Correlation between contrast sensitivity and morphological features obtained by OCT in patients with age-related macular degeneration treated with a loading dose of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between contrast sensitivity and morphological characteristics obtained by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration treated with a loading dose of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGF). DESIGN: This is an ambispective (prospective + retrospective) observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study. PARTICIPANTS: All patients over 55 years of age with Age-Related Macular Degeneration who attended the Retina service of the Ophthalmology department and met the inclusion criteria between March-May 2022. METHODS: Data collection was carried out by reviewing the records of patients diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration of the neovascular variety treated with the loading dose of anti-VEGF. OCT studies obtained by Optovue® iVue80 prior to the application of intravitreal injections of patients who met the inclusion criteria and were currently in the first month after the last dose of anti-VEGF were analyzed. A total of 33 subjects were included, of which 30 continued follow-ups. The subjects underwent a new ophthalmological evaluation and new retinal measurements of the affected eye. Normality tests (Shapiro‒Wilk) were performed where a nonparametric data distribution was demonstrated. RESULTS: A linear regression analysis was performed comparing the logarithmic values of both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, obtaining a significant relationship between both values after the application of treatment (P = <.0001***). Likewise, correlation was demonstrated between the decrease in contrast sensitivity values and all the characteristics evaluated in the patients' OCT. CONCLUSIONS: Antiangiogenesis strategies can lead to better results in global visual function, positively impacting contrast sensitivity.

Benefits of oral administration of an electrolyte solution interrupting a prolonged preoperatory fasting period in pediatric patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of an oral isosmolar solution of electrolytes (ISE) administered to interrupt a prolonged fasting period in children undergoing an elective surgical procedure under general anesthesia. METHODS: Forty unpremedicated children aged 3 to 12 years, ASA I, undergoing a surgical procedure requiring general anesthesia were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with an overnight fasting period for milk and solids of at least 8 hours. In group 2, patients under a similar fasting period received a volume of 4 mL/kg of an oral ISE 3 hours before completing the fasting period. After anesthetic induction, blood glucose level (BGL) was quantified, and patients underwent an endoscopic examination to obtain the gastric content to determine the residual gastric volume (RGV) and pH levels. RESULTS: In group 1, the RGV was 0.78 +/- 0.44 mL/kg, pH was 1.75 +/- 0.38, and BGL was 86.4 +/- 14.5. In group 2, the RGV was 0.40 +/- 0.29 mL/kg, pH was 3.18 +/- 0.61, and BGL was 85.1 +/- 12.6. Only RGV and pH were significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: A prolonged fasting period interrupted with oral ISE administration resulted in an RGV of low risk, without counterbalancing a potential fasting-induced hypoglycemia.