VOLUME 74 - ISSUE 1

PURPOSE: The goals of the study were the following: 1) to show the epidemiology of microbial keratitis (MK) in the southeast Brazil, 2) to compare the epidemiological differences between fungal (FK) and bacterial keratitis (BK), and 3) to evaluate the frequency which ophthalmologists accurately differentiate bacterial keratitis from fungal keratitis based on clinical diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of all clinically diagnosed microbial keratitis patients presenting between October, 2003 and September, 2006 was performed. Demographic features, ocular and laboratory findings, and information regarding the risk factors and clinical evolution were recorded. RESULTS: Among 118 consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of microbial keratitis, the positive culture rate was 61%. The predominant bacterial and fungal pathogens isolated were S. epidermidis and Fusarium spp. Prior corneal injury was more frequent among fungal keratitis than bacterial keratitis cases (p<0.0001). Coexisting systemic diseases, ocular diseases, and previous ocular surgery were more frequent among BK cases (p=0.001; p=0.001; p=0.004; respectively). The following clinical findings were more frequent in bacterial keratitis: hypopion, corneal peripheral superficial vascularisation, and ulceration area >20 mm² (p<0.05). The diagnosis was predicted correctly in 81.6% of bacterial keratitis cases and in 48.1% of fungal keratitis cases. CONCLUSION: Medical judgment of microbial keratitis agent is possible based on clinical and epidemiological data, but it is more difficult for fungal infection. Thus, such data cannot be the only basis for the diagnosis of suspected microbial keratitis, but oriented clinical suspicion based on these data may be beneficial for guiding antimicrobial treatment and earlier therapy.

Keywords: Eye infections, bacterial; Eye infections, bacterial; Eye infections, bacterial; Eye infections, fungal; Eye infections, fungal microbiology; Eye infections, fungal; Risk factors

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) in healthy eyes with a central corneal thickness (CCT) < 505 µm with CH and CRF in gender-, age-, and CCT-matched keratoconus cases, and to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of these parameters for discriminating between the two groups. METHODS: Prospective, comparative case series. In total 46 eyes from 30 healthy patients with CCT < 505 µm, and 42 eyes from 30 CCT-, gender- and age-matched keratoconus cases were enrolled. Biomechanical metrics (CH and CRF) were measured using the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and then compared. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify cut-off points to maximize the sensitivity and specificity for discriminating between the groups. RESULTS: The CCT was 485.96 ± 17.61 µm (range, 438 - 505) in healthy thin corneas and 483.64 ± 16.19 µm (range, 452 - 505) in keratoconus; p=0.5225. CH was 8.63 ± 1.23 mmHg (range, 5.95 - 12.2) and 8.07 ± 1.17 mmHg (range, 4.9 - 9.85), respectively; p=0.0312. CRF was 8.43 ± 1.29 mmHg (range, 5.45 - 11.10) and 7.22 ± 1.34 mmHg (range, 4.7 - 9.45), respectively; p<0.001. ROC curve analysis showed a poor overall predictive accuracy of CH (cut-off, 8.95 mmHg; sensitivity, 63%; specificity, 23.8%; test accuracy, 44.30%) and CRF (cut-off, 7.4 mmHg; sensitivity, 28.3%; specificity, 40.5%; test accuracy, 34.12%) for detecting keratoconus in the eyes studied. CONCLUSION: CH and CRF were statistically lower in keratoconus than in healthy thin corneas. However, CH and CRF offered very low sensitivity and specificity for discriminating the groups.

Keywords: Cornea; Keratoconus; Corneal diseases; Biomechanics; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics of human ocular tissue donors from the Cascavel Eye Bank in the State of Paraná (PR) and investigate the impact of hepatitis B serologic test positivity on discarded ocular tissues. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of data collected between March 2006 and April 2007 at the Cascavel Eye Bank. Information such as age, gender, cause of death, time between death and enucleation, and serologic tests results was collected. Data were used to characterize the study population and stratified according to hepatitis B (anti-HBc) status. RESULTS: Mean age of donors was 54.2 ± 20.6 years and a greater proportion of men (64,7%) was observed. Mean time between death and enucleation was 3.8 ± 2.4 hours, cardiovascular diseases were the main cause of death (34.5%). Positivity of anti-HBc and HBsAg tests was 47.4% and 1.5%, respectively. Hepatitis B was the main reason for discarding corneas. Donors whose serologic tests were positive for anti-HBc had higher mean age compared to those with negative tests (p<0.001). Only 0.8% of all donations tested positive for hepatitis C and donors with positive HIV test were not seen in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Activities of the Cascavel Eye Bank significantly increased the availability of corneas for transplant in the State of Paraná. The main contraindication for availability of ocular tissues was positivity of serologic tests for anti-HBc. Biosafety studies should be performed in order to investigate the potential transmission of hepatitis B virus for donors with positive tests for anti-HBc. The inclusion of these donors would increase the number of corneas available for transplant.

Keywords: Eye banks; Corneal diseases; Corneal transplantation; Tissue donors; Tissue and organ procurement; Organ preservation; Tissue preservation; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B surface antigens; Quality control

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the relative frequency of epithelial lesions of the conjunctiva in Canada. METHODS: A retrospective study of 12,102 consecutive cases received during 16 years (1993-2009) at the Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory in Montreal, Canada, was performed. Demographic data was retrieved from histopathological request forms and specimens were categorized and analyzed by mean percentage. The relative frequency of epithelial lesions of the conjunctiva from a single center in Canada, representing the province of Quebec was reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 12,102 specimens reviewed, 273 were conjunctival lesions (2.25%), including 86 epithelial tumors (0.71%) of the conjunctiva that comprised the studied sample. The average age of these patients was 59.9 ± 17.6 years, and gender distribution was 66 (69%) males and 30 (31%) females. Fifteen lesions (17.4%) were classified as squamous cell papillomas (mean age, 57.3 ± 16.7 years). Within the ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) spectrum, there were 10 (11.6%) actinic keratosis (63.8 ± 17.6 years), 27 (31.3%) cases of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with variable degrees of atypia (mild to moderate) (63.9 ± 15.3 years), 15 (17.4%) carcinomas in situ (66.7 ± 18.0 years), and 17 (19.7%) squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) (56.2 ± 19.4 years). Two other rare cases of malignant tumors included one basal cell carcinoma and one mucoepidermoid carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of our sample is similar to the one reported by the American Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) in 1994. When we compare our sample to others coming from countries with high levels of sunlight exposure, we found a lower incidence of ocular surface squamous neoplasia, including squamous cell carcinomas in Canada.

Keywords: Conjunctiva; Conjunctival neoplasms; Eye neoplasms; Corneal diseases; Carcinoma in situ; Carcinoma, squamous cell; Canadá

PURPOSE: To determine the drift variations of the postoperative alignment in patients who underwent strabismus surgery and to identify possible risk factors associated with such occurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the variations in postoperative alignment drift of 819 patients who underwent rectus muscle surgery from January, 1995 to December, 2005 at the Hospital de Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo. The patients were divided into four groups according to the type of deviation (alternating esotropia, monocular esotropia, alternating exotropia and monocular exotropia). Changes in eye positioning were quantified in each group. RESULTS: The prevalence of variations in the postoperative angle (considering variations more than 10 ∆) among the total of studied patients was 33.5% (274 patients). In those patients, a higher frequency was found in the exotropic direction (178 patients or 65.0%) than in the esotropic direction (96 patients or 35,0%), and this difference was statistically significant (chi-square test; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Eye positioning instability can occur over time in patients who underwent strabismus surgery. This incident reinforces the need for the development of alternative therapies in order to provide greater stability to the oculomotor system in the follow-up of strabismus surgery.

Keywords: Strabismus; Esotropia; Exotropia; Oculomotor muscles; Strabismus; Ocular motility disorders; Postoperative period

PURPOSE: To determine the most common pathogens involved in the etiology of bacterial keratitis at the Sorocaba Ophthalmological Hospital and the in vitro susceptibility of main antimicrobial used in the treatment of this pathology. METHODS: Retrospective study of all patients suspected of infectious keratitis that underwent microbiological exam at the Sorocaba Ophthalmological Hospital, between 2005 and 2009. To test susceptibility of antimicrobial drugs, antibiograms were made through the standard method of discs diffusion and interpretation following the National Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS, Villanova, PA, USA). RESULTS: 963 samples were obtained in this period and 278 (28.86%) were positive for some pathogen. Among the positive for bacteria, the most common were Staphylococcus aureus (30.56%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (30.56%), Streptococcus sp (9.43%) and Pseudomonas sp (9.43%). Dividing in Gram's method, 191 (72.08%) were Gram-positive and 74 (27.92%) were Gram-negative. Analyzing in vitro antimicrobial effectiveness, the majority presented good susceptibility rates, beyond 85%, except cephalotin which presented 53.13%. At the same analysis, higher resistance rates with cephalotin (33.47%) and ciprofloxacin (11.36%) were noted. CONCLUSION: Gram-positive bacteria were the most common pathogen isolated at microbiologic exams, especially staphylococci. despite the increasing number of isolated Gram-negative bacteria, meanly represented by Pseudomonas, related with the widespread use of contact lenses. Laboratorial exam revealed high sensibility values for most of antibiotics (more than 85%), except for cephalotin (53.13%). Higher resistance values were observed with cephalotin (33.47%) and ciprofloxacin (11.36%). With all these important variability of antibiotic susceptibility and pathogens involved in bacterial keratitis etiology, it is very important to know the specific characteristics of each infection for a better patient casre.

Keywords: Eye infections, bacterial; Microbial sensitivity tests; Keratitis; Drug resistance, microbial

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the behavior of premature newborns in the first year of chronological age. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, bound to a longitudinal study titled: "Comparison of visual behavior on the first quarter of year of life of premature nursling born at two maternities of Recife/PE." The sample was composed by 52 premature newborns selected from June, 2007 to June, 2008 from the Maternity of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE). Biological, socioeconomic and demographic data was collected through medical records and interviews with progeny. Newborns were evaluated by the Assessment Guide of Visual Ability in Infants. RESULTS: Most of the newborns were male at a gestational period between 33 weeks and 36 weeks and 6 days, showed a good visual behavior development for the age researched, and most of the families showed good socioeconomical and demographic profile. Besides, it was possible to detect ocular signs in 19% of sample, that were referred to an Ophthalmology Service. CONCLUSION: This study results point out the method like an important key in the early detection and visual screening for premature nursling since the first month of life and it led us to believe that clinical view for occupational therapy intervention must be focused not only on biological risks but also at the influence environment in newborn performance.

Keywords: Infant, premature; Neonatasl screening; Vision, ocular; Socioeconomic factors; Biological factors

PURPOSES: To standardize and validate the technique of axonal electrovisiogram (AxEvg), defining its normative values and parameters and characterizing its findings in normal individuals. METHODS: We enrolled 140 normal individuals (280 eyes) divided into seven groups according to age, each one with 10 males and 10 females. The technique was based on monocular visual stimulation by a 0 dB intensity bright flash on Ganzfeld bowl at a presentation rate of 1.4 Hz. Golden cup electrodes were used and electrical waves were acquired after artifact rejection. For each amplitude and implicit time peak we calculated the mean, median, pattern deviation, minimum and maximum values and 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Monocular visual stimulation with bright flash under mesopic conditions was the standard technical procedure established. The normal AxEvg waveform consists of an initial positive wave (named P1, with mean amplitude of 2.0 mV and mean implicit time peak of 23.1 ms) followed by a negative wave (named N1, with mean amplitude of -3.9 mV and mean implicit time peak of 41.4 ms). No significant differences were observed between males and females or between right and left eyes, but there was an increased P1 and N1 implicit time peaks according to age. Implicit time characteristics suggest that P1 wave represents an optic nerve electrical potential and N1 wave represents an inner retinal layers potential. CONCLUSIONS: AxEvg can be considered a pre-chiasmatic visual evoked potential capable to reliably record the electrical activity of optic nerve and inner retina. The findings suggest that AxEvg may be useful as an electrophysiological test in the diagnosis of neuroretinal diseases.

Keywords: Electrophysiology; Electroretinography; Evoked potentials, visual; Optic nerve; Photic stimulation; Electrodiagnosis; Retina

BACKGROUND: Volume loss and muscular hyperactivity are two major components of the aging process that contribute to the formation of the folds and wrinkles. Tear trough deformity is one of the most difficult depressions to correct surgically. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of ten patients submitted to periorbital filling with hyaluronic acid gel filler. METHODS: Between June and August, 2008, 10 patients have had their tears troughs treated with hyaluronic acid gel filler. The filler was introduced by a serial puncture technique and approximately 0.1 ml was injected at each pass. The filler was placed in the pre-periosteal tissue. Patients photographs before and after the procedure were reviewed to assess the outcomes. RESULTS: The mean volume per side needed to achieve correction was on the right side 0.61 ml (SD=0.25) and on the left side 0.65 ml (SD=0.26). The most common complications were bruising, erythema, local swelling, and pain at the injection site. The effect of treatment lasted up to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed that the treatment of tear trough deformity with hyaluronic acid gel filler was feasible, predictable and effective. All patients were very satisfied with their results.

Keywords: Hyaluronic acid; lower eyelid; Hyaluronic acid; Hyaluronic acid; Filler; Treatment; Face

PURPOSES: To evaluate the effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab in an experimental model of neovascularization in rabbit cornea. Determine its effect on vessels extension, inflammation, epithelialization of the cornea and whether the evaluation method used is appropriate to compare neovascular models. METHODS: Experimental, prospective, randomized, blinded study in twenty rabbits subjected to chemical trauma with sodium hydroxide at 1N divided into two groups. The study group received subconjunctival injection of 0.15 ml (3.75 mg) of bevacizumab and was compared with the control group that received subconjunctival injection of 0.15 ml saline solution. After 25 days, digital photographic analysis was performed to assess the vessel's extension and inflammation/diameter according to pre-established criteria. Histopathology of the cornea, which evaluated the state of the epithelium and the number of polymorphonuclear cells was also studied. RESULTS: The length of the neovessels was greater in the control group compared to the study group (P=<0.001). There was no difference in inflammation/vessel diameter between groups. Histopathology analysis showed that there was no difference between groups for the variables state of the epithelium and number of polymorphonuclear cells. The concordance analysis for the variable extension of the vessels and the variable inflammation/vessel diameter was estimated with Kappa coefficients of 0.705 and 0.500 respectively, indicating a good level of agreement in different evaluations and validating the method. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental model is adequate and can be reproduced to evaluate other drugs in the cornea. Bevacizumab inhibit the neovessels' growth but was not effective in preventing the inflammatory response. The drug did not delay the reepithelialization of the cornea.

Keywords: Neovascularization, pathological; Corneal neovascularization; Angiogenesis inhibitors; Burns, chemical; Diseases models, animal

Posterior scleral tuberculoma formation is an extremely rare condition. The few reports on scleral involvement in tuberculosis refer to cases of anterior scleritis. In the present manuscript we describe a patient who had rheumatoid arthritis and developed a large posterior scleral tuberculoma. The lesion provoked retinal detachment and visual loss and was diagnosed only after enucleation due to a misdiagnosis of choroidal melanoma.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, ocular; Tuberculosis, ocular; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Sclera; Melanoma; Tuberculoma; Immunosupressive agents; Human; Female; Aged; Case reports

Ichthyosis follicular, alopecia, and photophobia (IFAP) syndrome is a rare disease, with possible X-linked mode of inheritance. The patient presented with ocular findings of photophobia, corneal scarring and erosions, superficial and deep corneal vascularization and myopia. He was treated with artificial tears and punctal occlusion with small improvement of photophobia. After three months using systemic retinoid (Acitretina) and posterior amniotic membrane transplantation in the left eye, there was a significant improvement of photophobia, corneal erosions and neuropsychomotor development.

Keywords: Ichthyosis; Alopecia; Photophobia; Ichthyosis; Alopecia; Photophobia; Ichthyosis; Alopecia; Photophobia; Retinoids; Amnion; Chromosomes, human, X

This report describes the only case in the literature of globe luxation due to traumatic cerebrospinal fluid fistula to the orbit caused by fire gun with ocular globe maintenance. E.N., female, white, 7 months, admitted with left orbitocranial injury by fire gun. Ocular globe luxation was detected with complete ocular motility restriction and absence of pupillary reflex in the left orbit. Computed tomography showed fracture of the medial orbital wall; bone fragments near the apex of the orbit and a stretched optic nerve. Surgical exploration was performed, showing liquor fistula through the ethmoid-sphenoid wall that was blocked with sponge (Gelfoam®) plus organic glue in the left orbit posterior wall, with immediate resolution of the proptosis and ocular integrity maintenance. Although controversial, maintenance of the ocular globe instead of enucleation was performed due to the integrity of the globe in this case. Despite the blindness, we considered the result to the proposed treatment excellent, once the maintenance of the ocular globe provides a good appearance and will contribute to an adequate facial bone development.

Keywords: Fistula; Cerebrospinal fluid; Eye injuries; Wounds, gunshot; Orbit; Optic nerve injuries; Tomography, x-ray; Human; Female; Infant; Case reports

A 55-year-old woman was referred to our clinic because of a one-week history of visual loss and raised intraocular pressure in the left eye followed 4 days later by visual loss in the right eye. Slit-lamp examination showed bilateral conjunctival hyperemia, slight diffuse corneal edema, shallow anterior chamber and fixed and dilated pupil in both eyes. Splitting of the anterior layers of the iris with fibrillar degeneration extending for approximately one quadrant inferiorly was presented in each eye. Fundus examination showed opitc disc edema with no vascular tortuosity and no cup in both eyes. The condition was treated as bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma in a patient with irisdoschisis. After medical treatment and improvement of visual acuity, perimetry revealed a significant visual field defect especially in left eye; this case represents a rare concurrence of acute angle-closure glaucoma and bilateral nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. Although most cases of elevated intraocular pressure, including acute angle-closure glaucoma, do not result in optic disc edema and irreversible vision loss, variations in the vascular supply of the nerve optic head along with others ocular systemic risk factors, may predispose certain individuals to nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy during periods of elevated intraocular pressure.

Keywords: Iris diseases; Glaucoma, angle-closure; Optic neuropathy, ischemic; Case reports

Floppy eyelid syndrome is characterized by the easy evertion of the upper eyelid which occurs spontaneously during the sleep, causing the exposure of the eye surface and chronic papillary conjunctivitis. Its pathogenesis is not totally defined yet: it is usually more frequent in middle-aged, male obese patients and it is associated with systemic disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure and diabetes. On the occasions which conservative treatment fails, surgical procedures present good results, including surgical techniques which are constantly evolving.

Keywords: Conjunctiva; Conjunctivitis; Ectropion; Obesity; Hypertension; Diabetes Mellitus; Sleep apnea, obstructive; Eyelid diseases; Syndrome; Oculomotor Muscles; Eyelids; Corneal diseases

Corneal cross-linking is a procedure used for stabilizing the cornea in patients with progressive keratoconus by increasing corneal rigidity, and it is also used in corneal inflammatory melting process. The intrastromal corneal ring segments act by flatting the center of the cornea. Originally designed for the correction of mild myopia, the segments are now being used for reduction of keratoconus in order to improve the uncorrected visual acuity, the best spectacle corrected visual acuity, to allow good tolerance to the use of contact lenses and delay the need for corneal grafting procedures. The present text presents a review of corneal cross-linking and insertion of intrastromal corneal ring segments, emphasizing their indications, results and complications related until now.

Keywords: Cornea; riboflavin; collagen; Ultraviolet therapy; keratoconus