Tarsal buckling como complicação de correção cirúrgica de ptose congênita / Tarsal buckling as a complication of surgery to treat congenital ptosis

RESUMO O presente trabalho objetivou relatar um caso de tarsal buckling associado a prolapso conjuntival e à inversão de pálpebra superior como complicação da correção cirúrgica de ptose residual. Paciente do sexo feminino, 15 anos, portadora de ptose palpebral residual unilateral em olho direito, secundária à correção parcial da ptose palpebral congênita operada na infância. A segunda abordagem cirúrgica foi realizada com ressecção da aponeurose do músculo levantador da pálpebra superior, que evoluiu com inversão conjuntival da pálpebra superior. A fragilidade estrutural do tarso é a principal hipótese para justificar o tarsal buckling subsequente à cirurgia. Houve resolução completa do tarsal buckling, porém houve também persistência da ptose palpebral. O tarsal buckling é, portanto, uma complicação cirúrgica incomum, que pode ocorrer na correção da ptose palpebral, em que há rotação posterior da metade superior do tarso, fazendo com que este se curve verticalmente sobre seu eixo, favorecendo o prolapso conjuntival. A suspeição diagnóstica e a reabordagem cirúrgica precoce favorecem a resolução da condição e previnem possíveis complicações visuais.

ABSTRACT This paper aimed to report a case of tarsal buckling associated with conjunctival prolapse and upper eyelid inversion as a complication of surgical correction of residual ptosis. A 15-year-old female patient with unilateral residual eyelid ptosis in the right eye, secondary to partial correction of congenital blepharoptosis operated in childhood. The second surgery was performed with resection of the upper eyelid levator muscle aponeurosis, which progressed to conjunctival inversion of the upper eyelid. The structural fragility of the tarsus is the main hypothesis to justify tarsal buckling after surgery. There was complete resolution of tarsal buckling, but persistence of blepharoptosis. Tarsal buckling is an infrequent surgical complication that can occur in correction of blepharoptosis, when there is posterior rotation of the upper half of the tarsus, causing it to curve vertically on its axis and favoring conjunctival prolapse. Establishing diagnosis and early reoperation favor resolution of the condition and avoid possible visual complications.

Prosthesis-socket volume imbalance and dermofat graft rehabilitation in patients with an anophthalmic socket / Os problemas causados pelo desequilíbrio do volume da cavidade da prótese, nos casos de cavidades anoftálmicas, e a sua reabilitação com o enxerto de dermofat

ABSTRACT Purposes: To identify problems caused by prosthesis-socket volume imbalances in anophthalmic sockets; and to evaluate rehabilitation with dermofat graft as a solution. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients operated in our clinic (between May 2011 and June 2016) with dermofat grafts to treat anophthalmic socket-related problems. During the preoperative examinations, ophthalmologists recorded the presence of eyelid problems due to the socket volume deficit, upper and lower fornix deficiency, deepening in the upper eyelid sulcus, epiphora and secretion, lower eyelid laxity, ptosis, entropion, and ectropion. Following the surgical repair, new prosthesis suitable for the resulting socket area were implemented for all the patients. The mean follow-up period was 27.42±16 months (ranging from 10-62 months). On the last control examinations, ophthalmologists recorded solved and unsolved socket problems that were present preoperatively. Results: We included 16 men and 5 women in this study. The mean age was 38.3 ± 18.4 years (range, 5-75 years). The mean duration of preoperative prosthesis use was 9.4 ± 6.8 years (range, 1-30 years). Preoperatively, 7 patients had only orbital volume deficits, and 14 had socket volume displacements in addition to the volume deficits. After the dermofat graft implantations, the remaining deficits were corrected during another surgical session: 6 patients underwent ptosis corrections, 5 lateral canthal suspensions, 5 lower fornix with mucosal graft formations, and 2 upper fornix formations with mucosal grafts. All patients were able to use prosthesis postoperatively. Conclusion: The use of dermofat grafts to correct anophthalmic socket problems caused by orbital volume deficits or volume displacements is an effective, reliable, and reproducible surgical method.

RESUMO Objetivos: Identificar os problemas causados pelo desequilíbrio do volume da cavidade da prótese em cavidades anoftálmicas, e avaliar a reabilitação com enxerto de dermofato como solução. Métodos: Revisamos retrospectivamente os prontuários de pacientes operados em nossa clínica (entre maio de 2011 e junho de 2016) com enxertos de dermofato para tratar problemas relacionados a cavidades anoftálmicas. Durante os exames pré-operatórios, os oftalmologistas registraram a presença de problemas palpebrais devido ao déficit de volume, deficiência de fórnice superior e inferior, aprofundamento no sulco palpebral superior, a epífora e secreção, flacidez palpebral inferior, ptose, entrópio e ectrópio. Após a cirurgia, novas próteses adequadas para a área de encaixe foram implementadas em todos os pacientes. O tempo médio de acompanhamento foi de 27,42 ± 16 meses (variando de 10 a 62 meses). Nos últimos exames de controle, os oftalmologistas registraram problemas corrigidos e não corrigidos da cavidade que estavam presentes no pré-operatório. Resultados: Foram incluídos 16 homens e 5 mulheres neste estudo. A média de idade foi de 38,3 ± 18,4 anos (variação de 5-75 anos). A duração média do uso de prótese pré-operatória foi de 9,4 ± 6,8 anos (variação de 1 a 30 anos). No pré-operatório, 7 pacientes apresentavam apenas déficit orbitais e 14 tinham desvios de volume, além dos déficits de volume. Após os implantes de enxerto de dermoadipação, os déficits remanescentes foram corrigidos durante outra sessão cirúrgica: 6 pacientes foram submetidos a correção de ptose, 5 suspensões de cantal lateral, 5 fórnix inferior com enxerto de mucosa e 2 formações de fórnice superior com enxerto de mucosa. Todos os pacientes foram capazes de usar prótese no pós-operatório. Conclusão: A utilização de enxertos de dermofato para corrigir problemas de anoftalmia causados por déficits de volume orbital ou deslocamento de volume é um método cirúrgico eficaz, confiável e reprodutível.

Entrópio palpebral severo pós cirurgia de correção de ptose / Severe eyelid entropion after ptosis correction surgery

Resumo Paciente de 69 anos evoluiu com entrópio palpebral severo após cirurgia de correção de ptose palpebral pela técnica de reinserção da aponeurose do músculo levantador da pálpebra superior. Realizada reintervenção onde foi diagnosticado uma fixação da aponeurose em uma posição muito inferior e feita uma refixacação no 1/3 superior do tarso, com melhora do quadro funcional e estético com boa satisfação da paciente. Devido às suturas em topografia mais inferior, o tarso adquire forma de U em decorrência do dobramento no centro da placa tarsal e da rotação inferior da sua metade superior resultando no entrópio. Este caso ressalta a importância do cuidado quanto a localização da inserção da aponeurose do MLPS, principalmente nos paciente idosos, como forma de evitar o encurvamento vertical do tarso.

Abstract Sixty-nine (69) year old patient with severe upper eyelid entropion following surgical correction of ptosis through levator muscle aponeurosis advancement and reinsertion. The aponeurosis advancement appeared to be much lower than typically intended, and surgical repair was performed via aponeurosis re-fixation into the superior 1/3 of the tarsal plate, with subsequent improvement in the aesthetic and functional outcome, and a satisfied patient. Due to the inferiorly located tarsal sutures, the tarsal plate acquires a U-shape due to a central fold and an inferior rotation of its upper half, resulting in entropion formation. This case highlights the importance of taking great care when advancing the levator muscle in ptosis due to levator aponeurosis dehiscence, particularly in elderly patients, so as to avoid vertically folding the superior tarsal plate.

Retinosquise peripapilar e descolamento seroso de retina neuro-sensorial após esclerectomia profunda não penetrante / Peripapillary retinoschisis and serous detachment of neurosensory retina after a non-penetrating deep sclerectomy

Resumo Relato de caso de um paciente de 46 anos com glaucoma juvenil de controle clínico insatisfatório, portador de retinosquise peripapilar que, após ser submetido à esclerectomia profunda não penetrante, evoluiu com descolamento seroso da retina neuro-sensorial. A associação entre retinosquise peripapilar e o descolamento seroso pós cirurgia filtrante é de ocorrência rara, tendo sido descrito apenas um caso na literatura. A partir deste relato temos por objetivo, além de enfatizar a raridade da associação, mostrar a importância de investigar retinosquise peripapilar em pacientes glaucomatosos, em especial se associada a camada de fibras nervosas, e a importância da explanação adequada aos pacientes de um possível descolamento seroso de retina no pós-operatório de cirurgia filtrante.

Abstract Case report of a 46-year-old patient with unsatisfactory clinical controlled juvenile glaucoma and peripapillary retinoschisis who, after being submitted to non-penetrating deep sclerectomy, evolved with serous detachment of the neurosensory retina. The association between peripapillary retinoschisis and serous detachment after filtering surgery is rare and only one case has been described in the literature. The purpose of this report is, besides to emphasize the rarity of the association, to show the importance of investigating peripapillary retinoschisis in glaucomatous patients, especially if associated with retinal nerve fiber layer, and the importance of adequate explanation to patients of possible serous detachment of retina in the postoperative of filtering surgery.

Management of necrotizing scleritis after pterygium surgery with rituximab / Tratamento com rituximabe de esclerite necrosante após cirurgia de pterigeo

ABSTRACT The authors present a case of necrotizing scleritis after pterygium excision successfully treated with rituximab after attempts with high doses of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. A literature review revealed case reports and a phase I/II dose-ranging randomized clinical trial using rituximab for necrotizing scleritis with or without association with autoimmune disease. This is the only case report on rituximab treatment for necrotizing scleritis after pterygium surgery. In cases with refractoriness to immunosuppressive drugs, a CD20 antibody can be used.

RESUMO Os autores apresentam um caso de sucesso no tratamento com rituximabe de esclerite necrosante após cirurgia de pterígio refratário a altas doses de corticosteroides e drogas imunossupressoras. Uma revisão da literatura direcionada ao uso de rituximabe para tratamento de esclerites necrosantes revelou relatos de casos e um estudo clínico randomizando fase I/II. Este é o único caso descrito de rituximabe para o tratamento de esclerite necrosante pós cirúrgica. O uso de anticorpo anti-CD20 pode ser uma opção em casos refratários aos imunossupressores no tratamento da esclerite necrosante pós-cirúrgica.

A avaliação pré-anestésica para cirurgia oftalmológica em idosos é realmente necessária? A realidade de um hospital público / The pre-anesthetic evaluation for ophthalmic surgery in the elderly is really necessary? The reality of a public hospital

RESUMO Objetivos: A avaliação pré-anestésica (APA) e a realização de exames laboratoriais são questionadas para cirurgias oftalmológicas ambulatoriais por acrescentarem custos e retardarem a cirurgia. Estas são de baixo risco, mas os pacientes são idosos e com várias comorbidades. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se a APA é realmente necessária nestes pacientes em um hospital público. Métodos: Foi conduzido um estudo retrospectivo em 297 prontuários contendo a APA de pacientes para cirurgias oftalmológicas em um hospital público. Foram avaliados através da história, exame clínico e exames complementares, a proporção de pacientes que apresentaram na APA doenças desconhecidas ou não controladas e alterações dos exames complementares. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 71,5 anos, com 95,28% tendo pelo menos uma doença crônica. A doença mais prevalente foi hipertensão arterial sistêmica (62,96%), que em 7,7% dos pacientes estavam sem controle adequado; 2.3% não tinham diagnóstico de HAS. O diabetes mellitus tipo 2 apareceu em segundo (22,22%), com 5,3% sem controle adequado. Glicemia acima de 100 mg.dl-1 foi encontrada em 25,92%, sem diagnóstico conhecido. Do total, 84,8% tomavam pelo menos um medicamento. Somente 73,4% dos pacientes foram liberados para a cirurgia na primeira consulta. Conclusão: A APA em oftalmologia é capaz de detectar doenças não diagnosticadas, ou condições clínicas instáveis, e exerce um papel não só de otimização do paciente para a cirurgia como de atendimento primário, desempenhando papel importante na saúde global da população e, portanto, considerada necessária nos pacientes idosos do sistema público de saúde.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Pre-anesthetic assessment (PAA) and laboratory tests are questioned for ophthalmic procedures due to their additional costs and surgery delays. These are lower risks, nonetheless, patients are elderly and suffer from multiple comorbidities. The aim of this study was to determinate if it is really necessary in a public hospital. Method: a retrospective study on 297 medical records containing the pre-anesthetic questionary from ophthalmic surgery patients in a public hospital was leaded. By the anamnesis, clinical examination and laboratory tests, the rate of patients who came up with unknown or uncontrolled diseases for the pre-anesthetic evaluation among with unsettled lab tests were analyzed. Results: The patients's mean age was 71.5 years old. 95.28% of them suffer from at least one chronic disease. The most prevailer illness was systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) (62.96%), which in 7.7% of were uncontroled. Also 2.3% had no diagnosis of SAH. The DM2 appeared in second (22.22%), with 5.3% without proper management. Glycaemia above 100 mg.dl1 was found in 25.92%, undiagnosed; 84.8% of the total were taking at least one medication. Only 73.4% of patients were released for surgery in the first moment. Discussion: To sum up, PAA in ophthalmology surgery is able to bring up undiagnosed diseases, or unstable medical conditions, and it plays a role not only in optimize the patient for surgery, but also as primary care. It can be an important deal to improve population's health, therefore, considered necessary in elderly patients in the public health system.

Ciclofotocoagulación transescleral de contacto, una opción válida en el tratamiento del glaucoma neovascular / Contact transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, a valuable option for treatment of the neovascular glaucoma

Objetivo: describir los resultados de la ciclofotocoagulación tranescleral de contacto como opción de tratamiento en el glaucoma neovascular. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal prospectivo, en 100 pacientes con glaucoma neovascular atendidos en la Consulta Provincial de Glaucoma de la provincia de Pinar del Río, que cumplían con las indicaciones de la ciclofotocoagulación transescleral con láser. Resultados: el 69 por ciento de los pacientes tratados se encontraron entre los 61 y 80 años de edad. Hubo un predominio del sexo masculino. La agudeza visual se mantuvo estable posterior al tratamiento y hubo una reducción de la presión intraocular en el 91 por ciento de los casos. En el 62 por ciento se reportaron cifras inferiores a los 21 mmHg a los 3 meses posoperatorio; en el 89 por ciento de los pacientes se logró alivio del dolor y en el 75 por ciento hubo regresión de los neovasos. Conclusiones: la ciclofotocoagulación transescleral de contacto proporciona una reducción de la presión intraocular con alivio del dolor y regresión de los neovasos en los pacientes con glaucoma neovascular, y no se produce variación de la agudeza visual(AU)

Objective: to describe the results of contact transscleral cyclophotocoagulation as therapeutical alternative in the neovascular glaucoma. Methods: prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study of one hundred patients with neovascular glaucoma, who had been seen at the provincial glaucoma service of Pinar del Rio province and met the criteria for transscleral cyclophotocoagulation using laser. Results: sixty nine percent of treated patients were 61-80 years old. Males predominated. Visual acuity remained stable after treatment and the intraocular pressure lowered in 91 percent of cases. Sixty two percent reported figures lower than 231 mmHg three months after surgery, 89 percent of patients relieved their pain and the regression of neovessels occurred in 75 percent of cases. Conclusions: contact transscleral cyclophotocoagulation achieves the reduction of the intraocular pressure with pain relief and regression of neovessels in patients with neovascular glaucoma; the visual acuity does not change(AU)

Iatrogenic Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Following Retrobulbar Anesthesia for Intraocular Surgery

PURPOSE: To present clinical features of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) following retrobulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery. METHODS: This observational case series describes 5 consecutive patients with acute CRAO following retrobulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery. Data collected for this study included subject characteristics, retrobulbar anesthesia technique, treatment type, initial and final best-corrected visual acuity, and other ophthalmologic examinations. RESULTS: Mean subject age was 67.0 +/- 8.2 years (range, 53 to 72 years). All patients had one or more vascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, cerebral infarction, carotid artery stenosis) and presented with acute vision loss 1 day after uneventful intraocular surgery (cataract surgery in 2 eyes and vitrectomy in 3 eyes). All 5 patients received retrobulbar anesthesia during surgery, 4 of which involved the use of a sharp needle. No immediate complications were noted during intraocular surgery. Final visual prognosis was poor (from finger count to no light perception) although intraocular thrombolysis was attempted in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic CRAO is a potential complication of retrobulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery in elderly patients with vascular risk factors. Unfortunately, this complication can lead to severe vision loss. We conclude that retrobulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery should be performed with great care and special consideration for elderly patients with vascular risk factors.

Revisión con aguja de ampollas filtrantes fallidas ¿Es realmente útil?: estudio de serie de casos / Needling of failed glaucoma blebs. Are they really useful? case series

Objetivo: evaluar si la revisión con aguja (needling) de ampollas filtrantes fallidas con la aplicación de 5-Fluorouracilo es eficaz a mediano plazo para disminuir la presión intraocular y evaluar la seguridad del procedimiento. Diseño: serie de casos, retrospectivo. Materiales y Métodos: se incluyeron 25 ojos de 19 pacientes entre enero 2007 a Julio 2013 con ampollas filtrantes fallidas en quienes se realizó revisión con aguja de sus ampollas filtrantes con la subsecuente aplicación de 5-Fluorouracilo subconjuntival y seguimiento superior a 6 meses. El procedimiento se realizó en lámpara de hendidura durante la consulta. El éxito del procedimiento fue definido en términos del porcentaje de disminución de la presión intraocular basado en la presión inicial antes del procedimiento con o sin el uso de medicaciones hipotensores. Resultados: la disminución de la PIO inmediatamente después del needling fue del 55.9% (13 mmHg), con reducciones de la PIO al seguimiento al primer corte de (40%), segundo (42%) y tercero de (27%) a los 14 meses. A todos los pacientes se les realizó suturolisis durante el procedimiento y aplicación de 2,4 dosis promedio de 5 mg de 5-FU subconjuntival inferior inter diarias. El seguimiento promedio fue de 14.5 meses, tiempo durante el cual se repitió la revisión en 13 ojos 2.2 veces. La medicación preoperatoria disminuyó de 3.1 a 1.6 medicamentos después del procedimiento. No se identificó ninguna utilidad del needling en el POP inmediato en 3 ojos (12%) por fibrosis marcada. Un paciente (4%) presentó desprendimiento coroideo como complicación al procedimiento. Conclusiones: la revisión con aguja de ampollas filtrantes con la aplicación de 5-Fluorouracilo subconjuntival es una alternativa muy útil en el rescate de ampollas filtrantes disfuncionales al mantener una disminución de la presión intraocular del 26 % durante 14 meses de seguimiento. Es un procedimiento sencillo y seguro que ayuda a disminuir la necesidad del uso de medicamentos y a dilatar el tiempo de re-intervenciones.

Purpose: to assess the efficacy and security of bleb needling with adjunctive 5-Fluorouracil in glaucomatous patients with late failed filtering blebs. Materials and Methods: a retrospective case series of 25 eyes of 19 patients was considered. All patients underwent needle bleb revision with adjuvant 5-Fluorouracil performed at the slit lamp, during an office visit. Postneedling intraocular pressure (IOP) with or without antiglaucoma medications was followed for 14 months. Results: There was a 56 % (13 mm Hg) reduction of IOP immediately after the procedure, The mean interval between filtering surgery and bleb revision was 14.5 months. Mean IOP was 23.0 ± 4.80 mmHg before surgery and 16.6 ± 3.7 mmHg at last postoperative follow-up. The mean follow-up was 14 months (6-48 months). The procedure was repeated in 13 eyes, 2.2 times. Cumulative rates of IOP reduction at 3, 6, and 14 months were 40%, 42%, and 27%, respectively. The mean number of antiglaucoma medications was reduced from 3.1 preoperatively to 1.6. Failure of the procedure was present in 3 yes and a choroidal effusion was present in one case. Conclusion: slit-lamp needle revision in office is a simple and effective method for treating flat filtering blebs without significant complications.

The surgical management of massive intraoperative and postoperative suprachoroidal hemorrhage: anatomic and functional outcomes / O tratamento cirúrgico da hemorragia supracoroidea massiva intraoperatória e pós-operatória: resultados anatômicos e funcionais

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics, management and treatment outcomes of patients with post-surgical suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH). METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, in which the medical records of 9 consecutive patients with SCH admitted to the Goldschleger Eye Institute were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age was 74 years (range 61-84) and the mean follow-up time was 38.3 ± 0.1 months (range 4-87 months). Four cases were associated with glaucoma surgeries (2 trabeculectomies and 2 Ahmed valve implantations), 3 cases with cataract surgery and 2 cases with pars plana vitrectomy. The diagnosis of SCH was ranging from intra-operative to 8 days following the primary procedure. Most patients underwent posterior sclerotomies and drainage alone or combined with pars plana vitrectomy in a mean timing of intervention of 11 ± 4 days. At one month of follow-up the visual acuity improved in 7 eyes and remained stable in 2, compared to the VA prior to the drainage operation. The mean VA improved from 2.03 to 1.285 logMAR units at 1 month following the drainage procedure (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: SCH still remains a challenging complication of many ophthalmological procedures. The current surgical management may improve visual acuity though the general prognosis is still poor.

OBJETIVOS: Descrever as características clínicas, manejo e desfechos do tratamento de pacientes com hemorragia supracoroidea pós-operatória. MÉTODOS: Um estudo transversal foi realizado. Neste foram revisados os prontuários médicos de nove pacientes consecutivos com hemorragia supracoroidea que foram admitidos para internação no Serviço de Oftalmologia do Goldschleger Eye Institute. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi 74 anos (61-84) e o tempo médio de seguimento foi 38,3 ± 0,1 meses (4-87 meses). Quatro casos foram associados com cirurgias de glaucoma (2 trabeculectomias e 2 implantes de válvula de Ahmed), 3 casos com cirurgia de catarata e 2 casos com vitrectomia. O diagnóstico de hemorragia supracoroidea foi de intraoperatório até 8 dias após o procedimento primário. A maioria dos pacientes se submeteu a esclerectomia posterior e drenagem com ou sem vitrectomia via pars plana combinada. A média do tempo de intervenção foi 11 ± 4 dias. Após um mês de seguimento a acuidade visual melhorou em 7 olhos e se manteve estável em 2, comparando com a acuidade visual prévia a cirurgia de drenagem. A acuidade visual media melhorou de 2,03 para 1,285 logMAR após 1 mês de seguimento depois da drenagem por esclerectomia posterior (p=0,003). CONCLUSÕES: Hemorragia supracoroidea ainda é uma complicação desafiadora de muitos procedimentos oftalmológicos. O manejo cirúrgico atual pode melhorar a acuidade visual apesar de o prognostico desta afecção ser ainda reservado.

Teaching Corner: Regional Anaesthesia for Ophthalmic Surgery

Performing safe and effective regional anaesthesia for ophthalmic surgery is an important skill for anaesthetic and ophthalmologic practitioners. Akinetic sharp-needle blocks are generally safe but rare; sight and life threatening complications occur. Sub-Tenon's block using a blunt canula provides akinesa and is a safer alternative but serious complications have been reported. This review provides an introduction to the relevant anatomy; local anaesthetic drugs and commonly used techniques and a practical guide to their safe performance

Role of anterior segment optical coherence tomogram in Descemet's membrane detachment.

Descemet's membrane detachment (DD) is a rare but serious complication of intraocular surgery. In rare cases where corneal edema is severe and we may not be able to visualize DD on slit-lamp examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomogram (AS-OCT) would be helpful. We describe two patients with DD, highlighting the role of AS-OCT in early diagnosis and management of patients with DD. One of the patients had DD with rolled in edge, which could only be visualized with AS-OCT. In such a situation, AS-OCT can identify the edge of detachment and show the exact position of the rolled edge, which can allow us to plan the surgical strategy to unroll the DD.

The management of complicated glaucoma.

Complicated glaucomas present considerable diagnostic and management challenges. Response to treatment can be unpredictable or reduced compared with other glaucomas. However, target intraocular pressure and preservation of vision may be achieved with selected medical, laser and surgical treatment. The evidence for such treatment is expanding and consequently affords clinicians a better understanding of established and novel techniques. Herein we review the mechanisms involved in the development of complicated glaucoma and the current evidence supporting its management.

Management of complications in glaucoma surgery.

Surgical option for glaucoma is considered when other modalities are not working out to keep the intraocular pressure under control. Since the surgical procedures for glaucoma disrupt the integrity of the globe, they are known to produce various complications. Some of those complications can be vision-threatening. To minimize the morbidity, it is very important that one should know how to prevent them, recognize them and treat them. The objective of this article is to provide insight into some of those complications that will help the ophthalmologists in treating glaucoma patients in their clinical practice.

Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer Development Following Cataract Surgery with a Limbal Relaxing Incision

A 60-year-old man with bilateral corneal opacity underwent cataract extraction surgery involving the use of a limbal relaxing incision in his left eye. He had lower lid ectropion and lagophthalmos in both eyes. Eleven days after the surgery, a slit-lamp examination revealed a neurotrophic corneal ulcer with a punch-out epithelial defect and rolled edges at the center of the pre-existing corneal opacity. The patient was treated with sodium hyaluronate, autologous serum, and oral doxycycline. Six weeks after the surgery an improvement in corneal sensation was observed and the neurotrophic corneal ulcer subsequently healed over the course of one year. In this report, we present a case of neurotrophic keratitis that occurred after performing cataract surgery concurrent with a limbal relaxing incision. As such, we suggest that limbal relaxing incisions should be performed cautiously in patients with causative risk factors for corneal hypesthesia.

Cut and paste: A novel method of re-attaching rectus muscles with cyanoacrylate during recessions in strabismus.

Aim: Bio-adhesives like cyanoacrylate offer an alternative to sutures to attach tissues, including in ophthalmology. This prospective trial evaluated the suitability and bio-tolerance of iso-amyl cyanoacrylate in rectus muscle recession surgery for strabismus. Materials and Methods: We randomized one eye in each of 10 cases of bilateral horizontal rectus recessions to 6/0 polyglactin and the other to iso-amyl-cyanoacrylate. We compared time to reattachment (from disinsertion), complications and inflammatory scores (0 to +3: nil, mild, moderate and severe) on Day One, at two and at four to six weeks post surgery. Results: There were no significant group differences in inflammatory scores (Wilcoxon, all values of P>0.05). All attachments held firm. Gluing took significantly longer by 5.24±1.91 min (95% CI for difference: 3.87-6.61). There were no complications. Conclusion: We feel that although it takes marginally longer, iso-amyl cyanoacrylate offers an effective and safe alternative to sutures for muscle recession in strabismus surgery. Since it is cheaper (vs. polyglactin) and offers multi-use possibility it may also prove to be cost-effective.

Microbial keratitis in the elderly: a 32-year review / Ceratite infecciosa em idosos: revisão de 32 anos

PURPOSE: To describe the demographic characteristics, associated factors and causative agents of infectious keratitis in the elderly in a tertiary referral center in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients aged 60 years and over with a presumptive diagnosis of infectious keratitis who had material collected for microbiological analysis, between the years 1975 and 2007 (32-year span). RESULTS: From a total of 7,060 age-independent cases of microbial keratitis, 1,545 cases in the elderly were reviewed, which had a mean age of 71.0 ± 7.8 years, ranging from 60 to 101 years. There were 707 males (45.6 percent) and 838 females (54.3 percent). Associated factors were: past ocular surgery (25.1 percent), ocular trauma (7.2 percent) and contact lens use (3.0 percent). Bacterioscopy was positive in 40.5 percent of cases. Culture positivity for any agent was 53.5 percent (bacteria 47.0 percent, fungi 6.1 percent, Acanthamoeba 0.4 percent). The most frequent bacteria were the gram-positive cocci (mostly coagulase-negative Staphylococci) and gram-negative bacilli (mostly the genera Pseudomonas, Moraxella and Proteus), while the most frequent fungi were the filamentous (mostly the genus Fusarium). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents a large series of microbial keratitis in the elderly in a single referral center. The most important factor associated with this condition in the elderly was past ocular surgery. The most frequent causative agents were bacteria, especially gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli.

OBJETIVO: Descrever as características demográficas, fatores associados e agentes etiológicos das ceratites infecciosas em idosos em um centro de referência terciário em São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de todos os pacientes a partir de 60 anos com diagnóstico clínico de ceratite infecciosa que tiveram material colhido para análise microbiológica, entre os anos de 1975 e 2007 (intervalo de 32 anos). RESULTADOS: De um total de 7.060 casos de ceratite infecciosa em todas as idades, 1.545 casos em idosos foram revisados. A idade média foi de 71,0 ± 7,8 anos, variando de 60 a 101 anos. Foram 707 homens (45,6 por cento) e 838 mulheres (54,3 por cento). Os principais fatores associados foram: cirurgia ocular prévia (25,1 por cento), trauma ocular (7,2 por cento) e uso de lentes de contato (3,0 por cento). Bacterioscopia foi positiva em 40,5 por cento dos casos. A positividade das culturas para qualquer agente foi de 53,5 por cento (bactérias 47,0 por cento, fungos 6,1 por cento, Acanthamoeba 0,4 por cento). As bactérias mais frequentes foram os cocos gram positivos (principalmente Staphylococcus coagulase negativo) e bacilos gram negativos (principalmente Pseudomonas, Moraxella e Proteus), enquanto os fungos mais frequentes foram os filamentosos (Fusarium). CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo representa até o momento a maior série de casos de ceratite infecciosa em idosos em um centro único. O fator mais associado a esta condição em idosos foi cirurgia ocular prévia. Os agentes etiológicos mais frequentes foram as bactérias, principalmente cocos gram positivos e bacilos gram negativos.

A Case of Acquired Brown Syndrome after Surgical Repair of a Medial Orbital Wall Fracture

A case of acquired Brown syndrome caused by surgical repair of medial orbital wall fracture is reported in the present paper. A 23-year-old man presented at the hospital with right periorbital trauma. Although the patient did not complain of any diplopia, the imaging study revealed a blow-out fracture of the medial orbital wall. Surgical repair with a calvarial bone autograft was performed at the department of plastic surgery. The patient was referred to the ophthalmologic department due to diplopia that newly developed after surgery. The prism cover test at distant fixation showed hypotropia of the right eye, which was 4 prism diopters (PD) in primary gaze, 20 PD in left gaze, while orthophoric in right gaze. Eye movement of the right eye was markedly limited on elevation in adduction with normal elevation in abduction with intorsion in the right eye present. Forced duction test of the right eye showed restricted elevation in adduction. Computerized tomography scan of the orbits showed the right superior oblique muscle was entrapped between the autografted bone fragment and posterior margin of the fracture. When repairing medial orbital wall fracture that causes Brown syndrome, surgeons should always be careful of entrapment of the superior oblique muscle if the implant is inserted without identifying the superior and posterior margin of the orbital fracture site.

Anomalous Scleral Insertion of Superior Oblique in Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome

Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) is associated with ocular and systemic anomalies. PITX2 is known to be a major controlling gene in the pathogenesis of ARS and is associated with differentiation in both the neural crest and mesoderm during eye development. A 4-year-old girl with bilateral ARS had 20 prism diopters (PD) of exotropia with 30PD of A- pattern deviation, more than 20PD of dissociated vertical deviation (DVD), and severe superior oblique overaction (SOOA). During surgery we observed that the SO inserted more posteriorly than normal. We believe this finding is one of the abnormal manifestations of the development of the extraocular muscles in ARS.