Acute Retinal Necrosis: Experience in a Reference Center in Santander - Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a severe eye disease demanding swift treatment to prevent blindness. Early action involving antiviral medications and corticosteroids is crucial for optimal visual outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We present an ARN case series showcasing treatment experience and results. METHODOLOGY: Patients diagnosed with ARN based on SUN Working Group 2021 criteria were included; all underwent comprehensive eye exams, PCR analysis, and imaging. RESULTS: Eight patients were studied; PCR confirmed ARN in six. Induction treatment, either oral valacyclovir (5/8) or intravenous acyclovir (3/8), lasted 10-14 days. Maintenance included oral valacyclovir (6/8), oral valganciclovir (2/8) for six months, along with intravitreal ganciclovir. Visual outcomes were similar for oral and intravenous therapies; poor baseline acuity and macular involvement tend to result in a worse final acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Swift treatment is vital to ARN management. Our findings emphasize effective treatment strategies' role in visual prognosis. ABBREVIATIONS: ACV: Acyclovir; BCVA: Best Corrected Visual Acuity; CMV: Cytomegalovirus; EBV: Epstein Barr Virus; FTA-ABS: Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test; HSV 1-2: Herpes simplex virus 1-2; HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus; IV-ACV: Intravenous- Acyclovir; PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction;Tg: Toxoplasma gondii; VZV: Varicella Zoster Virus; VCV: Valacyclovir; VDRL: Venereal disease research laboratory test.

ENDOPHTHALMITIS IN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL REFERRAL CENTRE IN COLOMBIA: AETIOLOGY AND MICROBIAL RESISTANCE.

AIMS: To describe the aetiology and microbial susceptibility profile of endophthalmitis cases treated at an ophthalmological referral centre in Colombia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out with all endophthalmitis cases referred to the Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander FOSCAL (Floridablanca, Colombia) from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2015. RESULTS: 121 eyes of 121 patients were evaluated. 77.7% of them were male and the mean age was 42.9 years. Five of them (4.1%) corresponded to endogenous endophthalmitis, and 116 (95.9%) to exogenous endophthalmitis. Of the latter, 66.9% were associated with trauma (almost one-half of them associated with intraocular foreign body), and 29.5% with intraocular surgery. The most common isolated microorganisms in the exogenous endophthalmitis group corresponded to methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, which were mostly susceptible to imipenem, vancomycin and moxifloxacin and resistant to ceftazidime. CONCLUSION: Endophthalmitis is a potentially sight-threatening condition, especially in cases of inadequate treatment. Therefore, antimicrobial therapy should be guided by vitreous humour culture to assure that the causative microorganism is susceptible to the selected agent. The results of our study lead us to propose vancomycin, moxifloxacin or imipenem as first-line antimicrobial options.

Bilateral Anterior and Intermediate Uveitis with Occlusive Vasculitis as Sole Manifestation of Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis.

76-year-old female patient, with past medical history of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis manifested by retrobulbar optic neuritis in both eyes with an interval of one year between the first episode in the left eye and the one in the right eye and after three decades of remission, who consulted due to bilateral blurred and foggy vision. Subsequently, several differential diagnoses where ruled out. Diagnosis of bilateral anterior and intermediate uveitis with occlusive vasculitis attributed to a new relapse episode of multiple sclerosis was made, as the association between multiple sclerosis and intermediate uveitis is known, though the causal association is still questioned. This case shows how multiple sclerosis may only manifest with ocular involvement and exemplifies the broad spectrum of manifestations and complications, taking into account that ischemic areas from vasculitis and other comorbidities led to macular edema and unfortunately, prognosis became poorer. The complex course of the case enables emphasizing the responsibility role of the ophthalmologists in such systemic entities that may compromise the eye, in which suspicion of the disease and an adequate timing management approach is essential.

Serous Retinal Detachment Associated with Dome-Shaped Macula and Staphyloma Edge in Myopic Patients before and after Treatment with Spironolactone.

Objective. Serous retinal detachment (SRD) is a common anatomical complication associated with dome-shaped macula (DSM) and staphyloma margin in myopic patients. Here we described the anatomical and functional outcomes obtained with the use of oral spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid antagonist, in the management of myopic patients with SRD associated with DSM and staphyloma margin. Methods. We evaluated both eyes of twelve myopic patients with long-standing SRD associated with DSM or staphyloma margin. The patients were treated daily for six months with oral spironolactone 50 mg. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT), determined by optical coherence tomography, were evaluated on the first day and on monthly follow-up visits. Results. Pretreatment BCVA (mean ± standard deviation) was 0.406 ± 0.324 LogMAR, and posttreatment BCVA was 0.421 ± 0.354 LogMAR (P = 0.489). Pretreatment CRT was 323.9 ± 78.6 µm, and after six months of treatment it was significantly lower, 291.2 ± 74.5 µm (P = 0.010). There were no treatment-related complications. Conclusions. We evaluated a novel treatment for SRD associated with DSM and staphyloma margin in myopic patients. After six months of treatment with the mineralocorticoid antagonist spironolactone, the subretinal fluid and CRT were significantly reduced; however, there was no improvement in BCVA.

Blockade of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha: A Role for Adalimumab in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Refractory to Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy?

AIMS: To report a case of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet-AMD) refractory to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy in a patient who showed visual and anatomical improvement and stabilization after starting a subcutaneous treatment course with adalimumab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) drug, for concomitant Crohn's disease. METHODS: Observational case report of a female patient. Ophthalmological evaluation was performed by slit lamp and ophthalmoscopy (posterior pole and anterior segment). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was determined, and imaging was performed by fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Intravitreal therapies used and treatment with anti-TNF-α were recorded. RESULTS: A 64-year-old woman with wet-AMD was treated with fourteen intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg) for a period of 40 months with intervals of 1-6 months. She initially showed a good visual and anatomical response to periodic anti-VEGF treatment but during check visits, anatomical and functional responses deteriorated. At the 40-month follow-up, the patient had developed Crohn's disease, and her rheumatologist started treatment with adalimumab (40 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks). During the 25 months of treatment with adalimumab, the patient did not require any additional intravitreal anti-VEGF treatments because her BCVA, clinical, and OCT findings improved and remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: We described a case of a patient with wet-AMD refractory to anti-VEGF therapy, which clinically benefited from subcutaneous adalimumab therapy. Treatment with subcutaneous anti-TNF-α in combination with anti-VEGF therapy avoids the high cost and risks related to multiple intravitreal anti-VEGF injections with good functional and anatomic outcomes.

Lavado de pestañas para la identifi cación de Demodex en las pestañas / Eyelid scrub for Demodex identifi cation on eyelashes

Actualmente hay descritos 2 métodos para diagnosticar Demodex. Uno de ellos la depilación y visualización con microscopio de luz y el otro sin depilación, rotando las pestañas. Este caso plantea una nueva alternativa diagnostica para visualizar los ácaros.

Currently there are 2 methods described to diagnose Demodex. One is depilation and visualization with light microscopy and the other is without depilation by rotating the eyelashes. This case presents a new diagnostic alternative to visualize the mites.

Immune recovery uveitis in a patient with previously undiagnosed cytomegalovirus retinitis.

A 40-year-old man presented to the emergency service of the Department of Ophthalmology, Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander, Floridablanca, Colombia, with blurred vision in his right eye. Anamnesis revealed that he also had newly diagnosed stage C HIV. He had recently started highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Examination disclosed intraocular inflammation, along with plain white peripheral non-exudative lesions with sparse haemorrhaging. The differential diagnosis included cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis and immune recovery uveitis (IRU). On follow-up, the patient's left eye presented with decreased visual acuity and increased vitreous haze. A vitrectomy with vitreous tap was performed for microbiological studies. PCR for CMV in the vitreous sample was negative. The patient was discharged with the final diagnosis of IRU. In HIV patients with uveitis, the knowledge of characteristic signs and symptoms of particular entities such as opportunistic infections and IRU will enable the clinician to give the appropriate treatment.

Presumed latent ocular tuberculosis diagnosed with the positive quantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test in a HLA-A29-positive patient.

A 59-year-old Hispanic woman presented with a 3-year history of floaters associated with bilateral reduced visual acuity. Her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/40. Both anterior segments were without inflammation, but fundoscopy showed mild vitreous inflammation and multiple inflammatory choroidal lesions. Tests for inflammatory and infectious diseases were negative except for human leucocyte antigen A29. The patient was diagnosed with birdshot choroidoretinopathy, and treatment was initiated with cyclosporine A 2.5 mg/kg/day. One year after treatment, the patient reported systemic symptoms with no improvement in visual acuity. Fundus findings remained with vitreal inflammation. QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test was positive, and a diagnosis of presumed latent ocular tuberculosis (TB) was made. We initiated anti-TB treatment for 9 months. At 6 months of anti-TB therapy, there was no active inflammation. The patient was followed for 2 years with no medications and no active inflammation. Her final BCVA was 20/25.

Corneal transplantation at an ophthalmological referral center in Colombia: indications and techniques (2004-2011).

PURPOSE: To analize changing trends in indications and surgical techniques of corneal transplantation at an ophthalmological tertiary referral center in Colombia over a 7 year period. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of medical records from patients who underwent corneal transplantation surgeries at Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander (FOSCAL) in Bucaramanga, Colombia, between August 2004 and August 2011. RESULTS: During this period from a total of 450 corneal transplants performed, we had access to 402 medical records (89.4%). The patients' mean age was 55. Leading indications were: pseudophakic/aphakic bullous kerathopathy (PBK/ABK) (34.6%), corneal scar (15.7%), active infectious keratitis (14.4%) and keratoconus (12.7%). During the first period (2004-2007) PBK/ABK was the leading indication, followed by stromal opacities and keratoconus. During the second period (2008-2011) PBK/ABK remained the leading indication. Infectious keratitis, however, became the second most common indication. Stromal opacities and keratoconus, moved to third and fourth, respectively. All transplants performed in the first period (2004-2007) were penetrating keratoplasties. In the second period (2008-2011) 18.7% of the procedures were performed using the Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty technique (DSAEK). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other international results, PBK/ABK was the leading indication for corneal transplantation at our institution. Keratoconus is becoming a less common indication for keratoplasty in our institution. Infectious keratitis remains a frequent indication for corneal transplantation in this geographical area. In our institution we started performing DSAEK in 2009, and it is emerging as the procedure of choice in corneal diseases that involve only the endothelial layers.

Síndrome de Sjögren asociado a neuritis periférica, pupila tónica de Adie y fenómeno de Raynaud / Sjögren syndrome associated with peripheral neuropathy, Adie tonic pupil and Raynaud phenomenon

Objetivo: Describir el caso clínico de una paciente con Síndrome de Sjögren asociado a Neuritis periférica, pupila tónica de Adie y fenómeno de Raynaud. Diseño del estudio: Reporte de caso. Metodología: Reportamos el caso clínico de una paciente con Síndrome de Sjögren y sus asociaciones poco frecuente, que consulto a la clínica Instituto Oftalmológico Fernández Vega, Oviedo ­ España. Se realizó una revisión exhaustiva de la historia clínica, del paciente y sus paraclínicos. Resultados: Paciente femenino con antecedentes de Síndrome de Sjögren acude por presentar cervicalgia y neuralgias, además de sensación de ojo seco y disconfort ocular de predominio en OI. En el examen se evidenció agudeza visual mejor corregida (AVMC) 20/20, fenómeno de Raynaud, pupila tónica de Adie en OI (Test de pilocarpina positiva), Test de Schirmer 6 mm en ambos ojos (AO), estesiometría y Lancaster normal AO. Se manejó con corticoides e inmunomoduladores tópicos sin mejoría. La analítica sanguínea para estudios de causas infecciosas e inmunologicas resultópositiva para ANA. Se diagnosticó síndrome de Sjögren asociado a neuropatía periférica. Se inicia tratamiento a metotrexato sistémico con mejoría notoria de síntomas. Test de Schirmer control 16 mm OD y 20 mm OI. Conclusión: Las neuropatías periféricas son posibles manifestaciones del síndrome de Sjögren primario, y se podrían presentar con más frecuencia cuando se asocian a los anticuerpos y fenómeno de Raynaud. Por su parte las neuropatías periféricas podrían ser la primera manifestación en el síndrome de Sjögren en alrededor del 50% de los pacientes.

Objective: To report the clinical case of a female patient with Sjögren syndrome associated with peripheral neuropathy, Adie tonic pupil and Raynaud phenomenon. Study design: Case report. Methods: We performed a descriptive case report with detailed review of the medical record of a female patient with Sjögren syndrome and its associations. The patient was treated at Fernandez Vega Eye Institute, Oviedo-Spain. Her medical records was reviewed and analyzed. Ancillary tests were taken. Results: Female patient with a previous history of Sjögren's syndrome complained about neck pain, neuralgia, dry eye and ocular discomfort predominantly in OS. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20. Raynaud's phenomenon was positive. Slit lamp examination: Adie tonic pupil in OS. Schirmer Test 6 mm OU. We started corticosteroids and topical immunomodulators without improvement. Blood tests for infectious and immunological studies (ANA) were positive. After these results Sjögren syndrome associated with peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed and started methotrexate systemic treatment with improvement. Conclusion: Peripheral neuropathies are manifestations of primary Sjögren's syndrome. These manifestations can be present more often when are associated with antibodies (ANA) and Raynaud's phenomenon. On the other hand peripheral neuropathies may be the first manifestation in Sjögren's syndrome in about 50% of patients.

Carcinoma basocelular de vulva: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Vulvar basal cell carcinoma: case report and review of literature

Justificación: El carcinoma basocelular es la neoplasia maligna prevalente en el mundo; sin embargo, su localización en la vulva es poco frecuente. Objetivo: Describir un caso de carcinoma basocelular primario de vulva atendido en el Hospital Universitario de Santander. Caso clínico: Paciente de sexo femenino de 62 años de edad que consulta por presentar lesión en labio mayor derecho de tres años de evolución. En el examen físico de la paciente se encontró una lesión de 2.5 cm x1.2 cm ulcerada, mal delimitada, con fondo necrótico hemorrágico, por lo cual se realizó excisión elipse de piel, y en su estudio patológico se reconoció un carcinoma basocelular de la vulva. La paciente actualmente se encuentra asintomática sin presentar signos de recurrencia de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: El carcinoma basocelular de la vulva es una neoplasia poco frecuente, rara vez causa metástasis pero en ocasiones es localmente agresiva. Su etiología no es completamente conocida; su presentación clínica es variada y no específica, lo que dificulta el diagnóstico precoz. El tratamiento de elección es la escisión quirúrgica con márgenes limpios.