[Effect of mitomycin C on corneal regrowth after laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK)]. / Efecto de la mitomicina C en el engrosamiento corneal tras queratectomía subepitelial con láser excimer (LASEK).

PURPOSE: To study the effect of mitomycin C (MMC) on the corneal regrowth after laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK). METHODS: We performed a prospective, controlled, observer-masked study of 64 consecutive eyes scheduled to undergo LASEK to correct their myopia. The patients were divided into two age-matched groups, with group 1 including 32 eyes in which the ablation depth was ≤ 50 µm and received no MMC. Group 2 consisted of 32 eyes in which the ablation depth exceeded 50 µm and were treated with intra-operative 0.02% MMC for 30 seconds over the ablated zone. A masked observer measured the central corneal thickness (CCT) 1 and 3 months after surgery. We compared the change in CCT between both groups up to 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 31.5 years (SD 4.6) and 31.6 (SD 8.7) years in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=.9). Group 1 showed a mean CCT of 444.0 (SD 41.3) µm one month after surgery and 450.3 (SD 43.5) µm three months after surgery (P=.04). CCT in group 2 was 399.7 (SD 31.2) µm and 407.9 (SD 32.6) µm one and three months after surgery, respectively (P=.006). The difference in the CCT increases between both groups was not statistically significant (P=.6). CONCLUSIONS: A single intraoperative application of 0.02% MMC for 30 seconds did not seem to cause a substantial change in the post-surgical corneal thickening expected after LASEK.

[HIV retinal vasculitis]. / Vasculitis retiniana por VIH.

CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 47 year-old woman, infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosed 5 years ago without receiving any treatment, who had floaters in her left eye. A peripheral retinal vasculitis was discovered and confirmed by an angiography. No source of infection was found, antiretroviral and corticosteroid treatment was given, with a complete resolution of the vasculitis. DISCUSSION: From 70-80% of positive untreated HIV patients develop ocular complications, with intraocular inflammation in more than half of them. Intraocular inflammation can be associated with opportunistic infections, tumours and as in our case, secondary to the HIV. Antiretroviral therapy is the proper treatment in these patients.

[Retinal nerve fiber layer changes after cataract surgery measured by OCT: a pilot study]. / Cambios en el espesor de la capa de fibras nerviosas tras cirugía de cataratas medidos con OCT: un estudio piloto.

PURPOSE: To analyze changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) after cataract surgery. METHODS: The average RFNL thickness of patients who underwent cataract surgery was measured using the optical coherence tomography (OCT) III Stratus(R) before surgery, the day after and one month later. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 12.0 software. We used paired two tail student's t test for comparisons. RESULTS: The study group was composed by 74 eyes of 74 patients. The RNFL thickness average was 90.71 microm (SD: 19.93), 88.30 microm (SD: 20.59) and 97.45 microm (SD: 14.30), before cataract surgery (AVGT0), the day after surgery (AVGT1) and one month later (AVGT2) respectively. We did not find statistically significant difference between AVGT0 and AVGT1 (P=0.37); however, statistically significant difference between AVGT1 and AVGT2 (P= 0.002) as well as in the image signal quality between AVGT0 and AVGT2 (P= 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The RNFL average thickness measured by OCT III Stratus showed an increase one month after cataract surgery. This phenomenon is accompanied with an improvement in signal quality.

[Eclipse retinopathy: three case reports]. / Retinopatía por eclipse. A propósito de tres casos.

CASE REPORT: We present the evolution of eclipse retinopathy in 3 patients who came to our hospital after the eclipse of October 2005 and had foveal lesions and visual field alterations. DISCUSSION: Eclipse retinopathy is a maculopathy that occurs after exposure to intense solar radiation, such as occurs during an eclipse, and is produced by a photochemical mechanism. Although the macular changes and symptoms are usually reversible, residual defects at the level of the EPR and scotoma in visual fields can occur. For these reasons the most appropriate treatment is prevention by means of public awareness campaigns.