Analysis of the mortality by eye cancer from 2010 to 2019 in Brazil / Análise da mortalidade no Brasil por câncer ocular de 2010 a 2019

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the deaths caused by eye cancer from 2010 to 2019 in Brazil. Methods: Data were selected from SUS' Computer Department platform at the Ministry of Health, including death certificates, from 2010 to 2019, from all Brazilian states and the Federal District, filtering the codes C69.0 to C69.9 as the cause of death, according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Results: There were 1,859 deaths from malignant neoplasm of eye and adnexa (C69), in Brazil, from 2010 to 2019, affecting 1,062 (57.1%) men. The site of neoplasm was unspecified (C69.9) in 719 cases, representing the most frequent etiology in the C69 group (38.67%). The malignant neoplasm of the orbit (C69.6) was the second most common cause of death (22.59%), followed by malignant neoplasm of retina (C69.2) (14.73%). Conclusion: The number of deaths due to malignant neoplasm of eye and adnexa slightly increased through the years of 2010 to 2019, in Brazil.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os óbitos causados por câncer ocular durante os anos de 2010 a 2019 no Brasil. Métodos: Os dados foram selecionados na plataforma do Departamento de Informática do SUS do Ministério da Saúde, incluindo declarações de óbito, durante os anos de 2010 a 2019, de todos os estados brasileiros e do Distrito Federal, filtrando os códigos C69.0 a C69.9 como causa básica de óbito, de acordo com a Classificação Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde - 10ᵃ Revisão. Resultados: Houve 1.859 óbitos por neoplasia maligna de olho e anexos (C69), no Brasil, no período de 2010 a 2019, acometendo 1.062 (57,1%) homens. O sítio da neoplasia não foi especificado (C69.9) em 719 casos, representando a etiologia mais frequente no grupo C69 (38,67%). A neoplasia maligna da órbita (C69.6) foi a segunda causa mais comum de óbito (22,59%), seguida pela neoplasia maligna da retina (C69.2) (14,73%). Conclusão: O número de óbitos por neoplasia maligna de olho e anexos aumentou discretamente ao longo dos anos de 2010 a 2019, no Brasil.

Development and usability of a photograph-based smartphone app for ocular surface tumor screening / Desenvolvimento e usabilidade de um aplicativo para smartphones baseado em fotografias para rastreio de tumores de superfície ocular

ABSTRACT Objective: To develop and examine the usability of a mobile application aimed at improving knowledge about ocular surface tumors among medical students, general practitioners and ophthalmologists. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out by a multidisciplinary team and developed in three stages: administration of a specific questionnaire to medical students, assessing the demand for the application, creation and development of the application in collaboration with the Technological Innovation Laboratory of Centro Universitário Christus and usability assessment. General practitioners and ophthalmologists were selected to answer the System Usability Scale questionnaire. Data were exported into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20.0 Windows, for quantitative analysis. Results: The OncoEye application was developed for the iOS and the Android platforms and included four main menus: Glossary, Patients, Referrals and Queries. Most students (89.9%) considered the development of the application important for wider access to information about the topic. Most students (39.9%) were able to recognize ocular lesions and 26.1% could distinguish between benign and malignant conditions. System Usability Scale questionnaire responses revealed good usability, with an average score of 92.65. Users (100%) described the application as user-friendly and well- integrated. Conclusion: An innovative application for ocular surface tumors was created and developed. The application achieved good levels of acceptance and was described as user-friendly by users.

RESUMO Objetivo: Desenvolver e avaliar a usabilidade de um aplicativo para dispositivos móveis que aprimore o conhecimento de estudantes de medicina e de médicos sobre tumores da superfície ocular. Métodos: Foi realizado estudo transversal e quantitativo por uma equipe multiprofissional, consistindo em três etapas: realização de um questionário específico com estudantes de medicina, avaliando a necessidade de elaboração do aplicativo; criação e desenvolvimento do aplicativo pelo Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica do Centro Universitário Christus e avaliação de usabilidade. Médicos generalistas e oftalmologistas foram selecionados para responder ao questionário System Usability Scale. Os dados foram exportados para o programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, versão 20.0, para Windows para análise quantitativa. Resultados: O aplicativo OncoEye foi desenvolvido com quatro menus principais: Glossário, Pacientes, Encaminhamento e Perguntas. Dentre os estudantes, 89,9% consideraram o desenvolvimento do aplicativo importante para orientação sobre o tema, 39,9% souberam reconhecer lesão ocular, e 26,1% puderam diferenciar lesão ocular maligna ou benigna. As respostas dos usuários à ferramenta System Usability Scale demonstraram boa usabilidade, com pontuação média de 92,65 (87,74 a 97,55). Todos os usuários consideraram o aplicativo de fácil manuseio e bem integrado. Conclusão: Um aplicativo inovador para tumores da superfície ocular foi criado e desenvolvido, apresentando boa aceitação e fácil manuseio pelos usuários.

Effects of the COVID-19 on the public interest in medical specialties in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social isolation on the interest rates of different medical specialties in Brazil. METHODS: The research was performed using the terms "Médico" (Doctor), "Infectologista" (Infectologist), "Cirurgião" (Surgeon), "Geriatra" (Geriatrician), "Otorrinolaringologista" (Otolaryngologist), and "Oftalmologista" (Ophthalmologist), related to several medical specialties, and "COVID-19," which represented the public interest for the disease, utilizing the Brazilian version of Google Trends, where the data were acquired. The time range of this analysis was from 29 September, 2019 to 20 September, 2020. The data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel, exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, and correlated with searches for the term "COVID-19" using Pearson's correlation. 95% confidence interval was used for all analyses. RESULTS: "Geriatra" (72.26±16.42) and "Cirurgião" (72.15±12.53) remained with the higher means among the evaluated specialties. In terms of standard deviation, "Oftalmologista" (64.71±16.72) and "Infectologista" (22.03±16.60) presented the most significant changes. After utilizing the Pearson's analysis to identify the correlation between each medical specialty and the term "COVID-19," all the evaluated specialties presented significant statistical correlations. "Oftalmologista" (r= -0.607) was notoriously the most negatively affected, while "Infectologista" (r=0.504) was pointed to have the highest positive correlation with the term. CONCLUSIONS: Several changes in the interest rates of different medical specialties in Brazil were found during the time range of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of the COVID-19 on the public interest in medical specialties in Brazil

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social isolation on the interest rates of different medical specialties in Brazil. METHODS: The research was performed using the terms "Médico" (Doctor), "Infectologista" (Infectologist), "Cirurgião" (Surgeon), "Geriatra" (Geriatrician), "Otorrinolaringologista" (Otolaryngologist), and "Oftalmologista" (Ophthalmologist), related to several medical specialties, and "COVID-19," which represented the public interest for the disease, utilizing the Brazilian version of Google Trends, where the data were acquired. The time range of this analysis was from 29 September, 2019 to 20 September, 2020. The data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel, exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, and correlated with searches for the term "COVID-19" using Pearson's correlation. 95% confidence interval was used for all analyses. RESULTS: "Geriatra" (72.26±16.42) and "Cirurgião" (72.15±12.53) remained with the higher means among the evaluated specialties. In terms of standard deviation, "Oftalmologista" (64.71±16.72) and "Infectologista" (22.03±16.60) presented the most significant changes. After utilizing the Pearson's analysis to identify the correlation between each medical specialty and the term "COVID-19," all the evaluated specialties presented significant statistical correlations. "Oftalmologista" (r= -0.607) was notoriously the most negatively affected, while "Infectologista" (r=0.504) was pointed to have the highest positive correlation with the term. CONCLUSIONS: Several changes in the interest rates of different medical specialties in Brazil were found during the time range of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors and Visual Side Effects: A Narrative Review.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors such as sildenafil citrate and tadalafil are well known for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, their use in the presence of pulmonary hypertension can cause ophthalmologic side effects, including non-arteritic optic ischemic neuropathy, chorioretinopathy, glaucoma, and optic atrophy. The present review aimed to identify these visual side effects and provide recommendations. We identified articles published from January 2000 to March 2019 on diseases arising from the management of sexual dysfunction in urology or pulmonary hypertension in pneumonia that could cause pathologic alterations in eye structure based on a literature search of the MEDLINE electronic database using keywords for the most common adverse effects and different kinds of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. After applying the exclusion criteria, we selected 36 of the 77 articles initially identified to write the narrative review and added 20 additional articles to completely describe the pathological entities. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors can cause side effects in the eye including ocular surface abnormalities, increased intraocular pressure and glaucoma, uveitis, non-arteritic ischemic neuropathy, chorioretinopathy, retinal occlusion, and visual field changes. There is an increased need for well-performed studies to better understand these side effects, which are common due to the wide use of sildenafil.

Development and usability evaluation of an application for patients with glaucoma.

INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy that requires continuous monitoring. The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate the usability of a mobile application, for iOS and Android platforms, containing functionalities to improve patients' knowledge about glaucoma and facilitate their treatment. METHODS: The application was developed by a multidisciplinary team using an adapted version of a co-design methodology. Volunteers were selected, among patients and patients' relatives, from the Instituto Cearense de Oftalmologia, chosen by rational choice sampling, to answer the system usability scale after having prior orientation. The results extracted from the questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively. After grouping by age, a proportions test (z-test) was performed. RESULTS: It was possible to develop an application for mobile devices named "GlaucoCheck." Of the 36 interviewees, the average age was 51 (22-69) years old, 56% were women, and 30.5% had a university degree. The average APP score for usability in the SUS questionnaire was 75.6 (95% CI 74.1-77.2). CONCLUSION: There was an appropriate acceptance of patients to the "GlaucoCheck", as it was considered easy to handle, exhibiting interactive and uncomplicated layout. It was possible to develop an application and to register a positive acceptance by the users, encompassing functions that permits better adherence to treatments and additional knowledge about glaucoma.

Use of Techniques for Scleral and Iris Fixation in Secondary Implantation of Intraocular Lenses.

Scleral and iris fixation of intraocular lenses (IOL) are useful in the treatment of surgical or traumatic aphakia, luxation, and subluxation of IOL if the patient does not present appropriate capsular support. However, there is no consensus in the literature about which of these 2 methods is safer and better. The authors performed a literature review searching the main postoperative outcomes obtained with the use of each surgical method. Scleral and iris fixation of IOL are efficient in correction of the patients' visual acuity, even though each technique presents distinct complications which depend especially on the experience of the surgeon with the performed surgical method. It is important to understand that individuals submitted to scleral or iris fixation present previous preoperative complications in their eyes. Besides, both procedures are very complex, involving intense manipulation of the eye globe. The success rate of these surgical techniques is highly variable and has a close relation to the preoperative conditions of the patient's eye and the improvement of the surgeon's learning curve.

The use of smartphones in ophthalmology: technological development and application / O uso de smartphones na oftalmologia: desenvolvimento tecnológico e aplicação

Objective: Technological development has promoted several advances in society, including the creation of smartphones, which have been increasingly used in medicine, especially in ophthalmology. This study aimed to review the use of smartphones in ophthalmology. Methods: In January of 2020, the MEDLINE and LILACS databases were selected to provide articles containing the terms "Ophthalmology" and "Smartphone", filtering the results between the years of 2015 and 2019. The evaluated outcomes were finally included into the following categories in the discussion: "Visual acuity", "Amblyopia and strabismus", "Anterior segment", "Posterior segment", "Glaucoma", "Community patient education and assistance" and "Neurophthalmology". Results: Smartphones can be useful in several different areas of ophthalmology and can provide the patients better understating and adhesion to their treatment. Conclusion: Applications can be used as tools to facilitate the work of several professionals and improve the understanding of patients about their clinical conditions.

Objetivo: O desenvolvimento tecnológico tem promovido diversos avanços na sociedade, incluindo a criação de smartphones, que têm sido cada vez mais utilizados na medicina, principalmente na oftalmologia. O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar o uso de smartphones na oftalmologia. Métodos: Durante o mês de janeiro de 2020, as bases de dados MEDLINE e LILACS foram selecionadas para buscar artigos contendo os termos "Oftalmologia" e "Smartphone", filtrando os resultados entre os anos de 2015 e 2019. Os dados avaliados foram, finalmente, incluídos nas seguintes categorias na discussão: "Acuidade visual", "Ambliopia e estrabismo", "Segmento anterior", "Segmento posterior", "Glaucoma", "Assistência e educação ao paciente da comunidade" e "Neuroftalmologia". Resultados: Os smartphones podem ser úteis em diversas áreas da oftalmologia e fornecem melhor compreensão e adesão dos pacientes ao tratamento. Conclusão: O uso de aplicativos pode ser utilizado como ferramenta para facilitar o trabalho de diversos profissionais e melhorar o entendimento dos pacientes sobre suas condições clínicas.

Pharmacoepidemiology of the antiglaucoma drugs in Brazil from 2012 to 2018 / Farmacoepidemiologia das drogas antiglaucomatosas no Brasil de 2012 a 2018

Abstract Purpose: To outline the epidemiological profile of clinical treatments for glaucoma provided by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS, acronym in Portuguese) between January 2012 and December 2018. Methods: A quantitative and descriptive study was conducted using available data based on the outpatient information system from SUS (SIA/SUS, acronym in Portuguese). The variables were monocular treatment with first, second, and third-line drugs; monocular treatment with combinations of two drugs and three drugs from different lines; binocular treatment with first, second, and third-line drugs; and binocular treatment with combinations of two drugs and three drugs from different lines. Results: During the analysis period, the prevalence of clinical therapies for glaucoma increased from 2012 to 2017 and decreased from 2017 to 2018. Of the clinically treated patients, 96% were carriers of binocular glaucoma. Among the regions of Brazil, the Northeast had the highest prevalence of binocular glaucoma (about 60% of the number of cases), and the most common therapy was combinations of two drugs from different lines. The Southeast region had the highest concentration of monocular glaucoma (53% of cases), and the predominant therapy was combinations of three drugs from different lines. The Midwest region had the lowest prevalence of monocular-treatments for glaucoma (less than 6%). Conclusion: In Brazil, the highest number of treatments offered by the public health system was in the Northeast and Southeast regions. There is a high national prevalence and potential for the morbidity of this disease. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen programs aimed at early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to reduce adverse outcomes.

Resumo Objetivo: Traçar o perfil epidemiológico do tratamento clínico para o glaucoma no Brasil fornecido pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), no período de janeiro de 2012 a dezembro de 2018. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo e descritivo, utilizando a base de dados disponível no Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do SUS (SIA/SUS). As variáveis utilizadas foram: tratamento monocular com drogas de primeira, de segunda e de terceira linha; tratamento monocular com combinações de duas drogas e de três drogas de diferentes linhas; tratamento binocular com drogas de primeira, de segunda e de terceira linha; e tratamento binocular com combinações de duas drogas e de três drogas de diferentes linhas. Resultados: Durante o período analisado, a prevalência de terapias clínicas para o glaucoma aumentou entre 2012 e 2017 e diminuiu entre 2017 e 2018. Dos pacientes tratados clinicamente, 96% eram portadores de glaucoma binocular. Entre as regiões do Brasil, o Nordeste teve a maior prevalência de glaucoma binocular (cerca de 60% do número de casos), e a terapia mais comum foi a combinação de duas drogas de diferentes linhas. A região Sudeste teve a maior concentração de glaucoma monocular (53% dos casos), e a terapia predominante foi a combinação de três drogas de diferentes linhas. A região Centro-Oeste apresentou a menor prevalência de tratamentos monoculares para o glaucoma (menos de 6%). Conclusão: No Brasil, o maior número de tratamentos oferecidos pelo sistema público de saúde foi nas regiões Nordeste e Sudeste. Existe uma alta prevalência nacional e um alto potencial para morbidade desta doença. Portanto, é necessário fortalecer programas voltados para o diagnóstico precoce e para o tratamento adequado a fim de reduzir os resultados adversos.

Perdas visuais agudas: uma revisão dos últimos 10 anos de causas não infecciosas e não maculares / Acute visual loss: a review from the last 10 years of non-infectious and non-macular causes

Objetivo: o conhecimento das principais causas de perda visual aguda possibilita o diagnóstico precoce do paciente, o que favorece o tratamento mais rápido e eficaz, a fim de preservar a acuidade visual. Neste artigo de revisão, as principais causas não infeciosas e não oriundas da mácula são abordadas, a fim de buscar e revisar os tópicos mais pertinentes sobre cada tema, como as manifestações clínicas e os tratamentos mais utilizados. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão de literatura, com 30 artigos selecionados e revisados da plataforma MEDLINE. Resultados: as causas de perda visual aguda discutidas são cinco. Primeiro, as por baixa acuidade visual, súbita, unilateral, sem dor e sem hiperemia: hemorragia vítrea, descolamento de retina, oclusão vascular de retina e neuropatia óptica isquêmica anterior. Posteriormente, por baixa acuidade visual, súbita, unilateral, com dor e sem hiperemia: neurite óptica. Por meio deste estudo, alguns fatores de risco podem ser evidenciados e os principais tratamentos destacados. Conclusão: o diagnóstico precoce das perdas visuais agudas deve ser realizado, com os exames físicos adequados, como a fundoscopia e os exames complementares necessários solicitados. Além disso, o encaminhamento ao oftalmologista é de extrema importância para minimizar sequelas e evitar complicações.

Objective: The knowledge of the main causes of acute visual loss enables the early diagnosis of the patient, which favors faster and more effective treatment in order to preserve visual acuity. In this review article, the main non-infectious causes not originating from the macula are addressed in order to search and review the most relevant topics on each theme, such as the clinical manifestations and the most used treatments. Methods: This is a literature review with 30 articles selected and reviewed from the MEDLINE platform. Results: Five causes of acute visual loss are discussed. First, those for sudden, unilateral, without pain, and without hyperemia low visual acuity are reviewed: vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, retinal vascular occlusion, and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Subsequently, one due to low visual acuity, sudden, unilateral, with pain and without hyperemia is evaluated: optic neuritis. Through this study, some risk factors and main treatments can be highlighted. Conclusion: The early diagnosis of acute visual loss should be performed with appropriate physical exams, such as fundoscopy and the necessary complementary exams. In addition, referral to an ophthalmologist is extremely important to minimize sequelae and avoid complications.

Potential inhibitory effect of LASSBio-596, a new thalidomide hybrid, on inflammatory corneal angiogenesis in rabbits.

AIMS: Evaluate the effect of LASSBio-596, structurally designed as a new hybrid of thalidomide, on inflammatory corneal angiogenesis. METHODS: Eighteen rabbits were submitted to an alkaline cauterization in the right cornea. The animals were randomly allocated to three groups: vehicle, dexamethasone and LASSBio-596. Drugs were administered by eyedrops 3 times a day for 21 days. Evaluations were performed on days 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 after cauterization. At these time points, digital images of the cornea were captured in a standard fashion. The angiogenic response was measured using software that was developed specifically for this purpose. It calculated the following parameters: neovascularization area (NA), total vascular length (TVL) and blood vessel number (BVN). RESULTS: It was observed that dexamethasone significantly decreased NA, TVL and BVN during all assessments. From the NA the angiogenesis rate (AR) was calculated in each group. Therefore, dexamethasone completely inhibited the inflammatory corneal angiogenesis with an AR of -0.001 ± 0.006 mm(2)/day, which was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that observed after treatment with vehicle (0.078 ± 0.024 mm(2)/day) and LASSBio-596 (0.054 ± 0.012 mm(2)/day). Although LASSBio-596 reduced angiogenesis in relation to vehicle, according to NA, TVL and BVN values, this difference was not statistically significant. However, it was found that the AR as measured in the LASSBio-596 group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that seen in control animals, indicating a potential antiangiogenic effect. CONCLUSION: We conclude that topical application of LASSBio-596 at 1.0% has a potential inhibitory effect on inflammatory corneal angiogenesis in rabbits.