Pseudoexfoliación ocular: un signo de alerta temprana de enfermedades sistémicas / Ocular pseudoexfoliation: an early warning signal in systemic diseases

El síndrome pseudoexfoliativo es una enfermedad relacionada con la edad, que afecta a la población mayor de 60 años y tiene una distribución mundial. Se caracteriza por la producción y la acumulación progresiva de un material fibrilar extracelular a nivel de las distintas estructuras del ojo, con repercusiones significativas sobre la salud ocular de los pacientes y, además, conduce a complicaciones quirúrgicas. El material pseudoexfoliativo no solo se encuentra en el globo ocular, sino en distintas partes del organismo, como el corazón, los pulmones, el cerebro y los vasos sanguíneos, por lo que algunos estudios sugieren la relación de este síndrome con ciertas afecciones cardíacas. Se presenta un paciente de 74 años de edad, negro, con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, que se ingresa por pérdida brusca de la visión de ambos ojos, acompañado de dolor. Al examen oftalmológico, después del tratamiento hipotensor, se constató material pseudoexfolitivo y cristalino subluxado a cámara vítrea. Se diagnosticó glaucoma pseudoexfoliativo, disfunción asintomática del miocardio, hiperlipidemia, ateroma en la aorta abdominal e hipoacusia neurosensorial severa. Existen estudios que sugieren relación del síndrome pseudoexfoliativo con ciertas enfermedades y factores de riegos vasculares con alto impacto en la morbimortalidad a nivel mundial(AU)

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is an aging-related disease of worldwide distribution affecting people aged over 60 years. It is characterized by progressive production and accumulation of extracellular fibrillar material in the different structures of the eye, with significant impacts on the patients' ocular health. It may also lead to surgical complications. Pseudoexfoliative material is not only found in the eyeball, but also in various parts of the body, such as the heart, the lungs, the brain and blood vessels, this being the reason why some studies suggest a relationship to certain heart conditions. A case is presented of a male black 74-year-old patient with a history of arterial hypertension, admitted due to sudden vision loss in both eyes, accompanied by pain. The ophthalmological examination performed after hypotensive treatment confirmed the presence of pseudoexfoliative material and crystalline subluxated to the vitreous chamber. The diagnosis was pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, asymptomatic myocardial dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, abdominal aorta atheroma and severe neurosensory hypoacusis. Some studies suggest a relationship between pseudoexfoliation syndrome and certain vascular diseases and risk factors with a high impact on worldwide morbidity and mortality(AU)

Evaluation of renin and angiotensin II levels in pseudoexfoliation syndrome / Avaliação dos níveis de renina e angiotensina II na síndrome de pseudo-exfoliação

ABSTRACT Purpose: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome has been linked to impaired function of the heart and blood vessels. We conducted a study to investigate the role of the renin-angiotensin system in the etiopathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Methods: The subjects were 14 patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and 14 healthy controls who underwent cataract extraction. Preoperative 5-ml samples of peripheral venous blood and perioperative aqueous humor were collected from the patients in both groups. Plasma and aqueous humor renin levels were analyzed by an immunoradiometric method, and angiotensin II levels were analyzed by radioimmunassay. SPSS version 16.0 was used for statistical analyses. A p-value <0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference. Results: The mean ages of the patients in pseudoexfoliation and control groups were 71.7 ± 7.1 and 67.4 ± 9.3 years, respectively (p=0.140). The median aqueous humor renin level was 7.73 pg/ml (4.15-21) in the control group and 11.95 pg/ml (3.75-18.54) in pseudoexfoliation group (p=0.022). There were no differences between the two groups in the plasma renin, plasma angiotensin II, or aqueous humor angiotensin II levels. The correlations between plasma and aqueous humor renin levels and between plasma and aqueous humor angiotensin II levels were examined separately for each group; no significant correlations were observed in pseudoexfoliation group (r=-0.440, p=0.115; r=-0.414, p=0.142) or the control group (r=-0.232, p=0.425; r=0.482, p=0.081). Conclusion: Aqueous humor renin levels are higher in pseudoexfoliation syndrome. The results indicate a probable role of renin-angiotensin system in pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Further studies with larger numbers of cases are needed to clarify the precise association of renin-angiotensin system with the etiopathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

RESUMO Objetivo: A síndrome de pseudo-exfoliação tem sido associada ao comprometimento da função do coração e dos vasos sanguíneos. Foi realizado um estudo para investigar o papel do sistema renina-angiotensina na etiopatogenia da síndrome de pseudo-exfoliação. Métodos: Os sujeitos foram 14 pacientes com síndrome de pseudo-exfoliação e 14 controles saudáveis submetidos à extração de catarata. Amostras pré-operatórias de 5 ml de sangue venoso periférico e humor aquoso perioperatório foram coletadas dos pacientes em ambos os grupos. Os níveis de renina no plasma e humor aquoso foram analisados pelo método imunorradiométrico e os níveis de angiotensina II foram analisados por radioimunoensaio. O SPSS versão 16.0 foi utilizado para análises estatísticas. Considerou-se o valor de p<0,05 para indicar uma diferença estatisticamente significativa. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes nos grupos pseudo-exfoliação e controle foi de 71,7 ± 7,1 e 67,4 ± 9,3 anos, respectivamente (p=0,140). O nível médio de renina no humor aquoso foi de 7,73 pg / ml (4,15-21) no grupo controle e 11,95 pg/ml (3,75-18,54) no grupo pseudo-exfoliação (p=0,022). Não houve diferenças entre os dois grupos de renina plasmática, angiotensina II plasmática ou nos níveis de angiotensina II em humor aquoso. As correlações entre os níveis de renina no plasma e no humor aquoso e entre os níveis de angiotensina II no plasma e humor foram examinadas separadamente para cada grupo; n]ao foram observadas correlações significativas no grupo pseudo-exfoliação (r=-0,440, p=0,115; r=-0,414, p=0,142) ou no grupo controle (r=-0,232, p=0,425; r=0,482, p=0,081). Conclusão: Os níveis de renina no humor aquoso são mais elevados na síndrome de pseudo-exfoliação. Os resultados indicam um provável papel do sistema renina-angiotensina na síndrome de pseudo-exfoliação. Novos estudos com maior número de casos são necessários para esclarecer a associação precisa do sistema renina-angiotensina com a etiopatogenia da síndrome de pseudo-exfoliação.

Cases of Pseudophakic Pseudoexfoliation in Glaucoma Patients

We present cases of primary open angle glaucoma patients without previous history of pseudoexfoliation who developed pseudoexfoliative materials on the anterior surface of the intraocular lens after cataract surgery. Among 5 unilateral pseudophakic pseudoexfoliation cases, 3 showed a more advanced state of glaucoma in the affected eye. The other 2 cases showed progression of glaucoma in the affected eye after the development of pseudophakic pseudoexfoliation, while the unaffected eyes remained stable. In the latter 2 cases, control of intraocular pressure was difficult, and more glaucoma medication was needed in the affected eye. Pseudophakic pseudoexfoliation in glaucoma patients with no history of pseudoexfoliation syndrome or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma has not been reported. In our cases, the eyes which developed pseudophakic pseudoexfoliation showed a more advanced state of glaucoma, more difficulty controlling intraocular pressure, and faster progression of glaucoma. More observation is needed, but we cautiously postulate that pseudophakic pseudoexfoliation may have a role as a clinical risk factor in the prediction of glaucoma progression.

Role of aqueous humor matrix metalloproteinase-2 and its inhibitor and connective tissue growth factor in the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma and pseudoexfolliative glaucoma

To study the presence and possible quantitative differences of matrix metalloproteinase-2 [MMP2] and its endogenous inhibitor, tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 [TIMP2] and connective tissue growth factor [CTGF] in aqueous humor of patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma [PEXG], primary open angle glaucoma [POAG] and cataract patients [serving as controls] and to determine the potential role of these elements in the pathogenesis of glaucomas. Aqueous humor samples were collected from 75 patients [25 patients with PEXG, 25 with POAG and 25 with senile cataract, who served as controls]. Glaucoma and cataract subjects underwent routine glaucoma trabeculectomy and cataract extraction surgeries respectively. MMP2, TIMP2 and CTGF levels were measured using specific enzyme immunoassay [ELISA]. Total MMP2 was detected in significantly higher concentration in aqueous samples from PEXG eyes and POAG eyes compared to control eyes. The ratio of MMP2 to its principle inhibitor TIMP2 was balanced in cataract samples as well as in samples from PEXG glaucoma patients but increased in POAG samples. The CTGF concentration in PEXG group was significantly higher compared to POAG and cataract groups. Complex changes in MMP2- TIMP2 balance in aqueous humor may promote the abnormal matrix accumulation [in PEXG] and matrix degeneration [in POAG] which may be causally involved in the pathogenesis of both glucomas. The increased CTGF concentration supports the proposed fibrotic pathology of glaucoma. Regulation of MMP2/ TIMP2 expression and anti-CTGF therapy may offer potential therapeutic avenues for controlling glaucoma

Spontaneous late in-the-bag intraocular lens dislocation after can-opener capsulotomy: case report

Os autores relatam o caso de homem de 58 anos de idade que apresentou deslocamento espontâneo e tardio de lente intra-ocular dentro do saco capsular para o vítreo. O paciente havia sido submetido a facectomia extracapsular com capsulotomia do tipo abridor de latas e implante de lente de polimetilmetacrilato de três peças sem intercorrências e, dois anos após a cirurgia, desenvolveu síndrome de contração capsular com formação de um anel fibrótico na cápsula e subluxação da lente intra-ocular. Embora incomum e relacionada principalmente com capsulorexe curvilínea contínua, a síndrome de contração capsular pode ocorrer em pacientes submetidos a facectomia extracapsular com capsulotomia do tipo abridor de latas e implante de lente de polimetilmetacrilato e pode ser o fator causador do deslocamento da lente intra-ocular.