Auditory Nerve Recovery Function in Cochlear Implant Surgery with Local Anesthesia and Sedation versus General Anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze auditory nerve recovery function (REC), comparing the results after local anesthesia and sedation with those after general anesthesia. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study in a tertiary referral center hospital. We included all patients (37 ears) who underwent surgery for cochlear implant under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation during 3 years. REC was measured according to the function of 3 components, 'T0', 'A' and 'tau', and was taken for 3 cochlear electrodes (apical, medial and basal). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in 'tau' and in the current level used, but there were significant differences in the parameters 'T0' apical and 'A' basal. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in REC between the 2 types of anesthesia, except for the parameters 'T0' apical and 'A' basal.

Subjective and Objective Analyses of Voice Improvement After Phonosurgery in Professional Voice Users.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate voice improvement after phonosurgery by subjective and objective voice analysis. DESIGN: Prospective observational analytic group study. METHODS: This study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2013. Two hundred forty professional voice users (patients), classified as Koufman level I or II with benign vocal fold lesions, were divided in two groups. Patients in group 1 had a diagnosis of superficial vocal fold lesions, and patients in group 2 had deep lesions on the vocal folds. All patients completed the Vocal Performance Questionnaire (VPQ) and underwent acoustic voice tests using the Praat program. Subjective and objective voice analyses were performed before phonosurgery and at 1, 2, and 3 months after phonosurgery. A control group of 100 volunteers was created and underwent the same voice metrics that were applied to the patients. RESULTS: Jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio, and VPQ scores significantly differentiated patients with vocal fold lesions from individuals in the control group. All of the analyzed parameters improved significantly after phonosurgery. Additionally, patients with superficial vocal fold lesions achieved normal voice parameters 1 month after surgery, and patients with deep lesions achieved normal voice parameters 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of vocal parameters using the VPQ and acoustic tests revealed voice improvement after phonosurgery for both patient groups.

Corneal Posterior Curvature Changes After Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery with 2.75 mm Corneal Incision.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the corneal posterior curvature changes after phacoemulsification cataract surgery, with intraocular lens implantation, with a temporal limbal self-sealing 2.75 millimeters (mm) corneal incision, using a Placido-dual rotating Scheimpflug device. In this prospective intervention study, corneal posterior curvature changes were evaluated in fifty-six patients (56 eyes). All patients underwent corneal tomography using the Galilei G2 (Ziemer Ophthalmic System AG, Port, Switzerland) preoperatively (PRE) and with two weeks (RP15), one month (RP30), and three months (RP90) after phacoemulsification cataract surgery with a temporal limbal self-sealing 2.75 mm incision. Tomographic parameters analyzed in the posterior cornea were the steep curvature (K2), flat curvature (K1), mean curvature (average K), and posterior corneal astigmatism. We did not observe any statistically significant change in the K2, K1, average K, and posterior corneal astigmatism in any postoperative follow-up measurements (RP15, RP30, RP90), showing that the postoperative values tend to be the same as the preoperative ones when measured with the Galilei G2 tomography. In conclusion, the 2.75 mm temporal limbal self-sealing corneal incision in phacoemulsification cataract surgery does not induce significant changes in the posterior corneal curvature parameters of K2, K1, average K, and astigmatism.

[Electronic clinical and surgical database of retina and vitreous diseases]. / Base eletrônica de dados clínicos e cirúrgicos das doenças da retina e vítreo.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to build an automated clinical and surgical database which works with a computer-based program (software), where patients with 19 selected retina and vitreous diseases are included. METHODS: Textbooks from both international and national authors served as a basic structure for the protocol. Specific articles related to each disease, extracted from scientific journals and from specific clinical database sources, searched on the World Wide Web (the internet) were used, as well. Data automation was done by interface with SINPE (Integrated electronic protocol system) - a software developed at the Informatics and Multimedia Laboratory of the Health Sciences Department at the Universidade Federal do Paraná. RESULTS: Along with the data automation the master protocol was created covering all contents in main folders, followed by 19 specific protocols which refer to individual specifications for each disease. The program allows to collect and record data from patients with their clinical characteristics, diagnostic aids, selected treatment as well as follow-up treatment. Likewise, any source of interest in the protocol can be crossed with the Microsoft Excel program depending on the type of study. CONCLUSIONS: The objective of this study which was to create a wide and updated database of vitreoretinal pathologies of major importance, converting them to a specific software and interfacing it with the SINPE has been achieved.

[Prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity in premature babies examined during the period 1992-1999, Joinville (SC): evaluation of associated risks--screening]. / Prevalência de retinopatia da prematuridade em prematuros atendidos no período de 1992-1999 em Joinville (SC): avaliação de riscos associados--"screening"

PURPOSES: To evaluate the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity in premature babies examined at the "Hospital de Olhos Sadalla Amin Ghanem", coming from the "Maternidade Darcy Vargas" during the period from June 1992 to June 1999. To describe the risk factors that cause a predisposition to develop retinopathy of prematurity in the "Maternidade Darcy Vargas" and criteria to improve screening. METHODS: 286 premature babies were selected in accordance with the predetermined criteria (gestation period less than 37 weeks, first examination at 4-12 week of age, minimum of 3 ophthalmic examinations before being 180 days old and registration at the "Hospital de Olhos Sadalla Amin"). An analysis of the total group of premature babies was carried out, being classified into Group 1 (without retinopathy of prematurity) and Group 2 (with retinopathy of prematurity) and the factors related to presence or not of retinopathy of prematurity in the premature babies were described. In order to evaluate the frequency of retinopathy of prematurity and factors associated with its occurrence, the Chi-Squared or the Fisher Exact tests were used. Margin of error 5%. RESULTS: 228 premature babies did not present sings of retinopathy of prematurity (group 1) and 58 presented signs (group 2). The prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity was 20%, 9% being in stage 1; 7% in stage 2; 4% in stage 3 and 1% in stage 4a. The most involved factors were: birth weight (p<0.0001), oxygen therapy (p<0.0000), birth age (p=0.0006), lung disease (p=0.0041), blood transfusion (p=0.0002), central nervous system alterations (p=0.0259), serious infections (p=0.0278) and Apgar less than 7 in the first minute (p=0.0442). The premature babies that most needed treatment weighed less than 1,399 g and were 33 weeks old. CONCLUSION: According to the data the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity was 20%. The premature babies' risks of retinopathy of prematurity were concentrated on weight below 1,400 g and age of 33 weeks. Bigger premature babies should be observed when one or more of the following factors are present: oxygen therapy, blood transfusion, lung disease, central nervous system alterations, serious infections and Apgar less than 7 in the first minute.

[Total testosterone level in postmenopausal women with dry eye]. / Nível de testosterona total em mulheres pós-menopausa com olho seco.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare total testosterone blood level among three groups of postmenopausal women: control, mild to moderate dry eye and severe dry eye. METHODS: Twenty-nine postmenopausal women were selected. The exclusion criteria were: hormone replacement therapy in the last 8 weeks, mechanical palpebral abnormalities, pterygium, lacrimal obstructions, intraocular inflammation or contact lens use. A blood sample was collected for total testosterone level determination, and the patients were submitted to an ophthalmologic examination (emphasizing on dry eye detection) and answered the OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) questionnaire. Five patients were excluded. Postmenopausal women were divided into three groups according to OSDI score and the ophthalmic examination. RESULTS: Five patients were classified in the no dry eye group (control), fifteen in the mild to moderate dry eye group and four in the severe dry eye group. There were no statistically significant differences regarding mean age (p=0.3915); instruction level (p=0.9333); number of comorbidities (p=0.2551); medication taken (p=0.2844) and total testosterone level among those groups (p=0.1275). CONCLUSION: Further research with a greater bigger sample is necessary to establish the relation of androgen levels in dry eye patients.

Subconjunctival adalimumab for treatment of dry eye disease in Sjögren's syndrome / Tratamento de olho seco com adalimumabe subconjuntival em pacientes portadores da síndrome de Sjögren

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the use of subconjuctival administration of the anti-tumor necrosis factor agent adalimumab for treatment of dry eye in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, and to investigate conjunctival healing. Methods Prospective, nonrandomized, noncomparative interventional case series including consecutive patients with Sjögren's syndrome and dry eye disease treated with subconjunctival adalimumab, who were refractory to conventional treatment. Patients with infectious ocular surface involvement or structural changes in the tear pathway or eyelids were excluded. Data recorded included age, sex, lissamine green staining pattern, Schirmer test results, intraocular pressure, conjunctival mobility, tear break up time and findings of biomicroscopic evaluation, following fluorescein dye instillation. The Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire validated for the Portuguese language was used for subjective assessment of patients. Results Eleven eyes of eight patients were studied. Mean patient age was 53±13.4 years. Patients were treated with subconjunctival injection of 0.03 mL of adalimumab and followed for 90 days thereafter. There were no statistically significant objective improvement (objective tests results; p>0.05) and no statistically significant changes in intraocular pressure (p=0.11). Questionnaire responses revealed a significant improvement in ocular symptoms (p=0.002). Conclusion Based on the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, subconjunctival administration of adalimumab improved dry eye symptoms. However, objective assessments failed to reveal statistically significant improvements.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever o uso subconjuntival do antifator de necrose tumoral adalimumabe para o tratamento do olho seco em pacientes com síndrome de Sjögren e avaliar a cicatrização conjuntival. Métodos Série de casos intervencionista com desenho prospectivo, não randomizado, não comparativo. O medicamento adalimumabe foi aplicado em região subconjuntival em pacientes com síndrome de Sjögren e olho seco que eram resistentes a outras terapias convencionais. Pacientes com patologias oculares de origem infecciosa ou com alterações estruturais nas vias lacrimais e pálpebras foram excluídos do estudo. Os dados coletados incluíram idade, sexo, teste com lisamina verde, teste de Schirmer, pressão intraocular, mobilidade conjuntival, teste de ruptura do filme lacrimal, e avaliação biomicroscópica com colírio de fluoresceína. Além disso, o questionário Ocular Surface Disease Index validado para a língua portuguesa foi aplicado com objetivo de avaliar subjetivamente a resposta dos pacientes ao tratamento. Resultados Onze olhos de oito pacientes foram estudados. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 53±13,4 anos. A dose aplicada de adalimumabe subconjuntival foi de 0,03mL, e a duração do seguimento foi de 90 dias após a injeção. Não houve melhora estatisticamente significativa nos testes objetivos (todos apresentaram p>0,05). A pressão intraocular também não sofreu variações estatisticamente significativas (p=0,11). Entretanto, por meio do questionário, foi registrada melhora significativa dos sintomas oculares (p=0,002). Conclusão O uso do adalimumabe subconjuntival melhorou os sintomas de olho seco, avaliados por meio do questionário Ocular Surface Disease Index, mas não houve melhora estatisticamente significativa na avaliação objetiva.

[Effect of watery extract of Orbignya phalerata (babassu) in the gastric healing in rats: morphological and tensiometric study]. / Efeito do extrato aquoso de Orbignya phalerata (babaçu) na cicatrização do estômago em ratos: estudo morfológico e tensiométrico.

INTRODUCTION: The large use of plants in the prevention and treatment of different diseases is a milenar practice. In Brazil due to it's rich flora there is a huge material for research and use in popular medicine. The babassu (Orbignya phalerata) is a native tree from North of the Brazil and has a high concentration at the State of Maranhão. The powder of it's mesocarp is known as amid, and has been used as meal and medication due to the known activity against antiinflammatory reaction, pain, pyrexia and immunomodulation. PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata (babassu) in gastric wound healing in rats under morphologic and tensiometric aspects. METHOD: Forty Wistar rats, male, adults were submitted to a longitudinal incision of 1 cm in the gastric body and sutured with separated stitches of polypropylene 6.0. After this common procedure the animals were allocated in the aleatory way in two groups Orbignya (GO) and Control (GC) with 20 animals each one. In the GO was used intraperitoneal doses of 50 mg/kh of Orbignya phalerata extract and in the GC water 1 ml/kg. Each group was divided in two subgroups of ten rats according to the period of death, at 3rd and 7th post-operative days. After the death, the abdominal cavity was evaluated and the stomach withdrawn. For the comparative analysis between the groups the macroscopic and histological parameters of wound healing were utilized. RESULTS: There were no abscess, fistulae and haematom in the animals of the study. Abdominal adhesions were observed in both groups of the animals at 3rd and 7th post-operative days. Dehiscence of the gastrography was identified in one 3rd day rat of subgroups GO. The resistance to air insufflation was higher in GO 3rd day (p=0.087). The analysis of histological parameters showed statistical difference related to wound coaptation in favor to subgroup GO 7th post-operative day. CONCLUSIONS: The extract of mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata in dose and path utilized positively interfered on the gastrography when compared with control group in animals at 7th post-operative day.

[Passiflora edulis extract and the healing of abdominal wall of rats: morphological and tensiometric study]. / Efeito do extrato de Passiflora edulis na cicatrização da parede abdominal de ratos: estudo morfológico e tensiométrico.

INTRODUCTION: The Brazilian popular habit of using plants to treat several health conditions is ancient. Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is widely used to treat, usually in an empiric basis, a variety of medical conditions. Anti-inflammatory activity of Passiflora edulis extract, similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's), has been described. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of Passiflora edulis hydroalcoholic extract on the healing of midline abdominal incisions in rats by morphological and tensiometric methods. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into two groups to either receive Passiflora edulis extract (study group, P) or saline (control group, C) intraperitoneally, in a single isovolumetric dose, after a standardized ventral midline laparotomy had been performed. The twenty rats of the control group as well as those twenty of the study group were divided into subgroups according to the time of sacrifice, either the 3rd PO day (P3, C3) or the 7th PO day (P7, C7). On day three and on day seven after surgery, the rats were sacrificed and the wound area was excised by a standardized protocol. The healing process of the specimens was evaluated macroscopically and histologically. The tensile strength was evaluated by a constant speed computerized tensiometer to determine the breaking strength and the deformation of the healing incision. RESULTS: The macroscopic examination did not show significant differences between study and control groups. Histologically, the C3 vs. P3 comparison showed the following differences: for the variables acute inflammation (p=0.045 in favor of C3), collagenization and capillary neoformation: p=0.001 e 0.001, respectively in favor of P3. Similarly, the C7 vs. P7 comparison showed the following differences for the variables acute inflammation (p=0.002 in favor of C7), chronic inflammation and capillary neoformation: p= 0.006 e 0.001, respectively in favor of P7. Tensiometrically, maximal breaking strength (C(máx)) on day seven of the study group was higher when compared to control group, (6.91 +/- 1.36 vs. 5.05 +/- 1.63, p=0.013). Maximal deformation strength (D(máx)) on day seven of the study group was higher when compared to control group (36.49 +/- 4.61 vs. 26.19 +/-5.74, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Passiflora edulis extract enhances the healing of midline abdominal incisions in rats, especially the histological and tensiometric aspects.

[Topic use of aqueous extract of Orbignya phalerata (babassu) in rats: analysis of its healing effect]. / Efeito do uso tópico do extrato aquoso de Orbignya phalerata (babaçu) na cicatrização de feridas cutâneas: estudo controlado em ratos.

INTRODUCTION: The mesocarp of Babassu (Orbignya phalerata) has been used in experimental studies trying to check its pro-inflammatory effect. PURPOSE: To analyse comparatively the histological changes made by the water extract of Babassu in skin surgical wounds. METHODS: Sixty Wistar adult male rats were used. The experimental procedure was a circle skin incision of 2 cm in diameter made with a metal punch. After this procedure done in all animals, they were randomized in two groups of 30. In the control group, the phytotherapeutic agent wasn't used but saline solution. In the experimental group, the water extract of Orbignya phalerata was used in the cut sites. All animals were followed and killed after seven, 14 and 21 days. Comparative histological analysis was made among the groups. RESULTS: In the microscopic view, a significant reepitelization effect on the healing process of the experimental group in relation to the control group in the 7th and 14th days, was recognized. CONCLUSION: The use of the mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata in skin surgical wounds contributed positively in the healing process in rats.

Multiprofissional electronic protocol in ophtalmology with enfasis in strabismus.

OBJECTIVE: to create and validate an electronic database in ophthalmology focused on strabismus, to computerize this database in the form of a systematic data collection software named Electronic Protocol, and to incorporate this protocol into the Integrated System of Electronic Protocols (SINPE(c)). METHODS: this is a descriptive study, with the methodology divided into three phases: (1) development of a theoretical ophthalmologic database with emphasis on strabismus; (2) computerization of this theoretical ophthalmologic database using SINPE(c) and (3) interpretation of the information with demonstration of results to validate the protocol. We inputed data from the charts of fifty patients with known strabismus through the Electronic Protocol for testing and validation. RESULTS: the new electronic protocol was able to store information regarding patient history, physical examination, laboratory exams, imaging results, diagnosis and treatment of patients with ophthalmologic diseases, with emphasis on strabismus. We included 2,141 items in this master protocol and created 20 new specific electronic protocols for strabismus, each with its own specifics. Validation was achieved through correlation and corroboration of the symptoms and confirmed diagnoses of the fifty included patients with the diagnostic criteria for the twenty new strabismus protocols. CONCLUSION: a new, validated electronic database focusing on ophthalmology, with emphasis on strabismus, was successfully created through the standardized collection of information, and computerization of the database using proprietary software. This protocol is ready for deployment to facilitate data collection, sorting and application for practitioners and researchers in numerous specialties. OBJETIVO: criar uma base eletrônica de dados em oftalmologia com ênfase em estrabismo através da coleta padronizada de informações. Informatizar esta base sob a forma de software para a coleta sistemática de dados chamado "Protocolo Eletrônico" e incorporar este "Protocolo Eletrônico" da Oftalmologia ao Sistema Integrado de Protocolos Eletrônicos (SINPE(c)). MÉTODOS: este é um estudo descritivo e a metodologia aplicada em seu desenvolvimento está didaticamente dividida em três fases: 1) criação da base teórica de dados clínicos de oftalmologia com ênfase em estrabismo; 2) informatização da base teórica dos dados utilizando o SINPE(c); e 3) interpretação das informações com demonstração dos resultados. A informatização da base de dados foi realizada pela utilização da concessão de uso do SINPE(c). Foram incluídos neste protocolo 50 pacientes com estrabismo para validação do protocolo. RESULTADOS: o protocolo eletrônico desenvolvido permitiu armazenar informações relacionadas à anamnese, exame físico, exames complementares, diagnóstico e tratamento de pacientes com doenças oftalmológicas, com ênfase em estrabismo. Foram incluídos neste trabalho 2141 itens no protocolo mestre e foram criados 20 protocolos específicos de estrabismo, cada um com suas particularidades. Os 50 pacientes que foram incluídos nos protocolos específicos demonstraram a eficácia do método empregado. CONCLUSÃO: foi criada uma base eletrônica de dados em oftalmologia com ênfase em estrabismo através da coleta padronizada de informações. Esta base de dados foi informatizada sob a forma de software onde os futuros usuários poderão utilizar o protocolo eletrônico multiprofissional de doenças oftalmológicas com ênfase em estrabismo para a coleta de seus dados.

Comparison of turbinoplasty surgery efficacy in patients with and without allergic rhinitis.

INTRODUCTION: Turbinoplasty is a procedure that aims to reduce the size of the inferior turbinate through exuberant bone removal with high mucosal preservation. The procedure is recommended for patients with or without allergic rhinitis and those showing irreversible hypertrophy of inferior turbinates. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of inferior turbinoplasty for obstructive and non-obstructive symptoms in patients with or without allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Prospective study with 57 patients who underwent inferior turbinoplasty. They were evaluated for nasal obstruction, snoring, facial pressure, smell alterations, sneezing, nasal itching and runny nose symptoms, surgery time, and intraoperative bleeding. The last evaluation took place three months after surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with allergic rhinitis and 18 without were assessed. Ninety days after surgery, 94.7% of patients showed degrees IV and V of breathing improvement; 89.5% showed moderate or complete improvement in snoring; all patients showed smell improvement (only one showed moderate improvement; all the others had full improvement); 95.5% experienced complete facial pressure improvement; and 89.7% showed moderate to complete improvement in nasal itching and runny nose symptoms, as well as in sneezing. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of inferior turbinoplasty was confirmed not only for obstructive symptoms, but also for non-obstructive symptoms in patients with and without allergic rhinitis.

[Mitochondrial myopathy: two case reports]. / Miopatia mitocondrial: relato de dois casos.

Mitochondrial myopathy is a genetic disorder characterized by chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia and upper eyelid, ptosis which occurs before 30 to 40 years of life. The authors reviewed the literature and reported two cases of reading diplopia in female patients.

A comparison study of corneal topographic changes following 20-, 23-, and 25-G pars plana vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare corneal topographic changes following pars plana vitrectomy with the 23-gauge (G) and 25-G transconjuntival sutureless vitrectomy system as well as the standard 20-G vitrectomy system. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated corneal topographic changes in 45 eyes of 45 patients divided into three groups according to vitrectomy system used (20-, 23-, and 25-G). All patients underwent computer-assisted videokeratography using an EyeSys System 3000 topographer preoperatively and at one week, one month, and three months postoperatively. RESULTS: In the 20-G vitrectomy group, we found statistically significant postoperative changes in corneal curvature parameters with an average steepening of 0.98 ± 0.18 D (P<0.001) and 0.93 ± 0.21 D (P<0.001) at one week and one month, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed at the three-month follow-up visit. In the 23- and 25-G groups, no statistically significant changes in corneal curvature parameters were observed at any postoperative follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: Twenty-three-gauge and 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy did not induce topographic corneal changes following surgery, whereas 20-G vitrectomy was found to induce transient topographic corneal changes that had returned to preoperative levels at three months postoperatively.

Optical coherence tomography in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the ability of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to diagnose macular changes pre- and post-cataract surgery and to identify changes in central foveal thickness (CFT) relative to age, sex, and presence of concomitant ophthalmic pathologies, for a period of 6 months post-surgery. METHODS: A prospective study of patients evaluated by SD-OCT within 5 h before surgery at 7, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days post-op, with respect to CFT and presence of maculopathy. RESULTS: Ninety-eight eyes of 98 patients were evaluated, with the following mean results: age = 71.4 years, pre-op VA = 0.27 logMAR, and final VA = 0.73 logMAR. There were 21 eyes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and 10 eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), three with epiretinal membrane, and four with glaucoma. Sixty eyes had no other ophthalmic-related pathologies (NOO), and had a mean pre-op CFT of 222 µm, which progressively increased up to the 60th day post-op, reaching a mean of 227.2 µm. No pseudophakic cystoid macular edema was observed. The mean CFT was statistically significantly different (p<0.001) between NOO and diabetic patients from 30 days post-op. Four eyes presented with preoperative diagnosis of AMD as measured by ophthalmoscopy. After completion of the OCT, which was performed within 5 h before surgery, six additional patients were found to have AMD. Of the 98 total eyes, 10 were diagnosed with maculopathy only by OCT exam. Binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy (BIO) was unable to detect such changes. CONCLUSION: OCT diagnosed preoperative maculopathies in 21.4% of the patients, and was more effective than BIO (11.2%). OCT showed a progressive increase in CFT in diabetics up to 180 days post-operatively, as well as greater CFT in male patients and patients older than 70 years.

Ophthalmic evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of two cases of incontinentia pigmenti.

Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is an X-linked dominant disorder affecting the skin, teeth, eyes, and central nervous system. Ocular changes are common and may lead to severe vision loss. We report on the ocular manifestations in two young girls with IP, with emphasis on the asymmetry of this condition in both eyes and associated retinal problems. The outcomes of laser treatment of the ischemic peripheral retina were good and resulted in stability of vision.

Grid laser photocoagulation in the treatment of serous avascular pigment epithelial detachment in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Describe the outcomes of thermal laser photocoagulation in three cases of retinal pigment epithelium detachment associated to age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Three patients with avascular retinal pigment epithelium detachment were treated with green diode laser photocoagulation. Mild macular grid laser application, similar to the treatment of diabetic macular edema was performed after an unsuccessful intravitreal anti-angiogenic treatment. Results: After one year of the laser treatment, two cases reached anatomic resolution, with complete absorption of sub-epithelium serum fluid and improvement of the visual acuity. There was stability of the visual acuity and sub-epithelium fluid reduction, which, however, was partial in the third case. No complications related to the treatment occurred until the conclusion of this study. Conclusions: Macular photocoagulation in grid pattern produced regression of avascular serous pigment epithelium detachment associated with age-related macular degeneration in a short follow-up period. Although long term prospective studies with an increased sample are necessary, it is a method that can be applied in selected patients, with absence of sub-retinal neovascularization or sub-epithelium fibrovascular component.

Comparative study of visual functions in premature pre-school children with and without retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: Observe whether there are differences in visual functions among premature infants with treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in relation to preterm infants with ROP and spontaneous regression; and among these two groups with ROP and the control group without ROP. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational no blind study. Premature infants were born between 06/199206/2006 and were exam between 06/200912/2010; registered in data of Hospital de Olhos Sandalla Amin Ghanem; with gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks and 1,599 g born weigh; without ROP and ROP stages II or III, in one of the eyes, with spontaneous regression or with treatment; at least three visits during the selection period at maximum 6 months in the first exam and minimum 4 years of age in reassessment (chronological age) were include. Premature that did not respond or were not located for reassessment and those that did not have conditions to do the exams were exclude. Study's groups: G1 ROP posttreatment; G2ROP post-spontaneous regression; G3 without ROP (control). Visual function evaluated with visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity test (CST), color test (CT), eye movement, stereopsis. RESULTS: Overall, there were 24 premature infants and 48 eyes. Normal VA: 64.28% (G1), 87.5% (G2) and 100% (G3); Normal CST: 66.67% (G1), 100% (G2) and 55.56% (G3); Normal Ishihara CT: 100% (G1 and G2) and 86% (G3); Normal Farnsworth CT: 20% (G1), 75% (G2) and 50% (G3). Normal stereoacuity: 0.00% (G1); 25% (G2) and 3.5% (G3). Strabismus: 37% (G2), 0.00% (G1 and G3). The prevalent tendency for lower response in CST and CT between the premature children in group G3 and Farnsworth color test in G1 is a curious result of this work and more study is necessary about these visual functions in older premature children. CONCLUSION: The visual functions showed no statistically significant difference among the groups studied.

[Structural features of macular eyes of preschoolers born preterm: analysis by optical coherence tomography, and indirect ophthalmoscopy]. / Características estruturais maculares de olhos de pré-escolares nascidos prematuros: análise por tomografia de coerência óptica e oftalmoscopia binocular indireta.

PURPOSE: Compare the retinal structure of the macula and fovea among premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stages II and III post treatment, premature infants with ROP stages II and III with spontaneous regression and premature infants without ROP, through optical coherence tomography (OCT) and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy (BIO) examinations. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational and not-blinded study. There were included premature infants born between 06/1992 and 06/2006 and examined between 06/2009 and 12/2010; gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks and birth weight less than or equal to 1,599 g; with a minimum of three visits during the selection period; without retinopathy of prematurity, or with the diagnosis of ROP stages II or III in at least one eye with spontaneous regression or after ROP treatment; maximum of six months of chronological age for the first examination at the service; minimal chronological age of four years old in the reassessment period. There were excluded premature infants who did not attend or did not have clinical conditions for the reassessment examination. The premature infants were divided into three groups: G1 - with ROP post-treatment; G2 - with ROP post-spontaneous regression; and G3 - without ROP. The exams performed were BIO and OCT. RESULTS: Twenty-four premature infants (48 eyes) presented the criteria required for the research, chronological age ranging from 5 to 6 years. At BIO, there was a statistically significant difference for the presence of alterations in the retina of premature infants from group G1. However these changes corresponded to the cicatricial lesions left by the ROP treatment, without visible impairment to the macular region. At OCT there were statistically significant differences for the greatest foveal thickness between premature infants from groups G1 and G2. Considering the left eye, there was no statistically significant difference related to the thickness of the fovea between G1 and G3. There was no difference among the three groups studied in relation to the changes of the retinal layers at OCT. CONCLUSION: Premature infants with ROP post-treatment showed foveal thickness greater than premature infants with ROP post-spontaneous regression; and foveal thickness similar to premature infants without ROP in relation to assessment of the left eye. Regarding the changes of the retinal layers detected at OCT, the three groups were similar, without expression of difference for the treated group in this study.