Quality of life in keratoconus: evaluation with Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire (KORQ).

To assess the quality of life of keratoconus patients using the Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire (KORQ), translated and validated in Portuguese language. The KORQ is the only validated keratoconus specific questionnaire and has a high rating for its psychometric properties. This cross-sectional study enrolled 100 keratoconus patients from a tertiary referral eye hospital between April 2018 and June 2019. Associations between age, sex, allergic conjunctivitis, keratoconus stage, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), maximum simulated keratometry (Kmax), steep keratometry (K2), pachymetry, treatments performed, hydrops, and KORQ scores were evaluated using univariate (Wilcoxon test and the Kruskal Wallis test) and multivariate linear regression with stepwise backward modeling. Lower KORQ scores are associated with better quality of life, whereas, higher scores are associated with greater impairment of functional activities and symptoms. Among the 100 patients, mild, moderate, and severe keratoconus were observed in 15%, 46% and 39% of participants, respectively. Univariate analysis showed lower function scores values, with male sex (p < 0.05) and both functional and symptom scores were significantly associated with BCVA < 0.3 (LogMAR) (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated significantly lower functional scores in individuals with BCVA < 0.3 (LogMAR) (p < 0.001) and those with a history of crosslinking treatment (p = 0.022), while symptom scores were only significantly associated with only BCVA < 0.3 (LogMAR) (p < 0.001). In patients with keratoconus, BCVA in the better eye and history of crosslinkig were factors associated with better quality of life scores using the KORQ.

Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in Young Patients for Progressive Keratoconus.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to compare the effect of early corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) intervention (before 17 years of age) with that of late intervention (after 17 years of age) on the characteristics and progression of keratoconus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred five eyes of 94 patients with keratoconus undergoing treatment with CXL were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups by age: group 1 (mean age of 13.8 yrs; range 10-16) and group 2 (mean age of 21.5 yrs; range 17-36). Eyes were evaluated regarding best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive error, corneal endothelial cell density, and central corneal thickness, as well as using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, Goldmann tonometry, and the keratometry (Kmax, Ksteep, and Kflat parameters) test before CXL and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: The mean (SD) BCVA of group 1 was 0.45 (±0.25) before CXL and 0.56 (±0.29) 1 year after CXL (P = 0.030); mean (SD) Kmax, Ksteep, and Kflat were 58.47 (±7.2), 52.93 (±5.4), 47.22 (±4.2) before CXL respectively, and 58.21 (±7.7), 52.25 (±5.5), and 46.56 (±4.6) 1 year after CXL, respectively (P = 0.897, 0.481, and 0.491). The mean (SD) BCVA of group 2 was 0.50 (±0.30) before CXL and 0.56 (±0.32) 1 year thereafter (P = 0.346); mean (SD) Kmax, Ksteep, and Kflat were, respectively, 57.64 (±7.1), 54.02 (±6.2), and 48.60 (±4.1) before CXL and 56.46 (±8.0), 52.46 (±5.8), and 47.85 (±4.9) 1 year after CXL, respectively (P = 0.553, 0.258, and 0.640). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed no statistical differences between younger and older patients. These findings support the indication of CXL treatment in pediatric patients for early stabilization of the disease and better progress regarding BCVA and keratometry parameters.

Macular phototoxicity after corneal cross-linking.

PURPOSE: To assess potential vascular, structural, and functional changes to the macula in patients with keratoconus that underwent ultraviolet A (UVA)-riboflavin-mediated corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen eyes from 17 patients of age 16 years or older with keratoconus undergoing CXL treatment were studied. The same eye served as its own control (before CXL vs after CXL). Eyes were evaluated in terms of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive error, intraocular pressure, Amsler grid, retinography, fluorescein angiography, autofluorescence, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) prior to CXL and 7 and 30 days after treatment. Multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) was recorded prior to and 7 days after CXL. RESULTS: Mean (SD) BCVA by logMAR chart was 0.47 (±0.12) pre-CXL, 0.55 (±0.15) 7 days post-CXL (P=0.57), and 0.46 (±0.10) 30 days post-CXL (P=0.87). Mean (SD) SD-OCT central macular thickness (µm) was 253.62 (±20.9) pre-CXL, 260.5 (±18.7) 7 days post-CXL (P=0.48), and 256.44 (±21.6) 30 days post-CXL (P=0.69). In 12 eyes, mfERG revealed a statistically significant increase (P=0.0353) in P1 latency (ms) of ring four from the pre-CXL period (39.45±2.05) to 7 days post-CXL (41.04±1.28) period. Regression analysis showed that the increase in P1 latency was correlated with the increase in central macular thickness (P=0.027). Furthermore, nine patients experienced a significant decrease in P1 amplitudes of rings 1 (P=0.0014), 2 (P=0.0029), 3 (P=0.0037), 4 (P=0.0014), and 5 (P=0.0012) from pre-CXL to 7 days post-CXL. Conclusion: In this pilot study, most of the patients exhibited slight changes in their mfERG parameters and OCT thickness, despite a lack of vascular abnormalities observed on fluorescein angiography/autofluorescence imaging, no alteration in BCVA, and no reports of symptoms. These changes could, therefore, be categorized as a mild subclinical effect of the corneal cross-linking procedure.

Late ophthalmology findings in a X-linked juvenile retinoschisis patient / Achados oftalmológicos tardios em um paciente portador de retinosquise juvenil ligada ao cromossomo X

ABSTRACT X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is a vitreoretinal degeneration caused by mutations in the RS1 gene, generally characterized by bilateral maculopathy and peripheral retinoschisis leading to progressive visual loss during the first 2 decades of life and complications like retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage. Herein, we present late ophthalmology findings in a XLRS patient.

RESUMO A retinosquise juvenil ligada ao cromossomo X (XLRS) é uma degeneração vitreorretiniana causada por mutações no gene RS1, geralmente caracterizada por maculopatia bilateral e retinosquise periférica, levando à perda visual progressiva durante as primeiras 2 décadas de vida e complicações como descolamento de retina e hemorragia vítrea. Apresentamos aqui achados oftalmológicos tardios em um paciente com XLRS.

Repeated penetrating corneal transplantation in patients with a previous tectonic transplant / Retransplante penetrante de córnea em pacientes submetidos à transplante tectônico prévio

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze, in a university hospital of reference, the rate of a new penetrating corneal transplantation in patients that had previously undergone a tectonic keratoplasty and analyze the results after one year of surgery. Methods: Retrospective review of patients undergoing penetrating corneal transplantation, from november of 2010 to november of 2014. Comparative analysis of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure and corneal transparency before surgery and after one year, in the group of patients in which it was performed a re-graft after a failed tectonic transplantation. Results: A total of 318 patients underwent penetrating corneal transplantation during the study period. Of the 199 patients who underwent tectonic transplantation, 36 were subjected to re-graft and re-grafts were performed more than once in 2 eyes, with total of 38 transplants (19,09%). The results showed improvement of BCVA in 20 (52.63%), worsening in 8 (21.05%) and unchanged in 10 (26.31%); improvement of intraocular pressure in 3 (7.89%), deterioration in 3 (7.89%) and unchanged in 32 (84.21%); improvement of corneal transparency 25 (65.78%), worsening 4 (10.52%) and 9 unchanged (23.68%) patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a considerable number of repeated penetrating keratoplasty in patients with a history of failed tectonic corneal transplantation. In spite of bad prognosis in cases where there is high-risk corneal recipients and history of a failed tectonic transplant, there was improvement of the corneal transparency and best corrected visual acuity even after a year of surgery.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar, em um hospital universitário de referência, a taxa de novo transplante penetrante de córnea em pacientes que já haviam realizado um transplante de córnea tectônica e analisar os resultados após um ano de cirurgia. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de pacientes submetidos a transplante de córnea penetrante, a partir de novembro de 2010 a novembro de 2014. A análise comparativa da melhor acuidade visual corrigida, pressão intraocular e de transparência da córnea antes da cirurgia e após um ano, no grupo de pacientes em que foi realizado um retransplante após um transplante tectônico falho. Resultados: Foram avaliados 318 pacientes submetidos à ceratoplastia penetrante no período estudado. Dos 199 pacientes que realizaram transplante tectônico, 36 foram submetidos a re-enxerto e re-enxertos foram realizados mais de uma vez em 2 olhos, com total de 38 transplantes (19,09%). A análise dos resultados mostrou melhora da melhor acuidade visual corrigida em 20 (52,63%), piora em 8 (21,05%) e inalterado em 10 (26,31%); melhora da pressão intraocular em 3 (7,89%), piora em 3 (7,89%) e inalterado em 32 (84,21%); melhora da transparência corneana em 25 (65,78%), piora em 4 (10,52%) e inalterado em 9 (23,68%) pacientes. Conclusão: O estudo demonstrou um número considerável de retransplante penetrante de córnea em pacientes com história de transplante de córnea tectônico falho. Apesar do mau prognóstico nos casos com história de um transplante tectônico falho, houve melhora da transparência da córnea e da acuidade visual mesmo após um ano da cirurgia.