A multicenter prospective comparative study evaluating cataract surgery and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation either with or without iStent inject implantation in Brazilian patients with glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Compare 12-month (12 M) safety and efficacy of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) + cataract surgery (Group 1) versus ECP + cataract surgery + iStent inject trabecular micro-bypass implantation (Group 2) in Brazilian patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, comparative case series included patients with OAG and cataract who were randomized to receive treatment in Group 1 or Group 2. Outcomes included mean and percent reduction versus preoperative in intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications; visual acuity; occurrence of adverse events; and rate of secondary surgeries. RESULTS: Preoperatively, Groups 1 and 2 had similar mean IOP (mean ± standard deviation 22.1 ± 3.6 and 22.0 ± 2.5 mmHg, respectively) and mean number of medications (3.3 ± 0.6 and 3.4 ± 0.6 medications, respectively). At all follow-up timepoints through 12 M, both groups achieved significant IOP and medication reductions versus preoperative (IOP p < 0.001 and number of medications p < 0.001 for both groups). At 12 M, IOP reductions were 24.2% (Group 1) and 43.6% (Group 2) (p < 0.001); mean medication reductions were 50.2% and 71.5%, respectively. Mean postoperative IOP and number of medications were higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (IOP p < 0.01 all visits, medication p < 0.01 at 6 M and 12 M). Adverse events were generally mild and infrequent in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both treatment groups (ECP + phacoemulsification, with/without iStent inject implantation) achieved significant and safe reductions in IOP and medications versus preoperative in Brazilian OAG patients. Percent reductions were significantly greater, and mean IOP and medications were significantly lower, in the group receiving iStent inject. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION (CTR): CAAE project identification #20053019.5.0000.5078. Protocol #3.587.147. Clinical Trial Database of the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil. Registration Date: September 19, 2019.

In vivo study to assess dosage of allogeneic pig retinal progenitor cells: Long-term survival, engraftment, differentiation and safety.

Despite notable efforts and significant therapeutical advances, age-related macular degeneration remains the single most common reason for vision loss. Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) are considered promising candidates for cellular treatments that repair and restore vision. In this allogenic study, the phenotypic profile of pig and human RPCs derived using similar manufacturing processes is compared. The long-term (12-week) survival of green fluorescent protein-pig retinal progenitor cells GFP-pRPC after subretinal transplantation into normal miniature pig (mini-pig) retina is investigated. Human eyes are both anatomically and physiologically mimicked by pig eyes, so the pig is an ideal model to show an equivalent way of delivering cells, immunological response and dosage. The phenotypic equivalency of porcine and clinically intended human RPCs was established. Thirty-nine mini-pigs are used in this study, and vehicle-injected eyes and non-injected eyes serve as controls. Six groups are given different dosages of pRPCs, and the cells are found to survive well in all groups. At 12 weeks, strong evidence of integration is indicated by the location of the grafted cells within the neuro-retina, extension of processes to the plexiform layers and expression of key retinal markers such as recoverin, rhodopsin and synaptophysin. No immunosuppression is used, and no immune response is found in any of the groups. No pRPC-related histopathology findings are reported in the major organs investigated. An initial dose of 250 k cells in 100 µl of buffer is established as an appropriate initial dose for future human clinical trials.

Poly (L-Lactic Acid) Cell-Laden Scaffolds Applied on Swine Model of Tracheal Fistula.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheal fistula (TF) treatments may involve temporary orthosis and further ablative procedures, which can lead to infection. Thus, TF requires other therapy alternatives development. The hypothesis of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of a tissue-engineered alternative for small TF in a preclinical model. Also, its association with suture filaments enriched with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal stem cells (AT-MSCs) was assessed to determine whether it could optimize the regenerative process. METHODS: Poly (L-Lactic acid) (PLLA) membranes were manufactured by electrospinning and had morphology analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. AT-MSCs were cultured in these scaffolds and in vitro assays were performed (cytotoxicity, cellular adhesion, and viability). Subsequently, these cellular constructs were implanted in an animal small TF model. The association with suture filaments containing attached AT-MSCs was present in one animal group. After 30 d, animals were sacrificed and regenerative potential was evaluated, mainly related to the extracellular matrix remodeling, by performing histopathological (Hematoxylin-Eosin and trichrome Masson) and immunohistochemistry (Collagen I/II/III, matrix metalloproteinases-2, matrix metalloproteinases-9, vascular endothelial growth factor, and interleukin-10) analyses. RESULTS: PLLA membranes presented porous fibers, randomly oriented. In vitro assays results showed that AT-MSCs attached were viable and maintained an active metabolism. Swine implanted with AT-MSCs attached to membranes and suture filaments showed aligned collagen fibers and a better regenerative progress in 30 d. CONCLUSIONS: PLLA membranes with AT-MSCs attached were useful to the extracellular matrix restoration and have a high potential for small TF treatment. Also, their association with suture filaments enriched with AT-MSCs was advantageous.

Transitions from a Kondo-like diamagnetic insulator into a modulated ferromagnetic metal in FeGa3-yGey.

One initial and essential question of magnetism is whether the magnetic properties of a material are governed by localized moments or itinerant electrons. Here, we expose the case for the weakly ferromagnetic system FeGa3-y Ge y , wherein these two opposite models are reconciled, such that the magnetic susceptibility is quantitatively explained by taking into account the effects of spin-spin correlation. With the electron doping introduced by Ge substitution, the diamagnetic insulating parent compound FeGa3 becomes a paramagnetic metal as early as at y=0.01, and turns into a weakly ferromagnetic metal around the quantum critical point y=0.15. Within the ferromagnetic regime of FeGa3-y Ge y , the magnetic properties are of a weakly itinerant ferromagnetic nature, located in the intermediate regime between the localized and the itinerant dominance. Our analysis implies a potential universality for all itinerant-electron ferromagnets.

INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT MIGRATION INTO THE ANTERIOR CHAMBER: A Multicenter Study From the Pan-American Collaborative Retina Study Group.

PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence and risk factors for intravitreal dexamethasone implant migration into the anterior chamber in eyes with macular edema. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational chart review of data that included patients with macular edema who had been treated with at least one intravitreal dexamethasone injection. Patients with incomplete chart information during the follow-up period were excluded. RESULTS: The prevalence of implant migration in 468 patients, considering the number of injections, was 1.6%, with significant associations between implant migration and cataract surgery (P = 0.043) and intraocular lens status (P = 0.005) and a trend toward statistical significance (P = 0.057) with vitrectomy. A higher rate of implant migration into the anterior chamber was observed in vitrectomized eyes (4.8%) when compared with patients who did not undergo a vitrectomy (1.6%). The implants that migrated were removed with forceps with/without viscoelastic expression or with 20-gauge cannulas connected to the vitreous cutter machine. CONCLUSION: The risk of implant migration into the anterior chamber was 1.6%. Risk factors were a history of cataract surgery or vitrectomy and aphakia. When anterior migration occurs, rapid removal is advised, especially if corneal edema is present.

Parents' Experiences About Support Following Stillbirth and Neonatal Death.

BACKGROUND: Stillbirth and neonatal death are one of the most stressful life events, with negative outcomes for parents. Society does not recognize this type of loss, and parental grieving is particularly complicated and intense. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe and understand the experiences of parents in relation to professional and social support following stillbirth and neonatal death. METHODS: This was a qualitative study based on Gadamer's hermeneutic phenomenology. Twenty-one semistructured interviews were carried out. Inductive analysis was used to find themes based on the data. RESULTS: Twenty-one parents (13 mothers and 8 fathers) from 6 families participated in the study. The analysis identified 2 main themes: (1) "professional care in dealing with parents' grief," with the subthemes "important aspects of professional care," "continuing of pathways of care"; and (2) "effects of social support in parental grief," including the subthemes "the silence that surrounds grieving parents," "family and other children: a key element," and "perinatal loss support groups: a reciprocal help." IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Counseling and support according to parents' requirements by an interdisciplinary team of professionals educated in perinatal loss and ethical family-centered care is needed. A social support system for families is necessary to avoid negative emotional consequences. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Further research is needed to analyze midwives' and nurses' experience as facilitators to improve parental grief and the difficulties experienced by the family, other children, and friends of parents with perinatal loss in providing support.

Double-session micropulse transscleral laser (CYCLO G6) for the treatment of glaucoma.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of double-session micropulse transscleral (MP3) laser for the treatment of glaucoma. This was a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent MP3 laser with the standard protocol and were within at least 12 months of their follow-up appointments. Eyes were treated at 2000 mW with 31.3% duty cycle for 80 s per treatment session, with double sessions in each hemifield alternating between upper and lower and upper and lower. Success criterion was defined as a greater than 20% reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and an IOP between 6 and 18 mmHg at the end of the follow-up period. Eighty-nine eyes of seventy-six glaucoma patients were included; 31 of which were considered primary, i.e., no previous glaucoma surgery. The average pre-treatment IOP was 29.9 ± 6.4 mmHg. At around 16.7 ± 3.1 months of follow-up, the average IOP was 14.8 ± 4.7 mmHg (p < 0.001) (28.8 ± 7.4 to 15.7 ± 5.3 mmHg, p < 0.001, at 17.0 ± 3.1 months in the primary eyes). The number of topical glaucoma medications was reduced from 3.6 ± 0.5 to 1.9 ± 0.9 at the last evaluation (p < 0.001). The best corrected visual acuity in logMAR ranged from 0.41 ± 0.34 preoperatively to 0.45 ± 0.44 at the last visit (p = 0.2), and also remained stable in primary eyes. Success was obtained in 86.5% of the eyes, with 1.5 ± 0.8 procedures, and in 90.3% with 1.2 ± 0.5 MP3 laser procedures in the primary eye group. MP3 laser in two consecutive 80-s sessions was shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of glaucoma. Primary eyes required lower number of MP3 laser procedures.

Experience of parents who have suffered a perinatal death in two Spanish hospitals: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal grief is a process that affects families in biological, psychological, social and spiritual terms. It is estimated that every year there are 2.7 million perinatal deaths worldwide and 4.43 deaths for every 1000 births in Spain. The aim of this study is to describe and understand the experiences and perceptions of parents who have suffered a perinatal death. METHODS: A qualitative study based on Gadamer's hermeneutic phenomenology. The study was conducted in two hospitals in the South of Spain. Thirteen mothers and eight fathers who had suffered a perinatal death in the 5 years prior to the study participated in this study. In-depth interviews were carried out for data collection. Inductive analysis was used to find themes based on the data. RESULTS: Eight sub-themes emerged, and they were grouped into three main themes: 'Perceiving the threat and anticipating the baby's death: "Something is going wrong in my pregnancy"'; 'Emotional outpouring: the shock of losing a baby and the pain of giving birth to a stillborn baby'; "We have had a baby": The need to give an identity to the baby and legitimise grief'. CONCLUSION: The grief suffered after a perinatal death begins with the anticipation of the death, which relates to the mother's medical history, symptoms and premonitions. The confirmation of the death leads to emotional shock, characterised by pain and suffering. The chance to take part in mourning rituals and give the baby the identity of a deceased baby may help in the grieving and bereavement process. Having empathy for the parents and notifying them of the death straightaway can help ease the pain. Midwives can help in the grieving process by facilitating the farewell rituals, accompanying the family, helping in honouring the memory of the baby, and supporting parents in giving the deceased infant an identity that makes them a family member.

VISUALIZATION OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION USING TWO COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY DEVICES.

PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivity of detection and the measured size of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) on two commercially available spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) devices, the Optovue RTVue XR Avanti with AngioVue and the Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT with AngioPlex. METHODS: Patients with CNV lesions were imaged consecutively on both OCTA devices on the same day of their visit. 3 × 3 mm and 6 × 6 mm scans centered at the fovea were obtained. Two independent masked readers evaluated the OCTA images for CNV identification and its area measurements. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the 2 OCTA devices in CNV area measurements on their 3 × 3 mm and 6 × 6 mm scans. However, there was suboptimal performance of their automated segmentation algorithms as compared to manually adjusted segmentation for visualizing CNV lesions. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the size of the CNV lesion as measured on either commercially available spectral domain OCTA device. Both devices were comparable in their detection of CNV lesions on manual adjustment of segmentation lines. However, their automated segmentation algorithms need improvement to allow for accurate measurement of CNV lesions for routine clinical application.

Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection in a Rodent Model of Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

INTRODUCTION: The management of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy centers around prevention of second eye involvement, without a uniformly accepted therapy for the involved eye. Several researchers have assessed the benefit of steroids with conflicting results. This experimental study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a single intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (IVTA) in preserving retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a rodent model of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rAION). METHODS: The rAION was induced in female Wistar rats. Animals were randomized into 3 groups: 1) untreated, 2) treated with 56 µg IVTA, and 3) intravitreal saline (placebo). Procedures were performed in the left eye, with the right eye serving as control. After 30 days, animals were sacrificed and eyes were assessed histologically for RGC number. RESULTS: The average number of RGC was significantly lower in rAION subgroups when compared with the control group (P < 0.001). No significant difference was seen between rAION eyes treated with IVTA, placebo, and untreated eyes (P > 0.05%). CONCLUSIONS: In this rodent model for AION, no therapeutic benefit of intravitreal steroid injection was identified.

Cognitive evaluation of patients with glaucoma and its comparison with individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cognitive performance of patients with glaucoma and compare it to individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: This is a prospective, cross-sectional and case-control study. All subjects were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and its subtests verbal fluency, word list memory, delayed recall of the word list, word list recognition test, Boston naming and constructive praxis from Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD). The results were compared among the groups. RESULTS: A total of 50 healthy elderly with a mean age of 71.2 ± 5.2 years; 41 patients with glaucoma (72.2 ± 4.4 years); and 21 patients with AD (79.0 ± 7.6 years) were included. There was a reduction in all cognitive assessment tests evaluated, both for patients with glaucoma, and for those with AD compared with controls (p < 0.001 for all). Comparing the patients with glaucoma and AD, it was noted that the last had lower cognitive function (p < 0.001), except for the CERAD tests Boston (p = 0.1) and praxis (p = 0.6). Glaucoma patients, however, presented results of cognitive tests similar to those described for patients with mild AD, including lower values for MMSE (21.9 ± 3.7), Boston (10.6 ± 2.6) and praxis (5.9 ± 2.3). CONCLUSION: Glaucoma patients had reduction in cognition when compared to normal individuals. They were similar to the values reported in the literature for patients with mild AD, mostly, and also in some subjects with the presence of advanced AD.

ANATOMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES OF SYMPTOMATIC IDIOPATHIC VITREOMACULAR TRACTION: A Natural History Study From the Pan American Collaborative Retina Study Group.

PURPOSE: To describe the natural history of eyes with symptomatic idiopathic vitreomacular traction (VMT). METHODS: Retrospective multicenter study of 168 eyes with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings consistent with idiopathic VMT. All eyes were graded according to SD-OCT findings. Grade 1 was defined as incomplete cortical vitreous separation with foveal attachment. Grade 2 was defined as Grade 1 plus intraretinal cysts or clefts. Grade 3 was defined as Grade 2 plus a foveal detachment. All patients were followed for at least 6 months. RESULTS: There were 168 patients (51 men) with a mean age of 68.8 ± 10.7 years. Patients were followed for a mean of 22.7 ± 20.1 months. The mean duration of symptoms before the initial presentation was 3.65 ± 5.42 months. At baseline, 72 eyes had Grade 1, 74 eyes had Grade 2, and 22 eyes had Grade 3 SD-OCT findings. Over the follow-up period, 36 eyes (21.4%) had spontaneous resolution of the VMT with normalization of the foveal anatomy. The mean time to resolution was 12.3 ± 12.6 months. An unfavorable anatomical outcome occurred in 7.7% (13 of 168) of the eyes, with 6 eyes developing a lamellar macular hole and 7 eyes developing a full-thickness macular hole. This occurred at a mean of 10.3 ± 10.7 months after the presentation. Subgroup analysis based on baseline SD-OCT grade showed that 4.1% (3 of 73) of Grade 1 eyes compared with 6.8% (5 of 74) of Grade 2 eyes, and 23.8% (5 of 21) of Grade 3 eyes developed a full-thickness macular hole or lamellar macular hole (P = 0.0109, chi-square test). In the remaining 119 eyes, at the last follow-up, 65 eyes had Grade 1, 42 eyes had Grade 2, and 12 eyes had Grade 3 VMT. On average, the best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.40 ± 0.35 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen, 20/50) at baseline to 0.35 ± 0.36 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen, 20/45; P = 0.0372), and the mean central macular thickness improved from 350 ± 132 µm to 323 ± 121 µm. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous resolution of VMT occurred in 21.4% (36 of 168) of eyes after a mean follow-up of 11.4 ± 12.6 months. An unfavorable anatomical outcome occurred in 7.7% (13 of 168) of eyes. The baseline SD-OCT grade may predict the progression to full-thickness macular hole.

NMDARs in neurological diseases: a potential therapeutic target.

N-methyl-D-aspartate ionotropic glutamate receptor (NMDARs) is a ligand-gated ion channel that plays a critical role in excitatory neurotransmission, brain development, synaptic plasticity associated with memory formation, central sensitization during persistent pain, excitotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases in the central nervous system (CNS). Within iGluRs, NMDA receptors have been the most actively investigated for their role in neurological diseases, especially neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. It has been demonstrated that excessive activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) plays a key role in mediating some aspects of synaptic dysfunction in several CNS disorders, so extensive research has been directed on the discovery of compounds that are able to reduce NMDARs activity. This review discusses the role of NMDARs on neurological pathologies and the possible therapeutic use of agents that target this receptor. Additionally, we delve into the role of NMDARs in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and the receptor antagonists that have been tested on in vivo models of these pathologies. Finally, we put into consideration the importance of antioxidants to counteract oxidative capacity of the signaling cascade in which NMDARs are involved.

DFPE, partially fluorinated ether: a novel approach for experimental intravitreal tamponade.

PURPOSE: To evaluate decafluoro-di-n-pentyl ether (DFPE) as a vitreous tamponade by examining ocular tolerance in rabbits' eyes. METHODS: Thirteen rabbits were divided into 4 groups after mechanical vitrectomy and were followed up to 12 months. The tamponade remained in the eye for 6 months in group 1 (DFPE) and Group 3 (DFPE and silicone oil) and for 12 months in group 2 (DFPE). Group 4 served as control. RESULTS: In groups 1, 2, and 3, dispersion of the fluid appeared 2 weeks postoperatively. Posterior subcapsular cataracts appeared in rabbits' eyes with large fills of DFPE (>50%). Histologic findings in groups 1 and 2 showed no detectable change in outer nuclear layer thickness. Except for some vacuolations, the inner retina was well preserved in all injected rabbits' eyes. On the electroretinography of injected rabbits' eyes, there was no effect on the a wave amplitude and b wave implicit time, but the b wave amplitude was elevated with statistical significance (P < 0.001) at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively but with no statistical significance (P > 0.05) after that period when compared with group 4 and unoperated fellow rabbits' eyes of each group. CONCLUSION: Decafluoro-di-n-pentyl ether demonstrated minimum adverse effects in retinal rabbits; further studies are needed before clinical use as short-term tamponade.

A bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy treated with oral spironolactone.

We report the case of a 39-year-old male patient who presented with visual loss in the right eye for 6 weeks. The best-corrected visual acuity was counting fingers in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. The fundus examination demonstrated a right retinal detachment inferiorly extending to the fovea and a left macular serous detachment. After multimodal imaging study, the patient was diagnosed as having a bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy and treated with oral spironolactone associated with adjuvant laser photocoagulation. The retinal changes resolved after 6 months. The final visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes.

Longitudinal evaluation of RTVue optical coherence tomography in patients with glaucoma and suspected glaucoma and stable visual fields.

PURPOSE: To longitudinally compare isolated structural parameters obtained using RTVue optical coherence tomography in patients with glaucoma and suspected glaucoma with stable visual fields. METHODS: All patients were required to have a reliable SITA Standard 24-2 Humphrey Visual Field test. Visual field stability was defined as having <5 points with p<5% and/or having no points with p<1% and/or p<0.05% in the glaucoma progression analysis comparison graph. Furthermore, the glaucoma assessment strategy was used in optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The study included 75 eyes from 75 patients, 43 of which had glaucoma and 32 had suspected glaucoma. The mean visual field intervals were 29.57 ± 9.65 months between the first and third tests. No visual field parameter variations (mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, and visual field index) and no retinal nerve fiber layer or optic disk parameter variations between the first and third tests were observed (p>0.05 for all), and no retinal nerve fiber layer parameter variations throughout the study were observed, except for optic disk parameters presenting with cup volume changes (p=0.004). However, ganglion complex cells presented a progressively decreased average ganglion cell complex parameter, with a variability of -0.98% ± 3.71% (p=0.04) between the first and third tests. By contrast, the global loss volume progressively increased throughout the study, with a variability of 14.71% ± 44.52% (p=0.04) between the first and third tests. The inferior ganglion cell complex parameter was significantly decreased between the first and third tests (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that patients with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma with stable visual fields may present structural ganglion complex cell progression as assessed using RTVue optical coherence tomography.

Early occurrence of primary angle-closure glaucoma in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa and CRB1 gene variations.

We describe the case of a 15-year-old girl with decreased visual acuity associated with elevated intraocular pressure in both eyes and angle closure on gonioscopy. She also presented attenuation of retinal vessels and optic disc pallor with large excavation in the left eye. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed an anteriorly positioned ciliary body and absence of ciliary sulcus, confirming the plateau iris configuration. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed a bilateral cystoid macular edema. Genetic screening revealed heterozygous variants of the Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene (c.2843G>A and c.2506C>A). The patient underwent trabeculectomy for intraocular pressure control and topical treatment for macular edema. This case highlights the importance of performing gonioscopy and evaluating intraocular pressure in patients with a shallow anterior chamber despite young age. In addition, it also shows the importance of genetic screening, when available, in elucidating the diagnosis and providing patients and their families' information on the patient's prognosis and possible therapeutic options.

Pseudophakic macular edema in nondiabetic and diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implant.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant during a 12-month period in nondiabetic and diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR) as a treatment for refractory pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) following prior treatment with topical nepafenac 0.1% and prednisolone 1%. METHODS: Forty-two consecutive medical records of patients diagnosed with PCME after uneventful cataract surgery were included. The outcomes measured included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT). Linear regression analysis was statistically applied. RESULTS: Following topical treatment, nondiabetic and diabetic subjects presented a mean ± SD gain of - 0.11 ± 0.11 and - 0.18 ± 0.11 BCVA logMAR and a CFT reduction of - 43.42 ± 53.66 µm and - 58.76 ± 36.28 µm, respectively. The mean BCVA gain at month 12 subsequent to DEX implantation was - 0.35 ± 0.17 in nondiabetic (p < 0.001) and - 0.55 ± 0.26 in diabetic patients (p < 0.001), with CFT reductions of - 195.71 ± 93.23 µm (p < 0.001) and - 260.81 ± 198.69 µm (p < 0.001), respectively. Patients who responded with better VA after topical treatment presented better visual outcomes at month 12 following DEX implantation (r2 = 0.46; rho = - 0.71, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Nondiabetic and diabetic patients without DR demonstrated similar results after DEX implant after combined topical therapy, suggesting that selected diabetic patients may have a response comparable to that of nondiabetic patients with PCME.

PREVALENCE OF POSTURAL CHANGES IN SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

Objective: Investigate the prevalence of postural changes and correlate them with body weight and the weight of schoolchildren's backpacks in a school in the city of São João del-Rei-MG. Material and. Methods: The study is an original type, with a cross-sectional design, where 109 schoolchildren of both sexes and mean age of 13 years were evaluated. The New York scale was used for posture analysis, measuring body weight, height, backpack weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI). The ANOVA statistical test and Pearson's correlation test were used, considering a significance level of 0.05. Results: According to the results, the general average of the scores of postural problems was 68.7 points, with a predominance in the head, spine, hips, trunk, and abdomen. The regions of shoulder, feet, and neck presented mean scores below seven. The mean height was 1.61 m, body weight 56.03 kg, backpack weight 4.49 kg and BMI was 21.51 kg/m. Conclusion: Postural alterations are highly prevalent among the evaluated students. The most affected body segments are the head, spine, hips, trunk, and abdomen. However, this finding was not related to the weight of the backpacks or the students' body weight. However, different parameters must be used to analyze the factors that may be related to such findings, such as ergonomic changes, inadequate habits, growth spurt, among others. Evidence Level III,Cross-sectional Observational Study.

Objetivo: Investigar a prevalência de alterações posturais e correlacionar com o peso corporal e o peso das mochilas dos escolares em uma escola no município de São João del-Rei-MG. Métodos: O estudo é do tipo original, com delineamento transversal onde foram avaliados 109 escolares, com média de idade de 13 anos, de ambos os sexos. A escala de Nova Iorque foi utilizada para análise de postura, medição do peso corporal, altura, peso da mochila e Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). Foi utilizado o teste estatístico ANOVA e o teste de correlação de Pearson, considerando o nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados: De acordo com os resultados, a média geral dos escores dos problemas posturais foi de 68,7 pontos, com predomínio na região da cabeça, coluna, nos quadris, no tronco, e no abdômen. As regiões dos ombros, pés e pescoço apresentaram médias de escores menores que 7. A média da altura foi de 1,61m, do peso corporal de 56,03kg, do peso das mochilas de 4,49 kg e 21,51 kg/m do IMC. Conclusão: Conclui-se que existe uma alta prevalência de alterações posturais entre os escolares avaliados. Sendo que, os segmentos corporais mais comprometidos são, a cabeça, a coluna vertebral, os quadris, o tronco e o abdômen. No entanto, esse achado não foi relacionado ao peso das mochilas ou ao peso corporal dos escolares. Assim, diferentes parâmetros devem ser utilizados para analisar os fatores que podem estar relacionados a tais achados, como alterações ergonômicas, hábitos inadequados, estirão de crescimento, entre outros. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo Transversal Observacional.