VOLUME 65 - ISSUE 1

Purpose: To present 20 cases of fungal keratitis at the São Geraldo Hospital, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil and to analyze them regarding associated factors, type of identified fungi and treatment. Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed the charts of 20 patients (20 eyes) of culture positive fungal keratitis treated from January 1994 to December 1999 at the São Geraldo Hospital. Results: Fifteen patients (75%) were male. The average was 35.7 years (range 9 to 67 years). One of the associeted factors analyzed was ocular trauma (60%). Fusarium sp was the most commonly isolated organism (60%), followed by Aspergillus sp (30%). Natamycin was the topical antifungals most frequently used, while systemic treatment commonly used was cetoconazol. Fourteen patients (70%) had penetrating keratoplasty during the acute stage of infection. Conclusions: We found Fusarium sp the most commonly isolated fungus and a past history of ocular trauma was common. In contrast to other studies, our experience showed a higher number of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty.

Keywords: Keratitis; Eye infections fungal; Cornea

Purpose: To analyze the postoperative complications of conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with low-density polyethylene tube and the possible correlations between the various etiologies and complications and surgical success rate. Methods: The study was carried out on 35 lacrimal apparatus of 34 patients who were submitted to conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with low-density polyethylene tube during a six-year period, from August 1991 to November 1997. With the aim of studying the possible correlations between the findings (etiology x complications and etiology x success rate) exact Fisher's test was carried out. Results: The most important etiologies were chronic dacryocystitis and failure of dacryocystorhinostomy (53.9%) followed by traumatisms (16.3%). The complication rate was 74.3%. The surgical success rate in one intervention was 25.7%. After two or more surgeries, 17 tubes became pervious and well-located (48.6%). Unsuccessful procedures occurred in 25.7% of the lacrimal apparatus. There was no significant correlation between etiology and complication occurrence neither between etiology and surgical success. Conclusions: There is no difference between complications and success in this study and those reported in the international literature. These findings were not correlated with the obstruction etiology. The advantages of low-density polyethylene tube are its great availability, the easy manufacture in the intraoperative period according to the lenght and width needs of and, finally, it can be exchanged for borosilicate glass when the edema regress.

Keywords: Lacrimal duct obstruction; Prosthesis implantation; Dacryocystorhinostomy; Postoperative complications; Polyethylene; Treatment outcome

Purpose: To determine the changes in the conjunctival and palpebral flora after topical use of 0.3% lomefloxacin and 0.3% tobramycin eye drops in the preoperative management of patients submitted to cataract and refractive surgery and to assess the chemosensitivity of bacterial isolates from the conjunctiva and eyelid to these antibiotics. Methods: A prospective study of the conjunctival and palpebral flora of patients submitted to cataract or to refractive (PRK or LASIK) surgery was performed. An analysis of the conjunctival and palpebral flora was carried out in patients before surgery without prophylaxis, after surgery during the use of prophylaxis (0.3% lomefloxacin or 0.3% tobramycin qid) and after discontinuation of the antibiotic. Results: Tobramycin and lomefloxacin reduced the number of positive cultures in specimens from the conjunctiva and eyelid of individuals submitted to cataract and refractive surgery. In both groups, isolated microorganisms displayed a greater resistance to tobramycin. In the group submitted to cataract surgery, patients treated with prophylactic tobramycin showed a slower recovery of the flora after discontinuation of the antibiotic than those treated with lomefloxacin, with the opposite occurring in the group submitted to refractive surgery. Conclusion: Both lomefloxacin and tobramycin were effective in reducing conjunctival and palpebral flora during drug administration. This reduction was more marked in the conjunctiva. Among the various bacterial isolates, there was a greater resistance to tobramycin than to lomefloxacin. The use of antibiotics reduced the incidence of positive cultures more for the conjunctiva than the eyelids.

Keywords: Bacterial eye infections; Bacterial eye infections; Microbial sensitivity tests; Microbial drug resistance; Postoperative complications; Ophthalmic solutions; Quinolones; Quinolones; Tobramycin; Tobramycin; Comparative study; Prospective studies

Introduction: Malignant intraocular tumors are associated with an increase in the aqueous flare, caused by alterations of the blood-ocular barriers through various mechanisms. Several studies have demonstrated an ocular flare increase using flare photometry in eyes with benign and malignant tumors. Purpose: To evaluate flare photometry as an adjunct method in the differential diagnosis of choroidal malignant melanoma and choroidal nevus comparing to normal control eyes. Methods: Eyes with melanoma and nevus were diagnosed by indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy and/or ultrasound were evaluated. The fellow normal eyes were used as a control. In all subject and control eyes flare photometry was performed using the Laser Flare Meter (FC 500, Kowa), under mydriasis. Statistical analysis was done using the Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman tests. Results: Thirty-one eyes with malignant melanoma and 18 eyes with nevus were evaluated. The flare photometry average in the eyes with malignant melanoma was 17.1 ph/ms and in the control fellow eyes it was 4.06 ph/ms. In eyes with choroidal nevus the flare photometry average was 6.12 ph/ms and in the control fellow eyes it was 4.47 ph/ms. The flare photometry was higher in eyes with malignant melanoma and nevus than in the fellow normal eyes (p<0.001 and p<0.01). Comparing the eyes with malignant melanoma and nevus, flare photometry was significantly higher in eyes with malignant melanoma (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the tumor thickness and flare photometry (r=0.47). Conclusion: Flare photometry is a helpful tool in the differential diagnosis of malignant melanoma and choroidal nevus.

Keywords: Melanoma; Choroid neoplasms; Nevi and melanomas; Lasers; Photometry; Comparative study; Differential diagnosis; Blood-aqueous barrier

Purpose: We have developed an instrument for computerized surgical videokeratography. A corneal central region of approximately 7.00 mm in diameter may be analyzed, providing the surgeon with information of the power and the astigmatism. Methods: The system is based on a fiber optic Placido disc projecting cone, which is attached to the objective lens of a Zeiss compatible surgical microscope. At the beam splitter we installed a monochromatic high resolution camera. A frame grabber is installed on a PC and images are digitized at a 480x640 resolution. Image processing is used for edge detection of rings. Results: Calibrating curves based on 4 spherical surfaces were generated and approximately 3600 points are calculated for each examination. Preliminary measurements on 10 healthy corneas were compared with those of an EyeSys System 2000 Corneal Topographer. Mean deviation was 0.05 for radius of curvature, 0.24 D for the power and 5.0 degrees for the cylinder. Conclusions: This surgical VKS, with some hardware and software improvements, may be used to reduce residual astigmatisms in conventional cataract and keratoplasty. It could also be used to gather preoperative data in corneal topography assisted LASIK.

Keywords: Corneal topography; Keratometry; Placido disc

Purpose: The design and use of new near-vision charts for training and evaluation of the use of optical aids in low vision patients. Methods: Construction of new charts obeying a linguistic complexity, starting with words, followed by expressions and sentences and ending with texts. The new material was used in thirty-two patients with retinitis pigmentosa, with a corrected visual acuity from 0.5 to 1.3 LogMAR. Reading speeds were recorded with and without optical aids. Results: Word-reading, expression-reading, sentence-reading and text-reading charts in different sizes, with black print on a white background and white print on a black background. The data regarding age, sex, visual acuity, optical aids, print size, reading speeds with and without aids and educational training are shown. Conclusion: Text reading is the best instrument in qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the use of optical aids. The proposed charts have an increasing linguistic complexity trying to minimize the nonvisual factors. This is an important material for low vision, but reading performance depends on features of each patient.

Keywords: Low vision; Reading; Sensory aids; Vision tests

Purpose: To study the retinal alterations in rabbit eyes after intravitreal injection of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% lidocaine through histopathological analysis with light and transmission electron microscopy. Methods: Forty eyes of 20 New Zeland albino rabbits were submitted to intravitreal injection of 0.5 (group II), 1.0 (group III) and 2.0 % (group IV) lidocaine in the right eyes and saline solution in the left eyes (group I - control) after general anesthesia. Bilateral indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed before the intravitreal injection, during the procedure, one hour postoperative and on days 1, 3, 7 and 15. On the same days one eye of group II, two eyes of group III and one eye of group IV were enucleated and examined under light and transmission electron microscopy. Results: No alterations were found under bilateral indirect ophthalmoscopy before and during the intravitreal injection, but on days 1, 3, 7 and 15 after the procedure the retina showed a whitish aspect, an elevation of the vitreous-retinal interface, retinal edema and virtual condensation ring in all groups. No alterations were found using light and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% lidocaine morphologically showed no toxicity to New Zeland albino rabbit retina, based on light and transmission electron microscopy analysis.

Keywords: Rabbits; Lidocaine; Injections; Local anesthetics; Vitreous body; Retina; Electron microscopy; Scanning transmission electron microscopy; Animals

Purpose: To determine the importance of the Ishihara test for the diagnosis of congenital dyschromatopsias and evaluate their incidence in a population of drivers, to assess the most common mistakes in the Color Box test and to study the relationship between dyschromatopsia, driving and traffic accidents. Methods: 523 drivers were examinated, in conformity with Contran resolution 734/89. The drivers were submitted to the color test with Ishihara plates, and those who had dyschromatopsia were submitted to the Color Box test (red, yellow and green), with LEDs as used in a traffic light. Results: An incidence of 5.5% (29 patients) of dyschromatopsias was observed. Of these patients, 3 were excluded from the study, 16 had severe disease and 10 had mild disease. In the latter group, 7 presented deuteranomaly and 3 protanomaly. Of those with deuteranomaly, 3 presented alterations in the Color Box test and 4 did not. Of those with protanomaly, 1 patient had abnormal results and 2 were normal. Of the patients with severe disease, 14 presented deuteranopia and 2 protanopia. All of them had an abnormal Color Box test. Conclusion: All patients with severe disease and half of those with moderate disease, made mistakes in the Color Box test. This study concludes that the Color Box test does not need to be performed in those patients who had the Ishihara Plate test done to diagnose congenital dyschromatopsias.

Keywords: Color perception; Color vision defects; Color vision defects; Color perception tests; Automobile driving

Purpose: To evaluate the results of the first 10 keratoconus patients submitted to Ferrara's ring surgery. Methods: In a prospective study, 10 keratoconus patients were included with best uncorrected visual acuity equal to or worse than 20/100, contact lens intolerance and absence of significant corneal scar. Patients were healthy otherwise, with no systemic medications or diseases. LogMAR visual acuity, refraction, topography and surgical complications were recorded. Minimum follow up was three months. Results: Two microperfurations occurred during the incision for the inferior tunnel. After surgery we had one case of single acrylic extrusion and four cases of displacement of one or both segments. Overall spectacle corrected visual acuity improved from 0.750 ± 0.374, to 0.438 ± 0.342 (p=0.026). The mean noncorrected visual acuity on the first day after surgery was 0.667 ± 0.447 (n=9), and final noncorrected visual acuity of 0.562 ± 0.272 was recorded. Five patients achieved spectacle corrected visual acuity of 0.5 LogMAR units was recorded or better, after three months of surgery. One patient did not show any significant flattening of the cornea at topography. Conclusion: This study showed improvement of visual acuity, refraction and topography in most patients in relation to preoperative results.

Keywords: Keratoconus; Corneal stroma; Prostheses and implants; Visual acuity; Corneal topography; Prospective studies

Introduction: The glaucoma is one of the most frequent causes of blindness. It is of the utmost importance for the patient to have some knowledge about its pathology. As every chronic disease, glaucoma involves problems concerning the proper observance of its treatment. The necessity of continued assistance in following up the medical treatment cannot be overemphasized. Purpose: To assess observance of the medical treatment in chronic simplex glaucoma patients with and without psychological assistance. Methods: 24 patients were assessed: 8 of them, receiving medical and psychological assistance, constituted the group of study; the control group comprised 16 patients under medical guidance only. In the control group -- 14 men and 2 women aged between 50 and 82 years, there were 10 of the white race, 4 mulattos and 2 blacks. As to marital status, there were 8 married, 4 widowed, 3 separated and 1 single. Their medication varied from 2 to 9 different brands of collyria 13 of the cases in the control group required surgery. In the study group -- 7 men and 1 woman, ages varying between 54 and 86 years, 3 were white, 2 were black and 3 were mulattos. There were 4 married, 2 widowed, 1 separated and 1 single. Their medication varied from 1 to 3 different collyria, and there were no surgical cases in this group. Results: Through medical and psychological assistance extended to the patients in the study group, it was verified that intraocular pressure substantially decreased after the second month, without any surgical case. In the control group, under medical assistance only, increase of the intraocular pressure and eventual surgery (80%) was verified. There was no statistically significant relation between the intraocular pressure and the time of study. Conclusion: Analysis of the results obtained in this study show the necessity of complying with the adequate treatment of glaucoma. In the group of study, under psychological assistance, better compliance with the treatment was achieved. Observation of these data allows recognition of how important is psychological guidance for patients presenting with Chronic Glaucoma.

Keywords: Glaucoma; Glaucoma; Chronic disease; Patient compliance; Questionnaires

Three hundred and nineteen students from the Medical School of ABC (Santo André-SP) responded to a self-evaluation questionnaire. 62.7% had optical correction, of these 53.3% showed simple myopia or myopia associated to astigmatism as refraction errors; 92.8% had heard about refractive surgery; 34.2% were aware of this surgical technique and only 17.6% knew about the risks including intra and post operative complications. Of the 200 students who showed to have ametropia, 50.5% would like to be submitted to surgery and 69.0% expected to have recovery after surgery. Of all students, 51.7% had their last ophthalmological exam in less than a year; 32% were seen between 1 and 3 years and 15.7% in three years. Therefore, within the scope of this study, there has been little information about refractive surgery in ophthalmology clinics, staying far behind families, friends and university.

Keywords: Refraction, ocular; Refractive errors; Knowledge, attitudes, practice; Students, medical

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of EyeSys Topographic system of contact lens fitting software (version 3.10) in followed-up patients of the contact lens department of the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, some of them with keratoconus diagnosis. Methods: The 29 patients, 9 of them with a keratoconus diagnosis, had their contact lens fitted in this specific sector of the above mentioned hospital, based on simulated keratometry and the best fluoresceinographic pattern. Afterwards, the base curve pattern and the lens power of those lenses were compared with the same suggested patterns of the computerized topography fitting program. Results: No statistically significant differences were found regarding the base curve (p=0.158) and lens power of fitted lenses (p=0.013) both in normal and keratoconus patients (p=0.463 for base curve and p=0.842 for lens power). However, in the latter group, we found greater base curve and lens power values than in the normal patient group. Conclusion: The computerized fitting program EyeSys (3.10 version) of contact lenses can be used as an auxiliary method for rigid gas permeable contact lenses, both in normal and keratoconus patients, spending less time and offering a more comfortable lens fitting. However clinical experience is the best choice.

Keywords: Contact lenses; Corneal topography; Keratoconus; Software

Purpose: To assess the ophthalmic conditions of Brazilian Indians from the Alto Rio Negro at the border of Brazil and Colombia. Methods: Ophthalmologic examination of 179 indians in July 1999. Results: Nummular corneal opacities in 28.5%; pterygium in 12.8%; trachoma in 55%. Of the total examined indians 2.8% had vision below counting fingers at 5 meters because of corneal lesions secondary to trachoma.

Keywords: Pterygium; Trachoma; Mansonella; South-American indians

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disease characterized by abnormal insulin secretion, elevated fasting plasma glucose, and a variety of complications in terminal organs. Retinopathy and nephropathy are important causes of blindness and renal failure respectively, and complications related to diabetes mellitus. Purpose: To determine the relationship between the presence of proteinuria and nephropathy and the severity of diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Transversal study of diabetic patients without previous ophthalmologic treatment, seeing at a reference eye clinic. These patients underwent indirect ophthalmoscopy and blood work- up, and were questioned about duration and type of diabetes mellitus. The presence of risk factors were correlated with the fundus findings. The statistical analysis of the quantitative data was performed using Student's t test. Results: Eighty-one patients were selected, 28 male, 53 female, 28 had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 53 had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Factors statistically related to more severe diabetic retinopathy include: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (alpha<0.01), nephropathy (alpha<0.05), proteinuria (alpha<0.05), duration of the disease (p<0.001), and elevated fasting plasma glucose (p=0.01). Conclusions: The severity of diabetic retinopathy appears to be associated with the presence of proteinuria and nephropathy besides other risk factors such as duration of disease, type of diabetes, and poor metabolic control. The authors suggest that a quantitative urine test should be included in the evaluation of diabetic retinopathy.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Retinopathy; Proteinuria; Risk factors; Kidney diseases

Purpose: To show the results of evaluation, management and evolution in a population of patients with choroidal melanoma that were examined between January 1st, 1994, and January 1st, 2000 at the Retina and Vitreous Service of the Federal University of Uberlândia - MG. Methods: This series was based on a retrospective chart review of 7 patients with a diagnosis of choroidal melanoma, analyzing: age, sex, race, symptoms and duration, diagnostic methods, treatment, tumor size and type, and evolution. Results: There was no difference regarding sex, and the patients' average age at diagnosis was 58.5 years. The tumor was more frequent in whites (66.5%) and visual loss was the most frequent symptom (66.5%). Indirect ophthalmoscopy was responsible for 66.5% of the diagnosis. All the patients were submitted to ultrasonography (USG) and underwent surgical treatment because they presented with large tumors (basal diameter larger than 12 mm). Mixed cell melanoma was the most frequent type (50%), and the average size of the tumors was 20.50 mm basal diameter and 15.16 mm thickness. The follow-up varied from 8 months to 5 years. Two patients had systemic metastases and died. Conclusion: All patients were diagnosed with the tumor at an advanced stage, needing surgical treatment. Two deaths were observed. Indirect ophthalmoscopy is very important in adults based on the malignancy of the tumor and the possibility of early detection, enlarging the treatment options and improving its results.

Keywords: Melanoma; Choroid neoplasms

Purpose: To evaluate the most frequent indications for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in the Ophthalmology service of the Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the charts of 507 patients with indication for penetrating keratoplasty during the period of Jan/1988 to Dec/1997 (454 underwent the surgery during the period). Results: The main indications for PK were as follows: keratoconus (28.6%), bullous keratopathy (20.9%), leucomas (12.6%) and regraft (11.0%). The age average of the corneas was 44 years and the mean preservation time was 6,6 days. Conclusions: There was agreement between our study and the literature despite some differences between the main indications.

Keywords: Corneal transplantation; Tissue donors; Keratoplasty; Organ preservation; Retrospective studies

Purpose: The authors describe two cases of a rare and illustrative presumed vasoproliferative tumor of the retina associated with recurring vitreous hemorrhage in two young and healthy patients. Method: Two eyes of two patients were examined by fundoscopy, retinography, fluorescein angiography and ultrasonography. Results: In both cases, the vascular tumor was unilateral, solitary and showed ultrasonographic evidence of vitreous attachment. The differential diagnosis of the disease and options for treatment with cryotherapy, photocoagulation and vitrectomy are discussed. Conclusion: The authors point out the importance of recognizing of idiopathic vasoproliferative tumor of the retina in cases of recidivant vitreous hemorrhage.

Keywords: Hemangioma; Retinal neoplasms; Retinal vessels; Neovascularization pathologic; Vitreous hemorrhage; Case report

Rhinosporidiosis is a rare fungal infection, specially when it involves the eye. Its etiologic agent is Rhinosporidium seeberi, which produces elevated and polypoid lesions, with features of granulomatous inflammation, rich in parasites. The authors report a case with tarsal conjunctival impairment in a 22-year-old patient. This is the first case of the ocular disease in the state of Espirito Santo. The clinical features, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy are discussed.

Keywords: Rhinosporidiosis; Rhinosporidium; Eye infections fungal; Case report

The ocular ischemic syndrome is a manifestation of chronic hypoperfusion of the ocular arterial supply. Takayasu's arteritis is characterized by inflammatory arteritis of big vessels, with variable grades of obstruction, generally aortic branchs. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of ocular ischemic syndrome secondary to Takayasu's arteritis. Digital fluorescein angiography showed signs of chorioretinal hypoperfusion and arteriovenous shunts, and arteriography showed an important reduction of more than 90% of the blood flow in both right and left carotid arteries.

Keywords: Takayasu's arteritis; Ischemia; Retinal artery occlusion; Fluorescein angiography; Ocular ischemic syndrome; Retina; Carotid arteries; Optic nerve; Case report

The authors report a case of a patient wich underwent a gastrointestinal surgery. After the procedure he presented with endogenous endophthalmitis in the right eye. This eye had to be eviscerated, despite treatment. The authors describe procedures and several infections that may lead to endogenous endophthalmitis.

Keywords: Endophthalmitis; Postoperative complications; Eye evisceration; Minimally invasive surgical procedures; Case report

The paper presents a revision of the anisometropias. It discusses the definition, classification and probable optical and physiological mechanisms of the symptoms. There are no rigid rules for the condition's treatment; each case has to be managed individually.

Keywords: Anisometropias; Ametropia; Refractive errors

This is the first part of a review of papers on the visual afferent system published from 1997 to 1999. In this part the author presents the most important contributions made in areas such as neuro-ophthalmic tests, optic nerve anatomy, nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical features, treatment and prophylaxis), arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, carotid artery disease, demyelinating optic neuritis, relationship between optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis, optic neuromyelitis, autoimmune optic neuritis and infectious optic neuritis. Selected papers are considered in relation to their results and previously established concepts.

Keywords: Visual pathways; Optic nerve; Optic nerve diseases; Perimetry; Literature review