Brimonidine-induced unilateral ocular lichen planus: a case report / Líquen plano ocular unilateral induzido por brimonidina: relato de caso

ABSTRACT This report was written to describe a case of unilateral brimonidine-induced conjunctival lichen planus. Because the ophthalmic examination indicated chronic conjunctivitis or drug-induced pseudopemphigoid, the patient underwent thorough ophthalmic and systemic examinations, as well as conjunctival biopsy and direct immunofluorescence studies. A 71-year-old woman with unilateral left eye findings of chronic conjunctivitis was referred to our Ophthalmology Department. The patient reported that chronic conjunctivitis began shortly after she initiated use of topical brimonidine. Ophthalmic examination revealed foreshortening of the inferior fornix and symblepharon. Conjunctival biopsy revealed submucous lymphocytes and shaggy distribution of fibrinogen on direct immunofluorescence; this was suggestive of ocular lichen planus. No other systemic lesions were found that were consistent with the presentation of lichen planus. A good response was observed to topical cyclosporine treatment. To our knowledge, this may be the first report of unilateral ocular lichen planus without systemic findings. The correlation with the initiation of topical brimonidine suggests that this might be the first case of biopsy-confirmed brimonidine-induced ocular lichen planus.

RESUMO Este relato é para descrever um caso de líquen plano conjuntival unilateral induzido por brimonidina. Como o exame oftalmológico indicava conjuntivite crônica ou pseudopenfigóide induzido por medicamento, o paciente foi submetido a exames oftalmológicos e sistémicos completos, além de biópsia conjuntival e estudos de imunofluorescência direta. Uma mulher de 71 anos de idade com achados unilaterais do olho esquerdo de conjuntivite crônica foi encaminhada ao nosso departamento de Oftalmologia. A paciente relatou que a conjuntivite crônica começou logo após o início do uso da brimonidina tópica. O exame oftalmológico revelou encurtamento do fórnice inferior e do symblepharon. A biópsia conjuntival revelou linfócitos submucosos e distribuição felpuda de fibrinogênio na imunofluorescência direta; isso era sugestivo de líquen plano ocular. Não foram encontradas outras lesões sistêmicas compatíveis com a apresentação do líquen plano. Uma boa resposta foi observada no tratamento tópico com ciclosporina. Pelo nosso conhecimento, este pode ser o primeiro relato de líquen plano ocular unilateral sem achados sistêmicos. A correlação com o início da brimonidina tópica sugere que este pode ser o primeiro caso de líquen plano ocular induzido por brimonidina confirmado por biópsia.

Dellen corneal secundario a carcinoma epidermoide de conjuntiva / Corneal dellen secondary to epidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva

El dellen corneal es un área de adelgazamiento corneal localizado como consecuencia de la deshidratación provocada por la falta de humectación relacionada con una zona adyacente de abultamiento conjuntival. Se presenta una paciente femenina de 72 años, blanca, con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, quien refirió lagrimeo y sensación de cuerpo extraño en el ojo izquierdo, de una semana de evolución. Al examen biomicroscópico se observó tejido fibrovascular en conjuntiva bulbar nasal que infiltraba la córnea, sobreelevado, de superficie lisa, no queratinizada, acompañada de inyección conjuntival y múltiples neovasos. En la córnea periférica y adyacente a esta se observó depresión de base limpia, redondeada, de 6 mm de extensión y profundidad hasta estroma anterior. Teniendo en cuenta las características de la lesión, se planteó como diagnóstico presuntivo dellen corneal secundario a pterigium grado II sintomático. La biopsia informó carcinoma de células escamosas, moderadamente diferenciado, asociado con un extenso infiltrado inflamatorio a predominio de linfocitos(AU)

Corneal dellen is an area of localized corneal thinning as a result of dehydration caused by lack of humectation associated to an adjoining conjunctival bulging. Here is a 72-years old Caucasian woman with a history of hypertension, who presented continuous tearing and feeling of a foreign body in her left eye during a week. The biomicroscopic exam showed fibrovascular tissue in nasal bulb conjunctiva, which infiltrated into the cornea, it was raised of flat surface, unkeratinized, accompanied with conjunctival injection and multiple neovessels. In the peripheral cornea and adjacent to it, there was a clean, rounded depression measuring 6 mm of extension and depth up to the anterior stroma. The presumptive diagnosis was corneal dellen secondary to symptomatic grade II pterygium. The biopsy yielded the presence of squamous cell carcinoma, moderately differentiated, and associated with extensive inflammatory infiltrate with predominance of lymphocytes(AU)

Tratamento de cistos conjuntivais em cavidade anoftálmica com injeção intralesional de ácido tricloroacético (ATA) a 25% / Treatment of conjunctival cysts in anophthalmic socket with intralesional injection of trichloroacetic acid (ATA) 25%

Cistos conjuntivais em cavidades anoftálmicas podem ter implicações funcionais e estéticas negativas para os pacientes. Dentre as opções terapêuticas disponíveis, o uso do ácido tricloroacético é relativamente recente. Os casos relatados apresentaram boa evolução após 30 dias do tratamento, sendo bem tolerado pelos pacientes e possibilitando maior preservação de tecido conjuntival...

Conjunctival cysts in anophthalmic socket may have functional and aesthetic implications for the patients.Among the available treatment options, the use of trichloroacetic acid is relatively recent. Our reported cases showed a good outcome after 30 days of treatment, that was well tolerated by patients, with greater conjunctival tissue preservation...

The Development of Scleromalacia after Regional Conjunctivectomy with the Postoperative Application of Mitomycin C as an Adjuvant Therapy

A 40-year-old woman presented with ocular discomfort in both eyes that had persisted for several months. Six months ago, she had undergone a bilateral nasal and temporal conjunctivectomy using a bare scleral technique followed by a postoperative application of 0.02% mitomycin C (MMC) to treat her chronic hyperemic conjunctiva for cosmesis. Slit-lamp examination revealed that the patient had bilateral nasal and temporal scleral thinning, and a calcified plaque on her nasal conjunctiva. There was no episcleral tissue present around the wound area, and it was difficult to detect any normal conjunctival tissue in the adjacent area for covering the lesion. We believe that performing an aggressive conjunctival excision procedure followed with MMC application for cosmetic enhancement may be disastrous in certain cases.

A Case of Ocular Benign Lymphoid Hyperplasia Treated with Bevacizumab Injection

We report the first case of ocular benign lymphoid hyperplasia (BLH) treated with subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (Avastin). A 27-year-old man presented to our clinic with conjunctival masses and limbal neovascularization. An incisional biopsy yielded the diagnosis of BLH. The patient was subsequently given a subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg / 0.1 mL). The patient did not experience recurrence or malignant metaplasia during the one-year follow-up period. In patients with conjunctival BLH, subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab can be a useful treatment option in patients unable to undergo a surgical procedure due to limbal neovascularization.

Ocular toxicity by latex of Calotropis procera (Sodom apple).

We report the spectrum of ocular toxicity following accidental inoculation of latex of Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) in 29 eyes between January 2003 and December 2006. All patients presented with sudden painless dimness of vision with photophobia. Twenty-five (86%) patients had initial visual acuity of less than 20/60. All eyes had conjunctival congestion and mild to severe corneal edema with Descemet's folds. Three (10%) eyes had an epithelial defect, nine (31%) had iridocyclitis, and seven (24%) had associated secondary glaucoma. After treatment with topical corticosteroids, antiglaucoma agents, cycloplegics, hypertonic saline and tears supplements, 27 (93%) eyes recovered completely within 3-14 days. After three months, 17 (74%) out of 23 eyes showed a significant low endothelial cell count compared to the normal fellow eye ( P 0.001). The latex of Calotropis procera causes significant ocular morbidity which may be preventable by simple health education. The long-term effect on corneal endothelium has to be studied further.

Autologous serum for ocular surface diseases: [review] / Soro autólogo para doenças da superfície ocular: [revisão]

Autologous serum has been used to treat dry eye syndrome for many years. It contains several growth factors, vitamins, fibronectin and other components that have been considered important for corneal and conjunctival integrity. Serum eye drops are usually prepared as an unpreserved blood solution. The serum is by nature well tolerated and its biochemical properties are somewhat similar to natural tears. Autologous serum eye drops have been reported to be effective for the treatment of severe dry eye-related ocular surface disorders (Sjõgren's syndrome), and also other entities such as superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, graft-versus-host disease, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, recurrent or persistent corneal erosions, neurotrophic keratopathy, Mooren's ulcer, aniridic keratopathy, filtering blebs after trabeculectomy, and post-keratorefractive surgery. The purpose of this study is to review the recently published literature on ocular surface diseases treated with human autologous serum eye drops.

O soro autólogo tem sido adotado como uma nova abordagem para tratar síndrome do olho seco porque contém vitaminas, alguns fatores de crecimento e fibronectina que são considerados importantes contribuintes para integridade corneana e conjuntival. Colírio de soro autólogo é produzido sem preservativo. O soro é não-alérgico e suas propriedades bioquímicas são similares à lágrima. O soro autólogo tópico tem sido relatado efetivo para o tratamento de olho seco grave relacionado a distúrbios da superfície ocular como na síndrome de Sjõgren, ceratoconjuntivite límbica superior, doença do enxerto versus hospedeiro, síndrome de Stevens-Johnson, procedimentos cerato-refrativos, erosão corneana persistente ou recorrente, ceratopatia neurotrófica, úlcera de Mooren, ceratopatia associada à aniridia, e bolhas filtrantes após trabeculectomia. O objetivo do presente estudo é revisar a literatura recentemente publicada sobre doenças da superficie ocular tratadas com soro autológo tópico.

[Effects of betamethasone and diclofenac-Na on sulfur mustard induced conjunctival epithelial and goblet cells injuries of rabbits in acute phase]

Sulfur mustard, Bis [2-chlorethy1] sulfide [HD], is one of the first chemical warfare agents to be used on a large scale. Anti inflammatory treatments might have the potential to prevent some aspects of the primary development of HD-induced lesions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate treatment effects of topically applied betamethasone [B] and diclofenac-Na [D] on the conjunctival epithelial lesions following HD exposure. A total of 36 rabbits were used. Animals were randomly divided to three control groups: [1] normal; [2] solution; [3] HD and three experimental groups: [4] betamethasone; [5] diclofenac-Na and [6] betamethasone-diclofenac-Na [BD]. In each group six animals were examined. Right eye of all animals was selected for experiment. In the experimental groups betamethasone and diclofenac-Na were applied after using HD solution. Application of drugs was performed 3 times a day for 2 weeks. Slit-lamp examinations were performed before exposure and subsequently at days 1, 2, 5, 7, and 14 by professional ophthalmologists. Animals were sacrificed after two weeks with chloroform. The eyes were enucleated. Specimens of palpebra were obtained for histological examination. There was not any significant difference between normal and solution groups. HD caused a significant decrease in goblet cells and cell infiltration in conjunctiva, injection and chemosis. All experimental groups were better than the HD group. Betamethasone in combination with diclofenac-Na was more effective than betamethasone and diclofenac-Na alone in decreasing eye injuries. Combination of betamethasone and diclofenac-Na are potential candidates for the treatment of ocular lesions following HD exposure

Uso ocular de água boricada: condições de manuseio e ocorrência de contaminação / Use conditions of boric acid solution in the eye: handling and occurrence of contamination

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar as condições de uso de água boricada e verificar a contaminação dos frascos e seu conteúdo. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados, por critério de conveniência, quarenta e dois pacientes, usuários de água boricada, que compareceram ao Pronto-Socorro de Oftalmologia do Hospital São Paulo, em fevereiro e março de 2003. Foi colhido material para cultura do saco conjuntival, da superfície interna da borda do frasco, da superfície interna da tampa, além de 1 ml de solução do frasco. RESULTADOS: Dos 42 recipientes de água boricada, 17 (40,5 por cento) apresentavam contaminação, sendo 1 (2,4 por cento) no conteúdo liquido, 17 (40,5 por cento) na parte interna da tampa e 6 (14,3 por cento) na parte interna da borda do frasco. Dos 17 frascos contaminados, 10 (58,8 por cento) tiveram suas tampas manuseadas de maneira inadequada e 13 (76,5 por cento) frascos já haviam sido usados em outras ocasiões. Os microrganismos mais encontrados nas tampas e bordas foram Staphylococcus sp (69,6 por cento) e bacilos Gram-positivos (26,1 por cento). Dezesseis (38,1 por cento) frascos foram abertos há mais de um mês e, destes, 5 (31,3 por cento) apresentaram contaminação. A instrução de uso nos rótulos dos frascos era inconsistente. A utilização de água boricada foi por conta própria, por indicação de amigos ou parentes em 26 (61,9 por cento) casos; indicação de farmacêuticos em 8 (19,0 por cento); de oftalmologistas em 5 (11,9 por cento) e de clínicos gerais em 3 (7,1 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: A indicação de uso tópico oftálmico de água boricada foi feita, na maioria, por leigos. Os frascos, em geral, eram manipulados de maneira inadequada, apresentando contaminação em uma proporção de casos muito maior do que a contaminação do líquido. Essa porcentagem menor de contaminação do conteúdo provavelmente está associada às características anti-sépticas do produto.

PURPOSE: To evaluate use conditions and detect contamination in bottles of boric acid solution. METHODS: A convenience sample of 42 recruited patients using boric acid solution came to the Ophthalmology Emergency Room of the São Paulo Hospital from February to March of 2003. Cultures were taken from material of the conjunctival sac, inner surface of bottle edge, inner part of cap and from 1 ml of boric acid solution of each bottle. RESULTS: Of the 42 boric acid solution bottles, 17 (40.5 percent) showed contamination: 1 (2.4 percent) in the solution, 17 (40.5 percent) in the inner cap and 6 (14.3 percent) in the inner part of the bottle edge. Of the 17 contaminated bottles, 10 (58.8 percent) were handled inappropriately and 13 (76.5 percent) of the bottles were not discharged after first use. The most common microorganisms found in the caps and edges of the bottles were Staphylococcus sp (69.6 percent), followed by Gram-positive bacillus (26.1 percent). Sixteen bottles (38.1 percent) had been opened more than a month ago and 5 (31.3 percent) of those showed contamination. The boric acid solution bottle directions shown on the labels were incomplete and not clear. The use of boric acid solution was on recommendation of their own, friends or relatives in 26 (61.9 percent) cases; pharmacists in 8 (19.0 percent) cases, ophthalmologists in 5 (11.9 percent) cases and general practitioners in 3 (7.1 percent) cases. CONCLUSION: In most cases, the topic use of boric acid solution was recommended by non-physicians. The bottles, in general, were handled inappropriately, and hence presented a much higher level of contamination that did the boric acid solution inside. The lower level of contamination in the solution is possibly associated with the anti-septic characteristics of the boric acid solution.

Microbiological efficacy of lomefloxacin and other drugs regarding microorganisms isolated from the human conjunctiva

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the in vitro susceptibility of human conjunctival bacterial isolates to various antimicrobial agents, including lomefloxacin, other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin), aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, and amicacin), and cephalosporin ( cephalothin). Methods: Antibiotic susceptibility tests conducted over a period of 27 months with 613 bacterial isolates from the conjunctiva were retrospectively analyzed.Results to the total number of positive isolates, the fluoroquinolones showed greater in vitro effectiveness than the other analyzed antibiotics. All bacterial isolates showed significantly higher susceptibility to ciprofloxacin than to lomefloxacin. Conclusion: the fluoroquinolones are not only equally effective against all conjunctival bacterial isolates but they also show superior antimicrobial activity in comparison to aminoglycosides and cephalothin. These results suggest that fluoroquinolones, such as lomefloxacin, can be beneficially prescribed for conjunctival infections and also as prophylaxis in ocular surgery.

Terapêutica corneoconjuntival / Corneoconjunctival therapeutics

O autor faz uma revisäo dos principais recursos terapêuticos aplicados as patologias corneoconjuntivais. Os vasoconstrictores, os antihistamínicos, os corticóides, os antibióticos, os agentes antiviróticos e outros recursos säo analisados com um cunho didático. Uma orientaçäo geral é dada com relaçäo aos vasodilatadores, anticolagenase, umectantes e inibidores da vascularizaçäo corneana. Os tópicos principais säo acompanhados de uma revisäo farmacodinâmica de modo a conferir ao leitor noçöes gerais que poderäo ser particularizadas em cada caso