Limbal transplantation at a tertiary hospital in Brazil: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Epidemiological analysis of limbal transplantation surgeries performed in the Ophthalmologic Hospital of Sorocaba. METHODS: Retrospective medical records review of 30 patients who underwent limbal stem cell transplants between January 2003 and March 2008. Cases involving conjunctival limbal autograft were classified as group I, and those involving conjunctival limbal allograft as group II. RESULTS: Two patients were excluded due to incomplete data during postoperative follow-up. Of the total sample of 28 patients, 53.6% constituted group I, whereas 46.4% were included in group II. Males were predominant (67.9%), and right eyes were the most prevalent (67.9%). The mean age was 40.3 years. Unilateral cases accounted for 60.7%. The most frequent pathology causing limbal system failure was chemical burns (53%). The mean length of time from diagnosis to surgery was 11.18 years. The limbal graft and amniotic membrane were associated in 75% of all cases, and tarsorrhaphy in 57.1%. The average follow-up period was 24.84 months. The uncorrected visual acuity improved in 38% of the cases, was unchanged in 28.5%, and deteriorated in 33.3%. There was no persistent epithelial defect in 75% of the patients. The conjunctivalization rate was similar between the groups (53.3% and 58.3%, respectively). The transparency improved in only 38.4% of the cases, and 28.5% of the surgeries performed were successful. The most prevalent complication was persistent epithelial defect, which occurred in 25% of the patients, followed by corneal melting in 14.2%. Other complications observed included infectious ulcers, limbal graft necrosis or ischemia, perforation, and descemetocele. CONCLUSION: Chemical burns remain the main cause of limbal stem cell deficiency. In these cases, limbal transplantation is the standard procedure to restore the ocular surface even though the success rate is low.

Limbal transplantation at a tertiary hospital in Brazil: a retrospective study / Transplante de limbo em hospital terciário no Brasil: estudo retrospectivo

ABSTRACTPurpose:Epidemiological analysis of limbal transplantation surgeries performed in the Ophthalmologic Hospital of Sorocaba.Methods:Retrospective medical records review of 30 patients who underwent limbal stem cell transplants between January 2003 and March 2008. Cases involving conjunctival limbal autograft were classified as group I, and those involving conjunctival limbal allograft as group II.Results:Two patients were excluded due to incomplete data during postoperative follow-up. Of the total sample of 28 patients, 53.6% constituted group I, whereas 46.4% were included in group II. Males were predominant (67.9%), and right eyes were the most prevalent (67.9%). The mean age was 40.3 years. Unilateral cases accounted for 60.7%. The most frequent pathology causing limbal system failure was chemical burns (53%). The mean length of time from diagnosis to surgery was 11.18 years. The limbal graft and amniotic membrane were associated in 75% of all cases, and tarsorrhaphy in 57.1%. The average follow-up period was 24.84 months. The uncorrected visual acuity improved in 38% of the cases, was unchanged in 28.5%, and deteriorated in 33.3%. There was no persistent epithelial defect in 75% of the patients. The conjunctivalization rate was similar between the groups (53.3% and 58.3%, respectively). The transparency improved in only 38.4% of the cases, and 28.5% of the surgeries performed were successful. The most prevalent complication was persistent epithelial defect, which occurred in 25% of the patients, followed by corneal melting in 14.2%. Other complications observed included infectious ulcers, limbal graft necrosis or ischemia, perforation, and descemetocele.Conclusion:Chemical burns remain the main cause of limbal stem cell deficiency. In these cases, limbal transplantation is the standard procedure to restore the ocular surface even though the success rate is low.

RESUMOObjetivo:Análise epidemiológica dos transplantes de limbo realizados no Hospital Oftalmológico de Sorocaba.Método:Foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva através de revisão de prontuário de trinta casos de transplante de limbo realizados no período de janeiro de 2003 a março de 2008. Casos de transplante de limbo autólogo foram classificados como grupo I e alogênicos como grupo II.Resultados:Dois pacientes foram excluídos da análise por insuficiência de dados nos registros. Da amostra completa de 28 pacientes, 53,6% constituíram o grupo I enquanto 46,4% o grupo II. O olho direito (68%) e o sexo masculino (68%) foram mais acometidos, com uma média de idade de 40,3 anos. Casos unilaterais contabilizaram 60,7%. A patologia de base causadora da deficiência límbica mais prevalente foi a queimadura química (53%). A média do tempo de doença até a cirurgia foi de 11,18 anos. Na maioria dos casos o transplante foi associado a membrana amniótica (75%) e tarsorrafia (57%). O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 24,84 meses. Foi observado melhora da acuidade visual não corrigida em 38% dos casos enquanto 28,5% permaneceram inalteradas e 33,3% pioraram. Evolução sem defeito epitelial persistente ocorreu em 75% dos pacientes. A taxa de conjuntivalização foi semelhante nos 2 grupos (53,3% e 58,3%). Em apenas 38% dos casos houve melhora da transparência. A taxa de sucesso foi de cerca de 28%. A complicação mais prevalente foi defeito epitelial persistente (25%) seguida de melting (14,2%). Outras complicações observadas foram úlceras infecciosas, necrose ou isquemia do enxerto, perfuração e descemetocele.Conclusões:A queimadura química permanece como principal patologia causadora de deficiência límbica. Nestes casos o transplante de limbo é atualmente a técnica de eleição para restauração da superfície ocular, porém com baixa taxa de sucesso.

[Complications in endothelial keratoplasty performed by cornea fellows]. / Complicações em transplantes endoteliais realizados por estagiários de córnea.

PURPOSE: To report early complications in endothelial keratoplasty performed by cornea fellows. METHODS: Retrospective study of endothelial keratoplasty performed by second-year cornea fellows. Described the early complications and its treatments. RESULTS: Thirty four endothelial keratoplasty were performed by cornea fellows, from July 2007 to August 2008. From this, 29 were Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty and 5 Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty; 14 combined with phacoemulsification and 1 with extracapsular cataract surgery. The main indication was Fuchs' dystrophy (18 cases), followed by bullous keratopathy (11 cases), primary failure after endothelial keratoplasty (4 cases) and congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (1 case). Main surgery complication was donor button detachment in 8 eyes (23.5%), followed by primary graft failure in 7 eyes (20.6%) and acute glaucoma after pupillary block in 1 eye (2.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate in this series, which were the first ever in a group of six cornea fellows, was high. This shows the steep learning curve for this surgical procedure. The assistance of an experienced surgeon could help to achieve a less steep learning curve with a lower complication rate.

Complicações em transplantes endoteliais realizados por estagiários de córnea / Complications in endothelial keratoplasty performed by cornea fellows

OBJETIVO: Reportar complicações precoces numa série de transplantes endoteliais realizados por estagiários de córnea. MÉTODOS: Revisão retrospectiva dos transplantes endoteliais realizados por estagiários de córnea do segundo ano. Descritas as complicações precoces e respectivo tratamento. RESULTADOS: Foram realizados 34 transplantes endoteliais pelos estagiários de córnea entre julho de 2007 e agosto de 2008. Destes, 29 foram realizados pela técnica de "Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty" e 5 "Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty". Foram realizadas 15 cirurgias combinadas, 14 associadas a facoemulsificação com implante de lente intraocular e 1 associada a facectomia com implante de lente intraocular. A principal indicação foi por distrofia de Fuchs com 18 casos, 11 foram indicados por ceratopatia bolhosa após cirurgia de catarata, 4 por falência primária após transplante endotelial e 1 por distrofia endotelial congênita hereditária. A complicação mais encontrada foi descolamentos do botão doado em 8 olhos (23,5%). Falência primária foi encontrado em 7 olhos (20,6%). Glaucoma agudo por bloqueio pupilar foi encontrado em 1 paciente (2,9%). CONCLUSÕES: O alto número de complicações encontradas nestas cirurgias, que foram as primeiras de um grupo de 6 estagiários de córnea, mostra a longa curva de aprendizado para este procedimento cirúrgico. A orientação das primeiras cirurgias por cirurgiões mais experientes pode diminuir a curva de aprendizado e a taxa de complicações.

PURPOSE: To report early complications in endothelial keratoplasty performed by cornea fellows. METHODS: Retrospective study of endothelial keratoplasty performed by second-year cornea fellows. Described the early complications and its treatments. RESULTS: Thirty four endothelial keratoplasty were performed by cornea fellows, from July 2007 to August 2008. From this, 29 were Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty and 5 Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty; 14 combined with phacoemulsification and 1 with extracapsular cataract surgery. The main indication was Fuchs' dystrophy (18 cases), followed by bullous keratopathy (11 cases), primary failure after endothelial keratoplasty (4 cases) and congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (1 case). Main surgery complication was donor button detachment in 8 eyes (23.5%), followed by primary graft failure in 7 eyes (20.6%) and acute glaucoma after pupillary block in 1 eye (2.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate in this series, which were the first ever in a group of six cornea fellows, was high. This shows the steep learning curve for this surgical procedure. The assistance of an experienced surgeon could help to achieve a less steep learning curve with a lower complication rate.

Ectopia lentis et pupillae / Ectopia lentis et pupillae

The Ectopia lentis et pupillae is a rare genetic syndrome, congenital, autosomal recessive with variable expression, characterized by ectopia of the lens and the pupil, usually bilateral and symmetrical, but without systemic manifestations. The pathogenesis of this anomaly is still unknown, but there are theories that the change is mesodermal, neuroectodermal, combined or mechanical. This article presents a clinical case of a patient with ectopia lentis et pupillae, describing its clinical and genetic aspects, secondary ocular complications and differential diagnosis.

A ectopia lentis et pupillae é uma síndrome genética rara, congênita, autossômica recessiva de expressividade variável, caracterizada por ectopia do cristalino e da pupila, geralmente bilateral e simétrica, sem associação com anormalidades sistêmicas. Sua patogênese ainda é desconhecida, porém se especula que haja alteração mesodérmica, neuroectodérmica, combinada ou mecânica. O artigo relata o caso clínico de um paciente portador de ectopia lentis et pupillae, descrevendo seus aspectos clínicos e genéticos, além de suas complicações secundárias e diagnósticos diferenciais.

Emergências oftalmológicas em um hospital dia / Ophthalmological's emergencies of a day hospital

Objetivo: Determinar as principais causas de atendimento oftalmológico de urgência e emergência. Métodos: Foram examinados prospectivamente, no período de fevereiro a julho de 2007, 810 pacientes do Hospital Dia da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Limeira, correlacionando-os com sexo, faixa etária e procedência dos pacientes. Resultados: Houve predominância do sexo masculino (66,6%), na faixa etária de 19 a 40 anos (74%) entre os homens e de 0 a 18 anos (52%) entre as mulheres. As causas mais comuns de atendimento foram corpo estranho ocular (32%), conjuntivite viral (17%) e afecções das pálpebras e anexos (12%). Conclusão: Neste estudo das emergências oftalmológicas houve prevalência do sexo masculino, de pacientes na faixa etária economicamente ativa e de casos de corpo estranho ocular.

Objective: The objective was to ascertain the main cause of the urgency and emergency in all ophthalmological diagnosis. Methods: Between february and july of 2007, eight hundred and one patients were examined prospectively at Hospital Dia da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Limeira - SP . Patients were correlated with sex, age and origin. Results: Most of these patients were men (66%) between nineteen and forty years old (74%) and female from zero to eighteen years old (52%). The most frequent causes for all the diagnosis were eye foreign body (32%), viralconjunctivitis (17%) and eyelids and adnexa diseases (12%). Conclusion: In this study of Ophthalmological's emergencies, there were prevalence of men, patients in economically active age and cases of eye foreign body.

Corpo estranho intracristaliniano / Intralenticular foreign body

O relato mostra um caso de corpo estranho intracristaliniano de material metálico, em um paciente metalúrgico, com diagnóstico tardio, descrevendo a importância do exame clínico, a técnica cirúrgica empregada para a retirada do cristalino e a necessidade de divulgar e promover medidas preventivas nos ambientes ocupacionais e domésticos.

The authors present a case of intralenticular metallic foreign body, in a metallurgist patient, with lateness diagnosis. They describe the importance of clinical exame, the surgical technical that was used to remove the foreign body of the crystalline and necessity to divulge and promote preventive ways at the occupational and domestical ambients.

[Comparative study between diurnal intraocular pressure curve and the association of ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test in open angle glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma and normal eyes]. / Estudo comparativo entre a curva diária de pressão intra-ocular e a associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, glaucoma de pressão normal e olhos normais.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and correlate the peaks and the fluctuation of intraocular pressure seen in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test versus the peaks and the fluctuation seen in the daily intraocular pressure curve. METHODS: The sample was as follows: 77 eyes belonging to 77 patients who were divided into three groups composed of 31 eyes belonging to 31 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, 26 eyes belonging to 26 patients with normal tension glaucoma and 20 normal eyes belonging to 20 individuals. RESULTS: A significant correlation could be observed between the pressure peaks collected from the daily intraocular pressure curve and the pressure peaks seen in the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve, on the water-drinking test, as well as in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test. The procedure which showed the highest rate of correlation between the pressure peaks and the peaks of the daily intraocular pressure curve was the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve (r2= 0.81). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the pressure peaks and the correlation coefficients observed in the other methods. The correlation between the fluctuation of intraocular pressure obtained in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test and the fluctuation of the pressure seen in the daily intraocular pressure curve showed a slight association (r2= 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: The association between ambulatory intraocular pressure curve and water-drinking test was not efficient to estimate peaks and the fluctuation of daily intraocular pressure curve. The ambulatory intraocular pressure curve and the water-drinking test must be analyzed separately. When predicting the peak and the fluctuation of the daily intraocular pressure curve, the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve was the most efficient procedure.

Estudo comparativo entre a curva diária de pressão intra-ocular e a associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, glaucoma de pressão normal e olhos normais / Comparative study between diurnal intraocular pressure curve and the association of ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test in open angle glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma and normal eyes

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e correlacionar os picos e a flutuação da pressão intra-ocular verificados na associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica com os picos e a flutuação verificados na curva diária de pressão intra-ocular. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída de 77 olhos de 77 pacientes divididos em três grupos compostos por 31 olhos de 31 pacientes portadores de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, 26 olhos de 26 pacientes com glaucoma de pressão normal e 20 olhos normais de 20 indivíduos. RESULTADOS: Houve correlação significativa entre os picos de pressão obtidos na curva diária de pressão intra-ocular e os picos de pressão verificados na curva ambulatorial, no teste de sobrecarga hídrica e na associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica. O procedimento em que os picos de pressão apresentaram maior correlação com os picos da curva diária de pressão intra-ocular foi a curva ambulatorial (r²= 0,81), embora não tenha havido diferença estatisticamente significativa com os coeficientes de correlação verificados nos outros métodos. A correlação entre a flutuação da pressão intra-ocular obtida na associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica e a flutuação da pressão verificada na curva diária de pressão intra-ocular apresentou uma fraca associação (r²= 0,21). CONCLUSÃO: A associação da curva ambulatorial com o teste de sobrecarga hídrica não se mostrou eficaz para predizer os picos e a flutuação da curva diária de pressão intra-ocular. A curva ambulatorial e o teste de sobrecarga hídrica, devem ser analisados separadamente. O procedimento mais eficaz em prever o pico e a flutuação da pressão da curva diária de pressão intra-ocular foi a curva ambulatorial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and correlate the peaks and the fluctuation of intraocular pressure seen in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test versus the peaks and the fluctuation seen in the daily intraocular pressure curve. METHODS: The sample was as follows: 77 eyes belonging to 77 patients who were divided into three groups composed of 31 eyes belonging to 31 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, 26 eyes belonging to 26 patients with normal tension glaucoma and 20 normal eyes belonging to 20 individuals. RESULTS: A significant correlation could be observed between the pressure peaks collected from the daily intraocular pressure curve and the pressure peaks seen in the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve, on the water-drinking test, as well as in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test. The procedure which showed the highest rate of correlation between the pressure peaks and the peaks of the daily intraocular pressure curve was the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve (r²= 0.81). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the pressure peaks and the correlation coefficients observed in the other methods. The correlation between the fluctuation of intraocular pressure obtained in the association of the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve with the water-drinking test and the fluctuation of the pressure seen in the daily intraocular pressure curve showed a slight association (r²= 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: The association between ambulatory intraocular pressure curve and water-drinking test was not efficient to estimate peaks and the fluctuation of daily intraocular pressure curve. The ambulatory intraocular pressure curve and the water-drinking test must be analyzed separately. When predicting the peak and the fluctuation of the daily intraocular pressure curve, the ambulatory intraocular pressure curve was the most...

[Relationship between corneal thickness and severity of visual field loss in primary open-angle glaucoma]. / Relação entre a espessura corneana e a gravidade de defeito de campo visual no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto.

PURPOSE: To assess whether central corneal thickness is related to glaucomatous visual field loss severity among patients with office-controlled intraocular pressure in the normal range. METHODS: This transversal study included 85 eyes of 85 patients with treated primary open-angle glaucoma and documented intraocular pressure below 19 mmHg. The patients were divided into three groups according to Anderson criteria of field abnormality. The groups were composed of 30 eyes with mild defect, 28 eyes with moderate defect and 27 eyes with severe defect. Intraocular pressure and central cornea thickness were compared and evaluated between the three groups. RESULTS: Central corneal thickness was statistically thinner in the severe group (mean= 513 +/- 26 microm) compared with the mild defect group (mean= 535 +/- 35 microm) and the moderate group (mean= 533 +/- 30 microm) (p = 0.0182). There was no statistically significant difference between intraocular pressures in the three groups (p = 0.0851). The severe group showed a statistically higher age and number of medications than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The central corneal thickness measurement is desirable when establishing target intraocular pressure of patients with open-angle glaucoma. Central corneal thickness is a clinical factor in determining glaucoma severity. Patients with severe field loss showed lower corneal thickness compared with patients with mild and moderate visual field loss.

Relação entre a espessura corneana e a gravidade de defeito de campo visual no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto / Relationship between corneal thickness and severity of visual field loss in primary open-angle glaucoma

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a espessura central da córnea pode influenciar na gravidade de defeitos de campo visual no glaucoma em pacientes com pressão intra-ocular controlada ambulatorialmente. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de 85 olhos de 85 pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto em tratamento e com níveis pressóricos inferiores a 19 mmHg. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com os critérios de gravidade de defeito de campo visual de Anderson. Os grupos eram compostos de 30 olhos com defeito leve de campo visual, 28 olhos com defeito moderado e 27 olhos com defeito grave. Foram avaliadas e comparadas a pressão intra-ocular e a espessura central da córnea entre os três grupos. RESULTADOS: A espessura central da córnea foi significativamente menor no grupo grave (média de 513 ± 26 µm) comparado aos grupos leve (média de 535 ± 35 µm) e moderado (média de 533 ± 30 µm) (p = 0,0182). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as pressões intra-oculares dos três grupos (p = 0,0851). O grupo grave apresentou média de idade e número de medicações estatisticamente maior quando comparado aos outros grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Os nossos resultados sugerem relação entre a espessura corneana e a gravidade do glaucoma e que a medida da espessura central da córnea deve ser levada em consideração na estimativa da pressão-alvo no tratamento do glaucoma. Os pacientes com defeito grave de campo visual apresentaram córneas mais finas que os pacientes com defeito leve ou moderado.