VOLUME 70 - ISSUE 1

PURPOSE: To analyze the use of Medpor ™ biointegrated implant in surgeries of evisceration, enucleation or secondary implantation in anophthalmic sockets. METHODS: The Medpor™ orbitary implant was used in 61 surgeries. In 18 cases of evisceration the implant's wrapping was not necessary. In 12 enucleation and secondary implantation surgeries the utilized material to wrap the implant was homologous duramater. In the other 31 surgeries, the implant wrapping was made from autologous tissue (sclera, dermis, orbicular muscle or auricular cartilage), utilizing the "cap" technique - covering only the anterior surface of Medpor™. RESULTS: The patients were operated from January 1998 to December 2004 with an average follow-up period of 30 months. In all cases the implant was well accepted, allowing for a good adaptation of the prosthesis. Late exposure of the implant occurred in two patients: the first was corrected by the replacement of the implant in the cavity, while in the second case the exposure was wrapped with a tarsus flap. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience the Medpor ™ implant presents good acceptance, with a small exposure rate (only 2 cases), no infection or migration cases, and a good prosthesis adaptation in all patients. The use of autologous tissue to wrap the implant's anterior surface eliminates the inherent risk of using homologous tissues.

Keywords: Eye enucleation; Eye evisceration; Orbital implants; Polyethelene; Anophthalmus

PURPOSE: To evaluate the simplified intraoperative adjustable suture technique for horizontal strabismus surgery. METHODS: Data charts of all patients who underwent horizontal strabismus surgery by the simplified intraoperative adjustable suture technique at the Strabismus Department of the "Hospital das Clínicas" of the University of São Paulo in the period from January 2001 to November 2005 were evaluated retrospectively. Using this technique, the adjustment was calculated based on the corneal light reflection, having considered the difference between the measures in the awake state and with the anesthetized patient. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three patients were operated on, 73 (47.8%) cases of esotropia (ET) and 80 (52.2%) of exotropia (XT). Under anesthesia, 123 (80.4%) patients had the eye position modified: 69 (56.1%) were less esotropic, 51 (41.5%) were more exotropic and 3 (2.4%) were less exotropic. Surgery was adjusted in 60 (39.2%) patients: 30 were esotropia and 30 were exotropia. Surgical success was defined as an eso- or exodeviation within 10 prism diopters, in a follow-up period of at least 180 days. The overall sucess rate was 71.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The simplified intraoperative adjustable suture technique, described in 2003 in a study performed on 49 patients operated on by the same surgeon, was shown to be efficient in this larger series of patients operated on by different surgeons. This technique should be considered in patients who do not cooperate in other adjustment techniques, aiming at improved success rates.

Keywords: Strabismus; Anesthesia, general; Suture techniques; Esotropia; Exotropia

PURPOSE: To describe morphological features of the macula in patients with retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: Twelve premature babies with retinopathy of prematurity grades I, II and III underwent dilated fundus examination and optical coherence tomography evaluation. RESULTS: In all thirteen eyes of the twelve premature patients optical coherence tomography revealed a condensed retinal pigmented epithelial layer in the macular-foveal area shown by increased reflectivity. In these eyes the retinal layers were not well differentiated. Foveal depression was clearly evident in 23%. CONCLUSIONS: In premature patients with retinopathy of prematurity, optical coherence tomography revealed poorly differentiated layers in the macular region with increased reflectivity in retinal pigmented epithelial-choriocapillaris zone.

Keywords: Retinopathy of prematurity; Tomography; optical coherence; Macula lutea; Fovea centralis

PURPOSE: To compare quantitative changes induced in the tear film of patients submited to photorefractive keratectomy and LASIK over a year. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, comparative, post-interventional study was designed to distinguish tear film changes before and one year after refractive surgery procedures in 48 patients submited to PRK and 36 patients submited to LASIK, using type 1 Schirmer test in the right eye and red phenol thread test in the left eye. RESULTS: Tear film assessment between the first and third postoperative month demonstrated Schirmer and phenol red measurements below basal values for both procedures. One year after the procedures, measurements returned to presurgical values. CONCLUSION: Besides momentary and within normal limit changes in the measurement of tear film, no complications were found in normal patients.

Keywords: Refractive errors; Keratectomy, photorefractive, excimer laser; Cornea; Prospective studies; Comparative study

PURPOSE: To analyze eye movements in asymmetric visual search using the task of normal and mirrored position letters. To evaluate the effect of familiarity and stimulus features. METHODS: Eighty-three university students with normal or corrected-to-normal vision were asked to search for a letter in inverted position to the letters in a group of either normal or mirrored letters. Four types of letters were used (Z, N, E and G) and the eye movements were tracked by a specialized computer-based system (eyetracking). The analyzed measurements were: reaction time, fixation number and duration, saccade distance and duration. RESULTS: All measures varied with the type of letter. Reaction time, fixation number, and saccade distance were higher when the task was to find the normal letter in a group of mirrored letters. In this condition, fixation duration was smaller. Interaction was found between familiarity and the type of letter for the reaction time, fixation number and duration. The reaction time and fixation number increased together with the stimulus complexity, with a greater increase for the normal letter target. Fixation duration, however, decreased with the complexity of the stimuli and the search condition. CONCLUSIONS: Finding a mirrored letter among normal letters proved to be easier than the contrary. The letter type also affected the performance. When the context is formed of unfamiliar complex stimuli, the fixation duration is shorter, indicating a narrower span for visual processing. Therefore, a greater number of fixations with shorter duration are needed for the unfamiliar context while less fixations with greater duration are needed for the familiar context.

Keywords: Eye movements; Visual perception; Attention; Pattern recognition, visual

PURPOSE: To identify and characterize defects using the automated perimetry test in patients with primary congenital glaucoma. METHODS: Automated visual fields and charts of 81 eyes (48 patients) with congenital glaucoma were retrospectively analyzed, 15 being normal eyes (group N) and 66 eyes with primary congenital glaucoma (group G). Eyes of group G were grouped in eyes without perimetric changes and with early defects, characterized by MD> -6 dB (group G I= 41 eyes), and eyes with mild/advanced perimetric defects characterized by MD < -6 dB (group G II= 25 eyes). Main outcome measures: reliability indices, global indices, GHT report, foveal threshold index and descriptive visual field defects. RESULTS: The majority of patients showed good reliability. In group G I, 68% had normal visual fields; 22% showed localized defects and 10% showed general reduction of sensitivity. In group G II, 56% of the visual fields showed general reduction of sensitivity and 44% showed localized defects. The most common localized change was inferior paracentral scotoma. Eyes with normal visual fields in group G I had foveal threshold and MD values lower than normal eyes. The hemifield test was normal in 68% of eyes in group G I, and was abnormal in 100% of eyes in group G II. CONCLUSIONS: Automated perimetry test was able to show typical defects of glaucoma contributing to initial evaluation and giving reliable parameters for the follow-up of eyes in patients with congenital glaucoma.

Keywords: Glaucoma; Glaucoma; Perimetry; Visual fields

PURPOSE: To evaluate the eyebrow position in children and elderly using angle measurements. METHODS: The eyebrow position was evaluated by digital images in 4 to 6-year-old children (children group) and in patients with 50 years or more (elderly group), separated by age range. The images were taken in the primary gaze position with a Sony Lithium camera and then transferred to a MacIntosh G4 computer and processed by the NIH 1.58 program. The eyebrow position was evaluated using angle measures. Comparisons were done according to age, sex and laterality and the data were submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The comparison of the angular measures showed that there was a significant difference in the position of eyebrow position between the studied groups with the same age. But comparing children and elderly there were differences in all performed measurements. CONCLUSION: The eyebrow external angle positions showed differences between children and elderly with a positive association between eyebrow position and age.

Keywords: Eyebrows; Eyelids; Reference values; Image processing, computer-assisted; Child; Child, pre-school; Adult

PURPOSE: To describe in vivo confocal microscopy findings in patients with different stages of amiodarone-induced keratopathy, and correlate biomicroscopy stages with confocal stages. METHODS: Twenty eyes of 10 patients (6 men and 4 women), who receive treatment with amiodarone were selected for the study with confocal microscopy (MC). RESULTS: The average age was 58 ± 6.2 years (50-66 years) and time of use of the drug was 6 ± 3.2 years (2-11 years). All patients have best correct visual acuity ³ 20/40. There were two patients in stage 1, 4 patients in stage 2 and 4 in stage 3 of induced keratopathy. All corneas presented brilliant intracellular inclusions with high reflectivity in the basal epithelium layer. Patients in stage 2 and 3 have all corneal layers affected. There are thinning and increase of tortuosity of corneal nerves in patients in stage 2 and 3. The endothelial count was 2,524 ± 150,3 cell/mm². CONCLUSION: The basal epithelium was most affected in any of the keratopathy stages. In stage 1 patients only the superficial and basal epithelium are affected, while patients in stages 2 and 3 have all corneal layers affected. With the advance of keratophaty the corneal nerves became thinner and tortuous.

Keywords: Corneal diseases; Epithelium; Amiodarone; Microscopy, confocal

PURPOSE: To evaluate the eyelash alterations in anophthalmic cavity patients. METHODS: An observational study was done looking for eyelash alterations in anophthalmic cavity patients at "Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu". RESULTS: Eyelash alterations were observed in 70.7% of the anophthalmic patients. The most frequently observed eyelash alterations were eyelash ptosis (24.4%), reduction in the quantity (19.5%), trichomegaly (19.5%), trichiasis (14.6%) and entropium (17.0%). CONCLUSION: The anophthalmic cavity patients have eyelash alteration and ptosis, reduction in quantity, trichomegaly, trichiasis are the most common observed situations. Further studies are needed to know more about it.

Keywords: Cilia; Anophthalmos; Observational studies

PURPOSES: To evaluate the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity in premature babies examined at the "Hospital de Olhos Sadalla Amin Ghanem", coming from the "Maternidade Darcy Vargas" during the period from June 1992 to June 1999. To describe the risk factors that cause a predisposition to develop retinopathy of prematurity in the "Maternidade Darcy Vargas" and criteria to improve screening. METHODS: 286 premature babies were selected in accordance with the predetermined criteria (gestation period less than 37 weeks, first examination at 4-12 week of age, minimum of 3 ophthalmic examinations before being 180 days old and registration at the "Hospital de Olhos Sadalla Amin"). An analysis of the total group of premature babies was carried out, being classified into Group 1 (without retinopathy of prematurity) and Group 2 (with retinopathy of prematurity) and the factors related to presence or not of retinopathy of prematurity in the premature babies were described. In order to evaluate the frequency of retinopathy of prematurity and factors associated with its occurrence, the Chi-Squared or the Fisher Exact tests were used. Margin of error 5%. RESULTS: 228 premature babies did not present sings of retinopathy of prematurity (group 1) and 58 presented signs (group 2). The prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity was 20%, 9% being in stage 1; 7% in stage 2; 4% in stage 3 and 1% in stage 4a. The most involved factors were: birth weight (p<0.0001), oxygen therapy (p<0.0000), birth age (p=0.0006), lung disease (p=0.0041), blood transfusion (p=0.0002), central nervous system alterations (p=0.0259), serious infections (p=0.0278) and Apgar less than 7 in the first minute (p=0.0442). The premature babies that most needed treatment weighed less than 1,399 g and were 33 weeks old. CONCLUSION: According to the data the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity was 20%. The premature babies' risks of retinopathy of prematurity were concentrated on weight below 1,400 g and age of 33 weeks. Bigger premature babies should be observed when one or more of the following factors are present: oxygen therapy, blood transfusion, lung disease, central nervous system alterations, serious infections and Apgar less than 7 in the first minute.

Keywords: Retinopathy of prematurity; Infant, premature; Risk factors

PURPOSE: To observe the role of senile enophthalmos in involutional entropion. METHODS: Prospective clinical study comparing a population of 30 white patients above 65 years with involutional entropion (Group I) of an age- and race-matched control group (Group II). All age and exophthalmometric values were analyzed by a statistical study. RESULTS: The average age was 77.7 years in Group I and 75.7 years in Group II. Eyes with involutional entropion are no more likely to have enophthalmos (15.22 mm) than is the involved contralateral eye (15.11 mm) or normal eyes of an age- and race-matched control group (15.13 mm). CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between involutional entropion and senile enophthalmos.

Keywords: Entropion; Enophthalmos; Eyelids; Exophthalmus; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological

PURPOSE: Soft contact lenses with spherical base curves have been used for many years. The computation of the refractive powers of these lenses is easy, requiring only that one uses the lens maker equation for thick lenses. Nevertheless, for customized contact lenses, there is yet no reliable method for measuring the higher order optical aberrations. In this study we have developed in the Center for Visual Sciences of the University of Rochester an optical apparatus that allows for precise measurement of low and high order aberrations of customized soft contact lenses. METHODS: An optical apparatus was mounted on a conventional optical bench. This apparatus consists of a wet cell where the contact lenses are placed, a series of relay lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, and a Hartmann-Shack sensor. Bausch & Lomb manufactured the lenses used in this study. RESULTS: The root mean square error (RMSE) of the instrument was 0.04 microns. Given that the RMSE of the customized lens is between 4 and 6 microns, i.e., the precision of the instrument is approximately 1%. This precision is more than sufficient for the type of measurements necessary for manufacturing customized contact lenses. CONCLUSION: The instrument developed is extremely precise for measuring high order aberrations - up to the 10th order Zernike polynomials, that is, up to the 66th term. This technology is important for the development of new methods of optical corrections for patients that usually do not adapt to normal sphere-cylinder spectacles or that cannot undergo refractive surgery, such as those which have keratoconus, for example.

Keywords: Corneal topography; Lenses, intraocular; Refraction, ocular; Contact lenses, hydrophilic; Keratoconus

PURPOSE: To evaluate the fibroblast proliferation activity of normal Tenon's capsule from primary and recurrent patients with pterygium. METHODS: A randomized prospective study was performed with 41 normal Tenon's capsule fragments from 21 primary and 20 recurrent patients with pterygium. The sample was collected from the inferior cul-de-sac. Proliferation rate from fibroblasts were evaluated after mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil exposition. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 41 cultivated normal Tenon's capsules, only 1 from primary and 2 from recurrent pterygium patients proliferated. After antimitotic exposition, the proliferation rate was similar with both drugs. CONCLUSION: Mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil promote similar inhibition regarding proliferation of normal Tenon's fibroblast cultures.

Keywords: Pterygium; Recurrence; Antimitotic agents; Mitomycin; Fluorouracil; Fibroblasts; Conjunctiva

PURPOSE: To analyze changes evaluation of corneal grafts by slit lamp and electron microscopy examination in order to ensure a donor cornea of good quality level for the patient. METHODS: 203 córneas donated to the Sorocaba Eye Bank between September 2002 and February 2003 were prospectively evaluated. The evaluation was graded from 0 to 3 according to the following factors: exposure and epithelial damage, stromal opacity, Descemet folds, pleomorphism, polymegatism and guttata, endothelial snail track, edema, reflectivity. The data were correlated with time between death and preservation, endothelial cell count and donor's age. RESULTS: 203 corneas were evaluated. The mean age of donors was 55 years (dp= 14.8 years). The mean time between death and preservation was 9.1 h (minimum of 2 h and maximum of 25 h). Eighty-six corneas suffered worsening of evaluation, whereby 66.3% had less than 2,500 endothelial cell count and 59.3% presented time between death and preservation over 6 hours. The mean day of the grading change was the 5th. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal grafts from younger donors had significantly better evaluation than those of older donors. The mean time of the evaluation change was on the 5th day in 50% of the corneas, however, an expressive number of corneas suffered changes on the 6th, 7th and 8th day. Corneal graft preserved after 6 hours of death had a greater tendency to lower cell count and to decrease in evaluation grades.

Keywords: Corneal transplantation; Graft survival; Risk factors; Tissue donors; Microscopy; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ophthalmologic conditions of patients with AIDS, with long-term follow-up, previously evaluated by an ophthalmologist, considering general conditions related with AIDS. METHODS: Observational study of 42 patients with AIDS divided into two groups: Group I: 8 patients with previous AIDS-related cytomegalovirus retinitis, Group II: 34 patients with AIDS without cytomegalovirus retinitis. Each patient had been submitted to one ophthalmologic examination. General data of the patients were obtained from the medical records. RESULTS: The majority of the patients presented visual acuity in the best eye between logMAR 0.0 (68.3%) and 0.1 (26.9%). Optic prescription for refractive errors benefited 39.4% of the patients in Group II but none of the patients in Group I. Presbyopia was corrected in 27.3% of Group II and in 12.5% of Group I patients. No current ocular AIDS-related manifestations were detected in any group. Ocular posterior segment alterations, all of them consisting of retinitis / retinochoroiditis scars, were found in 10 patients, 7 (16.7%) belonging to Group I and 3 (7.1%) to Group II. CONCLUSION: Ten (24.4%) patients presented visual alteration due to age. Except for the patients presenting previous retinitis and retinochoroiditis, all the other patients were in good ophthalmic conditions and most of them were in immunologic recovery due to the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Keywords: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Eye manifestations; Cytomegalovirus retinitis; Antiretroviral therapy, highly active

PURPOSE: To determine the mean critical fusion frequency and the short-term fluctuation, to analyze the influence of age, gender, and the learning effect in healthy subjects undergoing flicker perimetry. METHODS: Study 1 - 95 healthy subjects underwent flicker perimetry once in one eye. Mean critical fusion frequency values were compared between genders, and the influence of age was evaluated using linear regression analysis. Study 2 - 20 healthy subjects underwent flicker perimetry 5 times in one eye. The first 3 sessions were separated by an interval of 1 to 30 days, whereas the last 3 sessions were performed within the same day. The first 3 sessions were used to investigate the presence of a learning effect, whereas the last 3 tests were used to calculate short-term fluctuation. RESULTS: Study 1 - Linear regression analysis demonstrated that mean global, foveal, central, and critical fusion frequency per quadrant significantly decreased with age (p<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in mean critical fusion frequency values between males and females (p>0.05), with the exception of the central area and inferonasal quadrant (p=0.049 and p=0.011, respectively), where the values were lower in females. Study 2 - Mean global (p=0.014), central (p=0.008), and peripheral (p=0.03) critical fusion frequency were significantly lower in the first session compared to the second and third sessions. The mean global short-term fluctuation was 5.06±1.13 Hz, the mean interindividual and intraindividual variabilities were 11.2±2.8% and 6.4±1.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that, in healthy subjects, critical fusion frequency decreases with age, that flicker perimetry is associated with a learning effect, and that a moderately high short-term fluctuation is expected.

Keywords: Perimetry; Visual perception; Sensitivity and specificity; Vision disorders

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of parametric variation on the filling-in latency of stereoscopically presented stimuli. METHODS: Anaglyphs were created using two circular patches of 0.3º diameter, 0.5º disparity and 6º eccentricity from fixation point. Targets were presented at the visual field midline, 90º and 270º positions, with crossed and uncrossed disparity. The time elapsed for disappearance of the target under voluntary steady fixation was computed. Eighteen subjects tested. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between crossed and uncrossed disparities, nor between near or far from the vertical horopter line. The significant difference was between upper and lower visual field positions. CONCLUSION: The results show that: (i) stereoscopic presentation does not influence the target filling-in latency; (ii) differences between dorsal and ventral visual stream might influence target filling-in latency.

Keywords: Perceptual masking; Vision disparity; Visual perception; Visual field

PURPOSES: To determine the efficacy of bromopride in the prophylaxis of nausea during fluorescein angiography, when compared with a placebo. METHODS: The study was a double-masked random clinical trial, between December of 2004 and April of 2005. Examinations were performed with 20% intravenous fluorescein sodium in a single dose of 2.5 ml. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1, patients who received a 2 ml intravenous dose of 5 mg/ml bromopride and group 2, patients who received a 2 ml intravenous dose of 0.9% sodium chloride (placebo), both 20 minutes before the dye injection. Cases of nausea were observed during and after the examination. RESULTS: 352 patients were enrolled, 176 in each group. Cases of nausea were observed in 12 (6.8%) patients of the bromopride group and in 11 (6.3%) patients of the placebo group (p<0.829 - relative risk=1.05). CONCLUSION: Bromopride did not prevent the occurrence of nausea in fluorescein angiography, when compared with a placebo.

Keywords: Nausea; Metoclopramide; Fluorescein angiography; Drug hypersensitivity; Randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: To study the applicability (sensitivity, specificity) of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes virus (HSV) and varicella zoster (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Mycobacterium sp and Toxoplasma gondii in the diagnosis of patients with or without AIDS, with presumably infectious uveitis, using serum, aqueous humor and vitreous humor samples. METHODS: Twenty individuals with uveitis of presumed infectious origin were evaluated. Sixteen of them had AIDS, four were immunocompetent individuals. We also evaluated 4 normal controls who underwent vitrectomy surgery. Clinical evaluation of the patients was performed together by three clinicians. PCR evaluations of the serum, aqueous, and vitreous humor were performed in a masked fashion by the laboratory staff. RESULTS: Twelve patients had a clinical diagnosis of CMV retinitis. Of these 6 (50%) had a positive PCR for CMV in the vitreous, three (25%) had a positive PCR for CMV in the serum, and none were positive in the aqueous. Five patients had a clinical diagnosis of acute retinal necrosis (ARN). Three (60%) of these had positive PCR for HSV/VZV in the vitreous. One of these patients had a positive PCR reaction for both EBV and HSV/VZV in the vitreous samples. One patient with cutaneous herpes zoster had a positive PCR reaction for HSV/VZV in the serum. Four patients had a presumed diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis, one patient (25%) had a positive PCR for Toxoplasma gondii in the serum, 3 (75%) had positive results in the aqueous, and 2 (50%) had positive results in the vitreous. One patient with presumed ocular tuberculosis had a positive PCR reaction both in the serum and in the vitreous samples. Finally, none of the four control individuals revealed any positive PCR reaction. CONCLUSION: PCR is an auxiliary diagnostic procedure that should be evaluated together with ophthalmological aspects of the patient.

Keywords: Polymerase chain reaction; Uveitis; Inflammation; Eye diseases

PURPOSE: To check intraocular pressure (IOP) in individuals using prostaglandin, prostamide or beta-blocker analogues, who sustain either primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension after reading, exercise or exercise combined with reading. METHODS: 40 individuals (79 eyes), subdivided in to five groups: G1 (with arterial hypertension and either glaucoma or ocular hypertension, all users of prostaglandin or prostamide analogues); G2 (with arterial hypertension and either glaucoma or ocular hypertension, all users of beta-blockers); G3 (not sustaining arterial hypertension but suffering from either glaucoma or ocular hypertension, all users of prostaglandin or prostamide analogues); G4 (not sustaining arterial hypertension but suffering from either glaucoma or ocular hypertension, all users of beta-blockers) and G5 (not sustaining arterial hypertension and also not suffering from either glaucoma or ocular hypertension) had their intraocular pressure checked before and after undergoing reading, exercise, and exercise combined with reading. Each type of test was conducted in a different day, always in the afternoon. RESULTS: No significant statistical difference has been noticed between the initial and final intraocular pressure mean in the different groups, when reading, performing exercises or exercises combined with reading. CONCLUSION: To read and to work out - either separately or jointly - does not pose an aggravating factor to the intraocular pressure of patients with primary open glaucoma or ocular hypertension, using prostaglandin, prostamide or beta-blocker analogues.

Keywords: Glaucoma; open angle; Intraocular pressure; Reading; Exercise; Ocular hypertension; Prostaglandins; Tonometry; ocular

The authors report a case of a female patient who presented, for the second time, diplopia and acute esotropia during pregnancy. There was no trauma involved neither was systemic disease. The patient was treated with conventional occlusion, and, soon after delivery, the squint was resolved.

Keywords: Strabismus; Esotropia; Pregnancy complications; Diplopia; Case reports

A case of ectodermal dysplasia, ectrodactyly and clefting syndrome (EEC), a rare disease with an important ocular impairment and with scarce literature. Patient, 26 years old with complaints of pain, with photophobia and low visual acuity in the left eye for three days. The patient was submitted to a genetic investigation after complete physical and ophthalmologic examinations. EEC syndrome was diagnosed and all systemic and ocular modifications identified. The patient presented a scar in the left eye, with difficulties in healing due to ocular damage caused by the syndrome (lack of tear film, trichiasis, Meibomius gland absence, among others). The ocular modifications in this rare syndrome were described in order to institute preventive treatment and to reduce the risks of low visual acuity in patients who receive this genetic diagnosis.

Keywords: Ectodermal dysplasia; Cleft lip; Cleft palate; Abnormalities; multiple; Eye manifestations; Corneal diseases; Syndrome

The authors present a case of butterfly-shaped pattern dystrophy diagnosed in a male patient, with retinal pigmented epithelium atrophy and central visual acuity decrease in one of the eyes. The evolution of this case was not benign as described in previous reports. A well-defined lesion located in the posterior pole of both eyes associated with fluorescein angiography allowed the diagnosis of this pattern dystrophy. Optical coherence tomography was performed, showing the aspects of the pathology, for the first time.

Keywords: Corneal dystrophies, hereditary; Pigment epithelium of eye; Tomography,optical coherence; Case reports

This paper reports a clinical case of uveal effusion in both eyes causing bilateral acute angle closure glaucoma in a young patient after oral administration of topiramate, a new anticonvulsivant medication. Rarely, some drugs have produced uveal effusions, forward shift of the iris-lens diaphragm, transient myopia and secondary angle closure glaucoma. A 40-year old white woman was seen at the emergency department of the "Hospital Banco de Olhos de Porto Alegre (RS)" - Brazil, with severe headaches and blurry vision in both eyes. Her medications included topiramate, started 10 days before. Slit lamp examination revealed conjunctival injection, chemosis and shallow anterior chambers. Intraocular pressure measured 40 and 38 mmHg. Fundoscopic examination findings were normal. Ultrasound scan was performed and demonstrated separation between the choroidal layer and the sclera. A diagnosis of bilateral uveal effusion associated with the use of oral topiramate was made. Topiramate was then discontinued. The patient reported symptomatic improvement by the third day after initial examination. Symptoms were resolved and visual acuity returned to normal. Topiramate may cause ciliary body edema and relaxation of zonules, which induces a forward shift of the lens-iris diaphragm with acute myopia and angle closure. As the mechanism of angle closure does not involve pupillary block, peripheral iridectomy and topical miotics are not useful in the treatment of this type of secondary angle-closure glaucoma. Drug-induced uveal effusions occur rarely. The patient improved after topiramate discontinuation.

Keywords: Glaucoma, angle closure; Fructose; Anticonvulsants; Intraocular pressure; Uveal diseases

Three cases of decentered laser in situ keratomileusis were succefully treated with the topographically supported customized ablation.

Keywords: Keratomileusis, laser in situ; Corneal topography; Astigmatism; Case reports

PURPOSE: To evaluate the features of idiophatic vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMT) with ocular coherence tomography (OCT - Stratus), before and after vitrectomy; to identify situations where ocular coherence tomography provides additional information on disease morphology and pathogenesis. METHODS: Comparative retinal ocular coherence tomography imaging was performed in four patients with different stages of vitreomacular traction syndrome. RESULTS: Standard-resolution ocular coherence tomography Stratus provides vitreous-retinal images that help the management and treatment of vitreomacular traction syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Standard-resolution ocular coherence tomography allows good visualization of the architectural morphology of the vitreous and retina in vitreomacular traction syndrome. It helps understanding its pathogenesis, planning its treatment, clinical or surgical, and evaluating retinal structural alterations after surgery.

Keywords: Tomography, optical coherence; Vitreous detachment; Vitrectomy; Triamcinolone; Macular edema, cystoid

To report 3 cases of congenital ectropion because of their rarity and confusing classification. Case 1: JPT, 2 days old, male, negro. Left upper eyelid eversion with chemosis was present, passive to mechanic reduction. Compressive occlusion was done with ectropion regression in 48 hours. Case 2: AJL, 6 years old, female, Caucasian, with Down syndrome. The left eye had hiperemia, lagophthalmos and inferior leucoma. She received horizontal shortening (superior and inferior tarsal strip) and skin grafts, and after 2 months the patient did not return. Case 3: GSD, 4 years old, male, Caucasian, with Down syndrome. His signs and treatment were the same as in case 2. According to Picó's classification the first case is classified as grade II due to eyelid eversion during the passage through the birth canal, more frequent in black people. Cases 2 and 3 represent grade III that is due to eyelid skin alteration, and the association with Down syndrome is observed. Treatment for ectropion grade III is always surgical, as it was done in these cases. We do not agree with Picó's classification, the only one found in medline, because there are no articles confirming the existence of grade I (absent tarsus), grade II should be called congenital upper eyelid eversion, grade IV (microphthalmos and orbital cyst) is a disease of the orbit. Grade III refers to true ectropion, because horizontal enlargement of superior and inferior eyelids (megaloblepharon).

Keywords: Ectropion; Down's syndrome; Eyelashes; Eyelids

PURPOSE: To report the unusual visual field finding due to a chiasmal neuritis in a 33-year-old female with the diagnosis of optic neuromyelitis optica (Devic's syndrome). METHODS: We report a case of a 33 years old female with limb paraesthesias, weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder dysfunction that was referred to the "Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo" in October 1995. Six years and four months later she had an acute visual involvement. Ophthalmologic examination, laboratory studies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a 24-2 threshold visual field in the Humphrey field analyzer were performed. RESULTS: The MRI scan showed enlargement and cavitation on the spinal cord and chiasmal involvement (thickening of the chiasm with contrast enhancement) and no demyelinating lesions in the brain, brainstem, or cerebellum. The central 24-degree threshold field examination showed an inferior visual field defect bitemporally, disclosing a chiasmal involvement. CONCLUSION: Chiasmal involvement may occur in neuromyelitis optica, probably due to a plaque within the chiasm. The authors call attention to the importance of visual field examination with particular regard to quantifying the visual impairment and follow-up of these patients.

Keywords: Hemianopsia; Neuromyelitis optica; Optic chiasm; Scotoma; Perimetry; Optic neuritis

The purpose is to report a complication after photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal triamcinolone for a presumed choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. Photodynamic therapy and intravitreal triamcinolone were used in an 84-year-old man with choroidal neovascularization in the left eye. Forty-five days after therapy, the patient returned with a severe necrotizing uveitis in the posterior pole and vitritis. Laboratory investigation disclosed a high anti-Toxoplasma IgG titer. Therapy with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folinic acid resulted in total lesion healing although central vision was lost. Intravitreal triamcinolone may have had an influence on the exacerbation of retinochoroiditis in the posterior pole of the patient. Although rare, this complication may not be disregarded in the cases that require intraocular corticosteroids for treatment of several conditions, especially in patients who had previously suffered from toxoplasmosis infection.

Keywords: Uveitis; Toxoplasmosis ocular; Triamcinolone; Choroidal neovascularization; Vitreous body; Injections; Case reports

The authors report a case of arteriolar retinal macrovessel, diagnosed by routine ophthalmologic examination, as well as its optic coherence tomography aspects. Congenital retinal macrovessel is a large aberrant vessel, often unilateral, usually a vein, rarely an artery, located in the posterior pole which can cross the fovea and median raphe.

Keywords: Retinal vessels; Tomography, optical coherence; Retinal artery; Retina

Herpes simplex virus infection is a frequent cause of intraocular inflammation or anterior uveitis. Ocular hypertension is a common feature in herpetic keratouveitis. We describe a fluid accumulation and flap displacement in late postoperative period (28 months) of LASIK associated with ocular hypertension caused by herpetic keratouveitis. This finding supports the theory that flap attachment after LASIK is only partial and the virtual space remains indefinitely. The presence of ocular hypertension may lead to corneal edema and fluid accumulation in the interface.

Keywords: Herpes simplex; Uveitis; Glaucoma; Keratomileusis, laser in situ; Postoperative complications

Alcohol-related massive eyelid edema has been rarely reported. The differential diagnosis includes local and systemic conditions. Alcohol itself can be associated with dermatological hypersensitivity reactions, appearing soon after alcoholic drinks. Massive bilateral eyelid swelling can constitute diagnostic pitfalls and therapeutic challenges to general practitioners with a placebo.

Keywords: Alcoholism; Edema; Eyelids; Lymphedema; Case reports

The diseases of the posterior segment of the eye are responsible for most cases of irreversible blindness worldwide. These conditions stimulate the development of new modalities of treatment for vitreoretinal diseases. The success in the treatment aims, mainly, the delivery of effective doses of pharmacological agents directly to the target sites. Because of the difficulties in delivering drugs to the posterior segment of the eye, the development of intraocular delivery systems that allow the delivery of therapeutic concentrations of drugs for long periods are being studied. These systems offer many advantages, such as increase in drug bioavailability, obtaining constant and sustained drug release, to achievement of elevated local concentrations of drugs without systemic side effects, targeting one specific tissue or cell type, reducing the frequency of intraocular injections. These advantages can increase the comfort of the patient and reduce the complications observed with intraocular injections. Several drug delivery systems are being developed with the above described purposes. These systems may be prepared with biodegradable or non-biodegradable polymers or they may be lipid formulations. The drug delivery systems are represented, mainly, by micro- e nanoparticles and implants, composed of different polymers; by liposomes, which are made of lipids and surfactants; and by iontophoresis, that is based on the application of an electric current. In this review, the main characteristics of the different drug delivery systems will be shown, with their potentialities of clinical application.

Keywords: Drug delivery systems; Liposomes; Iontophoresis; Eye diseases