Pharmacological treatments for the correction of presbyopia.

Presbyopia affects between 1.7 and 2 billion people worldwide. Presbyopia significantly impacts productivity and quality of life in both developed and developing countries. During accommodation, the human eye changes its dioptric power by altering the shape of the lens, but the exact nature of this change has not been fully explained. Recently, topical treatments have been marketed for the treatment of presbyopia and others are under investigation. In order to prepare a review of these novel therapies, we searched the major biomedical search engines. We found 15 randomized clinical trials and 12 reviews that met our review criteria. There are two different strategies for this purpose, the pinhole effect that increases depth of focus and "crystalline lens relaxation" for which parasympathetic mimetics and lens oxidation intermediates have been used. The results are generally favorable in terms of improvement of near visual acuity, although the follow-up period of the studies is short. These are novel strategies in the early stages of research that could be useful in the treatment of presbyopia.

Iatrogenic affectation of ocular motility by immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Cancer therapy relies on new antitumoral drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), which produce long-lasting anti-tumor responses and lengthen survival, but cause autoimmune-type toxicity. The clinical characteristics induced by ICI are not well characterized to date and careful collection of clinical data is required to accurately define its safety profile. We conducted a literature search in the main clinical search engines to identify pharmacological ocular iatrogenic events of ICIs related to ocular motility. Four systematic reviews were found that included this type of ocular iatrogenesis as well as numerous isolated case reports. Reported adverse effects include: oculomotor paresis, optic neuropathy, optic atrophy, myastheniform syndromes, thyroid pseudo-orbitopathy, orbital apex syndrome, and hypophysitis. Most were managed without interruption or with partial interruption of cancer treatment. Aggressive systemic treatments were required for adequate management of ocular iatrogenic events. It is essential that the ophthalmologist become familiar with the new ICI oncological treatments, capable of causing severe and disabling motilidad ocular iatrogenesis for the patient. The communication of adverse effects and the report of the treatments used can help the most appropriate management of these patients. Research should be oriented towards complex differential diagnosis and to optimize decisions on cancer treatments.

Surgical training with phantoms in strabismus surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Simulation in surgical learning responds to ethical and pragmatic needs. Our purpose is to describe the effects on surgical skills of conducting a surgical training workshop on strabismus surgery with phantoms. Concern for patient safety makes it necessary to consider the use of simulators (virtual and three-dimensional physical) and animal models that allow the applicant to safely practice the procedures before facing a real case. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Realization of a workshop with previous theoretical content and real practice with phantoms designed to simulate strabismus surgery (eyeball, 6 muscles, conjunctiva, eyelid and tenon capsule inserted in the skull) of real anatomical dimensions. Satisfaction survey and subjective evaluation of learning by the student and the expert tutor according to the Kirkpatrick evaluation model. RESULTS: Total, 100% of the 26 students attending two courses (15 students in one course and 11 students in another course) and 100% of the 3 tutors who participated in both courses completed the survey. 20 were resident doctors and 20 specialists in ophthalmology. The overall satisfaction of the students was 8.2 (±0.68). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the Kirkpatrick training actions evaluation survey, the perception of students and tutors is that training with phantoms in strabismus surgery can help improve the skills necessary for safe and independent practice. The ultimate goal being to improve patient safety.

Treatment for functional epiphora with botulinum toxin-A versus lateral tarsal strip in a randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the efficacy of botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) injection into the lacrimal gland versus lateral tarsal strip (LTS) for functional epiphora. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial. Sequential, parallel, non-blinded study design. Patients aged 18 years or older with functional epiphora and a minimum score of 3 in Munk Scale (MS) were randomized to BoNTA or LTS group. Changes in Munk scale, Schirmer test (ST) and quality of life (QoL) were assessed at week 6 and during follow-up until week 30. The mean time without epiphora and the adverse events (AE) were recorded. RESULTS: The final analysis included 25 patients, 12 (21 eyes) assigned to BoNTA (5U/0.05 mL) and 13 (20 eyes) to LTS. At 6 weeks there was an improvement in the MS in BoNTA versus LTS group (-2.48 vs -1.55, P = .0152) and at 12 weeks (-2.68 vs -1.69, P = .0267). A significant decrease was noted in the ST at week 2, 12 and 30 with BoNTA. The QoL improved after both interventions without statistical significance. The mean duration of effectiveness in BoNTA group was 26.2 weeks (range 7.7-36.6) and in LTS group was 24.8 weeks (range 6.7-37.6), P = .937. The main AE were temporary eyelid ptosis in 25% (3/12) of the BoNTA group and surgical scar discomfort in 23% (3/13) of the LTS groups, P = .722. No AE were classified as severe. CONCLUSION: BoNTA injection into the lacrimal gland is a safe and effective treatment for functional epiphora, with a greater decrease in MS at 6 and 12 weeks compared with LTS.

Corticodependent bilateral trochleitis.

Trochleitis is usually a transient and non-disabling inflammation of the trochlea of superior oblique. The case is presented of a difficult to manage bilateral trochleitis in a 29-year-old woman. After an exhaustive aetiological study with neuro-imaging tests, as well as an analysis of autoimmunity and infection, no underlying cause was found. Multiple injections of corticosteroids were required in both eyes, with a partial effect. Surgical intervention was finally decided in order to visually examine the trochlea, take biopsies, and inject methylprednisolone. These were effective in relieving the symptoms. This case is exceptional due to it involving both eyes and its severity, and represented a therapeutic challenge for the clinical team.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor-associated retinopathy (MEKAR). A clinical case.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors have significantly improved the prognosis of various types of cancer such as metastatic melanoma. However, their use is usually associated with ocular side effects. A retinopathy associated with these agents (MEKAR) has been described, consisting of the development of neurosensory detachments, generally bilateral and multiple, similar to those that appear in the central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Generally, optical coherence tomography allows us to differentiate the two conditions. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman in treatment with a MEK inhibitor, who developed bilateral neurosensory detachments and blurred vision, which resolved with the discontinuance of the treatment due to tumour progression.

Comparison of postural control between strabismic and non-strabismic children. / Comparativa del control postural entre niños estrábicos y no estrábicos.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the postural control of children with strabismus versus non-strabismus children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional cohort study with a total of 171 children, including 73 children with esotropia, 24 with exotropia, and 74 controls. Postural control was determined using a dynamometric platform in a standing position in various conditions: eyes open and eyes closed, near and gaze fixation, and with and without foam pad. The studied variables were the area, the mean speed, and the lengths in the X and Y axis of the centre of pressure displacement. RESULTS: Children with esotropia and exotropia had significantly higher mean values (speed, lengths of X and Y) compared to controls. In the open-eye, far distance fixation, and on foam pad, as well as under exam conditions; with eyes open, without foam pad, and far distance fixation, the exotropia values were higher than those of endotropia and controls. With eyes closed, there were no differences between the 3 groups under the described examination conditions, but their values were worse compared to their respective ones with eyes open. CONCLUSIONS: The children with strabismus had a worse postural control than the non-strabismus ones. All of the them appeared to be more unstable with eyes closed than with eyes open, which demonstrates that vision plays an important relevant role in postural stability in both strabismus and non-strabismus children.

Radius-Maumenee syndrome: Beyond a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. / Síndrome de Radius-Maumenee: más allá de un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico.

Radius-Maumenee syndrome (SRM) or idiopathic episcleral venous hypertension (HVEI) is an uncommon disorder that occurs with a dilation of the episcleral vessels and an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). It is a syndrome that constitutes a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the ophthalmologist. A case is presented in which, despite making an early diagnosis and trying to plan a treatment aimed at avoiding choroidal effusion, its appearance was unavoidable, having to treat it twice with good functional results so far.

Amniotic membrane in the surgical treatment of post-blepharoplasty diplopia. / Membrana amniótica en el tratamiento quirúrgico de diplopía posblefaroplastia.

Two consecutive cases are presented of vertical diplopia after blepharoplasty. They concern two women aged 41 and 63 years with vertical binocular diplopia after bilateral lower blepharoplasty using a trans-conjunctival approach. The diplopia was presented in both cases in the immediate postoperative period, being stable in one of the cases and progressive in the other. With the suspicion of restrictive strabismus, it was decided to explore the affected extra-ocular muscles, eliminate adhesions and coat the muscular bellies with amniotic membrane. Post-blepharoplasty diplopia is an uncommon, but very serious complication, given the expectations of these patients. The current literature reports unsatisfactory results in its management. In this study, it is considered that the muscular covering with amniotic membrane can provide better results in the surgical management of these patients, due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-adherence effect.

Atypical presentation of Best Disease. / Presentación atípica de la enfermedad de Best.

CLINICAL CASE: A 43-year-old man was treated for reduced visual acuity, initially attributed to strabismic amblyopia. On fundus examination, bilateral neurosensory detachments (NSD) were observed in posterior pole, surrounded by deposits of lipofuscin. His 3-year-old son was also examined and circumscribed NSD was observed with the presence of pseudohypopyon in OD and a fibrosis scar in OS. The Arden ratio were decreased in electrooculography (EOG) in both patients, and genetic studies revealed a single mutation of the BEST1 gene. DISCUSSION: The existence of extensive bilateral NSD may be an unusual form of presentation of Best disease. Family history, EOG, and genetic study supported this diagnosis.

[Appraisal of the formation of afterimages by means of a new computer application in patients with demyelinating optic neuropathies]. / Valoracion de la formacion de postimagenes mediante una nueva aplicacion informatica en pacientes con neuropatias opticas desmielinizantes.

INTRODUCTION: The perception of colour is one of the visual functions affected by optic neuritis. Most of the tests currently available for evaluating dichromatism are based on assessing the hue, but no clinical studies have been conducted to investigate the formation of afterimages on the retina of these patients. AIMS: To evaluate the dichromatism acquired in demyelinating optic neuritis by means of the formation of afterimages on the retina. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is an observation-based, cross-sectional, case-control study. The cases are patients with at least one bout of optic neuritis and confirmed multiple sclerosis. A healthy age- and sex-paired control was selected for each case. The main variable is the capacity to see afterimages after saturation of the retinal photoreceptor cells. A specific computer application was developed to evaluate this phenomenon. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 30 cases and 30 controls (63% females; mean age: 33 years; range: 18-48 years). The cases showed less probability of seeing the afterimage (36.6% of the cases, while none of the controls failed to see an afterimage) and, if it was seen, it remained for less time. The ROC curve shows a sensitivity of 86.3% and a specificity of 83.3%. The odds ratio was 5 (95% confidence interval: 2.21-11.3) for the probability of seeing the afterimage in controls versus cases. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with at least one episode of optic neuritis presented a lower capacity to observe afterimages. The test is therefore useful in the assessment and follow-up of functional damage in demyelinating optic neuropathies.

TITLE: Valoracion de la formacion de postimagenes mediante una nueva aplicacion informatica en pacientes con neuropatias opticas desmielinizantes.Introduccion. En las neuritis opticas se afecta, entre otras funciones visuales, la percepcion del color. La mayoria de las pruebas existentes para evaluar discromatopsias se basa en evaluar el matiz, pero no se ha estudiado clinicamente la formacion de postimagenes en la retina en estos pacientes. Objetivo. Evaluar la discromatopsia adquirida en las neuritis opticas desmielinizantes mediante la formacion de postimagenes en la retina. Sujetos y metodos. Estudio observacional, transversal, de casos y controles. Los casos son pacientes con al menos un episodio de neuritis optica y esclerosis multiple confirmada. Se selecciono un control sano por cada caso, emparejado por edad y sexo. La variable principal es la capacidad de ver postimagenes tras saturar los fotorreceptores retinianos. Para evaluar dicho fenomeno se desarrollo una aplicacion informatica especifica. Resultados. La muestra comprende 30 casos y 30 controles (63% mujeres; edad media: 33 años; rango: 18-48 años). Los casos mostraron menor probabilidad de ver la postimagen (el 36,6% de los casos y ningun control no veian postimagen) y, en caso de verla, una menor permanencia de ella. La curva ROC muestra una sensibilidad del 86,3% y una especificidad del 83,3%. La odds ratio era de 5 (intervalo de confianza al 95%: 2,21-11,3) para la probabilidad de ver la postimagen en los controles frente a los casos. Conclusiones. Los pacientes con al menos un episodio de neuritis optica presentan una menor capacidad de observar postimagenes, por lo que la prueba es util para la evaluacion y el seguimiento del daño funcional en neuropatias opticas desmielinizantes.

[Comparison study on the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab versus mitomycin C as adjuvants in trabeculectomy]. / Estudio comparativo sobre eficacia y seguridad de bevacizumab frente a mitomicina C como adyuvantes a trabeculectomía.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab versus mitomycin C as an adjuvant anti-scarring agent in Trabeculectomy. METHODS: A prospective, comparative, non-randomized, interventional study was conducted on a case series. A total of 49 eyes of 45 patients with uncontrolled glaucoma were recruited: 22 eyes in the bevacizumab (BVZ) group, and 27 eyes in the mitomycin C (MMC) group. Complete success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) less than 18 mmHg without any antiglaucoma medications. Follow-up visits were made on 1, 7, 30, 90 and 180 days after the surgery. Visual acuity, mean IOP, number of antiglaucoma medications and additional procedures to control IOP were recorded at each follow up visit. Local and systemic complications were also noted. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up there were no significant differences in mean IOP between groups: mean IOP was 13.4 ± 3.5mmHg (range 8-20) in the BVZ group and 11.6 ± 2.6 mmHg (range 7-17) in the MMC group (P=.08). Complete success was achieved in 77.2% (17 out of 22) in the BVZ group and 96.2% (26 out of 27) in the MMC group, which was a statistically significant difference (P=.024). More patients required antiglaucoma medications to control IOP in the BVZ group at the end of the study: 0.36 ± 0.72 medications versus 0.03 ± 0.19 medications in the MMC group (P=.018). Three patients developed avascular cystic blebs in the BVZ group. None of the patients suffered any ocular or systemic complications related to the use of these agents. CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab could be a safe and effective anti-scarring agent; however IOP reduction appears to be greater with MMC, and also less antiglaucoma medications are needed with this anti-scarring agent. Bevacizumab could favor the formation of avascular cystic blebs.

[The effects of ocular hypotensive drugs on the cornea: an in vivo analysis with confocal microscopy]. / Efectos corneales de hipotensores oculares que contienen cloruro de benzalconio: análisis in vivo con microscopia confocal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of anti-glaucoma treatments containing benzalconium chloride (BAC) on the human cornea. METHODS: A prospective single masked cohort study was conducted on the 50 eyes of 50 patients. The inclusion criteria were: recently diagnosed glaucoma or ocular hypertension with previous treatment, or ophthalmologist-prescribed anti-glaucoma therapy, and oral consent to participate in the study. The patients were not randomised, as the ophthalmologist decided the best therapy according to clinical criteria. The patients were divided in 2 cohorts: one exposed to BAC (23 patients), and not exposed (27 patients). The mean follow-up period was 22 weeks (range 18-30). The change in cell density before and after therapy was measured in: basal layer epithelium, basal layer of limbal epithelium and endothelium. The change in stromal reflectivity and the number of nerve branches in sub-basal nerve plexus was also measured. BAC exposure was blinded to the main researcher. RESULTS: A greater increase in basal layer epithelium cell density was observed in BAC exposed cohort (P<.05). No significant differences were detected in the endothelium, limbal cell density, stromal reflectivity, or sub-basal nerve plexus. Age, sex, IOP, active ingredient or BAC concentration did not affect the direction or magnitude of the ocular surface alterations found. CONCLUSION: Chronic anti-glaucoma therapy induces changes in the corneal epithelium. Preservative free drops showed less disruption of the ocular surface by confocal microscopy analysis. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the clinical impact of these histological findings.

[Uncorrected visual function after cataract surgery]. / Función visual sin corrección óptica tras cirugía de cataratas.

PURPOSE: To study the relationship between refraction after cataract surgery and the use of spectacles in patients older than 65 years. METHODS: Retrospective case control study. The study included 40 retired subjects older than 65 years-old who fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Clinical ophthalmic and optical information was collected, and patients were requested to complete a validated questionnaire of visual function (VF14) and a test of independence of spectacles. The difference between VF14 test results with and without glasses (difVF14) was calculated. RESULTS: The study included 16 men and 24 women, with a mean age of 74 years. There was a significant correlation between difVF14 and postoperative refraction, with lower difVF14 values associated with postsurgical refraction in the range -0.50 to -1.00 D (OD 0.479 [95% CI; 0.286-0.804]). The questionnaire of independency of lenses did not show significant correlation with postoperative refraction. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with postsurgical refraction between -0.50 and -1.00 diopters displayed better visual function without glasses than those with refraction out of that range. Neutral distant refraction and positive lenses for near vision might not be the ideal solution for every patient. Postsurgical refraction should be individualized for each patient according to their personal preferences, in order to achieve the best visual function and the best vision-related quality of life.

Binocular vision in glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the possible impairment of binocular vision in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 58 glaucoma patients, 76 ocular hypertensives and 82 normal subjects. They were examined with a battery of binocular tests consisting of the measurement of phoria angles, amplitudes of fusion (AF), near point of convergence (NPC) assessment, an evaluation of suppression (Worth test), stereoacuity according to Titmus, and TNO tests. RESULTS: The patients with glaucoma showed significantly increased phoria angles, especially in near vision, compared with the ocular hypertensives and controls (P=.000). AF were reduced mainly in near distances compared to hypertensives and controls (P=.000). The NPC of glaucoma was higher than the other two groups (P=.000). No differences were found in the near-distance suppression test between the three groups (P=.682), but there were differences in the distance vision of patients with glaucoma compared to hypertensives (OR=3.867, 95% CI; 1.260-11.862; P=.008) and controls (OR= 5.831, 95% CI; 2.229-15.252; P=.000). The stereoacuity of patients with glaucoma was reduced in both tests (P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: POAG is mostly associated with, an increased exophoria in near vision, a decreased AF in near vision, a far-distance NPC, central suppression in far-vision, and a loss of stereoacuity. These changes do not seem to appear early as they were not observed in hypertensive patients versus controls.

[Intracameral bevacizumab (Avastin®) in the management of neovascular glaucoma surgery]. / Bevacizumab (Avastin®) intracamerular en el manejo quirúrgico del glaucoma neovascular.

PURPOSE: To describe a case series of neovascular glaucoma treated with intracameral bevacizumab prior to filtering surgery. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective case series. METHODS: Five eyes of 5 patients with neovascular glaucoma due to any cause candidates to filtering surgery who had previously received an injection of intracameral bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) as treatment for neovascularization of anterior chamber. Results observed one week and 4 weeks postsurgery are reported. RESULTS: Bevacizumab produced regression of the angle neovascularization and the intraocular pressure. Only one case of postoperative bleeding was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Intracameral bevacizumab prior to filtering surgery of neovascular glaucoma diminished the neovascularization and intraocular pressure after 4 weeks of its administration and was effective in preventing intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. It also constitutes a promising way of investigation to prevent surgical complications.

[Bilateral third cranial nerve palsy secondary to lung carcinoma metastasis]. / Parálisis bilateral del III nervio craneal por metástasis de carcinoma pulmonar.

CLINICAL CASE: A 58 year-old man with a known diagnosis of a large cell lung carcinoma, developed a progressive diplopia. His examination revealed a double oculomotor nerve palsy with dilated and poorly reactive pupils. A cranial magnetic resonance showed an unique and solitary lesion in the midbrain, which presumably affected to both oculomotor nucleus and fasciculus. There were not found additional extrathoracic manifestations. DISCUSSION: This case shows the possibility that a large cell lung carcinoma may cause a double oculomotor nerve palsy as the consequence of an isolated midbrain metastasis.

[Diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with a bilateral serous macular detachment]. / Desprendimiento seroso macular bilateral como forma de presentación de linfoma B difuso de célula grande.

CLINICAL CASE: A 42 year-old male was assessed for a subacute, bilateral and progressive visual loss. His medical history included chronic hepatitis C infection and Evans syndrome. On fundal examination, multiple areas of neurosensorial and retinal pigmented epithelium detachment were observed in the region of both macula. A few days later, his general health deteriorated and he was noted to have a high fever and adenopathy. Biopsy of an enlarged lateral cervical lymph node demonstrated the existence of a diffuse large B cell lymphoma. After several cycles of chemotherapy, he experienced a progressive and bilateral improvement of his vision, which was accompanied by a reattachment of the previously detached areas. DISCUSSION: A bilateral and serous macular detachment may be the initial manifestation of a diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The prognosis of these retinal lesions may be favourable if lymphoma remission is achieved.

[Sclerokeratitis and invasive conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma]. / Escleroqueratitis y carcinoma escamoso conjuntival invasivo.

PURPOSE/METHODS: To describe one case of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva in a 74-year-old woman, who two years previously had presented with a lesion which appeared to be an anterior nodular scleritis. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: An anterior nodular scleritis, which did not respond to therapy, preceded the development of a squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva adjacent to it. In our patient, the conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma could have masqueraded as a scleritis, delaying the correct diagnosis and allowing orbital spread of the tumor. A diagnosis of neoplasia must be considered when a scleritis shows an atypical appearance or does not respond to the usual therapy.