Auriculoterapia en pacientes con queratitis punteada superficial / Auriculotherapy in patients with superficial punctuated queratitis

Introducción: La queratitis punteada superficial es la inflamación corneal por diversas causas, que se caracteriza por pequeños puntos dispersos de pérdida o lesión del epitelio de la córnea. Objetivo: Demostrar la eficacia del tratamiento local convencional combinado con auriculoterapia en pacientes con queratitis punteada superficial. Métodos: Se realizó una intervención terapéutica no controlada en 92 pacientes con diagnóstico de queratitis punteada superficial, seleccionados por muestreo aleatorio simple en el Policlínico Docente 28 de Septiembre de Santiago de Cuba, de enero a julio del 2019, para lo cual se conformaron 2 grupos: el A, que recibió tratamiento tópico convencional más auriculoterapia, y el B, tratado convencionalmente de manera tópica. Los pacientes tuvieron seguimiento clínico por cuatro períodos de 1 semana cada uno, luego de aplicado el tratamiento. Resultados: La causa más frecuente de la oftalmopatía en ambos grupos fue la degenerativa. En la mayoría de los pacientes del grupo A el tiempo de cicatrización corneal fue de 7 días y el de curación de 2 semanas. Conclusiones: Se demostró la eficacia de la auriculoterapia en la cicatrización corneal, sin riesgo de efectos colaterales y con bajo costo económico.

Introduction: The superficial punctuated queratitis is the corneal inflammation due to diverse causes, characterized by small dispersed points of loss or lesion of the corneal epithelium. Objective: To demonstrate the effectiveness of the conventional local treatment combined with auriculotherapy in patients with superficial punctuated queratitis. Methods: A non controlled therapeutic intervention was carried out in 92 patients with diagnosis of superficial punctuated queratitis, selected by simple randomized sampling in 28 de Septiembre Teaching Polyclinic from Santiago de Cuba, from January to July, 2019, for which 2 groups were conformed: group A that received conventional topical treatment plus auriculotherapy, and group B, conventionally treated in a topical way. The patients had clinical follow up during four periods of 1 week each one, after the treatment. Results: The most frequent cause of ophthalmopathy in both groups was the degenerative. In most of the patients from group A, the time of corneal scaring was 7 days and the healing period was of 2 weeks. Conclusions: The effectiveness of auriculotherapy was demonstrated in the corneal scaring, without risk of colateral effects and with low economic cost.

Estudo epidemiológico das queratites infeciosas internadas num centro hospitalar terciário - revisão de 5 anos / Epidemiological study of infeccious keratitis in inpatients of a terciary hospital center - revision of 5 years

Resumo Objetivo: A queratite infeciosa é uma doença de incidência relativamente elevada e é responsável por um número importante de internamentos. Neste estudo pretende-se estudar diversas características epidemiológicas e clínicas associadas às queratites infeciosas de alto risco num hospital terciário em Portugal. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo retrospetivo, onde foram incluídos todos os doentes internados por abcesso da córnea no Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP), entre Abril de 2013 a Março de 2018. Caracterizou-se a população em relação aos fatores de risco, apresentação clínica, tempo de internamento, resultados de culturas, resistência antibiótica in vitro, tratamento efetuado e resultado funcional. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 105 doentes. Os principais fatores de risco foram antecedentes de cirurgia de córnea, uso de lentes de contacto e história recente de trauma ocular. 74,3% dos doentes tiveram cultura positiva com 87,9% a corresponderem a cultura bacteriana pura, sendo a Pseudomonas aeruginosa e o Streptococcus pneumoniae os agentes etiológicos mais frequentes. 27,9% das culturas positivas eram resistentes a 3 ou mais classes de antibióticos. Todos os doentes iniciaram tratamento com colírios fortificados. 29,5% dos doentes necessitaram de realizar transplante de córnea. Ao final de 6 meses de seguimento, apenas 20,9% apresentavam AV>20/40. Conclusão: Na maioria dos casos, a etiologia foi bacteriana. Observou-se um número considerável de bactérias multirresistentes. Apesar do tratamento ter permitido uma melhoria da visão na maioria dos casos, um número considerável de doentes ficou com sequelas visuais importantes.

Abstract Objective: Infectious keratitis is a pathology with a high incidence and is responsible for a large number of prolonged stay hospital admissions. The purpose was to analyze the epidemiological and clinical data associated with high risk microbial keratitis at a central hospital in Portugal. Methods: A retrospective study of all inpatients presenting with corneal abscess in Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, from April 2013 to March 2018 was performed. Target population was characterized by risk factors, clinical features, length of stay, culture results, in vitro antibiotic resistance, treatment and outcome. Results: This study included 105 patients. The main risk factors were previous corneal surgery, contact lenses wear and recent history of ocular trauma. 74.3% of patients had a positive culture, 87.9% of these corresponding to a pure bacterial culture, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most common pathogens. 27.9% of positive cultures were resistant to 3 or more classes of antibiotics. All patients began treatment with fortified drops. 29.5% of patients required a corneal transplant. After 6 months of follow-up, only 20.9% presented a VA>20/40. Conclusion: Most cases were caused by bacteria. A considerable number of multi-resistant bacteria was identified. Despite most cases having improved after treatment, a large number of patients had a significant visual acuity sequelae.

Degeneración esferoidea. Reporte de caso / Spheroidal degeneration. Case report

RESUMEN Se reportó el caso clínico de una fémina de 50 años de edad. Acudió a los Servicios de Oftalmología, del Hospital Provincial Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández, de Matanzas. Refirió síntomas irritativos y disminución visual por el ojo izquierdo. El examen oftalmológico mostró en dicho ojo la presencia de lesiones esferoideas de color ámbar, conjuntivo corneales en periferia (horas 3-4 y 9). Se extendían en banda a la córnea central, algunas con aspecto nodular. En el ojo derecho presentaba lesiones similares pero localizadas mayoritariamente en la periferia corneal y conjuntiva horas 3 y 9. Con estos elementos se estableció diagnóstico clínico de degeneración esferoidea, enfermedad degenerativa corneal poco frecuente y generalmente asintomática siempre que no progrese y afecte la visión. Se aplicó como tratamiento una queratectomia superficial, manual, con colocación de una lente de contacto terapéutica en el ojo izquierdo, sin complicaciones. Hubo regresión de los síntomas irritativos y mejoría de la agudeza visual constatada en las consultas de seguimiento. Se recomendó la necesidad de protección solar al constituir las radiaciones ultravioletas un factor de riesgo de importancia en el desarrollo de esta enfermedad.

ABSTRACT The authors reported the case of a woman, aged 50 years, who assisted the Ophthalmology service of the Provincial Hospital "Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández", of Matanzas. She referred irritant symptoms and left eye visual decrease. The ophthalmologic examination showed the presence of amber-color spheroidal lesions, corneal conjunctives in periphery (3-4 and 9 hours) in that eye. They extended in bands to the central cornea, some of them with nodular aspect. There were similar lesions in the right eye, but they were located mainly corneal and peripheral conjunctive hours 3 and 9. With these elements it was established the clinical diagnosis of spheroidal degeneration, a few frequent corneal degenerative disease that is almost always asymptomatic if it does not progress and affects sight. As a treatment the patient underwent a manual, superficial keratectomy with location of therapeutic contact lens without complications. There it was a regression of the irritant symptoms and an improvement of the visual acuity stated in the follow-up consultations. The patients was recommended sun protection because ultraviolet rays are important risk factors in the development of this disease.

Aplicación tópica de plaquetas plasmáticas en pacientes con queratitis punteada superficial / Topical use of plasmatic platelets in patients with superficial punctuated queratitis

Se realizó un estudio clínico, prospectivo, intervencionista y comparativo, de 41 pacientes (31 ojos) con diagnóstico de queratitis punteada superficial -seleccionados por muestreo aleatorio simple-, atendidos en el Hospital Infantil Docente Sur Dr Antonio María Béguez César de Santiago de Cuba, desde noviembre del 2016 hasta mayo del 2017, con vistas a demostrar la eficacia del tratamiento tópico con colirio de plaquetas plasmáticas en ellos, para lo cual se conformaron 2 grupos: el A, que recibió tratamiento tópico convencional, y el B con la misma terapia más colirio de plasma rico en plaquetas. Los pacientes tuvieron seguimiento clínico a las dos y cuatro semanas de aplicado el tratamiento. En la mayoría de los pacientes del grupo B el tiempo de cicatrización corneal fue de 7 días y el de curación de 2 semanas; de manera que se demostró la eficacia de este colirio autólogo en la cicatrización corneal, sin riesgo de reacción inmunológica y de bajo costo económico.

A clinical, prospective, interventionist and comparative study of 41 patients (31 eyes) with diagnosis of superficial punctate queratitis -selected by simple random sampling-, assisted in Dr Antonio María Béguez Caesar Southern Teaching Pediatric Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from November, 2016 to May, 2017, with the objective of demonstrating the effectiveness of the topical treatment of plasmatic platelets in them with eyewash, for which 2 groups were formed: group A with conventional topical treatment, and group B with the same therapy plus eyewash with rich platelets plasm. The patients had clinical follow- up at two and four weeks of having applied the treatment. In most of the patients of group B the time of corneal scaring was of 7 days and that of cure of 2 weeks; so that the effectiveness of this autologous eyewash was demonstrated in the corneal scaring, without risk of immunological reaction and with low economic cost.

Contact lens-related bilateral and simultaneous Acremonium keratitis / Ceratite bilateral e simultânea por Acremonium relacionada ao uso de lentes de contato

Abstract This is a case of bilateral and simultaneous Acremonium keratitis related to intermittent and alternating eye soft contact lens use, which has a delayed diagnose, presented amphotericin B resistance with persistent hypopyon and had a positive response to topical natamycin. Besides the unusual presentation, there was no history of trauma or contact with vegetable matter, usually associated to the majority of cases of keratomicosys by filamentous fungi.

Resumo Trata-se de um caso de ceratite bilateral e simultânea por Acremonium relacionada ao uso intermitente e sem respeitar a lateralidade do uso de lentes de contato gelatinosas. Houve diagnóstico tardio, apresentando resistência a anfotericina B e hipópio persistente, com resposta positiva a natamicina tópica. Além da forma incomum de apresentação, não houve histórico de trauma ou contato com material vegetal, associado à maioria dos casos de ceratite por fungos filamentosos.

Ceratite intersticial em paciente com Síndrome de Cogan / Interstitial keratitis in patients with Cogan's Syndrome

RESUMO A Síndrome de Cogan é caracterizada pela ceratite intersticial não luética associada à vertigem, tinnitus e disacusia neurossensorial. Relatamos um caso que ilustra um modelo da intervenção multidisciplinar no diagnóstico e tratamento da doença.

ABSTRACT Cogan's syndrome is characterized by interstitial keratitis non-syphilis associated with vertigo, tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss. We report a case that illustrates a model of multidisciplinary intervention in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Comportamiento clinicoepidemiológico de los pacientes con diagnóstico de úlcera grave de la córnea / Clinical and epidemiological behavior of patients suffering severe corneal ulcers

Objetivo: describir el comportamiento clinicoepidemiológico de la úlcera grave de la córnea en pacientes ingresados en el Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología Ramón Pando Ferrer, entre los años 2010 y 2014. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, de corte transversal, de 223 pacientes. Se estudiaron las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, procedencia, ocupación, enfermedades oculares y sistémicas, cirugía previa, trauma no quirúrgico, uso de lentes de contacto, esteroides previos, tiempo de evolución, forma clínica y germen aislado. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizaron porcentajes, media, prueba no paramétrica de probabilidad exacta de Fisher, chi cuadrado de Pearson y prueba U de Mann Whitney. Resultados: la edad promedio fue de 46,3 ± 21,9. Predominaron los pacientes con edades de 60 años o más (31,4 por ciento), sexo masculino (57,0 por ciento), procedencia rural (57,8 por ciento). El uso de lentes de contacto (22,4 por ciento) fue el factor predisponente más frecuente. La mediana de los días de evolución al ingreso fue de 7,0 días. La forma clínica de presentación más frecuente fue la úlcera estromal (86,5 por ciento) y la úlcera corneal perforada (7,2 por ciento). En el 69,2 por ciento de los cultivos se obtuvieron bacterias, a predominio de las gram negativas (Pseudomona). El 33,3 por ciento correspondió a hongos filamentosos. Conclusiones: la queratitis infecciosa grave se caracteriza por su presencia en adultos mayores, sexo masculino y procedencia rural. El factor predisponente más frecuente es el uso de lentes de contacto. Las bacterias gram negativas se aíslan con mayor frecuencia(AU)

Objective: to describe the clinical and epidemiological behavior of severe corneal ulcer in patients admitted to Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology from 2010 through 2014. Methods: observational and cross-sectional study of 223 patients.. The following variables were studied: age, sex, origin, occupation, eye and systemic diseases, previous surgery, non-surgical trauma, contact lens wear, previous steroids, duration, clinical form and isolated germ. For the statistical analysis, the study used percentages, means, nonparametric Fisher´s exact probability test, Pearson´s Chi Square, Mann Whitney´s U test. Results: mean age was 46,3 ± 21,9. Patients aged 60 years or older (31,4 percent), males (57,0 percent), rural origin (57,8 percent) predominated. Wearing contact lenses (22,4 percent) was the most common predisposing factor. The median of days of progression on admission was 7 days. The most frequent clinical form of presentation was stromal ulcer (86,5 percent) and perforated corneal ulcer (7,2 percent). In 69,2 percent of cultures, bacteria was obtained, being the Gram negative (Pseudomonas) predominant. The 33,3 percent of cultures were filamentous fungi. Conclusions: severe infectious keratitis was present in older adults, males and of rural origin. The most common predisposing factor was the contact lens wear. Gram negative bacteria were more frequently isolated(AU)

Early post-LASIK flap amputation in the treatment of aggressive, branching keratitis: a case report / Amputação precoce de pedículo de LASIK para o tratamento de ceratite ramificada agressiva: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Infectious keratitis is rare following laser vision correction. We present a case of aggressive fungal keratitis caused by Aspergillus flavus, following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the setting of a unique environmental risk factor. We describe the key features of the acute case presentation, which guided empirical medical and surgical treatment, resulting in the most favorable outcome found in the literature, to date.

RESUMO Ceratites infecciosas são raras após a correção da visão a laser. Apresentamos um relato de caso de uma ceratite fúngica agressivo por Aspergillus flavus, após ceratomileuse a laser "in situ" (LASIK) em situação peculiar de fator de risco ambiental. Nós descrevemos as principais características da apresentação caso agudo, que orientou tratamento médico e cirúrgico empírico, demonstrando resultado mais favorável do que o encontrado na literatura até o momento.

Multi-resistant Enterococci and Morganella morganii: a rare cause of complicated keratitis

An eighty-five-year-old female presented with preexisting conditions of benign essential hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic renal failure and diabetes mellitus type 2. She had gastroenteritis, pain and redness in right [blind] eye with corneal decompensation, scarring and right-eye corneal ulcer with hypopyon. Corneal scrapings sent for culture report revealed growth of Morganella Morganii and Enterococci Corneal ulcer was successfully treated with topical and oral antibiotics

Úlceras corneales en usuarios de lentes de contacto / Corneal ulcers in contact lens wearers

El empleo de lentes de contacto se ha incrementado a nivel mundial. En la actualidad su uso no se restringe solamente a la corrección óptica, sino que se utilizan con fines terapéuticos, ya que generan comodidad y estética en múltiples afecciones oculares. Es de esperar el creciente aumento de las complicaciones relacionadas con el uso de estos, por ser la queratitis bacteriana potencialmente grave y devastadora para el globo ocular. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica acerca de las úlceras corneales en portadores de lentes de contacto con el objetivo de describir su epidemiología y las formas de prevenir esta complicación(AU)

The use of contact lenses has increased worldwide. Their current uses comprise optical correction as well as therapeutic purposes since they bring comfortableness and esthetics in a number of ocular diseases. It is expected that contact lenses-related complications will grow because bacterial keratitis is potentially severe and devastating for the eyeball. A literature review on the presence of corneal ulcers in contact lens wearers was made to describe the epidemiology and the ways of preventing this complication(AU)

Estudio de seguimiento de la queratitis infecciosa en la Clínica Barraquer / Infectious keratitis at Clinica Barraquer

Propósito: establecer los factores predisponentes y agentes etiológicos de queratitis infecciosa, su manejo, complicaciones, secuelas y cirugías realizadas. Metodología: estudio retrospectivo de seguimiento en 238 historias clínicas procedentes de pacientes con diagnóstico queratitis infecciosa de la Clínica Barraquer de América durante enero 2009 a diciembre 2013. Cumplieron con los criterios de selección: diagnóstico de queratitis infecciosa, así como las variables sociodemográfi cas, factores de riesgo, signos y síntomas, tratamientos, cultivos, complicaciones, secuelas y estado al egreso. Resultados: el 50,4% hombres, edades entre los 3 y los 93 años con promedio de 49±20 años. El grupo etáreo más frecuente fue de 40 a 59 años (36,2%). El uso de lentes de contacto fue el factor de riesgo más frecuente (19.3%), seguido por la queratitis herpética (10.5%) y el trauma (8.8%). La queratitis bacteriana fue el diagnóstico más frecuente (72.3%), seguido de la queratitis micótica (10.5%) y la herpética (6.3%). Las bacterias: S.epidermidis (28.4%), S. aureus (14,9%) y Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli,. Los hongos: Aspergillus spp. y Fusarium spp. (8,1%), en menores proporciones la Candida spp. Parásitos: la Acanthamoeba (9,5%). Las complicaciones: la perforación corneal (9.2%). La cirugía más frecuente fue el recubrimiento conjuntival (n=22), la queratoplastia penetrante ( n=11 ) y evisceración (n=7). La secuela más frecuente leucoma corneal (94.7%). Conclusion: es importante un diagnóstico temprano, el reconocimiento de factores de riesgo y caracterización de la lesión, establecer un rango de probables agentes infecciosos y así un manejo terapéutico adecuado.

Purpose: to establish the predisposing factors and etiologic agent of infectious keratitis, management, complications, sequels and surgeries performed. Methodology: retrospective study of medical records tracking 238 patients from diagnosis of infectious keratitis at Clínica Barraquer de América, during January 2009 to December 2013. Met the selection criteria: diagnosis of infectious keratitis and sociodemographic variables, risk factors, signs and symptoms, treatments, cultures, complications, sequelae and discharge status. Results: 50.4% male, ages 3 to 93 years with a mean of 49 ± 20 years. The most common age group was 40-59 years (36.2%). The use of contact lenses was the most frequent risk factor (19.3%), followed by herpetic keratitis (10.5%) and trauma (8.8%). Bacterial keratitis was the most common diagnosis (72.3%), followed by mycotic keratitis (10.5%) and herpes (6.3%). Bacteria: S. epidermidis (28.4%), S. aureus (14.9%) and Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli. Fungi: Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. (8.1%), in smaller proportions Candida spp. Parasites: Acanthamoeba (9.5%). Complications: corneal perforation (9.2%). The most frequent surgical procedure was conjunctival flap surgery (n=22), penetrating keratoplasty (n=11) and evisceration (n=7). Th e most common sequel corneal leucoma (94.7%). Conclusion: early diagnosis is important, recognition of risk factors and lesion characterization, establish a range of probable infectious agents and thus appropriate therapeutic management.

Suero autólogo al 50 % en las queratitis bacterianas / 50 % autologous serum in bacterial keratitis

OBJETIVO: evaluar el comportamiento de las queratitis bacterianas con el tratamiento coadyuvante de suero autólogo tópico al 50 %. MÉTODOS: estudio comparativo, longitudinal y prospectivo. La muestra estuvo constituida por 60 pacientes, divididos de forma aleatoria en dos grupos: A) utilizó tratamiento antibiótico convencional y suero autólogo y B)utilizó solo tratamiento antibiótico convencional (cefazolina y amikacina). Los datos almacenados se procesaron utilizando el paquete estadístico SPSS 15. Las variables se expresaron según sus respectivas medidas de resumen y para la comparación de las terapias se aplicaron pruebas de hipótesis, con un nivel de confianza del 95 % y de error inferior al 0,05 %. RESULTADOS: predominaron en los aislamientos microbiológicos Staphylococcus y Pseudomonas; seguidas por los Streptococcus, gonococos y enterobacterias. En cuanto al tiempo de aparición de los signos que favorecen la cicatrización corneal y la respuesta terapéutica, encontramos que con la aplicación tópica del suero autólogo, en casi dos tercios de los pacientes, estos se manifestaron a partir de la segunda semana de tratamiento y se obtuvo una respuesta terapéutica favorable. CONCLUSIONES: el suero autólogo al 50 % resulta ser un complemento terapéutico efectivo en el manejo de las queratitis infecciosas de etiología bacteriana.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the behavior of bacterial keratitis with the adjuvant 50% topical autologous serum treatment. METHODS: comparative, longitudinal and prospective study of 60 patients, randomly distributed into two groups. Group A used the conventional antibiotics treatment plus autologous serum and Group B used only conventional antibiotics treatment (cephazolin and amykacin). The collected data were processed by the statistical package SPSS15. The variables were expressed according to their respective summary measures and hypothesis tests were applied to compare the two therapies; a confidence level of 95 % and error level less than 0,05 % were used. RESULTS: in the microbiological isolates, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas prevailed, followed by Streptococcus, gonococci and Enterobacteriaceae. Regarding the time of onset of the signs that favor corneal healing and the therapeutic response, it was found that with the topical application of the autologous serum, almost two thirds of the patients showed healing signs since the second week of treatment, revealing a favorable therapeutic response. CONCLUSIONS: the 50 % autologous serum proves to be an effective therapeutic complement in the management of the infectious keratitis of bacterial etiology.

Bevacizumab subconjuntival y su efectividad en la regresión de la neovascularización corneal evaluado mediante angiografía fluoresceínica de segmento anterior / Subconjunctival bevacizumab effectiveness in corneal neovascularization regression evaluated with anterior segment fluorescein angiography

Objetivo: evaluar objetivamente mediante el uso de angiografía de segmento anterior la reducción del grado de neovascularización corneal con la aplicación de bevacizumab subconjuntival. Diseño: serie de casos con intervención. Metodología: nueve ojos con neovascularización corneal estromal secundaria a diferentes condiciones se sometieron a la realización de angiografía fluoresceínica de segmento anterior; cuatro semanas después se aplicaron 3 dosis de bevacizumab subconjuntival limbar de 2,5 mg/0,1cc cada una sobre el cuadrante comprometido con un intervalo de un mes entre cada aplicación. Cuatro semanas después se realizó una nueva angiografía. Las fotos pre-aplicación y post aplicación fueron analizadas por 3 evaluadores. Se definió como mejoría si había una mejoría ≥30%, basado en una escala de mejoría de 0 a 10. Resultados: se encontró un alto rango de variabilidad en la regresión de la neovascularización corneal (entre 3% y 92%) con un promedio de mejoría del 41% y posibilidad de falla de 44,4% independientemente de su etiología. Se obtuvieron pobres resultados en presencia de cuerpos extraños en córnea (segmentos intraestromales o suturas corneales) con una mejoría entre 3% y 7%. Pacientes sin cuerpo extraño en córnea obtuvieron una mejoría promedio de la neovascuarización corneal del 70%. No hubo efectos secundarios sistémicos o locales. Conclusion: el uso del bevacizumab subconjuntival como terapia antiangiogénica es una alternativa con buena tasa de efectividad en pacientes con neovascularización corneal sin presencia de cuerpos extraños corneales.

Purpose: to assess corneal stromal neovascularization accurately and its improvement by using anterior segment fluorescein angiography imaging after subconjunctival bevacizumab injection. Design: interventional case series. Methodology: an anterior segment fluorescein angiography was performed in nine eyes with stromal neovascularization secondary to different etiologies. Patients underwent subconjunctival bevacizumab injections, each one receiving three injections containing 2,5mg/0,1ml bevacizumab each, at monthly intervals. Four weeks after the last injection was applied, a new anterior segment fluorescein angiography was done; pre and post-treatment angiographies were analyzed by three ophthalmologists. A favorable outcome was defined as an improvement of 30% in corneal neovascularization based on a previously established score from 0 to 10. Results: findings were variable, with corneal neovascularization improving between 3% and 92% (mean improvement 41%) for all eyes included, and a 44,4% chance of failure. Poor results were obtained from eyes that had some type of intracorneal foreign body such as intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) and corneal sutures with an improvement range from 3% to 7% whereas eyes with no foreign bodies had a mean reduction in corneal neovascularization of 70%. No side effects were reported. Conclusions: subconjunctival Bevacizumab use as antiangiogenic therapy is an alternative with a high success rate in patients without intracorneal foreign bodies, although it is clearly not as effective in patients with foreing body-induced neovascularization.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted with presumed microbial keratitis to a tertiary medical center in Israel / Características clínicas e desfechos dos pacientes internados com diagnóstico de ceratite microbiana em um centro terciário em Israel

PURPOSES: Microbial keratitis is commonly diagnosed worldwide, and continues to cause significant ocular morbidity, requiring prompt and appropriate treatment. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with presumed microbial keratitis admitted to The Goldschleger Eye Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Hashomer, Israel. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which the medical records of patients with presumed microbial keratitis admitted during a period of 3 years were reviewed. RESULTS: Keratitis was diagnosed in 276 patients (51% males and 48.9% females). The mean age was 39.29 ± 22.30 years. The hospital length of stay ranged from 1 to 65 days (mean 5.69 ± 5.508). Fortified antibiotics were still used at discharge in 72% of the cases. Overall visual acuity improved significantly from the time of admission to the 1st-week follow up visit showing a p<0.001 on the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Contact lens wearing was present in 36.1% of the patients, although there was no significant relation with severity of the presentation and visual outcome (p>0.05). The degree of hypopyon and cells in the anterior chamber was significantly related to the hospital length of stay (r Spearman=0.31; p<0.001 and r Spearman=0.21; p<.001, respectively) as well as to a worse visual outcome (r Spearman=0.32; p<0.01 and r Spearman=0.18; p=0.01, respectively). Of all patients, 2.3% required an urgent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty, and 1% underwent evisceration. There was no enucleation. CONCLUSION: Treating keratitis aggressively and assuring patient compliance is imperative for a good final visual outcome. Inpatient treatment may have a positive impact on this outcome.

OBJETIVOS: Ceratite microbiana é comumente diagnosticada em todo mundo e ainda continua a causar uma significante morbidade ocular. É necessário tratá-la de forma imediata e apropriada. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever as características clínicas e os desfechos dos pacientes com ceratite microbiana presumida que foram internados no Goldschlager Eye Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Israel. MÉTODOS: Um estudo transversal foi realizado onde arquivos hospitalares dos pacientes internados com ceratite microbiana presumida durante um periodo de três anos foram analisados e revisados. RESULTADOS: Ceratite foi diagnosticada em 276 pacientes (51% masculinos e 48,9% femininos). A média de idade foi 39,29 ± 22,30 anos. A duração da internação foi de 1 a 65 dias (média 5,69 ± 5,508). Antibióticos fortificados permaneceram usados na alta em 72% dos casos. A acuidade visual do seguimento da primeira semana após a alta em relação a internação melhorou na media de forma estatisticamente significativa (p<0,001 usando Wilcoxon signed ranks test). O uso de lentes de contato estava presente em 36,1% dos pacientes, porém não houve relação estatisticamente significativa entre a gravidade da apresentação clínica e a acuidade visual nestes pacientes (p>0,05). O grau de hipópio e células na câmara anterior foram estatisticamente significativos em relação ao tempo de internação (r Spearman=0,0.31; p<0,001 and r Spearman=0,21; p<0,001, respectivamente) e para a acuidade visual (r Spearman=0,32; p<0,01 e r Spearman=0,18; p=0,01, respectivamente). De todos os pacientes, apenas 2,3% necessitaram ceratoplastia penetrante urgente e 1% necessitaram evisceração. Não houve enucleações. CONCLUSÕES: Tratar a ceratite de forma agressiva e garantir a aderência do paciente ao tratamento é imperativo para o bom resultado visual final. O tratamento internado pode ter um impacto positivo neste desfecho.

Queratitis fúngica: revisión actual sobre diagnóstico y tratamiento / Fungal keratitis: review of diagnosis and treament

La queratitis fúngica es una infección característica de zonas tropicales, asociada a trauma vegetal. Existen dudas respecto al método diagnóstico óptimo y la efectividad de los tratamientos disponibles. ¿Cuál es el manejo más apropiado en queratitis fúngica? y ¿Cuál es la mejor forma de establecer el diagnóstico? El cultivo para hongos es el gold standard diagnóstico de elementos fúngicos. Respecto al tratamiento, natamicina y anfotericina B fueron los más utilizados y no demostraron efectividad en estudios prospectivos. Voriconazol demostró efectividad en múltiples infecciones fúngicas. Pudiera ser la droga de elección en condiciones óptimas, dado su mejor penetración intraocular. Se ha reconocido su elevado costo dificultando su aplicación generalizada. Esta revisión entrega recomendaciones para el manejo y establece la necesidad de realizar estudios que evalúen la costo-efectividad de voriconazol para la queratitis fúngica.

Fungal keratitis is a characteristic infection upon tropical zones, associated with vegetal trauma. Doubt exists about the best diagnostic test and the effectiveness of available treatment. Which is the best diagnostic method for fungal keratitis? And, which is the best management? Fungal culture remains as diagnostic gold standard of fungal elements. As of treatment, natamycin and amphotericin B are the most popular drugs for fungal keratitis and they have not shown effectiveness in randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews. Voriconazole showed effectiveness and security in multiple fungal infections. It may be the drug of choice in optimal conditions, because of its better ocular penetration and wider coverage. However, its high price difficult general application. This review establishes management recommendations and the need to perform studies that address cost-effectiveness analysis of voriconazole for fungal keratitis.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de queratitis por acanthamoeba / Diagnosis and treatment of keratitis acanthamoeba

OBJETIVO: Revisar las características clínicas, diagnóstico, tratamiento y resultados visuales en pacientes con diagnostico de queratitis por Acanthamoeba (QA). Demostrar la importancia del diagnóstico precoz y de un tratamiento rápido y efectivo. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de 14 ojos en igual número de pacientes con diagnóstico de QA, tratados en Centro Visión entre Julio 2008 a Junio 2012. Todos los casos fueron confirmados por frotis y/o cultivo. Se formaron dos grupos: precoz y tardío. La terapia se realizó con polihexametilén biguanida y propamidina. Luego de eliminar la infección se registró la agudeza visual final y la duración del tratamiento. RESULTADOS: El grupo más frecuentemente afectado fue entre 21 a 40 años (9 casos). Sólo dos ojos (14,3%) fueron correctamente diagnosticados inicialmente como QA. Once pacientes (78,6%) fueron usuarios de lentes de contacto. El signo más frecuente fue infiltrado difuso (62,3%); el infiltrado perineural sólo se vio en un caso. Cinco pacientes se diagnosticaron dentro de los primeros treinta días (precoz), y nueve casos posteriormente (tardío). La mediana de la agudeza visual postratamiento en el grupo precoz fue 20/40 y en el tardío 20/400. La mediana de la duración del tratamiento en el grupo precoz fue de seis meses y de diez meses en el tardío. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de ojos (85,7%) fueron inicialmente catalogados erróneamente como queratitis de otra etiología. Cuando la QA es diagnosticada precozmente, existe un mejor pronóstico visual, y además no será necesario un tratamiento muy prolongado.

OBJETIVES: To review the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and visual outcome in patients with diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis. To demonstrate the importance of early diagnosis, and prompt and effective treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study of 14 eyes in the same number of patients diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis, which were treated in Centro Visión in the period from July 2008 to June 2012. All cases were confirmed by smear and/or culture. There were two groups: early and late. The treatment was performed with polyhexamethylene biguanide and propamidine as previous protocol. After the cure of the infection, final visual acuity and the duration of treatment were recorded. RESULTS: The most often affected group was between 21-40 years old (9 cases). Only two eyes (14,3%) were initially correctly diagnosed as QA. Eleven patients (78,6%) were contact lens wearers. The most common sign was diffuse infiltrate (62.3%), perineural infiltration was seen in only one case. Five patients were diagnosed within the first thirty days (early group) and nine patients later (late group). The median visual acuity after treatment was 20/40 in the early group, and 20/400 in the late group. The median duration of treatment was six months in the early group, and ten months in the late group. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases (85.7%) were initially erroneously classified as another cause keratitis. When Acanthamoeba keratitis is early diagnosed, there is a better visual prognosis, and also will not need longer treatment.

[ effect of amniotic membrane transplantation in healing of primary stages of pseudomonas keratitis]

Human amniotic membrane [HAM] forms the inner wall of the membranous sac that surrounds and protects the embryo during gestation. The main advantages of amniotic membrane transplantation [AMT] in the treatment of bacterial keratitis are its epithelial bandage properties. Previous studies have documented the presence of some antimicrobial proteins and peptides in amniotic fluid such as lactoferrin, lysozyme, bactericidal or permeability increasing protein, calprotectin [MRP8/14 protein complex], LL37, and neutrophil defensins [Human Neutrophil Peptides, HNP 1-3]. Furthermore, the amniotic membrane does not express HLA-A, B, C or DR surface antigens, which may help avoid rejection after its transplantation. Thus, it can be used as a biological immune barrier. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the amniotic membrane's healing properties in rabbits with pseudomonas keratitis. By using an animal model, 14 rabbits were divided into two groups of controls and cases. A syringe was used to inoculate the corneal stroma of the animals by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853. After 20 hours pseudomonas keratitis was created and amniotic membrane was transplanted to the cornea of the case group. The infiltration size were observed on the first, third and seventh days after the experiment. Corneal perforation was seen in the controls [P<0.001] but amniotic membrane prevented perforation in the case group [P=0.02]. Transplantation of amniotic membrane in the primary stages of pseudomonas keratitis treatment remarkably prevents corneal perforation and it can be used to control the disease process

Infectious keratitis in patients undergoing Boston Type 1 keratoprosthesis (Boston KPro) procedure: case series / Ceratite infecciosa em pacientes submetidos ao implante de ceratoprótese Boston Tipo I: série de casos

Description of two cases of infectious keratitis in patients after Boston Type 1 keratoprosthesis (Boston KPro) implantation. The first case refers to a patient that had the device indicated due to limbal deficiency secondary to severe dry eye who presented a fungal infection by Aerobasidium pullulans that was successfully treated with amphotericin B eye drops. The second case reports a patient with Boston KPro implantation due to previous corneal transplant rejection showing bacterial keratitis in the fourth postoperative month. The etiologic agent was identified asStreptococcus sp and topical treatment with vancomycin was effective. The importance of postoperative surveillance in Boston KPro eyes is discussed.

Descrição de dois casos de ceratite infecciosa em pacientes submetidos a implante de ceratoprótese Boston Tipo 1 (Boston KPro). O primeiro caso refere-se a uma paciente na qual o dispositivo foi indicado por deficiência límbica secundária a olho seco grave, no qual foi identificado infecção fúngica por aerobasidium pullulans, tratada com sucesso com colírio de anfotericina B. O segundo caso reporta uma paciente com implante de Boston KPro por falências de transplantes de córnea prévios, que apresentou ceratite bacteriana no quarto mês pós-operatório. O agente etiológico identificado foi Streptococcus sp e o tratamento tópico com vancomicina foi eficaz. Discute-se a importância da vigilância pós-operatória em olhos submetidos ao implante de ceratoprótese.

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: indications, surgical techniques and complications

The concept of lamellar keratoplasty [LK] is not new. However, it had been abandoned and largely replaced by the time-honored technique of penetrating keratoplasty [PK] because LK is technically demanding, time consuming and gives suboptimal visual outcomes due to interface irregularity arising from manual lamellar dissection. Recent improvements in surgical instruments and introduction of new techniques of maximum depth of corneal dissection as well as inherent advantages such as preservation of globe integrity and elimination of endothelial graft rejection have resulted in a re-introduction of LK as an acceptable alternative to con ventional PK. This review article describes the indications, different techniques, clinical outcomes and complications of deep anterior LK