VOLUME 73 - ISSUE 4

PURPOSE: To describe the demographic characteristics, associated factors and causative agents of infectious keratitis in the elderly in a tertiary referral center in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients aged 60 years and over with a presumptive diagnosis of infectious keratitis who had material collected for microbiological analysis, between the years 1975 and 2007 (32-year span). RESULTS: From a total of 7,060 age-independent cases of microbial keratitis, 1,545 cases in the elderly were reviewed, which had a mean age of 71.0 ± 7.8 years, ranging from 60 to 101 years. There were 707 males (45.6%) and 838 females (54.3%). Associated factors were: past ocular surgery (25.1%), ocular trauma (7.2%) and contact lens use (3.0%). Bacterioscopy was positive in 40.5% of cases. Culture positivity for any agent was 53.5% (bacteria 47.0%, fungi 6.1%, Acanthamoeba 0.4%). The most frequent bacteria were the gram-positive cocci (mostly coagulase-negative Staphylococci) and gram-negative bacilli (mostly the genera Pseudomonas, Moraxella and Proteus), while the most frequent fungi were the filamentous (mostly the genus Fusarium). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents a large series of microbial keratitis in the elderly in a single referral center. The most important factor associated with this condition in the elderly was past ocular surgery. The most frequent causative agents were bacteria, especially gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli.

Keywords: Keratitis; Eye infections, bacterial; Cornea; Fungi; Blindness; Human; Midlle aged; Review

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the observers' ability to measure simulations of cup/disc ratios (CDR) as concentric and non-concentric circles. METHODS: In a prospective, random, and masked setting, 43 images representing the CDR spectrum from 0.2 to 0.9 for vertical and horizontal CDR measurements were developed and presented on a computer screen to 171 participants. RESULTS: There were satisfactory agreements according to the kappa coefficient (0.755 and 0.730 for horizontal and vertical cup disc ratios, respectively) and Lin's concordance correlation (R=0.88 and R=0.86 for horizontal and vertical measurements, respectively). However, very poor agreement was found for intermediate CDR values. The worst agreement occurred when the CDR was between 0.4 and 0.6 for both the horizontal and vertical values. The kappa coefficient was 0.37 and 0.39 for 0.4 CDR (horizontal and vertical, respectively), 0.39 and 0.38 for 0.5 CDR (horizontal and vertical, respectively) and 0.45 and 0.41 for 0.6 CDR (horizontal and vertical, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite a good general agreement between the gold standard and the participants' responses, the absolute agreement for intermediate CDR values was very poor for both horizontal and vertical values.

Keywords: Optic disc; Glaucoma; Optic nerve diseases; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Internet; Measures

PURPOSE: To assess clinical outcomes and changes on higher-order aberrations (HOA) after wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism performed by training-surgeons. METHODS: One hundred and seventy patients had customized LASIK (207 eyes) and PRK (103 eyes) performed by surgeons in-training using the LADARVision 4000 (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX). Preoperative and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperative data of spherical equivalent (SE), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) were analysed. Wavefront changes were determined using the LADARWave Hartmann-Shack wavefront aberrometer and the pupil size was scaled for 6.5 mm. RESULTS: The mean SE in the LASIK group was -3.04 ±1.07 D and in the PRK group was -1.60 ± 0.59 D. At 1-year follow-up, (80.6%) (LASIK) and (66.7%) (PRK) were within ± 0.50 D of the intended refraction. The UCVA was 20/20 or better in (58.1%) (LASIK) and (66.7%) (PRK) of the operated eyes. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between achieved versus attempted refractive correction in both groups: LASIK (r=0.975, P<0.0005) and PRK (r=0.943, P<0.005). The higher-order aberrations (HO) RMS and coma did not changed signicantly in the PRK group between preoperative and 1-year follow-up. In the LASIK group the HO RMS and coma changed between preoperative and 1-month postoperative but remained statistically unchanged during 1-year follow-up. The spherical aberration showed statistically significant changes in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Wavefront-guided LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy performed by training-surgeons were found to be similarly effective, predictable and stable.

Keywords: Keratomileusis, laser in situ; Photorefractive keratectomy; Myopia; Astigmatism; Laser, excimer; Refraction, ocular; Refractive surgical procedures; Visual acuity; Ophthalmology

PURPOSE: To determine if the distribution of inter-blink time intervals is constant with repeated measurements with and without topical ocular anesthesia. METHODS: Inter-blink time was measured in 15 normal subjects ranging from 19 to 32 years (mean ± SD= 23.9 ± 3.20) with the magnetic search coil technique on 3 different occasions, the last one with topical ocular anesthesia. RESULTS: One-way analysis of variance for repeated measurements showed that topical anesthesia significantly reduced the blink rate (blinks per minute), which was constant in the first two measurements (F=8.27, p=0.0015. First measurement: mean ± SD= 13.7 ± 7.8; second measurement: 13.1 ± 8.5 SD; with topical anesthesia: = 7.2 ± 4.6). However, distributions shape was not affected when the blink rate was reduced. The three distributions followed a Log Normal pattern, which means that the time interval between blinks was symmetrical when the time logarithm was considered. CONCLUSIONS: Topical ocular anesthesia reduces the rate of spontaneous blinking, but does not change the distribution of inter-blink time interval.

Keywords: Blinking; Blinking; Administration, topical; Anesthesia; Ophthalmic solutions; Eyelids

PURPOSE: To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and test accuracy of corneal biomechanical metrics and anterior segment data in differentiating keratoconus from healthy corneas. METHODS: Comparative case series. Patients with and without keratoconus (gender and age-matched) were submitted for complete eye examinations including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) as measured by the Ocular Response Analyzer and anterior segment data as gathered through Pentacam assessments. The anterior segment data measurement included average central keratometric readings (K-Ave), corneal astigmatism (CA), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (AC depth) and corneal volume (CV). All parameters were assessed, compared and analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the best cutoff point by which to maximize the sensitivity and specificity of discriminating keratoconus from normal corneas for each data category. RESULTS: Seventy seven eyes from forty three patients (24 male, 19 female) with keratoconus and eighty six eyes from forty three (24 male, 19 female) healthy controls were enrolled. ROC curve analysis showed poor overall predictive accuracy for all studied parameters in differentiating keratoconus from normal corneas. The highest sensitivity (79.2%) was obtained for both AC depth and CH (cutoff points 3.22 mm and 9.39 mmHg respectively). The best specificity (89.5%) and test accuracy (80.34%) were obtained for CA (cutoff point of 2.2 D). CONCLUSION: When considered together, studied parameters showed statistical differences between groups. However, when considered independently they presented low sensitivity, specificity and test accuracy in differentiating keratoconus from healthy corneas.

Keywords: Cornea; Corneal diseases; Corneal topography; Biomechanics; Keratoconus

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a single dose of intravitreous injection of ketorolac tromethamine (500 µg/0.1 ml) in patients with diabetic macular edema refractory to retinal photocoagulation. METHODS: Prospective study. Twenty patients with bilateral diabetic macular edema and ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity between 20/50 and 20/200 were selected. Patients who had other ocular diseases or previous eye surgery were excluded. Preservative-free ketorolac tromethamine was injected intravitreally (500 µg in 0.1 ml) in 20 eyes; fellow eyes served as controls. Ophthalmic examinations included ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity, measurement of intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography. The examinations were performed preoperatively, 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in visual acuity over time in the treated eye compared with the fellow eye was noted (p=0.039). There were no statistically significant differences in the assessment of intraocular pressure (p=0.99), foveal thickness (p=0.86) and macular volume (p=0.23) during the period. CONCLUSION: Patients with diabetic macular edema refractory to photocoagulation showed improvement in visual acuity over a one month period with a statistically significant difference when compared with the control eye. There were no statistically significant differences in intraocular pressure, foveolar thickness and macular volume between the treated and control eyes.

Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy; Injections; Vitreous body; Intraocular pressure; Macular edema; Retina; Ketorolac tromethanine; Laser coagulation; Visual acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of pterygium in a population-based sample at Botucatu City - São Paulo State, Brazil. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study with randomized clustered sampling of households was conducted in the urban area of the Botucatu City -São Paulo State, Brazil and 85.1% of the intended sample was evaluated. All participants were submitted to ophthalmologic examination and the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of pterygium lesion in Botucatu City was 8.12% (7.0% < CI < 9.2%), affecting mainly males (10.4% males X 6.5% females - 8.5% < CI < 12.3% for males and 5.1% < CI < 7.8% for females) with 49.6 ± 14.9 years old in average; 32.18% of the pterygium carriers aged between 40 and 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pterygium at Botucatu is 8.12%, affecting most frequently 40-50 year-old males.

Keywords: Pterygium; Sampling studies; Confidence intervals; Brazil

PURPOSE: To assess the importance of intraocular pressure measurement obtained at 6:00 a.m. in bed and darkness for the diagnosis and intraocular pressure control of primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the daily curve of intraocular pressure of suspects and glaucomatous patients under treatment. Suspects were classified as intraocular pressure values ranging from 19 to 24 mmHg in isolated measurements and/or cup/disc ratio > 0.7 in one or both eyes and/or asymmetry of cup/disc ratio > 0.3 and a normal visual field. Each daily curve of intraocular pressure comprised five to seven IOP measurements with Goldmann applanation tonometer at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 and/or 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. and/or 12:00 a.m. and in the following day morning at 6:00 a.m. in supine position in bed and in darkness with Perkins tonometer before the patient had stood up. Only the daily curves of intraocular pressure that presented an intraocular pressure peak (difference between the higher and the lesser intraocular pressure value) >6 mmHg were analyzed. In these daily curves, the average intraocular pressure and the standard deviation were calculated. The average intraocular pressure and standard deviation values were compared with the normal superior limits: average + two standard deviation of average intraocular pressure and standard deviation of intraocular pressure daily curve from normal patients of the same age group. Daily curves were considered abnormal when their average intraocular pressure and standard deviation values were above the normal superior limits. Secondary and congenital glaucoma were excluded. RESULTS: Daily curves of intraocular pressure of 565 eyes were analyzed; 361 suspected eyes and 204 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma. In suspects, 64.3% presented an intraocular pressure peak at 6:00 a.m. in bed. In primary open-angle glaucoma, 68.6% presented an intraocular pressure peak at 6:00 a.m. in bed. In 5.3% of the suspects and in 5.9% of primary open-angle glaucoma patients, the daily curve of intraocular pressure profile was inverted (lesser intraocular pressure at 6:00 a.m.). CONCLUSION: Intraocular pressure peaks at 6:00 a.m. were responsible for the diagnosis of preperimetric glaucoma in 64.3% of suspects and revealed inadequate intraocular pressure control in 68.6% of eyes with primary openangle glaucoma. The daily curve of intraocular pressure including the intraocular pressure measurement at 6:00 a.m. in bed and in darkness is of vital importance in doubtful cases in order to confirm the diagnosis of preperimetric glaucoma in suspects as well as for the adequate intraocular pressure evaluation of antiglaucomatous treatment.

Keywords: Intraocular pressure; Ocular hypertension; Glaucoma, open-angle; Circadian rhythm; Tonometry, ocular; Monitoring, physiologic

PURPOSE: To assess the rate of recurrence and complications after primary pterygium removal with conjunctival autograft using fibrin tissue adhesive. Secondarily, to compare these results with a retrospective series that underwent the same surgery using sutures. METHODS: A hundred and six eyes of 100 patients who underwent surgery with fibrin glue were prospectively studied, while 58 eyes of 51 patients who underwent surgery with sutures were retrospectively evaluated. Data included: age, gender, eye involved, location, grade and pterygium invasion and post-operative complications. Patients were followed for at least 5 months. RESULTS: Among 106 eyes undergoing surgery with fibrin glue, 12 (11.3%) had recurrence, including 4 (3.8%) conjunctival and 8 (7.5%) corneal. Mean age was statistically inferior in the recurrence cases compared to others (mean of 34.6 vs. 43.7; P=0.033). The time for recurrence ranged from 1.6 to 13.1 months (mean of 4.4). Among the corneal recurrences, 2 eyes had invasion beyond the limbus of up to 0.5 mm and 6 eyes from 0.6 to 1.0 mm. No eye underwent reoperation. Other complications included: transitory granuloma formation in 3 cases, partial graft detachment or slippage in 3 and dellen in 1. In the suture group, 15 eyes (25.9%) had recurrence, including 8 conjunctival (13.8%) and 7 (12.1%) corneal. The time for recurrence ranged from 0.7 to 9.7 months (mean 4.5 months). The conjunctival recurrence rate was statistically inferior in the glue group compared to the suture (P=0.023), however no statistically significant difference was observed in relation to corneal recurrence (P=0.232). CONCLUSION: The use of fibrin glue as an alternative to sutures in pterygium surgery was associated with good results and few complications. Despite a decrease in conjunctival recurrence rates, this technique does not appear to significantly decrease corneal recurrences.

Keywords: Pterygium; Transplantation, autologous; Conjunctiva; Fibrin tissue adhesive; Recurrence

PURPOSE: To determine factors associated with the test-retest variability of optic nerve head (ONH) topography measurements with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) in newly diagnosed glaucomatous patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma were prospectively enrolled. Patients presenting with any ocular disease other than glaucoma were excluded. All patients underwent CSLO using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III (HRT-III) in one randomly selected eye (three consecutive scans; performed by the same examiner). For each Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III parameter, repeatability was assessed using within subject standard deviation (Sw) and coefficient of variation (CVw), repeatability coefficient (RC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Scatter plots and regression lines were constructed to identify which factors influenced test-retest measurement variability. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were included (mean age, 65.4 ± 13.8 years). Most patients were female (65%) and white (50%). Among all Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III parameters evaluated, rim area and mean cup depth had the best measurement repeatability. Vertical cup-to-disc ratio (CDR, as determined by optic disc stereophotograph examination) was significantly associated (R²=0.21, p<0.01) with test-retest measurement variability. Eyes with larger CDR showed less variable measurements. Other factors, including age, disc area, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure were not significant (p>0.14). CONCLUSION: Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III showed good test-retest repeatability for all ONH topographic measurements, mainly for rim area and mean cup depth. Test-retest repeatability seemed to improve with increasing CDR. These findings suggest that HRT-III topographic measurements should be cautiously interpreted when evaluating longitudinally glaucoma patients with early structural damage (small CDR).

Keywords: Glaucoma; Glaucoma, open-angle; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Optic disk; Optic nerve diseases; Tomography; Ophthalmoscopy; Image interpretation, computer-assisted; Visual acuity; Visual fields

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of trachoma in schoolchildren of Botucatu/ SP-Brazil and its spatial distribution. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in children aged from 7 to 14 years, who attended elementary schools in Botucatu/SP in November/2005. The sample size was estimated in 2,092 children, considering the 11.2% historic prevalence of trachoma, accepting an estimation error of 10% and confidence level of 95%. The sample was random, weighted and increased by 20%, because of the possible occurrence of losses. The total number of children examined was 2,692. The diagnosis was clinical, based on WHO guidelines. For the evaluation of spatial data, the CartaLinx program (v1.2) was used, and the school demand sectors digitized according to the planning divisions of the Department of Education. The data were statistically analyzed, and the analysis of the spatial structure of events calculated using the Geode program. RESULTS: The prevalence of trachoma in schoolchildren of Botucatu was 2.9% and there were cases of follicular trachoma. The exploratory spatial analysis failed to reject the null hypothesis of randomness (R= -0.45, p>0.05), with no significant demand sectors. The analysis for the Thiessen polygons also showed that the overall pattern was random (I= -0.07, p=0.49). However, local indicators pointed to a group of low-low type for a polygon to the north of the urban area. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of trachoma in schoolchildren in Botucatu was 2.9%. The analysis of the spatial distribution did not reveal areas of greater clustering of cases. Although the overall pattern of the disease does not reproduce the socio-economic conditions of the population, the lower prevalence of trachoma was found in areas of lower social vulnerability.

Keywords: Trachoma; Residence features; Blindness

PURPOSE: Many systems try to replace Placido disc-based topographers, such as those based in Scheimpflug principles. The purpose of this study is to check if they are interchangeable. METHODS: Quantitative analysis evaluated data obtained from EyeSys and Pentacam, i.e. simulated keratometric values, in addition to flattest and steepest keratometric values. Sixty-three maps from each device (EyeSys scale=0.5 D; Pentacam scale= 0.25 D) were used for the comparison. Qualitative analysis selected 10 EyeSys and 15 Pentacam topographies used in the quantitative evaluation. Aspheric, keratoconus suspects (KS) and established keratoconus corneas were included. Four groups (children [CH], non-physicians adults [AD], residents in ophthalmology [OP] and refractive surgeons [RS]) were asked to match the topographies belonging to the same eye. RESULTS: Analysis showed that the parameters are correlated; however they are not clinically similar. In the qualitative analysis, the percent of correct matches increased when KS was removed. CH group was statistically different from every group in these comparisons. When only KS was considered, CH vs. OP, CH vs. RS and AD vs. RS remained statistically different. AD vs. OP showed no relevant difference in any comparison. CONCLUSIONS: The systems are not fully interchangeable, yet they are correlated. Practitioners who are adapting to Pentacam should use the 0.25 D scale maps and transform formulas that use EyeSys parameters. Only with persistent training may the topographies be properly matched; KS corneas are more difficult to be correctly paired.

Keywords: Corneal topography; Optometry; Refractive surgical procedures; Keratoconus; Cornea

Peter's anomaly consists in the most common congenital corneal opacity related to a malformation of the anterior segment of the eye. Its main characteristics are central leukoma and iridocorneal adherences at the area affected by the leukoma. It can be identified isolated or in association with other ocular or systemic abnormalities, and the prognostic tend to be worse in the latter cases. The etiology of Peter's anomaly remains uncertain, but the most likely causes are related to genetic, infectious, traumatic and toxic factors. A range of possible treatment strategies exists, though the effectiveness of each of them depends on how the disease occurs and whether it is identified in early or advanced stages - the earlier the diagnosis, the higher the possibility of a successful intervention, given that precocious treatments are more likely to result in a good development of the vision. This work reports a case of Peter's anomaly that was diagnosed in an advanced stage, discussing the characteristics of the case and treatment possibilities.

Keywords: Corneal opacity; Amblyopia; Corneal transplantation; Case reports

Spontaneous carotid cavernous fistulas are a rare entity occurring more frequently in middle aged women. The authors report a case of a spontaneous carotid cavernous fistula in an elderly woman resulting in glaucoma of hard management. After surgical embolization of the fistula, the symptoms regressed and the intraocular pressure moved back to regular levels.

Keywords: Carotid-cavernous sinus fistula; Glaucoma; Intraocular pressure; Angiography; Case reports

PURPOSE: To report a case of radiation retinopathy treatment with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin®) in a patient undergoing radiotherapy for lymphoma in the right orbit. Patient of 55 years-old male, diabetic, diagnosed with an orbital MALT lymphoma three years ago, treated with local radiotherapy (dose: 35Gy) two years ago, complaining of reduced visual acuity of the right eye for about four months. During the ophthalmologic evaluation, he had an exam suggestive of radiation retinopathy. Macular thickness at the optical coherence tomography was 480 µm. Patient was referred to intravitreal injection (0.05 ml) of bevacizumab (Avastin®) in the right eye, showing reduction of macular edema and mild improvement of visual acuity. In this case, the treatment of radiation retinopathy with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin®) was relatively useful, with mild improvement of visual acuity due to the regression of macular edema.

Keywords: Abnormalities, radiation-Induced; Lymphoma; Injection; Angiogenesis inhibitors; Macular edema; Retina; Vascular endothelial growth factor A; Visual acuity; Case reports; Human; Male; Middle aged

Brown syndrome fits the group of restrictive strabismus and is caused by a movement limitation of the superior oblique tendon through the trochlea. It is characterized by parallelism in the primary gaze position, limitation or absence of elevation in adduction, frequent depression of the eye in adduction with anisotropy in V-pattern and positive passive duction in the elevation in adduction. It is called inflammatory Brown syndrome, a secondary disorder, which main causes are local inflammation in the orbit and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and tenosynovitis. A case of a 44 year-old patient, male, complaining of binocular vertical diplopia due to recurring dextroversion is reported. It was diagnosed as inflammatory Brown syndrome of uncertain etiology, confirmed by magnetic nuclear resonance, and with spontaneous resolution.

Keywords: Inflammation; Ocular motility disorders; Oculomotor muscles; Syndrome; Vision, binocular; Tendons; Strabismus; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Diplopia; Case reports; Human; Adult; Male

The primitive strabismus surgeries, myotomies and tenotomies, were performed simply by sectioning the muscle or its tendon without any suture. Such surgeries were usually performed in just one eye both in small and in large angles with not really predictable results. In 1922, Jameson introduced a new surgery technique using sutures and fixing the sectioned muscle to the sclera, increasing surgery predictability. For the esotropias he carried out no more than 5 mm recession of the medial rectus, which became a rule for the surgeons who followed him, which made it impossible from then on to correct largeangle esotropias with a monocular surgery. Rodriguez-Vásquez, in 1974, exceeded the 5 mm parameter by proposing large recessions of the medial recti (6 to 9 mm) to treat the Ciancia syndrome with good results. The authors revised the literature year after year with the purpose of comparing the several works and concluded that monocular recession-resection surgery may be a feasible option for the surgical treatment of large-angle esotropias.

Keywords: Strabismus; Strabismus; Esotropia; Oculomotor muscles; Visual acuity; Ophthalmologic surgical procedures

INTRODUCTION: Byproducts of 4-aminoquinolones are being used since its industrialization in the treatment of malaria, rheumatic and dermatologic diseases. These drugs present systemic and ocular adverse events. Systemic adverse reactions affect the gastrointestinal, nervous and skeletal muscular systems and the skin. Ocular adverse reactions are: photophobia, cornea verticillata, poliosis, cataract, extraocular muscle palsy, anterior uveitis, toxic maculopathy and optical neuritis. PURPOSE: Bibliography review of complications due to the use of chloroquine and its derivatives. To analyze the current practice and propedeutics' evolution. To suggest practical managements for early toxicity signs. METHODS: Bibliographic review through research on MEDLINE, PUBMED, LILACS and SciELO database. DISCUSSION: All exams that can be used to screen ocular adverse reactions are described, such as: complete ophthalmologic exam, with emphasis on biomicroscopy and indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy, computerized visual field, Amsler grid testing and color vision testing, electrophysiological exams, polarimetry and optical coherence tomography. A description of maculopathy is presented, focusing on epidemiology, risk factors, histopathology and propedeutics. Chemical structure and the differences between 4-aminoquinolone derivatives are described. CONCLUSION: All patients using chloroquine and its derivatives must be followed-up and documented since the beginning of the therapy until they reach a cumulative dose above 100 grams. The higher the cumulative dose, the more we must be concerned with patient follow-up.

Keywords: Maculopathy chemically induced; Chloroquine; Hydroxichloroquine; Electroretinogram