A case-control study of post-operative endophthalmitis diagnosed at a Spanish hospital over a 13-year-period.

A retrospective case-control study of patients who had undergone cataract extraction at a Spanish hospital over a 13-year period was conducted to identify the risk factors for developing post-operative endophthalmitis (POE). During the study period, the type of antibiotic prophylaxis was changed from subconjunctival gentamicin to the addition of both vancomycin and gentamicin to the irrigating solution. The overall incidence of POE was 0·19% (35 cases/18 287 operations). For the period prior to the change in antibiotic prophylaxis, the incidence rate of POE was 3·4 cases/1000 operations while in the latter period the incidence rate decreased to 0·34 cases/1000 operations. All patients who presented a virulent microorganism had a final visual acuity worse than 20/200. The only significant risk factor identified was the type of prophylaxis used (odds ratio 1·97, 95% confidence interval 0·94-4·14, P = 0·07). There were no significant differences between cases and controls although choice of surgeon approached significance.

Complications of uveitis in a Spanish population, UveCAM study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the population frequency of uveitis complications and to evaluate their main risk factors in the patients with uveitis from the UVECAM study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Development of complications in 386 patients with uveitis in the whole health area of the province of Toledo (UVECAM study) during a period of 1 year. Description of complications and study of their possible determinants by means of multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Information on the development of complications was available in 371 of the 386 patients of the UVECAM study. The most frequent complications were posterior synechiae (19.0%), ocular hypertension (14.0%), macular edema (7.5%), epirretinal membrane (6.9%), glaucoma (6.6%), iridian atrophy (5.6%) and cataract (5.5%). The risk of complications increases with age, intermediate and panuveitis locations, and those of chronic or recurrent evolution. CONCLUSION: Uveitis is associated with a high frequency of complications, especially in older patients, with intermediate or posterior localization of the inflammatory process and chronic or recurrent evolution.

Epidemiology of Uveitis in a Spanish Region: Prevalence and Etiology.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of uveitis and to describe its etiologic and anatomical patterns based on a population study carried out in a Spanish region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive, population-based multicenter study was conducted. The selection criteria consisted of having a diagnosis of uveitis. All data were collected from existing information in medical records.Clinical information was collected in all cases that had a diagnosis of uveitis, regardless of its etiology, in participating centers from the date of the study to the end of the following year. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, which included assessment of their visual acuity, biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry, and indirect ophthalmoscopy. RESULTS: During the study, 389 cases of uveitis were registered. The prevalence was 58.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 53.0-64.9). The mean age was 47.0 ± 20.6 years and 57.8% were women. The most prevalent anatomical pattern was anterior uveitis (54.2; 95% CI 48.1-60.8). For adults, the idiopathic group constituted the highest prevalence (31.7; 95% CI: 27.1-36.9), while autoimmune etiology was most frequent for children (10.6; 95% CI: 5.8-17.7). CONCLUSION: The results of this population-based study offer a representative estimate of the magnitude of uveitis in this area of Spain.

[Exploration of the anterior segment by optical coherence tomography-3]. / Exploración del segmento anterior mediante tomografía óptica de coherencia 3.

PURPOSE: To show the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for studying the anterior segment and to explain its potential advantages as compared to ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have described the findings in 5 patients with different pathologies of the anterior segment, all of whom were studied with UBM and OCT-3 adjusted for the anterior segment. There were 2 cases of an acute attack of closed angle glaucoma, 1 case of rubeosis iridis, 1 case of penetrating ocular trauma and 1 case of a primary stromal iris cyst. RESULTS: OCT was found to be as useful as UBM in detecting angle closure in patients affected by an acute attack of glaucoma. In addition, OCT was more comfortable for the patient and faster than UBM in obtaining images, with the exploration mean time using OCT being less than five minutes while that with UBM was over ten minutes. OCT has also been demonstrated to be a safe and valuable non-contact examination in other iris pathologies such as rubeosis iridis, for checking the permeability of iridotomies and even for studying iris masses such as primary stromal iris cysts. In these entities OCT may reach a higher resolution than ultrasonic biomicroscopy. CONCLUSION: OCT-3, with an adjustable focus, can obtain images from the scleral angle, as well as from other ocular structures like the iris, thus assisting in the diagnosis of numerous pathologies.

Keratolimbal autograft transplantation as a possible new treatment of Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy. / Trasplante autólogo de limbo como nuevo tratamiento de la distrofia corneal epitelial de Lisch.

CASE REPORT: The case concerns 64-year-old woman with visual acuity of 20/40 in the right eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed a grey, feathery corneal opacification with intraepithelial microcysts compatible with Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy (LECD). It was treated with epithelial debridements, contact lenses and mitomycin C, but the opacification recurred within months. The removal of limbus sector and autologous limbal transplantation (KLAT) were used successfully without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: After removal of damaged limbus, KLAT should be considered as a treatment option for asymmetric LECD when other treatments have failed.

[Uveal effusion induced by escitalopram]. / Efusión uveal inducido por escitalopram.

CASE REPORT: A 73 year-old woman with depression treated with escitalopram developed acute secondary angle closure glaucoma related to uveal effusion after duplicating the drug dose 3 days before. She evolved favorably once the antidepressant treatment was suspended and a new treatment with topical hypotensive therapy and oral prednisone was used. DISCUSSION: The uveal effusion syndrome associated to medicines is rare; it may be associated with acute myopic shift and acute angle closure glaucoma. The correct diagnosis and discontinuation of the drug lead to the resolution of this nosology.

[Diagnosis related groups and cost by service: an approach to analytic accounting in ophthalmology]. / Los grupos relacionados por el diagnóstico y el coste por servicio: una aproximación a la contabilidad analítica en oftalmología.

PURPOSE: To establish the annual cost of the Ophthalmology Service in <> Hospital, according to its admission activity. Our last objective is to publish the management terms in our ophthalmology specialty. METHODS: We have done a one year analytic study of 766 patients classified into Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) in relation to the annual cost of this activity in our service. RESULTS: We have determined the annual cost of our service as well as the DRGs of the studied sample. The most frequent DRG was number 39 (crystalline procedures), 65% of the sample. We have obtained an average stay lower than the national average stay in each group. CONCLUSIONS: At present, this systematic study and evaluation of annual cost in our specialty is a necessity because it permits a correct future planning by ordering the main objectives, a better use of resources and to know the impact of the service in the economy of the hospital. The modern hospital is a service company and not relating the assistential quality with the cost may cause a crisis of the Health National System.

[Monolayered amniotic membrane transplantation as a palliative treatment for bullous keratopathy]. / Injerto de membrana amniótica monocapa como tratamiento paliativo de la queratopatía bullosa.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of monolayered amniotic membrane transplantation for short and medium-term symptomatic improvement in those cases of bullous keratopathy where a penetrating keratoplasty is not indicated. METHODS: Amniotic membrane transplantation was performed in five patients with symptomatic bullous keratopathy in which penetrating keratoplasty was not indicated. Data about bandage contact lens need before and after surgery, existence of ocular pain, occurrence and extension of bullae, epithelial defects, and persistence of amniotic membrane, were obtained at days 4 and 14, and months 1, 2, 4 and 6 after surgery. RESULTS: No pain, bullae or epithelial defects were present at day 14 in any patient. However, progressive dissolvement of the amniotic membrane was accompanied with more bullae and pain. At 6th month, 4 of 5 patients required bandage contact lens. CONCLUSION: Amniotic membrane transplantation alleviates short-term symptomatic bullous keratopathy and preserves corneal anatomy. Six months after surgery, anatomical and symptomatic improvement does not avoid the need of bandage contact lens.

[Analytic management in ophthalmology: towards a cost per hospital out- and in-patient]. / La contabilidad analítica en oftalmología: hacia el coste por paciente hospitalario.

PURPOSE: To determine the total annual cost of the activities in the Ophthalmology Department at the Hospital La Mancha-Centro, Homogeneous functional group (HFG) of the INSALUD, and to estimate the cost per patient/process of both ambulatory patients and hospital in-patients. METHODS: The study was designed over 1 year period, from January to December 1997, and applied by using analytic accounting in 17,857 patients seen at the out-patient ophthalmology clinic and 973 hospital in-patients who were classified by diagnosis-related groups (DRG) and sorted out by analysis of Case Mix index. RESULTS: We have determined the annual cost of our activity in both the ambulatory patient group and the hospital in-patient group classified by DRG and obtained the cost per process. CONCLUSIONS: To know systematically the annual cost of our medical and surgical activity is nowadays a necessary tool in the framework of the Total Quality Plan developed by the INSALUD's SIGNO Group since 1991. This leads us to the analytic management area and places us in the never ending search for the ideal model of cost per process determination.

[Subconjunctival mitomycin C for the treatment of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid]. / Mitomicina C subconjuntival en el tratamiento del penfigoide ocular cicatricial.

PURPOSE: We study the efficacy of treating ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) with subconjuctival mitomycin C (MMC). METHODS: The patients were eligible for treatment under two criteria: 1. Significant complications of systemic immunosuppressant therapy. 2. Avanced stage of OCP. All patients received an injection of 0.25 ml of 0.2 mg/ml mitomycin C to both the upper and lower bulbar conjunctiva in both eyes. RESULTS: Four patients were treated with subconjunctival mitomycin C (both eyes) and were followed for an average of 17 months (range 9-26 months). Three of four patients showed progression of the conjunctival disease and required concomitant systemic immunosuppressive therapy after subconjuctival mitomycin C. CONCLUSION: No complications of subconjunctival mitomycin C treatment were noted but, contrary to what other authors had referred, its use was not effective in preventing progression of conjunctival cicatrization in our patients with OCP.

[Bilateral serous retinal detachments in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigmentous epitheliopathy]. / Desprendimientos retinianos serosos bilaterales en la epiteliopatía pigmentaria placoide multifocal posterior aguda.

PURPOSE/METHOD: A particular subtype of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigmented epitheliopathy (APMPPE), different from the classical Gass description, is presented. A 22 year old woman who suffered a sudden decrease in visual acuity associated to bilateral serous retinal detachment concurrent with anterior uveitis is studied. We remark the fact that patient had been using contraceptives and antibiotics (norfloxacin) for the past two months prior to first visit. One month later, visual acuity does not show any recovery. A corticosteroid treatment is prescribed showing improvement. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: We believe that although APMPPE usually resolves spontaneously, treatment is needed for clinical subtypes involving serous retinal detachment.

[Macroadenoma of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium]. / Macroadenoma del epitelio no pigmentado del cuerpo ciliar.

CASE REPORT: We report the clinical features and surgery of a patient with an adenoma of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium. The adenoma measured 5 × 7 mm. The patient underwent radical ocular surgery consisting of partial iridocyclectomy associated to lamellar sclerouvectomy. DISCUSSION: Adenomas of ciliary body can mimic clinically amelanotic melanomas. We present details of the patient's medical records and review the literature. Clinically, adenoma in ciliary body can mimic amelanotic melanomas. Conservative surgery of the eye allows diagnosis and treatment, maintaining visual function.

[Microbiological study of infectious endophthalmitis with positive culture within a 13 year-period]. / Estudio microbiológico de los casos de endoftalmitis infecciosa con cultivo positivo en un periodo de 13 años.

INTRODUCTION: Our objectives are to describe the microbial spectrum and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates from patients with culture-proven endophthalmitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with microbiological diagnosis of endophthalmitis treated at the Ophthalmology Department of the General Hospital La Mancha Centro in the period 1996-2008. The identification of isolates was performed using the automated VITEK-2® and Api galleries (bioMérieux, Spain SA). The antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by the VITEK-2® system (bioMérieux, Spain SA), E-test strips (MIC Test Strip, Liofilchem, Italy) and Sensititre® YeastOne trading system (Trek Diagnostic Systems, Ohio, USA) for Candida species. RESULTS: Forty four (70%) of 63 cases of endophthalmitis were culture positive. Gram-positive bacteria were much more common than gram-negative bacteria in both postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) and post-traumatic endophthalmitis (PTE). Staphylococcus epidermidis was predominant in POE, while Bacillus sp. predominated in the PTE; furthermore, the 75% of total fungal isolates corresponded to postraumatic cases. The isolated strains showed 100% susceptibility to vancomycin, ceftazidime and amikacin, while resistance to ciprofloxacin was greater than 15%. The empirical antifungal therapy failed in 50% of cases. The visual prognosis was significantly less favorable in the PTE. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the susceptibility of our isolates, vancomycin, ceftazidime and amikacin are good choices for empirical treatment of endophthalmitis, unlike ciprofloxacin. We recommend conducting antifungal prophylaxis after penetrating ocular trauma in a rural environment.

Amblyopia secondary to iris cyst.

CLINICAL CASE: A 5 year-old child diagnosed with moderate anisometropic amblyopia secondary to primary cyst of iris pigment epithelium. He was evaluated with ultrasound biomicroscopy (BMU) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) of anterior segment. DISCUSSION: The OCT, although with some limitations, is a useful tool to study the anterior segment. It is probably more recommendable than BMU in the childhood.

[Corneal toxicity due to amantadine]. / Toxicidad corneal por amantadina.

CASE REPORT: A 64 year-old female with Parkinson disease treated with amantadine for two years who suddenly suffered bilateral corneal oedema. It was initially treated as herpetic endotheliitis without improvement as we lacked information on her chronic treatment. The corneal oedema finally resolved after withdrawing the drug. DISCUSSION: Amantadine hydrochloride may produce endothelial dysfunction. Once the amantadine treatment is stopped, the corneal oedema may be reversible but endothelial density remains low. An ophthalmologist examination should be performed before the initiation of amantadine treatment in order to establish a risk: benefit ratio, especially in those patients with low endothelial density or any endothelial anomaly.

[Technique for removing donor sclera by eyeball extrusion]. / Técnica de extracción de esclera donante mediante extrusión del globo ocular.

PURPOSE: To describe a surgery technique for removing donor sclera tissue after corneo-scleral button excision. RESULTS: The extrusion technique is easy to perform. It allows the complete scleral extraction its total clean up to be performed, as well as making easier to isolate the retina and uveal tissue. This technique could have an important role in the anatomical and morphological study of ocular structures.

Complicaciones de los pacientes con uveítis en un estudio poblacional español: proyecto UveCAM / Complications of uveitis in a Spanish population, UveCAM study

Objetivo Estimar la frecuencia poblacional de complicaciones de uveítis y evaluar sus principales factores de riesgo en los pacientes con uveítis del estudio UveCAM. Pacientes y método Desarrollo de complicaciones de los 386 pacientes con uveítis de toda el área sanitaria de la provincia de Toledo (estudio UveCAM) durante el periodo de un año. Descripción de complicaciones y estudio de los posibles determinantes mediante modelos de regresión multivariante. Resultados Se dispuso de información sobre el desarrollo de complicaciones en 371 de los 386 pacientes del estudio. El 45,8% de los pacientes presentó al menos una complicación, siendo las más frecuentes las sinequias posteriores (19,0%), la hipertensión ocular (14,0%), el edema macular (7,5%), la membrana epirretiniana (6,9%), el glaucoma (6,6%), la atrofia iridiana (5,6%) y las cataratas (5,5%). El riesgo de complicaciones aumenta con la edad, las formas intermedias y panuveítis, y las de evolución crónica o recurrente. Conclusión Las uveítis se asocian con una elevada frecuencia de complicaciones, especialmente en pacientes de edad avanzada, con localización intermedia o posterior del proceso inflamatorio y con evolución crónica o recurrente (AU)

Objective To estimate the population frequency of uveitis complications and to evaluate their main risk factors in the patients with uveitis from the UveCAM study. Patients and methods Development of complications in 386 patients with uveitis in the whole health area of the province of Toledo (UveCAM study) during a period of one year. Description of complications and study of their possible determinants by means of multivariate regression models. Results Information on the development of complications was available in 371 of the 386 patients of the UveCAM study. 45.8% of patients had at least one complication, the most frequent were posterior synechiae (19.0%), ocular hypertension (14.0%), macular oedema (7.5%), epiretinal membrane (6.9%), glaucoma (6.6%), iridian atrophy (5.6%), and atrophy (5.6%) and cataracts (5.5%). The risk of complications increases with age, intermediate and panuveitis locations, and those of chronic or recurrent evolution. Conclusion Uveitis is associated with a high frequency of complications, especially in older patients, with intermediate or posterior localization of the inflammatory process, and chronic or recurrent evolution (AU)

[Peripheral vitreoretinal traction exploration by Staurenghi 230 lens and HRA-II]. / Estudio de la tracción vitreorretiniana periférica mediante HRA-II con lente de Staurenghi 230.

PURPOSE: To report a new technique to explore peripheral vitreous-retinal tractions in patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population of 65 patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment was studied by panfunduscopic SLO 230 lens and HRA-II to detect peripheral retinal tears and vitreous-retinal tractions. RESULTS: In our study, using indirect ophthalmoscopic exploration, we identified eleven patients with at least one retinal tear. HRA-II combined with the Staurenghi SLO 230 lens was capable of detecting 100% of these lesions. In addition, by means of this technology, we identified dark retinal zones that corresponded to peripheral retinal traction in six patients. None of the 65 patients complained of pain or photophobia during the exploration with this contact lens. Retinal tears and peripheral vitreous-retinal traction were treated by argon laser photocoagulation to create a firm chorioretinal adhesion. In two patients we found new retinal tears in the follow-up, with these new lesions detected by indirect ophthalmoscopy and HRA-II with SLO 230 lens. CONCLUSION: HRA-II with the panfunduscopic Staurenghi SLO 230 lens can complement the exploration of patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment and can help to detect tractional zones that could develop into retinal tears.