The role of a femtosecond laser in congenital cataract associated with aniridia / O papel do laser de femtosegundo na catarata congênita associada à aniridia

ABSTRACT A patient with bilateral aniridia and progressive congenital cataract was treated at the age of 7 years through phacoaspiration with femtosecond laser capsulotomy, in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation, and pars plana vitrectomy (combined with posterior capsulotomy). The diameter of the planned anterior capsulotomy was 4.7 mm; however, due to elevated tension in the young capsular bag, the capsulotomy diameter increased (to around 6 mm) shortly after release of the tension by the laser. In addition, the patient had a very flat and small cornea, causing the formation of air bubbles in the curved laser interface. This was addressed by filling the gap by using a viscoelastic. A very similar situation was observed in both eyes. Use of the femtosecond laser facilitated a successful outcome in a complex congenital cataract case with a safe capsulotomy that ensured in-the-bag intraocular lens placement.

RESUMO Paciente com aniridia bilateral e catarata congê­nita progressiva foi tratado com a idade de 7 anos através de facoemulsificação com capsulotomia anterior por laser de femtosegundo, implante de lente intra-ocular e vitrectomia via pars plana (combinada com capsulotomia posterior). O diâmetro da capsulotomia anterior prevista foi de 4,7mm, porém, devido à elevada tensão do saco capsular jovem, o diâmetro da capsulotomia aumentou (para cerca de 6mm) logo após a liberação da tensão pelo laser. Além disso, o paciente tinha uma córnea muito plana e pequena, causando a formação de bolhas de ar na interface do laser. Isso foi resolvido preenchendo a lacuna usando um viscoelástico. Uma situação muito semelhante foi observada em ambos os olhos. O uso do laser de femtosegundo facilitou um resultado bem-sucedido em um caso complexo de catarata congênita com uma capsulotomia anterior segura que garantiu a colocação da lente intra-ocular dentro do saco capsular.

The effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization, inflammation and re-epithelization in a rabbit model

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of subconjunctival bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization in an experimental rabbit model for its effect on vessel extension, inflammation, and corneal epithelialization. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, blinded, experimental study, 20 rabbits were submitted to a chemical trauma with sodium hydroxide and subsequently divided into two groups. The experimental group received a subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (0.15 m; 3.75 mg), and the control group received an injection of 0.15 ml saline solution. After 14 days, two blinded digital photograph analyses were conducted to evaluate the inflammation/diameter of the vessels according to pre-established criteria. A histopathological analysis of the cornea evaluated the state of the epithelium and the number of polymorphonuclear cells. RESULTS: A concordance analysis using Kappa's statistic showed a satisfactory level of agreement between the two blinded digital photography analyses. The neovascular vessel length was greater in the control group (p<0.01) than in the study group. However, the histopathological examination revealed no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the state of the epithelium and the number of polymorphonuclear cells. CONCLUSIONS: Subconjunctival bevacizumab inhibited neovascularization in the rabbit cornea. However, this drug was not effective at reducing inflammation. The drug did not induce persistent corneal epithelial defects.