VOLUME 73 - ISSUE 2

PURPOSE: To evaluate the decibel loss on the Macular threshold protocol of the Humphrey visual field as a reliable functional outcome of the intravitreal bevacizumab treatment. METHODS: Thirteen patients were evaluated at baseline and on the week 6 for best corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography central macular thickness and decibel loss on Macular threshold protocol of the Humphrey visual field after 1.25 mg intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. The outcomes were analyzed separately and in correlation using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. RESULTS: The improvement of the optical coherence tomography and the Macular threshold protocol of the Humphrey visual field from baseline to week 6 were significant with p=0.032 and p=0.003, respectively. The visual acuity did not show a significant improvement. The correlation of the visual acuity and Macular threshold protocol of the Humphrey visual field was significant at baseline (p=0.041) and on week 6 (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: The Macular threshold protocol of the Humphrey visual field significantly improved despite the fact that the best corrected visual acuity did not. The Macular threshold protocol of the Humphrey visual field correlated with the visual acuities significantly. The optical coherence tomography was significant to demonstrate improvement but did not correlate with best corrected visual acuity and Macular threshold protocol of the Humphrey visual field. These findings suggest that the Macular threshold protocol of the visual field may be a more reliable tool for evaluation of global macular function after intravitreal bevacizumab treatment.

Keywords: Macular degeneration; Tomography, optical; Vitreous body; Visual acuity; Perimetry; Injections; Choroidal neovascularisation; Antibodies, monoclonal

PURPOSE: Considering that noncompliance to glaucoma treatment is one of the risk factors associated with disease´s progression, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate: 1) knowledge and feelings about the disease; 2) self-reported noncompliance to treatment and related factors; and 3) influence of disease in lifestyle. METHODS: Interviews, with application of a semi-structured questionnaire, of 50 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The analysis was performed using Lefèvre's technique (Collective Subject Speech - CSS, qualitative/quantitative research). RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of patients did not consider themselves well informed about glaucoma. The percentage of patients that reported noncompliance was 20%. The main causes of noncompliance are: side effects of antiglaucomatous drugs (24%); lack of information about the disease (22%); difficulty in understanding information and communication problems with the physician (14%); difficulties in administering the eye drops (14%); poverty, with impossibility to pay for the eye drops (10%); patients´ attitudes and beliefs (10%). Eighteen percent of the participants informed that the disease affected their life quality. CONCLUSION: In the studied population, most of the problems related to noncompliance to glaucoma treatment pointed out different factors that may decrease with education about POAG, interventions on attitudes and behavior, improvement of doctor-patient relationship and anti-glaucoma drugs supply.

Keywords: Glaucoma; Health knowledge, attitudes, practice; Patient compliance; Doctor-patient relations; Antihypertensive agents; Ophthalmic solutions

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of octyl-2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage (Band-Aid liquid®, Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson, New Jersey, USA) as a temporary treatment in patients awaiting surgical repair for involutional entropion. METHODS: Thirteen patients (15 eyelids) with involutional entropion were evaluated while they waited for surgical intervention. The lids were repositioned by the application of octyl-2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage in the malar fold. Patients were followed-up at days 1, 7 and 15. Assessment and duration of correction were recorded. RESULTS: All the patients presented successful correction at day 1, with significant improvements in signs and symptoms. The mean duration of action of the octyl2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage was three days. No ocular or dermatological reactions were noted. CONCLUSION: Octyl-2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage showed to be a simple, safe and effective option to temporarily treat involutional entropion, while patients waited for surgical intervention.

Keywords: Entropion; Tissue adhesives; Eyelids diseases

PURPOSE: To determine the conjunctival bacterial flora in cataract surgery patients and the effect of presurgical irrigation with 5% povidone-iodine solution. METHODS: Three samples from the inferior conjunctival fornix of the eye to be operated were obtained at baseline before washing (T0) with 10 ml 5% povidone-iodine solution, immediately after washing (T1), and upon completion of surgery (T2). Bacteria from the samples were inoculated in blood agar, chocolate agar, and thioglycolate broth. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients (n=224 eyes) with a mean age of 67 ± 13 years were included in the study. Bacteria from the (T0) samples were successfully grown in 73.2% of the thioglycolate agars, 21.0% of the blood agars, and 19.2% of the chocolate agars. Compared with T1 samples, the use of povidone-iodine wash translated into a 60.8% reduction (from 73.2% to 12.5%) in colonization of the conjunctiva (p<0.001), while no significant difference was found between the T1 and T2 samples. Conclusion: Conjunctival irrigation with a 5% povidone-iodine solution effectively reduces conjunctival flora and is therefore strongly recommended as a means of preventing postsurgical endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

Keywords: Endophthalmitis; Cataract extraction; Povidone-iodine; Anti-bacterial agents; Anterior eye segment; Conjunctiva; Preoperative care

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in patients with diffuse diabetic macular edema on the visual acuity and intraocular pressure. To report the potential adverse events and to analyze the potential relationship between age and visual acuity and intraocular pressure variability. METHODS: This clinical controlled study included 14 patients (28 eyes), 14 of the eyes received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. The study group was compared to a control group of 14 eyes, without diabetic macular edema. The follow-up period was of 3 months. RESULTS: Pressure spikes >21 mmHg occurred in 28.7% of eyes, with a significant difference of intraocular pressure between the study group and the control group in the first week after treatment. Visual acuity showed a significant improvement when compared with the control group since the second day after the treatment. There was no association between age and variability of visual acuity and intraocular pressure. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide showed to be effective for improving visual acuity in patients with diabetic macular edema, in the first three months of treatment. The incidence of intraocular hypertension was 28.7%, easily manageable.

Keywords: Triamcinolone acetonide; Diabetic retinopathy; Macular edema; Intraocular pressure; Ocular hypertension; Visual acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the postoperative results of congenital lens subluxation corrected by a new technique. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 21 eyes of 13 patients with no traumatic lens subluxation who underwent surgery in Altino Ventura Foundation from April, 1999 to April, 2004. The mean age was 8.7 ± 5.4 years old, and the mean follow-up period was 21.5 ± 19.3 months. Patients underwent phacoaspiration, endocapsular ring and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The implanted IOL had one loop haptic excised and was supported above the ring, inside the capsular bag promoting intraocular lens centralization. RESULTS: Visual acuity improvement was observed in all cases. There was a significant reduction of the spherical equivalent and spherical component comparing the pre and postoperative refraction (p<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the pre and postoperative cylinder component (p=0.71). Posterior capsule opacification was a postoperative complication found in 71.4% of the cases. Early posterior capsulotomy was performed with no complications in these cases. CONCLUSION: Intraocular lens implantation with one loop haptic amputed and supported above the endocapsular ring is an option for the congenital lens subluxation surgical treatment, promoting lens centralization and postoperative visual acuity improvement.

Keywords: Lens subluxation; Prosthesis implantation; Marfan syndrome; Homocystinuria; Lenses, intraocular; Ectopia lentis; Ophthalmologic surgical procedures; Visual acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the initial medical decision regarding primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) treatment in a referral center, and to assess the relationship between the persistence of treatment and the disease progression in cases managed exclusively with medication. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for 65 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma referred to a tertiary hospital. The following clinical data were analyzed: initial medication, persistence of treatment, best corrected visual acuity, visual field mean deviation index, cup/disc ratio, and intraocular pressure. Patients were classified into four categories in order to verify the clinical evolution. RESULTS: The mean number of visits/ year was 4.4 ± 3.5, and the follow-up period was 40.7 ± 22.8 months. Mean persistence time was 12.9 ± 13.9 months. By six and twelve months, respectively, 39.1% and 62.5% of patients had discontinued the initially prescribed regimen, mainly by adding to (42%) or changing (26%) the course of treatment. Thirteen patients (21%) were reclassified to a worse category of primary open-angle glaucoma, however, despite this trend, no significant correlation was found between shorter persistence and primary open-angle glaucoma worsening. CONCLUSIONS: Persistence rates with initial therapy schemes were low, as measured by medical decisions to change the course of treatment. Therefore, improvement in the initial medical decision is crucial in order to offer a more stable and effective treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma.

Keywords: Glaucoma, open-angle; Intraocular pressure; Blindness; Attitude to health; Communication; Patient compliance; Physician-patient relations; Disease progression

PURPOSE: To evaluate the rate and the causes of interruption of bevacizumab intravitreal therapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a referential eye-care center in Joinville, southern Brazil. METHODS: Retrospective, non-comparative, consecutive case series. Cases included all patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration who were treated with one or more bevacizumab intravitreal injections at Sadalla Amin Ghanem Eye Hospital between January, 2006 and January, 2008. Data were obtained from patients' medical records and telephone interviews. Discontinuity criterion was the absence of patient follow-up after a minimum of 3 months from the last ophthalmic examination. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were treated. Among them, 24 (29.3%) interrupted follow-up inadvertently. The mean age was 75.2 years old (range 65-89 yo). Mean number of bevacizumab intravitreal injections was 2.0 (range 1-6). Nineteen patients answered to telephone questionnaires. The main alleged causes of discontinuity of therapy were unexpected poor visual results (8 cases, 42.1%), lack of information about followup visits (5 cases, 26.3%) and comorbidities (3 cases, 15.8%). CONCLUSIONS: A high number of patients interrupted follow-up after beginning bevacizumab therapy. Many of them related avoidable causes for discontinuity of treatment. Efforts must be done to improve education of age-related macular degeneration patients, especially in relation to functional outcomes and prolonged follow-up care.

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

PURPOSE: Neurotoxoplasmosis is the most common central nervous system disorder in patients with AIDS. The occurrence of ocular toxoplasmosis in neurotoxoplasmosis is not well studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of typical or probable toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in patients with AIDS and neurotoxoplasmosis. METHODS: A prospective case series was performed, including 70 patients of both genders, aged from 20 to 63 years, hospitalized in three public hospitals in Recife, Pernambuco, with such diagnosis according to the CDC criteria (1992), from January to October, 2008. RESULTS: Patients were characterized by first neurotoxoplasmosis episode (65, 92.9%) or relapse (5, 7.1%), ignorance of AIDS diagnosis (23, 32.9%), mean CD4 T lymphocytes count of 139.8 ± 3.04 cells/mm³ and mean viral load of 137,080 ± 39,380 copies/mL. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examination, consisting of ocular inspection, visual acuity measurement, investigation of ocular extrinsic muscle function and fundoscopy, using binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (model OHN 3.5 (Eyetec®) and 20 diopters external lens (Volk®). Four (5.7%) patients presented retinochoroiditis scar lesions, characteristic of ocular toxoplasmosis, typical in 3 (75%) of them and bilateral in one. There was no case of typical or probable active retinochoroiditis. Active ocular lesions were rare compared to scarring, which are associated with the presence of retinal cysts. CONCLUSION: Scarring lesions should be valued in patients with AIDS.

Keywords: Ocular toxoplasmosis; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Eye

PURPOSE: To investigate, through ultrasound biomicroscopy images, the presence of plateau iris configuration in eyes with narrow-angle from patients with open-angle glaucoma and in eyes with previous acute primary angle-closure and compare the biometric features of eyes with plateau iris configuration with those of normal eyes. METHODS: Ultrasound biomicroscopic images from 196 patients with open-angle glaucoma and narrow-angle and 32 patients with acute primary angle-closure were retrospectively analyzed. The inclusion and specific criteria for the diagnosis of plateau iris configuration was the presence of an anterior positioning of the ciliary processes, supporting the peripheral iris so that it was parallel to the trabecular meshwork; the iris root had a steep rise from its insertion point, followed by a downward angulation from the corneoscleral wall; presence of a central flat iris plane; an absent (complete plateau iris configuration) or partially absent (incomplete plateau iris configuration) ciliary sulcus. The ultrasound biomicroscopic parameters were compared between complete and incomplete plateau iris configuration. The same parameters of both groups were compared with those of normal eyes. The following measurements were performed: anterior chamber depth; angle opening distance at 500 µm from the scleral spur; peripheral iris thickness at 500 µm from the scleral spur; iris-ciliary process distance; trabecular-ciliary process distance and angle recess area. RESULTS: Plateau iris configuration was found in 33 eyes of 20 (10.2%) out of 196 patients with open-angle glaucoma and narrow-angle and in 4 eyes of 2 (6.3%) out of 32 patients with acute primary angleclosure. Seventeen (77.3%) patients with plateau iris configuration were female and 5 (22.7%) male. Twenty-three (62.2%) out of 37 eyes had complete plateau iris configuration, and 14 (37.8%) had incomplete plateau iris configuration. Complete and incomplete plateau iris configuration presented similar biometric features with the exception of the iris-ciliary process distance. All plateau iris configuration eyes showed biometric parameters completely different from those of normal eyes except for peripheral iris thickness at 500 µm from the scleral spur. CONCLUSIONS: Plateau iris configuration was present in 10.2% of patients with open-angle glaucoma and narrow-angle and in 6.3% of patients with acute primary angle-closure. Biometric features were similar in eyes with complete and incomplete plateau iris configuration with the exception of iris-ciliary process distance. Compared to normal eyes, all plateau iris configuration eyes showed biometric parameters completely different except for peripheral iris thickness at 500 µm from the scleral spur.

Keywords: Glaucoma, angle-closure; Anterior chamber; Gonioscopy; Iris diseases

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the sensitivity and the specificity of the ice test in the differential diagnosis of ptosis in myasthenia gravis. METHODS: Prospective trial with a control group. The patients were instructed to hold a frozen ice pack on the closed ptotic eyelid. They were divided into 2 groups, with group I consisting of patients with myasthenia gravis and group II (control) consisting of patients with congenital, non-myasthenic myogenic or aponeurotic ptosis. RESULTS: All patients in group I had increased palpebral fissure for at least 3 mm after the application of ice pack. No patient in group II showed increased palpebral fissure after the ice test. CONCLUSION: Ice test proved to be specific for the detection of myasthenic ptosis.

Keywords: Myasthenia gravis; Cold temperature; Blepharoptosis; Sensivity and specificity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with mitomycin-C (MMC) in eyes with hyperopia after radial keratotomy. METHODS: Sixty eyes of 36 consecutive patients treated with corneal wavefront-guided PRK using an Esiris-Schwind excimer laser were prospectively evaluated. Corneal epithelium was mechanically removed, followed by photoablation and use of 0.02% MMC for 20 or 40 seconds. In 16 eyes (26.7%), MMC was applied for 40 seconds. These eyes underwent ablations deeper than 100 micron or had previous corneal sutures. Patients were followedup for 12 months. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent (SE) before PRK was +4.27 D ± 2.18, and the mean bestcorrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.174 ± 0.139 (logMAR). The planned laser SE correction was +4.74 D ± 2.11, resulting in an ablation depth of 78 ± 28 µm (from 33 to 148). No intraoperative complications were observed. At one year, mean SE was +0.04 D ± 1.03 (p<0.001) and mean BCVA was 0.079 ± 0.105 (p<0.001). There was a gain of 2 or more lines of BCVA in 20 eyes (33.3%) and only one eye (1.7%) lost 2 lines. Correlation analysis showed that the improvement in BCVA was inversely related to preoperative BCVA (r=-0.694; p<0.001). Five eyes developed peripheral haze grade 2 or 3 and one eye had central trace haze. No significant correlation was found between central or peripheral haze and the number of radial incisions, depth of the ablation or postoperative BCVA. Mean preoperative endothelial cell count was 2,681 ± 455 cel/ mm² and after one year was 2,481 ± 378 cel/mm² (p=0.124). One eye developed keratectasia due to the progressive widening of an inferior radial incision, which was later sutured. CONCLUSION: PRK with MMC was safe after one year of follow-up for the reduction of hyperopia after radial keratotomy. A major improvement in BCVA was obtained with a small incidence of haze and other complications.

Keywords: Photorefractive keratectomy; Mitomycin; Keratotomy, radial; Hyperopia; Astigmatism; Visual acuity; Refractive surgical procedures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual acuity outcomes and to investigate the intraocular lens (IOL) and endocapsular ring positions with ultrasound biomicroscopy in 17 eyes of 10 patients with congenital lens subluxation who underwent the same surgical technique, by the same surgeon. METHODS: The study was performed in the ''Hospital de Olhos de Pernambuco'' and ''Fundação Altino Ventura''. The surgical technique consisted of phacoaspiration with implant of endocapsular ring and intraocular lens with one loop haptic amputated. The age varied from 7 to 22 years. Data on visual acuity (VA) before and after surgery, surgery follow-up period, and complications were analyzed. All patients underwent ultrasound biomicroscopy. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 2.8 years. There was a VA improvement in 17 (100%) eyes: in 12 eyes (70.6%) the visual acuity was better than 20/40; 4 (23.5%) ranged from 20/40 to 20/100, and 1 (5.9%) had visual acuity worse than 20/100, however better than the preoperative visual acuity. The posterior capsular opacification occurred in 10 eyes (58.9%). Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed that all IOL were partially decentralized, however without surpassing the pupil border limit. Endocapsular ring position was correct and there was a good capsular support in all cases. CONCLUSION: The evaluated surgical treatment provided good intraocular lens and endocapsular ring position, with VA improvement Thus, this technique is a viable, effective and safe option for the visual rehabilitation of patients with congenital lens subluxation.

Keywords: Lens subluxation; Phacoemulsification; Lens, intraocular; Microscopy, acoustic; Marfan syndrome; Visual acuity

Dengue fever is a well known viral infection transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito. Its geographic distribution covers over 100 countries. Clinical presentation is variable and depends upon the age and immunological status of the patient. It can be classified as asymptomatic illness, dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic or dengue shock syndrome. Ocular manifestations of dengue have been described, however there are few reports on neurological involvement. We hereby report two cases of bilateral optic neuritis after dengue viral infection. Both of them rapidly recovered the visual acuity without treatment.

Keywords: Dengue; Optic neuritis; Papilledema; Retinal hemorrhage; Encephalitis; Ocular infections, viral; Case report

Vitreous cyst is a rare condition of the posterior segment of the eye. It can occur in eyes with coexistent ocular diseases or in eyes that are otherwise normal. This study reports a case of vitreous cyst in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa and presents its clinical and ultrasonographic features.

Keywords: Retinitis pigmentosa; Vitreous body; Ophthalmoscopy; Retinal degeneration; Human; Male; Adult; Case reports

PURPOSE: To report the findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in three cases of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN). METHODS: Three young patients with confirmed diagnosis of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis were followed-up using Stratus® OCT. RESULTS: Optical coherence tomography findings included retinal nerve fiber layer atrophy and focal edema where the worm was initially lodged. In two patients we could identify the worm by optical coherence tomography as an area of hiper-reflectivity. The worms were laser photocoagulated and post-treatment optical coherence tomography scanning revealed improvement of edema, nerve fiber layer thinning and a retinal hyper-reflectivity where laser had been applied. CONCLUSION: The main finding reported here is the potential of optical coherence tomography in detecting the presence of retinal nerve fiber layer atrophy and focal retinal edema in areas affected by the worm. Optical coherence tomography can be used to distinguish diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis from other mimicking diseases like punctate outer retinitis, when there are no retinal fiber layer atrophy.

Keywords: Retinitis; Optic neuritis; Eye infections; parasitic; Laser therapy; Optic nerve; Optic atrophy; Retina; Case reports

Cystoid macular edema is an uncommon, but well known, side effect of latanoprost. Two cases of bilateral and simultaneous cystoid macular edema associated with latanoprost use are described, which complete resolution of the edema is observed upon drug discontinuation.

Keywords: Macula lutea; Macular edema; Glaucoma; Prostaglandin F; Case Reports; Human; Adult

PURPOSE: to report a case of branch retinal artery occlusion in the acute phase, using optical coherence tomography to evaluate the morphologic changes. A 27 year-old man had a sudden superior scotoma in the right eye, with fundus examination compatible with inferior temporal branch retinal artery obstruction. The optical coherence tomography revealed increase in thickness and hyper-reflectivity of the inner retinal layers in affected area, with decreased reflectivity of photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelial layers. The optical coherence tomography findings are consistent with intracellular edema, and not with secondary vascular leakage of extracellular fluid, according to histopathological theories of retinal ischemia and necrosis that occurs after retinal artery occlusion.

Keywords: Retinal artery; Retinal artery occlusion; Retinal vessels; Visual acuity; Optical coherence tomography; Human; Male; Adult; Case reports

Ocular melanomas correspond to 5% of all melanomas and 85% of them have its origin in the uveal tract. Uveal melanoma is the most commom primary intraocular malignant tumor in the adult. In this article, a case of uveal melanoma in a 31 year-old female patient, with photopsia, hyperemia and low visual acuity in the left eye with evolution of 4 months is presented. In the ophthalmologic examination, visual acuity was lower than 20/400, a large tumoral mass was noted at the nasal region behind the iris with anterior lens displacement, anterior chamber narrowing and serous retinal detachment. The ocular echography suggested a large tumoral mass as a choroidal melanoma extending to the ciliary body. The confirmation diagnosis was possible through the histopathologic examination.

Keywords: Uveal neoplasms; Melanoma; Eye enucleation; Survival analysis; Case reports

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of tears and ocular surface that causes discomfort, visual disturbance and tear film instability. It is a common disorder that affects specially adults and women and can cause quality of life impairment comparable to migraine, shortness of breath and chronic renal insufficiency, depending on its symptoms or complications. New concepts regarding physiopathology, classification and treatment have been presented and should be known by ophthalmologists because of their relevance on day-by-day application. There are about 100 different medications currently in use for dry eye besides other methods of treatment, so it is necessary to establish what is really safe and effective for dry eye. This paper presents a review about Dry Eye Syndrome etiopathogenesis and treatment.

Keywords: Dry eye syndrome; keratoconjuntivitis sicca; Cornea disease

The author makes comments about the shortening and loss of elasticity of the oculomotor muscle that remains slack for some time (contracture), by means of a reasoning based on the Hooke´s law and on the papers carried out to demonstrate that a muscle that remains relaxed for some time suffers a shortening due to loss of sarcomeres on the longitudinal direction and the increase of the cross-sectional area due to the increase of collagen tissue in the perimysium and the endomysium.

Keywords: Muscle contraction; Muscles; Contracture; Ocular physiological processes; Oculomotor muscles; Eye movements; Sarcomeres; Adaptation physiological