VOLUME 74 - ISSUE 5

PURPOSE: To identify the difficulties in access to diagnosis and treatment of cataract in patients attended during a cataract campaign. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to patients selected for cataract surgery. We evaluated, among others, the following variables: prior access to ophthalmologists (public or private), reason(s) for not having surgery early in the initial service, the average cost charged by cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) (private services and agreements). RESULTS: A total of 627 patients was evaluated. Most of them - 595 (95%) had previously attended an ophthalmologist, and in 63% of cases (375 patients) the consultation had been held for less than a year. The last evaluation was performed by the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) in 52% of the cases (307 patients). Regarding the reason for not having surgery in the initial service, the high cost of the surgery (R$ 2.000 - R$ 4.000) and the cost of IOLs (R$ 1.000 - R$ 1.500) was the main obstacle for most attended services and private covenants. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the routine of ophthalmologic care in SUS at São Paulo is not prepared to answer the demand for cataract surgeries and private healthcare system still excludes a portion of the population. It is important to continue the implementation of community campaigns to serve the population that would be unable to access the surgery through conventional ways.

Keywords: Cataract; Cataract extration; Blindness; Health services accessibility; Health care costs; Questionnaires; Brazil

Purpose: To evaluate the ophthalmic artery hemodynamics in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: Doppler parameters of ophthalmic artery of 18 patients with chronic heart failure in different stages of the disease were compared with 21 healthy volunteers (control group). These parameters were also correlated with echocardiographic assessments and clinical cardiologic status. Results: Mean diastolic velocity was 5.14 ± 2.4 cm/s in the chronic heart failure group and 7.44 ± 3.5 cm/s in the control group (p=0.007). Mean resistance index of the ophthalmic artery was 0.76 ± 0.08 in the chronic heart failure group and 0.70 ± 0.08 in the control group (p=0.04). Mean systolic velocity of the ophthalmic artery was 22.03 ± 7.7 cm/s in the chronic heart failure group and 25.32 ± 9.2 cm/s in the control group (p=0.24). There was a negative correlation between the resistance index of the ophthalmic artery and systemic blood pressure of patients with chronic heart failure (r= -0.47, p=0.007). Diastolic velocity of the ophthalmic artery correlated positively with systemic blood pressure (r=0.44, p=0.02). Conclusion: Lower diastolic velocity and higher resistance index were observed in the ophthalmic artery of chronic heart failure patients when compared to the control group, which probably reflects the presence of orbital vasoconstriction in response to low cardiac output. Therefore, the influence of these findings on the structure and function of the optic nerve head deserves investigation.

Keywords: Echocardiography, Doppler, color; Blood flow velocity; Heart failure; Chronic disease; Intraocular pressure; Ophthalmic artery

Facial integrity is a condition which interferes in the daily life of the individual. The loss of an eyeball has psychological impact, requiring adaptation. Interventions such as prosthetic repair seem to lead to emotional and behavioral change. Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the psychosocial aspects related to unilateral anophthalmic socket and evaluate patient adaptation to prosthesis. Methods: All participants responded to a semi-structured interview. This was composed of two parts, the first regarding the general data of patient identification and socioeconomic aspects. The second part included information about eye loss and rehabilitation, with 31 questions. Twenty-eight volunteers were interviewed. Results: Most were male (53.57%). Ages ranged between 11 and 67. Trauma was the prevalent etiological factor (60.71%). A significant statistical difference (p<0.05) was found between the scores of the feelings of loss before and after prosthesis (z Wilcoxon=-4.41; p<0.001). Conclusions: The data showed emotional difficulties in the initial contact with the loss of an eye and the role of the prosthesis as an element of social inclusion, stressing the importance of teamwork and access to fitting services in adapting these patients.

Keywords: Psychosocial impact; Eye enucleation; Eye enucleation; Eye, artificial; Anophthalmos; Orbital implants; Patients; Social adjustment; Recovery of function

PURPOSE: To identify retinal manifestations in patients with sickle cell disease referred to a reference eye hospital in Goiânia (GO). METHODS: Ophthalmic evaluation was made in 50 patients (100 eyes) with sickle cell disease to evaluate the most common manifestations of this group. RESULTS: Hemoglobinopathy SS was the most commonly found, followed by hemoglobin SC, AS and Stahl. Twenty-two percent of the patients had retinal changes, of these 73% were male. Retinal changes observed were: "sea fan", "black sunburst", vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment. In the classification of retinopathy, 73% had proliferative form, seen in the types AS and SC and 27% had non-proliferative retinopathy, seen in patients with SS type. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a large numbers of patients with retinal changes, most of them with hemoglobinopathy SC, followed by AS and SS groups. The proliferative changes were the most commonly observed. Vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment were the most prevalent manifestations in proliferative retinopathy and showed to be more common in patients with SC hemoglobinopathy in the studied population.

Keywords: Sickle cell disease; Hemoglobin sickle; Retina; Retinal detachment; Vitreous hemorrhage

Purpose: To evaluate the comparative in-vitro antiangiogenic effect of Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab. Methods: Endothelial venous umbilical cells culture (ECV304) cultivated in F12 media with addition of 10% Fetal Bovine Serum, were plaqued and treated with clinically relevant concentrations of Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab just after the scratch done in the middle of the culture (scratch methodology). Measurements of the linear size of the area free of cell proliferation were done 24, 48 and 72 hours after the scratch day point. All the experiments were done in triplicate and statistical analysis were done with T-student test. Results: Inhibitory effect was observed just at the concentrations of 0.5 and 0.7 mg/ml in both drugs. At 0.7 mg/ml, Ranibizumab demonstrated a more potent proliferative inhibitory effect than Bevacizumab. At the same concentration, Ranibizumab was three times more potent than Ranibizumab. Inhibitory effect was observed just in the first 24 hours for both drugs. Conclusion: Ranibizumab demonstrates an increased effect when compared to Bevacizumab and this is related more to the different molar rate of each drug than related to a real better proliferative inhibitory effect.

Keywords: Choroidal neovascularization; Macular degeneration; Angiogenesis inhibitors; Antibodies, monoclonal; Tomography, optical coherence; Fluorescein angiography; Intravitreal injections; Vitreous body

PURPOSE: Treatment of diffuse macular edema in diabetes mellitus is currently unsatisfactory. The purpose of this double blind randomized clinical trial was to compare the treatment of diffuse diabetic macular edema with intravitreal triamcinolone or laser in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using a morphofunctional assessment. METHODS: Fourteen patients (21 eyes) with clinically significant diffuse macular-edema, previously untreated and with a macular thickness >250 µm at optical coherence tomography were randomized for treatment with laser or intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetate. Optical coherence tomography, biomicroscopy, fundoscopy, fluorescein angiography, tonometry, scotometry, visual and contrast acuities were performed at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: At pre-treatment stage, Laser (n=9) and Triamcinolone (n=12) groups did not differ regarding retinal thickness, visual and contrast acuities. In Triamcinolone group macular thickness decreased after 1 month (424.1 ± 19.9 µm to 358.4 ± 18.2 µm; p=0.04) and started to return to the initial values in the 3rd month (p=0.02). No changes occurred in macular scotometry and visual and contrast acuities. No side effects were observed with both treatments. CONCLUSION: During the study macular thickness diminished in the triamcinolone group, especially in the first month of treatment. At 3 and 6 months there was no difference. Macular thickness did not change during the study in the laser group. In the study sample it was not possible to demonstrate differences relates to visual acuity and scotometry between the two groups. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00668239

Keywords: Macular edema; Triamcinolone; Photocoagulation; Diabetes mellitus; Tomography, Optical coherence

PURPOSE: To determine if the corneal epithelium prevents the collagen cross-linking effect. Using immunofluorescence microscopy after CXL, we indirectly analyzed the role of the epithelium as ultraviolet-A (UVA) shield as well as a barrier to riboflavin penetration. METHODS: Fifteen freshly enucleated porcine eyes were divided into 3 groups. The corneal epithelium was kept intact in all groups. Five eyes served as control (Group 1). On group 2, eyes received tetracaine anesthetic drops and topical 0.1% riboflavin solution (10 mg riboflavin-5-phosphate in 10 mL 20% dextran-T-500). On Group 3, riboflavin was injected into the anterior chamber to allow penetration of the drug through the endothelium. Groups 2 and 3 were exposed to UVA (365 nm, 3 mW/cm²) for 30 minutes. Ultra-thin sections (8 µm) of the corneas were stained with anti-collagen type I and DAPI (4,6-diamidino-2-fenilindole dihydrocloride) and analyzed with fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Corneas treated with UVA irradiation and intracameral injection of riboflavin (Group 3) showed greater pattern of collagen organization compared to groups 1 (Control) and 2 (riboflavin and tetracaine eye drops). A yellow stromal staining, which represents the riboflavin diffusion into the stroma, was only observed in eyes injected with riboflavin into the anterior chamber. CONCLUSION: Using immunofluorescence microscopy in porcine corneas, we demonstrated that the corneal epithelium reduces the effectiveness of CXL by preventing the penetration of the drug and not by limiting the UVA transmittance. An inadequate intrastromal concentration of riboflavin may impair CXL effect.

Keywords: Cross-linking reagents; Riboflavin; Epithelium, corneal; Microscopy, immunofluorescence; Photosensitizing agents; Ultraviolet rays; Swine

PURPOSE: To determine retinal and choroid toxicity levels of two and three infliximab intravitreous injections in albino rabbits by means of electroretinographic, histological and ophthalmological clinical tests. METHODS: 12 albino rabbits were used in the study. Each eye was given two (n=10 eyes) or three (n=10 eyes) serial intravitreous 2 mg infliximab injections dissolved in 0.06 ml of saline, at monthly intervals. A separate group of rabbits (n=4 eyes) served as a control group. Ninety days after the study had begun, the rabbits underwent clinical and electroretinographic tests, and after being enucleated, the eyes were examined for histological changes. RESULTS: Slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundoscopic examination did not reveal any significant retinal abnormalities in the eyes injected with infliximab and control eyes or in pre- and post-treated eyes. The histological change that was noted was the presence of rare lymphocytes and eosinophils in the posterior vitreous of some of the rabbits subjected to two or three injections, but it was not considered clinically significant. A severe inflammatory reaction with vitreous exudates and ganglion cell edema in a single rabbit was clinically significant. The electroretinographic tests showed amplitudes that were on the average 12-13% smaller than those obtained before the treatment, however, there were no statistically significant differences when comparing the amplitude or the implicit time between pre- and post-treatment electroretinographic findings. CONCLUSION: Two and three intravitreous 2 mg infliximab injections in rabbits at monthly intervals did not cause any changes after a 90-day follow-up, according to histological and electroretinographic tests and after clinical evaluation. Differently from prior studies that have investigated potential retinotoxicity effects after single administrations, this study investigated the possibility of retinotoxicity after multiple injections. Clinical studies in humans should be conducted to better evaluate the safety of this drug in the treatment of certain diseases affecting the retina and the choroid.

Keywords: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; Injections, intravenous; Retina; Retinal diseases; Choroid diseases; Macular degeneration; Antibodies, mono-clonal; Electroretinography; Animals; Rabbits

PURPOSE: To evaluate the profile of anophthalmic cavity carriers and patients' evolution with the employed treatments. METHODS: Retrospective study carried out at Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, to evaluate the profile and the evolution of patients with anophthalmic cavity treated in our service. Data were evaluated according to the frequency of occurrence and analysis of association. RESULTS: Anophthalmic cavity was more frequently observed in young males, workers in activities carried on with their hands. Trauma and phthisis bulbi were the most frequent causes, with differences according to age and gender. The complications were high (57.1% of cases), the majority occurred belatedly. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma is still an important cause of loss of the eye. The complications during the follow-up of the patient are frequent, occurring in general, very late, which reinforces the need for periodic and prolonged monitoring of patients with anophthalmic cavity.

Keywords: Anophthalmos; Anophthalmos; Follow-up studies; Treatment outcome

PURPOSE: To determine if variables from color Doppler and visual field exam could discriminate normal from glaucomatous eyes. METHODS: Prospectively, 36 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (glaucoma group) and 20 normal volunteers (control group) were studied. Gender, age, central corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, Octopus automated perimetry global indices (mean defect and loss variance) and several parameters of the color Doppler (peak systolic velocity and resistivity index) were compared between groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure. Discriminant analysis showed that the variables: resistivity index (RI) in the short posterior ciliary artery (SPCA), mean defect (MD) and loss variance (LV) had presented significant influence for the positive diagnosis of glaucoma. The gotten discriminant function was: -3.637 + 0.109 x MD + 0.028 x LV + 4.325 x RI SPCA. Considering score -1.61, the probability of positive diagnosis of glaucoma was 90%. CONCLUSION: Through discriminant analysis it was possible to identify which of the color Doppler variables that associated to the visual field variables allowed differentiate normal from glaucomatous patients. These variables were: resistivity index in the short posterior ciliary artery, and the visual field variables, mean defect and loss variance.

Keywords: Glaucoma, open-angle; Ultrasonography, doppler, color; Intraocular pressure; Blood flow velocity

Retinoblastoma is a unilateral or bilateral intraocular tumor, occurring as a hereditary or sporadic tumor. Another not ocular lesion is a possibility for retinoblastoma carriers. The authors report the cases of two patients: a son with bilateral anophthalmic socket due to retinoblastoma, who presented unilateral upper eyelid tumor; and his father with unilateral anophthalmic socket secondary to enucleation due to retinoblastoma and a tumor growing fast in the upper eyelid at the same side of the anophthalmic cavity. Lesions were diagnosed as sebaceous carcinoma confirmed by immunohistochemical exam. Both patients had the eyelid tumors removed, with good resolution. None of them have presented either signs of recurrence or metastasis.

Keywords: Anophthalmos; Retinoblastoma; Adenocarcinoma, sebaceous; Eyelid neoplasms; Case reports; Humans; Male; Adult; Middle aged

PURPOSE: To report a 16-year long-term follow-up of a patient with acute multifocal hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis (Blumenkranz syndrome). A 21-year old male was seen in 1994 with acute multifocal hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis (Blumenkranz syndrome), first in the left eye, and later in the right eye. He was treated with retinal photocoagulation in areas of retinal ischemia and oral steroids, followed by sequential annual fundus examination and photography for 16 years. Vision improved to 20/25 in both eyes after retinal ischemic areas photocoagulation and oral steroids, and his vision has been maintained for 16 years. Photocoagulation of retinal ischemia and oral steroids are effective for the treatment of acute multifocal hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis (Blumenkranz syndrome).

Keywords: Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch; Retinal vasculitis; Vasculitis; Light coagulation; Retinal hemorrhage; Case report

The aim of this report is to describe a case of age-related macular degeneration with juxtafoveal subretinal neovascular membrane, initially treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin®) and afterwards with focal photocoagulation laser therapy. The efficacy of the initial and complementary treatment was evaluated through the visual acuity measurement and complementary exams (fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography). After three bevacizumab intravitreal injections , it has occurred the eccentric reduction of the neovascular subretinal membrane, changing its classification to extrafoveal, what allowed the subsequent treatment with focal photocoagulation laser therapy.

Keywords: Macular degeneration; Choroidal neovascularization; Angiogenesis inhibitors; Angiofluoresceinography; Tomography, optical coherence; Case report

Primary localized amyloidosis is rare in the orbit. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman that presented with bilateral proptosis and ophthalmoplegia. A computed tomography scan revealed an infiltrative amorphous and markedly calcified mass in both orbits while a magnetic resonance scan showed a heterogeneous hypointense signal on T2-weighted images. A biopsy was performed through an anterior orbitotomy. Microscopy revealed extracellular amorphous and eosinophilic hyaline material which stained pink with Congo red and displayed green birefringence on polarized microscopy, leading to a diagnosis of amyloidosis. The results of the systemic workup were completely normal. A two-year follow-up period without any treatment disclosed no worsening of the condition. While calcification of nonvascular orbital lesions has often been regarded as suggestive of malignant disease, our case is a reminder that it can also be a characteristic presenting sign of orbital amyloidosis.

Keywords: Amyloidosis; Orbit diseases; Exophthalmos; Magnetic resonance imaging; Ophthalmoplegia; Humans; Female; Middle aged; Case report

It is widely recognized today that outdoor air pollution can affect human health. Various chemical components that are present in ambient pollution may have an irritant effect on the mucous membranes of the body, particularly those of the respiratory tract. Much less attention has been focused on the adverse effect on the ocular surface, despite the fact that this structure is even more exposed to air pollution than the respiratory mucosa since only a very thin tear film separates the corneal and conjunctival epithelia from the air pollutants. So far, clinical data are the more widespread tools used by ophthalmologists for assessing possible aggression to the ocular surface; however, clinical findings alone appears not to correlate properly with the complaints presented by the patients pointing out the need for further clinical and laboratory studies on the subject. The purpose of this study is to review signs and symptoms associated with chronic long-term exposure to environmental air pollutants on the ocular structures currently defined as the ocular surface and to review clinical and laboratory tests used to investigate the adverse effects of air pollutants on such structures. We also review previous studies that investigated the adverse effects of air pollution on the ocular surface and discuss the need for further investigation on the subject.

Keywords: Air pollutants; Environmental exposure; Eye manifestations; Cornea; Conjunctiva; Irritants; Air pollution; Climate; Flourescent dyes