Primary calcareous degeneration of the cornea.

Primary calcareous degeneration is a rare corneal disease. In the past 50 years, only four cases have been described. We present the case of a 26-year-old male patient with progressive calcium deposition in both eyes with negative laboratory parameters. For the first time, anterior segment optic coherence tomography was used to investigate and establish the proper treatment.

Light scattering and light transmittance in a series of calcified single-piece hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses of the same design.

PURPOSE: To evaluate light scattering and light transmittance of Ioflex hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) explanted because of clinically significant opacification secondary to calcification. SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Seven explanted and 8 control Ioflex IOLs were studied. Gross and light microscopy of all the IOLs were performed. Light scattering was measured with a Scheimpflug camera, and light transmittance was assessed with a spectrophotometer. Analyses were performed at room temperature in the hydrated state, and findings of the explanted and control IOLs were compared. RESULTS: Light scattering was 219.71 computer compatible tape (CCT) ± 2.62 (SD) for explanted IOLs and 4.75 ± 2.50 CCT for controls. The mean light transmittance in the visible light spectrum was 75.94% to 87.25% for explanted IOLs and 97.54% to 98.97% for controls. The most striking finding was variable degrees of light transmittance between 290 nm and 350 nm (ultraviolet-A and B radiation) in the explanted and control IOLs with expiration dates in 2009/2010 but 0% transmittance in this region in all controls with expiration dates in 2011/2012. CONCLUSIONS: Light scattering was extremely high and transmittance was significantly reduced in calcified IOLs. Differences in transmittance observed in the 290 to 350 nm region between IOLs with different expiration dates were related to use of different hydrophilic acrylic raw material suppliers in the manufacture of the IOLs, highlighting the complexity of IOL calcification investigations.

Early opacification of silicone intraocular lenses: Laboratory analyses of 6 explants.

PURPOSE: To report laboratory analyses of 6 intraocular lenses (IOLs) explanted from patients who had visual disturbances caused by early postoperative opacification of the lens optic. SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. METHODS: Six patients with 3-piece silicone lenses presented with optic cloudiness as early as a few hours after implantation. The lenses were implanted in 4 locations in Brazil and in France. The lenses in Brazil were stored at the same location before implantation. Gross and microscopic analyses were performed (dry and hydrated states). One half of each specimen underwent gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis and/or extraction by isopropyl alcohol or acetonitrile. One lens also underwent scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The IOLs were examined for the presence of contaminants or deposits that could cause fast optic opacification. RESULTS: The IOLs showed a white optic discoloration in the hydrated state but became transparent on complete dehydration. Suspect exogenous chemical compounds were identified in GC/MS analyses; general classes included terpenes and ketones, typically found in industrial cleaning agents and fumigants. Surface analysis (SEM and EDS) did not show any significant deposits on the external surfaces and sagittal cut in 1 of the specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Most IOLs are enclosed in semipermeable packages to allow sterilization by ethylene oxide gas. During cleaning or disinfection of storage rooms, aerosolized solutions may introduce chemicals through the package and onto the IOLs. This may cause surface changes in the IOL, promoting opacification by water ingress in the aqueous environment. Cleaning and disinfection procedures of IOL storage areas should be monitored carefully.

Alterações tomográficas cerebrais em crianças com lesões oculares por toxoplasmose congênita / Cerebral CT scan alterations in children with ocular lesions caused by congenital toxoplasmosis

Objetivos: avaliar a freqüência e o tipo de alterações tomográficas cerebrais em pacientes com diagnóstico de toxoplasmose congênita, que apresentam alterações oftalmológicas. Métodos: neste trabalho prospectivo, os indivíduos estudados deveriam preencher um dos seguintes critérios: paciente com dosagem de IgM anti-T.gondii reagente ao nascimento e mãe com sorologia reagente para toxoplasmose, ou menor de dez anos com exame clínico oftalmológico mostrando lesões fundoscópicas bilaterais, compatíveis com retinocoroidite toxoplásmica congênita, IgG anti- T. gondii reagente, e mãe com sorologia compatível. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à tomografia cerebral sem contraste. Resultados: fizeram parte do estudo 22 pacientes (44 olhos). Treze olhos apresentavam lesões oculares maculares (29,5por cento), oito lesões periféricas (18,2por cento), e 22 olhos tinham lesões periféricas e maculares concomitantes (50por cento) .Dezessete pacientes (77,3por cento) apresentaram alterações radiológicas. Dentre estes, 16 pacientes (94, 1por cento) apresentaram calcificações encefálicas, dois pacientes (11,7por cento) apresentaram dilatação ventricular, dois hidrocefalia ( 11,7por cento), um (5,9por cento) hidroanencefalia, um (5,9por cento) cisto porencefálico (hemiatrofia cerebral), um (5,9por cento) cisto de aracnóide, e um (5,9por cento) aumento discreto dos ventrículos e das cisternas subaracnoideas. Conclusão: em pacientes com diagnóstico de toxoplasmose congênita e lesões oculares, deve-se suspeitar e investigar alterações neurorradiológicas concomitantes, devido a importância desses achados na maioria dos pacientes