Characteristics of the Filtering Bleb and the Agreement between Glaucoma Specialist and Anterior Segment-Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the filtering bleb in failed late trabeculectomy and the agreement between glaucoma specialist assessment and anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) system assessment in terms of the presence of subconjunctival fluid in the filtering bleb. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of glaucoma who were scheduled to undergo trabeculectomy in at least one eye and with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) were enrolled. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmological examination. The presence of fluid under the filtering bleb was first evaluated by a glaucoma specialist using biomicroscopy evaluation and then using the OCT 1000 AS-OCT Version 3.0.1.8 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA) system. A Kappa statistical test was used to evaluate the agreement between AS-OCT and the examiner. The correlation between conjunctiva and tenon thickness and clinical parameters was also assessed. RESULTS: Forty eyes of 40 patients were evaluated in this study. The ages ranged from 21 to 86 years, with a mean of 66.55 ± 12.33. The average IOP was 21.20 ± 4.44 mm Hg (range 14-38 mm Hg) in the entire group. The mean thickness of the conjunctiva and tenon was 302.03 ± 406.76 µm (range 251-1,616 µm). There was a significant negative correlation between the mean thickness of the conjunctiva and tenon and IOP (p = 0.045; confidence interval = -0.558, 0.024). Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between the mean thickness of the conjunctiva and tenon, and the number of medications used at baseline (p = 0.043; confidence interval = -0.538, 0.051). There was significant negative correlation between the horizontal measurement of the bleb and the use of glaucoma medications (p = 0.017; confidence interval = -0.560, 0.004). A total of 26 patients were determined to have fluid by the examiner (glaucoma expert), and the presence of fluid in AS was confirmed in 19 patients by AS-OCT. Of the 14 patients who were determined to have an absence of fluid, this was confirmed by AS-OCT in 7 patients (Kappa = 0.231; agreement of 65.00%). CONCLUSION: There is fair agreement between glaucoma specialist assessment and AS-OCT assessment in terms of the presence of fluid in trabeculectomy. Our findings highlight the importance of AS-OCT in some patients before deciding upon a new intervention.

Using Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography-Derived Parameters to Discriminate between Eyes with and without Glaucoma: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: New technologies have been developed in order to decrease interpersonal influence and subjectivity during the glaucoma diagnosis process. Enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain OCT (EDI OCT) has turned up as a favorable tool for deep optic nerve head (ONH) structures assessment. OBJECTIVE: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the diagnostic performance of different EDI OCT-derived parameters to discriminate between eyes with and without glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The following ONH parameters were measured: lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness and area; prelaminar neural tissue (PLNT) thickness and area; average Bruch's membrane opening - minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), superior BMO-MRW, and inferior BMO-MRW. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness was also obtained. RESULTS: Seventy-three participants were included. There were no significant differences between AUCs for average BMO-MRW (0.995), PLNT area (0.968), and average pRNFL thickness (0.975; p ≥ 0.089). However, AUCs for each of these 3 parameters were significantly larger than LC area AUC (0.701; p ≤ 0.001). Sensitivities at 80% specificity were: PLNT area = 92.3%, average BMO-MRW = 97.4%, and average pRNFL thickness = 94.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the diagnostic performance of different EDI OCT ONH parameters to discriminate between eyes with and without glaucoma, we found better results for neural tissue-based indexes (BMO-MRW and PLNT area) compared to laminar parameters. In this specific population, these neural tissue-based parameters (including PLNT area, which was investigated by the first time in the present study) had a diagnostic performance comparable to that of the conventional pRNFL thickness protocol.

Extensive bulbar conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma as initial symptom of human immunodeficiency virus / Sarcoma de Kaposi extenso na conjuntival bulbar como apresentação inicial do vírus da imunodeficiência humana

ABSTRACT Here, we present a case in which extensive bulbar conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma was the initial presentation of human immunodeficiency virus in a 36-year-old man. The patient had a 3-month history of recurrent self-limited inferior conjunctiva hyperemia in the right eye, and presented with a painless bullous lesion in the right inferior bulbar conjunctiva persisting for 15 days. Surgical incision biopsy was performed at five locations and revealed a pattern compatible with Kaposi's sarcoma. Serologic testing was positive for human immunodeficiency virus; however, the patient had no other symptoms, or knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus infection. This case highlights the need to consider Kaposi's sarcoma as an early presentation of human immunodeficiency virus even if the patient denies infection.

RESUMO Este relato de caso apresenta um sarcoma de Kaposi extenso na conjuntival bulbar como a apresentação inicial do vírus da imunodeficiência humana em um homem de 36 anos de idade. O paciente tinha história de hiperemia na conjuntiva inferior do olho direito há 3 meses, autolimitada e recorrente e de surgimento de uma lesão bolhosa indolor no mesmo local 15 dias antes da sua apresentação. Uma biópsia incisional cirúrgica foi realizada e revelou um padrão compatível com sarcoma de Kaposi. Teste sorológico posterior revelou positividade para o vírus da imunodeficiência humana, no entanto, o paciente não apresentou outros sintomas, sinais ou conhecimento prévio sobre a infecção. Como conclusão deste caso, deve se ressaltar que a suspeita do diagnóstico do sarcoma de Kaposi deve ser levantada ainda que na apresentação inicial do vírus da imunodeficiência humana ou mesmo naqueles ainda sem este diagnóstico.

Extensive bulbar conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma as initial symptom of human immunodeficiency virus.

Here, we present a case in which extensive bulbar conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma was the initial presentation of human immunodeficiency virus in a 36-year-old man. The patient had a 3-month history of recurrent self-limited inferior conjunctiva hyperemia in the right eye, and presented with a painless bullous lesion in the right inferior bulbar conjunctiva persisting for 15 days. Surgical incision biopsy was performed at five locations and revealed a pattern compatible with Kaposi's sarcoma. Serologic testing was positive for human immunodeficiency virus; however, the patient had no other symptoms, or knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus infection. This case highlights the need to consider Kaposi's sarcoma as an early presentation of human immunodeficiency virus even if the patient denies infection.

The Use of Topiramate for Weight Loss Causing Acute Glaucoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Topiramate is a sulfa-containing drug which is able to disrupt the ocular blood barrier. Recently it has gained more popularity, being used in many clinical conditions. Nowadays, the cases of glaucoma induced by topiramate have increased due to the use of this drug to induce weight loss. We here described a 29-year-old female presented with a one-day history of blurred vision in both eyes and headache. She was using a weight loss formula containing topiramate 100 milligrams. Ophthalmologic exam revealed an important myopic shift of -7.00 spherical diopters at presentation with intraocular pressure (IOP) of 32 mmHg and a shallow anterior chamber in both eyes. After discontinuous of topiramate and use of cycloplegic eyedrops, myopic shift improved and IOP controlled after two days. The anterior chamber was significantly deeper in both eyes after two weeks. It is theorized that topiramate can provoke a ciliochoroidal effusion and, therefore, can cause an anterior displacement of lens-iris diaphragm with a secondary angular closure. The treatment must include cycloplegic and discontinuation of the drug. Sulfa-containing drugs lead to an indirect mechanism of angle closure, frequently bilateral and, as mentioned above, with a different treatment approach. If unrecognized and untreated, it can provoke high morbidity with possibility of bilateral permanent visual loss.

Lack of association between provocative test-based intraocular pressure parameters and functional loss in treated glaucoma patients / Falta de associação entre parâmetros de pressão intraocular obtidos pelo teste de sobrecarga hídrica e dano funcional em pacientes com glaucoma

ABSTRACT Purpose: To correlate provocative test-based intraocular pressure (IOP) variation parameters (fluctuation and peak) with functional status, and to compare these IOP parameters between treated eyes with asymmetric primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: A prospective observational study including consecutively treated patients with primary open-angle glaucoma was performed. Subjects with ocular diseases other than glaucoma or previous incisional glaucoma surgery were excluded. The primary inclusion criteria were 33 visual field tests and 32 years of follow-up, without any changes on current medical regimen. Long-term intraocular pressure parameters were acquired via isolated intraocular pressure measurements from the patients' last 5 office visits. To evaluate provocative test-based intraocular pressure parameters, all patients were submitted to a water drinking test. Initially, the partial correlation coefficients between each intraocular pressure variation parameter and visual field mean deviation were calculated, adjusting for the baseline intraocular pressure and number of antiglaucoma medications. In addition, each intraocular pressure parameter was compared between eyes with better visual field mean deviation and fellow eyes with worse visual field mean deviation in patients with asymmetric visual field loss (defined as an inter-eye visual field mean deviation difference of at least 3 dB). Results: A total of 87 eyes (87 patients; mean age, 61.9 ± 12.5 years; 59.8% women) with primary open-angle glaucoma were included. The patients underwent a median of 5 visual field tests, with a mean follow-up of 4.3 ± 1.4 years. Neither long-term nor water-drinking test intraocular pressure variation parameters were significantly associated with visual field mean deviation values (p30.117). In the subgroup with asymmetric visual field loss (64 eyes of 32 patients; mean age, 65.0 ± 11.4 years), neither long-term water-drinking test intraocular pressure variation parameters differed significantly between eyes with better and worse visual field mean deviation (p30.400). Conclusion: Our results indicate that neither long-term intraocular pressure variation parameters nor stress test-derived intraocular pressure metrics, as assessed by the water-drinking test, appear to correlate with the visual field status or differ significantly between eyes with asymmetric visual field damage, suggesting that other factors may explain such functional asymmetry, and that the water-drinking test does not add significant information to these cases.

RESUMO Objetivo: Correlacionar os parâmetros de variação da pressão intraocular (flutuação e pico) com o dano funcional em pacientes tratados com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, e comparar esses parâmetros de pressão intraocular entre olhos com dano funcional assimétrico. Métodos: Estudo observacio nal prospectivo foi realizado incluindo consecutivamente pa cientes tratados com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto. Foram excluídos indivíduos com outras doenças oculares que não o glaucoma ou cirurgia prévia incisional de glaucoma. Os principais critérios de inclusão foram: 33 testes de campo visual e 32 anos de acompanhamento, sem quaisquer alterações no regime medicamentoso atual. Parâmetros de pressão intraocular de longo prazo foram obtidos através de medidas de pressão intraocular isoladas de cada consulta (as últimas 5 consultas de cada paciente foram consideradas para análise). Para avaliação dos parâmetros de pressão intraocular de curto prazo, todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao teste de sobrecarga hídrica. Ini cialmente, calculamos os coeficientes de correlação parcial de cada parâmetro de variação da pressão intraocular com o nível de dano funcional, baseado no índice Mean Deviation (MD), ajustando para a pressão intraocular basal e o número de medicações antiglaucomatosas. Além disso, comparamos cada parâmetro de pressão intraocular entre os olhos com melhor e pior nível de dano funcional em pacientes com perda de campo visual assimétrica (definida como diferença no índice mean deviation entre os olhos de pelo menos 3 dB). Resultados: Foram incluídos 87 olhos (87 pacientes) com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto. A idade média foi de 61,9 ± 12,5 anos e 59,8% eram mulheres. Em geral, os pacientes foram submetidos a 5 testes (mediana) de campo visual, com um seguimento médio de 4,3 ± 1,4 anos. Nem os parâmetros de variação da pressão intraocular de longo prazo nem aqueles obtidos pelo teste de sobrecarga hídrica se correlacionaram significativamente com o nível de dano no campo visual (p30,117). No subgrupo com perda de campo visual assimétrica (64 olhos de 32 pacientes; idade média, 65,0 ± 11,4 anos), nem os parâmetros de variação da pressão intraocular de longo prazo nem os obtidos pelo teste de sobrecarga hídrica diferiram significativamente entre olhos com melhor e pior nível de dano funcional (p3 0,400). Conclusão: Nossos resultados indicam que não apenas parâmetros de variação da pressão intraocular de longo prazo, mas também medidas de pressão intraocular derivadas do teste de sobrecarga hídrica, não parecem se correlacionar com o nível de dano do campo visual, nem diferem significativamente entre olhos com nível de dano funcional assimétrico. Esses achados sugerem que outros fatores poderiam explicar essa assimetria funcional e que o teste de sobrecarga hídrica não acrescenta informações significativas a esses casos.

Lack of association between provocative test-based intraocular pressure parameters and functional loss in treated glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE: To correlate provocative test-based intraocular pressure (IOP) variation parameters (fluctuation and peak) with functional status, and to compare these IOP parameters between treated eyes with asymmetric primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: A prospective observational study including consecutively treated patients with primary open-angle glaucoma was performed. Subjects with ocular diseases other than glaucoma or previous incisional glaucoma surgery were excluded. The primary inclusion criteria were 33 visual field tests and 32 years of follow-up, without any changes on current medical regimen. Long-term intraocular pressure parameters were acquired via isolated intraocular pressure measurements from the patients' last 5 office visits. To evaluate provocative test-based intraocular pressure parameters, all patients were submitted to a water drinking test. Initially, the partial correlation coefficients between each intraocular pressure variation parameter and visual field mean deviation were calculated, adjusting for the baseline intraocular pressure and number of antiglaucoma medications. In addition, each intraocular pressure parameter was compared between eyes with better visual field mean deviation and fellow eyes with worse visual field mean deviation in patients with asymmetric visual field loss (defined as an inter-eye visual field mean deviation difference of at least 3 dB). RESULTS: A total of 87 eyes (87 patients; mean age, 61.9 ± 12.5 years; 59.8% women) with primary open-angle glaucoma were included. The patients underwent a median of 5 visual field tests, with a mean follow-up of 4.3 ± 1.4 years. Neither long-term nor water-drinking test intraocular pressure variation parameters were significantly associated with visual field mean deviation values (p30.117). In the subgroup with asymmetric visual field loss (64 eyes of 32 patients; mean age, 65.0 ± 11.4 years), neither long-term water-drinking test intraocular pressure variation parameters differed significantly between eyes with better and worse visual field mean deviation (p30.400). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that neither long-term intraocular pressure variation parameters nor stress test-derived intraocular pressure metrics, as assessed by the water-drinking test, appear to correlate with the visual field status or differ significantly between eyes with asymmetric visual field damage, suggesting that other factors may explain such functional asymmetry, and that the water-drinking test does not add significant information to these cases.

A case of recurrent keratitis caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus and treated by voriconazole / Uso do voriconazol na ceratite recorrente causada por fungo Paecilomyces lilacinus

ABSTRACT - We describe here a case of a 21-year-old woman who presented with low visual acuity, pain, and hyperemia in the left eye for 45 days. Her eye had extensive corneal infiltrate, with melting and a central perforation that was glued with cyanoacrylate, but with Seidel (+). She underwent tectonic corneal transplantation, and anterior chamber lavage with subconjunctival infiltration with voriconazole, as well as intracameral injections of amphotericin B. Laboratory tests revealed Paecilomyces lilacinus as the infectious agent. The patient was then maintained with oral voriconazole and eye drops for three months, after which the infection was considered cured. However, in the sixth postoperative month she presented with endothelial rejection, and two weeks later signs of recurrence of the fungal infection. She was treated with two further washes of the anterior chamber and subconjunctival injection of voriconazole, followed by intravenous voriconazole that was replaced with drops after ten days. The infection initially worsened, but then regressed, and at last follow-up, the patient was still infection-free.

RESUMO - Descrevemos aqui um caso de uma mulher de 21 anos que apresentou baixa acuidade visual, dor e hiperemia no olho esquerdo por 45 dias. O olho apresentava infiltrado corneano extenso, com fusão e perfuração central colada com cianoacrilato, mas com Seidel (+). Ela foi submetida a transplante de córnea tectônica e lavagem de câmara anterior com infiltração subconjuntival com voriconazol, além de injeções intracamerais de anfoterecina B. Testes laboratoriais revelaram Paecilomyces lilacinus como agente infeccioso. A paciente foi então mantida com voriconazol oral e colírio por período de três meses, após o qual a infecção foi considerada curada. No entanto, no sexto mês de pós-operatório, ela apresentou rejeição endotelial e, duas semanas após, sinais de recidiva de infecção fúngica. Ela foi tratada com mais duas lavagens de câmara anterior e injeção subconjuntival de voriconazol, seguida por voriconazol intravenoso que foi substituído por gotas após 10 dias. A infecção piorou inicialmente, mas depois regrediu e, no último seguimento, o paciente ainda estava livre de infecção.

A case of recurrent keratitis caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus and treated by voriconazole.

We describe here a case of a 21-year-old woman who presented with low visual acuity, pain, and hyperemia in the left eye for 45 days. Her eye had extensive corneal infiltrate, with melting and a central perforation that was glued with cyanoacrylate, but with Seidel (+). She underwent tectonic corneal transplantation, and anterior chamber lavage with subconjunctival infiltration with voriconazole, as well as intracameral injections of amphotericin B. Laboratory tests revealed Paecilomyces lilacinus as the infectious agent. The patient was then maintained with oral voriconazole and eye drops for three months, after which the infection was considered cured. However, in the sixth postoperative month she presented with endothelial rejection, and two weeks later signs of recurrence of the fungal infection. She was treated with two further washes of the anterior chamber and subconjunctival injection of voriconazole, followed by intravenous voriconazole that was replaced with drops after ten days. The infection initially worsened, but then regressed, and at last follow-up, the patient was still infection-free.

Internal carotid artery aneurysm mimicking normal-tension glaucoma.

Differentiating glaucomatous from nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping remains challenging. We present a case of a 48-year-old woman with an internal carotid aneurysm of approximately 3.5 mm × 6.5 mm that mimicked normal-tension glaucoma. The patient had a 2-year history of low vision acuity in her left eye and frontal oppressive headache. Owing to the carotid aneurysm, she developed an asymmetric vertical cup-to-disc ratio above 0.2, and marked inferotemporal neuronal rim loss and pallor of the residual rim were noted in the left disc. She also developed a visual field defect with an arcuate scotoma in the left eye. The patient was referred to a neurosurgeon and underwent endovascular aneurysm occlusion. This case highlights the diagnostic importance of recognizing that many neurological defects remain underdiagnosed.

Internal carotid artery aneurysm mimicking normal-tension glaucoma / Aneurisma de carótida interna simulando glaucoma de pressão normal

ABSTRACT Differentiating glaucomatous from nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping remains challenging. We present a case of a 48-year-old woman with an internal carotid aneurysm of approximately 3.5 mm × 6.5 mm that mimicked normal-tension glaucoma. The patient had a 2-year history of low vision acuity in her left eye and frontal oppressive headache. Owing to the carotid aneurysm, she developed an asymmetric vertical cup-to-disc ratio above 0.2, and marked inferotemporal neuronal rim loss and pallor of the residual rim were noted in the left disc. She also developed a visual field defect with an arcuate scotoma in the left eye. The patient was referred to a neurosurgeon and underwent endovascular aneurysm occlusion. This case highlights the diagnostic importance of recognizing that many neurological defects remain underdiagnosed.

RESUMO diferenciação de escavações glaucomatosas e não glaucomatosas ainda permanece um desafio ainda nos dias de hoje. Nos descrevemos um caso de aneurisma de carótida interna medindo 3.5mm x 6.5mm que simulava um glaucoma de pressão normal. O caso é sobre uma paciente feminino de 48 anos com história de 2 anos de baixa acuidade visual no olho esquerdo e cefaléia frontal. Devido ao aneurisma de carótida a paciente desenvolveu uma assimetria de escavação vertical maior que 0.2 no olho esquerdo em relação ao direito com defeito localizado da camada de fibras nervosas temporal inferior. Ela também apresentava um defeito arqueado temporal superior a esquerda, cruzando a linha média vertical consistente. Após o diagnostico confirmado pela ressonância magnética funcional, a paciente foi enviada para o neurocirurgião para realização de uma oclusão endovascular do aneurisma. Esse caso nos alerta da importância de se lembrar que não apenas o glaucoma gera escavações suspeitas no disco óptico e que ainda muitos defeitos por causas neurológicas são subdiagnosticados.

Structural and functional analyses of the optic nerve and lateral geniculate nucleus in glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To analyze the correlation between structural characteristics of intraorbital optic nerve (ION) and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) measured by 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI), and the severity of glaucomatous damage. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 41 glaucoma patients and 12 age- and sex-matched controls underwent standard automated perimetry (SAP) and frequency doubling technology (FDT) as functional evaluation; optic disc stereophotograph, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal scanning laser tomography as ocular structural evaluation; and 3T MRI. Structure-structure and structure-function correlation were performed using bootstrap resampling method for clustered data. RESULTS: The ION mean diameter and cross-sectional area were different between glaucoma and control groups at 5mm and 10mm (all, p≤0.011) from the globe, but not at 15mm (both, p≥0.067). LGN height was significantly lower in glaucoma group (p = 0.005). OCT rim area and functional parameters (SAP and FDT) correlated significantly with all ION segments, showing stronger correlations at 10 and 15 mm. ION parameters at 10 and 15 mm presented mild-to-moderate correlation with OCT peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness, and ION at 15mm had mild association with the neuroretinal rim area on stereophotographs. Although LGN height was significantly smaller in glaucoma group (p = 0.005), LGN parameters were not associated with any ocular structural or functional parameter. CONCLUSION: Assessment of central and peripheral nervous systems using 3T MRI confirmed that glaucoma patients had smaller ION dimensions and LGN height compared to the control group. In general, ION dimensions presented mild to moderate correlations with functional and ocular structural parameters. Although ION had significant correlations at any distance from the eye, the ION distal locations correlated better with OCT results and functional parameters. However, LGN parameters were not associated with functional or ocular structural parameters.

Assessment of self-esteem and psychological aspects in patients undergoing upper blepharoplasty / Avaliação da autoestima e aspectos psicológicos em pacientes submetidos à blefaroplastia superior

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the self-esteem and quality-of-life outcomes in patients undergoing upper blepharoplasty. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at Federal University of São Paulo. The self-esteem and quality-of-life of 29 patients undergoing upper blepharoplasty were compared with 20 age-matched volunteers from the general population. During preoperative assessment, the patients and volunteers underwent complete ophthalmological examinations and answered two questionnaires: the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES) and the World Health Organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF). The RSES is a ten-item questionnaire developed to measure self-esteem that are answered using a four-point scale. The scores range from 0 to 30, and lower scores indicate higher self-esteem. The WHOQOL-BREF is composed of 26 questions divided into four domains. Mean values greater than 5 are considered indicative of very good quality-of-life. Data from the RSES and quality-of-life scores were compared between the two groups using an unpaired t- test. Results: The mean self-esteem scores for the patients and volunteers were 10.31 ± 0.71 and 6.9 ± 0.99, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean response scores for the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire for the patients and volunteers were 3.67 ± 0.08 and 3.76 ± 0.08, respectively (p = 0.449). For the psychological subscale of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, the results for the patients and volunteers were 3.52 ± 0.09 and 3.78 ± 0.08, respectively (p = 0.041). Conclusions: Subjects who underwent upper blepharoplasty exhibited worse self-esteem based on the RSES. Regarding quality-of-life, as assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, significant differences between the groups were evident in the psychological aspects subscale. Our study confirms the importance of subjecting patients to psychological evaluation prior to upper blepharoplasty.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados de autoestima e qualidade de vida em pacientes submetidos à blefaroplastia superior. Métodos: Um estudo transversal foi realizado na Universidade Federal de São Paulo. A autoestima e a qualidade de vida de 29 pacientes submetidos à blefaroplastia superior foram comparadas com 20 voluntários pareados para idade. Durante a avaliação pré-operatória, os pacientes e voluntários foram submetidos a exames oftalmológicos completos e responderam a dois questionários: a escala de autoestima de Rosenberg (RSES) e a avaliação da qualidade de vida da Organização Mundial de Saúde (WHOQOL-BREF). O RSES é um questionário de dez itens desenvolvido para medir a autoestima que são respondidos usando uma escala de quatro pontos. Os escores variam de 0 a 30, e os escores mais baixos indicam maior autoestima. O WHOQOL-BREF é composto por 26 questões divididas em quatro domínios. Os valores médios acima de 5 são considerados indicativos de uma boa qualidade de vida. Os dados da RSES e os escores de qualidade de vida foram comparados entre os dois grupos usando um teste de t-teste não pareado. Resultados: Os escores médios de autoestima para pacientes e voluntários foram de 10,31 ± 0,71 e 6,9 ± 0,99, respectivamente (p <0,001). Os escores de resposta média para o questionário WHOQOL-BREF para pacientes e voluntários foram de 3,67 ± 0,08 e 3,76 ± 0,08, respectivamente (p = 0,449). Para a subescala psicológica do questionário WHOQOL-BREF, os resultados para pacientes e voluntários foram 3,52 ± 0,09 e 3,78 ± 0,08, respectivamente (p = 0,041). Conclusões: Aqueles submetidos à blefaroplastia superior apresentaram menor autoestima com base na RSES. Quanto à qualidade de vida, avaliada utilizando o questionário WHOQOL-BREF, diferenças significativas entre os grupos foram evidentes na subescala de aspectos psicológicos. Nosso estudo confirma a importância de submeter os pacientes à avaliação psicológica antes da blefaroplastia superior.

Ability of non-ophthalmologist doctors to detect eyes with occludable angles using the flashlight test.

The aim of this study is to assess the ability of non-ophthalmologist doctors to detect eyes with occludable angles using the flashlight test (FLT). For this study, a total of 45 patients were prospectively enrolled. After an ophthalmological examination all patients underwent FLT by two non-ophthalmologist examiners in a masked and standardized fashion. Two gynecologists were chosen, as they often deal with patients exposed to drugs that can trigger pupillary block. An occludable angle was defined as ≥2 quadrants in which the posterior trabecular meshwork was not visible by gonioscopy without indentation (performed by an experienced glaucoma specialist). Whenever both eyes were eligible, one was randomly selected for analysis. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of occludable angles were generated, and the agreement between examiners was assessed. This study results showed that the mean age was 47.1 ± 16.4 years and most patients were female (67.7 %). There was a good agreement between observers for FLT results (κ = 0.77; p = 0.04). Similar values of sensitivity and specificity were found for both examiners (92 and 67 % vs 97 and 67 %, respectively). Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that FLT showed good sensitivity for detection of eyes with occludable angles. The fact that it can be easily and reliably performed by non-ophthalmologist highlights its use as a screening tool in patients requiring medications that can induce angle closure.

Anterior chamber depth during hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Exacerbation of chronic glaucoma or acute glaucoma is occasionally observed in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) because of anterior chamber depth changes during this therapy. PURPOSE: To evaluate anterior chamber depth and axial length in patients during HD sessions. METHODS: A total of 67 eyes of 35 patients were prospectively enrolled. Axial length and anterior chamber depth were measured using ultrasonic biometry, and these measures were evaluated at three different times during HD sessions. Body weight and blood pressure pre- and post-HD were also measured. RESULTS: There was no difference in the axial length between the three measurements (P = 0.241). We observed a significantly decreased anterior chamber depth (P = 0.002) during HD sessions. CONCLUSION: Our results support the idea that there is a change in anterior chamber depth in HD sessions.

Evaluation of magnocellular pathway abnormalities in schizophrenia: a frequency doubling technology study and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: Visual processing deficits have been reported for patients with schizophrenia. Previous studies demonstrated differences in early-stage processing of schizophrenics, although the nature, extent, and localization of the disturbance are unknown. The magnocellular and parvocellular visual pathways are associated with transient and sustained channels, but their respective contributions to schizophrenia-related visual deficits remains controversial. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate magnocellular dysfunction in schizophrenia using frequency doubling technology. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with schizophrenia and 34 healthy volunteers were examined. Frequency doubling technology testing was performed in one session, consisting of a 15-minute screening strategy followed by the C-20 program for frequency doubling technology. RESULTS: Schizophrenic patients showed lower global mean sensitivity (30,97 ± 2,25 dB) compared with controls (32,17 ± 3,08 dB), p<0.009. Although there was no difference in the delta sensitivity of hemispheres, there was a difference in sensitivity analysis of the fibers crossing the optic chiasm, with lower mean sensitivity in the patient group (28,80 dB) versus controls (30,66 dB). The difference was higher in fibers that do not cross the optic chiasm, with lower mean sensitivity in patients (27,61 dB) versus controls (30,26 dB), p<0.005. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there are differences between global sensitivity and fiber sensitivity measured by frequency doubling technology. The different sensitivity of fibers that do not cross the optic chiasm is consistent with most current etiological hypotheses for schizophrenia. The decreased sensitivity responses in the optic radiations may significantly contribute to research assessing early-stage visual processing deficits for patients with schizophrenia.