Regional Differences in the Clinical Manifestation of Ocular Toxoplasmosis Between the Center and Northeast of Argentina.

Purpose: To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with active episodes of ocular toxoplasmosis from three provinces, Misiones, Santa Fe, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis from three databases of four tertiary referral uveitis centers were reviewed. Collected data included presentation of the retinochoroiditis, location of the active lesions, associated inflammatory ocular signs and complications. Results: Three hundred thirty-four patients were included in this study. Bilateral involvement of the ocular disease occurred in 26 patients in Misiones (35.14%), 21 patients (12.8%) in Santa Fe, and 9 patients in Buenos Aires (9.4%) (p < 0.001). Extensive retinitis was observed in 49 patients (66.2%) in Misiones, 39 patients (23.8%) in Santa Fe, and 12 patients (12.5%) in Buenos Aires (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results indicate that there are differences in the clinical characteristics of ocular toxoplasmosis in patients from Misiones, Santa Fe, and Buenos Aires.

Corneal Astigmatism in cataract surgery candidates / Astigmatismo Corneano em candidatos à cirurgia de catarata

Abstract Purpose: To report the prevalence and analyse corneal astigmatism patterns in cataract surgery candidates. Methods: Researchers examined 2136 eyes from 1204 patients for cataract surgery from 1 January to 31 December 2016. All the candidates were evaluated with partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster). The results were analysed statistically in relation to qualitative and quantitative variables. Results: The mean age of the patients was 71.9 years with a female predominance. Mean corneal astigmatism was 1.0 dioptre (D). Against the rule (ATR) astigmatism increased with age. Women presented with steeper corneas than men. In those patients who had both eyes measured, we found strong correlations between amount of right and left eye astigmatism, axis and keratometry. Overall, 39% of the eyes had corneal astigmatism > 1.00 D and 19% >1.50 D. Conclusions: A significant percentage of our population presents with corneal astigmatism > 1.00 D with a shift from WTR (with the rule) to ATR with increasing age. Our findings, in a population that has never been described before, will be helpful to surgeons to enhance surgical techniques, patients to improve visual outcomes, IOL (intraocular lens) manufacturers to make better designs and health agents to optimise resources.

Resumo Objetivo: Relatar a prevalência e analisar os padrões de astigmatismo corneano em candidatos à cirurgia de catarata. Métodos: Os pesquisadores examinaram 2136 olhos de 1204 pacientes a cirurgia de catarata de 1 de janeiro a 31 de dezembro de 2016. Todos os candidatos foram avaliados com interferometria de coerência parcial (IOLMaster). Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente em relação às variáveis qualitativa e quantitativa. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 71,9 anos, com predomínio do sexo feminino. A média de astigmatismo corneano foi de 1,0 dioptria (D). Contra a regra (ATR), o astigmatismo aumentou com a idade. As mulheres apresentaram córneas mais íngremes que os homens. Nos pacientes que tiveram os dois olhos medidos, encontramos fortes correlações entre quantidade de astigmatismo nos olhos direito e esquerdo, eixo e ceratometria. No geral, 39% dos olhos tinham astigmatismo corneano >1,00 D, e 19% > 1,50 D. Conclusões: Uma percentagem significativa da nossa população apresenta astigmatismo corneano >1,00, D com uma mudança de WTR (a favor da regra) para ATR (contra a regra) com o aumento da idade. Nossas descobertas em uma população que nunca foi descrita antes serão úteis para os cirurgiões melhorarem suas técnicas cirúrgicas, os pacientes melhorarem seus resultados visuais, os fabricantes de LIOs (lentes intraoculares) criarem projetos melhores, e os agentes de saúde otimizarem os recursos.