Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Noninfectious Uveitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with higher rates of autoimmune disease, including noninfectious uveitis. This PRISMA-compliant review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the correlation between noninfectious uveitis and vitamin D levels. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases for studies, published in English, assessing vitamin D levels in patients diagnosed with noninfectious uveitis. The outcomes of interest were vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D mean level, vitamin D supplementation, and smoking rates. A subgroup analysis of inactive uveitis and active uveitis was performed. The heterogeneity was assessed with Cochrane Q-test and I2 statistics; p > 0.10 and I2 > 50% were considered significant for heterogeneity. Statistical analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: 9 studies were included in the meta-analysis comprising a total of 10 711 patients, of whom 1,368 were diagnosed with noninfectious uveitis. Patients with noninfectious uveitis had worse results regarding vitamin D deficiency when compared with the control group (OR 0.58; CI 95% 0.44 to 0.77; p = 0.0002; I2 = 61%). Patients with inactive uveitis had better results towards vitamin D deficiency when compared with active uveitis (OR 5.00; CI 95% 2.84 to 8.81; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: Our research supports the increasing evidence that associates vitamin D deficiency with noninfectious uveitis and its activity. Further investigation into the efficacy of vitamin D screening and supplementation in reducing the recurrence of uveitis is necessary.

Low-level red-light therapy for myopia control in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Low-Level Red-Light (LLRL) Therapy is a safe and natural way to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the body. When it comes to treating myopia in children, LLRL therapy is recent, and its efficacy and safety still are not clear. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature for LLRL was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines on November 5, 2022. Databases, including PUBMED, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were queried. A meta-analysis of random effects was conducted. Inclusion criteria included Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) or observational studies where LLRL therapy was used in children (3‒15 years old) with myopia. Exclusion criteria were studies with other ocular abnormalities. Efficacy was evaluated through the mean change in Axial Length (AL) and cycloplegic Spherical Equivalent Error (SER), while safety was evaluated by monitoring adverse effects. RESULTS: A total of 5 final studies were included (4 RCTs, and 1 observational), in which 685 total patients were analyzed. The mean age was 9.7 ± 0.66 years, with 48,2% female patients. The number of eyes in the LRLL arm is 714 and, in the control, arm is 656. LLRL showed better results in SER and AL mean change (OR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.83; p < 0.00001, and MD -0.33; 95% CI -0.52 to -0.13; p = 0.001, respectively), in comparison to the control group. There was no significant difference in adverse effects between groups (MD = 5.76; 95% CI 0.66 to 50.14; p = 0.11). CONCLUSION: LLRL therapy is a non-invasive, effective, and safe short-term treatment option; however, long-term evaluation, particularly in comparison to other therapies, requires additional investigation.

Surgical management of retinal detachment and macular holes secondary to ocular toxoplasmosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii causes ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), involving inflammation, scarring, and retinal complications. The OT complications were retinal detachment (RD), and retinal breakage (RB). Surgical interventions like scleral buckling (SB) and vitrectomy are common. Limited understanding exists of the safety and efficacy of surgical management of RD/RB secondary to OT. Another complication is toxoplasmosis-related macular holes (tMH), with sparse evidence on surgical outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to clarify clinical characteristics, and surgical results, and enhance understanding of RD, RB, and MH secondary to OT. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase and Web of Science database were queried for retrospective studies, case series and case reports that provided information on RD, RB and MH associated with OT and reported the outcomes of: (1) Retinal reattachment of RD/RB and tMH closure; (2) Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement; and (3) Complications. Heterogeneity was examined with I2 statistics. A random-effects model was used for outcomes with high heterogeneity. Statistical analysis was performed using the software R (version 4.2.3, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). RESULTS: Fourteen final studies, comprising a total of 96 patients were analyzed, 81 with RD or RB and 15 with tMH. Overall, surgical management was associated with several advantages: a high rate of retinal reattachment of RD/RB of 97% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 92-100%; I2 = 0%), retinal reattachment of just RD of 96% (95% CI 89-100%; I2 = 30%) and tMH closure 97% (95% CI 87-100; I2 = 12%). There were significant differences in BCVA after surgeries in studies of RD/RB (MD 0.60; 95% CI 0.35-0.65; I2 = 20%) and MH (MD 0.67; 95% CI 0.50-0.84; I2 = 0%). The overall complication rate associated with surgical procedures in RD/RB secondary to OT was confirmed to be 25%. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the treatment approaches currently in use are effective, with a remarkable rate of retinal reattachment of RD/RB, tMH closure, and substantial improvements in visual acuity. More randomized, long-term studies on disease and surgical factors can provide valuable insights into their impact on anatomical and visual outcomes.

Low-level red-light therapy for myopia control in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction Low-Level Red-Light (LLRL) Therapy is a safe and natural way to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the body. When it comes to treating myopia in children, LLRL therapy is recent, and its efficacy and safety still are not clear. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature for LLRL was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines on November 5, 2022. Databases, including PUBMED, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were queried. A meta-analysis of random effects was conducted. Inclusion criteria included Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) or observational studies where LLRL therapy was used in children (3‒15 years old) with myopia. Exclusion criteria were studies with other ocular abnormalities. Efficacy was evaluated through the mean change in Axial Length (AL) and cycloplegic Spherical Equivalent Error (SER), while safety was evaluated by monitoring adverse effects. Results A total of 5 final studies were included (4 RCTs, and 1 observational), in which 685 total patients were analyzed. The mean age was 9.7 ± 0.66 years, with 48,2% female patients. The number of eyes in the LRLL arm is 714 and, in the control, arm is 656. LLRL showed better results in SER and AL mean change (OR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.83; p < 0.00001, and MD -0.33; 95% CI -0.52 to -0.13; p = 0.001, respectively), in comparison to the control group. There was no significant difference in adverse effects between groups (MD = 5.76; 95% CI 0.66 to 50.14; p = 0.11). Conclusion LLRL therapy is a non-invasive, effective, and safe short-term treatment option; however, long-term evaluation, particularly in comparison to other therapies, requires additional investigation.

Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy (AZOOR) in a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis / Retinopatia aguda zonal oculta externa em uma paciente com tireoidite de Hashimoto

ABSTRACT Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) is a rare disease characterized by an acute damage of one or more external retinal zones leading to the visual field or the visual acuity impairment associated with small or no changes in the fundus examination.The main clinical symptoms are scotomas and the sudden onset of photopsias. Abnormal findings on electroretinography and visual field defects are critical for the diagnosis. Central vision is usually preserved and the stabilization occurs in six months in most cases. The objective of this article is to describe a 24-month follow-up of a patient with AZOOR and correlate the findings with the typical features of this disease.

RESUMO A retinopatia aguda zonal oculta externa (AZOOR) é uma doença rara, caracterizada por um dano agudo de uma ou mais zonas da retina externa que levam ao comprometimento do campo visual ou da acuidade visual, estando associada a pequenas ou nenhumas alterações no exame fundoscópico. Os principais sintomas clínicos são escotomas e o aparecimento súbito de fotopsias. Resultados anormais de defeitos de campo visual e eletrorretinografia são críticos para o diagnóstico. A visão central é geralmente preservada e a estabilização do quadro ocorre em seis meses na maioria dos casos. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever o "follow-up" de 24 meses de uma paciente com AZOOR e correlacionar os achados com as características típicas desta doença.

Brimonidine tartrate effect on retinal spreading depression depends on Müller cells / O efeito do tartarato de brimonidina sobre a depressão alastrante retiniana depende das células de Müller

Objective: Demonstrate the Brimonidine effect over Retinal Spreading Depression (SD). Brimonidine is an alpha-2–adrenergic receptor agonist, used in the management of glaucoma. Alpha2-agonists have been shown to be neuroprotective in various experimental models, however the molecular and cellular targets leading to these actions are still poorly defined. The SD of neuronal electric activity is a wave of cellular massive sustained depolarization that damages the nervous tissue. Local trauma, pressure, ischemic injuries and other chemical agents as high extracellular potassium concentration or glutamate, can trigger SD, leading to exaggerated focal electrical followed by an electrical silence. Methods: Using chicken retina as model, we performed alpha2-receptor detection by Western Blotting and Immunohistochemistry. After that we obtained electrical signals of SD by microelectrodes on retina in the absence or presence of Brimonidine. For in vivo visualization we observed retina with optical coherence tomography on normal state, with SD passing, and with SD + Brimonidine. Results: Our data demonstrated that: (1) alpha2-adrenergic receptors are present in Müller cells, (2) the treatment with Brimonidine decreases the SD‘s velocity as well as the voltage of SD waves and (3) OCT revealed that SD creates a hyper reflectance at inner plexiform layer, but on retinal treatment with brimonidine, SD was not visualized. Conclusions: Our study about brimonidine possible pathways of neuroprotection we observed it reduces SD (a neuronal damage wave), identified a new cellular target – the Müller cells, as well as, firstly demonstrated SD on OCT, showing that the inner plexiform layer is the main optically affected layer on SD. .

Objetivo: Demonstrar o efeito do Tartarato de Brimonidina, um alfa2-agonista usado no manejo do glaucoma, sobre a depressão alastrante (DA) retiniana. Esses agonistas têm demonstrado ser neuroprotetores em vários modelos experimentais, contudo seus alvos celulares e moleculares continuam indefinidos. A DA da atividade elétrica neuronal é uma onda de despolarização celular massiva e sustentada que leva ao dano no tecido nervoso. Trauma local, pressão, isquemia e outros agentes químicos como o aumento do potássio extracelular e o glutamato podem disparar a DA, levando a uma atividade elétrica exagerada seguida de silêncio elétrico. Métodos: Usando a retina de pinto como modelo, realizamos a detecção do alfa2-receptor por Western Blotting e ensaio Imunohistoquímico. Após isso, obtivemos os sinais elétricos da DA através de microeletrodos inseridos na retina durante sua passagem na presença ou ausência de Brimonidina. Para visualização do tecido utilizamos o tomógrafo de coerência optica (OCT), analisando como é a retina no seu estado de repouso, durante a passagem da DA, e a DA + brimonidina. Resultados: Nossos dados demonstraram que: (1) os receptores alfa adrenérgicos presentes na retina são do subtipo-2A e estão localizados nas células de Müller; (2) o tratamento com Brimonidina diminui a velocidade e a voltagem da onda de DA; (3) A OCT demonstrou que a DA retiniana possui um sinal óptico de maior reflectância na camada plexiforme interna, fato não observado quando foi associada à Brimonidina. Conclusão: A Brimonidina foi capaz de reduzir a DA (uma onda de lesão neuronal) e identificamos um novo possível alvo celular – a célula de Müller e demonstramos pela primeira vez uma OCT da DA, visualizando a camada plexiforme interna como a mais afetada opticamente pelo fenômeno. .

Barotrauma ocular durante mergulho autônomo / Ocular barotrauma during scuba diving

Relato de um caso de barotrauma ocular bilateral relacionado ao mergulho autônomo, com hemorragia conjuntival e periocular. Alguns conceitos de física e cuidados durante o mergulho são reportados para um melhor entendimento da fisiopatogenia do quadro, de modo que se possa melhor orientar os pacientes quanto à prevenção.

Report of a case of bilateral ocular barotrauma related to scuba diving, with conjunctival and periocular hemorrhage. Some concepts about Physics and caution are provided to better understanding the pathophysiology of the barotrauma, so proper orientation regarding prevention might be provided.

[Ocular and electroretinographic changes in sickle cell disease]. / Alterações oculares e eletrorretinográficas na doença falciforme.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this case series was to get electroretinographic data in subjects with sickle cell disease. The secondary purpose was to identify ocular changes, their frequency and stage of evolution. METHODS: 90 patients aged between 8 and 75 years were evaluated. They were subjected to complete ophthalmological examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, retinography, angiography and electroretinography. Electroretinograms with amplitude of wave b less than 400 mW were considered subnormal. Prevalence study was conducted using the Chi-square test, P<0.001. RESULTS: The electroretinogram was subnormal in 27 (30%) of 90 patients, but of these, only 4 (4.4%) had proliferative retinopathy. The sign of comma in 95% of individuals, the retinal vascular tortuosity in 36.6% and black sunburst in 24.4% were the most frequent changes. CONCLUSION: No correlation between sickle cell disease and electroretinographics changes, as described in other studies, were noted. On the other hand, the ocular findings corroborate the previous researches.

Alterações oculares e eletrorretinográficas na doença falciforme / Ocular and electroretinographic changes in sickle cell disease

OBJETIVO: O objetivo principal desta série de casos foi obter dados eletrorretinográficos em indivíduos portadores de síndrome falcêmica. O objetivo secundário foi identificar alterações oculares, sua frequência e o estágio de evolução. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 90 portadores de doença falciforme, com idade entre 8 e 75 anos, submetidos a exame oftalmológico completo, mapeamento de retina, retinografia, angiografia fluoresceínica e eletrorretinografia. Eletrorretinogramas com amplitude da onda b inferior a 400 mW foram considerados subnormais. Foi realizado estudo de prevalência, utilizando o teste do Chi-quadrado, sendo P<0,001. RESULTADOS: O eletrorretinograma se mostrou subnormal em 27 (30 por cento) dos 90 pacientes, mas destes, apenas 4 (4,4 por cento) apresentavam retinopatia proliferativa. O sinal da vírgula em 95 por cento dos indivíduos, a tortuosidade vascular retiniana em 36,6 por cento e o "black sunburst" em 24,4 por cento foram as alterações mais encontradas. CONCLUSÃO: Não foi observada correlação entre a doença falciforme e alterações eletrorretinográficas, como descrito em outros estudos. Por outro lado, os achados oculares corroboram pesquisas anteriores.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this case series was to get electroretinographic data in subjects with sickle cell disease. The secondary purpose was to identify ocular changes, their frequency and stage of evolution. METHODS: 90 patients aged between 8 and 75 years were evaluated. They were subjected to complete ophthalmological examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, retinography, angiography and electroretinography. Electroretinograms with amplitude of wave b less than 400 mW were considered subnormal. Prevalence study was conducted using the Chi-square test, P<0.001. RESULTS: The electroretinogram was subnormal in 27 (30 percent) of 90 patients, but of these, only 4 (4.4 percent) had proliferative retinopathy. The sign of comma in 95 percent of individuals, the retinal vascular tortuosity in 36.6 percent and black sunburst in 24.4 percent were the most frequent changes. CONCLUSION: No correlation between sickle cell disease and electroretinographics changes, as described in other studies, were noted. On the other hand, the ocular findings corroborate the previous researches.

Avaliação da onda b do eletrorretinograma na Athene cunicularia / Evaluation of the b-wave electroretinogram in Athene cunicularia

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a onda b do eletrorretinograma da coruja buraqueira (Athene cunicularia), diferenciando a resposta elétrica retiniana em ambiente fotópico e escotópico. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo observacional transversal, com o registro do eletrorretinograma full field de quatorze olhos, sendo sete estimulados em ambiente fotópico e sete em ambiente escotópico sob estímulo com luz branca seguindo protocolo da ISCEV. RESULTADOS: As respostas elétricas da retina da espécie estudada para o espectro de luz aplicado mostraram-se presentes em ambos ambientes, não havendo diferença estatisticamente significativa da resposta elétrica da retina da Athene cunicularia quando estimulada com luz branca, tanto em ambiente escotópico quanto fotópico. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados nos permitem, portanto, inferir que a percepção pela Athene cunicularia da cor branca é a mesma, no claro e no escuro, o que pode ser responsável pela capacidade adaptativa da espécie no seu habitat natural.

PURPOSE: To evaluate b-wave of the electroretinogram of the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), differentiating the retinal electric reply in photopic and scotopic environment. METHODS: Transversal observational study was carried through, with the register of the full field electroretinogram of fourteen eyes; seven were stimulated in photopic environment and seven in scotopic environment using with white light according to the ISCEV protocol. RESULTS: The electrical responses of the retina of the species studied showed no statistically significant difference for the applied spectrum of white light in both scotopic photopic environments. CONCLUSION: The data allow us, therefore, to infer that the perception of the Athene cunicularia of the white color is the same one, in clear and dark environments, what it can be responsible for the adaptive capacity of the species in their natural habitat.

Drusas de disco e nervo óptico / Optic nerve and optic disc drusen

Objetivo: relatar um caso de perda intermitente de campo visual altitudinal inferior, causado por drusas de papila e de nervo óptico. Métodos: foram utilizadas na investigação anamnese, medida da acuidade visual, biomicroscopia de fundo, retinografia,angiografia fluoresceínica, perimetria de Goldmann e ultra-sonografia ocular. Resultados: a investigação clínica e a ratificação pelos exames complementares fizeram-nos considerar como diagnóstico para o caso apresentado drusas de papila e de nervoóptico em ambos os olhos, com imagem ultra-sonográfica sugestiva. Discussão: a avaliação oftalmológica deve ser exaustiva, até que tenhamos subsídios clínicos para, diagnosticar ou inferir que doença está acometendo o paciente, evitando dessa forma expôlo a tratamentos desnecessários ou até mesmo deletérios a sua saúde, bem como prevenir as possíveis complicações.

Purpose: To report a rare case of optic disc and optic nerve drusen that resulted in inferior altitudinal field defect inboth eyes. Methods:It was used on investigation anamnesis, visual acuity, fundus biomicroscopy, retinography,fluorescein angiography, Goldmann perimetry and ocular ultrasound. Results: Diagnosis of bilateral optic discand optic nerve drusen. Conclusion: Clinical evaluation must be complete to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessaryand potentially dangerous treatment regimens.