VOLUME 71 - ISSUE 4

PURPOSE: To determine age norms for grating visual acuity and interocular acuity differences measured by the sweep-visually evoked potentials (VEP) technique in the first three years of life. METHODS: Monocular grating visual acuity was measured using the sweep-VEP in 67 healthy normal infants and children in the first 36 months of life. RESULTS: Sweep-VEP grating acuity ranged from 0.80 logMAR (20/125 Snellen equivalent) in the first month of life to 0.06 logMAR (20/20 Snellen equivalent) at 36 months of age. Lower normal limits (95th percentile limit) ranged from 0.95 logMAR (20/180) to 0.12 logMAR (20/25) with a progression of approximately 3 octaves in the first 36 months of age. The largest acceptable interocular acuity difference for clinical purposes was 0.10 logMAR. CONCLUSIONS: Age norms for grating acuity along with interocular acuity differences were determined using the sweep-VEP technique. These norms should be incorporated in clinical practice for precise diagnosis of visual status in infants and preverbal children.

Keywords: Evoked potentials, visual; Visual acuity; Vision tests; Predictive value of tests; Reference values

PURPOSE: To compare morphometric data of eyelid fissure using computerized image analysis before and after application of botulinum toxin type A in patients with eyelid retraction caused by dysthyroid orbitopathy in acute stage. METHODS: This was a prospective study with 12 individuals that received transcutaneous 5 UI/0.1 ml injection of botulinum toxin in the upper eyelid. They were examined periodically for 6 months. Clinical eyelid examination was performed and re corded using a video camera connected to a microcomputer. RESULTS: Vertical eyelid fissure, upper eyelid margin to reflex distance and the eyelid area showed reduction in the treated eye. A decrease in the levator function of the upper eyelid was observed, and also, a reduction in the difference between the lateral and medial areas. The lower eyelid margin reflex distance did not show any significant differences after the application. Measurements of the contralateral eye increased up to 2 weeks after the application. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed a reduction in eyelid retraction and improving the upper eyelid contour, without changes in the lower eyelid position.

Keywords: Graves diseases; Botulinum toxin type A; Oculomotor muscles; Eyelid diseases

PURPOSE: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression (IGF-1, EGFr, EGF, c-erbB-2/HER-2/neu, PDGF-A, PDGF-B, FGF and VEGF) in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. METHODS: Twenty-four samples (Graves' ophthalmopathy patients) underwent lateral rectus muscle and surrounding fibrous and adipose tissue biopsy. The control group was obtained by strabismus surgery. Correlation between clinical- ophthalmologic, endocrinological, ultrasonographic findings, and immunohistochemical expression was performed. RESULTS: IGF-1: There were 7 positive cases (29.2%). There was a direct relation with higher CAS (clinical activity score) in all of them and if only CAS equal or higher than 5 was considered, this was 54.5%. FGF: There was expression in 5 cases (20.8%) with a direct relation in all those with higher CAS (>5) (45.4%). VEGF: There were two positive cases (8.3%) for VEGF in endothelial cells, in these cases the patients also presented CAS higher than 5. There was no expressions of all growth factors in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: All patients, except one, with positive expression of FGF, IGF-1 and VEGF showed CAS greater than 5, suggesting in this way an important role of these growth factors in the pathogenesis and severity of Graves' ophthalmopathy. However, statistical analysis revealed only significant association between IGF-1 and male sex (P=0.034). Low ultrasound reflectivity and endocrine status may not correlate directly with disease activity or with immunoexpression of growth factors and c-erbB-2/HER-2/neu.

Keywords: Imunohistochemstry; Receptor, erbB-2; Insulin-like growth factor I; Receptor, epidermal growth factor; Epidermal growth factor; Platelet-derived growth factor alpha; Proto-oncogene proteins c-sis; Fibroblast growth factors; Vascular endothelial growth fac

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of intravitreal use of triamcinolone acetonide combined with laser photocoagulation for the treatment of diffuse diabetic macular edema and to compare it with the separate use of each treatment. METHODS: After systemic clinical control, thirty patients with diffuse diabetic macular edema were divided into 3 treatment groups: (1) macular grid photocoagulation; (2) intravitreal injection of 4 mg of triamcinolone acetonide; (3) combination of the two previous therapies. Follow-up was scheduled at predetermined intervals of one day, one week and monthly until completion of six months. The following parameters were analyzed: LogMAR best corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, total macular volume and intraocular pressure. RESULTS: Grid photocoagulation did not significantly reduce the central macular thickness or the total macular volume. On the other hand, this reduction was statistically significant in the other two groups. All groups improved their mean visual acuity, however, the group that received both treatments had a higher percentage of patients that gained 10 or more letters. CONCLUSION: The simultaneous administration of grid photocoagulation with intravitreal triamcinolone can be considered an option for the treatment of diffuse diabetic macular edema.

Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy; Visual acuity; Diabetes complications; Macular edema; Triamcinolone acetonide; Triamcinolone acetonide; Laser coagulation

PURPOSE: To compare the 2% ibopamine provocative test with the water drinking test as a provocative test for glaucoma. METHODS: Primary open-angle glaucoma patients and normal individuals were selected from CEROF-Universidade Federal de Goiânia UFG, and underwent the 2% ibopamine provocative test and the water drinking test in a randomized fashion, at least 1 week apart. Intraocular pressure (IOP) before and after both tests, Bland-Altman graph, sensitivity and specificity (as mesured by ROC curves) were obtained for both methods. RESULTS: Forty-seven eyes from 25 patients were included (27 eyes from 15 glaucoma patients and 20 eyes from 10 normal individuals), with a mean age of 54.2 ± 12.7 years. The mean MD of glaucoma patients was -2.8 ± 2.11 dB. There was no statistically difference in the baseline IOP (p=0.8) comparing glaucoma patients, but positive after the provocative tests (p=0.03), and in the IOP variation (4.4 ± 1.3 mmHg for ibopamine and 3.2 ± 2.2 mmHg for water drinking test, p=0.01). There was no difference in all studied parameters for normal individuals. The Bland-Altman graph showed high dispersion comparing both methods. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.987 for the ibopamine provocative test, and 0.807 for the water-drinking test. CONCLUSION: In this selected subgroup of glaucoma patients with early visual field defect, the ibopamine provocative test has shown better sensitivity/specificity than the water drinking test.

Keywords: Glaucoma open-angle; Intraocular pressure; Dopamine agonists; Ophthalmic solutions; Drinking; Water; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Vision tests; Sensibility and specificity; Comparative study

PURPOSE: To develop a system of support to the research in the field of the computer science, based on the automatic search of information, on the percentage of patients with certain characteristics and the crossing of this information among themselves. METHODS: A computer with Pentium III 650 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 32 MB video plate, free 20 MB in the hard disk and fitted with Windows 98/2000/XP. The data base used to store the information is Interbase version 6.1 and the program was developed in Delphi 5.0 language. Three hundred and four charts of esotropia-operated patients were registered in the Extrinsic Ocular Motility Sector of the Departament of Ophthalmology of the College of Medical Sciences of the Santa Casa of Misericórdia of São Paulo, in the period from 07/02/1976 to 03/09/1992. To include the patients in the program, a questionnaire was elaborated, with the relevant clinical variations of this type of misalignment. Examples of totalizations and crossings of information were presented. RESULTS: This new program will be able to contribute to scientific research, accelerating data collection. After registering the patients any type of survey, election of a specific group of patients or crossing of data may be obtained in seconds. CONCLUSION: This can be made for all ophthalmologic specialties, varying the questionnaire in accordance with each specialty.

Keywords: System design; Medical records systems, computerized; Information systems; Ocular motility disorders; Ophthalmology

PURPOSE: To assess quality and cut-off point (VA <0.7) of the examinations performed by teachers to detect reduced visual acuity (VA) in schoolchildren participants of the project called "Eye in eye " in Marilia-SP, Brazil. METHODS: Visual acuity measurements were performed by trained teachers using Snellen's chart. The children with VA <0.7 in one of the eyes were referred to an ophthalmic examination. The ophthalmic examination was considered gold standard to assess quality and cut-off point of the examinations performed by teachers. VA test was performed in 604 schoolchildren of state public schools (1,208 eyes). Analyses were based on examined eyes. We calculated sensitivity (S), specificity (E), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood rate (LR). We compared the means obtained by the teachers' examinations to means of the ophthalmologist's examinations. ROC curve was produced to evaluate whether VA lower than 0.7 is the best value for referral to an ophthalmic examination. RESULTS: VA means obtained by teachers and ophthalmologic examinations were 0.70 ± 0.16 and 0.88 ± 0.2 respectively. The difference between teachers' and ophthalmologists' examinations was 0.18 (p<0.0001). S, E, PPV, NPV e LR were: 82%, 40%, 27%, 89% and 1.37, respectively. False positive and negative rates were 59.5% and 18%. ROC curve evidenced that visual acuity of 0.7 was the best cut-off point to refer schoolchildren to an ophthalmic exam. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the importance of the teachers' participation in improved schoolchildren ocular health. The examination performed by teachers obtained a satisfactory S with low E, NPV and high values of false positive results. The best cut-off point to refer schoolchildren to an ophthalmic examination was VA of 0.7.

Keywords: Visual acuity; School health; Sensitivity and specificity; Child

PURPOSE: To investigate the advantages and the complications of the use of hard palate graft in the reconstruction of the inferior eyelids with large basocelular carcinoma. METHODS: Review of specialized articles and report of the technique used in the Oculoplastic Department of the "Hospital Santa Casa de Porto Alegre". RESULTS: The hard palate graft is an excellent replacement for posterior lamellar defects in eyelid reconstruction, because it presents the benefit of a mucous layer in addition to a semirigid support. CONCLUSION: The sandwich technique using hard palate was shown to be efficient, with good functional and esthetic results.

Keywords: Palate, hard; Mouth mucosa; Transplantation, autologous; Eyelids; Carcinoma basocelular

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of triamcinolone as an aid in vitreous visualization during 3D-vitrectomy for the treatment of diabetic vitreomacular traction. METHODS: Prospective interventional study in patients with symptomatic vitreomacular traction. Pre- and postoperative assessments included visual acuity, retinography, intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography. All patients were operated by the same surgeon (OOMJ). Triamcinolone was used as a visual enhancer during surgery. The parameters of the vitreophage (Accurus 800CS, Alcon) were set to the 3D- system (dual dynamic drive), contact lenses (plain and wide angle) being used for visualization. Peripheral 360º vitreous circumcision at high cut rate was performed, carefully releasing the vitreomacular adhesion at the posterior pole by means of an appropriate pic or vitreoretinal forceps. RESULTS: The sample consisted of five consecutive patients (five eyes), three female and two male, with symptomatic vitreomacular traction. Their age ranged from 54 to 71 years (mean 62.6 ± 6.3 years). During the surgical procedure, the areas with vitreomacular traction were properly visualized and identified after the application of triamcinolone. No complications were recorded during or after surgery. There was a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity after the surgical procedure (p=0.0313). CONCLUSION: Triamcinolone facilitates the surgical treatment of vitreomacular traction by improving visibility of both the vitreous humor and the vitreous-retina interface. Triamcinolone-assisted 3D vitrectomy proved to be an effective procedure in these cases.

Keywords: Vitreous body; Vitrectomy; Macula lútea; Triamcinolone; Postoperative complications; Tomography, optical coherence; Visual acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the learning effect in standard automated perimetry using SITA strategy, central 24-2 program, possible associated factors and spatial distribution in individuals with no perimetry experience. METHODS: A total of 55 healthy subjects were submitted to Humphrey perimetry in two different sessions in one day. Reliability and global indices, and threshold sensitivity at each point were compared between the two examinations. The influence of potential factors (age, gender, and educational level) and the spatial distribution were evaluated regarding alterations between these two examinations. RESULTS: The duration of the test was longer in the first session (median, 5.7 min; interquartile range [IQR], 1.7 min) than in the second (median, 5.3; IQR, 1.1 min) (p=0.002). The median (IQR) of false negative errors was 2% (6%) in the first examination and 0% (6%) in the second (p=0.04). The mean (standard deviation) in the mean deviation (MD) global index was -2.31 (1.86) dB in the first examination and -1.73 (1.69) dB in the second (p=0.07). No association was observed between the change in MD and age (p=0.29), gender (p=0.69) and educational level (p=0.27). The changes in threshold sensitivity were greater at the peripheral points than at the central points (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The threshold sensitivity increased in the second examination compared to the first. No factors were associated with this change. The changes in threshold sensitivity were more evident at the peripheral points.

Keywords: Visual fields; Learning; Perimetry; Sensory thresholds; Reference values; Sensitivity and specificity

PURPOSE: To analyze the success rate and complications in patients with lacrimal obstruction submitted to surgeries. METHODS: The data of patients operated in the "Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual of São Paulo" were analyzed. The lacrimal intubation was performed with a silicone tube, removed after 8 weeks. Surgeries were considered successful in those cases where patients had no postoperative epiphora or ocular secretion, and with a good passage of fluid to the nose or oropharynx. The complications related to the silicone tube were grouped in a table. RESULTS: The patients were operated from April 2002 to July 2006 with an average follow-up period of three months. In a total of 65 eyes, success was obtained in 89.2% of the cases. Seven patients presented postoperative epiphora, and 5 of them were reoperated. In 7 eyes there was an extrusion of the silicone in less than 15 days from surgery, and in this group one patient needed a reoperation. Six eyes presented complications with the silicone: tube prolapse (4 cases), granuloma formation in the nasal cavity (1 case) and lacrimal puncta adhesion (1 case). CONCLUSIONS: This group of patients presented a high success rate with Ex-DCR surgery associated with lacrimal intubation. The intraoperative intubation with silicone tube is not free of complications.

Keywords: Dacryocystorhinostomy; Lacrimal duct obstruction; Intubation; Osteotomy; Dacryocystitis; Silicone elastomers

PURPOSE: To compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements made with two different protocols of optical coherence tomography in eyes with band atrophy (BA) of the optic nerve and controls. METHODS: Twenty-nine eyes with BA from chiasmal compression and 30 normal eyes underwent RNFL scans using both the fast (256 A-scans) and the regular (512 A-scans) protocols. The two sets of measurements were compared. RESULTS: In eyes with BA, fast RNFL measurements were significantly greater compared with regular RNFL measurements in the superior and inferior quadrants and significantly smaller at the 30-degree segments located at the 3 and 6 o'clock meridians. In normal eyes, fast RNFL measurements of the total average, superior and inferior quadrants and the segments corresponding to the 1, 3, 4 and 12 o'clock meridians were significantly greater than regular protocol measurements. Measurements with both protocols were significantly different in eyes with BA compared to normal eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Although both fast and regular RNFL measurements were equally efficient at differentiating eyes with BA from controls the fast protocol yielded greater values in areas with thick RNFL and smaller values in areas with thin RNFL when compared with the regular scanning protocol. One should be aware of such differences when comparing measurements with both scanning protocols.

Keywords: Tomography, optical coherence; Nerve fiber; Retina; Optic atrophy; Case-control studies

PURPOSE: To develop and investigate the reliability and validity of a Brazilian version of the 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. METHODS: A Brazilian version of the questionnaire was developed and applied to patients with chronic eye diseases and healthy controls. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient and interrater reliability coefficient. Participants were submitted to the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Questionnaire. Validity was estimated by the correlation between the questionnaires and among the 12 subscales of the questionnaire, subscales scores and visual acuity, patients' and controls' subscales scores, and the factor analysis. Responsiveness of the questionnaire was assessed in a group of patients before and following cataract surgery. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation and interrater reliability coefficients were highly significant. Validity was well established in all tests. In patients who underwent cataract surgery, a better vision-related quality of life was observed following surgery. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire has valid and reliable psychometric properties and can be applied to vision-related quality of life research.

Keywords: Quality of life; Validation studies; Questionnaires; Brazil

PURPOSE: To study the correlation between the signals and symptoms of dry eye in Sjögren's syndrome patients. METHODS: We formed the case group with 17 Sjögren's syndrome patients and the control group with 25 normal patients. For evaluation of the symptoms the "Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)" questionnaire was applied to both groups and, after that, all the individuals were submitted to the ocular tests: Schirmer I and II, coloration of the ocular surface with rose bengal, pachymetry and esthesiometry. Spearman's correlation test was used to analyze the correlations between signals and symptoms and Student's t test for independent samples was used for comparison of the averages of the values found by the "Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)" questionnaire and the ocular tests between the patients of the groups. RESULTS: This study had evidenced a weak correlation between "Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)" symptoms and ocular tests, which it indicates that not all the patients who presented exuberant symptoms, showed proportionally modified tests. The cornea sensitivity of the case group was reduced when compared with that of the control group. All the studied parameters in the case group presented significant differences (p<0.05) when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: There was a weak correlation between Sjögren's syndrome patients' ocular symptoms and signals that indicate the severity of the illness. The variation of cornea sensitivity found in the Sjögren's syndrome patient group may be one of the responsible factors for this weak correlation. All the studied parameters were significantly modified in the Sjögren's syndrome patients group when compared with those found in the control group.

Keywords: Dry eye syndromes; Sjögren's syndrome; Keratoconjunctivitis sicca; Xerophthalmia; Tears; Vision tests; Visual acuity; Quality of life; Comparative study

PURPOSE: To develop standardized texts in Brazilian Portuguese to assess reading speed and compare performances among four European languages. METHODS: 10 texts were designed by a linguistic expert at the level of a sixth grade reading material (reading ages 10-12 years) and were matched for length and syntactic complexity, according to the syntactic prediction locality theory of Gibson. Normally sighted native speaking volunteers aged 18-35 years read each text aloud at random. RESULTS: The reading speed was on average 1100 ± 167 (standard deviation) characters per minute. Only small differences were found between the measured reading speeds of the 10 texts, and these differences were not statistically significant in groups of at least 6 texts. The mean reading speed in age-matched volunteers in Finnish was: 1263 ± 142; French: 1214 ± 152; English: 1234 ± 147; and German: 1126 ± 105. CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed a set of standardized, homogeneous, and comparable texts in Brazilian Portuguese. These texts will be a valuable tool to measure reading speed for repeated measurements and in international studies in the field of reading and low vision research.

Keywords: Reading; Eye movements; Vision, low; Fixation, ocular; Visual acuity; Visual fields; Vision tests; Translations; Vocabulary; Mental processes; Linguistics; Cross-cultural comparison

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between optic disc hemorrhages (ODHs) and the position of the central retinal vessel trunk (RVT) in patients with glaucoma. METHODS: Fundus photographs of 1,830 participants were reviewed. The exit position of the central retinal vessel trunk was classified as being in the superior or inferior hemisphere of the optic disc and the relative vertical position was expressed as a fraction of the disc diameter (ratio between the position of the trunk and the diameter of the disk). A group of patients from the same population, but without ODHs, was randomly selected and compared with the patients with ODHs. RESULTS: Among the 1,830 patients, 53 hemorrhages were detected in 41 patients with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma. We found an inverse relationship between the inferior/superior position of the central RVT and the inferior/superior position of the hemorrhages (Kappa= -0.34). Using the trunk/disc ratio, we found that superior ODHs correlated with inferior RVTs (trunk/disc ratio, 0.450; SD=0.070) and inferior ODHs correlated with superior RVTs (trunk/disc ratio, 0.510; SD=0.054) (p=0.027). The number of patients with normal tension glaucoma was significantly higher among patients with ODHs than among those without ODHs (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Our patients had a negative correlation between the position of central RVT and the location of the ODHs. Normal tension glaucoma was more prevalent among patients with ODHs than among those without it.

Keywords: Optic nerve; Retinal hemorrhage; Retinal vessels; Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of cataract and associated risk factors in a diabetic type 1 population. METHODS: 181 patients (362 eyes) were evaluated in a case-control study. Cases were classified when cataract was present at the time of the examination. The studied outcomes were the presence of diabetic retinopathy, retinal panphotocoagulation, high blood pressure, peripheral neuropathy, total cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, HDL, LDL, body mass index, creatinine levels, albuminuria, glycosylated hemoglobin and glycemia levels. RESULTS: Cataract was present in 19.9% of the studied patients. The association of the presence of cataract and diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, elevated levels of creatinine, panphotocoagulation and high blood pressure were statistically significant (univariate analysis). After the logistic regression analysis the presence of cataract was significantly associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cataract was 19.9% and the presence and severity of the diabetic retinopathy were the main risk factors for its development.

Keywords: Cataract; Diabetic retinopathy; Diabetes mellitus, type 1; Hypertension; Hemoglobin A, glycosylated; Cataract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of mitomycin C (MMC) in preventing recurrence of pterygium following conjunctival autograft transplantation (CAT). Ki-67 antigen to evaluate epithelial cell proliferation and fibroblast nuclear kariometry were used to assist treatment evaluation. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with recurrent pterygium were divided into three groups: Group (G) 1 - CAT and placebo eyedrops (PED); G2 - CAT, 0.015% MMC subconjunctivally, and PED; G3 - CAT and 0.02% MMC eyedrops. Immunohistochemistry for the Ki-67 antigen and fibroblast nuclei kariometry were performed on the excised tissue, divided into nasal and temporal sides. Kariometry was evaluated in terms of volume (Vl) and area (Ar) using at least 50 cells/patient. RESULTS: The percentage of positive epithelial cells for the Ki-67 antigen on the nasal and temporal side after treatment of the three groups were: nasal (5.39% G1, 4.49% G2, and 3.88% G3); temporal (3.30% G1, 4.46% G2, 4.14% G3), did not show significant differences. Fibroblast nucleus kariometry was: nasal Vl (792.1 µ3 G1, 605.1 µ3 G2, and 549.9 µ3 G3) and Ar (100.58 µ2 G1, 83.13 µ2 G2, and 78.41 µ2 G3). The three groups showed significant differences: p=0.039 and p=0.035, for respectively Vl and Ar, on the nasal side. After a six month of treatment, the three groups presented the following recurrence rates: G1, 22.22%, G2, 18.18% and G3, 33.33%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MMC did not reduce the number of positive epithelial cells for the Ki-67 antigen in recurrent pterygium, but decreased fibroblast nucleus volume and area on the nasal side of the pterygia. The number of positive epithelial cells for the Ki-67 antigen seemed not to be related to pterygium recurrence observed over a six-month post-surgery period. The role of epithelial cell proliferation in pterygium recurrence should be evaluated by further studies.

Keywords: Ki-67 antigen; Pterygium; Recurrence; Mitomycin; Epithelial cells; Fibroblasts; Karyometry

Acute dacryocystitis usually induces preseptal infection. In rare instances the infection that is confined to the lacrimal sac can extend to the orbital contents resulting in orbital cellulitis. We present a case of intraconal abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis and review the literature of orbital cellulitis resulting from acute lacrimal sac infection.

Keywords: Lacrimal apparatus diseases; Dacryocystitis; Orbital diseases; Cellulitis; Abscess; Bacterial infections; Case reports

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus is the most common agent implicated in post-infectious acute glomerulonephritis. We report a case of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis associated with sinus-related orbital abscess in an 11-year-old boy treated with surgical drainage and intravenous ceftriaxone and clindamycin. Twelve days after supportive measures, renal function was normalized. We also discuss this potentially severe nonsuppurative complication of orbital cellulitis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

Keywords: Cellulitis; Orbit; Glomerulonephritis; Streptococcal infections; Eye infections, bacterial; Sinusitis; Human; Children; Case reports

Traumatic macular hole is a disease whose pathogenesis is not fully understood and the best treatment guideline is controversial. We report 2 cases of traumatic macular hole with different treatment approaches. In the first case, a 9-year-old boy presented with a traumatic macular hole secondary to blunt ocular trauma with a stone, and initial vision of 20/300. He underwent surgical repair and his final vision was 20/70 with hole closure after a 1 year follow-up. In the second case, a 20-year-old woman suffered a penetrating bullet wound on the left side of her forehead. The injury caused optic nerve head avulsion in the left eye with loss of light perception. The right eye had a traumatic macular hole and signs suggestive of sclopetaria chorioretinitis, with 20/60 vision. This case was initially observed and vision improved to 20/30 with reduction of the hole diameter. Vision and hole diameter remained stable after 8 months.

Keywords: Macula lutea; Macula lutea; Eye injuries; Visual acuity; Tomography optical coherence; Human; Female; Male; Child; Adult; Case reports

The authors describe two cases of hereditary dyschromatopsia and discuss the efficiency of the color vision tests. The patients were disapproved in different federal public examinations because Ishihara's test diagnosed hereditary dyschromatopsia. Ophthalmological evaluation was normal. No symptoms related to dyschromatopsia were presented. Panels D15 and Roth D 28 were normal. Desaturated D 15 showed deuteranomaly in case one. In the second case the comparative color vision tests showed nonspecific disorder. The diagnosis of dyschromatopsia is complex. The authors recommend comparative color vision tests to complement the Ishihara test for a better understanding of the color deficiency.

Keywords: Color perception; Color perception tests; Vision tests; Color vision defects; Human; Male; Adult; Case reports

This case report describes clinical data from mother and son with bilateral Brown's syndrome and highlights possible genetically determined predispositions.

Keywords: Ocular motility disorders; Ocular motility disorders; Strabismus; Syndrome; Tendons; Oculomotor muscles; Case reports

Xanthelasma can be treated with acids, laser or primary suture, all presenting frequent relapses besides being inefficacious in extensive cases. The authors present the functional and esthetic result of a female patient's case with extensive xanthelasmas on the upper and lower eyelids which were removed combined with upper and lower blepharoplasty, using the skin removed from the upper eyelids to cover the defect in the lower, and vice-versa.

Keywords: Blepharoplasty; Xanthomatosis; Eyelid diseases; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Ophthalmologic surgical procedures; Recurrence; Skin transplantation; Case reports

Gliomas are the most common infiltrative neoplasms of the optic nerve and can present as two distinct growth patterns: intraneural glial proliferation and perineural arachnoidal gliomatosis (PAG). It has been suggested that perineural arachnoidal gliomatosis is seen almost exclusively in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We describe a child with perineural arachnoidal gliomatosis occurring without neurofibromatosis type 1, supported by both radiographic and histological findings. A 4-year-old female without neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with rapidly progressive right-sided proptosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an enhancing fusiform intraconal lesion, which was hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2-weighted images: characteristic of perineural arachnoidal gliomatosis, the optic nerve was visualized coursing the tumor. Histopathologic study was consistent with perineural arachnoidal gliomatosis. Perineural arachnoidal gliomatosis can develop independent of neurofibromatosis type 1, as demonstrated by this case.

Keywords: Optic nerve glioma; Neurofibromatosis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Human; Female; Child; Case reports

Non-penetrating deep sclerectomy has been an alternative to trabeculectomy, because it has the advantage of reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), without penetrating the anterior chamber. Thus, it avoids a sudden decompression and a plain anterior chamber. In this paper, we described a case of a female patient, 53 years old, black, with diagnosis of open-angle primary glaucoma, with unsatisfactory clinical control and who was submitted to non-penetrating deep sclerectomy. The patient developed goniosynechiae at the site of the sclerectomy, after inappropriate use of mydriatic eye-drops during the postoperative period, leading to an increase of IOP and, therefore, failure of the surgery. The use of mydriatic eye-drops during the postoperative period of deep sclerectomy is not indicated, because in this case, it led to surgery failure.

Keywords: Glaucoma, open-angle; Sclera; Sclerostomy; postoperative complications; Ophthalmic solutions; Case reports

Lamellar keratoplasty consists of transplanting partial-thickness donor cornea onto a complementary recipient bed. Manual lamellar dissection is technically very difficult, time-consuming, and imprecise. Also, the manually-dissected lamellar interface often has topographical irregularities that may optically degrade the best-corrected visual acuity. The femtosecond clinical laser (IntraLase FS LaserTM, Irvine, CA) is a recent innovation that can be programmed to produce bladeless, precise lamellar cuts at any depth with accompanying trephination cuts for both anterior and posterior lamellar transplantion. Posterior laser cuts may be used to assist in deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty or Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Keywords: Cornea; Corneal transplantation; Corneal transplantation; Laser therapy