Recurrence rate and need for reoperation after surgery with or without internal limiting membrane removal for the treatment of the epiretinal membrane.

PURPOSE: To compare the recurrence rate and need for reoperation after epiretinal membrane surgery with and without removal of the internal limiting membrane. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 125 patients operated for epiretinal membrane removal were evaluated, with a minimum 6-month follow-up. Removal of the epiretinal membrane (ERM) was performed in 78 patients, while 47 had removal of the epiretinal membrane associated with internal limiting membrane peeling (ERM + ILM). RESULTS: The mean age in the ERM group was 65.8 years old, ranging from 41 to 80 years old. In the ERM + ILM group, the mean age was 67.2 years old, ranging from 52 to 82 years old. The mean preoperative visual acuity in the ERM group was 20/80p, and in the ERM + ILM group, it was 20/80. The mean postoperative visual acuity in both groups was 20/30. The mean preoperative macular thickness in the ERM group was 467 µm ranging from 281 to 663 µm; in the ERM + ILM group, the preoperative macular thickness was 497 µm, ranging from 172 to 798 µm. After surgery, a reduction in macular thickness was observed in both groups. In the ERM group, the mean macular thickness reduction was 361 ± 101. µm, whereas in the ERM + ILM group, it was 367 ± 75.2 µm. Twenty-two patients presented with a recurrence of epiretinal membrane, of which 16 (20.5%) were from the ERM group and 6 (12.8%) were from the ERM + ILM group (p = 0.39); one patient (2%) was retreated in the ERM + ILM group, whereas 5 patients (6%) where retreated in the ERM group. CONCLUSION: We postulate that ILM peeling for the treatment of epiretinal membrane is not a relevant factor either for visual recovery or macular thickness reduction, but it may reduce the recurrence and reoperation rate.

Net technique for intraocular lens support in aphakia without capsular support.

BACKGROUND: This paper describes a modified surgical technique for intraocular lens implantation in aphakic eyes with no capsular support. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Seventeen eyes of 17 aphakic patients with no capsule support underwent intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using a standardized technique in which a net was created at the ciliary sulcus plane with two threads forming a net pattern. The net was used as support for the IOL. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 38 months, with an average of 23 months. RESULTS: In all cases, the IOL was safely implanted and remained stable during the follow-up. In 16 eyes, the IOL remained well centered; in one eye, slight decentration was observed. Distance-corrected visual acuity improved by a mean of 4 lines, from 1.13 (LogMAR) to 0.52 (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: This technique might be especially useful in cases of insufficient capsular support associated with tissue loss or iris atrophy. In these cases, iris fixation is not feasible; thus, the only surgical alternative is IOL scleral fixation.

Autologous Internal Limiting Membrane Fragment Transplantation for Large, Chronic, and Refractory Macular Holes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a technique of autologous internal limiting membrane (ILM) fragment transplantation for the treatment of large, chronic, and/or refractory macular holes (MH). DESIGN: This was a 6-month prospective interventional case series. METHOD: Ten eyes of 10 patients with MH underwent pars plana vitretomy (PPV) and ILM peeling followed by transplantation of an autologous ILM fragment to the MH. Six patients had primary MH with an internal diameter greater than 500 µm and a duration of more than 18 months, including 1 patient with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy previously treated with panretinal photocoagulation. Four eyes with MH had previously been submitted to PPV (i.e. 1 for retinal detachment and 3 to attempt to close large MH). One of the latter also displayed juxtapapillary choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration. The primary and secondary outcomes were MH closure and improvement of the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), respectively. RESULTS: Complete MH closure was achieved in all cases. A statistically significant improvement in the average BCVA was observed after 6 months of follow-up (p = 0.018; paired t test). The BCVA improved in 8 eyes (80%), and in 6 of those eyes it improved by ≥ 15 letters. In 1 patient, the BCVA remained unchanged after the surgery, but the visual field reportedly improved. One patient experienced a slight worsening (0.16 logMAR). Two cases developed atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium despite MH closure and BCVA improvement. CONCLUSION: Treatment with autologous ILM fragment transplantation seems to be an efficient alternative for large, chronic, and refractory MH.

Timing and outcomes after silicone oil removal in proliferative vitreoretinopathy: a retrospective clinical series.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anatomical and functional outcomes after silicone oil extraction in patients with retinal detachment and proliferative vitreoretinopathy in an eye care referral center in Joinville, SC, southern Brazil. METHODS: Retrospective, noncomparative study of patients with retinal detachment and posterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy followed up after silicone oil removal. Prophylactic 360-degree peripheral laser photocoagulation was performed one to three months before silicone oil extraction. Patients with cataract underwent a combined clear corneal phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in the same procedure. Anatomical outcomes were related to the duration of silicone oil tamponade and the surgical procedure performed. Functional outcomes were divided into three categories (stability, worsening, or improvement) according to visual acuity variation before the surgery and at the last follow-up visit. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were followed up for a mean period of 1,262 days. Fourteen eyes (26.4%) underwent cataract surgery combined with silicone oil extraction. Forty-eight eyes (90.5%) had attached retina at the last follow-up examination. Time of intraocular tamponade and association of phacoemulsification with silicone oil extraction were not considered as risk factors for retinal redetachment. Twenty-three cases (43.4%) showed visual acuity improvement, whereas 11 cases (20.8%) were stable and 19 cases (35.8%) showed visual acuity worsening. Five patients with attached retina had unexplained optic disc atrophy. CONCLUSION: Most patients had good anatomical and visual outcomes after silicone oil extraction. Prophylactic 360-degree laser retinopexy may have led to favorable outcomes. Benefits of silicone oil extraction and the associated risks of complications due to a new surgical procedure must be carefully evaluated before surgical indication.

Causes of interruption of bevacizumab therapy in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the rate and the causes of interruption of bevacizumab intravitreal therapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a referential eye-care center in Joinville, southern Brazil. METHODS: Retrospective, non-comparative, consecutive case series. Cases included all patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration who were treated with one or more bevacizumab intravitreal injections at Sadalla Amin Ghanem Eye Hospital between January, 2006 and January, 2008. Data were obtained from patients' medical records and telephone interviews. Discontinuity criterion was the absence of patient follow-up after a minimum of 3 months from the last ophthalmic examination. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were treated. Among them, 24 (29.3%) interrupted follow-up inadvertently. The mean age was 75.2 years old (range 65-89 yo). Mean number of bevacizumab intravitreal injections was 2.0 (range 1-6). Nineteen patients answered to telephone questionnaires. The main alleged causes of discontinuity of therapy were unexpected poor visual results (8 cases, 42.1%), lack of information about followup visits (5 cases, 26.3%) and comorbidities (3 cases, 15.8%). CONCLUSIONS: A high number of patients interrupted follow-up after beginning bevacizumab therapy. Many of them related avoidable causes for discontinuity of treatment. Efforts must be done to improve education of age-related macular degeneration patients, especially in relation to functional outcomes and prolonged follow-up care.

Causes of interruption of bevacizumab therapy in age-related macular degeneration / Causas de interrupção do tratamento com bevacizumab em degeneração macular relacionada à idade

PURPOSE: To evaluate the rate and the causes of interruption of bevacizumab intravitreal therapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a referential eye-care center in Joinville, southern Brazil. METHODS: Retrospective, non-comparative, consecutive case series. Cases included all patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration who were treated with one or more bevacizumab intravitreal injections at Sadalla Amin Ghanem Eye Hospital between January, 2006 and January, 2008. Data were obtained from patients' medical records and telephone interviews. Discontinuity criterion was the absence of patient follow-up after a minimum of 3 months from the last ophthalmic examination. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were treated. Among them, 24 (29.3 percent) interrupted follow-up inadvertently. The mean age was 75.2 years old (range 65-89 yo). Mean number of bevacizumab intravitreal injections was 2.0 (range 1-6). Nineteen patients answered to telephone questionnaires. The main alleged causes of discontinuity of therapy were unexpected poor visual results (8 cases, 42.1 percent), lack of information about followup visits (5 cases, 26.3 percent) and comorbidities (3 cases, 15.8 percent). CONCLUSIONS: A high number of patients interrupted follow-up after beginning bevacizumab therapy. Many of them related avoidable causes for discontinuity of treatment. Efforts must be done to improve education of age-related macular degeneration patients, especially in relation to functional outcomes and prolonged follow-up care.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar as causas de interrupção do tratamento com bevacizumab intravítreo nos pacientes portadores da forma exsudativa de degeneração macular relacionada à idade acompanhados no Hospital de Olhos ''Sadalla Amin Ghanem'', em Joinville (SC). MÉTODOS: Série de casos retrospectiva, consecutiva e não-comparativa. Incluíram-se os pacientes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade exsudativa tratados com uma ou mais injeções intravítreas de bevacizumab entre janeiro de 2006 e janeiro de 2008. Os dados foram obtidos dos prontuários dos pacientes e de entrevistas telefônicas. O critério de descontinuação foi a ausência do paciente à consulta após o mínimo de três meses a partir da última avaliação oftalmológica. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 82 pacientes tratados, 24 interromperam o tratamento inadvertidamente (29,3 por cento). A média de idade foi 75,2 anos (65-89 anos). O número médio de injeções intravítreas de bevacizumab foi 2,0 (variação 1-6). Dezenove pacientes responderam aos questionários através de contato telefônico. As principais causas de interrupção do tratamento foram o resultado visual abaixo do esperado (8 casos, 42,1 por cento), a falta de informação sobre o controle clínico oftalmológico (5 casos, 26,3 por cento) e comorbidades sistêmicas (3 casos, 15,8 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Um elevado número de pacientes interrompeu o acompanhamento após início de terapia intravítrea com bevacizumab. Muitos deles referiram causas evitáveis de descontinuação do tratamento. Esforços devem ser feitos para propiciar informação mais adequada aos portadores de degeneração macular relacionada à idade exsudativa em vigência deste tratamento, especialmente com relação aos resultados funcionais e acompanhamento prolongado.

Alterações do segmento posterior na microftalmia: relato de casos / Posterior segment changes in microphthalmic eyes: case report

Microftalmia é a alteração de desenvolvimento caracterizada pela redução do tamanho do bulbo ocular. Pode estar associada a manifestações estruturais do segmento anterior e posterior. As alterações mais comuns do segmento anterior são as opacidades corneanas, o estreitamento e fechamento do ângulo da câmara anterior e a catarata, e as mais frequentes no segmento posterior são a efusão uveal, as dobras de retina, a alteração da vascularização capilar macular, a ausência de depressão foveal e a retinosquise periférica. Este estudo descreve o caso de três pacientes com microftalmo e manifestações no segmento posterior documentadas com tomografia de coerência óptica. O primeiro caso apresentou a síndrome de efusão uveal, com descolamento de coróide e de retina, tratada com cirurgia de esclerectomia parcial nos quatro quadrantes. No segundo caso, havia a dobra retiniana neurossensorial na fóvea e feixe papilomacular em ambos os olhos sem o envolvimento de epitélio pigmentado retiniano e coriocapilar. No terceiro paciente, o microftalmo estava acompanhado de ausência da depressão foveal, cujo principal diagnóstico diferencial é a hipoplasia foveal.

Microphthalmos is a developmental ocular disorder defined as a small eyeball. The condition can be associated with abnormalities of anterior and posterior segments. The most common anterior characteristics include corneal opacities, angle-closure and a shallow anterior chamber and cataract. The main findings of posterior segment are uveal effusion, retinal folds, abnormalities of macular capillar vascularization, absence of foveal depression and peripheral retinoschisis. Three patients with microphthalmos were assisted and their OCT features of posterior segment were analyzed. The first case had uveal effusion syndrome, choroidal and retinal detachment treated with parcial sclerectomy at the four quadrants. The other case presented with neurosensory retinal fold at fovea and papillomacular area in both eyes without involvement of retinal pigment epithelium layer and choriocapillaris. The third patient showed absence of foveal depression. The main diferencial diagnosis for this condition is foveal hypoplasia.

Condiçöes de adaptaçäo e venda de lentes de contato em óticas do estado de Säo Paulo / Conditions of contact lenses fitting and sale by optician stores Säo Paulo state

Objetivo: Avaliar as condiçöes de adaptaçäo e venda de lentes de contato (LC) em óticas de quatro cidades do Estado de Säo Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Realizou-se estudo por meio de respostas a um questionário aplicado por quatro estudantes de Medicina em óticas situadas em várias cidades do Estado de Säo Paulo. Foram obtidos dados sobre a necessidade da apresentaçäo de receita médica para a compra das LC, os tipos de LC vendidas/ adaptadas, o profissional que orienta a venda e/ou adaptaçäo, os equipamentos usados no teste de tolerância, a conduta do cliente diante de complicaçöes quando da adaptaçäo da LC ou durante o uso, orientaçäo quanto a possíveis sinais e sintomas de perigo, as doenças que contra indiquem o uso e a higiene do usuário, as horas de uso e a possibilidade de pernoite. Resultados:Das 198 óticas pesquisadas,121(61,11 por cento) vendem LC. Näo foi necessária receita médica para a compra das lentes em 112 óticas (92,56 por cento), sendo que nessas, a graduaçäo era determinadapela medida dos óculos em 69 (61,61 por cento) casos e porrelato verbal em 28 (25,00 por cento) casos. Quanto aos equipamentos, 102 (91,07 por cento) óticas possuíam lensômetro; 41(36,61 por cento) possuíam ceratômetro e 14 (12,50 por cento), lâmpada de fenda. Lentes descartáveis hidrofílicas foram encontradas para venda/adaptaçäo em 66 (54,55 por cento) óticas; lentes hidrofílicas de uso prolongado ou diário em 68 (56,20 por cento) e lentes rígidas, em 54 (44,63 por cento). Em 103 (85,12 por cento) óticas, foram feitos testes de tolerância, sendo os responsáveis pelo atendimento e pela monitorizaçäo dos testes os profissionais autodenominados contatólogos em 78 (64,46 por cento) dessas óticas, balconista em 20 (16,53 por cento), óptico em 12 (9,92 por cento) e oftalmologistas em 9 (7,44 por cento). Quanto às complicaçöes na adaptaçäo, em 66 (54,55 por cento) óticas, afirmou-se que elas só ocorreriam, se evidenciadas no teste de tolerância; em 35 (28,93 por cento), aconselhou-se tratamento com oftalmologista e em 20 (16,53 por cento), sugeriu-se o retorno à ótica para indicaçäo de tratamento. Em apenas 15 (13,39 por cento), o profissional orientou quanto à possível sintomatologia de perigo e em 13 (11,61 por cento), preocupou-se com doenças que contra-indicassem o uso de LC. Em 105 (93,75 por cento) óticas, a orientaçäo foi insuficiente em relaçäo à higiene com as LC, às horas de uso e à possibilidade de pernoite...