VOLUME 72 - ISSUE 2

PURPOSE: The ability to predict and understand which biomechanical properties of the cornea are responsible for the stability or progression of keratoconus may be an important clinical and surgical tool for the eye-care professional. We have developed a finite element model of the cornea, that tries to predicts keratoconus-like behavior and its evolution based on material properties of the corneal tissue. METHODS: Corneal material properties were modeled using bibliographic data and corneal topography was based on literature values from a schematic eye model. Commercial software was used to simulate mechanical and surface properties when the cornea was subject to different local parameters, such as elasticity. RESULTS: The simulation has shown that, depending on the corneal initial surface shape, changes in local material properties and also different intraocular pressures values induce a localized protuberance and increase in curvature when compared to the remaining portion of the cornea. CONCLUSIONS: This technique provides a quantitative and accurate approach to the problem of understanding the biomechanical nature of keratoconus. The implemented model has shown that changes in local material properties of the cornea and intraocular pressure are intrinsically related to keratoconus pathology and its shape/curvature.

Keywords: Cornea; Biomechanics; Corneal topography; Keratoconus; Refractive errors; Image processing, computer-assisted; Intraocular pressure

PURPOSE: Chromatic contrast is a technique used in some areas of medicine to provide better visualization of biological tissues. Based on principles of color composition, a new illumination system was constructed using colored emitting diodes to reproduce the spectral range of visible light. This technique was devised to be used in indirect ophthalmoscopes to improve the visualization of the posterior segment of the eye. METHODS: The original illumination system of a general purpose indirect ophthalmoscope was substituted by a system of color-emitting diodes. RESULTS: Using an electronic interface it was possible to control the intensity of the color lights and therefore generate different wavelengths in the visible spectrum of the light. Preliminary tests undertaken in a mechanical model of the human eye generated very clear and homogenous colors. However in vivo examinations with patients were performed in our laboratory at the IFSC-USP and UNIFESP, and obtained the preliminary results show the possibilities of the chromatic contrast technique, and may represent in the future a differential in the analyses of the posterior segment of the eye. CONCLUSION: The use of color-emitting diodes to reproduce the spectral range of the visible light in indirect ophthalmoscopes seems to be a promising technological advance in the fundoscopy of the eye. This is an innovation that can yield better quality examinations with indirect ophthalmoscopes.

Keywords: Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Fluorescence; Fundus oculi; Ophthalmoscopes; Equipment and supplies

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal endothelium alterations after applying mitomycin C to the sclera using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, correlating alterations with time, concentration, and evaluation methods. METHODS: The corneal endothelium of both eyes of 32 albino rabbits was evaluated and distributed into four groups of 8. Mitomycin C was applied under a scleral flap in the right eye for 5 minutes. Mitomycin C concentrations were 0.5 mg/ml for G1 and G2 and 0.2 mg/ml for G3 and G4. Examinations were performed 15 days after application to G1 and G3, and 30 days after application to G2 and G4. Four cornea in each group were prepared for transmission electron microscopy and four for scanning electron microscopy. Left eyes of all animals were used as controls. RESULTS: Transmission electron microscopy showed corneal endothelium alterations in all groups: rarefied cytoplasm, dilation and fragmentation of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, Golgi apparatus with cisternal dilation, reduced vacuoles, and irregularities of internal membrane more noticeable in G1 and G2. Scanning electron microscopy revealed alterations in all groups except G1: changes in the shape and size of cells and longer filopodial projections. CONCLUSIONS: 1 - Corneal endothelium alterations were seen at both 0.5 and 0.2 mg/ml concentrations and at 15 and 30 days after mytomicin C application; 2 - Alterations were more intense with higher mytomicin C concentration by transmission electron but not by scanning electron microscopy; 3 - The alterations correlated with time by scanning electron microscopy but not by transmission electron microscopy.

Keywords: Endothelium, corneal; Mitomycin; Microscopy, electron, transmission; Microscopy, electron, scanning; Aqueous humor; Vitreous body; Rabbits

PURPOSE: To report the use of tarsal switch levator resection procedures that lift the palpebral fissure to visual axis without causing corneal complications in patients with mitochondrial myogenic ptosis. METHODS: Prospective study. The technique consists of an upper eyelid tarsectomy, with transfer of the autologous tarsoconjunctival graft to the posterior lamella of the lower eyelid. The surgeries were performed under local anesthesia. In case of diplopia, the surgery was performed in one eye. RESULTS: Tarsal switch procedure was performed in 9 eyes of 6 patients with mitochondrial myopathy. There were 5 women; the average age was 59.8 years and the follow-up ranged from 30 to 60 months. The palpebral fissure was moved cephalad in all patients, unmasking their visual axis in primary position and improving their head position. There was no patient with exposure symptoms after surgery. CONCLUSION: The tarsal switch procedure is useful in managing the eyelid malpositions in patients with poor eye protective mechanisms because it elevates both the upper and the lower eyelids, decreasing or eliminating the risk of lagophthalmos with corneal complications.

Keywords: Blepharoptosis; Blepharoptosis; Ophthalmoplegia, chronic progressive external; Ophthalmological surgical procedures; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Mitochondrial myopathies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the distance, intermediate and near visual acuity of patients with bilateral cataract operated on both eyes corrected for distance in one eye and for near in the fellow eye, as well as, their stereo acuity and their general satisfaction. SETTINGS: Hospital de Olhos de São Paulo and Complexo Hospitalar Padre Bento - Guarulhos - São Paulo - Brazil. METHODS: This is a prospective study of 76 eyes of 38 patients with bilateral cataract aiming to become spectacle free after surgery. The patients were operated on both eyes; the first eye was corrected for distance and the fellow eye for near vision. The refractive error was programmed between -0.5 D and +0.5 D in the first eye and -2.00 D in the second eye. Patients with preoperative corneal astigmatism equal or higher than 1.0 D were excluded from the study. The uncorrected and best-corrected distant visual acuity (UCDVA, BCDVA) were tested, as well as the uncorrected near visual acuity (UCNVA) and collected at the 3 postoperative months. The Titmus test was performed at the last follow-up. Finally, the modified questionnaire VF-7 was applied and the patient was required to choose, regarding their general satisfaction, between very satisfied, satisfied, or unsatisfied. RESULTS: All patients achieved uncorrected distant visual acuity 20/40 or better (mean SE 0.625 D) and uncorrected near visual acuity J3 or better (mean SE -2.0 D), and intermediate visual acuity J3 in 90%. The Titmus test revealed an average of 197" of arc with reduction of stereo acuity in most of patients as expected and 97.3% of patients demonstrated to be satisfied or very satisfied with this technique. CONCLUSION: It consists in a viable technique for correction of near, intermediate and distant vision on cataract surgery as demonstrated by the high rate of satisfaction (97.3%) by the modified VF-7 questionnaire, especially when the patient has no access to a multifocal intraocular lens.

Keywords: Cataract extraction; Refraction, ocular; Lens implantation, intraocular; Phacoemulsification; Visual acuity; Vision tests; Patient satisfaction

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of intraoperative infiltration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as an adjuvant drug in pterygium treatment. METHODS: Of 125 consecutive patients, 125 eyes with primary and recurrent pterygium underwent pterygium excision with intraoperative 5-FU (25 mg/mL) infiltration. The superior and inferior conjunctiva was approximated to cover the scleral bed and 0.2 mL 5-FU was injected at the end of the surgical procedure. The gender, occupation, pterygium characteristics and the follow-up at 7, 21, 60 e 180 days after surgery were evaluated and the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: With follow-up of 180 days the patients had no serious complications observed during or after surgery. The relapse rate was 35.8% and occurred in primary (35.7%) and recurrent (36.4%) lesions with no statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that intraoperative infiltration of 5-FU is safe. However the high recurrence rate indicated that other studies would be necessary to show the concentration/dose to better prevent it.

Keywords: Pterygium; Fluorouracil; Mitomycin; Chemotherapy adjuvant; Antimitotic agents; Evaluation of the efficacy-effectiveness of interventions; Intraoperative care; Recurrence

PURPOSE: To develop a computer simulation for customized soft contact lenses in order to correct aberrations of higher order. METHODS: Using real data from a patient diagnosed with keratoconus, which were measured using a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor, the thickness of the contact lenses that compensate these aberrations as well the numbers of pulses required to ablate the lenses were specifically determined for the patient. RESULTS: The maps of correction are presented and the numbers of pulses are calculated, using a 0.5 mm beam width and a 0.3 µm ablation depth. CONCLUSIONS: The results shown here are promising, but they should be improved so that the ablation in actual physical systems can reach the desired accuracy.

Keywords: Algorithms; Computer simulation; Cornea; Keratoconus; Photorefractive keratectomy; Contact lenses, hydrophilic; Models, theoretical; Refractive surgical procedures; Image enhancement; Image interpretation, computer-assisted

PURPOSE: To investigate discarded corneas due to positive serologic tests in donors from the Hospital São Paulo Eye Bank (BOHSP) during a two-year period. METHODS: Retrospective study of records from cornea donors between January 2006 and December 2007. Information such as serologic test results (Hepatitis B, C, and HIV), source of corneal tissue, donor's gender and age were tested for correlation. RESULTS: 902 corneas were processed by BOHSP; 12.9% (116) were discarded due to donor's positive test for hepatitis B, C, or HIV; 20.5% (185) were also discarded due to inconclusive result of serological tests; percentage of corneas discarded due to positive or inconclusive serological tests during this period was 33.4% (301). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the importance of serological tests in order to prevent disease transmission to corneal transplant recipients. However, new tests are necessary to decrease the number of inconclusive tests and decrease the number of discarded corneas.

Keywords: Eye banks; Eye infections, viral; Cornea; Corneal transplantation; Serology; Hepatitis C; Tissue donors

PURPOSE: To measure retinal nervous fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using OCT3 (Carl-Zeiss) in patients with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN) with or without live worm and correlate it with visual acuity. METHODS: RNFL thickness, using RNFL thickness 3.4 program and best corrected visual acuity were measured in patients with DUSN between January 2005 and December 2006. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients, aged 9 - 42 years were selected, of whom 20 had live worm. Mean RNFL was 71.55 ± 27.26 in the DUSN eye and 103.07 ± 20.66 in the contralateral eye (p<0.001). Pearson's correlation between visual acuity and RNFL was r= -0.522 (p<0.001) in the DUSN eye and r= -0.097 (p=0.509) in the contralateral eye. CONCLUSION: RNFL thickness in DUSN patients is directly proportional to visual acuity. Further research is needed to reinforce the correlation between visual acuity and thickness of the nerve fibers in patients with DUSN to follow them after the treatment.

Keywords: Tomography; optical coherence; Optic nerve diseases; Nerve fibers; Optic neuritis; Retinitis; Eye infections, parasitic; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prediction of refraction using the SRK/T formula for intraocular lens (IOL) calculation in eyes with medium axial length after phacoemulsification. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 33 eyes with nuclear cataract that underwent phacoemulsification. All procedures were performed by one surgeon with the intraocular lens placed within the capsular bag. The same technician who was unaware of the purpose of the study made all the measurements. The achieved refractive error one month after surgery was compared to the predicted postoperative refractive error by the SRK/T formula. RESULTS: The ocular axial length varied between 22.2 mm and 24.5 mm. The mean predicted refraction was -0.431 ± 0.181 D and the mean achieved postoperative spherical equivalent was -0.220 ± 0.732 D. Eighteen eyes (55%) had a refractive error between ± 0.50 D and thirty eyes (91%) between ± 1.00 D of the predicted refraction. There was a tendency toward hyperopic shift (mean ± SD: 0.211 ± 0.708 D, p=0.009). CONCLUSION: The SRK/T formula demonstrated a satisfactory accuracy to calculate the error of refraction in eyes with medium axial length.

Keywords: Biometry; Cataract extraction; Lens implantation, Intraocular; Lens diseases; Phacoemulsification; Refractive errors; Refraction, ocular

PURPOSE: To evaluate the refractive errors as cause of visual impairment in school children from the Botucatu region. METHODS: A sectional study was conducted evaluating preschool and elementary school students, according to gender, refractive error, visual acuity and treatment. RESULTS: Four thousand six hundred and twenty-three (4,623) children were submitted to visual acuity evaluation and 8.1% of them were submitted to complete ocular examination. There were 63.2% hyperopic astigmatism, 15.7% myopic astigmatism, 12.5% astigmatism, 4.9% hyperopia and 3.7% myopia. Corrective lenses were prescribed for 48.7% of the evaluated children. CONCLUSION: The most frequent refractive error was hyperopic astigmatism and 50% of the children received treatment. The frequency of refractive errors was 3.9% of the studied population.

Keywords: Refractive error; Visually impaired persons; Visual acuity; Schoolar; Child, preschool; Child

PURPOSE: To assess the prognosis of different types of glaucoma in relation to unilateral and bilateral blindness at a University Hospital. METHODS: Charts of glaucomatous patients which presented complete data of clinical history, visual acuity, visual field, fundus examination and diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were classified as: not blind, legally blind (best corrected visual acuity <20/200 and/or visual field <20º), or totally blind (no light perception) in one or both eyes. Patients with blindness due to congenital glaucoma and other no glaucomatous causes, and incomplete charts were excluded. RESULTS: 3,786 (76.3%) of 4,963 charts fulfilled the criteria. In 3,786 glaucomatous patients, 1,939 (51.2%) were not blind and 1,847 (48.8%) were blind. 1,359 patients (73.6%) were legally blind and 488 (26.4%) totally blind, 1,333 (72.2%) had unilateral blindness and 514 (27.8%), bilateral blindness. 1,564 patients (84.7%) were already blind (74.9% with legal blindness and 25.1% with total blindness) when they arrived at the Service and 283 (15.3%) became blind after their inclusion in the Service. Neovascular glaucoma presented the highest proportion (95.6%) of blindness. Postsurgical glaucoma was second causing blindness in 72.7% and thirdly, primary angle-closure glaucoma with 67.4%. Primary open-angle glaucoma presented the lowest proportion (40.5%) of blindness. CONCLUSIONS: Neovascular glaucoma had the worst prognosis with the highest proportion of blindness. Primary angle-closure glaucoma caused blindness roughly 1.7 times more than primary open-angle glaucoma. Primary open-angle glaucoma presented the best prognosis. The proportion of patients that became blind after their inclusion in the Service was relatively low in relation to the proportion of patients who were blind when they arrived at the Service.

Keywords: Blindness; Glaucoma; Glaucoma; Prognosis

PURPOSE: To report the impression cytology features of conjunctival nevi reported as more noticeable. METHODS: 35 patients who reported that a conjunctival lesion had become more noticeable after color or size change were enrolled. On slit-lamp examination, a clinical diagnosis of nevus was made and lesions underwent impression cytology using acetate cellulose strips and a combined staining with PAS, H&E and Papanicolaou. At patient's or parents' request, excision of the lesion was performed and the tissue was submitted to histopathological study. RESULTS: Impression cytology examination revealed nests or cluster of nevus cells within the epithelium layer containing or not mucous-secreting goblet cells in 32 cases (91.4%). Ten patients (28.5%) had the tumor removed and histopathological diagnosis was compound nevus in 8 eyes (1 from caruncle, 1 from plica semilunaris and 6 from bulbar conjunctiva) and subepithelial nevus from bulbar conjunctiva (2 eyes). CONCLUSION: Optical microscopy analysis of the impression cytology specimens confirmed the clinical diagnosis by demonstrating typical histopathological features of the superficial layers from conjunctival nevi in 91.4% of the cases. For amelanotic nevi IC can also allow a differential diagnosis from other nonpigmented lesions. The technique does not replace histopathological examination, but additionally, may assist in evaluating nevus cells in children and adults.

Keywords: Nevus; Conjunctiva; Conjunctiva; Cytological techniques; Anterior chamber; Diagnostic techniques ophthalmological

PURPOSE: To compare pain on injection of two modified anesthetic lidocaine solutions for use in upper blepharoplasty: 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, and 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine buffered 9:1 with 8.4% sodium bicarbonate. METHODS: In this prospective, double-masked study, 25 consecutive patients undergoing upper blepharoplasty were submitted to the anesthesic procedure. Each eyelid received one of two modified lidocaine solutions. Heart rate, systemic arterial pressure and oxygen saturation level were obtained before, during and after injection of two different anesthetic solutions. Patients used a 4-point scale to rate the perceived pain on injection. RESULTS: All parameters were statistically analyzed and there was a significant difference in heart rate and oxygen saturation level. CONCLUSION: Pain on injection of eyelid anesthesia does not differ significantly with either buffered or unmodified lidocaine solutions.

Keywords: Anesthesia, general; Anesthesia, local; Blepharoplasty; Lidocaine; Epinephrine; Eyelids; Pain; Sodium bicarbonate; Comparative study

PURPOSE: To study the therapeutic potential of amniotic membrane transplantation in cases of severe acute chemical ocular burn and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of eight patients, with a total of ten eyes, submitted to amniotic membrane transplantation for treatment of ocular chemical burns and Stevens-Johnson syndrome in the acute phase between January 1999 and May 2008 in the Ophthalmology Department of UNIFESP. Data relating to sex, age, degree of chemical burns, etiology, affected eye, ophthalmological findings, extension of amniotic membrane, surgeries, additional time between the injury and surgery in days, visual acuity before and after surgery, epithelial defect healing (days), complications and time of follow-up in months were collected. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 35.7 ± 23.04 years, with six men and two women. Three patients (four eyes) had Stevens-Johnson syndrome and five patients (six eyes) had chemical ocular burn. The epithelial defect was healed at an average of 27.8 ± 4.7 days (ranging from 20 and 35 days). All patients presented limbal stem cell deficiency in a median follow-up of 7.8 ± 2.8 months (ranging from six and twelve months) and four eyes developed symblepharon. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the amniotic membrane transplantation represents an additive that can be carried out in the serious cases of ocular chemical burn and Stevens-Johnson syndrome with the finality of promoting the epithelialization and abolishing the inflammation and its consequences, if compared with other studies that treated similar cases with medical therapy only. On the other hand, it is not possible to avoid the limbic deficiency in these cases, which in the future will need limbal stem cell transplantation or other surgeries for correction of the ocular surface.

Keywords: Amnion; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; Cornea; Epithelium, corneal; Eye burns

PURPOSE: To analyze the indications, type and complications of contact lens use and visual acuity in children, in ophthalmological, public and private, services. METHODS: The information from the medical records of 59 contact lens users at a private service (Hospital de Olhos de Pernambuco - Recife - PE- Brazil - group 1), and 43 at public service (Fundação Altino Ventura - Recife - PE - Brazil - group 2), was analyzed. The collected data included: demographic information; age at first examination; indication of lens use; contact lens type; complications and visual acuity. RESULTS: The most common indications of contact lenses in group 1 were: ametropia (55.9%), anisometropia (18.6%) and esotropia (16.9%). In this group leukoma and phthisis were not present. In group 2 the most common indications were: anisometropia (23.2%), ametropia (18.6%), leukoma (18.6%) and phthisis (16.3%). Esotropia was not found in group 2. The most prescribed contact lens was soft and of permanent use in group 1 (45.8%) and in group 2 (32.6%). The most frequent complication in group 1 was discomfort (33.3%) and in group 2 was the loss of the lens (60%). CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent indication in private services was ametropia and anisometropia in the public ones. The type of lens mostly prescribed in both groups was soft and of permanent use. The most frequent complication in group 1 was discomfort and in group 2 loss of the lens. The visual acuity was the same in the majority of the patients.

Keywords: Contact lens; Visual acuity; Child; Hospitals, public; Private service; Hospitals, private; Comparative analysis

PURPOSE: To evaluate aspects of patients submitted to drainage implant procedures before and after surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study was done, with patients submitted to drainage implant procedures in the Glaucoma Sector of the Hospital Oftalmológico de Sorocaba, from January, 2004 to December, 2006. The following characteristics were evaluated: gender, age, treated eye, glaucoma type, number of previous ophthalmologic surgeries, previous intraocular pressure and check-ups. The visual acuity was observed before and after the implant, the number of glaucoma medications given after the implant, the main complications and the necessity of a second intervention. RESULTS: Among the 92 patients, 65.3% (n=60) were male and 34.7% (n=32) were female. The main types of glaucoma were 38.9% (n=37) due to cornea transplant and 25.3% (n=24) to neovascular glaucoma. The intraocular pressure average before implant was 32 (±11.29) mmHg and after implant it was 18 (±8.11) mmHg in 100% (n=95) eyes, 15 (± 10.89) mmHg in 100% (n= 95), 16 (±11.64) mmHg in 55.7% (n=54) and 20 (±10.31) mmHg in 21.6% (n=21) for the period of 2 months, 6 months, 1 and 2 years, respectively. The most frequent complications were implant migration (8.5%) and shallow anterior chamber (5.4%). CONCLUSION: A satisfactory evolution in the patients after implants, taking into consideration several causes of glaucoma. A significant reduction of intraocular pressure was found in the period of 2 months, at 1 and 2 years (p< 0.05). The complications occurred and progressed independent of the type of glaucoma, number of previous surgeries, age or gender.

Keywords: Glaucoma; Glaucoma drainage implants; Intraocular pressure; Intraoperative complications; Visual acuity

PURPOSE: To document the clinical features, systemic association, treatment and evolution of 100 patients with scleritis evaluated at the Uveitis Service of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 patients were identified with the diagnosis of scleritis. Signals and symptoms, visual acuity, B-mode ultrasonography signals, systemic associations, treatment and evolution were described and analyzed. RESULTS: 69 patients were female and 31 were male. Diffuse and nodular anterior scleritis occurred in 71 patients, necrotizing anterior scleritis in 3, posterior scleritis in 24 and escleromalacia perforans in 2 patients. Unilateral involvement occurred in 79 patients and bilateral involvement in 21 patients. The main symptoms were ocular pain and redness and the main signal in posterior scleritis was the serous detachment of the retina. Scleritis in association with systemic disease occurred in 35 patients and the principal kind of treatment was the use of oral NSAIDs. Only 18 patients required systemic immunosuppressive drugs. Ocular complications were detected in 35 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Scleritis may represent a diagnostic challenge and is often associated with life threatening systemic disease and vision threatening ocular complications. Knowledge of scleritis may aid in determining timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of both the ocular and any associated systemic conditions, thus decreasing morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Scleritis; Eye infections; Cyclosoporins

The authors present a rare case of plasmacytoma of the orbit involving lacrimal gland with secondary transformation into multiple myeloma in a 42-year-old woman. The lesion was surgically removed and analyzed. Histopathological examination with immunostaining revealed it to be positive for immunoglobulin G and Kappa chains, demonstrating monoclonality. However, no abnormality was observed on serum electrophoresis, skeletal survey and bone marrow aspiration. Therefore, the tumor was diagnosed solitary plasmacytoma of bone. The patient was treated with external beam radiotherapy and has remained disease free for 5 years and 6 months until 2007, when she presented a pathological fracture due to multiple myeloma. Extensive medical work-up to rule out multiple myeloma or other malignant lymphoproliferative conditions involving orbit or ocular adnexa is needed when the diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma of bone is suspected because treatment and prognosis are very different.

Keywords: Plasmacytoma; Orbital neoplasms; Lacrimal apparatus; Immunoglobulin kappa-chains; Neoplasm invasiveness; Multiple myeloma; Tomography, x-ray computed; Human; Female; Adult; Case reports

Presentation of a case of crystalline macular distrophy diagnosed in a female patient with Sjögren-Larsson syndrome. The disease consists of clinical findings of spastic diplegia or tetraplegia, mental retardation, and congential ichthyosis. The eyes are affected in up to 100% of cases, and crystalline maculopathy is the main finding as described in this case report. On fundus examination multiple white dots were observed at ophthalmoscopy. The optical coherence tomography has shown not only the hipereflexive intraretinal spots but also macular atrophy with macular thickness reduction. The tomographic findings were first described in our country.

Keywords: Macula lutea; Sjögren-Larsson syndrome; Tomography, optical coherence; Case reports

If the ocular media are clear, indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy allows retinal detachment and retinal tear identification and treatment under direct visualization. However, if opacities are present preventing direct fundus examination, ultrasonography becomes the most important tool for evaluating the posterior segment. In addition, ultrasonography can be useful in retinal tear treatment by guiding cryotherapy. In this article we describe a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treatment technique applied to a patient with corneal opacity. Cryopexy and circumferential and radial buckle positioning were guided by ultrasonography, resulting in retinal attachment during the 6-month follow-up period.

Keywords: Ultrasonography; Retinal detachment; Scleral buckling; Retinal perforations; Cryotherapy; Corneal opacity; Human; Male; Middle aged; Case reports

Stromal cornea tattooing has been used for esthetic treatment of corneal scars as leukoma and iris coloboma. The coloring agent can be applied through stromal micropuncture or associated with lamellar keratectomy or keratoplasty. We report a case of stromal tattooing associated with lamellar keratectomy in a patient's eye that had extensive leukoma and irregular corneal surface. Visual acuity in the operated eye was no light perception and the patient did not tolerate the use of cosmetic contact lens. Correction of divergent strabismus was also performed during the surgery. After one year follow-up, the ink is still impregnated in the corneal stroma, giving a good esthetic aspect. In conclusion, the technique of corneal tattooing associated with lamellar keratectomy is a good method for the cosmetic treatment of central leukoma with corneal irregularity.

Keywords: Corneal opacity; Corneal stroma; Corneal transplantation; Tattooing; Cosmetic techniques; Lasers, excimer; Photorefractive keratectomy; Cornea; Human; Male; Adult; Case reports

Orbital emphysema is the abnormal presence of air in the orbit. Occurrence in the absence of orbital fracture is rare. We report a case of a 40-year-old female presenting unilateral orbital emphysema after vigorous nose blowing. She developed sudden visual loss as a result of elevated intraocular pressure and urgent treatment was required. She underwent an orbital decompression, performed using a 24-gauge needle puncture adjacent to the supraorbital notch. After treatment, she reported considerable decrease of symptoms.

Keywords: Emphysema; Orbital diseases; Pressure; Visual acuity; Ocular hypertension; Case reports

Case report of a patient who developed failure of an allogenic living related conjunctival limbal transplantation in the right eye after an episode of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. After a few months, she underwent transplantation of allogenic limbal epithelial stem cells cultivated ex vivo on amniotic membrane (first case in Brazil). The patient evolved with total corneal epithelialization and improvement of the visual acuity. Three months after the surgery, peripheral superficial neovascularization with worsening of the corneal transparency was observed. The vision remained 0.1 after one year of the transplantation.

Keywords: Epithelium, corneal; Limbus corneae; Stem cells transplantation; Amnion; Case reports

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is an inherited blinding condition characterized by abnormal development of the retinal vasculature. The authors describe a rare case of the disease associated with severe infantile osteoporosis in a young female patient. The patient was submitted to multiple vitreoretinal procedures in both eyes due to tractional macular detachments. The case was complicated by diffuse uveitis of difficult control in one eye, which stimulated proliferative vitreoretinopathy and retinal redetachment. The inflammatory potential of drugs used in the control of the osteoporosis, in contrast with the inherent inflammatory activity the disease, are discussed.

Keywords: Osteoporosis; Vitreoretinopathy, proliferative; Retinopathy of prematurity; Eye diseases, hereditary; Fluorescein angiography; Fundus oculi; Visual acuity; Vitreous body; Retinal detachment; Human; Female; Child; Case reports

We report here a case of conjunctivitis in an immunocompetent patient due to Achromobacter xylosoxidans, which was associated with the use of rigid contact lenses. The bacteria were isolated from the scraped conjunctival swab as well as from the lens cleaning fluid. A. xylosoxidans is an opportunistic pathogen, especially in immunocompromised patients; however, in isolates of ocular infections, from immunocompetent patients, it may be confused with other gram-negative organisms, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Due to an increased resistance against different antimicrobial agents, A. xylosoxidans must be fully identified and differentiated from other gram-negative isolates from ocular infections.

Keywords: Achromobacter xylosoxidans; Conjunctivitis; Contact lenses; Contact lens solutions; Eye infections, bacterial; Case reports

PURPOSE: To establish the literature basis that could support the idea that it would be possible to analyze changes at the anterior surface of the cornea induced by an air jet applied onto the eye. METHODS: The PUBMED/MEDLINE literature basis regarding the following subjects was searched: videokeratography, high-speed photography, ocular response analyzer (ORA). The information concerning the goal of this paper was selected. RESULTS: The literature showed data that support the idea of gathering 3 nowadays available technologies that could result in a new concept of "dynamic corneal topography": the corneal topography, the air jet applied to histeresis measurement by the Ocular Response Analyzer® and the high-speed photography technique used to study the tear film and the anterior surface of the cornea. CONCLUSION: The literature basis supports the idea of gathering the existent technologies of corneal topography, the air jet of the corneal histeresis device and the high-speed photography to create a new concept in the analysis of the corneal surface: the dynamic corneal topography.

Keywords: Corneal topography; Microscopy, video; Biomechanics; Image processing, computer-assisted; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Refractive surgical procedures

Pregnancy can cause several alterations in human eye function in healthy condition as well in ocular disease; these effects on the eyes are divided into three categories: physiologic alterations, ocular diseases changes already existing before the pregnancy, and pathological alterations. The present text proposes a bibliographical revision on the theme. The authors researched PubMed (MEDLINE) and LILACS databases.

Keywords: Pregnancy complications; Pregnancy; Choroid diseases; Retinal diseases; Diabetic retinopathy; Ophthalmic solutions; Pre-eclampsia