Assessment of quality of life, psychosocial, and epidemiological aspects in patients diagnosed with tuberculous uveitis.

PURPOSE: To assess the quality of life in patients diagnosed as having tuberculous uveitis and its association with sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial aspects. METHOD: By conducting standardized interviews, clinical and demographic data were collected using a measure developed in this study. This measure was applied in addition to other measures, namely SF-12, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and NEI-VFQ-39, which were used to assess health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, and visual functioning. RESULTS: The study included 34 patients [mean age: 46.5 ± 15.1 years, female patients: 21 (61.8%)]. The mean of the VFQ-39 score was 74.5 ± 16.6 and that of SF-12 physical and mental component scores were 45.8 ± 10.1 and 51.6 ± 7.5, respectively, for the health-related quality of life. Anxiety symptoms were the most prevalent compared with depression symptoms and were found in 35.3% of the participants. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous uveitis affects several scales of quality of life, thereby affecting a population economically active with a social, psychological, and economic burden.

Comparison of Retinal Structure Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography between Persons with and without HIV Infection.

HIV retinal microangiopathy is an important predictor for increased risk of mortality. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can investigate microvascular changes resulting from retinal diseases. Study included 25 persons with HIV and 25 healthy persons. OCTA evaluated the vascularization of retinal layers, choriocapillary, and optic disk. HIV group had lower vessel flow density (VFD) in superficial plexus. No difference was observed in the deep plexus. VFD of the optic disk and peripapillary region showed no difference between the groups. HIV group showed a thinner retinal nerve fiber layer and smaller area of the optic disk rim. HIV infection is associated with VFD reduction in superficial retinal plexus, neural rim area reduction, and retinal nerve fiber layer thinning in individuals without microangiopathic alterations on fundus examination. Therefore, OCTA can find retinal changes before clinical evidence of retinopathy.

Evaluation of the retinal vasculature of patients with branch retinal vein occlusion using optical coherence tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate vascular density in super-ficial and deep capillary plexuses of the retina, measured using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion. Affected eyes were compared with the contralateral eye of the same patient and both were compared with normal eyes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 16 previously untreated patients with branch retinal vein occlusion. Patients with poor quality examinations, bilateral disease, high refractive error, or any other retinal or choroidal disease were excluded. A total of 31 patients without eye disease were also selected as a comparison group. All participants underwent five optical coherence tomography angiographies, and only those with at least two good quality examinations were selected. The Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Vascular density was lower in affected eyes compared with contralateral eyes: whole density (p=0.020 for capillary plexuses superficial; p=0.049 for deep capillary plexuses) and parafoveal density (p=0.020 for capillary plexuses superficial; p=0.011 for deep capillary plexuses). Vascular density was also lower in affected eyes compared with normal eyes: whole density (p<0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial and deep) and parafoveal density (p<0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial and deep). Whole density (p=0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial and deep) and parafoveal density (p=0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial; p<0.001 for deep capillary plexuses) were both lower in the contralateral eyes compared with normal eyes. Following adjustment for arterial hypertension, this difference was no longer observed. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular density in capillary plexuses and deep capillary plexuses was lower in the eyes affected by branch retinal vein occlusion. Furthermore, the lower vascular density noted in the contralateral eyes indicates that changes most likely occurred in these eyes prior to the appearance of any clinically detectable alterations, reflecting the early signs of hypertensive retinopathy.

Seroprevalence and Manifestations of Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Patients with Schizophrenia.

PURPOSE: Recent studies have linked infectious agents such as Toxoplasma gondii to schizophrenia. We investigated the seroprevalence of T. gondii and conducted ophthalmologic examinations in schizophrenia patients and controls to identify lesions suggestive of ocular toxoplasmosis. METHODS: During 2015 and 2016, 34 schizophrenia patients and 85 healthy controls underwent ophthalmologic examination and anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibody measurements by chemiluminescence. RESULTS: Schizophrenia patients had a higher prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG positivity than controls (91.18% [95% confidence interval (CI), 77.04%-96.95%] vs. 70.59% [95% CI, 60.18%-79.21%]; p = 0.017). Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies (acute form) were not detected in any patient. One (3%) schizophrenic patient and two (2.4%) control patients presented fundoscopic scarring. CONCLUSION: The seropositivity rate was significantly higher among schizophrenia patients than among controls (p = 0.017). There was no association between the presence of fundoscopic scarring and schizophrenia (p = 1.000).

Ultrasonographic characteristics of active ocular toxoplasmosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate ophthalmic ultrasonographic findings associated with active ocular toxoplasmosis. METHODS: Forty-seven eyes with active ocular toxoplasmosis in 47 patients were subjected to ocular ultrasonography using the transpalpebral technique (10-MHz transducer) and fundus photography. Patient medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Ocular ultrasonography revealed vitritis, posterior vitreous detachment, retinal wall thickening, and non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 47 (100%), 36 [76.6%; partial in 12 (25.5%) and total in 23 (48.9%)], 12 (25.5%), and 5 eyes (10.6%). Thirty-five of the 36 eyes with posterior vitreous detachment (97.2%) exhibited posterior hyaloid thickening; moreover, adhesion to the exudative lesion and vitreoschisis were observed in 4 (11.1%) and 12 eyes (25.5%), respectively. Ultrasonography detected the location of the exudative focus in 12 eyes (25.5%). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is helpful for detecting important intraocular findings of acute ocular toxoplasmosis that can be hindered by medial opacity or posterior synechiae.

Assessment of quality of life, psychosocial, and epidemiological aspects in patients diagnosed with tuberculous uveitis

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess the quality of life in patients diagnosed as having tuberculous uveitis and its association with sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial aspects. Method: By conducting standardized interviews, clinical and demographic data were collected using a measure developed in this study. This measure was applied in addition to other measures, namely SF-12, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and NEI-VFQ-39, which were used to assess health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, and visual functioning. Results: The study included 34 patients [mean age: 46.5 ± 15.1 years, female patients: 21 (61.8%)]. The mean of the VFQ-39 score was 74.5 ± 16.6 and that of SF-12 physical and mental component scores were 45.8 ± 10.1 and 51.6 ± 7.5, respectively, for the health-related quality of life. Anxiety symptoms were the most prevalent compared with depression symptoms and were found in 35.3% of the participants. Conclusion: Tuberculous uveitis affects several scales of quality of life, thereby affecting a population economically active with a social, psychological, and economic burden.

[Macula study in Stargardt's disease]. / Estudo macular na doença de Stargardt.

PURPOSE: To evaluate de macular structural damage in Stargardt's disease by optical coherence tomography, correlating with visual acuity and disease duration. METHODS: Patients with Stargardt's disease were included and submitted to visual acuity (logMAR) measurement and complementary examinations performed were color fundus photographs, fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography. All cases were reexamined for diagnostic confirmation and the duration of symptoms was determined. The control group was composed of the same number of subjects, matched by sex and age, without any ophthalmologic alteration. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 22 patients (44 eyes) with Stargardt's disease, 11 (50%) males and 11 (50%) females. The duration of the disease varied from 3 to 21 years (mean of 11.4 +/- 5.3 years). The groups did not show significant differences in age (p= 0.98) and sex. Concerning the macular thickness in optical coherence tomography, the variation in the study group differed significantly from the control group, presenting smaller values of thickness (p<0.001). There was negative and significant correlation between the duration of disease and the macular thickness assessed by optical coherence tomography (r=-0.57 and p=0.005). There was positive correlation between the duration of the disease and the visual acuity (r=0.50 and p=0.0167) and negative correlation between the visual acuity and the macular thickness in optical coherence tomography (r=-0.83 and p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: It was evidenced that patients with Stargardt's disease have a thinner macular thickness when compared to normal subjects, and this reduction is related to the duration of symptoms of the disease. Additionally, the thickness and also the duration of the disease influence the visual prognosis of the patients.

[Conjunctival bacterial flora after topical use of ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin in cataract surgery]. / Flora bacteriana conjuntival após uso tópico de ciprofloxacino e gatifloxacino em cirurgia de catarata.

PURPOSE: To evaluate alterations of the conjunctival flora after the use of 0.3% ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin in the prophylaxis of patients undergoing cataract surgery. METHODS: 40 patients undergoing cataract surgery were distributed into two groups according to the use of antibiotic eye drops: Group A: 0.3% ciprofloxacin and Group B: 0.3% gatifloxacin. Both groups used antibiotic eye drops 1 hour before surgery and 14 days after surgery. Conjunctival material was collected at 5 time points: 1 hour before surgery, without any topical medication (t0); immediately before the application of povidone-iodine (PVPI) (t1), before the beginning of surgery, after povidone-iodine (t2), 14 days (t3) and 28 days after surgery (t4). RESULTS: Preoperative antibiotics reduced the positivity of the cultures before the use of PVPI in both groups, although in Group A this reduction was not significant (Group A - p=0.07 and Group B - p=0.04). The number of positive cultures was reduced in all groups after the use of povidone-iodine and on the 14th postoperative day (p<0.05). In t4 there was a reduction in the frequency of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in Group A compared with Group B (p<0.05); the susceptibility to ciprofloxacin was also reduced in all groups, when compared with t0. CONCLUSIONS: Gatifloxacin eye drops applied one hour before surgery significantly reduced the number of positive conjunctival cultures. Both antibiotics reduced the conjunctival flora when administered in the postoperative period.

Current Practices in Ocular Toxoplasmosis: A Survey of Brazilian Uveitis Specialists.

PURPOSE: To describe treatment practices for ocular toxoplasmosis among members of the Brazilian Uveitis Society. METHODS: An online questionnaire sent to specialists, between October 2014 and March 2015. RESULTS: Most respondents (67.9%) treat all active cases. Most specialists consider visual acuity <20/200 (88.2%), severe vitreous inflammation (94.1%), and ocular disease during acquired infection (88.2%) as absolute indications for treatment. Systemic steroids are associated with anti-toxoplasmic therapy in most cases by 50.9% of the respondents. For immunocompetent individuals, 57.4% of the respondents chose trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Classical therapy (sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine) is preferred most for patients with central lesions (70.4%), immunosuppression (68.4%), acquired infection (70.4%), and atypical forms (74.1%). For patients with frequent relapses, 84.9% of the respondents preferred antibiotic prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment patterns of ocular toxoplasmosis are not uniform among Brazilian specialists. Most specialists treat all cases of active retinochoroiditis. Typical cases are more frequently treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. However, classical therapy is the regimen of choice when lesions are considered more severe.

[Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a postoperative study of the macula]. / Descolamento regmatogênico de retina: avaliação pós-operatória da mácula.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the structure and function of the macula following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery. METHODS: Prospective study of patients submitted to scleral buckle surgery or pneumatic retinopexy. The follow-up comprised a complete ophthalmologic exam and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 14 eyes (14 patients), 71.4% operated with the scleral buckle technique, and 28.6% with the pneumatic retinopexy. The age range was from 24 to 59 years (mean of 39.3 years). There was a negative correlation between the final visual acuity and age of patient (r=-0.64, p=0.0127) and between final vision and duration of detachment (r=-0.54, p=0.0447). There was a positive correlation between visual acuity at initial follow-up and that at the final follow-up (r=0.69, p=0.0059). The optical coherence tomography of the initial follow-up showed subclinical foveal detachment in four eyes (28.6% of cases); at the final follow-up the retina was applied by itself with improved vision in all eyes (p=0.031), regardless the time span until reapplication (p=0.5546). CONCLUSION: The results show that the younger the patient and the earlier the surgical procedure, the better the final visual acuity. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between initial and final postoperative vision and, all cases that presented foveal detachment on the optical coherence tomography at the initial follow-up had the retina flattened and the vision improved at the final examination.

[Bevacizumab (Avastin) in treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration: a case report]. / Bevacizumab (Avastin) no tratamento da membrana neovascular coroidal secundária à degeneração macular relacionada à idade: relato de caso.

The antiangiogenic drugs have been recently introduced in the therapeutic armamentarium of choroidal neovascularization. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of occult choroidal neovascularization with extensive retinal pigment epithelial detachment treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin). The efficacy of the medication was evaluated by means of visual acuity and complementary exams (fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green video angiography and optical coherence tomography). After three intravitreal injections of bevacizumab a satisfactory anatomic and visual response was achieved, showing benefits of the drug, despite the extensive retinal pigment epithelial detachment associated with occult choroidal neovascularization.

Serum levels of vitamin A, visual function and ocular surface after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: - Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, but the surgery increases the risk of developing nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin A deficiency. In human metabolism, vitamin A plays a role in vision. OBJECTIVE: - To evaluate serum vitamin A, visual function and ocular surface of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS: - A cross-sectional and analytical study was conduced with 28 patients undergoing bariatric surgery for at least 6 months. Ophthalmologic evaluation was done through color vision test, contrast sensitivity test, ocular surface tests and confocal microscopy, as well as vitamin A serum measurement. RESULTS: - Vertical sleeve gastrectomy was performed in seven (25.0%) patients and Roux -en-Y gastric by-pass in 21 (75.0%). Mean serum vitamin A level was 1.7±0.5 µmoL/L. Most patients (60.7%) had symptoms of dry eye. Five (17.9%) patients had contrast sensitivity impairment and 18 (64.3%) color vision changes. In the group of patients undergoing Roux -en-Y gastric by-pass , mean vitamin A levels were 1.8±0.6 µmoL/L, whereas they were 1.7±0.5 µmoL/L in patients submitted to the restrictive technique vertical sleeve gastrectomy . The analysis of the influence of serum levels of vitamin A in the visual function and ocular surface was performed by Pearson correlation test and there was no significant correlation between any of the variables and vitamin A. CONCLUSION: - There was no influence of the bariatric surgery technique used on serum vitamin A levels, on the visual function or on the ocular surface. Moreover, there was no correlation between serum levels of vitamin A and the visual function or the ocular surface changes.

Conjunctival bacterial flora and antibiotic resistance pattern in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the conjunctival bacterial flora and its antibiotic resistance pattern in eyes of patients undergoing cataract surgery. METHODS: From August to October 2004, 50 patients undergoing cataract surgery in the "Fundação Altino Ventura", Recife, Brazil, were prospectively evaluated. Conjunctival material was obtained on the day of surgery, before the application of topical anesthetic, antibiotic or povidone-iodine. The collected material was inoculated and bacterioscopic analysis was carried out. In the cases where there was bacterial growth, antibiotic susceptibility tests and cultures, for isolation and identification of the bacteria, were performed. RESULTS: Of the 50 eyes, 43 (86.0%) had positive cultures. The coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS), found in 27 (54.0%) eyes, was the most frequent organism. More than 90% of the isolates of this bacterium were susceptible to cephalotin, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, ofloxacin and gatifloxacin; 70 to 90% were susceptible to gentamicin, cefotaxime, oxacillin and ciprofloxacin; and less than 70% were sensible to neomycin. Four (10.5%) of the bacterial isolates were resistant to four or more antibiotics, two of them were CNS. CONCLUSION: The most frequent bacterium in the conjunctival flora is the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. The isolates of this organism showed low susceptibility rate to neomycin, and high susceptibility rates to cephalotin, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, ofloxacin and gatifloxacin.

Optical coherence tomography of macular atrophy associated with microcephaly and presumed intrauterine Zika virus infection.

This case report describes the retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in a microcephalic infant with macular atrophy presumably caused by intrauterine Zika virus infection. OCT demonstrated atrophy of the outer retinal layers and choriocapillaris, including the outer nuclear layer and ellipsoid zone, associated with retinal pigment epithelium hyper-reflectivity and increased OCT penetration into deeper layers of the choroid and sclera. A major concern associated with this infection is the apparent increased incidence of microcephaly in fetuses born to mothers infected with the Zika virus. It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the upsurge in congenital microcephaly observed in Brazil. Recently, ocular findings in infants with microcephaly associated with intrauterine Zika virus infection have been described. This is the first report of OCT imaging of macular atrophy in a child with presumed Zika virus infection-associated microcephaly.

[Ocular alterations associated with bungee jumping: case report]. / Alterações oculares associadas ao "bungee jumping": relato de caso.

The popularization of bungee jumping is causing an increase in occurrences of lesions associated with its practice, including ocular lesions. The purpose of this study is to describe a case of acute decrease in vision and visual field defects following a bungee jump. The authors present a case of a 48-year-old woman, without history of systemic or ocular disorders, seen at an ophthalmologic emergency service with visual loss complaint following a bungee jump. On initial ophthalmologic evaluation, hemorrhages in the posterior pole of both eyes were found. Fluorescein angiography showed hypofluorescent areas, without other vascular alterations. The patient was evaluated after 14 weeks, the hemorrhages cleared up and there was atrophy of the pigmented epithelium of the retina in the posterior pole, but the patient remained with complaint of scotoma and visual field defects even 5 months after the initial event. The occurrence of body lesions, including ocular lesions, with risk of decrease in visual acuity should be informed to candidates for the practice of this sport, and the ophthalmologist would do well to provide information to the population about possible ocular disorders, in this sport and in daily life.

Visual function and macular architecture in patients with inactive zone 2 and 3 toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual function and architecture of the central and peripapillary retina in patients with inactive toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis outside the macular and peripapillary regions (zones 2 and 3). METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 20 eyes (18 patients) with zone 2 and 3 toxoplasmic scars and visual acuity ≥20/25. Patients underwent Humphrey 10-2 perimetry, contrast sensitivity (Mars test), and color vision testing (L'Anthony desaturated D-15). The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thicknesses were determined by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 27.4 ± 10.3 years, and the mean duration of remission was 6.15 ± 5.19 months. Abnormal contrast sensitivity and color vision were observed in three (15.0%) and four eyes (20.0%), respectively. Mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) fell outside the 95% normal confidence limits of the perimeter's database in 14 (70.0%) and seven eyes (35.0%), respectively. Foveal and mean RNFL thicknesses were within the normal limits in all eyes. Eyes with zone 2 retinochoroiditis had lower foveal sensitivity than eyes with zone 3 lesions (p=0.041). Eyes with a longer duration of remission had a higher MD (r=0.575; p=0.013) and a lower PSD (r=-0.593; p=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Despite normal central and peripapillary retinal architecture, eyes with inactive zone 2 and 3 toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis can present with abnormal color, contrast, and macular perimetric sensitivity. Zone 2 retinochoroiditis was associated with lower foveal sensitivity, and a longer duration of retinochoroiditis remission was associated with better perimetric parameters (MD and PSD).

Evaluation of the retinal vasculature of patients with branch retinal vein occlusion using optical coherence tomography angiography / Avaliação da vasculatura da retina em pacientes com oclusão de ramo da veia central da retina utilizando a angiografia por tomografia de coerência óptica

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate vascular density in super­ficial and deep capillary plexuses of the retina, measured using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion. Affected eyes were compared with the contralateral eye of the same patient and both were compared with normal eyes. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 16 previously untreated patients with branch retinal vein occlusion. Patients with poor quality examinations, bilateral disease, high refractive error, or any other retinal or choroidal disease were excluded. A total of 31 patients without eye disease were also selected as a comparison group. All participants underwent five optical coherence tomography angiographies, and only those with at least two good quality examinations were selected. The Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for the statistical analysis. Results: Vascular density was lower in affected eyes compared with contralateral eyes: whole density (p=0.020 for capillary plexuses superficial; p=0.049 for deep capillary plexuses) and parafoveal density (p=0.020 for capillary plexuses superficial; p=0.011 for deep capillary plexuses). Vascular density was also lower in affected eyes compared with normal eyes: whole density (p<0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial and deep) and parafoveal density (p<0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial and deep). Whole density (p=0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial and deep) and parafoveal density (p=0.001 for capillary plexuses superficial; p<0.001 for deep capillary plexuses) were both lower in the contralateral eyes compared with normal eyes. Following adjustment for arterial hypertension, this difference was no longer observed. Conclusions: Vascular density in capillary plexuses and deep capillary plexuses was lower in the eyes affected by branch retinal vein occlusion. Furthermore, the lower vascular density noted in the contralateral eyes indicates that changes most likely occurred in these eyes prior to the appearance of any clinically detectable alterations, reflecting the early signs of hypertensive retinopathy.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a densidade vascular do plexo capilar superficial e profundo da retina, usando angiografia por tomografia de coerência óptica em pacientes com oclusão de ramo da veia central da retina, comparando o olho afetado com o contralateral do mesmo paciente e ambos com olhos normais. Métodos: Estudo transversal. Incluídos dezesseis pacientes com oclusão de ramo da veia central da retina sem tratamento prévio. Pacientes com exames de baixa qualidade, altas ametropias, outras patologias de retina ou coróide foram excluídos. Para comparação, trinta e um pacientes sem doença ocular foram selecionados. Todos foram submetidos a cinco exames angiografia por tomografia de coerência óptica, apenas aqueles com pelo menos dois exames de boa qualidade permaneceram no estudo. Os testes Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, e Mann-Whitney foram utilizados. Resultados: Densidades vasculares mais baixas do plexo capilar superficial e plexo capilar profundo foram observadas quando olhos com oclusão de ramo da veia central da retina foram comparados com os contralaterais: densidade total (p=0,02 para plexo capilar superficial, p=0,049 para plexo capilar profundo), densidade parafoveal (p=0,02 para plexo capilar superficial, p=0,011 para plexo capilar profundo). Comparando olhos acometidos com olhos normais, também foram observadas densidades vasculares mais baixas de plexo capilar superficial e plexo capilar profundo: densidade total (ambos com p<0,001) e densidade parafoveal (ambos com p<0,001). Quando os olhos contralaterais foram comparados aos normais, tanto a densidade total do plexo capilar superficial e plexo capilar profundo (ambos com p=0,001) quanto a densidade parafoveal (plexo capilar superficial com p=0,001, plexo capilar profundo com p<0,001) foram menores. Ao se realizar uma subanálise, minimizando o fator hipertensão arterial, esta diferença não se manteve. Conclusões: Densidades vasculares mais baixas do plexo capilar superficial e do plexo capilar profundo foram observadas em olhos com oclusão de ramo da veia central da retina. Além disso, a presença de densidades vasculares mais baixas nos olhos contralaterais mostra que já existem altera­ções nesses olhos antes das alterações clínicas, devido a al­terações inicias da retinopatia hipertensiva.

Anterior segment optical coherence tomography in acute anterior uveitis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the corneal thickness and anterior chamber (AC) angle using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU). METHODS: Twenty two patients (24 eyes) were included. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination, applanation tonometry and AS-OCT at diagnosis and fifteen days after treatment. RESULTS: Average corneal thickness before treatment was 564.2 ± 44.2 µm, 580.0 ± 44.3 µm and 580.1 ± 2.9 µm, respectively in central, pericentral and paracentral cornea. Fifteen days after treatment a significant decrease of corneal thickness was observed, with 529.5 ± 33.1 µm (p=0.0091) and 542.6 ± 33.6 µm (p=0.0068), respectively in central and pericentral cornea; paracentral corneal thickness (557.8 ± 35.3 µm) thinning did not reach statistical significance (p=0.1253). There was no significant change in temporal AC angle between visits, 44.3 ± 14.4 degrees before treatment and 44.7 ± 14.7 degrees fifteen days after (p=0.9343), and mean intraocular pressure, 10.8 ± 4.5 mmHg before treatment and 12.3 ± 3.0 mmHg fifteen days after (p=0.1874). CONCLUSION: In the studied group, AS-OCT detected a decrease of corneal thickness after AAU treatment. Temporal AC angle and intraocular pressure did not change during the studied period.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with uveitis in an emergency eye care center in Brazil.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with uveitis in an emergency eye care center. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational study of patients with active uveitis admitted between May 2012 and July 2012 to an emergency eye care center. RESULTS: The majority of patients were male (63.2%), with a mean age of 43.2 years; 66.2% patients were of mixed ethnicity, 22.5% were Caucasian, and 11.3% were black. Anterior uveitis was observed in 70.1% patients, posterior uveitis in 26.5%, and panuveitis in 3.4%; no patient was diagnosed with intermediate uveitis. All patients had a sudden and acute presentation. The most frequent symptoms were ocular pain (76.9%), redness (59.8%), and visual blurring (46.2%). The majority of patients had unilateral disease (94.9%) with a mean symptom duration of 6.2 days. Diffuse and anterior uveitis were associated with ocular pain (p<0.001). Scotomata and floaters were more frequent in patients with posterior uveitis (p=0.003 and p=0.016, respectively). Patients with anterior uveitis presented with better visual acuity (p=0.025). Granulomatous keratotic precipitates were more frequent in patients with posterior uveitis (p=0.038). An etiological diagnosis based on the evaluation at the emergency center was made in 45 patients (38.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Acute anterior uveitis was the most frequent form of uveitis. Initial patient evaluation provided sufficient information for deciding primary therapy and aided in arriving at an etiological diagnosis in a considerable number of patients.

Levels of Evidence: What Should Ophthalmologists Know? / Níveis de evidência: O que os Oftalmologistas devem saber?

Abstract Facing an enormous influx of information from medical research, clinicians need to differentiate robust study findings from spurious ones. The levels of evidence are an important component of Evidence-Based Medicine. Understanding the levels helps the Ophthalmologist to prioritize information and make right clinical decisions. The aim of this article is to describe the hierarchy of studies regarding their scientific evidence focusing on ophthalmology.

Resumo Em face a um enorme influxo de informações de pesquisa médica, os clínicos precisam diferenciar os achados de estudos robusto dos espúrios. Os níveis de evidência são um componente importante da Medicina Baseada em Evidências. Compreender os níveis ajuda ooftalmologista a priorizar as informações e tomar decisões clínicas corretas. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a hierarquia dosestudos em relação à evidência científica com enfoque na oftalmologia.