VOLUME 74 - ISSUE 6

PURPOSE: To evaluate demographic findings, ocular manifestations, vascular and morphological changes by fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography of retina and choroid in cases of ocular Behçet's disease. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed to obtain data from 16 patients with Behçet's disease who were in inactive phase. All patients underwent ophthalmic examination, simultaneous fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography. They were also divided into two groups according to disease duration. RESULTS: Thirteen females and three males were evaluated. The main findings of ocular exams were narrowing of vessels, cataract, atrophy of the optic disc and macular epiretinal membrane. 62.5% had visual acuity equal to or better than 0.1. The main findings of fluorescein angiography were capillary leak and impregnation of the vascular wall. The most important findings of indocyanine green angiography were hypofluorescent well defined lesions. The main findings of optical coherence tomography were macular epiretinal membrane and retinal atrophy. Analyzing the visual acuity, no statistical correlation was found between gender, disease duration or presence of retinal edema in fluorescein angiography or optical coherence tomography. The increase in macular thickness was not correlated positively with patient age, disease duration or with the visual acuity. Vascular narrowing seen on fluorescein angiography was correlated with longer duration of illness (p=0.033). The remaining test findings were not correlated with disease duration. CONCLUSION: Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography are valuable tools to assess the posterior pole in Behçet's disease. Despite the apparent clinical control, these tests may show persistent inflammatory activity, which causes progression of visual loss and a significant number of patients with legal blindness.

Keywords: Behçet syndrome; Uveitis; Choroid; Retina; Fluorescein angiography; Indocyanine green; Tomography

PURPOSE: To assess the resources use, costs and effectiveness of non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS). METHODS: A retrospective cohort of NPDS patients was analyzed. Eyes were stratified according to glaucoma severity into 3 groups: 1 (early), 2 (moderate) and 3 (severe). NPDS associated resources were based on the frequency of the following variables: surgical procedure (NPDS), intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC); 5-fluorouracil needling (5-FU); Nd:YAG laser goniopuncture; new filtering surgery and medications needed postoperatively. Costs were based on the value and prices of the Brazilian Public Health System and follow-up period was 5 years. Success rate: percentage of patients achieving an end-point intraocular pressure <18 mmHg (and least 20% reduction) without any medications. RESULTS: Percentage of patients using resources in groups 1, 2 and 3 was, respectively: 92.1%, 88.5% and 93.0% for MMC; 10.5%, 11.5% and 13.3% for 5-FU; 18.4%, 19.7% and 21.9% for goniopuncture and 13.2%, 24.6% and 27.3% for a new surgery. Mean number of glaucoma medications per patient at the end of follow-up was 0.42 in group 1 and 0.48 and 0.73 in groups 2 and 3, respectively. Mean NPDS direct cost was US$305.25, US$361.37 and US$390.09 in early, moderate and severe glaucoma, respectively. No differences were found in effectiveness according to glaucoma severity. CONCLUSION: There is a trend in the use of resources and costs in NPDS. The more advanced the glaucoma, the higher the need for resources and the higher the associated costs. NPDS effectiveness did not differ among different glaucoma stages.

Keywords: Glaucoma; Primary open-angle glaucoma; Filtering surgery; Costs; Health care costs

INTRODUCTION: Scleritis is a rare, progressive and serious disease, the signs of which are inflammation and edema of episcleral and scleral tissues and is greatly associated with systemic rheumatoid diseases. PURPOSE: To perform a prospective and comparative study between ophthalmologic manifestations, serologic findings and therapeutic response of patients with isolated scleritis and scleritis associated with systemic rheumatoid disease. METHODS: Thirty-two outpatients with non-infectious scleritis were studied, from March 2006 to March 2008. The treatment was corticoid eye drops associated with anti-inflammatory agents, followed by systemic corticoids and immunosuppressive drugs if necessary, was considered successful after six months without scleritis recurrence. RESULTS: Fourteen of 32 patients had scleritis associated with systemic rheumatoid disease, of which nine had rheumatoid arthritis, two systemic lupus erythematosus, one Crohn's disease, one Behçet's disease and one gout. There were no difference in relation to involvement and ocular complications, there was predominance of nodular anterior scleritis and scleral thinning was the most frequent complication. The scleritis associated with systemic rheumatoid disease group had 64.3% of autoantibodies, versus 27.8% among those with isolated scleritis and this difference was statistically significant. In the isolated scleritis group 16.7% used anti-inflammatory, 33.3% corticosteroids, 27.8% corticosteroids with one immunosuppressive drug, 5.5% two immunosuppressive drugs, 16.7% corticosteroids with two immunosuppressive drugs and 33.3% pulse of immunosuppressive drugs, there was remission in 88.9%. In the scleritis associated with systemic rheumatoid disease group 7.1% used anti-inflammatory, 7.1% corticosteroids, 50% corticosteroids with one immunosuppressive drug, 7.1% two immunosuppressive drugs and 22.2% pulse of immunosuppressive drugs, 100% had treatment success. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of unilateral nodular scleritis was noted in both groups and higher rates of all the parameters tested were noted in the scleritis associated with systemic rheumatoid disease group. There were no differences between the groups with respect to the use of immunosuppressive drugs and therapeutic response, which was fully satisfactory in the scleritis associated with systemic rheumatoid disease group and satisfactory in the isolated scleritis group.

Keywords: Scleritis; Rheumatic diseases; Autoantibodies; Inflammation; Immunosuppressive agents

PURPOSE: To analyze the correlation between quantitative measurements outcomes and keratoconus patients' vision related quality of life (v-QoL) following intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation. METHODS: The NEI-RQL (National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life) was administered to patients requiring intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation, before and after surgery, wearing best correction for 40 days minimum. Visual acuity, refraction, corneal topography, aberrometry data (VOL-CT. software) and contrast sensitivity were recorded before and 3 months after surgery. The main outcome measures were best corrected visual acuity, refraction, steep keratometric value (Kmax), aberrometry, contrast sensitivity and v-QoL. RESULTS: There were 42 keratoconic patients (69 eyes): 19 male and 23 female, mean age 24.9 ± 5 years in this prospective study. Binocular best corrected visual acuity improved (0.13 ± 0.03 before to -0.01 ± 0.01 logMAR after surgery, p<0.001). There was a statistically significant improvement in mean spherical refraction (2.81 ± 0.44 to 1.71 ± 0.31), cylinder component (3.89 ± 0.22 to 1.82 ± 0.21), spherical equivalent (4.55 ± 0.46 to 2.40 ± 0.30), Kmax (55.92 D ± 0.62 to 52.16 D ± 0.58 D) and root mean square low order (p<0.001). Contrast sensitivity (CS) improved at all spatial frequencies: at 6 cpd improvement was higher. Root mean square higher order did not improved p=0.422. There was significant improvement across all NEI-RQL scales after surgery. Multivariate analysis showed that gender (males more satisfied than females), cylinder (1 D reduction improves 5 points in general NEI-RQL scores) and normal contrast sensitivity at 3 and 6 cpd were correlated with v-QoL. Other variables such as best corrected visual acuity, root mean square low order, root mean square higher order and Kmax did not show influence on NEI-RQL scores. CONCLUSIONS: The best patient response predictors with the NEI-RQL instrument were gender, normal CS at 3 and 6 cpd and cylinder reduction. The use of this questionnaire was crucial to assess the influence of optical tests on v-QoL in keratoconus patients who were referred for intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation.

Keywords: Cornea; Corneal topography; Corneal stroma; Keratoconus; Keratoplasty; Quality of life; Patient satisfaction; Visual acuity; Aberrometry

PURPOSE: To analyze the ocular wavefront aberrations in patients with facial dystonia treated with botulinum toxin A. METHODS: Patients with benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm in activity underwent slit lamp examination and bilateral wavefront analysis under pharmacologic mydriasis using Alcon LADARvision® wavefront aberrometry system. After that, all patients were treated with botulinum toxin A injections performed by the same ophthalmologist. After one month, the wavefront analysis was performed in the same way and by the same examiner. The main outcome measure was the change in ocular wavefront aberrations. Paired T-test was used to compare pre and post-injection numeric wavefront values. RESULTS: From a total of 11 patients enrolled in this study, 6 (54.5%) had essential blepharospasm and 5 (45.5%) had hemifacial spasm. The fellow eyes of patients with hemifacial spasm were not included, totalizing 17 eyes with spasm. Eight patients were female (72.7%) and three were male (27.3%), the male:female ratio was 1:2.6. The age ranged from 50 to 72 years old with a mean of 65.9 ± 8.2 years. The mean of high order root mean square (RMS) wavefront aberrations was 0.68 before and 0.63 one month after the treatment (p=0.01). Before the treatment, the mean of spherical aberration was 0.23 and decreased to 0.17 one month after the treatment (p=0.01). There was no significant difference in the other higher-order aberrations before and after the treatment (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The treatment with botulium toxin may decrease spherical aberrations in patients with facial dystonia.

Keywords: Blepharospasm; Hemifacial spasm; Botulinum toxins, type A; Dystonia; Facial muscles; Astigmatism; Severity of illness index

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of 0.15% ganciclovir gel in the treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis and in preventing ocular complications after adenoviral conjunctivitis, such as corneal infiltrates and pseudomembranes. METHODS: Double blind, interventional and randomized clinical trial. Thirty-three patients with clinical diagnosis of adenoviral conjunctivitis with onset of symptoms for five or less days were randomized in two groups: Group 1 (treatment) with 19 patients used ganciclovir gel and Group 2 (control) with 14 patients used artificial tears without preservative. Patients answered a questionnaire of signs and symptoms and were submitted to an ophthalmologic exam. On the 6th and 10th days of treatment they answered the same questions and were re-examined by the same ophthalmologist. Signs and symptoms were compared. T Student, Mann-Whitney e Wilcoxon tests were used to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Trend of better response in the treatment group in relation of patients' perception, besides faster improvement of this group compared to the control group (p=0.26). There were lower transmission to the fellow eye (p=0.86) and to people living together (p=0.16) in the treatment group. No statistical difference related to signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis were found comparing both groups. We observed statistical difference in pain, itch and photophobia only in the treatment group, comparing each group alone. No toxicity and more tolerance of the ganciclovir were observed. There was no statistical difference in the ocular complications after conjunctivitis between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed trend of better and faster response of the signs and symptoms of the patients treated with ganciclovir compared with the control group, but with no statistical significant. These results need to be confirmed by additional studies, with more patients and longer follow-up. Clinical Trails.gov: NCT01349452

Keywords: Ganciclovir; Conjunctivitis; Adenovirus infections; Keratoconjunctivitis; Conjunctivitis; Adenovirus infections, human; Adenoviruses, human; Gels; Randomized controlled trial; Humans

PURPOSE: To compare the prevalence of Demodex folliculorum on the eyelashes of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and healthy voluntaries. METHODS: Type 2 diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy and age- and gender-matched healthy voluntaries (group control) underwent a slit lamp examination which three eyelashes containing cylindrical dandruff were removed from each lid by fine forceps. The lashes were dyed with fluorescein and the presence of Demodex folliculorum was verified by direct visualization under a light microscope. The mites were recognized based on its morphology and peculiar movement. The results were expressed in "positive" when at least one mite on one lash was found and "negative" when no mite was identified. The Chi-square test was used for comparing mites' presence in both groups. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were included in each group. The age ranged from 50 to 60 years old, with a mean of 56.4 ± 5.2 years. The male:female ratio was 0.6:1. There was no statistically significant difference with regard to age and gender in both groups (p>0.05). Demodex folliculorum was significantly more prevalent in diabetic patients (54.8%) than in control patients (38.1%) (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Demodex folliculorum was more prevalent in diabetic patients than in healthy voluntaries, independently of gender and age.

Keywords: Blepharitis; Diabetes mellitus; Folliculitis; Eyelid diseases; Mites; Mite infestation

PURPOSE: To study the clinical effects of labial salivary glands' secretion used as ocular lubricant in anophthalmic cavities with severe xerophthalmia; to evaluate the evolution of the results; and to present the surgical technique. This procedure application in dry anophthalmic cavities is new in the literature. METHODS: Prospective study of patients presenting anophthalmic cavities with severe xerophthalmia and conjunctival fornix retraction treated with labial salivary glands transplantation to the conjunctival fornices. The surgeries were performed in five patients during the period of July 2000 to January 2009. In two cases the fornix retraction was previously treated with mucosa or skin graft. The surgical procedure technique is described in details. The postoperative comparative analysis was based on the clinical picture, the cavity surface aspect, the dryness of the cavity and prosthesis and the frequency of lubricant eye drops use. RESULTS: In all cases both graft integration and improvement of the evaluated parameters were observed. The evolution proved the persistence and stability of the results. CONCLUSION: The salivary secretion produced by the transplanted labial glands proved to be efficient as conjunctival lubricant, well tolerated and permanent, making the use of the prosthesis more comfortable. This improvement helps to prevent the progression of the cavity retraction process. Labial salivary glands graft into the anophtalmic cavity is a simple procedure and accessible to any ophthalmic surgeon.

Keywords: Anophthalmia; Xerophthalmia; Orbital implants; Salivary glands; Treatment outcome

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of ocular complications in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis were studied. Age, gender, visual acuity, presence of strabismus, refractive error, fundus examination, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness and ocular echography were assessed for each individual. RESULTS: There were three patients with MPS I (12%), eleven patients with MPS II (37.9%), one patient with MPS III (3.4%) and fourteen patients with MPS VI (48.3%). Mean age was 9.5 years (ranged from 1.2 to 20 years, DP 5.5). Refraction was available in 26 patients, from which 88.5% (23 patients) were hyperopic, and 53.8% (14 patients) presented astigmatism. Best corrected visual acuity was available in 18 patients and the mean was 0.45 logMAR (DP 0.68). The mean spherical equivalent was +3.57 D (SD 2.46) and intraocular pressure was 17 mmHg (SD 3.9). The most common findings were: eyelid thickening in 24.1% (7 patients); corneal opacity in 55.2% of cases (16 patients); optic nerve atrophy in 23.1% (6 patients); and radial folds in the retina in 24% (7 patients). The fundus was examined in 26 out of 29 patients because corneal opacity avoided the exam in 3 of them. The average thickness of the complex sclera-retina-choroid (SRC was 1.78 mm (SD 0.51). CONCLUSION: The most prominent ophthalmologic findings were eyelid thickening, decreased visual acuity, high hyperopia, corneal opacity, perimacular radial folds in the retina and optic nerve atrophy.

Keywords: Mucopolysaccharidosis; Mucopolysaccharidosis; Beta-galactosidase; Corneal opacity; Eye diseases; Sclera; Iris; Cornea; Optic atrophy; Optic nerve; Visual acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and complications related to the deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using the big-bubble technique. METHODS: A prospective study of patients submitted to DALK using the big-bubble technique was conducted. After the procedure, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), corneal topography, endothelial cell density, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-nine eyes of 55 patients were included in this study. Mean follow-up period was 16 ± 7.4 months. Baseline mean UCVA (logMAR) and BCVA was 1.60 ± 0.33 and 1.00 ± 0.43, respectively. After 12 months, the mean UCVA and BCVA improved to 0.86 ± 0.39 and 0.17 ± 0.14, respectively. Mean SE improved from -8.21 ± 3.91 to -1.82 ± 3.62 at 12 months. Mean topographic astigmatism improved from -7.9 ± 3.7 to -2.21 ± 1.7 at 12 months. Mean preoperative endothelial cell density was 2,377.98 ± 263.56 cells/mm², after 12 months of surgery the mean endothelial cell density reduced to 1,851.32 ± 397.61 cells/mm². Intraoperative microperfuration occurred in 6 cases (10.2%). One patient developed stromal rejection, and one patient developed fixed dilated pupil (Urrets-Zavalia Syndrome) after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Nevertheless, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty is more technically challenging, yet rewarding choice of surgery for keratoplasty patients who have a healthy endothelial cell count. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00887900

Keywords: Corneal transplantation; Ophthalmologic surgical procedures; Descemet's membrane

Lacrimal canaliculitis is a rare disease caused mainly by Actinomyces israelii. It should be regarded as a differential diagnosis of recurrent chronic conjunctivitis. The purpose of this study was to report 3 cases of chronic suppurative canaliculitis and different treatment options. The first patient presented with an upper left canaliculitis and was treated with a canaliculotomy. Nevertheless, he had an ipsilateral lower canaliculitis after 6 months and underwent intracanalicular injections of fortified cefazolin with complete remission. The second patient presented with a lower left canaliculitis and underwent a canaliculotomy. The third patient had a lower left canaliculitis and underwent intracanalicular injections of fortified cefazolin. Both achieved complete remission. The present article demonstrated that intracanalicular irrigation of fortified cefazolin may be a helpful treatment of chronic suppurative canaliculitis with mild symptoms and signs. The most important benefit of this approach is to avoid injury to the lacrimal canaliculus.

Keywords: Dacryiocystitis; Dacryiocystitis; Lacrimal apparatus diseases; Lacrimal apparatus diseases; Eye infections, bacterial; Actinomyces; Cefazolin; Curettage; Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Aged; Case reports

Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid is a very rare slow-growing tumor and is considered an aggressive eyelid neoplasm. It can reach mortality rate of about 6%. Diagnosis is often delayed because of its ability to masquerade as other periocular lesions, both clinically and histologically. We present three cases of sebaceous carcinoma, with different surgical outcomes, showing the importance of early diagnosis.

Keywords: Sebaceous gland neoplasms; Sebaceous adenocarcinoma; Eyelid neoplasms; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Early diagnosis; Humans; Male; Female; Middle aged; Aged; Case reports

Fabry disease is an X-linked disease of glycosphingolipid (GL) metabolism. The accumulation of GL in tissues can affect multiple organ systems. Initial symptoms includes episodes of severe pain in the extremities, cornea verticillata and skin lesions. In late stages, kidney, heart and brain can be involved. This report attempts for importance of cornea verticillata in the diagnosis of Fabry disease in a young patient with pain in the lower limb extremities.

Keywords: Fabry disease; Corneal opacity; Case report

The authors describe the clinical characteristics of a 14-year-old female patient with ophthalmoscopic and angiographic aspects of Stargardt's disease in both eyes who developed subretinal fibrosis and localized retinal pigment epithelial hyperplasia in the posterior pole of the right eye 6 months after a mild blunt trauma to the right globe. The left fundus remains with the typical presentation of Stargardt's disease. Our findings support the theory that ocular trauma occurring in patients with Stargardt's disease can precipitate a sequence of events leading to the development of subretinal fibrosis and significant visual loss.

Keywords: Retinal diseases; Fibrosis; Retinal pigment epithelium; Macular degeneration; Visual acuity; Case reports

PURPOSE: To establish current definition, classification and staging, and to develop diagnosis and treatment recommendations for ocular allergy, by using Delphi approach. METHODS: Ten Latin American experts on ocular allergy participated in a 4-round Delphi panel approach. Four surveys were constructed and answered by panelists. A two-thirds majority was defined as consensus. Definition, classification, staging and diagnosis and treatment recommendations were the main outcomes. RESULTS: "Ocular allergy" was proposed as the general term to describe ocular allergic diseases. Consensus regarding classification was not reached. Signs and symptoms were considered extremely important for the diagnosis. It was consensus that a staging system should be proposed based on the disease severity. Environmental control, avoidance of allergens and the use of artificial tears were recommended as first line treatment. The secondary treatment should include topical anti-histamines, mast cell stabilizers and multi actions drugs. Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictors were not recommended. Topical corticosteroids were recommended as third line of treatment for the most severe keratoconjunctivitis. Consensus was not reached regarding the use of systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressant. Surgical approach and unconventional treatments were not recommended as routine. CONCLUSION: The task of creating guidelines for ocular allergies showed to be very complex. Many controversial topics remain unsolved. A larger consensus including experts from different groups around the world may be needed to further improve the current recommendations for several aspects of ocular allergy.

Keywords: Questionnaires; Consensus; Keratoconjunctivitis; Adrenal cortex hormones; Immunosuppressive agents