VOLUME 64 - ISSUE 2

Purpose: To analyze results of correction of horizontal strabismus surgical in high myopia patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 24 patients with esotropia and high myopia (greater than -6.00 spherical diopters) and 17 patients with exotropia and high myopia compared with their control groups. Deviation between 10delta of esotropia and 10delta of exotropia was considered a surgical success. Results: We noticed a high incidence of bad results among the esotropic patients with high myopia. Conclusion: There is a tendency of bad results among the esotropic patients with myopia greater than -6.00 when compared with patients with spherical refractive error between -0.75 and +3.50.

Keywords: Strabismus; Myopia; Exotropia; Esotropia; Surgery

Purpose: To report 30 patients with presumed diffuse uni-lateral subacute neuroretinitis in Pernambuco and describe the clinical and epidemiologic aspects. Methods: Restros-pective analysis of 30 patients with presumed diffuse uni-lateral subacute neuroretinitis, assisted at the Uveitis Department of Fundação Altino Ventura and Hospital de Olhos de Pernambuco, from January 1998 to April 2000. Results: Twenty patients (66.7%) were males. Regarding age, it ranged between 7 and 40 years. The average was 18.1 years (s=6.9). DUSN was diagnosed in the left eye in 15 patients (50.0%). Visual acuity was equal to or worse than 20/400 in 29 patients (96.7%). Conclusion: We could not find the nematode in the subretinal space in any patient. This could explain why those patients had advanced ocular alte-rations and very low visual acuity.

Keywords: Retinitis; Retinitis; Parasitic eye infection; Optic neuritis

Purpose: To determine the relationship between nerve fiber layer thickness detected by scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) and visual field function measured by automated conventional white-on-white perimetry. Methods: 82 eyes of 48 open angle glaucoma patients were studied. The following correlations were inves-tigated: 1- Correlation between mean sensitivity of 4 quadrants plus the fixation point, in dBs, and the mean of the nerve fiber layer thickness of the correspondent retina, in micra. 2- Correlation between mean sensitivity of 4 quadrants plus the fixation point, in dBs, and the mean of the nerve fiber layer thickness of the correspondent retina, in micra, in the patients classified according to the amount of visual field loss. 3- Correlation between the global indices of visual field and the numeric indices of GDx. 4- Correlation between the mean of "total deviation" of visual field and the "deviation from normal" of GDx. 5- Topographic match between visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness changes. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearmann coeficient correlation test. Results: We observed a very poor correlation regarding: 1- total GDx and VF total; superior GDx and nasal inferior VF; inferior GDx and nasal superior VF; nasal GDx and temporal VF; superior GDx and inferior VF; inferior GDx and superior VF. 2- inferior GDx and nasal superior VF (severe eyes). 3- Normal eyes: PSD and EM; CPSD and SI. Mild glaucoma eyes: SF and SN. Severe glaucoma eyes: MD and SN; MD and EM; MD and S; CPSD and EM. 4- DN t and TD t; DN s and TD ni; DN i and TD ns. 5- A positive topographic match in 51.43%. Conclusion: There is no good correlation between the two examinations.

Keywords: Glaucoma; Nerve fibers; Topography; Retina; Visual fields

Objective: To evaluate the Retinal Thickness Analyzer (RTA) findings in eyes with macular hole and compare them to findings of retina and vitreous biomicroscopy, retinography and fluorescein angiography. Methods: The authors studied ten eyes of six patients with the diagnosis of macular hole, using retinal thickness analyzer, retina and vitreous biomicroscopy, retinography and fluorescein angiography. Eight eyes had been examined before any type of treatment, and two, after treatment for macular hole by vitrectomy. Results: In two eyes with the diagnosis of macular hole by clinical examination and other complementary examinations, the media opacities prevented retinal thickness analyzer analysis. The retinal thickness analyzer profile map (optical cut) showed agreement with the clinical findings and the findings by other examinations performed in the eight eyes where they were possible. The topographic map of the two eyes that presented a closed macular hole after surgery, showed normal mean foveal thickness and in the six eyes with macular hole the mean foveal thickness was increased. Conclusion: The retinal thickness analyzer profile map showed evidence of macular hole, gave information about width and depth and proved the closing of the macular hole after surgery. The retinal thickness analyzer topographic map showed normal mean foveal thickness in the two cases of closed macular hole and, surprisingly, increased mean foveal thickness in all six cases with open holes.

Keywords: Retinal tickness analyzer; Ophthalmological diagnostic techniques; Retinal perforations

Purpose: Amblyopia is the most common form of visual problem in children and for more than 250 years occlusion therapy is the standard treatment. Thus our purpose is to identify the factors that influence the outcome of amblyopia treatment with occlusion therapy. Methods: We reviewed 169 amblyopic children seen in the outpatient clinic of amblyopia of the Campinas State University, between January 1996 and May 1998. Patients were analyzed regar-ding sex, age at start of treatment (3 groups), affected eye, type of amblyopia (strabismic, anisometropic, visual depri-vation, associated), follow-up, initial visual acuity (light, moderate, severe), compliance with treatment (good, poor) and outcome (fully treated, partially treated, not treated). Results: Compliance was not seen to be significantly related to age at start of treatment (p=0.68) or initial visual acuity (p=0.82). 52.67% of the patients were fully treated while 19.52% were partially treated and 27.81% were not treated. Children recorded as showing good compliance had a significantly better outcome than those with poor complian-ce (p=0.0009). Neither the age at start of treatment (p=0.39) nor the initial visual acuity (p=0.30) were significantly corre-lated with the final outcome. Conclusions: We concluded that the main factor affecting the final outcome of amblyopia treatment is compliance.

Keywords: Amblyopia; Prognosis; Strabismus; Occlusive dressings; Patient compliance

Purpose: To present an examination technique and to standardize the staining procedure of samples of impression cytology of the ocular surface in a reference service. Methods: 28 samples of impression cytology were obtained from patients with ocular surfaces alterations of the External Eye Diseases Sector in the period of July to November 1999. They were stained and microscopically evaluated in the Ocular Microbiology Laboratory of the Federal University of São Paulo. Results: We developed a design of a filter paper with apex, base and lateral opening that promoted its adequate position both in the eye at collection and on the glass microscope slides for fixing and staining procedures. The staining technique that uses periodic acid-Schiff, hematoxilin and Papanicolaou is an easy and economic procedure which stains goblet and epithelial cells. Conclusions: The modified method for staining showed to be ideal for the cytologic evaluation of samples of the impression cytology examination. Impression cytology is a very reliable method to study ocular surface, and has proved to be really simple, a cheaper and more confortable procedure for the patient than invasive biopsies.

Keywords: Cytological Techniques; Cornea; Conjunctiva; Cytodiagnosis; Staining and labeling

Purpose: Several methods have been used for treatment of choroidal melanoma. The purpose of this preliminary paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of transpupillary thermo- therapy (TTT) as a primary treatment of small choroidal melanomas. Methods: This is a prospective nonrandomized study evaluating clinical aspects, tumor response, complications and visual outcome in patients presenting small choroidal melanomas (up to 4.0 mm thick and 12 mm base diameter) treated with TTT over 810 nm laser diode applications. Results: There were 11 patients treated with trans-pupillary thermotherapy, all of them presenting pig-mented small choroidal melanomas. Growth previous to treatment was documented in 5 patients and risk factors for growth or metastatic disease was present in all the patients. After treatment the patients were followed for 3 to 8 months (mean 5.7 months). Three laser sessions were used in 5 pa-tients and 4 sessions in 6 patients. The lesions presented at the beginning of the treatment a mean thickness of 2.7 mm, with a mean larger base diameter of 7.8 mm. All the lesions responded to treatment and presented decrease of thickness and base diameters. After transpupillary thermotherapy, the lesions' mean thickness was 1.8 mm and the mean larger base diameter was 6.7 mm. The mean reduction in thickness was 0.9 mm and the mean decrease in larger base diameter was 1.4 mm. The visual acuity remained unaffected in 5 cases and worsened after treatment in 6 cases. Nine patients presented compli- cations. A major complication occurred in a single patient who presented retinal detachment. Minor compli-cations were observed as follows: small retinal hemorrhages (7 patients), vitreous inflammation associated with tenuous vitreous membranes (1 patient) and conjunctiva and eyelid edema (1 patient). Local tumor control and conservation of the eyeball was accomplished in all the patients; they are all alive without evidence of metastatic disease in this initial follow-up period. Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that the transpupillary thermotherapy is a promi-sing, effective and safe method for treatment of selected small choroidal melanomas. Further studies with longer follow-up period are necessary to better evaluate this treatment.

Keywords: Melanoma; Choroid neoplasms; Induced hyperthermia; Laser surgery

We describe two cases of internal posterior ophthalmomyia-sis with the presence of live subretinal larva. We present a review of previously reported cases, emphasizing the diagnosis and treatment of this rare ocular infection.

Keywords: Myasis; Light coagulation; Parasitic eye infections; Muscidae; Case report

Purpose: To assess the volume of each drop of Brazilian commercially available antiglaucomatous eyedrops and to compare the results with North-american equivalents in order to evaluate the economic implications. Methods: Volumetric study of drops and related impact in the cost of treatment. Results: Brazilian Alphagan® drop volume was 18% larger and the bottle had a 15.1% shorter mean duration resulting in a 17.8% higher annual cost. Brazilian Betoptic S® drop volume was 38.4% larger and the bottle had a 27.7% shorter mean duration resulting in 38.1% higher annual cost. Brazilian Iopidine® drop volume was 46.3% larger, the bottle had a 32.1% shorter mean duration resulting in 46.9% higher annual cost. Brazilian Timoptol® drop volume was 14.7% larger, the bottle had a 12.8% shorter mean duration resulting in 14.5% higher annual cost. Conclusions: In all tested medications the Brazilian eyedrop volume was larger, resulting in less duration of each bottle and significant higher cost.

Keywords: Glaucoma; Glaucoma; Ophthalmic solutions; Drug costs; Drug quality; Comparative study; Brazil; United States

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the in vitro susceptibility of human conjunctival bacterial isolates to various antimicrobial agents, including lomefloxacin, other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin), aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, and amicacin), and cephalosporin (cephalothin). Methods: Antibiotic susceptibility tests conducted over a period of 27 months with 613 bacterial isolates from the conjunctiva were retrospectively analyzed. Results: In relation to the total number of positive isolates, the fluoroquinolones showed greater in vitro effectiveness than the other analyzed antibiotics. All bacterial isolates showed significantly higher susceptibility to ciprofloxacin than to lomefloxacin. Conclusion: The fluoroquinolones are not only equally effective against all conjunctival bacterial isolates, but they also show superior antimicrobial activity in comparison to aminoglycosides and cephalothin. These results suggest that fluoroquinolones, such as lomefloxacin, can be beneficially prescribed for conjunctival infections and also as prophylaxis in ocular surgery.

Keywords: Quinolones; Fluoroquinolones; Conjunctival diseases; Conjunctival diseases

The authors describe a case of a 30 year old, male patient, with acute otitis media after timpanic perforation, progres- sing with left transverse sinus thrombosis, right facial palsy of central origin and asymmetric bilateral trochlear palsy. The ophthalmologic examination showed SO hypofunction and IO hyperfunction in both eyes, although more markedly in the right eye. There was a positive Bielschowsky sign to the right. Vision was preserved, and there was no papille- dema. The cerebral angiography showed left transverse sinus thrombosis, without any concomitant anomaly. The patient was treated with oral antibiotics and a coumarinic drug. After six months, diplopia was present only in left-downgaze. The facial palsy was still present. No similar report was found in the literature.

Keywords: Palsy; Troclear nerve; Sinus thrombosis intracranial; Case report

The authors report a case of a 16-year-old patient with phthi-riasis palpebrarum treated with oral ivermectin. Although already used for a number of other parasitic diseases it is also effective against human lice. One outstanding advan-tage of that drug could be its easy medical regimen.

Keywords: Parasitic eye infections; Eyelashes; Ectoparasitic infestations; Eyelid diseases; Ivermectin

Purpose: To describe a rare case of orbital hemangiope- ricytoma. Methods: Case report of an association of blepha-roptosis with orbital hemangiopericytoma. Results: When the lesion was surgically removed the position of the upper eyelid returned to normal. Conclusions: Anterior orbital lesions can lead to blepharoptosis by compression of the levator palpebrae muscle.

Keywords: Hemangiopericytoma; Orbital neoplasms; Blepharoptosis