Retrospective case series of high-density silicone oil (Oxane HD) in severe proliferative vitreorretinal retinal detachment patients.

BACKGROUND: Describe complications and clinical outcomes of heavy silicone oil (HSO) Oxane HD® use as an alternative to overcome the challenges of performing vitrectomy to treat tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was performed on patients from one center from August 2014 to Aug 2023. It was included patients who underwent surgery using HSO Oxane HD® to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PVR or mixed tractional and rhegmatogenous diabetic retinal detachment. Severely ill patients who could not attend to follow up were excluded. The primary outcome was successful retinal attachment at first postoperative month. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among the 31 patients, 29 (93.5%) underwent surgeries due to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and two (6.5%) for diabetic retinal detachment. The primary anatomic success was achieved in 27 (87.1%) patients. At the final visit, 17 (56.6%) had vision better than 20/400 (range, 20/30 to light perception). The vision was stable or improved in 22 (76.8%) patients at the end of follow-up. Nineteen (61.3%) patients required hypotensive eye drops after HSO use and twelve (38.7%) still required hypotensive eye drops at the final follow-up; three (9.7%) patients required additional glaucoma surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: HSO is safe and useful for complex retinal detachments cases specially with inferior tears and PVR. Ocular hypertension is frequent and usually clinically controlled with hypotensive eyedrops. Close postoperatively follow-up is advised due to the ocular complications, particularly elevated intraocular pressure and emulsification.

Surgical technique for removal of high-density silicone oil (Oxane HD).

The main drawback for the use of heavy silicone oil (HSO) Oxane HD is the difficulties it presents during removal. It differs from conventional silicone oil removal because it progressively concentrates in the posterior pole during the removal because of its heavier than water density. We describe a technique to facilitate proper HSO Oxane HD removal and minimize residual posterior bubbles and intraoperative complications. We describe our pearls for removing HSO to obtain the optimal results. A concern associated with HSO is the difficulty it presents when it is removed. However, this can be overcome by appropriate modification of surgical techniques during removal to limit intraoperative complications.

Bacterial endophthalmitis following anti-VEGF intravitreal injections: a retrospective case series.

BACKGROUND: To describe the incidence of endophthalmitis and the treatment outcomes of acute bacterial endophthalmitis following intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections in a Brazilian hospital. The analysis was based on the timing of infection after intravitreal injection, culture results, visual acuity, and the presence of epiretinal membrane after a 1-year follow-up period, spanning nine years. METHODS: This retrospective case series, conducted over a 9-year period, aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal Bevacizumab injections. The inclusion criteria involved a chart review of 25 patients who presented clinical signs of acute endophthalmitis out of a total of 12,441 injections administered between January 2011 and December 2019. Negative culture results of vitreous samples or incomplete data were excluded. Ultimately, 23 patients were enrolled in the study. Eight patients were treated with intravitreal antibiotic injections (IVAI) using vancomycin 1.0 mg/0.05mL and ceftazidime 2.25 mg/0.05mL, while 15 patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) followed by intravitreal antibiotic injections at the end of surgery (IVAIES). The main outcome measures were the efficacy of controlling the infection with IVAI as a standalone therapy compared to early PPV followed by IVAIES. Data collected included pre-infection and one-year post-treatment best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) abnormalities, and enucleation/evisceration rates. To compare groups, Mann-Whitney and ANOVA tests were employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The incidence rate of bacterial endophthalmitis was 0.185% (1/541 anti-VEGF injections), with the highest infection rates observed in 2014 and 2017. Patients presented clinical symptoms between 2 and 7 days after injection. The most common isolated organisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Streptococci spp. Treatment outcomes showed that both IVAI and PPV + IVAIES effectively controlled the infection and prevented globe atrophy. After one year, the PPV group with BCVA better than Light Perception had a significantly better BCVA compared to the IVAI group (p 0.003). However, PPV group had higher incidence of epiretinal membranes formation compared to the IVAI group. (P 0.035) CONCLUSION: Anti-VEGF injections carry a risk of developing acute bacterial endophthalmitis. Isolated antibiotic therapy could be an effective treatment to control the infection, but performing PPV + IVAIES as a primary treatment showed promising results in terms of improving BCVA after one year, despite a higher rate of epiretinal membrane formation. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Evaluation of childhood cataract characteristics at a tertiary referral center / Características de catarata na infância em um centro de referência terciário

ABSTRACT Purpose: To examine the epidemiological characteristics of children undergoing cataract surgery at a referral center in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, as well as the facts surrounding treatment delays. Methods: In this transversal observational study, 240 operated eyes from 178 children undergoing cataract surgery were reviewed. The following aspects were analyzed: epidemiological and clinical characteristics, parental observations, red reflex test, operated eye, and age at cataract diagnosis and surgery. Results: The mean ages at the first visit and cataract surgery were 48.9 months (SD=50.0 months) and 64.5 months (SD= 55.4 months), respectively. The most critical sign adverted by parents was leukocoria. The red reflex test was performed on two-thirds of the children, with abnormal results in 28.0%. A family history of cataracts was evident in 30 (20,9%) children (n=144). Previous ocular surgery was found in 37 (16,6%) of the eyes (n=223), anterior segment disorders in 20 (9,0%) eyes (n=221), strabismus in 21 (9,5%) of the eyes (n=220), and nystagmus in 38 (24,4%) of the children (n=156). Conclusions: One of the causes for the delay in admission may have been the failure to complete the red reflex. In terms of etiology, heredity was the most crucial component. The presence of strabismus and nystagmus in many of these children points to late diagnosis. The most significant impediments to adequate cataract treatment in children were the lack of referral programs and children's specialized ophthalmologic centers, in addition to the restricted number of support professionals trained in the field and pediatric ophthalmology specialists.

RESUMO Objetivos: Rever características epidemiológicas de crianças submetidas a cirurgia de catarata, em centro de referência no estado de São Paulo, Brasil, e fatos associados a atrasos no tratamento. Métodos: Um total de 240 olhos submetidos a cirurgia de catarata, em 178 crianças, foram revisados neste estudo transversal observacional. Os seguintes aspectos foram analisados: características clínicas e epidemiológicas, sinais apontados pelos pais, teste do reflexo vermelho, olho operado e idade no diagnóstico e na cirurgia. Resultados: A média de idades na primeira visita e cirurgia de catarata foi de 48.9 meses (DP=50,0 meses) e 64.5 meses (DP=55.4 meses), respectivamente. O sinal mais importante apontado pelos pais foi a leucocoria. O teste do reflexo vermelho foi realizado em dois terços das crianças com resultados anormais em 28%. Histórico familiar de catarata foi evidente em 30 (20,9%) crianças (n=144). Os achados mais prevalentes em termos de histórico de problemas oculares foram: cirurgias oculares prévias em 37 (16,6%) olhos (n= 223), alterações do segmento anterior em 20 (9,0%) olhos (n=221), estrabismo em 21 (9,5%) olhos (n=220) e nistagmo em 38 (24,4%) crianças (n=156). Conclusões: Uma das causas para o atraso na admissão pode ter sido a falha em realizar o teste do reflexo vermelho, apesar de não ter sido possível verificar se todas as crianças foram submetidas ao exame. A hereditariedade foi o fator mais importante quanto à causa da catarata nessas crianças. A presença de estrabismo e nistagmo mais uma vez aponta para o diagnóstico tardio. Ausência de programas de referência e centros oftalmológicos especializados em crianças, além do número restrito de profissionais de apoio treinados na área e especialistas em oftalmologia pediátrica, foram as barreiras mais importantes para o tratamento adequado da catarata em crianças.

Evisceration and enucleation cases in the ophthalmologic emergency department of a tertiary Brazilian hospital / Casos de evisceração e enucleação em departamento de urgência oftalmológica de um hospital terciário Brasileiro

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the epidemiological profiles of evisceration and enucleation cases in the ophthalmologic emergency department of a Brazilian tertiary hospital. Methods: Patients treated in the ophthalmologic emergency department of Hospital São Paulo (Universidade Federal de São Paulo) during the period 2013 to 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Urgent cases of evisceration or enucleation surgery were included, and elective cases were excluded. The following information was extracted from the patients' medical records: demographic data, immediate and associated reasons for the surgical procedure, informed visual acuity, symptom duration until ophthalmologic care, complications, distance from the residence to the tertiary hospital, and time of hospitalization. Results: In total, 61 enucleations and 121 eviscerations were included in this study. The patients had a mean age of 63.27 ± 18.68 years. Of the patients, 99 were male (54.40%), and 83 were female (45.60%). The indications for evisceration or enucleation were corneal perforation with (44.50%) and without (23.63%) signs of infection, endophthalmitis (15.38%), ocular trauma (14.29%), neoplasia (0.55%), burn accident (1.10%), and phthisis bulbi (0.55%). The self-reported visual acuity was no light perception (87.36%) or light perception (1.10%). However, 3.30% of the patients did not cooperate with the examination, and no information on visual acuity was available for the remaining 8.24%. The mean symptom duration before ophthalmologic care was sought was 18.32 days. Two patients had sympathetic ophthalmia after evisceration. Conclusions: More eviscerations than enucleations were performed throughout the study period. The most common demographic characteristics were age >60 years and male sex. The main indications for urgent evisceration and enucleation procedures were corneal perforation with and without infection, endophthalmitis, and ocular trauma. The findings from this study could guide clinicians in performing preventive measures to avoid destructive eye procedures.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o perfil epidemiológico dos casos de evisceração e enucleação no pronto-socorro oftalmológico de um hospital terciário brasileiro. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva dos casos tratados no pronto-socorro oftalmológico do Hospital São Paulo (Universidade Federal de São Paulo) entre os anos de 2013 a 2018. Os casos urgentes de evisceração e enucleação foram incluídos e os casos eletivos foram excluídos. A análise dos prontuários médicos foi baseada em: dados demográficos, causas imediatas e associadas ao procedimento, acuidade visual informada, duração dos sintomas antes do atendimento oftalmológico, complicações, distância da residência até o hospital e tempo de hospitalização. Resultados: 61 enucleações e 121 eviscerações foram incluídas no estudo. Os pacientes tinham uma média de idade de 63,27 ± 18,68 anos; 99 eram do sexo masculino (54,50%) e 83 do sexo feminino (45,60%). As indicações de evisceração e enucleação foram: perfuração corneana com (44,50%) e sem (23,63%) sinais infecciosos, endoftalmite (15,38%), trauma ocular (14,29%), neoplasia (0,55%), queimadura (1,10%) e phthisis bulbi (0,55%). A acuidade visual informada foi de ausência de percepção luminosa (87,36%), percepção luminosa (1.10%), ausência de colaboração (3,30%) e sem dados informados (8,24%). A média de tempo até a busca pelo serviço oftalmológico foi de 18,32 dias. Houve 2 casos de oftalmia simpática após evisceração. Conclusões: Eviscerações foram predominantemente realizadas em comparação a enucleações em todo o período de estudo. As características demográficas mais comuns foram idade >60 anos e sexo masculino. As principais indicações para procedimentos urgentes de evisceração e enucleação foram perfuração corneana com e sem infecção, endoftalmite e trauma ocular. Este estudo poderia guiar medidas preventivas para evitar procedimentos oculares destrutivos.

Advances in Vitreoretinal Surgery.

Advances in vitreoretinal surgery provide greater safety, efficacy, and reliability in the management of the several vitreoretinal diseases that benefit from surgical treatment. The advances are divided into the following topics: scleral buckling using chandelier illumination guided by non-contact visualization systems; sclerotomy/valved trocar diameters; posterior vitrectomy systems and ergonomic vitrectomy probes; chromovitrectomy; vitreous substitutes; intraoperative visualization systems including three-dimensional technology, systems for intraoperative optical coherence tomography, new instrumentation in vitreoretinal surgery, anti-VEGF injection before vitrectomy and in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and new surgical techniques; endoscopic surgery; the management of subretinal hemorrhages; gene therapy; alternative techniques for refractory macular hole; perspectives for stem cell therapy and the prevention of proliferative vitreoretinopathy; and, finally, the Port Delivery System. The main objective of this review is to update the reader on the latest changes in vitreoretinal surgery and to provide an understanding of how each has impacted the improvement of surgical outcomes.

Evaluation of childhood cataract characteristics at a tertiary referral center.

PURPOSE: To examine the epidemiological characteristics of children undergoing cataract surgery at a referral center in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, as well as the facts surrounding treatment delays. METHODS: In this transversal observational study, 240 operated eyes from 178 children undergoing cataract surgery were reviewed. The following aspects were analyzed: epidemiological and clinical characteristics, parental observations, red reflex test, operated eye, and age at cataract diagnosis and surgery. RESULTS: The mean ages at the first visit and cataract surgery were 48.9 months (SD=50.0 months) and 64.5 months (SD= 55.4 months), respectively. The most critical sign adverted by parents was leukocoria. The red reflex test was performed on two-thirds of the children, with abnormal results in 28.0%. A family history of cataracts was evident in 30 (20,9%) children (n=144). Previous ocular surgery was found in 37 (16,6%) of the eyes (n=223), anterior segment disorders in 20 (9,0%) eyes (n=221), strabismus in 21 (9,5%) of the eyes (n=220), and nystagmus in 38 (24,4%) of the children (n=156). CONCLUSIONS: One of the causes for the delay in admission may have been the failure to complete the red reflex. In terms of etiology, heredity was the most crucial component. The presence of strabismus and nystagmus in many of these children points to late diagnosis. The most significant impediments to adequate cataract treatment in children were the lack of referral programs and children's specialized ophthalmologic centers, in addition to the restricted number of support professionals trained in the field and pediatric ophthalmology specialists.

Evisceration and enucleation cases in the ophthalmologic emergency department of a tertiary Brazilian hospital.

PURPOSE: To analyze the epidemiological profiles of evisceration and enucleation cases in the ophthalmologic emergency department of a Brazilian tertiary hospital. METHODS: Patients treated in the ophthalmologic emergency department of Hospital São Paulo (Universidade Federal de São Paulo) during the period 2013 to 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Urgent cases of evisceration or enucleation surgery were included, and elective cases were excluded. The following information was extracted from the patients' medical records: demographic data, immediate and associated reasons for the surgical procedure, informed visual acuity, symptom duration until ophthalmologic care, complications, distance from the residence to the tertiary hospital, and time of hospitalization. RESULTS: In total, 61 enucleations and 121 eviscerations were included in this study. The patients had a mean age of 63.27 ± 18.68 years. Of the patients, 99 were male (54.40%), and 83 were female (45.60%). The indications for evisceration or enucleation were corneal perforation with (44.50%) and without (23.63%) signs of infection, endophthalmitis (15.38%), ocular trauma (14.29%), neoplasia (0.55%), burn accident (1.10%), and phthisis bulbi (0.55%). The self-reported visual acuity was no light perception (87.36%) or light perception (1.10%). However, 3.30% of the patients did not cooperate with the examination, and no information on visual acuity was available for the remaining 8.24%. The mean symptom duration before ophthalmologic care was sought was 18.32 days. Two patients had sympathetic ophthalmia after evisceration. CONCLUSIONS: More eviscerations than enucleations were performed throughout the study period. The most common demographic characteristics were age >60 years and male sex. The main indications for urgent evisceration and enucleation procedures were corneal perforation with and without infection, endophthalmitis, and ocular trauma. The findings from this study could guide clinicians in performing preventive measures to avoid destructive eye procedures.

Analysis of Cochrane Systematic Reviews about retinopathy of prematurity / Análise das Revisões Sistemáticas da Cochrane sobre retinopatia da prematuridade

ABSTRACT Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative retinal disorder that affects extremely premature infants and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in childhood. Objective: This study presents a review of Cochrane systematic reviews about ROP. Methods: We analyzed and summarized the results of all intervention, prevention and treatment, from Cochrane Systematic Reviews (SR) for ROP designed to the highest standard of rigor to show the current position and propose studies that are missing for decision making. Results: Eight SR were analyzed in this study, four in prophylaxis and four in treatment of ROP. The outcome 'Beneficial effect of oral beta-blockers on progression to stage 3 ROP but not to stage 2 ROP with plus disease or to stage 4 or 5 ROP was the only one that presented moderate evidence quality, all the others outcomes presented evidence quality floating from low to very low. Conclusion: There is a lack of studies showing the quality of evidence in the treatment and prevention of retinopathy of prematurity, particularly in long-term outcomes after treatment in order to assess the impact and quality of life of these patients.

RESUMO Introdução: A retinopatia da prematuridade (ROP) é um distúrbio vasoproliferativo da retina que afeta recém nascidos extremamente prematuros e é a principal causa de cegueira irreversível na infância. Objetivo: Este estudo apresenta uma revisão das revisões sistemáticas da Cochrane sobre ROP. Métodos: Analisamos e resumimos os resultados de todas as intervenções, prevenção e tratamento, das revisões sistemáticas (SR) da Cochrane para ROP, projetada com o mais alto padrão de rigor para mostrar a posição atual e propor estudos que estão faltando para a tomada de decisão. Resultados: Oito RS foram analisados neste estudo, quatro em profilaxia e quatro em tratamento de ROP. O efeito benéfico dos betabloqueadores orais na progressão para a ROP do estágio 3, mas não para a ROP da fase 2 com doença positiva ou para a ROP da fase 4 ou 5 foi o único que apresentou qualidade de evidência moderada, todos os outros resultados apresentaram qualidade de evidência flutuante de baixo a muito baixo. Conclusão: Faltam estudos demonstrando a qualidade das evidências no tratamento e prevenção da retinopatia da prematuridade, principalmente em desfechos em longo prazo após o tratamento, a fim de avaliar o impacto e a qualidade de vida desses pacientes.

Bartonella hanselae retinitis patient evaluated with multimodal retinal exams.

BACKGROUND: Cat scratch disease is a systemic infectious illness caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. The most common ophthalmological involvement due to infection by Bartonella is Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, whereas the most common posterior segment findings are neuroretinitis and subsequent late macular star. Moreover, other findings, such as retinal or subretinal lesions, intermediate uveitis and angiomatous lesions, may be present. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old female patient with retinal findings and serological confirmation of Bartonella infection was evaluated via multimodal retinal exams. The patient received treatment with doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 2 weeks. One month after treatment, complete improvement of her visual scotoma symptoms was confirmed. A swept-source optical coherence tomography exam also showed decreases in the size and intraretinal extension of the lesion. Improvement of light perception at the affected area was confirmed by microperimetry. CONCLUSIONS: Bartonella henselae infection, particularly retinitis, can present a variable spectrum of clinical and ophthalmological findings. Multimodal retinal exams can clearly identify lesion characteristics, thus providing important information for diagnosis and the evaluation of lesion improvement after antibiotic treatment.

Role of Vital Dyes in Chromovitrectomy.

ABSTRACT: Chromovitrectomy, the intraocular application of dyes to assist visualization of preretinal tissues during vitreoretinal surgery, was introduced to avoid ocular complications related to internal limiting membrane peeling, inadequate removal of the vitreous, and incomplete removal of epiretinal membranes. Since 2000, chromovitrectomy has become a popular approach among vitreoretinal specialists. The first vital dye used in chromovitrectomy, indocyanine green, facilitated identification of the fine and transparent internal limiting membrane. Following indocyanine green, trypan blue was introduced to identify epiretinal membranes, and triamcinolone acetonide stained the vitreous well. Recently, additional natural dyes such as lutein and anthocyanin from the açaí fruit have been proposed for intraocular application during vitrectomy. The main goal of this review was to study the role of vital stains in chromovitrectomy and report the latest findings in the literature.

What do Cochrane systematic reviews say about interventions for retinal vein occlusion / O que dizem as revisões sistemáticas da Cochrane sobre intervenções para oclusão da veia retiniana

Abstract Purpose: To summarize the evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews on interventions for Central or Branch Vein Occlusion. Methods: We included and summarized the results from Cochrane systematic reviews on interventions for both types of occlusion. The initial search retrieved was 21 reviews and four of them were selected. Results: The four systematic reviews included evaluated the effects of laser techniques and intravitreal injections of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (anti-VEGF) and corticosteroids on Branch and Central Retinal Vein Occlusions. Conclusions: In Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion was found some benefits in the use of grid laser when comparable to no intervention but insufficient evidence about the use of early grid laser, subthreshold laser, intravitreal triamcinolone or anti-VEGF over macular grid laser photocoagulation. In Central Retinal Vein Occlusion with Macular Edema was found insufficient evidence to determine the benefits of intravítreo steroids but ranibizumab may improve clinical and visual outcomes at six and 12 months and repeated intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents improved visual outcomes at six months when compared to no treatment.

Resumo Objetivo: Resumir as evidências das revisões sistemáticas da Cochrane sobre intervenções para oclusão de veia central ou de ramo. Métodos: Incluímos e resumimos os resultados das revisões sistemáticas da Cochrane sobre intervenções para os 2 tipos de oclusão. A busca inicial recuperada foi de 21 revisões e quatro delas foram selecionadas. Resultados: As quatro revisões sistemáticas incluídas avaliaram os efeitos das técnicas de laser e injeções intravítreas do Anti-Fator de Crescimento Endotelial Vascular (anti-VEGF) e corticosteroides nas oclusões de ramos e veias retinianas centrais. Conclusões: Na oclusão de veias retinianas do ramo foram encontrados alguns benefícios no uso do laser de grade, quando comparáveis a nenhuma intervenção, mas evidências insuficientes sobre o uso precoce do laser de grade, laser sublimiar, triamcinolona intravítrea ou anti-VEGF sobre a fotocoagulação a laser de grade macular. Na oclusão da veia central da retina com edema macular, foram encontradas evidências insuficientes para determinar os benefícios dos esteroides intravítreos, mas o ranibizumabe pode melhorar os resultados clínicos e visuais em 6 e 12 meses e a injeção intravítrea repetida de agentes anti-VEGF melhorou os resultados visuais em seis meses, quando comparado ao sem tratamento.

Valor de parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais e análise da vascularização da retina em pacientes pediátricos com hipertensão portal / Value of clinical, laboratory parameters and analysis of retinal vascularization in pediatric patients with portal hypertension

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Portal hypertension is one of the complications of cirrhosis and is associated with numerous systemic manifestations, including renal, brain, pulmonary, cardiac and vascular changes. In routine ophthalmological examinations performed at our service, we observed that some children diagnosed with portal hypertension had increased retinal vascular tortuosity. OBJECTIVE: 1. To evaluate the presence of retinal vascular abnormalities (vascular tortuosity) in children diagnosed with portal hypertension; 2. To investigate the association between retinal vascular tortuosity and the presence of gastroesophageal varices in these children; 3. To evaluate the use of clinical and laboratory parameters to predict the presence of gastroesophageal varices in children with portal hypertension. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional and observational study that included patients aged <18 years with a diagnosis of portal hypertension. The participants included were submitted to dilated fundus examination and fundus photography with Visucam (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) device. Besides, clinical and laboratorial data were collected from the patients' medical records. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were included in this study, and 36% of them had an increase in retinal vascular tortuosity. Platelet count (P=0.001), bilirubin dosage (P=0.013) and aspartate transaminase dosage (AST) (P=0.042) were associated with the presence of gastroesophageal varices in digestive endoscopy. There was no association between retinal vascular tortuosity and the presence of gastroesophageal varices (P=0.498). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that platelet count, bilirubin dosage, and aspartate transaminase dosage were associated with the presence of gastroesophageal varices in digestive endoscopy. Regarding the retinal findings, we found that there was an increase in retinal vascular tortuosity in 36% of pediatric patients, but no association was found with the presence of gastroesophageal varices.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A hipertensão portal é uma das complicações da cirrose e está associada a inúmeras manifestações sistêmicas, incluindo alterações renais, cerebrais, pulmonares, cardíacas e vasculares. Nos exames oftalmológicos de rotina realizados em nosso serviço, observamos que algumas crianças diagnosticadas com hipertensão portal apresentaram aumento da tortuosidade vascular da retina. OBJETIVO: 1. Avaliar a presença de anormalidades vasculares da retina (tortuosidade vascular) em crianças diagnosticadas com hipertensão portal; 2. Investigar a associação entre tortuosidade vascular da retina e presença de varizes gastroesofágicas nessas crianças; 3. Avaliar o uso de parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais para prever a presença de varizes gastroesofágicas em crianças com hipertensão portal. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal e observacional, que incluiu pacientes com idade <18 anos com diagnóstico de hipertensão portal. Os participantes incluídos foram submetidos ao exame de fundo de olho dilatado e fotografia de fundo com dispositivo Visucam (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG). Além disso, foram coletados dados clínicos e laboratoriais dos prontuários dos pacientes. RESULTADOS: Um total de 72 pacientes foi incluído neste estudo e 36% deles apresentaram aumento da tortuosidade vascular da retina. Contagem de plaquetas (P=0,001), dosagem de bilirrubina (P=0,013) e dosagem de aspartato transaminase (AST) (P=0,042) foram associados à presença de varizes gastroesofágicas na endoscopia digestiva. Não houve associação entre tortuosidade vascular da retina e presença de varizes gastroesofágicas (P=0,498). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a contagem de plaquetas, a dosagem de bilirrubina e a aspartato transaminase foram associadas à presença de varizes gastroesofágicas na endoscopia digestiva. Em relação aos achados da retina, descobrimos que houve um aumento na tortuosidade vascular da retina em 36% dos pacientes pediátricos, mas nenhuma associação foi encontrada com a presença de varizes gastroesofágicas.

CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL TEAR IMAGED BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY.

PURPOSE: To report a patient presenting a retinal pigment epithelial tear in which optical coherence tomography angiography enabled the visualization of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) not evidenced by the fluorescein angiography. She was treated with 3 monthly intravitreous anti-VEGF injections and intraretinal fluid resolution occurred. METHODS: Observational case report. RESULTS: A 62-year-old Caucasian woman presented with decreased visual acuity in the right eye for 3 months. Fundus biomicroscopy revealed a yellowish macular lesion associated with intraretinal hemorrhage. Fluorescein angiography showed a large hyperfluorescent area consistent with window defect. Optical coherence tomography showed a retinal pigment epithelial tear with subretinal fluid. However, there was no clear evidence of CNV on fluorescein angiography or OCT. Optical coherence tomography angiography confirmed the presence of an active CNV by the visualization of the neovascular network in the region corresponding to the scrolled up retinal pigment epithelium. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates that optical coherence tomography angiography can be useful to confirm the presence of CNV in cases where fluorescein angiography and OCT cannot establish the diagnosis. The reported case suggests the applicability of optical coherence tomography angiography in patients in whom retinal pigment epithelial tear is detected and associated CNV is suspected.

The retinal foveal avascular zone as a systemic biomarker to evaluate inflammatory bowel disease control.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a systemic inflammatory disease and is classified as Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) depending on the extent of gastrointestinal tract involvement. IBD can be associated with extraintestinal findings, such as fever, weight loss, arthralgia, and mucocutaneous lesions, as well as hepatic, renal and ophthalmological involvement. Clinical parameters and colonoscopy are used to establish the criteria for controlled or non-controlled disease and subsequent definition of treatment. Our objective in the present study was to compare the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in patients with a diagnosis of IBD during remission and active disease. METHODS: 144 eyes of 72 patients with IBD were evaluated via a complete ophthalmological exam. Fundus photography and optical coherence tomography/angiography (OCT/OCTA) were performed with a Topcon Triton. The macula and posterior pole were evaluated by binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy and fundus biomicroscopy. The area of the FAZ was determined via manual delimitation of superficial retinal vascular layers from OCTA with image6.net software. To establish disease activity, we considered the Mayo Score, fecal calprotectin levels, colonoscopy results and clinical parameters. All retinal parameters were evaluated in a blinded manner. Means were compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The participants had a mean age of 42.26 years and included 28 males (38.88%) and 44 females (61.11%). Among the participants, 37 had a diagnosis of CD (51.38%), and 35 had a diagnosis of UC (48.61%). Twenty-five patients (34.72%) had active disease, and 47 (65.27%) were in remission. The area of the FAZ did not differ significantly between the CD and UC groups (p = 0.91 for the right eye and p = 0.76 for the left eye) but did differ significantly between the remission and active disease groups (p = 0.01 for the right eye and p = 0.02 for the left eye). DISCUSSION: Our study is the first to evaluate the area of the FAZ in patients with IBD via swept-source OCTA. The area of the FAZ did not differ significantly in either eye between the CD and UC groups. However, patients classified as having active disease according to clinical parameters and colonoscopy presented a significant decrease in the area of the FAZ compared with patients in remission. The area of the FAZ is an ophthalmological parameter that can be obtained non-invasively and is increased in ischemic diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. The FAZ may decrease due to vascular engorgement or increased systemic inflammation. This parameter can be used to help determine whether a patient is in remission or active IBD, thus potentially reducing the need for invasive exams during disease follow-up.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography of central retinal artery occlusion in the patent cilioretinal artery: a case report / Avaliação de paciente com oclusão de artéria central da retina com artéria cilioretiniana patente através de angiografia por tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT-A): um relato de caso

ABSTRACT Here we report the case of a 78-year-old male patient with a 2-day history of low visual acuity and fundus and who was diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion. In addition, the patient had an allergy to fluorescein. A fundus examination of the left eye found a pink optic disc with blurred margins, diffuse pallor in the retina with arterial attenuation, and a normal band of the retinal area in the macular region. Optical coherence tomography revealed increased thickness of the inner retina. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) revealed a decreased flow signal in the superficial layers, with reduced flow signal in the choriocapillaris. OCT-A is a valuable alternative during the follow-up period in patients with central retinal artery occlusion, particularly in those with an allergy to contrast agents. The use of this as a non-invasive examination can improve the prognosis of patients and future studies investigating the treatment of central retinal artery occlusion.

RESUMO Paciente de 78 anos do sexo masculino com história de dois dias de baixa acuidade visual em olho esquerdo e exame fundoscópico sugestivo de oclusão da artéria retiniana, além de história de alergia a fluoresceína sódica. Em exame de fundoscopia de olho esquerdo pode ser observado disco óptico róseo, mal delimitado, palidez difusa da retina, com banda em área macular apresentando cor rósea preservada. A tomografia de coerência óptica apresentava aumento de espessura de retina interna em áreas de palidez e espessura e camadas preservadas em área poupada. A tomografia de coerência óptica-A mostrou sinal diminuído em camadas superficiais, com sinal de fluxo diminuído em coriocapilar. A tomografia de coerência óptica-A é uma alternativa válida para seguimento de pacientes com oclusão da artéria retiniana, em casos de alergia ao contraste ou contra indicação ao exame. O exame é não invasivo e pode melhorar não somente a avaliação dos pacientes nos dias de hoje como aumenta possibilidades em futuros estudos e tratamentos da oclusão da artéria retiniana.

Frequência de achados oftalmológicos de segmento posterior em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal / Frequency of ophthalmological posterior segment findings in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease is a systemic inflammatory disease classified as Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis. It could present extra intestinal findings, such as fever, weight loss, arthralgia, mucocutaneous lesions, hepatic, renal and ophthalmological involvement. Among ophthalmological findings, posterior segment findings are present in less than 1% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, however, these findings could bring definitive visual impairment. OBJECTIVE: Our study objective was to evaluate ocular posterior segment findings is patients with inflammatory bowel disease, through retinal mapping, color fundus retinography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography, and compare our results to literature. METHODS: We evaluated eighty patients with inflammatory bowel disease through complete ophthalmological examination and posterior segment assessment. Color fundus retinography, OCT and OCT angiography was performed with Topcon Triton (Topcon ® , Tokyo, Japan). Macula and posterior pole were evaluated with binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy and fundus biomicroscopy. RESULTS: Participants mean age was 44.16 years (18.08-68.58), 28 (35%) male patients and 52 (65%) female patients. Thirty-five (44%) with diagnosis of Crohn disease, 41 (52%) patients with diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and 3 (4%) had non-conclusive Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis classification. We found abnormal exams in 21 (26.25%) patients. CONCLUSION: Our study found similar prevalence of ophthalmological posterior segment commitment compared to previous literature prevalence. The findings were predominantly unrelated to inflammatory bowel disease, rather than primarily related to it. The most prevalent, and non-previous reported, finding was increased arteriolar tortuosity, probably occurs due to systemic vascular impairment in inflammatory bowel disease.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: As doenças inflamatórias intestinais são doenças inflamatórias sistêmicas que podem ser divididas em doença de Crohn ou retocolite ulcerativa. Além do quadro intestinal, elas podem apresentar sintomas extra intestinais como febre, perda de peso, artralgia, lesões mucocutâneas, acometimento hepatobiliar, acometimento renal e oftalmológico. Entre os achados oftalmológicos descritos, alterações de segmentos posterior são encontrados em menos de 1% dos pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal, porém, tais achados podem levar à baixa acuidade visual definitiva. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do nosso trabalho foi avaliar alterações em segmento posterior através de retinografia colorida, mapeamento de retina, tomografia de coerência óptica e OCT angiography e comparar nossos resultados com o da literatura. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 80 pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico completo e a avaliação do segmento posterior. Foi realizada tomografia de coerência óptica em aparelho Triton (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan), retinografia colorida e OCT angiography. Mácula e polo posterior foram avaliados através de oftalmoscopia binocular indireta e biomicroscopia de fundo. RESULTADOS: Entre os participantes, a média de idade foi de 44,16 anos (18,08-68,58), 28 (35%) participantes do sexo masculino e 52 (65%) do sexo feminino. Trinta e cinco (44%) pacientes com diagnóstico de doença de Crohn, 41 (52%) pacientes com diagnóstico de retocolite ulcerativa e 3 (4%) pacientes em que não era possível classificar como doença de Crohn ou retocolite ulcerativa. Entre as avaliações de polo posterior, foram encontrados achados em exame de 21 pacientes, o que corresponde a 26,25% dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: Nosso estudo encontrou resultados de prevalência de achados em exame de segmento posterior semelhante aos estudos prévios da literatura. Os achados foram de forma predominante não primariamente relacionados à doença inflamatória intestinal. O achado mais prevalente, e não previamente reportado, foi aumento de tortuosidade arteriolar, que provavelmente ocorre por envolvimento vascular sistêmico nas doenças inflamatórias intestinais.

Intravitreal Angiostrongylus cantonensis: first case report in South America / Angiostrongylus cantonensis intravítreo: primeiro relato de caso na América do Sul

ABSTRACT This study reports the first case of intravitreal angiostrongyliasis in South America treated with posterior worm removal via pars plana vitrectomy. This was a retrospective, observational case study. Data from medical charts, wide-field digital imaging, ocular ultrasound, and visual evoked potential studies were reviewed. A 20-month-old boy presented with eosinophilic meningitis and right eye exotropia. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid showed a positive result for Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Fundus examination revealed a pale optic disc, subretinal tracks, vitreous opacities, peripheral tractional retinal detachment, and a dead worm in the vitreous cavity. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy with worm removal. This case report illustrates the first case of intravitreal angiostrongyliasis in South America, possibly related to the uncontrolled spread of an exotic invasive species of snail.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar o primeiro caso na América do Sul de angiostrongilíase intravítrea tratada com vitrectomia posterior via pars plana e remoção do verme. Este foi um relato de caso observacional. O prontuário médico, sistema de imagem digital de campo amplo, ultrassonografia ocular, e potenciais evocados visuais foram revistos. Um menino de 1 ano e 8 meses de idade manifestou meningite eosinofílica e exotropia olho direito. A análise de PCR do liquor foi positiva para Angiostrongylus cantonensis. O exame de fundo de olho revelou disco óptico pálido, faixas sub-retinianas, opacidades vítreas, descolamento de retina tracional periférico e um verme morto no vítreo. O paciente foi submetido a vitrectomia posterior via pars plana com a remoção do verme. Concluindo, este é o primeiro relato de caso de angiostrongilíase intravítrea na América do Sul, possivelmente relacionado com a disseminação de uma espécie de lesma exótica neste continente.

Aqueous misdirection syndrome in persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) / Síndrome de mau direcionamento do humor aquoso em persistência da vasculatura fetal (PVF)

ABSTRACT We report a case of a 5-year-old girl with persistent fetal vasculature who presented with unilateral acute angle closure caused by aqueous misdirection syndrome that was apparently associated with regression of cycloplegia. Initial treatment with topical steroids, anti-glaucomatous drops, and atropine showed insufficient control of the intraocular pressure (IOP). Surgical treatment with lensectomy and vitrectomy resulted in satisfactory IOP control and no complications at the 6-month follow-up.

RESUMO Relatamos o caso de uma criança de 5 anos, sexo feminino com persistência do vítreo primário que apresentou crise de fechamento angular por síndrome do mau direcionamento do humor aquoso, aparentemente associado a regressão da cicloplegia. Tratamento inicial com corticoide tópico, colírios antiglaucomatosos e atropina mostraram controle insuficiente da pressão intraocular (PIO). Tratamento cirúrgico com lensectomia e vitrectomia anterior permitiu o controle satisfatório da PIO, sem intercorrências no seguimento de 6 meses.

Incidence of anterior segment neovascularization during intravitreal treatment for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE:: To analyze the effects of injections of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) on the incidence rates of anterior segment neovascularization (ASN) and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS:: In this prospective, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled study, 35 patients with macular edema following CRVO were randomized to intravitreal bevacizumab, intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, or sham injections during the first 6 months of the study. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of ASN at month 6. The secondary outcomes were the mean changes from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) on optical coherence tomography over time to month 12. RESULTS:: ASN developed in 8 (22.86%) eyes, including 5 (62.50%) eyes in the sham group and 3 (37.50%) eyes in the IVTA group, during 12 months of fol low-up (p=0.009). BCVA differed significantly (p<0.05) among the groups only at month 1. CFT did not differ significantly (p<0.05) among the groups over 12 months. NVG required surgery and developed in one eye despite laser treatment. CONCLUSION:: Early treatment with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy decreases the rates of ASN and NVG after CRVO.