VOLUME 83 - ISSUE 6

Purpose: The aims of this study were to characterize alpha-hemolytic streptococci among isolates from cases of infectious endophthalmitis and keratitis and to determine their distributions.
Methods: The sample included 27 and 35 nonduplicated isolates of alpha-hemolytic streptococci recovered from patients with infectious endophthalmitis (2002-2013) and keratitis (2008-2013), respectively. Isolates were identified by the optochin susceptibility and bile solubility tests, using a biochemical identification system. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the broth microdilution method. Molecular identification was performed by analyses of three constitutive genes and the complementary multilocus sequence. The molecular epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae was investigated using multilocus sequence typing, and the presence of the capsular polysaccharide-encoding gene was assessed using conventional polymerase chain reaction. Outcomes were evaluated using the patients’ medical records.
Results: Phenotypic tests differentiated S. pneumoniae from other alpha-hemolytic streptococci, consistent with later molecular identifications. Streptococcus oralis was significantly prevalent among the endophthalmitis isolates, as was S. pneumoniae in the keratitis isolates. High levels of susceptibility to antibiotics were observed, including vancomycin, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones. High genetic variability was detected among the 19 S. pneumoniae strains, with 15 predicted to be encapsulated. The medical records of patients with infectious endophthalmitis were reviewed (n=15/27; 56%), and final visual acuity was assessed in 12 cases (44%). Many patients progressed to a final visual acuity state of “no light perception” (6/12; 50%), “light perception” (3/12; 25%), or “hand motion” (1/12; 8%). The medical records of patients with infectious keratitis were also reviewed (n=24/35; 69%), and final visual acuity was assessed in 18 cases (51%). Similarly, most patients progressed to a final visual acuity state of “no light perception” (6/18; 33%), “light perception” (1/18; 6%), or “hand motion” (6/18; 33%). Overall, the majority of patients progressed to a final visual acuity state of “no light perception” (12/30), “light perception” (4/30), or “hand motion” (7/30).
Conclusions: The distribution of alpha-hemolytic streptococci in ocular infections suggested the presence of a species-specific tissue tropism. The prognoses of patients with ocular streptococcal infections were highly unfavorable, and antibiotic resistance did not contribute to the unfavorable clinical progressions and poor outcomes.

Keywords: Endophthalmitis; Keratitis; Eye infections, bacterial; Streptococcal infections; Viridans streptococci/isolation & purification; Drug resistance, microbial; Fluoroquinolones

Purpose: To describe the findings on optical coherence tomography angiography associated with Alport syndrome.
Methods: Descriptive study from a referral ophthalmology service (Hospital Evangélico de Vila Velha, Brazil). Patients diagnosed with Alport syndrome were included.
Results: The study group consisted of four patients (one female and three males) diagnosed with Alport syndrome. Visual acuity in the worst eye was between 20/40 and 20/60. All male patients had anterior lenticonus on biomicroscopy. The observed retinal findings included dots and flecks and pigmentary changes in the macula. On optical coherence tomography angiography, the inner retinal layers of all patients displayed thinning (especially in the temporal quadrant of the macula) and an increase in the foveal avascular zone. A thick choroid was observed in both eyes of the two youngest patients.
Conclusions: In patients with Alport syndrome, the inner retinal layers suffer changes due to type IV collagen mutations. Optical coherence tomography angiography makes it possible to visualize and document these findings, making it a useful tool in the detection of early retinal findings associated with Alport syndrome.

Keywords: Retina; Tomography, optical coherence; Fluorescein angiography/methods; Nephritis, hereditary

Purpose: To investigate the impact of different sizes of steep meridian clear corneal incisions for phacoemulsification on anterior corneal higher-order aberrations.
Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent 2.2-mm coaxial micro-incision cataract surgery or 2.75-mm coaxial small-incision cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients with preexisting anterior corneal astigmatism <2.00 diopters (D) and ≥0.50 D who underwent a steep meridian clear corneal incision were included. Primary outcomes were 3rd- to 6th-order anterior corneal higher-order aberrations with an 8-mm pupil. Anterior corneal astigmatism and effective phaco time were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Preoperative and 3-month postoperative outcomes were evaluated.
Results: Anterior corneal astigmatism significantly decreased after both procedures; however, there was no significant difference found in surgically induced anterior corneal astigmatism between the two procedures (p=0.146). Although the total higher-order aberrations did not significantly change after both procedures, the group comparison showed a significant difference in surgically induced total higher-order aberrations (a decrease of 0.337 ± 1.156 μm in 2.2-mm coaxial micro-incision cataract surgery and an increase of 0.106 ± 0.521 μm in 2.75-mm coaxial small-incision cataract surgery, p=0.046). Spherical aberrations significantly decreased after 2.2-mm coaxial micro-incision cataract surgery (p=0.001), whereas they did not change significantly after 2.75-mm coaxial small-incision cataract surgery (p=0.564). Coma did not significantly change after either of the procedures. Trefoil did not significantly change after 2.2-mm coaxial micro-incision cataract surgery (p=0.361), whereas it significantly increased after 2.75-mm coaxial small-incision cataract surgery (p<0.001). There was no significant difference shown in effective phaco time between the procedures. A significantly positive correlation was shown between surgically induced anterior corneal astigmatism and coma in 2.75-mm coaxial small-incision cataract surgery (r=0.387, p=0.006). There was no significant correlation found between any surgically induced higher-order aberration changes and effective phaco time.
Conclusions: The results showed that 2.2-mm coaxial micro-incision cataract surgery and 2.75-mm coaxial small-incision cataract surgery did not significantly degrade the total higher-order aberrations of the anterior cornea. However, the surgically induced changes in total higher-order aberration showed a significant difference between the two procedures, with a slight reduction after 2.2-mm coaxial micro-incision cataract surgery and a slight increase after 2.75-mm coaxial small-incision cataract surgery. Phaco time and power used during surgery had no impact on corneal aberrations.

Keywords: Phacoemulsification; Astigmatism; Cornea/surgery; Surgical wound; Treatment outcome

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report a series of cases of solitary fibrofolliculoma, a lesion seldom observed in the lids. Demographics, as well as clinical and histological aspects of the lesion were evaluated.
Methods: This was a retrospective case series spanning a period of 18 years. All the included patients were diagnosed with solitary fibrofolliculoma confirmed by histological examination. Data regarding patient demographics, signs, and symptoms, course of the disease, location of the lesion, clinical and histological diagnosis, and outcome were collected.
Results: Eleven cases of solitary fibrofolliculoma were diagnosed in the study period. The median age of patients was 51 ± 16.3 years (range: 27-78 years). Most patients were females (7/11; 64%). Five of the patients (45%) were asymptomatic; four (36%) reported bleeding, one (9%) had referred itching, and one (9%) rubbing of the lesion. The lesion occurred in a wide range of locations; one of them was located in the lids. The diagnosis for all lesions was histological based on characteristic findings of a hair follicle occasionally dilated and containing keratin material surrounded by a moderately well-circumscribed thick mantle of fibrous tissue. The infundibular follicular epithelium extended out into this fibrous mantle forming epithelial strands or cords. There were no relapses after exeresis.
Conclusion: Solitary fibrofolliculoma is a rare lesion, seldom affecting the eyelids. We reported 11 cases, and the third case reported thus far in the literature affecting the lids. Diagnosis may be easily missed due to the nonspecific symptoms and clinical appearance. Therefore, it is necessary to perform excisional biopsy and histological examination for the recognition of this lesion.

Keywords:

Keywords: Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome/pathology; Eyelid neoplasms; Skin neoplasms

Purpose: To compare central foveal thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and subfoveal choroidal thickness using swept-source optical coherence tomography in premature children with a history of treated retinopathy of prematurity (either with intravitreal bevacizumab or laser photocoagulation) or spontaneously regressed retinopathy of prematurity versus age-matched healthy children at the age of 5 years.
Methods: A total of 79 children were divided into four groups: group 1, children who received intravitreal bevacizumab treatment; group 2, children who received laser photocoagulation treatment; group 3, children who had spontaneously regressed retinopathy of prematurity; and group 4, age matched, full-term healthy children. At the age of 5 years, visual functions and refractive status were assessed. The optical coherence tomography analysis was performed using swept-source optical coherence tomography (DRI-OCT Triton; Topcon, USA).
Results: There were 12 (15.2%), 23 (29.1%), 30 (38%), and 14 (17.7%) children in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Sex distribution was similar between the groups (p=0.420). Best corrected visual acuity was significantly better in group 4 compared with groups 1, 2, and 3 (p=0.035, p=0.001, and p=0.001, respectively). Refractive error results were similar between the groups (p=0.119). Central foveal thickness was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p=0.023). There were no significant differences observed between the groups in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness (p>0.05).
Conclusions: Visual functional outcomes were better in term-born healthy children compared with those noted in children with a history of treated retinopathy of prematurity and spontaneously regressed retinopathy of prematurity. Laser treatment exerted a significant effect on central foveal thickness in premature children at the age of 5 years, as revealed by swept-source optical coherence tomography.

Keywords: Retinopathy of prematurity/drug therapy; Tomography, optical coherence; Bevacizumab/therapeutic use; Light coagulation; Infant, newborn

Purpose: To determine the correlation between the extent of disorganization of the retinal inner layers (a parameter of spectral domain optical coherence tomography) and optical coherence tomography angiography parameters in eyes with center-involved macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion.
Methods: This retrospective observational study included 34 eyes of 34 patients with newly diagnosed macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion and evidence of center-involved macular edema. Optical coherence tomography angiography and spectral domain optical coherence tomography were evaluated after resolution of the macular edema. Disorganization of the retinal inner layers was determined via spectral domain optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography parameters, including foveal avascular zone area in the superficial capillary plexus and capillary nonperfusion areas, foveal avascular zone area in full retinal vasculature, foveal avascular zone perimeter, acircularity index of the foveal avascular zone, and foveal density.
Results: The mean disorganization of the retinal inner layers extent was 512.72 ± 238.47 microns, and the mean capillary nonperfusion area was 4.98 ± 2.85 mm². There was a positive correlation between the extent of disorganization of the retinal inner layers and capillary nonperfusion area (p<0.001, r=0.901). Greater extent of disorganization of the retinal inner layers and the capillary nonperfusion area was correlated with wider foveal avascular zone area (p=0.014 and p=0.036, respectively) in the superficial capillary plexus and decreased foveal density (vessel density in 300 microns around the foveal avascular zone) (p=0.031 and p=0.022, respectively). These parameters were also correlated with decreased vessel density in both the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus in the parafoveal and perifoveal regions (p<0.05 for all).
Conclusions: Disorganization of the retinal inner layers appears to be a correlated biomarker of capillary ischemia in retinal vein occlusion. The extent of disorganization of the retinal inner layers was strongly correlated with the capillary nonperfusion area. This may support the notion that the extent of disorganization of the retinal inner layers can be used as an easily obtainable and crucial surrogate marker of capillary ischemia.

Keywords: Retinal vein occlusion/diagnosis; Macular edema/ physiopathology; Retina/pathology; Capillaries/pathology; Fovea centralis; Retinal vessels/pathology; Fluorescein angiography; Tomography, optical coherence

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and 12-month effect of treatment with pattern scanning laser photocoagulation for ocular surface squamous neoplasia in a low-resource setting with extremely limited access to an operating room.
Methods: Adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of ocular surface squamous neoplasia underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination. After topical anesthesia and instillation of toluidine blue 1%, the lesion was treated using pattern scanning photocoagulation for a duration time that varied from 20 to 100 ms and power from 600 to 1,800 mW. Patients were examined on a weekly basis for the first month and underwent weekly retreatment of the remaining lesions, as necessary. Patients had a minimum follow-up of 12 months.
Results: Thirty-eight patients (38 eyes) were included. All patients had clinical ocular surface squamous neoplasia that was confirmed by impression cytology. The age of patients ranged from 40 to 83 years (average: 65.5 years) and 28 of them were males (74%). The patients were divided into two groups: group I (immunocompetent) and group II (immunosuppressed). In group I, 23 patients (74%) presented complete response with lesion control after laser treatment alone. In group II, two of seven patients (28%) showed treatment response during the follow-up. The average number of treatments was 2.5 (one to six laser treatments). Procedures were well tolerated.
Conclusion: Short-term results of the laser photocoagulation approach for the treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia conjunctival lesions were favorable, with a 74% success rate observed in immunocompetent patients. This novel strategy is a less resource-intensive alternative that could demonstrate its usefulness in settings with shortages in operating rooms and in recurrent cases. Studies with longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm our findings and evaluate the effectiveness of laser treatment in association with topical chemotherapy.

Keywords: Carcinoma, squamous cell/diagnosis; Conjunctival neoplasms/therapy; Laser therapy; Photocoagulation

Purpose: The effects of sex steroid hormones on tearparameters are known. Theaim of this studywas to examine the effects on tear parameters during exposure to high-dose sex steroids in a short period of time.
Methods: Forty patients who were admitted to the infertility clinic of our hospital and planned to undergo ovulation induction with exogenous gonadotropins were included in our study. Prior tothe initiation of ovulation induction, the basal levels of estradiol were measured on day 3 of the menstrual cycle and ophthalmologic examinations were performed by the ophthalmology department of our hospital. The estradiol levels were-measured on the day ofovulation induction usinghuman chorionic gonadotropin and compared with basal estradiol; eye examinations were also repeated.
Result: Forty women with reproductive period and average age of 33.3 ± 4.2 years were included in this study. Basal levels of estradiol were significantly (p<0.001) higher after ovulation induction than before induction. The scores in the break-up timeand after induction were 6.2 ± 2.8 sn and 8.4 ± 1.4 sn, respectively. The values of Schirmer’s test were 14.3 ± 7.1 mm and 20.6 ± 6.2 mm before and after induction, respectively. Both values were significantly higher after ovulation induction (p<0.001; p=0.001, respectively).
Conclusion: We observed improvemet in tear function tests following the use of estradiol even for a limited time.The use of estradiol during menopause may improve dry eye symptoms in patients.

Keywords: Estradiol; Dry eye syndrome; Fertile period; Menopause; Tomography, optical coherence

Purpose: To evaluate vascular density in superficial and deep capillary plexuses of the retina, measured using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion. Affected eyes were compared with the contralateral eye of the same patient and both were compared with normal eyes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study including 16 previously untreated patients with branch retinal vein occlusion. Patients with poor quality examinations, bilateral disease, high refractive error, or any other retinal or choroidal disease were excluded. A total of 31 patients without eye disease were also selected as a comparison group. All participants underwent five optical coherence tomography angiographies, and only those with at least two good quality examinations were selected. The Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for the statistical analysis.
Results: Vascular density was lower in affected eyes compared with contralateral eyes: whole density (p=0.020 for capillary plexuses superficial; p=0.049 for deep capillary plexuses) and parafoveal density (p=0.020 for capillary plexuses superficial; p=0.011 for deep capillary plexuses). Vascular density was also lower in affected eyes compared with normal eyes: whole density (p<0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial and deep) and parafoveal density (p<0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial and deep). Whole density (p=0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial and deep) and parafoveal density (p=0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial; p<0.001 for deep capillary plexuses) were both lower in the contralateral eyes compared with normal eyes. Following adjustment for arterial hypertension, this difference was no longer observed.
Conclusions: Vascular density in capillary plexuses and deep capillary plexuses was lower in the eyes affected by branch retinal vein occlusion. Furthermore, the lower vascular density noted in the contralateral eyes indicates that changes most likely occurred in these eyes prior to the appearance of any clinically detectable alterations, reflecting the early signs of hypertensive retinopathy.

Keywords: Retinal vein occlusion; Capillaries/pathology; Retinal vessels/physiopathology; Fovea centralis; Tomography, optical coherence; Fluorescein angiography

Purpose: To compare visual acuity, macular thickness, and the area of active neovascularization based on fluorescein angiography outcomes associated with standard single-spot panretinal photocoagulation in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) pattern combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injection versus multiple-spot full scatter (PASCAL) panretinal photocoagulation combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injection versus intravitreal injection alone in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Methods: Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and no prior laser treatment were randomly assigned to receive three different types of treatment. Panretinal photocoagulation in the ETDRS group was administered in two sessions (weeks 0 and 2), and panretinal photocoagulation in the PASCAL group was administered in one session (week 0). Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab was administered at the end of the first laser session in both the ETDRS and PASCAL groups and at week 0 in the intravitreal injection group. Comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations were performed at baseline and every 4 weeks through week 48.
Results: Thirty patients (n=40 eyes) completed the 48-week study period. After treatment, best-corrected visual acuity was significantly (p<0.05) improved at all follow-up visits in the group receiving intravitreal injection alone, at all but week 4 in the ETDRS group, and at all but weeks 4 and 8 for the PASCAL group. A significant decrease in central subfield macular thickness was observed in the PASCAL group at weeks 4, 8, and 48; only at week 48 in the intravitreal injection group; and never in the ETDRS group. There was no significant difference among the three treatment groups with respect to change from baseline to week 48 in best-corrected visual acuity, central subfield macular thickness, or fluorescein leakage from active neovascularization in best-corrected visual acuity, central subfield macular thickness, or fluorescein leakage from active neovascularization.
Conclusions: Intravitreal injection alone or combined with single- or multiple-spot panretinal photocoagulation yielded similar outcomes with respect to mean change in best-corrected visual acuity, central subfield macular thickness, and fluorescein leakage from active neovascularization at up to one-year of follow-up. All subjects provided written informed consent to participate (NCT02005432 in clinicaltrials.gov).

Keywords: Retinopatia diabetica; Retina; Diabetes; Fator A de crescimento do endotélio vascular; Inibidorres da angiogenese/uso terapêutico; Ranibizumab/uso terapêutico; Panfotocoagulação; Acuidade visual

A 65-year-old female patient was referred to our hospital for evaluation for cataract surgery. Her past medical history included corrective jaw surgeries for facial deformities that developed during infancy and persisted through early adulthood. A complete ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral angioid streaks, drusen in both optic disc areas, and a subretinal neovascular membrane in the left macula. Genetic analysis revealed a mutation in the SH3BP2 gene compatible with the diagnosis of cherubism. Clinical and laboratory evaluation revealed no additional systemic disorders. Cherubism is a rare disease characterized by the development of painless fibro-osseous lesions in the jaws and the maxilla in early childhood. Ophthalmologic findings in this disease are primarily related to orbital bone involvement. This is the first report of AS and optic disc drusen in a patient diagnosed with cherubism. Our findings suggest that angioid streaks and optic disk drusen should be included in the differential diagnosis of ophthalmic disorders identified in patients with this genetic abnormality.

Keywords: Angioid streaks; Optic disk drusen; Bruch membrane; Cherubism

Corneal ectasia is one of the main complications of keratorefractive procedures. In this report, we describe a case of corneal ectasia after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), which progressed with acute hydrops and aqueous leakage and required a suture for correction.

Keywords: Dilatation, pathologic; Ectasia; Keratomileusis, laser in situ; Corneal perforation; Hydrops; Keratoconus

Central giant cell granuloma is a rare osseous tumor affecting young patients with anatomical and functional compromise of the maxilla and mandible. Steroid injection therapy constitutes a less invasive treatment modality for disease control in selected cases. Retinal ischemia is a reported complication of multiple medical procedures, including dental interventions, and may lead to loss of vision with poor prognosis. We report a case of retinal arteriolar ischemic disease following central giant cell granuloma management with local injected corticosteroids.

Keywords: Retina; Ischemia; Mandibular neoplasms; Jaw neoplasms; Granuloma, giant cells; Steroids

This article reports a combined technique of sutureless intrascleral fixated intraocular lens implantation and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty in a patient with anterior pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Two scleral tunnels were created, corneal incisions were made, and a foldable intraocular lens was cut and removed from the anterior chamber. After performing anterior vitrectomy, a 3-piece foldable intraocular lens was implanted into the anterior chamber. One of the intraocular lens haptics was grasped with a forceps and pulled out from the scleral tunnel. Then, the end of the haptic was cauterized. Similar maneuvers were applied for the other haptic. Next, an 8-mm-diameter donor tissue was prepared, and the recipient endothelial tissue was peeled and removed from the center of the recipient cornea. The prepared donor tissue was injected into the anterior chamber. After proper opening and placement of the donor tissue, an air bubble was injected below the tissue. There were no postoperative complications during the 1-month follow-up.

Keywords: Descemet membrane; Keratoplasty, penetrating; Lens implantation, intraocular; Lenses, intraocular; Sclera/surgery; Humans; Case reports

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in elderly individuals, as well as a medical and socio-economic challenge. The treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration is based on vitamin supplementation. New treatment studies are focused on preventing the progression of degeneration and repopulating the atrophic macula. Recently, research on the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration experienced a breakthrough with the advent of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. Nevertheless, despite the fact that ranibizumab, aflibercept, and bevacizumab are effective in reducing severe visual impairment, patients usually lose some vision over time. Therefore, the search for new therapies and diagnostic methods is fundamentally important. Current studies are focused on new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, antibody against sphingosine-1-phosphate, anti-platelet-derived growth factor, gene therapy, and RNA interference. The results of ongoing clinical studies may improve the therapy of age-related macular degeneration.

Keywords: Macular degeneration; Angiogenesis inhibitors; Drug therapy; Choroidal neovascularization; Vascular endothelial growth factor A