[Dry eye signs and symptoms in hydrogel contact lens wearers: relation to smoking habit]. / Síntomas y signos de ojo seco en usuarios de lentes de contacto hidrofílicas: relación con el hábito de fumar.

PURPOSE: To determine whether there may be a relationship between the smoking habit ant the presence of dry eye signs and symptoms in a population of hydrogel contact lens (HCL) wearers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 adults HCL wearers were chosen randomly. The sample was divided into three groups: nonsmokers, smokers of less than 15 cigarettes per day and smokers of more than 15 cigarettes per day. The ocular symptoms were evaluated with a questionnaire (modified Mc Monnies test). Evaluation of tear meniscus, Schirmer test with anesthesia, non invasive break-up time (NIBUT), slit lamp examination and fluorescein staining were performed to assess ocular signs of dry eye. RESULTS: No significant differences were found among the three study groups. CONCLUSION: Smoking does not seem to affect the presence of signs and symptoms of ocular dryness in a population of HCL wearers and does not predispose to contact lens intolerance.

[Ocular sarcoidosis. Retrospective study of 18 cases]. / Sarcoidosis ocular. Estudio retrospectivo de 18 casos.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and the final visual outcome of a group of patients with ocular sarcoidosis. METHODS: Retrospective study of 18 patients diagnosed of ocular sarcoidosis between March 1989 and May 1999. In every patient the following data were obtained: age, sex, bilaterality, initial and final visual outcome, systemic and ocular manifestations, stage of chest x-ray, serum markers, gallium scan, results of biopsy, medical and surgical treatment, and complications of treatment. RESULTS: The mean age at onset was 49.7 years (S.D. 19.9). Fourteen patients (77.8%) were female and 4 (22.2%) were male. The average follow-up time was 40.3 months (S.D. 28.7). Nine patients (50.0%) underwent a biopsy. The presence of non-caseating granulomata was observed in 7 (77.8%). Gallium scanning was positive in 16 cases (88.8%). The most frequent ocular manifestation was panuveitis (40.0%). Among the 30 eyes studied, conjunctival involvement was found in 10 (33.3%), secondary cataracts in 9 (30.0%), and secondary glaucoma in 6 (20.0%). Eleven patients (61.1%) were treated with oral corticosteroids and 10 (55,5%) with cyclosporine A. When sarcoidosis was diagnosed, 11 eyes (36.6%) had a visual acuity better than 0.6. At the end of the follow-up, the final visual outcome was better than 0.6 in 17 eyes (56.6%). CONCLUSIONS: An adequate control of ocular inflammation may improve the prognosis in patients with ocular sarcoidosis. Posterior segment involvement (posterior uveitis, macular edema or epiretinal membrane) may be associated with a worse visual prognosis.

[Sympathetic ophthalmia post-vitrectomy following trauma and perfluorocarbon liquid tamponade]. / Oftalmía simpática postvitrectomía tras traumatismo y taponamiento con perfluorocarbono líquido.

CASE REPORT: We report a case of sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) developed after blunt trauma and vitrectomy (complicated with a massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage) using perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) for tamponade. DISCUSSION: The presentation of SO in a vitrectomized patient after severe blunt trauma with extended intra-ocular tamponade with PFCL could support the hypothesis that chronic inflammation caused by PFCL could have contributed to the development of SO. Nevertheless, there are other possible causal factors such as the trauma, the vitrectomy itself or the choroidal detachment with possible uveal incarceration at wound sites.

[Can the use of intraocular silicone oil increase the risk of sympathetic ophthalmia?]. / ¿Puede aumentar el riesgo de oftalmía simpática el uso intraocular de aceite de silicona?

CLINICAL CASES: We report two cases of SO (sympathetic ophthalmia) among 1,456 vitrectomies and 255 silicone oil injections performed since 1990. In both patients intraocular silicone oil was used. Both cases were clinically documented and one pathologically demonstrated. DISCUSSION: No cases were reported among vitrectomies without silicone oil. We found a longer delay between injury and the onset of the disease in comparison to the literature. Pathological findings confirmed a foreign body granulomatous reaction. Chronic inflammation caused by silicone oil might be involved in the development of SO. Larger series are necessary to establish a possible relationship between silicone oil and SO.