VOLUME 81 - ISSUE 3

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effects of oral propranolol for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.
Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal interventional study, we administered oral propranolol at a dosage of 1.5 mg/kg/day to five patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. We then evaluated visual acuity, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and ocular ultrasonography at regular intervals and compared changes from the baseline assessments.
Results: No clinical or diagnostic changes were observed in the sizes of the circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas during treatment. Complications due to the hemangioma were reduced in the first four months of treatment, followed by maintenance, before worsening in the subsequent three months.
Conclusions: The study showed that oral propranolol at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day did not offer effective monotherapy in the treatment of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.

Keywords: Hemangioma; Choroid neoplasms; Propranolol; Indocyanine green; Tomography, optical coherence

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of Boston type I keratoprosthesis (B-Kpro) in the management of patients with ocular burn injuries.
Methods: This prospective study included all patients with ocular burns who underwent B-Kpro implantation at a tertiary eye care center between February 2008 and November 2015. Twelve patients (12 eyes) were enrolled. The procedures performed for managing ocular injury were identified, and information on ocular history, surgical procedures performed, and postoperative outcomes was collected. The main outcome measures were visual acuity, prosthesis retention, postoperative complications, and required surgical procedures.
Results: Twelve eyes from 12 patients met the inclusion criteria for B-Kpro implantation, including nine eyes with alkali burns and three eyes with thermal burns. A total of 13 B-Kpro devices were implanted in the 12 eyes. The mean follow-up period was 60.8 months (range, 13-91 months). Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity ranged from counting fingers to light perception. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was better than 20/200 in 83.3%, 66.6%, and 57.1% of patients at 12, 48, and 60 months, respectively. The initial keratoprosthesis was retained in 10 (83.3%) eyes and was successfully replaced in one eye. The major cause of worsening of initial visual acuity was advanced glaucoma (four of 12 eyes).
Conclusion: The anatomical and functional results support the use of B-Kpro for managing bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency secondary to ocular burns. However, glaucoma should be carefully evaluated, as it is a continuous threat that may result in irreversible visual loss in this population.

Keywords: Burns, chemical; Eye injuries; Eye burns; Cornea/ surgery; Glaucoma; Prosthesis implantation

Purpose: This report describes the use of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty for the management of endothelial decompensation after multifocal intraocular lens implantation.
Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed and assessed the surgical outcomes of 9 patients (9 eyes) who underwent Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty after multifocal intraocular lens implantation.
Results: Corneal edema occurred due to Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (n=3), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (n=3), Descemet’s membrane detachment (n=2), and toxic anterior segment syndrome (n=1). The Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty surgeries were uneventful in all eyes, but rebubbling procedures were necessary in 2 eyes. One month after the surgery, all the corneas were clear. After 6 months, excluding 1 eye with amblyopia, the mean distance corrected visual acuity was 0.10 logMAR, with all eyes achieving 0.18 logMAR or better.
Conclusions: This is the first report of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty after multifocal intraocular lens implantation, and it suggests that good results can be achieved without multifocal intraocular lens exchange.

Keywords: Descemet membrane; Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty; Fuchs endothelial dystrophy; Corneal transplantation; Intraocular lens implants

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of prostaglandin antagonists on blood-retinal barrier breakdown induced by anterior segment intraocular simulated surgery.
Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to a negative control group, model group, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment group, corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group, and corticosteroid treatment group. Four hours and 48h after modeling, the concentrations of PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2 α in the aqueous humor and vitreous body of the rat model were visualized using ELISA. The integrity of the blood-retinal barrier was quantitatively measured using Evan’s blue as a tracer.
Results: Four hours after modeling, the concentrations of PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2α in the aqueous humor and vitreous body in the negative control group and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group. The concentrations of PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2α in the aqueous humor and vitreous body in the corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group were higher than those in the negative control group and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group. Forty-eight hours after modeling, the concentrations of PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2α in the aqueous humor and vitreous body in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment group, corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group, and corticosteroid treatment group were lower than those in the model group, but higher than those in the negative group. Retinal Evan’s blue leakage in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment group was higher than that in the negative control group, and lower than those in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment group, corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group, corticosteroid treatment group, and model group. Retinal Evan’s blue leakage in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment group, corticosteroid prophylactic treatment group, and corticosteroid treatment group were lower than those in the model group.
Conclusions: This study confirms that prostaglandin antagonists can relieve blood-retinal barrier breakdown in a rat model and that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prophylactic treatment can achieve better efficacy.

Keywords: blood-retinal barrier; surgery; Prostaglandin antagonists; anti-inflammatory agents, non-steroidal; Adrenal cortex hormones; Anterior eye segment/surgery; Rats

Purpose: We investigated parasympathetic innervation abnormalities of the iris sphincter and ciliary muscles in chronic Chagas disease by measuring pupillary diameter and intraocular pressure.
Methods: A group of 80 patients with Chagas disease was compared with 76 healthy individuals without chagasic infection. The following procedures were performed: pupillometry, hypersensitivity test to pilocarpine 0.125%, intraocular pressure measurement (IOP), basal pupil diameter (BPD), absolute pupillary constriction amplitude (ACA), relative pupillary constriction amplitude (RCA) and the presence of anisocoria.
Results: The prevalence of anisocoria was higher in chagasic patients (p<0.01). These patients had mean basal pupillary diameter, mean photopic pupillary diameter and mean value of absolute pupillary constriction amplitude significantly lower than non-chagasic ones (p<0.01, mean difference -0.50mm), (p=0.02, mean difference -0.20mm), (p<0.01, mean difference -0.29mm), respectively. The relative pupillary constriction amplitude did not differ between the two groups (p=0.39, mean difference -1.15%). There was hypersensitivity to dilute pilocarpine in 8 (10%) of the chagasic patients in the right eye and in 2 (2.5%) in the left eye and in 1 (1.25%) in both eyes. The mean value of intraocular pressure had a marginal statistical significance between the two groups (p=0.06, mean difference -0.91mmHg).
Conclusions: Patients with chagasic infection may exhibit ocular parasympathetic dysfunction, demonstrable by pupillometry and the dilute pilocarpine hypersensitivity test.

Keywords: Pupil physiology; Parasymphatetic denervation; Hypersensitivity; Intraocular pressure; Pilocarpine; Chagas disease

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of the first 30 cataract surgeries performed with a new disposable, injector-free, small-pupil expansion device.
Methods: This consecutive case series included 30 eyes from 29 patients who underwent cataract surgery using a new disposable small-pupil expansion device called the Canabrava Ring (AJL Ophthalmic S.A, Spain). It is the first iris expansion ring produced with indents that do not align with each other in the superior and inferior regions, resulting in a small vertical length (0.4 mm) that minimizes the risk of endothelial contact. All eyes had poorly dilated pupils of less than 5 mm preoperatively. Fifteen eyes had significant infective or traumatic pathologies preoperatively. Vertical and horizontal pupil diameters were evaluated preoperatively, intraoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively.
Results: The mean patient age was 64 ± 11.8 (standard deviation) years. The Canabrava Ring remained engaged throughout all surgeries, except one. All pupils were intraoperatively expanded to a diameter of 6.3 mm. Although preexisting pathology on the innervation of the pupils, the mean pupil diameter returns to a close preoperative size after 1 month surgery. The mean pupil diameters postoperatively and preoperatively were 4.41 and 3.77 mm, respectively (p<0.05). Postoperative complications occurred in eight eyes (one toxoplasmosis reactivation, one retinal detachment, one posterior capsule rupture, one posterior capsule opacification, and four posterior synechiae). These complications occurred in eyes with preexisting traumatic or infective pathologies or synechiae.
Conclusion: The Canabrava Ring is effective for expanding and maintaining expansion of small pupils in cataract surgery. The increase in postoperative pupil diameter is clinically diminutive and can most likely be attributed to preexisting pathologies affecting pupil innervation. Further large-scale studies are required to support the present findings.

Keywords: Cataract extraction; Miosis; Pupils/physiology; Prostheses and implants; Tissue expansion/instrumentation

Purpose: To evaluate the complications and clinical results of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in patients with endothelial failure that occurred during the learning curve of a surgeon.
Methods: Fifty eyes of 50 patients with DMEK and ≥6 months of follow-up were included. The patients were divided into the first 25 (group 1) and the second 25 (group 2) procedures performed by the surgeon. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), unfolding time of the Descemet membrane (DM) graft, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared between groups.
Results: The differences in postoperative increase of BCVA (p=0.595) and decrease of CCT (p=0.725) in the two groups were not significant. The unfolding time of the DM was longer in group 1 than in group 2 (p=0.001). Primary graft failure occurred in three patients in group 1 and none in group 2. At the last visit, 42 (85.7%) of patients' corneas were clear, with significant difference between groups (p=0.584). A patient in group 1 with a history of pars plana vitrectomy, inferior iridectomy, and fluid as a tamponade experienced drop of the DM graft into the iridectomy space. All other intraoperative complications occurred in group 1.
Conclusions: Occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was increased in patients with coexisting ocular pathology or complicated endothelial dysfunction and during the surgeon's learning curve of DM endothelial keratoplasty procedures.

Keywords: Descemet membrane; Corneal disease/surgery; Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty; Intraoperative complications; Postoperative complications

Purpose: We aimed to report the ocular manifestations observed in patients with psoriasis.
Methods: Patients were included and referred to our ophthalmology clinic from dermatology clinics of Universidade do Estado do Pará between October 2013 and August 2014. Clinical interviews were conducted to identify relevant epidemiological data, clinical features, and treatment details, and data were recorded using the same protocol. Subsequent dermatological examinations were performed and disease severity was rated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and the Dermatological Life Quality Index. Complete eye examination was conducted, including visual acuity, biomicroscopy, tonometry, fundoscopy, Schirmer I test, tear breakup time, rose bengal staining, ocular surface disease index, and glaucoma tests.
Results: In total, we included 43 patients with psoriasis and 86 controls. Patients with psoriasis had statistically higher incidences of dry eye (16.28%), likely dry eye (32.56%), and blepharitis (16.28%). Furthermore, the rose bengal and ocular surface disease tests were more abnormal in patients with psoriasis (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Patients with psoriasis should undergo regular eye exams, regardless of risk factors, to monitor for the progression of symptomatic or asymptomatic ocular manifestations.

Keywords: Psoriasis; Ocular manifestations

Purpose: Nitrogen mustard (NM) is a devastating casualty agent in chemical warfare. There is no effective antidote to treat NM-induced ocular injury. We aimed to assess the effects of proanthocyanidin (PAC) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on NM-induced ocular injury.
Methods: Eighteen male rats were divided into the following 4 groups: NM, NM + PAC, NM + CoQ10, and control. The 3 NM groups received a single dose of NM (0.02 mg/µL) on the right eye to induce ocular injury. The control group received saline only. Thirty minutes after the application of NM, the NM + PAC group received PAC (100 mg/kg) via gastric gavage, while the NM + CoQ10 group received CoQ10 (10 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection. PAC and CoQ10 were administered once a day for 5 consecutive days. The rats were then sacrificed. Macroscopic images of the eyes were examined and eye tissues were collected for histology.
Results: The treatment groups were compared to the control group with regard to both corneal opacity and lid injury scores. The findings were not significantly different for both the NM + PAC and NM + CoQ10 groups. In both the NM + PAC and NM + CoQ10 groups, the histological changes seen in the NM group demonstrated improvement.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that PAC and CoQ10 treatments have therapeutic effects on NM-induced ocular injury in a rat model. PAC and CoQ10 may be novel options in patients with NM-induced ocular injury.

Keywords: Mustard gas; Eye injuries; Oxidative stress; Proanthocyanidins; Ubiquinone

Purpose: To conduct a 10-year follow-up on the surgical correction of large-angle esotropia using monocular surgery, verifying surgical stability over time in both adults and children, and investigating the presence of consecutive exotropia among reviewed patients.
Methods: The angles of deviation in primary position were measured using prism cover testing in patients with good vision in both eyes and the Krimsky method in those with severe amblyopia. Among the 46 patients who underwent surgery, 40 were evaluated 10 years post-surgery. Student's t-test and McNemar's test were used for statistical analyses.
Results: No significant differences in the angles of deviation in primary position were found between measurements taken 6 months and 10 years post-surgery (p=0.922), as well as between children and adults (p=0.767). Among the 40 reviewed patients, only five presented with exotropia, all of which were small (the largest being XT 15^Δ). Therefore, large consecutive exotropia over time was not observed.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that monocular surgery to correct large-angle esotropia using large medial rectus recessions and broad lateral rectus resections was viable and safe in both adults and children over short and long terms.

Keywords: Strabismus; Esotropia; Exotropia; Oculomotor muscles; Refractive errors

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe infection of the subcutaneous tissue characterized by necrosis of the superficial fascia and overlying skin and is usually associated with previous trauma and comorbidities. Periorbital necrotizing fasciitis is rare and commonly causes visual loss and soft tissue defects. A better prognosis relies critically on early diagnosis, prompt medical treatment, and timely surgical intervention. We describe a rare case of periorbital necrotizing fasciitis in the absence of an inciting event. A 55-year-old female patient presented with acute painful swelling and redness of the right upper eyelid that spread to both eyelids bilaterally within 24 h. We swiftly started the patient on intravenous antibiotic therapy, and we surgically debrided the necrotic tissue the following day. We performed two further procedures to improve eyelid closure and appearance. Despite the severe presentation, timely antibiotic therapy and proper surgical interventions led to a successful outcome in this case.

Keywords: Fasciitis, necrotizing; Eye infections, bacterial; Orbital diseases; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Subcutaneous tissue; Case reports

Here we report the case of a 78-year-old male patient with a 2-day history of low visual acuity and fundus and who was diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion. In addition, the patient had an allergy to fluorescein. A fundus examination of the left eye found a pink optic disc with blurred margins, diffuse pallor in the retina with arterial attenuation, and a normal band of the retinal area in the macular region. Optical coherence tomography revealed increased thickness of the inner retina. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) revealed a decreased flow signal in the superficial layers, with reduced flow signal in the choriocapillaris. OCT-A is a valuable alternative during the follow-up period in patients with central retinal artery occlusion, particularly in those with an allergy to contrast agents. The use of this as a non-invasive examination can improve the prognosis of patients and future studies investigating the treatment of central retinal artery occlusion.

Keywords: Optical coherence tomography; Retinal artery occlusion

A 44-year-old man was referred for evaluation of pain and temporal floaters after receiving a rebounded bullet impact to his right eye. Typical funduscopic findings, together with the confirmed presence of an intraorbital metallic foreign body, led to the diagnosis of chorioretinitis sclopetaria. Conservative management was performed as no severe symptoms were observed. The favorable clinical outcome was confirmed in subsequent reviews. Chorioretinitis sclopetaria is characterized by a proliferative chorioretinal inflammation as a consequence of the expansive wave caused by the entrance of a bullet between the eyeball and the orbit.

Keywords: Chorioretinitis; Chorioretinitis sclopetaria; Orbit; Eye foreign bodies; Trauma; Conservative treatment

A 43-year-old male with a history of eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis presented with headache and double vision since 48 h. Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis was diagnosed based on nuclear magnetic resonance and comprehensive systemic study findings. Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis and idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis have been associated with IgG4-related diseases, but this was the first case in which they coexisted in the same patient. After steroid treatment failure, rituximab was used with excellent results.

Keywords: Headache; Meningitis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Eosinophilia; Fibrosis; Rituximab; Humans; Case reports

The diagnosis of angle-closure glaucoma secondary to iridociliary cysts is challenging and lacks compiled literature support. We present a rare case of bilateral angle-closure glaucoma associated with pseudoplateau iris due to multiple ciliary cysts and conducted a systematic review of the literature to find similar case reports published between November 2006 and November 2016. Only 19 case reports present treatment modalities, and most cases required more than one therapeutic approach for controlling the intraocular pressure. Pseudoplateau iris attributed to iridociliary cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with narrow angles, particularly those with ocular hypertension and glaucoma, in which management is complex. In addition to gonioscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy is considered the conclusive method for accurate diagnosis.

Keywords: Angle-closure glaucoma; Cyst complications; Ciliary body; Iris diseases; Ultrasound biomicroscopy; Differential diagnosis Pseudoplateau iris