Pupillometry in Chagas disease.

PURPOSE: We investigated parasympathetic innervation abnormalities of the iris sphincter and ciliary muscles in chronic Chagas disease by measuring pupillary diameter and intraocular pressure. METHODS: A group of 80 patients with Chagas disease was compared with 76 healthy individuals without chagasic infection. The following procedures were performed: pupillometry, hypersensitivity test to pilocarpine 0.125%, intraocular pressure measurement (IOP), basal pupil diameter (BPD), absolute pupillary constriction amplitude (ACA), relative pupillary constriction amplitude (RCA) and the presence of anisocoria. RESULTS: The prevalence of anisocoria was higher in chagasic patients (p<0.01). These patients had mean basal pupillary diameter, mean photopic pupillary diameter and mean value of absolute pupillary constriction amplitude significantly lower than non-chagasic ones (p<0.01, mean difference -0.50mm), (p=0.02, mean difference -0.20mm), (p<0.01, mean difference -0.29mm), respectively. The relative pupillary constriction amplitude did not differ between the two groups (p=0.39, mean difference -1.15%). There was hypersensitivity to dilute pilocarpine in 8 (10%) of the chagasic patients in the right eye and in 2 (2.5%) in the left eye and in 1 (1.25%) in both eyes. The mean value of intraocular pressure had a marginal statistical significance between the two groups (p=0.06, mean difference -0.91mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chagasic infection may exhibit ocular parasympathetic dysfunction, demonstrable by pupillometry and the dilute pilocarpine hypersensitivity test.

Pupillometry in Chagas disease / Pupilometria na doença de Chagas

ABSTRACT Purpose: We investigated parasympathetic innervation abnormalities of the iris sphincter and ciliary muscles in chronic Chagas disease by measuring pupillary diameter and intraocular pressure. Methods: A group of 80 patients with Chagas disease was compared with 76 healthy individuals without chagasic infection. The following procedures were performed: pupillometry, hypersensitivity test to pilocarpine 0.125%, intraocular pressure measurement (IOP), basal pupil diameter (BPD), absolute pupillary constriction amplitude (ACA), relative pupillary constriction amplitude (RCA) and the presence of anisocoria. Results: The prevalence of anisocoria was higher in chagasic patients (p<0.01). These patients had mean basal pupillary diameter, mean photopic pupillary diameter and mean value of absolute pupillary constriction amplitude significantly lower than non-chagasic ones (p<0.01, mean difference -0.50mm), (p=0.02, mean difference -0.20mm), (p<0.01, mean difference -0.29mm), respectively. The relative pupillary constriction amplitude did not differ between the two groups (p=0.39, mean difference -1.15%). There was hypersensitivity to dilute pilocarpine in 8 (10%) of the chagasic patients in the right eye and in 2 (2.5%) in the left eye and in 1 (1.25%) in both eyes. The mean value of intraocular pressure had a marginal statistical significance between the two groups (p=0.06, mean difference -0.91mmHg). Conclusions: Patients with chagasic infection may exhibit ocular parasympathetic dysfunction, demonstrable by pupillometry and the dilute pilocarpine hypersensitivity test.

RESUMO Introdução: Investigaram-se anormalidades da inervação parassimpática dos músculos esfíncter da íris e ciliar na doença de Chagas crônica, através de medidas pupilares e da pressão intraocular. Métodos: Foram estudados dois grupos, um com 80 chagásicos e outro com 76 indivíduos saudáveis sem infecção chagásica. Foram realizados os seguintes procedimentos: pupilometria, teste de hipersensibilidade à pilocarpina a 0,125%, medida da pressão intraocular (PIO), diâmetro basal da pupila (DBP), amplitude de constrição pupilar absoluta (ACA), amplitude de constrição pupilar relativa (ACR), e presença de anisocoria. Resultados: A prevalência de anisocoria foi maior nos chagásicos (p<0,01). Estes pacientes apresentaram diâmetro basal pupilar médio, diâmetro fotópico médio e valor médio da amplitude de constrição pupilar absoluta, significativamente menores que os não chagásicos, (p<0,01, diferença de média -0,50mm), (p=0.02, diferença de média -0,20mm), (p<0,01, diferença de média -0,29mm), respectivamente. A amplitude de constrição pupilar relativa não diferiu entre os dois grupos (p=0,39, diferença de média -1,15%). Houve hipersensibilidade à pilocarpina diluída em 8 (10%) chagásicos no olho direito em 2 (2,5%) no olho esquerdo e em 1 (1,25%) em ambos os olhos. O valor médio da pressão intraocular teve significância marginal entre os dois grupos (p=0,06, diferença de média -0,91mmHg). Conclusões: Pacientes com infecção chagásica podem apresentar disfunção parassimpática ocular, demonstrável pela pupilometria e pelo teste de hipersensibilidade à pilocarpina diluída.

Acetylcholine chloride 1% usage for intraoperative cataract surgery miosis / Cloridrato de Acetilcolina 1% na obtenção da miose intraoperatória na cirurgia de catarata

Abstract Objective: To test the efficacy of Acetylcholine chloride use in obtaining intraoperative miosis on phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Methods: Patients with cataract diagnosis and elected for surgical phacoemulsification procedure were selected. All patients underwent conventional phacoemulsification procedure performed by a single surgeon and all patients had 0.2 ml of Acetylcholine chloride 1% irrigated in the anterior chamber at the end of the surgery. The pupillary diameter was measured immediately before the beginning of surgery, immediately before and two minutes after the use of acetylcholine chloride 1%. Results: A total of 30 eyes from 30 patients were included in the study. 18 were female, and mean age was of 69.5 years with a 7.2y standard deviation on the population study. The mean pupillary diameter immediately before the beginning of surgery was 7.5 mm with a standard deviation of 0.56 mm; the mean pupillary diameter immediately before the acetylcholine chloride 1% use (after the intraocular lens im-plantation) was 7.1 mm with a standard deviation of 0.57 mm. The mean pupillary diameter two minutes after the use of acetylcholine chloride 1% in the anterior chamber was 3.4 mm with standard deviation of 0.66 mm. The mean maximum action time of ACH chloride 1% was 64 seconds, with a standard deviation of 8 seconds. The mean intraocular pressure on the first postoperative day was 19.1 mmHg with a standard deviation of 2.45 mmHg. Conclusion: We conclude that acetylcholine chloride 1% is an important drug to obtaining intraoperative miosis in cataract surgery.

Resumo Objetivo: Demonstrar a eficácia do cloridrato de acetilcolina 1% na obtenção da miose intraoperatória na cirurgia de catarata pela técnica de facoemulsificação. Métodos: Pacientes com diagnóstico de catarata e indicação de cirurgia foram selecionados para participar do presente estudo. Todos os pacientes foram operados pela técnica de facoemulsificação convencional pelo mesmo cirurgião, todos foram submetidos à aplicação de 0,2 ml do cloridrato de acetilcolina 1% na câmara anterior ao final do procedimento cirúrgico. A medida do diâmetro pupilar foi realizada imediatamente antes do início da cirurgia, imediatamente antes do uso do cloridrato de acetilcolina 1% e após 2 minutos. Resultados: Foram estudados 30 olhos de 30 pacientes, destes, 18 eram do sexo feminino, a média de idade do estudo foi de 69,5 anos com desvio padrão de 7,2 anos. A média do diâmetro pupilar imediatamente antes do início da cirurgia foi 7,55 mm com desvio padrão de 0,56mm, a média do diâmetro pupilar imediatamente antes do uso do cloridrato de acetilcolina 1% (após implante da lente intraocular no saco capsular) foi 7,1mm com desvio padrão de 0,57mm. A média do diâmetro pupilar após 2 minutos da aplicação da acetilcolina na câmara anterior foi de 3,4 mm com desvio padrão de 0,66mm. O tempo médio de ação máxima do medicamento foi de 64 segundos, com desvio padrão de 8 segundos. A média da pressão intraocular no primeiro dia do pós-operatório foi de 19,1 mmHg com desvio padrão de 2,45mmHg. Conclusão: O estudo acima mostrou que a acetilcolina apresenta boa eficácia na obtenção de miose intraoperatória na cirurgia de facoemulsificação, permitindo uma maior facilidade na confecções das suturas corneanas ou corneo-escleral, reduzindo a incidência de sinéquias anteriores periféricas. Concluimos que o cloridrato de acetilcolina 1% é um importante medicamento na obtenção da miose intraoperatória na cirurgia de catarata.

Acute Primary Angle Closure in the Fellow Eye as a Complication of Facedown Position After Vitrectomy Surgery.

PURPOSE: To report a case of acute primary angle closure that developed in the fellow eye rapidly after facedown position after vitrectomy surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 66-year-old female developed acute primary angle closure in the fellow eye approximately 1.5 hours after facedown position after vitrectomy surgery for macular hole. RESULTS: The intraocular pressure was controlled after treatment that included halting the facedown position, intravenous mannitol injection, and topical pilocarpine instillation. Facedown position was continued after laser peripheral iridotomy was performed. The intraocular pressure was controlled within normal range even after pilocarpine was withdrawn. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, the potential risk of acute-angle closure should be explicitly explained to patients being considered for facedown position after vitrectomy. Prophylactic intervention, such as laser peripheral iridotomy, could be considered for anatomically predisposed eyes.

Adie-Holmes Syndrome / Síndrome de Adie-Holmes

The Holmes-Adie syndrome is characterized by the presence of tonic pupil associated with absence or diminution of deep tendon reflexes. In some cases there may be autonomous nerve dysfunction. The mechanism that causes the disorder is not fully known, but is believed to be caused by denervation of the postganglionic supply to the sphincter of the pupil and the ciliary muscle which can occur following viral disease. Typically it affects young adults and is unilateral in 80% of cases, although it may develop in the contralateral eye in months or years. We report a case of a woman presenting typical signs of this syndrome, in which pharmacological test was essential for diagnosis.

A Síndrome de Holmes-Adie É caracterizada pela presença de pupila tônica associada à diminuição ou ausência dos reflexos tendíneos profundos. Em alguns casos pode haver disfunção nervosa autônoma. O mecanismo que causa a desordem não é totalmente conhecido, mas acredita-se que seja causada pela desnervação do suprimento pós-ganglionar para o esfíncter da pupila e para o músculo ciliar, que pode ocorrer após doença viral. Tipicamente afeta adultos jovens e é unilateral em 80% dos casos, embora possa se desenvolver no olho contralateral em meses ou anos. Nós relatamos o caso de uma mulher apresentando sinais típicos desta síndrome, em que o teste farmacológico foi fundamental para o diagnóstico.

Tonic pupil in leprosy / Pupila tônica em doença de Hansen

Pupil abnormalities in leprosy usually result from chronic iritis with loss of stroma, iris miosis, a sluggish reaction to light, and poor dilation in response to anticholinergic mydriatics. We report two patients with long-standing lepromatous leprosy who developed tonic pupils characterized by mydriasis, absence of reaction to light and hypersensitivity to weak cholinergic solution. Examination revealed iritis and iris atrophy. In both cases, instillation of dilute 0.1% pilocarpine caused miosis in the affected eyes. Tonic pupil occurs in many conditions, but its association with leprosy had not been previously reported.

Anormalidades da pupila em pacientes com doença de Hansen, ocorrem mais comumente devido a irite crônica com perda do estroma iriano, miose, diminuição da reação à luz, e dificuldade de dilatação em resposta a colírios anticolinérgicos. Relatamos dois pacientes com doença de Hansen na forma lepromatosa que desenvolveram pupilas tônicas, caracterizadas por midríase, ausência de reação a luz e para perto e hipersensibilidade a fraca concentração de solução colinérgica. O exame revelou irite e atrofia iriana. Em ambos os casos a instilação de pilocarpina 0,1% causou miose nos olhos afetados. A pupila tônica tem sido relatada em muitas condições, mas sua associação com doença de Hansen ainda não havia sido descrita.

Tonic pupil in leprosy.

Pupil abnormalities in leprosy usually result from chronic iritis with loss of stroma, iris miosis, a sluggish reaction to light, and poor dilation in response to anticholinergic mydriatics. We report two patients with long-standing lepromatous leprosy who developed tonic pupils characterized by mydriasis, absence of reaction to light and hypersensitivity to weak cholinergic solution. Examination revealed iritis and iris atrophy. In both cases, instillation of dilute 0.1% pilocarpine caused miosis in the affected eyes. Tonic pupil occurs in many conditions, but its association with leprosy had not been previously reported.

Medical treatment of crystalline lens dislocation into the anterior chamber in a patient with Marfan syndrome.

We report the case of a 32-year-old male with spontaneous crystalline lens dislocation into the anterior chamber with corneal touch and increased intraocular pressure. The case was handled in a conservative way: before bringing the patient to supine position, pharmacological pupil dilation with tropicamide plus phenylephrine was performed. One drop was instilled every 15 min for 1 hour. Once the posterior displacement of the lens behind the iris was confirmed, 2 % pilocarpine was used to reverse pupil dilation. The patient remained on topical 2 % pilocarpine and 5 % sodium chloride solution.

Plateau iris.

The term plateau iris was first coined in 1958 to describe the iris configuration of a patient. Two years later the concept of plateau iris was published. In 1977, the plateau iris configuration was classically defined as presurgical changes of an eye with a relative normal central anterior chamber depth, flat iris by conventional biomicroscopy, but displaying an extremely narrow or closed angle on gonioscopic examination. On the other hand, the plateau iris syndrome was defined as an acute glaucoma crisis in one eye with a relative normal central anterior chamber depth and patent iridotomy on direct examination, presenting angle closure confirmed by gonioscopic examination after mydriasis. In 1992, the anatomic aspects of plateau iris were studied using ultrasound biomicroscopy. Finally, plateau iris has been considered an anatomic variant of iris structure in which the iris periphery angulates sharply forward from its insertion point and then again angulates sharply and centrally backward, along with an anterior positioning of the ciliary processes seen on ultrasound biomicroscopy. The clinical treatment of plateau iris syndrome is carried out with topical use of pilocarpine. However, the definitive treatment should be fulfilled by performing an argon laser peripheral iridoplasty.

Plateau iris / Íris em platô

The term plateau iris was first coined in 1958 to describe the iris configuration of a patient. Two years later the concept of plateau iris was published. In 1977, the plateau iris configuration was classically defined as presurgical changes of an eye with a relative normal central anterior chamber depth, flat iris by conventional biomicroscopy, but displaying an extremely narrow or closed angle on gonioscopic examination. On the other hand, the plateau iris syndrome was defined as an acute glaucoma crisis in one eye with a relative normal central anterior chamber depth and patent iridotomy on direct examination, presenting angle closure confirmed by gonioscopic examination after mydriasis. In 1992, the anatomic aspects of plateau iris were studied using ultrasound biomicroscopy. Finally, plateau iris has been considered an anatomic variant of iris structure in which the iris periphery angulates sharply forward from its insertion point and then again angulates sharply and centrally backward, along with an anterior positioning of the ciliary processes seen on ultrasound biomicroscopy. The clinical treatment of plateau iris syndrome is carried out with topical use of pilocarpine. However, the definitive treatment should be fulfilled by performing an argon laser peripheral iridoplasty.

O termo íris em platô foi primeiramente inventado em 1958 para descrever a configuração da íris de um paciente. Dois anos depois o conceito de íris em platô foi publicado. Em 1977, a configuração de íris em platô foi classicamente definida como alterações pré-cirúrgicas de um olho com uma profundidade de câmara anterior relativamente normal, íris plana pela biomicroscopia convencional, mas mostrando um ângulo extremamente estreito ou fechado pela gonioscopia. Por outro lado, a síndrome de íris em platô foi definida como uma crise de glaucoma agudo em um olho com uma profundidade de câmara anterior relativamente normal e uma iridectomia patente ao exame direto, apresentando fechamento angular confirmado pela gonioscopia após midríase. Em 1992, as alterações anatômicas dessa anomalia foram estudadas utilizando a biomicroscopia ultra-sônica. Finalmente, a configuração de íris em platô refere-se à alteração anatômica em que há a angulação anterior da periferia da íris, do seu ponto de inserção na parede do ângulo iridocorneal e centralmente, com anteriorização dos processos ciliares, diagnosticada pela biomicroscopia ultra-sônica. O tratamento clínico da síndrome da íris em platô pode ser feito com a administração tópica de pilocarpina, porém o tratamento definitivo é feito com a iridoplastia periférica com o laser de argônio.

Effect of brimonidine tartrate 0.15% on scotopic pupil: controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the duration of the effect of one single dose of brimonidine tartrate 0.15% on pupil diameter, under scotopic conditions, when applied topically in 1 eye of normal subjects. METHODS: The eyes of 19 normal volunteers were randomized so that 1 eye had 1 drop of brimonidine tartrate 0.15% and the other received no medication. Pupil diameter was measured using an infrared pupillometer. The first measure was obtained before the instillation of brimonidine. After that, four measures, with 2-h intervals, were performed. RESULTS: From 19 participants, 14 were women and 5 were men, with a mean age of 25.05 years (standard deviation, +/- 6.98). Before brimonidine instillation, mean pupil diameter in the control eyes was 5.11 mm, and in the brimonidine eyes it was 5.15 mm. After 8 h, the mean pupil size was 4.01 mm in the treated eyes, and 4.56 mm in the untreated eyes. There was a tendency of miotic effect to be more important on the treated eye, as compared to the control eye in all intervals, but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.375). When comparing both eyes, independently of the periods, the treated eye had a smaller diameter than the untreated eye (P = 0.038). The miotic effect was observed for at least 8 h after instillation. CONCLUSIONS: Miotic response of brimonidine tartrate 0.15% lasted for at least 8 h and has a significant effect on the nontreated eye.

Unilateral dysphotopsia after bilateral intraocular lens implantation using the AR40e IOL model: case report.

The authors report a recent complication during the postoperative period of cataract surgery. A patient was submitted to cataract surgery in both eyes with IOL implantation (Sensar) inside the capsular bag. The postoperative period of right eye was uneventful, however, in the left eye the patient noted a dark shadow at the temporal visual field at the first postoperative week. This diagnosis was confirmed with the presence of a temporal scotoma revealed by the computerized visual field (first reported in this study) and also reducing the pupil area with miotic drops. The treatment of this complication was performed by using brimonidine tartrate and after 6 months this symptom completely disappeared as confirmed by the computerized visual field. The treatment should be based on reducing the pupil area with miotic drops and we also recommend to observe these cases until the 6th postoperative month before indicating an IOL exchange since the capsular edge that overlaps the IOL may opacify creating an optical barrier reducing or eliminating negative dysphotopsia.

Unilateral dysphotopsia after bilateral intraocular lens implantation using the AR40e IOL model: case report

The authors report a recent complication during the postoperative period of cataract surgery. A patient was submitted to cataract surgery in both eyes with IOL implantation (Sensar®) inside the capsular bag. The postoperative period of right eye was uneventful, however, in the left eye the patient noted a dark shadow at the temporal visual field at the first postoperative week. This diagnosis was confirmed with the presence of a temporal scotoma revealed by the computerized visual field (first reported in this study) and also reducing the pupil area with miotic drops. The treatment of this complication was performed by using brimonidine tartrate and after 6 months this symptom completely disappeared as confirmed by the computerized visual field. The treatment should be based on reducing the pupil area with miotic drops and we also recommend to observe these cases until the 6th postoperative month before indicating an IOL exchange since the capsular edge that overlaps the IOL may opacify creating an optical barrier reducing or eliminating negative dysphotopsia.

Os autores relatam uma complicação no período pós-operatório relativamente recente na cirurgia de catarata. Trata-se de paciente que foi submetido à cirurgia de catarata bilateral não simultânea com implante sacular da lente intra-ocular (Sensar®). O pós-operatório do olho direito evoluiu sem nenhuma queixa, entretanto, no olho esquerdo o paciente referiu a presença de uma sombra em campo visual temporal na primeira semana de pós-operatório sendo diagnosticado disfotopsia negativa após exclusão de outras causas oculares, principalmente retinianas. Este diagnóstico foi confirmado com a presença de um escotoma temporal na campimetria visual computadorizada (relatado na literatura pela primeira vez neste estudo) e também com a redução medicamentosa do tamanho da pupila. Seu tratamento foi realizado com a administração de tartarato de brimonidina e após 6 meses o sintoma desapareceu sendo também documentado com o campo visual (ausência de escotoma). A disfotopsia negativa deve ser tratada visando reduzir a área pupilar e observar por pelo menos 6 meses antes de indicar a troca do lente intra-ocular, uma vez que a cápsula anterior que cobre a LIO pode opacificar criando uma barreira óptica reduzindo ou eliminando esta complicação.

Phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of translation initiation factor-2 by PKR mediates protein synthesis inhibition in the mouse brain during status epilepticus.

In response to different cellular stresses, a family of protein kinases phosphorylates eIF2alpha (alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor-2), contributing to regulation of both general and genespecific translation proposed to alleviate cellular injury or alternatively induce apoptosis. Recently, we reported eIF2alpha(P) (phosphorylated eIF2alpha) in the brain during SE (status epilepticus) induced by pilocarpine in mice, an animal model of TLE (temporal lobe epilepsy) [Carnevalli, Pereira, Longo, Jaqueta, Avedissian, Mello and Castilho (2004) Neurosci. Lett. 357, 191-194]. We show in the present study that one eIF2alpha kinase family member, PKR (double-stranded-RNA-dependent protein kinase), is activated in the cortex and hippocampus at 30 min of SE, reflecting the levels of eIF2alpha(P) in these areas. In PKR-deficient animals subjected to SE, eIF2alpha phosphorylation was clearly evident coincident with activation of a secondary eIF2alpha kinase, PEK/PERK (pancreatic eIF2alpha kinase/RNA-dependent-protein-kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase), denoting a compensatory mechanism between the two kinases. The extent of eIF2alpha phosphorylation correlated with the inhibition of protein synthesis in the brain, as determined from polysome profiles. We also found that C57BL/6 mice, which enter SE upon pilocarpine administration but are more resistant to seizure-induced neuronal degeneration, showed very low levels of eIF2alpha(P) and no inhibition of protein synthesis during SE. These results taken together suggest that PKR-mediated phosphorylation of eIF2alpha contributes to inhibition of protein synthesis in the brain during SE and that sustained high levels of eIF2alpha phosphorylation may facilitate ensuing cell death in the most affected areas of the brain in TLE.

Nuclear factor-kappaB and advanced glycation end-products expression in lacrimal glands of aging rats.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) increase with aging and induce signaling alterations that lead to inflammation and dysfunction in several tissues. Aging reduces function and insulin signaling in lacrimal glands (LGs). To evaluate whether AGE signaling and insulin secretion in LGs are altered in aging, 24- and 2-month-old male Wistar rats were compared. Immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy was used to evaluate AGE, AGE receptor (RAGE) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) expression in LGs. Basal tear secretion volume, insulin, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in tears and LGs and peroxidase activity in LG tissue were measured. Insulin secretion from isolated LGs and pancreatic beta-cells was compared in the supernatant of aging and control rats in vitro by RIA after stimulation with 2.8-16.7 mM glucose, carbachol and KCl. AGE, RAGE and NF-kappaB expression was higher in LGs of aging compared with young rats. Basal tear secretion and peroxidase activity were significantly lower in the aging group (P=0.016 for both assays). IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were higher in tears of aging rats compared with young rats (P=0.007 and 0.05 respectively); however, even though aging rats were insulin-resistant (as confirmed by the insulin-tolerance test), the insulin levels in the tear film of aging and control rats were similar in vivo and in vitro. The higher expression of AGEs, RAGE and NF-kappaB in LGs of aging rats is accompanied by systemic insulin resistance and may be involved in LG and tear film alterations but does not affect insulin secretion in the tear film. These observations indicate that metabolic events may be related to LG and tear film dysfunctions in aging.

[Bilateral tonic pupil as the only remaining ophthalmic sign of Lyme disease: case report]. / Pupila tônica bilateral como seqüela oftálmica isolada da doença de Lyme: relato de caso.

Lyme disease is a multisystemic disorder caused by Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete, transmitted by ticks. Mainly described in the northern hemisphere and rarely in Brazil. The purpose of this report is to describe a patient with Lyme disease who developed bilateral tonic pupil as the only remaining sign. A 13-year-old female with Lyme disease, presented with bilateral peripheral facial and oculomotor paralysis. After recovery from neurological abnormalities the patient sustained anisocoria, reduced fotomotor reflex, less than normal amplitude of accommodation, tonic pupil constriction for near objects and slow redialation in both eyes. Dilute 0.1% pilocarpine test was positive in both eyes, confirming the suspicion of bilateral tonic pupil. This is the first case report of bilateral tonic pupil caused by Lyme disease.

Insulin secretion by rat lacrimal glands: effects of systemic and local variables.

To understand the secretory mechanisms and physiological role of insulin in the tear film, the present study examined 1) the time course of insulin secretion in the tear film under glucose intravenous stimulation, 2) the glucose- and carbachol-induced insulin secretion from isolated lacrimal gland (LG), 3) the effect of insulin on glucose consumption by the cornea, and 4) the expression of insulin, pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1), and glucose transport proteins (GLUTs) in LG tissue. The insulin level in the tear film of 8-wk-old male Wistar rats increased from 0.6 +/- 0.45 to 3.7 +/- 1.3 ng/ml in the initial minutes after glucose stimulation. In vitro assays demonstrated that higher glucose concentrations from 2.8 to 16.7 mM, 200 microM carbachol, or 40 mM KCl significantly increased insulin secretion from lacrimal glands compared with controls, but did not detect C-peptide as measured by RIA. Glucose consumption by corneal tissue, evaluated by radiolabeled D-[U-14C]glucose uptake, was 24.07 +/- 0.61 and was enhanced to 31.63 +/- 3.15 nmol x cornea(-1) x 2 h(-1) in the presence of 6 nM insulin (P = 0.033) and to 37.5 +/- 3.7 nmol x cornea(-1) x 2 h(-1) in the presence of 11.2 mM glucose (P = 0.015). Insulin and PDX-1 mRNA was detected in LG. Insulin was located in the apical areas of acinar cells by immunoperoxidase and the expression of GLUT-1, but not PDX-1, was confirmed by Western blot. These findings suggest that insulin secretion in the tear film is influenced by local stimuli such as nutrient and neural inputs and that this hormone plays a metabolic role in ocular surface tissues. These data also indicate that under normal conditions the insulin secreted by LG is stored, but it is not clear that is locally produced in the LG.

Pupila tônica bilateral como seqüela oftálmica isolada da doença de Lyme: relato de caso / Bilateral tonic pupil as the only remaining ophthalmic sign of Lyme disease: case report

A doença de Lyme é afecção sistêmica causada pela espiroqueta Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitida pelo carrapato. É descrita principalmente nos países do hemisfério norte, sendo pouco relatada no Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho é documentar uma paciente com doença de Lyme que apresentou pupila tônica bilateral como única seqüela oftálmica da afecção. Trata-se de uma menina de 13 anos de idade, com diagnóstico de doença de Lyme, que apresentou paralisias facial periférica e do oculomotor bilaterais. Após recuperação do quadro neurológico manteve anisocoria, fraco reflexo fotomotor, amplitude de acomodação inferior ao normal, constrição pupilar tônica para perto e redilatação lenta em ambos os olhos. O teste com pilocarpina a 0,1 por cento foi positivo em ambos os olhos, confirmando a suspeita clínica de pupila tônica bilateral. Este é o primeiro caso relatado de pupila tônica bilateral causado pela doença de Lyme.

Efeitos da constrição pulilar na perimetria de frequência dupla em olhos normais / Effects of pupillary constriction on frequency doubling perimetry in normal eyes

Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos da redução do diâmetro pupilar nos resultados da perimetria de freqüência dupla em um grupo de voluntários normais. Métodos: Dezoito voluntários saudáveis participaram do estudo. Realizou-se perimetria de freqüência dupla no olho direito de cada participante (estratégia " Full Threshold" C-20). Para a segunda sessão de perimetria, instilou-se uma gota de pilocarpina 2 por cento no olho direito dos voluntários e refez-se o exame após 60 minutos. Resultados: Sessenta minutos após adição de pilocarpina 2 por cento houve redução significante do diâmetro pupilar de 4,22 ñ 0,17 mm para 1,55 ñ 0,51 mm (p<0,05). Houve redução significativa da sensibilidade retiniana média após constrição pupilar de 5,67 ñ 2,49 dB nos 5 graus centrais, 4,49 ñ2,73 dB entre 2,5 graus e 10 grause 5,10 ñ 3,55 dB entre 10 graus e 20 graus (p<0,01). Observou-se redução de 4,06ñ2,67 dB no "mean deviation" e aumento de 0,64 ñ 0,94 dB no "pattern standard deviation" (p< 0,01). Não se observaram diferenças em relação às respostas falso-positivas, falso-negativas, perdas de fixação e duração média do exame (p>0,05). Conclusão: A alteração do diâmetro pupilar está associada a redução significativa dos limiares de sensibilidade dentro dos 20 graus centrais do campo testado pela perimetria de freqüência dupla. Estes resultados sugerem que seja importante manter o diâmetro pupilar constante em exames seriados.