PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of the fixation preference test performed with the patient touching and looking at the fixation target, to the conventional method test done with the patient only looking at it. METHODS: A pilot transversal and prospective study was done with 40 strabismic patients with deviations greater than 10 prism diopters, from 7 to 30 years old. RESULTS: The modified test had a sensitivity of 93% (IC 95%=68.53 - 98.73%) and specificity of 77% (IC 95%=57.95 - 88.97%); while the conventional test had a sensitivity of 93% (IC 95%=68.53 - 98.73%) and a specificity of 46% (IC 95%=28.76 - 64.54%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the modification of the fixation preference test by asking the patient to touch the fixation target might reduce the number of false positive results of the test.

Keywords: Amblyopia; Visual acuity; Strabismus; Fixation, ocular; Predictive value of tests; Risk factors; Vision tests; Sensitivity and specificity; Comparative study

PURPOSE: To analyze the antimicrobial properties of silicon oil (Óleo de Silicone®, Ophthalmos, Brazil) on in vitro bacterial growth of different microorganisms related to endophthalmitis. METHODS: The following microorganisms were analyzed: (1) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27583); (2) Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922); (3) Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923); (4) Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228); (5) Candida albicans (ATCC 10231); (6) Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883); and (7) Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC 49619). The plates were incubated at 35 ± 2ºC and its growth examined after 24 hours. An empty disk was placed in the center of each plate as a control. RESULTS: No inhibition halos were verified in any of the plates containing the four different concentrations of the bacterial inocula. CONCLUSIONS: The silicon oil 1000 cps does not have any effect on bacterial growth of any of the studied microrganisms.

Keywords: Endophthalmitis; Silicon oils; Anti-infective agents; Bactericides; Antibacterial agents

PURPOSES: To identify the frequency of occurrence of ocular deviation and the carriers characteristics in a population sample. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study, evolving a probabilistic sampling, between the years 2004 and 2005, including 11 cities of the São Paulo state. 10,994 individuals were examined. A sub-sample of this population identified as strabismus clinical diagnosis was the subject of the present study. The population was addressed by a trained team and standardized to the research procedures. The results were submitted to statistical tests through descriptive analysis, frequency of occurrence evaluation, contingency analysis and association tests (P<0.05). RESULTS: Strabismus frequency of occurrence in the population studied was on average 1.4% (148 strabismus carriers), with no difference between gender. Depending on the type of strabismus detected, 46.3% presented ET, 38.2% cases of XT and 15.4% of deviations were associated with vertical or horizontal syndromes. Contingency analysis showed three ocular deviation carriers (2.3%) with blindness (both eyes affected) and seven (5.4%) had low vision in only one eye. According to the association of the ocular deviation and refractive error, ET and also XT can be present in individuals with varying degrees of myopia (up to -5.75 for XT and -2.50 for ET) or hyperopia (up to +9.00 for XT and +8.00 for ET). The association between strabismus and static spherical equivalent showed no significant difference between the types of eye deviation (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The frequency of occurrence of strabismus in the population studied was 1,4%, with no difference between gender or ocular deviation type. The presence of blindness and low vision associated to ocular deviation reinforce the need for early treatment.

Keywords: Strabismus; Ocular motility disorders

PURPOSE: To report the finding of nasolacrimal drainage system obstruction associated with radio iodine therapy and to review clinical data and the surgical treatment outcome of this rare complication. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed ophthalmological data of patients with history of thyroid carcinoma that underwent radioactive iodine I-131 therapy and were referred to lacrimal surgery. RESULTS: 17 patients with thyroid cancer treated with thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine I-131 therapy presented symptomatic nasolacrimal duct obstruction after 13.2 months following cancer treatment. 11 patients presented bilateral epiphora, 8 had lacrimal sac mucocele. Age range was 30 to 80 years, 10 patients had less than or equal to 49 years. The mean cumulative dose of radioiodine was 571mCi (range: 200-1200 mCi). Nasal obstruction symptoms and increased salivary glands were also present in 53% of patients. All subjects underwent dacryocystorhinostomy. Dilation of the lacrimal sac and increased intraoperative bleeding was also observed in 3 younger patients. Complete epiphora and dacryocystitis resolution after surgery occurred in 82.4%, and partial in 17.6% (3 patients that still presented unilateral relapse after correction of bilateral obstruction). Mean follow-up was 6 months (range: 2-24 months). CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative high dose of radioidine, nasal and salivary gland dysfunction are associated with lacrimal drainage obstruction. We observed a great percentage of younger patients presenting dacryocystitis when compared to the idiopathic dacryostenosis. Radioactive iodine uptake by nasolacrimal duct mucosa with subsequent inflammation, edema and fibrosis seems to have a relationship to lacrimal duct obstruction. The knowledge of this complication is important for the study and proper management of these patients.

Keywords: Nasolacrimal duct; Lacrimal apparatus diseases; Thyroid neo-plasms; Iodine radioisotopes

PURPOSE: To report the impression cytologic results after corneal cross-linking and insertion of intrastromal corneal ring segments for keratoconus. METHODS: Thirty-nine eyes were distributed into two groups: 1) cross-linking group (patients underwent corneal cross-linking procedure), and 2) riboflavin eyedrops group (patients received 0.1% riboflavin (w/v) eyedrops in 20% dextran solution for 1 month). After 3 months, all patients underwent insertion of intrastromal corneal ring segments. Impression cytologic specimens were obtained from all eyes at baseline, at 1 month and 3 months after cross-linking or riboflavin eyedrops, and again at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after intrastromal corneal ring segment insertion. RESULTS: Patients in the cross-linking group demonstrated improvement in the cell-to-cell contact of epithelial cells and the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio on the temporal conjunctiva after treatment (P=0.008 and P=0.047), respectively. On the superior conjunctiva, increases in goblet cell density (P=0.037) and level of organization of nuclear chromatin (P=0.010) after treatment were noted. Patients in the riboflavin eyedrops group demonstrated improvement in the cell-to-cell contact of epithelial cells on the superior conjunctiva after treatment (P=0.021). On the temporal conjunctiva, an improvement in the cell-to-cell contact of epithelial cells (P<0.001) and increases in the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio (P<0.001), goblet cell density (P=0.001), and less keratinization (P=0.011) were noted. No changes were identified on the cornea for either group. Fisher's exact test comparison of the impression cytologic total scores after treatment revealed no difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Despite changes in some conjunctival parameters (e.g., cell-to-cell contact of epithelial cells, nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, level of organization of nuclear chromatin, goblet cell density, and keratinization), comparison of the total impression cytologic scores revealed no difference between groups.

Keywords: Cytological techniques; Cornea; Riboflavin; Keratoconus; Corneal surgery, laser; Corneal stroma

PURPOSE: To evaluate anatomical and functional results of 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy in patients with uveitis. METHODS: Vitrectomy was performed on 20 eyes with residual vitritis secondary to infectious and noninfectious uveitis. Patients were evaluated 1 week before surgery and after surgery at day 1, week 1, week 4 and week 12. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure, anterior chamber cells and flare and vitreous haze were measured. RESULTS: Mean VA improved from 2.06 ± 0.94 logMAR before surgery to 0.58 ± 0.46 logMAR at week 12 (p<0.05). No case required conversion to standard 20-gauge instrumentation or suture placement, no intraoperative complications were noted. Transient postoperative hypotony was seen in three eyes. One patient with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis had a relapse during follow-up. CONCLUSION: 25-gauge vitrectomy has proven its efficacy on cleansing vitreous opacities and improving visual acuity on patients with residual vitritis secondary to uveitis with minimal postoperative inflammation and complications.

Keywords: Vitrectomy; Uveitis; Vitreous body; Eye infections

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in ocular motility and muscle thickness measured with ultrasonography after intramuscular injection of bupivacaine and botulinum toxin A. METHODS: Eight patients (five female) were enrolled to measure ocular motility prior and 1, 7, 30 and 180 days after one injection of 2 ml of 1.5% bupivacaine and 2.5 U of botulinum toxin A in agonist and antagonist muscles, respectively, of eight amblyopic eyes. Muscle thickness was measured prior and on days 1, 7 and 30 after injection using 10-MHz ultrasonography (eyelid technique). RESULTS: Mean change in alignment was 10 prism diopters after 180 days (n=6). An average increase of 1.01 mm in muscle thickness was observed after 30 days of bupivacaine injection and 0.28 mm increase was observed after botulinum toxin A injection, as measured by ultrasonography. Lateral rectus muscles injected with bupivacaine had a mean increase of 1.5 mm in muscle thickness. CONCLUSION: In this study, a change in ocular motility was observed after 180 days of intramuscular injection of bupivacaine and botulinum toxin in horizontal extraocular muscles. Overall, there was an increase of muscle thickness in both botulinum toxinum A and bupivacaine injected muscles after 30 days of injection when measured by ultrasonography. This change was more pronounced on lateral rectus muscles after bupivacaine injection.

Keywords: Oculomotor muscles; Strabismus; Strabismus; Esotropia; Botulinium toxins, type A; Botulinium toxins, type A; Bupivacaine; Bupivacaine; Injections,intramuscular; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the differences of wavefront aberrations under cycloplegic, scotopic and photopic conditions. METHODS: A total of 174 eyes of 105 patients were measured using the wavefront sensor (WaveScan® 3.62) under different pupil conditions: cycloplegic 8.58 ± 0.54 mm (6.4 mm - 9.5 mm), scotopic 7.53 ± 0.69 mm (5.7 mm - 9.1 mm) and photopic 6.08 ± 1.14 mm (4.1 mm - 8.8 mm). The pupil diameter, standard Zernike coefficients, root mean square of higher-order aberrations and dominant aberrations were compared between cycloplegic and scotopic conditions, and between scotopic and photopic conditions. RESULTS: The pupil diameter was 7.53 ± 0.69 mm under the scotopic condition, which reached the requirement of about 6.5 mm optical zone design in the wavefront-guided surgery and prevented measurement error due to the pupil centroid shift caused by mydriatics. Pharmacological pupil dilation induced increase of standard Zernike coefficients Z3-3, Z4(0) and Z5-5. The higher-order aberrations, third-order aberration, fourth-order aberration, fifth-order aberration, sixth-order aberration, and spherical aberration increased statistically significantly, compared to the scotopic condition (P<0.010). When the scotopic condition shifted to the photopic condition, the standard Zernike coefficients Z4(0), Z4², Z6-4, Z6-2, Z6² decreased and all the higher-order aberrations decreased statistically significantly (P<0.010), demonstrating that accommodative miosis can significantly improve vision under the photopic condition. Under the three conditions, the vertical coma aberration appears the most frequently within the dominant aberrations without significant effect by pupil size variance, and the proportion of spherical aberrations decreased with the decrease of the pupil size. CONCLUSIONS: The wavefront aberrations are significantly different under cycloplegic, scotopic and photopic conditions. Using the wavefront sensor (VISX WaveScan) to measure scotopic wavefront aberrations is feasible for the wavefront-guided refractive surgery.

Keywords: Accommodation, ocular; Mydriatics; Cornea; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Refractive errors; Corneal wavefront aberration; Refraction ocular; Pupil

INTRODUCTION: Ocular trauma is considered a health care problem because is an important cause for visual impairment. Intraocular foreign bodies are related to activities involving usage of metallic objects, but other materials can be present in the eye and have to be diagnosed and localized. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is an adequate subsidiary tool to evaluate an anterior chamber intraocular foreign body. PURPOSE: To characterize nature, localization, dimensions of foreign bodies and associated lesions to the anterior segment using ultrasound biomicroscopy. METHODS: Retrospective clinical study of 7,182 patient's charts submitted to ultrasound biomicroscopy examination between 1999 and 2008, totalizing 59 eyes suspected of anterior segment foreign body. RESULTS: Five cases presented two foreign bodies, fragments from the same nature, in different locations or not; and three cases had uncountable fragments in the anterior segment. Concerning localization: cornea, 11 (26%); conjunctiva, 10 (23%); iris, 10 (23%); lens, 9 (21%); sclera, 5 (12%); corneal angle, 5 (12%); ciliary body, 3 (7%). Among the associated lesions, it was identified: corneal perforation in 12 cases, corneal laceration in 2 cases, anterior synechia in 6 cases, traumatic aniridia 1 case, traumatic iridotomy in 3 cases, anterior chamber reaction in 10 cases and rupture of the anterior lens capsule in 4 cases. Considering composition: metallic, 21 (50%); non metallic, 20 were glass (48%) and 1 was vegetal (2%). The size of foreign bodies varied from 0.09 to 2.45 mm (average: 0.84 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is useful to localize foreign bodies in the anterior segment. This imaging method can give orientation about composition, path, and localization of foreign bodies and associated lesions, thus facilitating therapeutic planning prior to intervention, avoiding additional lesions to the eye.

Keywords: Eye foreign bodies; Eye injuries; Microscopy; Sensibility and specificity

PURPOSE: To assess the outcomes of intrastromal corneal ring (ISCR) implantation for the treatment of corneal ectasia. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients with secondary corneal ectasia treated with keraring intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation aided by intralaser femtosecond technique (K-ICRS-FS) were evaluated. Visual acuity (logMAR), refraction and astigmatism vector analysis were measured preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively using vector analysis as described by some authors. RESULTS: Visual acuity improved from 0.40 ± 0.20 to 0.25 ± 0.13 logMAR (p=0.0002), with reduction of the spherical equivalent from -5.41 ± 4.78 D to -2.83 ± 3.29 D (P=0.0002). Mean astigmatism reduction was 3.92 ± 2.52 D. K maximum decreased from 51.65 ± 5.83 D preoperatively to 48.58 ± 5.54 D (p=0.001) 3 months after the surgery and K minimum decreased from 45.92 ± 4.64 D to 43.96 ± 5.06 D (p=0.0041). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Intrastromal corneal ring implantation with the use of a femtosecond laser was a safe procedure, with low risk of complications and significant improvement on visual acuity and topographic data in this seeting of patients with secondary corneal ectasia.

Keywords: Corneal topography; Cornea; Astigmatism; Keratoconus; Keratoconus; Lasers, excimer; Prosthesis implantantion; Refraction, ocular; Visual acuity

The purpose of the present article is to present and discuss two cases of globe su­blu­xation in the active phase of myogenic Graves' orbitopathy and to evaluate the prevalence of this phenomenon. Two patients with the myogenic variant of Graves' orbitopathy that had being treated with oral and intravenous steroid pulses developed globe subluxation. Both had to have urgent eyelid and orbital decompression. After these observations, we reviewed the medical records of a sample of 284 patients (482 orbits) who had had orbital decompression at our Institution from 1992 to 2010, with a search for cases presenting severe proptosis or globe subluxation in the active phase of myogenic Graves' orbitopathy. No patient had to have decompression for globe subluxation in the active phase of Graves' orbitopathy. The prevalence of this event as an indication for surgery in the myogenic variant of Graves' orbitopathy was therefore 0.7% (2/284) or even less. The combination of lowering the upper eyelid and orbital decompression had a dramatic therapeutic effect on these patients des­pite the presence of intense inflammatory signs in the orbits. In conclusion, patients affected with the myogenic variant of Graves' orbitopathy may develop globe subluxation. Urgent surgical treatments should not be postponed despite the presence of active inflammation.

Keywords: Graves ophthalmopathy; Orbit; Exophthalmos; Decompression, surgical; Tomography, X-ray; Humans; Male; Adult; Middle aged; Ca­se reports

The Processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff), is an endemic insect of pine and cedar trees, existing both in rural and urban areas. Ocular toxicity, once rare due to the efficacy of eradication methods, is caused by the insects' hair and is expected to be more frequent with its recrudescence. We report two clinical cases and review the epidemiology of Processionary and its eye injuries. Case 1: a 64 year-old patient complained of red eye and foreign body sensation after being gardening. She had a BCVA of 0.5 and biomicroscopy revealed an epithelial erosion, flare (++), Tyndall (+++) and the presence of a setae in the deep corneal stroma. Case 2: a 28 year-old patient complained of severe pain in the right eye and hyperemia after having had contact with a caterpillar. He presented with a BCVA of 0.6, Tyndall (+++) and multiple filaments (over 20) at different depths in the cornea. Case 3: a 23 year-old patient refers to the ER with foreign body sensation and constant lacrimation in the right eye after having been completing military exercises in an urban park. He presented a BCVA of 0.3, multiple epithelial erosions in the nasal half of the cornea that cove­red multiple orange strands and an anterior chamber reaction (Tyndall +). Therapy was initiated with topical steroids and symptomatic surveillance. Ocular toxicity due to Processionary hairs, whose movement occurs preferentially towards the posterior pole, includes early signs (conjunctivitis, keratitis, and uveitis) and late signs (cataract, pars planitis, vitritis, and retinitis). The 3 cases presented had early lesions, having fully recovered from the inflammatory condition after 6 months. However, inactive setae were still visible in the corneal stroma. Intraocular migration, which can occur years after the initial episode, is possible and might be severe, thus requiring a life-long surveillance. CONCLUSION: Processionary recrudescence has been observed, both in rural and urban areas. It is therefore imperative to be familiar with eye injuries caused by the insect and its treatment.

Keywords: Eye injuries; Lepidoptera; Thaumetopoea; Toxicity; Case reports

A 53 year-old woman presented with a slowly progressive, painless proptosis OS. Computed tomography disclosed a round, homogeneous, well-delimited lesion in the inferior-temporal orbit. The tumor was composed of round cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. Some of the cells had larger eosinophilic granules surrounded by a clear halo; known as pustulo-ovoid bodies of Milian or Bangle bodies. The diagnosis of a granular cell tumor was then established and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Granular cell tumors are uncommon benign soft tissue neoplasms that have a predilection for the head and neck region. Awareness of the typical histopathological features is crucial for the correct diagnosis.

Keywords: Orbital neoplasms; Exophthalmos; Tomography, X-ray computed; Case report

A case of a 14 year-old boy that was admitted complaining of bilateral ocular visual blurring for 2 years is reported. The ophthalmological examination disclosed bilateral mild optic disc hyperemia and swelling, retinal exudation, few retinal hemorrhages, multiple aneurysms, as well as vasculitis. Fluorescein angiography showed extensive peripheral retinal ischemia, dilatations and hyperfluorescence of the vessels walls, and leakage of the optic disc in the late phases in both eyes. This rare case represents an entity characterized by peripheral retinal vascular occlusion, retinal vasculitis, multiple posterior retinal aneurysms, and neuroretinitis (IRVAN). Systemic evaluation and laboratory work-up did not suggest any systemic abnormality. Panretinal laser photocoagulation was performed in both eyes, and the patient was treated with oral prednisone with maintenance of the visual acuity after 1 year of follow-up. Laser treatment should be considered when angiographic evidence of widespread retinal no perfusion is present, and before the development of signs of retinal neovascularization.

Keywords: Uveitis; Retinitis; Aneurysm; Retinal vasculitis; Fluorescein angiography; Glucocorticoids; Syndrome; Humans; Male; Adolescent; Case reports

Ocular inflammation is one of the leading causes of blindness and loss of vision. Human uveitis is a complex and heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by inflammation of intraocular tissues. The eye may be the only organ involved, or uveitis may be part of a systemic disease. A significant number of cases are of unknown etiology and are labeled idiopathic. Animal models have been developed to the study of the physiopathogenesis of autoimmune uveitis due to the difficulty in obtaining human eye inflamed tissues for experiments. Most of those models are induced by injection of specific photoreceptors proteins (e.g., S-antigen, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein, rhodopsin, recoverin, phosducin). Non-retinal antigens, including melanin-associated proteins and myelin basic protein, are also good inducers of uveitis in animals. Understanding the basic mechanisms and pathogenesis of autoimmune ocular diseases are essential for the development of new treatment approaches and therapeutic agents. The present review describes the main experimental models of autoimmune ocular inflammatory diseases.

Keywords: Animal models; Uveitis; Autoimmune diseases; Inflammation