VOLUME 73 - ISSUE 1

PURPOSE: To study the mechanisms of pupillary block in eyes with occludable angle by ultrasound biomicroscopy. METHODS: Initially, a pilot study of 13 eyes with acute primary angle-closure without medication was executed. Ultrasound biomicroscopy measurements of the angle, posterior chamber depth and iris thickness were performed in the temporal quadrant under light and dark conditions. Afterwards, ultrasound biomicroscopy measurements of iris-lens contact distance and iris-lens angle in the temporal quadrant and central anterior chamber depht were made in 32 eyes with acute primary angle-closure or intermittent primary angle-closure without medication, under light and dark conditions before and after laser peripheral iridectomy. RESULTS: In the pilot study, a significant decrease in the angle as well as a significant increase in the iris thickness occurred when comparing light to dark conditions. Before and after laser peripheral iridectomy (second study), significant differences were found in iris-lens contact distance (P<0.001) and iris-lens angle (P<0.001) under light and dark conditions. Also, significant differences were found in light and dark conditions, before laser peripheral iridectomy, in iris-lens angle (P=0.005), and after laser peripheral iridectomy, in iris-lens contact distance (P<0.001). No significant change occurred with anterior chamber depth. CONCLUSIONS: A decreased angle was correlated to an increase in iris thickness. After laser peripheral iridectomy, acute primary angle-closure or primary angle-closure eyes had an increased iris-lens contact distance and a decreased iris-lens angle. The anterior chamber depth did not change. These findings contradict the theory that pupillary block is the mechanism of acute primary angle-closure.

Keywords: Glaucoma, angle-closure; Microscopy; Anterior chamber; Lens, crystalline; Iris

PURPOSE: To describe the features and outcomes of patients with AIDS-related cytomegalovirus retinitis after highly active antiretroviral therapy availability. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 30 consecutive patients (44 eyes) with AIDS and newly diagnosed, active AIDS-related cytomegalovirus retinitis, examined from January 2005 to December 2007. RESULTS: The mean age was 34.8 years, 18 patients (60.0%) were male and median duration of AIDS was 90 months. Nineteen patients (63.3%) had evidence of highly active antiretroviral therapy failure and median CD4+ lymphocyte count was 12.5 cells/µl. Visual acuity at presentation was 20/40 or better in 27 eyes (61.4%). Retinitis involved Zone 1 in 13 eyes (39.5%). Despite specific anti-AIDSrelated cytomegalovirus therapy, 16 eyes (36.4%) presented relapse of retinitis and 10 eyes (22.7%) lost at least three lines of vision. When compared to highly active antiretroviral therapy responsive patients, eyes of highly active antiretroviral therapy failure patients were more likely to develop relapse of retinitis (p=0.03) and loss of at least three lines of vision (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The patients in this series are essentially young men with longstanding AIDS, non-responsive to highly active antiretroviral therapy and with a similar immunological profile as noted before highly active antiretroviral therapy era. These findings have implications for the management of the disease and confirm the magnitude of rational periodic screening after diagnosis of AIDS.

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus; Retinitis; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Antiretroviral therapy, highly active; AIDS-related opportunistic infections; Uveitis, posterior; Eye infections; HIV infections

PURPOSE: To evaluate the percentage of endothelial cell damage induced during a surgical technique of Descemet's membrane separation containing healthy endothelium, analyze the viability and efficacy of this technique, and evaluate the percentage of endothelial cell damage caused by inversion of the cornea on an artificial anterior chamber. METHODS: The corneas from three groups of 12 New Zealand rabbits were evaluated. The Group one was used as the control, so the corneas were analyzed after collected and trephinated. The Group two was analyzed after inversion of the cornea (endothelial side up at a convex shape) mounted on an artificial anterior chamber to calculate the percentage of endothelial cell damage caused by this inversion. The Group three was evaluated after the separation between the Descemet's membrane and the stroma using viscoelastic substance in corneas inverted and mounted on an artificial anterior chamber. The endothelial cell damage was analyzed by digital photographs taken under a microscope after staining the endothelium with alizarin red. Group three samples were processed for histologic evaluation. RESULTS: The Group three (viscoelastic separation) showed an index of endothelial cell damage of 10.06%, the Group two showed an index of 3.58% and the control group an index of 0.18% of endothelial cell damage (p<0.05). Histological evaluation of the Group three corneas revealed that approximately a 120 µm thickness of stroma remained attached to the Descemet's membrane. CONCLUSION: This technique should be better investigated because it is a viable and efficient alternative of Descemet's membrane separation for endothelial cells transplantation, since the percentage of induced cell damage is 10.06%. The percentage of endothelial cell damage caused by inversion of the cornea on an artificial anterior chamber was 3.58%.

Keywords: Cornea; Corneal transplantation; Descemet membrane; Endothelium, corneal; Rabbits

PURPOSE: To evaluated the retinal nerve fiber layer in chloroquine patients with optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Nerve fibers layer thickness was measured by a proprietary OCT Stratus® through the fast retinal nerve fiber layer protocol in ninety-four eyes of 48 patients exposed to chloroquine for at least one year with no apparent macular disorder. Cumulative dose, maximum daily dose (mg/kg/day) and time of chloroquine use were correlated with the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. Data were compared with a control group of 30 patients who did not use chloroquine. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure, fundoscopy, angiography and measurement of cup-to-disc ratio. RESULTS: The average thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer between antimalaric users (107.60 ± 13.25 µm) and the control group (99.05 ± 13.08 µm) had a statistically significant difference (p=0.0137). Furthermore, a positive association of the peripapillary thickness measurements between temporal, upper and lower quadrants of both groups was found. Twelve clock hours retinal nerve fiber layer analysis detected at least one focal defect in more than 50% of the medication users. Particularly, a statistical correlation with the maximum daily dose was found in patients with focal defects (p=0.0120). CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography is effective in detecting nerve fiber layer loss in chloroquine patients without apparent fundus changes. Thus, optical coherence tomography may contribute to the early diagnosis of chloroquine retinopathy.

Keywords: Tomography, optical coherence; Nerve fibers; Retina; Chloroquine; Hydroxychloroquine; Retinal ganglion cells; Retinal diseases

PURPOSE: To describe and analyze the features of a cases series of patients with primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland, its surgical treatment, and histopathological findings. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of files from patients with primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland in the period from 1997 to 2007. All patients with primary epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland were included in this study. Data on gender, age, clinical features, surgical treatment, histopathological findings and follow-up were collected. The slides with histological sections of the tumors were reviewed by the same pathologist. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 12 patients, 5 (41.7%) with benign tumors, all pleomorphic adenomas (benign mixed tumor) and 7 (58.3%) with malignant neoplasms, thus distributed: four cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma, two of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and one carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma. Globally, patients mean age was 54.1 years-old (ranging from 14 to 70 years-old), with mean age of 52.4 years-old (ranging from 14 to 65 years-old) for benign neoplasms, and 55.3years-old for malignant neoplasms (ranging from 26 to 70 years-old). Clinical follow-up information, ranging from 2 to 10 years-old, was available for all patients. Three patients developed distant metastasis and died of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent primary epithelial neoplasms of the lacrimal gland were pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma during the study period. Malignant tumors were more frequent than benign tumors. The histopathological diagnosis and the disease initial stage can play a significant role in patient's survival.

Keywords: Lacrimal apparatus; Orbital neoplasm; Adenoma; Eye neoplasms; Lacrimal apparatus diseases; Carcinoma, adenoid cystic; Carcinoma, mucoepidermoid; Follow-up studies

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and side effects of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with Behçet's disease uveitis. METHODS: A nonrandomized retrospective case-series study analyzed data from 22 patients with Behçet's disease uveitis, from a single Uveitis Service, São Paulo, Brazil (period 1978-2007), under systemic chlorambucil and/or cyclosporine A, for at least 6 months with a minimum one-year follow-up. Drug efficacy was measured by reduction in relapse rate and reduction of prednisone dose. RESULTS: Patients (10M/12F) mean age was 29 (range 10-43) years-old at the onset of uveitis. The median duration of followup was 11 (range 1-29) years-old. Chlorambucil (2-6 mg/day) was used in 13 patients and cyclosporine A (3-5 mg/kg/day) in 9 patients at initiation. Drugs were switched because of no effectiveness or side-effects. Chlorambucil was effective in 78.5% (11/14) and induced disease remission in 43% (6/14) of patients, whereas cyclosporine A was effective in 57% (8/14) of patients. Chlorambucil and cyclosporine A were discontinued due to side effects in 21% (leucopenia) and in 57% of patients (nephrotoxicity, 36% and gastrointestinal complications, 21%), respectively. No case of late malignancy was observed. 36% (16/44) of eyes had final visual acuity <0.1, among which 69% (11/16) had already this visual acuity at the first visit. CONCLUSION: This study reiterates previous data that chlorambucil can induce long-term remission of Behçet's disease uveitis, whereas cyclosporine is effective but side effects limit its use. Chlorambucil therapy may still be a reasonable option in patients with intractable, sight-threatening Behçet's disease uveitis.

Keywords: Behçet syndrome; Immunosuppressive agents; Chlorambucil; Cyclosporine; Uveitis; Retrospective studies

PURPOSES: To evaluate the incidence and the severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants (PTI), its association with morbidity, and the treatments instituted at Antonio Pedro Hospital from the Universidade Federal Fluminense, between the years of 2003 and 2005. METHODS: Transversal and retrospective study performed with 73 PTI, with gestational age (GA) of 32 weeks or less and/or birth weight (BW) of less than 1,500 g. Ophthalmoscopic exam was accomplished between 4 and 6 weeks of chronologic age or within the 32nd to 36th week of postconceptional age. The following data were registered: prenatal check-up, mode of delivery, gestational and childbirth complications, gender, BW, GA, weight-gestational age classification, FiO2 maximum value, oxygen use, presence of patent ductus arteriosus, intracranial hemorrhage, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, blood transfusion, and surfactant use. CRIB (Clinical Risk Index for Babies) was used as severity score. RESULTS: Among the studied newborns, 34 did not present retinopathy of prematurity (46.6%). Out of the 53.4% that presented retinopathy of prematurity, 13 had retinopathy of prematurity 1 (17.8%), 20 had retinopathy of prematurity 2 (27.4%) and 6 had retinopathy of prematurity 3 (8.2%). Male newborns corresponded to 45.2% of the sample. 83% of the mothers accomplished prenatal care, 64% presented complications in the gestation period and 38% during the delivery. Cesarean section was the most frequent delivery mode (69%). All preterm infant belonged to the same CRIB score. About half of the sample was small-for-date (49.3%). The lowest GA and BW (p<0.001) were associated to the occurrence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity. The more severe cases of retinopathy of prematurity were associated to higher FiO2 average values. Longer periods of oxygen therapy use were associated with more severe retinal disease (p<0.05). Apgar score at the 5th minute was not related to the occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity (p=0.743). Among the representative variables of treatment and morbidity, just blood transfusion was included in the studied model from multivariate analysis through hierarchical logistic regression. CONCLUSION: Although preterm infant features explained partly their influence on the genesis of the disease, blood transfusion was associated to a higher chance of retinopathy of prematurity.

Keywords: Retinopathy of prematurity; Retinopathy of prematurity; Gestational age; Blood transfusion; Infant, newborn

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the PhotoScreenerTM (PS) is useful as a method of screening in the prevention of amblyopia in children. METHODS: 227 preschool children were evaluated through the application of a questionnaire, refratometry measurements and photos using the PS. After this, all children were submitted to cycloplegic refraction, 30 minutes after one drop of cycloplegic agent. Refraction was performed by a mydriatic automatic refractor Shin Nippon®. Children identified as suffering from eye problems were treated, according to the criteria: hyperopia greater than +1.50 D, myopia greater than -1.00 D and astigmatism greater than 1.00 D. Data were analyzed through Goodman test, descriptive statistics and study of the specificity and sensitivity of the use of PS, comparing its results with other ophthalmologic assessment methods. RESULTS: There was a male predominance (54.6%), and the majority of children were four or five years old. PS sensitivity (S) compared to refraction under cycloplegia was 50.9%. The specificity (E) was 78.9%, positive predictive value (PPV) = 70%, negative predictive value (NPV) = 62.5% and accuracy (A) = 65.1%. CONCLUSIONS: PS, when compared to cycloplegic refraction spherical equivalent, is a reasonable method of screening, although the low sensitivity. A positive point to be emphasized is the considerable specificity.

Keywords: Refractive errors; Amblyopia; Sensitivity and specificity; Mass screening; Child, preschool

INTRODUCTION: In Divinolândia (SP), the Consortium of Development of São João da Boa Vista Region Policy (CONDERG), in partnership with State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), has founded an eyeglass store to produce low cost glasses to distribute freely to their customers. The purpose is to analyze the evolution and working process of CONDERG eyeglass store in the last 13 years, since its foundation. METHODS: Data were collected from CONDERG store files from 1988 to 2001. Data regarding the amount of spectacles produced per year, ability to increase the production and store feasibility were analyzed. RESULTS: In 13 years, 16,500 spectacles were supplied. Currently, 400 spectacles are delivered per month, being 200 supported by SUS and the other 200 by CONDERG's own resources. CONCLUSION: The 13-year operation of CONDERG eyeglass store, the free provision of 16,500 spectacles and the increase productive ability have shown this model feasibility.

Keywords: Eye health; Eyeglasses; Refractive errors; Low cost technology; Health promotion

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of retinopathy of prematurity at the Clinical Hospital of Ribeirão Preto Medical School (HCFMRP-USP) and verify the association of retinopathy of prematurity with known risk factors. METHODS: Prospective analysis of 70 patients born in the HCFMRP-USP, weighing less than 1,500 grams, in a period of 1 year. The patients were divided into 2 groups (Retinopathy of prematurity and Normal) to verify the association of retinopathy of prematurity and known risk factors. Significance level of 5% was used. RESULTS: The frequency of retinopathy of prematurity was 35.71% among the study population. The studied risk factors significantly related to the development of the disease were: weight (p=0.001), gestational age (p=0.001), score SNAPPE II (p=0.008), use of oxygen by intubation (p=0.019) and continuous positive airway pressure (p=0.0017), multiple blood transfusions (p=0.01), and the use of diuretics (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: The frequency of retinopathy of prematurity was 35.71% and several risk factors have been identified in newborns in the HCFMRP-USP, being evidenced that the more preterm, the more severe retinopathy of prematurity is likely to be.

Keywords: Retinopathy of prematurity; Infant, newborn; Risk factors; Retrospective studies; Gestational age; Birth weight

PURPOSE: To analyse the outcomes of surgeries performed by senior residents during the learning curve related to intraoperative complications and staff interventions. METHODS: Prospective study of phacoemulsification surgeries performed by senior residents (3rd year) in the first three months of experience with this technique at the HC FMUSP. Intraoperative complications and requirement of staff interventions were measured. RESULTS: 261 surgeries were included. 30 cases of intraoperative complications were noted (11.54%). Major complications, that could affect surgical final results, as posterior capsule rupture and vitreous loss, had an incidence rate of 8.05% and 6.13%, respectively. Surgery was converted to cataract extracapsular extraction in 3 cases and 2 cases required pars plana posterior vitrectomy. Staff intervention was required in 11 cases (4.22%), most of them on the first 40 surgeries. CONCLUSION: With proper training and supervision, senior residents can achieve an acceptable complication rate. Adequate supervision is crucial to guarantee, good surgical outcomes, specially on the first 40 cases, that presents greater complications rates.

Keywords: Cataract extraction; Learning; Inservice training; Ophthalmologic surgical procedures; Internship and residency

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy, predictability and stability of corneal wavefront-guided photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for correcting hyperopia and astigmatism after radial keratotomy. METHODS: In a prospective study, 60 eyes of 36 consecutive patients were treated with corneal wavefront-guided PRK with 0.02% mitomycin-C using an Esiris-Schwind excimer laser. Corneal epithelium was mechanically removed. All patients were followed-up for 12 months. RESULTS: The mean time between radial keratotomy and PRK was 18.4 years ± 3.8 (SD); mean spherical equivalent (SE) before radial keratotomy was -4.35 diopters (D) ± 1.55. Before PRK, the mean sphere was +5.00 D ± 2.28, mean astigmatism was - 1.47 D ± 1.06, mean SE was +4.27 D ± 2.18, and the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.174 ± 0.139 (logMAR). The planned laser SE correction was +4.74 D ± 2.11. No intraoperative complications were noted. At 12 months, mean SE was +0.04 D ± 1.03 (P<0.001), mean astigmatism was -1.03 ± 0.75 D (P=0.015), mean UCVA was 0.265 ± 0.197, and mean BCVA was 0.079 ± 0.105 (P<0.001). There was a mean gain of 1 line of BCVA and 20 eyes (33.3%) gained 2 or more lines. Only one eye lost 2 lines. A significant decrease in coma (P=0.002), trefoil (P=0.004), spherical aberration (P<0.001) and quatrefoil (P=0.002) was observed. Forty eight eyes (80%) were within ± 1.0 D of intended SE. Mean regression from 6 to 12 months was +0.17 ± 0.67 D. CONCLUSION: Corneal wavefront-guided PRK was effective, predictable and stable after one year of follow-up for the treatment of hyperopia after radial keratotomy. A significant improvement in UCVA, BCVA and corneal aberrations was obtained. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00917657

Keywords: Photorefractive keratectomy; Mitomycin; Radial keratotomy; Hyperopia; Astigmatism

The purpose of this case series is to describe if the intravitreal use of bevacizumab and perfluoropropane gas (C3F8) would be beneficial to the displacement of subretinal hemorrhage in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A retrospective study of 5 eyes that received concurrent intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and C3F8 was performed. The results were graded according to blood displacement under the fovea, best final visual acuity and intraoperative complications. At the initial presentation, mean age of patients was 72.6 ± 8.9 years-old and duration of symptoms was 13 ± 9.7 days. From the 5 patients, 3 (60%) were male and 2 (40%) female. The success of submacular hemorrhage full displacement was achieved in 4 patients. The mean preoperative visual acuity (VA) was 1.12 ± 0.34 logMAR and the mean postoperative VA was 0.92 ± 0.4 logMAR. No cases of retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, vitreous hemorrhage, uveitis, cataracts and increased intraocular pressure were noted during the follow-up period. Intravitreal bevacizumab and C3F8 injection, associated to prone position can be a valuable therapeutic option for eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and subretinal hemorrhage to the blood displacement out of the foveal area.

Keywords: Macular degeneration; Retinal vein occlusion; Choroidal neovascularization; Angiogenesis inhibitors; Fluorocarbons; Gases; Retinal hemorrhage; Visual acuity; Injections; Human; Case reports

A new model of orbital implant, matching the low cost of acrylic implants (PMMA) with the advantages of medpor (Porex®) is presented herein. The new implant model consists of a PMMA implant with a dura mater scrap adhered on its anterior face of the same diameter of the acrylic implant and a medpor snip adhered on its posterior face by sterile cyanoacrylate. Dura mater was fixed to medpor with 6.0 mononylon. One patient who presented previous extrusion of the implant was submited to surgery and was evaluated on the 1st, 7th, 15th, 30th postoperative days, and 3 and 6 months after surgery when a computed tomography was performed. A good cosmetic, mobility and volume result was noted after an escleral prosthesis was adapted, with no infection, migration or extrusion of the implant until this moment. This case showed us that it is possible to use a more economic implant model with the same results of medpor (Porex®).

Keywords: Eye enucleation; Anophthalmos; Orbital implants; Porosity; Polyethylenes; Gels; Rabbits; Animals

A case of orbital lymphangioma in a 9 year-old female, with proptosis (Hertel= 29 mm), ocular motility restriction, pain and visual loss due to compressive optic neuropathy is described. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam showed an expansive cystic lesion in the extraconal space of the right orbit, non-infiltrating with intralesional hemorrhage. The patient had no improvement with steroid treatment. A transconjunctival puncture with 35 ml aspiration of a "chocolate color" fluid (which was confirmed by cytologic study as a hemorrhagic fluid) was performed. Exacerbations occurred after an intralesional hemorrhage (pain and increase of proptosis). The lesion was excised via lateral cutaneous approach (a lateral canthotomy and removal of the right orbital wall was performed done for decompression) and lower transconjunctival approach. CONCLUSION: Lynphangioma is a challenging disease and difficult to treat, with potential visual and cosmetic complications and the possibility of frequent recurrences.

Keywords: Lymphangioma; Orbital neoplasms; Lymphatic vessel tumors; Case reports

Wyburn-Mason is a rare vascular disorder, comprised of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the midbrain and retina. It can cause visual symptoms depending on its localization and extension. Vitreous and intraretinal hemorrhage and neovascular glaucoma have been previously described. A case of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a patient with Wyburn-Mason syndrome is described. A 27 year-old woman previously diagnosed with Wyburn-Mason syndrome, sought attendance with sudden low vision in right eye 3 months before. She presented moderate vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment with a superior tear. She underwent a successful posterior vitrectomy with implantation of silicone oil, with reattachment of the retina. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a patient with Wyburn-Mason syndrome has been not previously described in the literature. Vitrectomy in this case present challenges related to intraoperatory bleeding risk, to a posterior pole tear among AVMs and the difficulty of obtaining free retina for photocoagulation.

Keywords: Arteriovenous malformations; Arteriovenous malformations; Retinal detachment; Vitreous hemorrhage; Intracranial arteriovenous malformations; Intracranial arteriovenous malformations; Retinal artery; Retinal vein; Syndrome; Case reports

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide of the glycosaminoglycan family present in mammal tissues. In the eye, it can be found in the cornea, the sclera and the vitreous humor. Currently, it has been employed in several medical specialties, including ophthalmology. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the various current and future ophthalmic applications of this substance.

Keywords: Hyaluronic acid; Hyaluronic Acid; Vitreous Body; Cataract extraction; Cornea

Visual acuity represents the visual angle or the smallest distance between two points that allows their discrimination as separated points. Although it is the most common clinical measurement of visual function, it is often misunderstood, especially due to the variety of charts and different notation systems employed for its quantification. This article reviews some concepts about visual acuity measurement, the main notation systems, type of charts and discuss the advantages of using logarithmic scales.

Keywords: Visual acuity; Optometry