Evaluation of early ocular discomfort after glaucoma surgery: trabeculectomy versus Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the initial ocular discomfort symptoms resulting from trabeculectomy and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation surgeries. METHODS: A prospective comparative study was conducted. The evaluation of ocular discomfort employed a questionnaire designed to identify the frequency and severity of distinct symptoms: ocular pain, general discomfort, tearing, foreign body sensation, and burning. This questionnaire was administered prior to surgery as a baseline, and subsequently at 7, 30, and 90 days post-surgery. Simultaneously, the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was applied at these same time intervals. RESULTS: The study encompassed a total of 17 patients (9 undergoing trabeculectomy and 8 undergoing Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation). The Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group exhibited higher tearing levels at baseline (p=0.038). However, no statistically significant differences in symptoms were observed between the two surgeries at 7 and 30 days post-surgery. At the 90-day mark following surgery, patients who had undergone trabeculectomy reported a significantly higher foreign body sensation (p=0.004). Although OSDI scores did not differ between groups at baseline, the trabeculectomy group showed significantly higher OSDI scores than the Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group at 7, 30, and 90 days after surgery (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Post-surgery, patients who had undergone trabeculectomy experienced increased foreign body sensation. Trabeculectomy appears to cause greater early postoperative ocular discomfort compared to the Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group.

Breaking bad news in ophthalmology: a literature review / Comunicação de más notícias em oftalmologia: uma revisão de literatura

ABSTRACT Medical specialties have recognized that breaking bad news assists clinical practice by mitigating the impact of difficult conversations. This scenario also encourages various studies on breaking bad news in ophthalmology since certain ocular diagnoses can be considered bad news. Thus, the objective is to review the scientific literature on breaking bad news in ophthalmology. The literature databases like MEDLINE/PUBMED, EMBASE, LILACS, SCOPUS, COCHRANE, and SCIELO, were screened for related research publications. Two independent reviewers read all the articles and short-listed the most relevant ones. Seven articles, in the formats of original article, review, editorial, oral communication, and correspondence, were reviewed. Conclusively it reveals that ophthalmologists are concerned with communicating bad news effectively but lack related studies. Nevertheless, there is a growing realization that training in breaking bad news can increase physicians' confidence during communication, thus, benefiting the therapeutic relationship with the patient and his family. Therefore, it would be valuable to include breaking bad news training in the curriculum of residencies.

RESUMO O reconhecimento sobre a comunicação de más notícias como mitigadora de conversas difíceis por outras especialidades médicas, incentiva o estudo desta temática na oftalmologia. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo é revisar a produção de pesquisas científicas sobre a comunicação de más notícias em oftalmologia. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão de literatura. As bases de dados utilizadas foram MEDLINE/PUBMED, EMBASE, LILACS, SCOPUS, COCHRANE e SCIELO. Dois revisores independentes leram todos os artigos e selecionaram a amostra final. Sete artigos foram escolhidos nos formatos de artigo original, revisão, editorial, comunicação oral e correspondência. Os oftalmologistas estão preocupados em comunicar as más notícias de forma eficaz, mas faltam estudos sobre o tema. No entanto, há uma crescente percepção de que o treinamento de comunicação de más notícias aumenta a confiança dos médicos na comunicação, beneficiando a relação terapêutica. Portanto, seria valioso incluir este treinamento no currículo das residências.

Evaluation of early ocular discomfort after glaucoma surgery: trabeculectomy versus Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aims to compare the initial ocular discomfort symptoms resulting from trabeculectomy and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation surgeries. Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted. The evaluation of ocular discomfort employed a questionnaire designed to identify the frequency and severity of distinct symptoms: ocular pain, general discomfort, tearing, foreign body sensation, and burning. This questionnaire was administered prior to surgery as a baseline, and subsequently at 7, 30, and 90 days post-surgery. Simultaneously, the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was applied at these same time intervals. Results: The study encompassed a total of 17 patients (9 undergoing trabeculectomy and 8 undergoing Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation). The Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group exhibited higher tearing levels at baseline (p=0.038). However, no statistically significant differences in symptoms were observed between the two surgeries at 7 and 30 days post-surgery. At the 90-day mark following surgery, patients who had undergone trabeculectomy reported a significantly higher foreign body sensation (p=0.004). Although OSDI scores did not differ between groups at baseline, the trabeculectomy group showed significantly higher OSDI scores than the Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group at 7, 30, and 90 days after surgery (p<0.05). Conclusion: Post-surgery, patients who had undergone trabeculectomy experienced increased foreign body sensation. Trabeculectomy appears to cause greater early postoperative ocular discomfort compared to the Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group.

Association of variants in the ATXN2 (rs7137828), FOXC1 (rs2745572) and TXNRD2 (rs35934224) genes as risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma development in a Brazilian cohort.

BACKGROUND: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the world's main cause of irreversible blindness, is an asymptomatic and neurodegenerative disease of multifactorial etiology with ethnic and geographic disparities. Multiethnic genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in ATXN2, FOXC1, and TXNRD2 loci as risk factors for POAG pathophysiology and/or endophenotypes. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the association of the variants rs7137828 (ATXN2), rs2745572 (FOXC1), and rs35934224 (TXNRD2), as risk factors for POAG development, additionally to rs7137828 association with glaucoma clinical parameters in a Brazilian cohort from the Southeast and South regions. METHODS: This investigation comprised 506 cases and 501 controls. Variants rs2745572 and rs35934224 were genotyped through TaqMan® assays and validated by Sanger sequencing. Variant rs7137828 was genotyped exclusively by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The primary research outcome revealed that the variant rs7137828 (ATXN2) was associated with an increased risk for the development of POAG in the presence of the TT genotype compared to the CC genotype (p = 0.006; Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.717; Confidence Interval [CI] 95% = 1.169-2.535). There was no significant association of rs2745572 and rs35934224 genotypes with POAG. The CT genotype of the rs7137828 was associated with the vertical cup-to-disk ratio (VCDR) (p = .023) but not with the age at diagnosis or the mean deviation. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate the rs7137828 associated with increased risk for the development of POAG and VCDR in a Brazilian cohort. If validated in additional populations, these findings may enable the development of relevant strategies for early diagnosis of glaucoma in the future.

Racemose hemangioma presenting as a vitreous hemorrhage: case report / Hemangioma racemoso apresentando-se como hemorragia vítrea: relato de caso

ABSTRACT This report describes a case of retinal racemose hemangioma that first presented as a vitreous hemorrhage. The authors present the case of a 47-year-old woman with a sudden 5-day painless visual loss in her left eye. At the first visit, the best-correct visual acuities were 20/20 in the right eye and hand motions in the left eyes. Ultrasonography showed an attached retina and a massive vitreous hemorrhage. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed and a dilatation of large vessels was detected bulging from the optic disc. The best-correct visual acuities on day 30 postoperatively was 20/25 in the left eye. Fundus angiography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography showed anomalous arteriovenous communications with no intervening capillaries. The diagnosis was racemose hemangioma, an arteriovenous malformation of group 2 retina based on the Archer classification.

RESUMO Este relato descreve um caso de hemangioma racemoso da retina que se apresentou inicialmente como hemorragia vítrea. Os autores apresentam o caso de uma mulher de 47 anos com perda visual súbita e indolor 5 dias antes no olho esquerdo. Na primeira visita, a melhor acuidade visual corrigida foi de 20/20 no olho direito e movimentos das mãos no olho esquerdo. A ultrassonografia mostrou uma retina aderida e uma hemorragia vítrea maciça. Foi realizada vitrectomia pars plana, sendo detectada proliferação de grandes vasos salientes do disco óptico. A acuidade visual no dia 30 de pós-operatório foi de 20/25 no olho esquerdo. A angiografia de retina e a angiotomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral mostraram comunicações arteriovenosas anômalas sem capilares intermediários. O diagnóstico foi hemangioma racemoso, uma malformação arteriovenosa da retina do grupo 2 com base na classificação de Archer.

Breaking bad news in ophthalmology: a literature review.

Medical specialties have recognized that breaking bad news assists clinical practice by mitigating the impact of difficult conversations. This scenario also encourages various studies on breaking bad news in ophthalmology since certain ocular diagnoses can be considered bad news. Thus, the objective is to review the scientific literature on breaking bad news in ophthalmology. The literature databases like MEDLINE/PUBMED, EMBASE, LILACS, SCOPUS, COCHRANE, and SCIELO, were screened for related research publications. Two independent reviewers read all the articles and short-listed the most relevant ones. Seven articles, in the formats of original article, review, editorial, oral communication, and correspondence, were reviewed. Conclusively it reveals that ophthalmologists are concerned with communicating bad news effectively but lack related studies. Nevertheless, there is a growing realization that training in breaking bad news can increase physicians' confidence during communication, thus, benefiting the therapeutic relationship with the patient and his family. Therefore, it would be valuable to include breaking bad news training in the curriculum of residencies.

Association of ABCA1 (rs2472493) and GAS7 (rs9913911) gene variants with primary open-angle glaucoma in a Brazilian population.

Purpose: Glaucoma is the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness, with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) being the most prevalent subtype. In recent years, there have been advances in knowledge about the genetics involved in POAG, but genetic studies in admixed populations, such as Brazilians, are still rare. This study aimed to evaluate the association of single nucleotide variants (SNV) of the ABCA1 (rs2472493) and GAS7 (rs9913911) genes with POAG in a sample of the Brazilian population. Furthermore, the study aimed to evaluate the relationship between these SNVs and the need for surgical intervention in glaucoma control. Methods: A cross-sectional association study with 1,009 subjects (505 patients with POAG and 504 controls) was performed. Participants underwent a comprehensive ocular examination, including the need for surgical procedures for intraocular pressure control. Genotyping of SNVs was performed using the TaqMan genotyping assay. Results: SNV rs9913911 of GAS7 was found to be associated with POAG in the presence of the risk allele A (p = 0.0004) and the AA genotype (p = 0.002). There was no association between SNV rs2472493 of ABCA1 for either the allele risk or genotypes. However, the combination of these variants showed an additive effect on the risk for POAG: ABCA1(GG) + GAS7(AA; p = 0.02), ABCA1(GG) + GAS7(AG; p = 0.003), and ABCA1(AG) + GAS7(AG; p = 0.004). Also, POAG patients carrying the AA genotype of the GAS7 gene required antiglaucomatous surgery more frequently than those without the AA genotype (p = 0.01). Conclusions: In a Brazilian population sample, there was an association identified between SNV rs9913911 (GAS7) and the risk of POAG, and an additive effect was found when GAS7 was combined with SNV rs2472493 (ABCA1). There was an association between SNV rs9913911 (GAS7) and the risk for antiglaucomatous surgery.

Subconjunctival use of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to treat chronic superficial keratitis in German shepherd dogs: Pilot study.

Background: Chronic superficial keratitis (CSK) is an ocular condition in dogs characterized by corneal opacification leading to visual function impairment. Control of this chronic condition requires the use of topical immunomodulators or corticosteroids daily. Regenerative medicine has shown promising results in several fields of medicine. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of adipose tissue applied via subconjunctival in dogs with CSK. Methods: A series of cases of eight dogs diagnosed with CSK were divided into two groups, four dogs each; the conventional treatment group received prednisolone 1% as topical eye drops and the experimental group (EG) received allogeneic MSCs transplantation. The dogs had not previously been treated for CSK. Systemic and ophthalmologic examinations were performed to exclude other abnormalities. An administered amount of MSC (1 × 106 cells each time) was injected via subconjunctival in the peri-limbal region at 0 and 30 days. The animals were followed for 110 days for clinical evaluation, and, at the same time, the images of the corneal abnormalities were obtained and analyzed in the ImageJ software. The statistical analysis was performed in the GrandPrism 7.0 software. Results: Initial and final images revealed that areas with neovascularization, inflammatory infiltrate, and opacity regressed in most eyes in both groups (7/8 eyes in each group) at the end of the 110 days, p = 0.0391 and p = 0.0078 respectively, but this response was minor in the EG comparing to conventional group (CG) (p = 0.026). No local or systemic side effects were observed. Conclusions: Despite the small melioration, MSCs treatment suggests clinical improvement in patients with CSK after 110 days without any local or systemic side effects. However, the improvement achieved was significantly less than the observed within CG. Further studies still are needed to evaluate the use and benefits of stem cells as an adjunct treatment for CSK.

Bruch's membrane opening - minimum rim width measurement after acute primary angle-closure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate Bruch's membrane opening - minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) following an acute primary angle-closure attack (APAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine consecutive patients with unilateral APAC were included. Patients with a bilateral attack, with signs of glaucomatous optic nerve damage or evidence of a previous APAC in either eye were excluded. Three months after the attack, all eyes underwent BMO-MRW and RNFLT measurements with SDOCT. APAC eyes were compared to the contralateral eyes. RESULTS: Three months after the attack, mean BMO-MRWs were 281.22 ± 56.88 µm and 313.78 ± 43.48 µm (P = 0.009) and mean RNFLTs were 78 ± 15.36 µm vs 95.78 ± 10.81 µm (P = 0.008) in the APAC and contralateral eyes, respectively. RNFLT and BMO-MRW measurements had a strong positive correlation (R = 0.7436, P = 0.013). APAC eyes had a shorter axial length (21.85 ± 1.21 vs 22 ± 1.07, P = 0.042) and shallower anterior chamber depth (2.29 ± 0.21 vs 2.41 ± 0.12, P = 0.039) than contralateral eyes. IOP at presentation showed a strong negative correlation with both BMO-MRW (R = -0.7669, P = 0.009) and RNFLT measurements (R = -0.7723, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: BMO-MRW and RNFLT measurements are significantly reduced 3 months after an APAC when compared to the contralateral eye. IOP at presentation may have an impact on the reduction of these parameters.

Corneal Scheimpflug topography values to distinguish between normal eyes, ocular allergy, and keratoconus in children.

To identify and compare keratometric, corneal thickness, and elevation parameters and indices among healthy children, ocular allergy, and keratoconus using the OCULUS Pentacam Scheimpflug topography system. This study included healthy children, children with ocular allergy (OA) without keratoconus, and children with keratoconus (KC). The study design consisted of a prospective evaluation and review of medical records from a Brazilian ophthalmology department. The exclusion criteria were inability to undergo the ocular exam, other ocular diseases, contact lens wear, and topographic corneal ectasia. The effect of each corneal parameter was evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for sex and age, and ROC curves were used to assess the ability each variable to discriminate among groups. A total of 182 subjects were included: healthy children (n = 99), children with OA (n = 32), and children with KC (n = 51). Groups differed in terms of sex, with more males in the OA group (73.2%) and the KC group (67.7%) than in the control group (40.9%). All corneal parameters studied differed significantly between the control and KC groups, and between the OA and KC groups; they also differed significantly between the three groups in terms of astigmatism, q-value, CCT, TP, BAD-D, and ARTmax values. We present the first study to describe and compare corneal tomographic parameters in healthy children, OA, and KC. Keratometry indices, ACD, ARTmax, AETP, and PETP were found to be the most useful for differentiating between healthy and KC children.IBR registry number: CAAE 54921916.9.0000.5404.

Comparison of conventional and wide field direct ophthalmoscopy on medical students' self-confidence for fundus examination: a 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Fundus examination is an easy, quick and effective way to diagnose sight- and life-threatening diseases. However, medical students and physicians report lack of proficiency and self-confidence in perform fundoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare students' self-confidence in fundus examination, using two different direct ophthalmoscopes, 1 month and 1 year after practical training. METHODS: In this prospective cohort, medical students (MS) of the same class were divided in small groups for PanOptic (PO) or conventional (CO) direct ophthalmoscope training. The intervention group encompassed MS of the 4th -year (class of 2019), and the control group encompassed MS of year behind (class of 2020). A questionnaire to measure self-confidence in fundoscopy technique assessing optic nerve, cup-to-disc ratio and macula was translated and validated to Portuguese, and applied 1-month and 1-year after practical training. RESULTS: One-hundred and sixty-seven MS were enrolled (35 PO group, 38 CO group, and 94 control group). PO group had a significantly higher overall self-confidence comparing either control or CO groups, respectively (3.57 ± 0.65 vs. 2.97 ± 1.03 vs. 2.46 ± 0.87, p < 0.01) as well as in evaluate cup-to-disc ratio (3.09 ± 0.75 vs. 2.32 ± 0.87 vs. 1.46 ± 0.81, p < 0.01), optic disc margins (3.26 ± 0.85 vs. 2.71 ± 0.96 vs. 2.01 ± 0.97, p < 0.01) and macula (3.43 ± 1.12 vs. 2.89 ± 1.08 vs. 2.02 ± 0.89, p < 0.01) 1-month after practical training. One-year after intervention, CO group showed a significantly higher score compared to PO group in overall self-confidence (3.31 ± 0.69 vs. 3.18 ± 0.73, p = 0.03) and in optic disc margins assessing (3.16 ± 0.85 vs. 2.95 ± 0.78, p = 0.03), but not significant in the evaluation of cup-to-disc ratio (2.78 ± 0.97 vs. 2.68 ± 0.94, p = 0.08), and macula (3.34 ± 0.79 vs. 3.27 ± 0.98, p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Students were more confident in use PO as an instrument to perform direct ophthalmoscopy immediately after practical training, but confidence level of CO was higher compared to PO one year after practical training. These findings would help medical schools decide which ophthalmoscope to choose to teach fundus examination.

The effects of age-related macular degeneration on quality of life in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the impact of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on the quality of life (QoL) in a Brazilian population using The National Eye Institute-Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25). METHODS: This observational study included 462 participants from the Departments of Ophthalmology of the University of Campinas and Conderg-Divinolândia. The NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaire and Rasch analysis were used to assess the vision-related quality of life (VRQoL). Patients with macular neovascularization were interviewed at enrollment and after three loading doses of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-three patients were excluded because they had another ophthalmic disease, for a total of 349 patients included in the study (177 in the AMD group, 172 in the control group; 56.4% were women; mean ± standard deviation age, 70.6 ± 9.5 years). Most NEI-VFQ-25 subscale scores were significantly lower in the AMD group compared with the control group. The Rasch-calibrated NEI-VFQ-25 median score in the visual-functioning component was 56.41 for the AMD group and 61.53 for the control group, a difference of ± 4.00 (P = 0.0001). Separate analyses of the sociodemographic and ocular characteristics showed that the NEI-VFQ-25 scores were affected mostly by family income, educational level, descent, diet (vegetables/fruits), physical activity, and visual acuity (VA). The longitudinal component assessed a different group of 48 patients with exudative disease treated with anti-VEGF drugs. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution change in VA in treated eyes was a 0.16 decrease (P = 0.01). The mean change in the optical coherence tomography macular thickness was a 36.74-µm decrease (P = 0.012) from baseline to 4 months. The mean NEI-VFQ-25 scores improved significantly from baseline to follow-up at 4 months in almost all subscales. CONCLUSIONS: In a Brazilian community, patients with AMD had a worse VRQoL than controls. The AMD severity and bilaterality were associated with decreased NEI-VFQ-25 scores. Higher family income, educational level, descent, and lifestyle significantly improved several subscales of the NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaire. Treated patients with exudative AMD had improvements in the VA, macular thickness, and most NEI-VFQ-25 subscale scores.

Prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders in patients with glaucoma: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to analyze the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with glaucoma and to identify risk factors related to these disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out between August 2016 and August 2017 at the Hospital das Clínicas of Universidade Estadual de Campinas and at the Hospital Oftalmológico de Brasília to evaluate the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders among patients diagnosed with glaucoma. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination with standard automated perimetry to confirm the diagnosis of glaucoma. All participants were asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients were included in the study. Seventy-four were men (57.36%) and 55 (42.64%) were women. The mean age of the patients was 70.14 ± 15.8 years. Ninety participants were white (69.77%) and 38 (29.46%) were black. The study demonstrated a prevalence of depression and/or anxiety at 10.08%. Logistic regression revealed that women were at higher risk for anxiety and/or depression (OR: 5.25, p=0.015) and patients with a larger number of comorbidities also were at higher risk for anxiety and/or depressive disorders (OR: 2.82, p=0.038). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients with glaucoma present with depression and/or anxiety. Females and patients with comorbidities are at greater risk for these disorders.

Prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders in patients with glaucoma: a cross-sectional study / Prevalência de depressão e ansiedade em pacientes com glaucoma

ABSTRACT Purpose: Our goal was to analyze the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with glaucoma and to identify risk factors related to these disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between August 2016 and August 2017 at the Hospital das Clínicas of Universidade Estadual de Campinas and at the Hospital Oftalmológico de Brasília to evaluate the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders among patients diagnosed with glaucoma. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination with standard automated perimetry to confirm the diagnosis of glaucoma. All participants were asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine patients were included in the study. Seventy-four were men (57.36%) and 55 (42.64%) were women. The mean age of the patients was 70.14 ± 15.8 years. Ninety participants were white (69.77%) and 38 (29.46%) were black. The study demonstrated a prevalence of depression and/or anxiety at 10.08%. Logistic regression revealed that women were at higher risk for anxiety and/or depression (OR: 5.25, p=0.015) and patients with a larger number of comorbidities also were at higher risk for anxiety and/or depressive disorders (OR: 2.82, p=0.038). Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients with glaucoma present with depression and/or anxiety. Females and patients with comorbidities are at greater risk for these disorders.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de transtornos de depressão e ansiedade em pacientes com glaucoma e identificar fatores de riscos associados. Métodos: Estudo transversal em pacientes com glaucoma, avaliados durante Agosto de 2016 e Agosto de 2017 no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de Campinas e no Hospital Oftalmológico de Brasília. Todos pacientes foram submetidos à exame oftalmológico completo para confirmar o diagnóstico de glaucoma. Todos pacientes preencheram o questionário "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale". Resultados: Foram incluídos 129 pacientes no estudo, sendo 74 homens (57.36%) e 55 (42.64%) mulheres, 90 pacientes eram brancos (69.77%) e 38 (29.46%) eram negros. A idade média foi de 70.14 ± 15.8 anos. O estudo demonstrou uma prevalência de 10.08% de transtornos depressivo e/ou ansiedade. A regressão logística demonstrou que mulheres apresentam maior risco de desenvolver transtornos depressivos e/ou ansiedade (Risco relativo: 5.25, p=0.015), assim como pacientes com maior número de comorbidades clínicas (Risco relativo: 2.82, p=0.038). Conclusão: Uma proporção significativa dos pacientes com glaucoma podem apresentar transtornos de depressão e/ou ansiedade. Pacientes com glaucoma do sexo feminino e que apresentem maiores comorbidades clínicas apresentam maior risco de apresentar esses transtornos.

Prospective evaluation of micropulse transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucoma: 1 year results / Avaliação prospectiva do laser de diodo micropulsado em pacientes com glaucoma refratário: resultados de um ano de seguimento

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness in in­traocular pressure reduction and safety of micropulse trans­scleral diode cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucoma. Methods: We prospectively evaluated a case series of 21 eyes of 21 consecutive patients with refractory glaucoma treated with micropulse transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation at 12-month follow-up. The total treatment time was at the discretion of the surgeon, considering baseline and target intraocular pressure and glaucoma diagnosis. Intraocular pressure, inflammation, visual acuity, and number of medications were monitored. Success was defined as intraocular pressure between 6 and 21 mmHg and/or 30% reduction from baseline intraocular pressure with or without the use of antiglaucoma medications. Visual acuity loss was defined as a loss of ≥2 lines of vision on the Snellen chart or a ≥2-level decrease in visual function in patients with nonmeasurable chart acuity. Results: The mean age was 61.04 ± 12.99 years, and 11 (52.4%) patients were male, with most (95%) patients showing low visual acuity at baseline (count fingers or worse). The mean intraocular pressure was 33.38 ± 15.95 mmHg, and the mean number of medications was 3.5 ± 1.1 at baseline. After 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, 76.19%, 57.14%, 55.56%, and 66.67%, respectively, of the patients were classified as treatment successes. Seven (33.3%) patients required new laser treatment and were considered treatment failures. The mean intraocular pressure reduction was 44.72% ± 29.72% in the first week and 41.59% ± 18.93% at the end of follow-up (p=0.006). The mean number of medications significantly dropped to 2.00 ± 1.7 at the 12-month visit (p=0.044). Complications included hypotony (4.8%), intraocular inflammation after 1 month (19%), and visual acuity loss (4.8%). Conclusions: Micropulse transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation was safe and effective for reducing intraocular pressure in eyes with refractory and advanced glaucoma, with reduced need for ocular antihypertensive medication.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia na redução da pressão intraocular e na segurança da ciclofotocoagulação com laser de diodo transescleral em glaucoma refratário. Métodos: Avaliamos prospectivamente uma série de casos de 21 olhos de 21 pacientes com glaucoma refratário tratados com ciclofotocoagulação com laser de diodo transescleral com acompanhamento por 12 meses. O tempo total de tratamento ficou a critério do cirurgião, considerando a pressão intraocular inicial e alvo e o tipo de glaucoma. Pressão intraocular, inflamação, acuidade visual e número de medicamentos foram monitorados. O sucesso foi definido como pressão intraocular entre 6 e 21 mmHg e/ou redução de 30% da pressão intraocular basal com ou sem o uso de medicamentos glaucomatosos. Perda da acuidade visual foi definida como perda de ≥2 linhas de visão na tabela de Snellen ou uma diminuição de ≥ 2 níveis na função visual em pacientes com acuidade do gráfico não mensurável. Resultados: A idade média foi de 61,04 ± 12,99 anos e 11 (52,4%) pacientes eram do sexo masculino, com a maioria (95%) dos pacientes apresentando baixa acuidade visual inicialmente (conta dedos ou pior). A pressão intraocular média foi de 33,38 ± 15,95 mmHg, e o número médio de medicamentos foi de 3,5 ± 1,1, no início do estudo. Após 1, 3, 6 e 12 meses, 76,19%, 57,14%, 55,56% e 66,67%, respectivamente, dos pacientes foram classificados como sucesso do tratamento. Sete (33,3%) pacientes necessitaram de novo tratamento com laser e foram considerados falhas no tratamento. A redução média da pressão intraocular foi de 44,72% ± 29,72% na primeira semana e 41,59% ± 18,93% no final do seguimento (p=0,006). O número médio de medicamentos diminuiu significativamente para 2,00 ± 1,7 na visita de 12 meses (p=0,044). As complicações incluíram hipotonia (4,8%), inflamação intraocular após 1 mês (19%) e perda de acuidade visual (4,8%). Conclusões: A ciclofotocoagulação com laser de diodo transescleral foi segura e eficaz para reduzir a pressão intraocular em olhos com glaucoma refratário e avançado, com necessidade reduzida de hipotensores oculares.

Costs and benefits of bevacizumab vial sharing for the treatment of retinal diseases.

BACKGROUND: Antiangiogenic therapy has proved to be an important therapeutic tool for many retinal vascular diseases; however, its availability is limited in developing countries. This study sought to describe the bevacizumab vial sharing process and to evaluate the impact of this repackaging system on the costs incurred in a Brazilian public hospital. METHOD: This retrospective study compared the number and costs of intravitreal antiangiogenic injections approved via court order in the first year of the study (2015) to the number and costs of the bevacizumab injections provided through the use of vial sharing in the second year of the study (2016). Vial sharing consists of the traditional process used to repackage bevacizumab; in this case, however, the drug samples used were the residual volume from the preparation of bevacizumab for oncology patients. The hospital adhered to the guidelines established by the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). RESULTS: In the first year of the study and using medication obtained through court orders, 550 intravitreal injections were performed in the ophthalmology ambulatory care center. Based on local pricing tables, the total cost of the medication was BRL$1,036,056.25 (USD$267,546.58), and the average cost of each application was BRL$1883.74 (USD$486.45). In the second year of the study, 1081 intravitreal applications were performed at the same hospital using doses obtained through bevacizumab vial sharing. The total cost was BRL$21,942.49 (USD$5663.30) and the per-unit cost was BRL$20.30, or USD$5.23 (a savings of 97.88%). CONCLUSION: This study found that bevacizumab vial sharing led to a significant reduction in public health care costs associated with antiangiogenic treatment and increased the availability of the drug to public health care patients. These results can be extrapolated to other types of drugs and health care systems.

Fractional anisotropy of the optic radiations correlates with the visual field after epilepsy surgery.

PURPOSE: This study assessed whether optic radiations (OR) microstructure after temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgery correlated with visual field defects (VFD). METHODS: Patients were subjected to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography of the OR and Humphrey perimetry after TLE surgery. We used Spearman's test to verify correlations between tractographic parameters and perimetry mean deviation. Tractographic variables were compared between patients with VFD or intact perimetry. Multiple logistic regression was applied between DTI and perimetry values. DTI sensitivity and specificity were assessed with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate VFD. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients had reliable perimetry and OR tractography. There was a significant correlation between (1) fractional anisotropy (FA) and both total (rho = 0.569, p = 0.0002) and quadrant (rho = 0.453, p = 0.0037) mean deviation and (2) radial diffusivity and total mean deviation (rho = - 0.350, p = 0.0286). There was no other significant correlation. Patients with VFD showed a significantly lower FA compared with patients with normal perimetry (p = 0.0055), and a 0.01 reduction in FA was associated with a 44% increase in presenting VFD after surgery (confidence interval, CI = 1.10-1.88; p = 0.0082). Using a FA of 0.457, DTI tractography showed a specificity of 95.2% and a sensitivity of 50% to detect VFD after surgery (area under the curve = 0.7619, CI = 0.6020-0.9218). CONCLUSION: The postoperative OR microstructure correlated with visual loss after epilepsy surgery. DTI postoperative OR tractography may be helpful in evaluating VFD.

Prospective evaluation of micropulse transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucoma: 1 year results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness in in-traocular pressure reduction and safety of micropulse trans-scleral diode cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucoma. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated a case series of 21 eyes of 21 consecutive patients with refractory glaucoma treated with micropulse transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation at 12-month follow-up. The total treatment time was at the discretion of the surgeon, considering baseline and target intraocular pressure and glaucoma diagnosis. Intraocular pressure, inflammation, visual acuity, and number of medications were monitored. Success was defined as intraocular pressure between 6 and 21 mmHg and/or 30% reduction from baseline intraocular pressure with or without the use of antiglaucoma medications. Visual acuity loss was defined as a loss of ≥2 lines of vision on the Snellen chart or a ≥2-level decrease in visual function in patients with nonmeasurable chart acuity. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.04 ± 12.99 years, and 11 (52.4%) patients were male, with most (95%) patients showing low visual acuity at baseline (count fingers or worse). The mean intraocular pressure was 33.38 ± 15.95 mmHg, and the mean number of medications was 3.5 ± 1.1 at baseline. After 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, 76.19%, 57.14%, 55.56%, and 66.67%, respectively, of the patients were classified as treatment successes. Seven (33.3%) patients required new laser treatment and were considered treatment failures. The mean intraocular pressure reduction was 44.72% ± 29.72% in the first week and 41.59% ± 18.93% at the end of follow-up (p=0.006). The mean number of medications significantly dropped to 2.00 ± 1.7 at the 12-month visit (p=0.044). Complications included hypotony (4.8%), intraocular inflammation after 1 month (19%), and visual acuity loss (4.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Micropulse transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation was safe and effective for reducing intraocular pressure in eyes with refractory and advanced glaucoma, with reduced need for ocular antihypertensive medication.

Automated algorithms combining structure and function outperform general ophthalmologists in diagnosing glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To test the ability of machine learning classifiers (MLCs) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and standard automated perimetry (SAP) parameters to discriminate between healthy and glaucomatous individuals, and to compare it to the diagnostic ability of the combined structure-function index (CSFI), general ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists. DESIGN: Cross-sectional prospective study. METHODS: Fifty eight eyes of 58 patients with early to moderate glaucoma (median value of the mean deviation = -3.44 dB; interquartile range, -6.0 to -2.4 dB) and 66 eyes of 66 healthy individuals underwent OCT and SAP tests. The diagnostic accuracy (area under the ROC curve-AUC) of 10 MLCs was compared to those obtained with the CSFI, 3 general ophthalmologists and 3 glaucoma specialists exposed to the same OCT and SAP data. RESULTS: The AUCs obtained with MLCs ranged from 0.805 (Classification Tree) to 0.931 (Radial Basis Function Network, RBF). The sensitivity at 90% specificity ranged from 51.6% (Classification Tree) to 82.8% (Bagging, Multilayer Perceptron and Support Vector Machine Gaussian). The CSFI had a sensitivity of 79.3% at 90% specificity, and the highest AUC (0.948). General ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists' grading had sensitivities of 66.2% and 83.8% at 90% specificity, and AUCs of 0.879 and 0.921, respectively. RBF (the best MLC), the CSFI, and glaucoma specialists showed significantly higher AUCs than that obtained by general ophthalmologists (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the AUCs obtained by RBF, the CSFI, and glaucoma specialists (P>0.25). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that both MLCs and the CSFI can be helpful in clinical practice and effectively improve glaucoma diagnosis in the primary eye care setting, when there is no glaucoma specialist available.

Occurrence of MYOC and CYP1B1 variants in juvenile open angle glaucoma Brazilian patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to screen juvenile open angle glaucoma (JOAG) patients from Brazil for variants within the MYOC and CYP1B1 genes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the coding regions of MYOC and CYP1B1 genes in 100 non-related patients with JOAG and 200 controls through Sanger sequencing. We also tested the most frequent single nucleotide variants of CYP1B1 for association with JOAG. RESULTS: Sixteen different sequence variants in the MYOC gene were observed in JOAG patients: eight variants were described as neutral and eight were identified in 34 out of 100 patients with JOAG and no controls, thus being considered damaging. In the CYP1B1 gene, nine neutral variants and two damaging alterations were found among JOAG patients. No association between CYP1B1 variants and JOAG was detected. CONCLUSION: While MYOC damaging alterations were highly prevalent (34%), CYP1B1 damaging variants were less frequent (2%) in this cohort of Brazilian JOAG patients.