ophthalmology appointments. The major trends align with other epidemiological studies, demonstrating a preponderance of Graves’ orbitopathy in middle-aged adults and a bimodal distribution of tumors. These findings are essential in shaping resident training programs and healthcare policies, particularly in tertiary settings. Understanding the epidemiology of orbital diseases can improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment approaches, and patient outcomes as well as support future systemic prospective studies.
Keywords: Orbital diseases; Orbital tumors; Neoplasms; Inflammation; Graves’ ophthalmopathy; Outpatients