VOLUME 74 - ISSUE 2

PURPOSE:To study the distribution of the central corneal thickness and its correlations with other biometric data in patients with congenital glaucoma. METHODS: Patients had been divided into two groups: group "A", composed of patients with congenital glaucoma, being subdivided in two sub-groups: with Haab striae (A1) and without Haab striae (A2), and group"B" that represented the controls. RESULTS: The group A presented corneal diameter between 11 and 15.5 mm, with mean of 14.13 mm and standard deviation (SD) of 1.28, while group B presented values between 11.5 and 12.5 mm, with average of 12.01 mm SD of 0.09 (t=-8.9723 and p=1.5083 in level 0.05). Glaucomatous patients presented greater mean values of axial diameter (t=-6.46315, p=9.2498 with level of significance of 0.05), and smaller mean keratometry in relation to the controls. The A1 sub-group presented mean central corneal thickness of 539 ± 46 µm, the A2 presented 571 ± 56 µm, and Group B 559 ± 28 µm (t=0.43746 and p=0.66291). The correlation between corneal and axial diameters was positive in both groups. The correlation between corneal diameter and mean keratometric values was negative in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with congenital glaucoma presented greater mean of axial dia meter and smaller mean keratometric values compared to the controls. No statistical significant difference of the central corneal thickness was demonstrated. Corneal and axial diameters were correlated positively. Corneal diameter was correlated negatively with the mean keratometry. It was not possible to establish correlations between the central corneal thickness and other biometric data.

Keywords: Cornea; Corneal topography; Cataract; Biometry

PURPOSE: To verify if patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with HLA class I haplotypes (A9-B12, A2-B40, A1-B8) associated with this disease may have a greater rate of progression than patients who do not present these haplotypes. METHODS: Anatomical and functional glaucoma evaluation (cup-to-disc ratio and visual field) of 25 patients (six of them with one of the haplotypes associated with glaucoma) followed at the Glaucoma Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, São Paulo University (HCFMRP-USP) for ten years after typing of their HLA antigens in order to compare with their previous condition. RESULTS: A greater increase of the cup-to-disc ratio was observed in patients with HLA haplotypes associated with primary open-angle glaucoma predisposition. However, no significant differences in functional damage progression or in retinal nerve fibers loss were detected between them and other patients with glaucoma. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate an association of class I HLA haplotypes with progression of anatomic alterations of the optic nerve head in glaucomatous patients.

Keywords: Glaucoma, open-angle; HLA antigens; Visual fields; Haplotypes

PURPOSE: To develop a method and a device for vision measurement in candela (cd). Vision measurement studies are important to all visual sciences. METHODS:It is a theoretical and experimental study. The details of psychophysical method and device calibration were described. Preliminary tests were performed on volunteers. RESULTS:It is a simple psychophysical test and results are expressed in International System of Units. With this technical description it will be possible to reproduce the experiment in others research centers. CONCLUSION: The results measured in luminous intensity (cd) are an option for visual studies. These results allow to extrapolate measurements for mathematical models and to simulate data for individual aberrometry effects.

Keywords: Vision tests; Visual acuity; Visual perception; Form perception; Pattern recognition, visual; International system of units; Models, theoretical; Psychophysics; Photic stimulation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of the tests used for dry eye diagnosis in patients with hepatitis C virus, and to verify if there is any relationship between the duration of illness and intensity of ocular surface changes. METHODS: 25 patients with hepatitis C virus without treatment, and 29 patients with negative serologic tests for hepatitis C virus were selected. Biomicroscopy, tear film crystallization test, tear film break-up time, evaluation of the corneal staining with 1% fluorescein sodium, Schirmer I test, ocular surface staining with 1% rose bengal and esthesiometry were performed in both groups. RESULTS: In the Schirmer I test, the group of patients with hepatitis C displayed lower values in both eyes (OR p=0.0162; OS p=0.0265). For the tear film break-up time, there was a lower score in the group with hepatitis C, but it was statistically significant only in the left eye (p=0.0007). Regarding the ocular surface damage, the rose bengal staining test showed a higher average in the hepatitis group in both eyes (right p=0.0008; left p=0.0034). There was a difference in the average esthesiometry between the groups, being the average lower in infected patients (OR p=0.0006; OS p=0.0015). There was no linear association between time of hepatitis C infection and intensity observed in dry eye tests. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C virus infection causes dry eye. Further researches are necessary to establish the physiopathology and the relationship with Sjögren syndrome.

Keywords: Hepatitis C; Dry eye syndromes; Cornea; Keratitis

PURPOSE: To compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) pre and post LASIK, correlating it to changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) and average simulated keratometry (K), as well as verifying the results of a corrective formula previously proposed. METHODS: Longitudinal prospective study conducted in outpatients that underwent to LASIK. Patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, previously and 2 months after the surgery. Intraocular pressure was evaluated with Goldmann applanation tonometer between 9 am and 11 am, average simulated keratometry was evaluated using corneal topography and central corneal thickness was measured with ultrasound pachymetry, been considered the average of three measurements. Two patients were excluded due to surgery or eye disease, and previous use of topical steroids over the past three months. The surgeries were performed according to standard procedures. The formula [real IOP = IOP measured + (540 - ECC)/71 + (43 - K)/2.7 + 0.75 mmHg] proposed for correcting intraocular pressure was used. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes of eight patients were evaluated, age ranged from 24 to 46 years (mean: 31.37 ± 7.27). There was a statistically significant difference between the measurements of intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness and average simulated keratometry pre and post-LASIK. (p=0.0001). It was observed that each 1D corrected underestimated the IOP 1.06 ± 0.59 mmHg (0.11 a 1.89 mmHg). The use of the corrective formula lead to 80% of eyes within 2.50 mmHg of preoperative intraocular pressure. Although, the two sets of data are statistically different (p=0.0266). CONCLUSIONS: Post LASIK eyes presented lower intraocular pressure than preoperatively. Intraocular pressure was moderately correlated to central corneal thickness and weakly correlated to average simulated keratometry. With the use of the corrective formula, we were able to determine that 80% were within 2.50 mmHg of the preoperative intraocular pressure.

Keywords: Intraocular pressure; Keratomileusis, laser in situ; Lasers, excimer; Photorefractive keratectomy; Tonometry, ocular; Corneal topography; Refractive surgical procedures

AIM: To evaluate the intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure during a hemodialysis. METHODS: Sixty-seven eyes from thirty-five patients were evaluated at the beggining of hemodialysis, 2 hours and 4 hours after initiation. Intraocular pressure was evaluated using a Tonopen. Systolic and diastolic arterial pressures were measured with a manual sphygmomanometer. The ocular perfusion pressure was estimated by mea suring the difference between 2/3 of the mean arterial pressure and the intraocular pressure values. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the difference between the repeated measurements using the appropriate correction for inter-eye dependency. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in ocular perfusion pressure, in intraocular pressure (p=0.93) and in systolic arterial pressure (p=0.92) at the three time points (p=0.69). But, when analyzing the extreme values, some patients exhibited lower diastolic perfusion pressures at all time points. CONCLUSION: Our results did not support the view that significant changes in ocular perfusion pressure and intraocular pressure occur during hemodialysis session. However, we observed that some patients exhibited lower diastolic perfusion pressures, which could be a poor prognostic factor for glaucoma patients.

Keywords: Renal dialysis; Renal insufficiency, chronic; Intraocular pressure; Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical classification of cataract using the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III with the mean values of lens density provided by the Pentacam Scheimpflug System in nuclear cataracts. METHODS: One hundred and one eyes from 101 patients with age-related nuclear cataract were submitted to clinical examination for lens grading score using LOCS III. According to LOCS III, nuclear opalescence was divided in six groups. Patients were evaluated by the Pentacam Scheimpflug System for the mean lens density using the Pentacam lens densitometry program (PLDP), the Pentacam Nucleus Staging (PNS) mean value and the PNS cataract grading score. RESULTS: A positive correlation between the mean values of lens density and LOCS III classification, considering groups 1 to 5, could be noticed with PLDP and PNS mean value. The mean values between the groups were similar using the PLDP and the PNS mean value. However, when the PNS cataract grading score was evaluated, there was low correspondence with LOCS III classification. CONCLUSION: Pentacam Scheimpflug device offers an objective measure of the lens nuclear density on nuclear cataracts. PLDP and the PNS mean value were both useful to evaluate age-related nuclear cataract up to LOCS III group 5.

Keywords: Cataract; Densitometry; Lens nucleus, crystalline; Cross-sectional studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and ultrastructural aspects of human limbal epithelial cells cultured on amniotic membrane (AM) with and without epithelium. METHODS: Limbal epithelial cell cultures were established from cadaveric cor neo-scleral rim explants derived from 6 different donors. The explants from each donor were placed under 3 different groups: on human preserved AM with epithelium (Group 1), AM deepithelialized with trypsin (Group 2) and control (Group 3). The epithelial cell migration was evaluated under phase contrast microscopy. After 15 days, the amniotic membrane with cells cultures were removed and submitted to scanning and transmission electron microscopy to check for epithelial migration and adhesion. RESULTS: All epithelial cell cultures from the controls grew over the botton of the culture plate wells until reaching confluence. Epithelial cultures grew over all but one denuded amniotic membrane. In the group amniotic membrane with epithelium, epithelial cell growing was observed only in 1 well. CONCLUSIONS: Using this model, denuded amniotic membrane appeared to be the best substrate for epithelial cell migration and adhesion comparing to amniotic membrane with epithelium. Removal of amniotic membrane epithelial seems to be an important step for establishing limbal epithelial cell culture on amniotic membrane.

Keywords: Epithelial cells; Cell culture techniques; Amniotic membrane; Stem cells; Limbus corneae; Cornea; Cell adhesion; Comparative study

PURPOSE: To identify an immunohistochemical pattern of epithelial markers in granular, lattice and Avellino corneal dystrophies. METHODS: Twenty-two corneal buttons, diagnosed as lattice (17), Avellino (4) and granular (1) underwent immunohistochemical studies of cytokeratins (CKs) on pa- raffin-embedded sections (group I). Monoclonal antibodies for pan-CK (AE1/AE3) and CKs 3/12, 5/6, 8, 18 and 19 were used. Twenty-two normal corneas were used as the control (group II). RESULTS: Six lattice and 2 Avellino cases of group I stained positively with anti-CK 3/12 in corneal epithelium and areas of corneal stroma deposits. One of these cases of lattice was positive for anti-pan-CK (AE1/AE3) also in the epithelium and areas of corneal stroma deposits with a similar pattern. None of the controls (group II) revealed any staining in corneal stroma. All disease and control cases (groups I and II) revealed positive staining in corneal epithelium. CONCLUSION: AE1/AE3 and CK 3/12 anti-CK positive markers in the stromal deposits of lattice and Avellino dystrophies may suggest an epithelial genesis of the disease.

Keywords: Corneal dystrophies, hereditary; Keratins; Immunohistochemistry; Cornea

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of conjunctival autograft surgery with the attachment to the scleral bed using fibrin tissue adhesive or mononylon 10-0 suture after resection of primary pterygium. METHODS: A comparative, prospective and randomized clinical trial was performed in 47 eyes of 47 patients with primary medial located pterygium. Group 1 (adhesive) was composed by 21 patients that underwent conjunctival autograft closure with fibrin tissue adhesive (QuixilTM) and Group 2 (suture) was composed by 26 patients that underwent pterygium surgery with mononylon 10-0 (Ethicon®) suture (suture group) after pterygium excision. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon. Patients were assessed on the preoperative period and on the 1st, 14th and 21st postoperative days. They were followed-up with a questionnaire of ocular discomfort and by the surgical time spent, ocular hyperemia, complications and recurrence signals, being the recurrence also evaluated at the 6th postoperative month. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. A value of p<0.005 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The average surgical time was 19.05 ± 6.12 minutes in group 1 (glue) and 48.15 ± 7.13 minutes in the group 2 (suture) (p<0.001). The ocular discomfort scale analysis showed a lower score in the 1st (p<0.005), 7th (p<0.001) and 21th (p<0.001) postoperative days in group 1. Ocular hyperemia was less intense in all periods of this study in group 1 (p<0.001). Complications were one in each group and both were managed with clinical treatment until the 21th postoperative day. There was one recurrence in group 1 and two in group 2 until the 6th postoperative month. CONCLUSION: In the surgical management of primary pterygium, fibrin tissue adhesive attached the conjunctival autograft, decreased the surgical time and diminished the conjunctival hyperemia and ocular discomfort with similar recurrences on the postoperative period, compared to fixation with mononylon 10.0 suture, proving to be an excellent option for conjunctival autograft attachment in primary pterygium surgery.

Keywords: Conjunctiva; Pterygium; Fibrin tissue adhesive; Sutures; Conjunctival diseases; Graft vs host disease; Comparative study

Description of two cases of infectious keratitis in patients after Boston Type 1 keratoprosthesis (Boston KPro) implantation. The first case refers to a patient that had the device indicated due to limbal deficiency secondary to severe dry eye who presented a fungal infection by Aerobasidium pullulans that was successfully treated with amphotericin B eye drops. The second case reports a patient with Boston KPro implantation due to previous corneal transplant rejection showing bacterial keratitis in the fourth postoperative month. The etiologic agent was identified asStreptococcus sp and topical treatment with vancomycin was effective. The importance of postoperative surveillance in Boston KPro eyes is discussed.

Keywords: Cornea; Corneal diseases; Keratitis; Prosthesis implantation; Visual acuity; Preoperative care; Human; Female; Aged, 80 and over; Case reports

Case report of bilateral cavernous sinus syndrome due to primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the central nervous system in a patient infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. A 51-year-old male patient infected by the human immunodeficiency virus but without antiretroviral treatment developed paralysis of the V and VI cranial nerves. Imaging studies were obtained to investigate an orbital apex and a cavernous sinus syndrome. A computerized tomography scan of the orbit was normal but a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bilateral enlargement of the cavernous sinus. Although primary lymphoma of the central nervous system is a rare condition, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis in immunocompromised patients who develop ocular motility abnormalities and imaging signs suggestive of infiltrative cavernous sinus lesions.

Keywords: Cavernous sinus; Lymphoma; Central nervous system; Diplopia; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Case reports

Rheumathoid arthritis is the most common collagenosis and affects almost 0.6% of brazilian population. It is an important cause of articular deformities. The main ocular manifestation of rheumathoid arthritis is dry eyes (secondary Sjögren's syndrome), followed by scleritis, peripheral ulcerative keratitis and uveitis. The aim of this paper is to present a case of anterior uveitis in the absence of scleritis in a patient with rheumathoid arthritis, a very rare presentation in this type of patient. Female patient, 55 years old, with rheumathoid arthritis, presenting suddenly ocular pain and low vision in the right eye. Her exam showed anterior chamber reaction with hypopion, peripheral corneal keratitis and intraocular pressure of 32 mmHg. She was diagnosed with hypertensive anterior uveitis and peripheral corneal keratitis and treated with systemic and topical corticosteroids, topical antibiotic, topic and systemic ocular hypotensive and mydriatic drops. Anterior uveitis is common in rheumatological diseases, especially in those soronegative arthropathies related to HLA B27. In this paper we present a patient with rheumathoid arthritis and anterior uveitis in the absence of scleritis, a rare presentation in actual medical literature.

Keywords: Arthritis, rheumatoid; Keratoconjunctivitis sicca; Scleritis; Corneal ulcer; Uveitis, anterior; Adrenal cortex hormones; HLA-DR4 antigen; HLA-B27 antigen; Humans; Middle aged; Female; Case reports

A 70-year-old female patient underwent cataract and glaucoma surgery on her left eye in 1996. Eleven years later, we performed two bleb needling revisions with adjunctive mytomicin-C, in order to decrease an uncontrolled intraocular pressure of 32 mmHg. After the second needling, she developed severe overfiltration, with flat anterior chamber, choroidal effusion, and impending corneal decompensation. Conservative treatment with cycloplegic and corticosteroid eye drops, acetazolamide and therapeutic contact lenses was unsuccessfully tried. Anterior chamber reformation was successively tried with air, 4% ophthalmic viscosurgical device and 1% sodium hyaluronate, with only temporary results. Compressive sutures above the overfiltering bleb were applied, unsuccessfully. In order to avoid additional corneal endothelium damage, a surgical bleb revision was performed and revealed a large area of ciliary body and choroidal exposure under the conjunctiva. It was covered by a donor scleral patch graft providing successful resolution. Nevertheless, we had to reintroduce hypotensive eyedrops. While bleb needling is a relatively safe and effective procedure, ophthalmologists should be aware of the possibility of potentially serious complications, such as in this case report.

Keywords: Needles; Mitomycin; Sclera; Case reports

Congenital cataracts are one of the most treatable causes of visual impairment and blindness during infancy, with an estimated prevalence of 1 to 6 cases per 10,000 live births. Approximately fifty percent of all congenital cataract cases may have a genetic cause. All three types of Mendelian inheritance have been reported for cataract; however, autosomal dominant transmission seems to be the most frequent. The transparency and high refractive index of the lens are achieved by the precise architecture of the fiber cells and the homeostasis of the lens proteins in terms of their concentration, stability, and supramolecular organization. Research on hereditary congenital cataract led to the identification of several classes of candidate genes that encode proteins such crystallins, lens specific connexins, aquaporine, cytoskeletal structural proteins, and developmental regulators. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the recent advances made in understanding the molecular genetic basis of congenital cataracts.

Keywords: Cataract; Blindness; Crystallins; Gammacrystallins; Molecular biology; Genes; Mutation

Advanced diabetic retinopathy with tractional retinal detachment or persistent vitreous hemorrhage often requires surgical treatment with pars plana vitrectomy. Despite advances in vitrectomy, surgery for complications of diabetic retinopathy can be a challenge and may be impaired by intense fibrovascular proliferation. Antiangiogenic drugs have been used for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy because of their inhibitory action on vascular endothelial growth factor. In this review, we discuss aspects related to the adjuvant use of these drugs in vitrectomy for complications of diabetic retinopathy. Bevacizumab shows beneficial effects regarding the surgical technique facilitation, but its long-term benefit still needs to be studied.

Keywords: Anti-angiogenic drugs; Vitrectomy; Diabetic retinopathy; Retinal detachment; Vitreous hemorrhage