Glaucomatous retinal nerve fiber layer thickness loss is associated with slower reaction times under a divided attention task.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between glaucomatous structural damage and ability to divide attention during simulated driving. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Hamilton Glaucoma Center, University of California San Diego. PATIENT POPULATION: Total of 158 subjects from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study, including 82 with glaucoma and 76 similarly aged controls. OBSERVATION PROCEDURE: Ability to divide attention was investigated by measuring reaction times to peripheral stimuli (at low, medium, or high contrast) while concomitantly performing a central driving task (car following or curve negotiation). All subjects had standard automated perimetry (SAP) and optical coherence tomography was used to measure retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Cognitive ability was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and subjects completed a driving history questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reaction times to the driving simulator divided attention task. RESULTS: The mean reaction times to the low-contrast stimulus were 1.05 s and 0.64 s in glaucoma and controls, respectively, during curve negotiation (P < .001), and 1.19 s and 0.77 s (P = .025), respectively, during car following. There was a nonlinear relationship between reaction times and RNFL thickness in the better eye. RNFL thickness remained significantly associated with reaction times even after adjusting for age, SAP mean deviation in the better eye, cognitive ability, and central driving task performance. CONCLUSIONS: Although worse SAP sensitivity was associated with worse ability to divide attention, RNFL thickness measurements provided additional information. Information from structural tests may improve our ability to determine which patients are likely to have problems performing daily activities, such as driving.

Use of statistical analyses in the ophthalmic literature.

PURPOSE: To identify the most commonly used statistical analyses in the ophthalmic literature and to determine the likely gain in comprehension of the literature that readers could expect if they were to add knowledge of more advanced techniques sequentially to their statistical repertoire. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: All articles published from January 2012 through December 2012 in Ophthalmology, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, and Archives of Ophthalmology were reviewed. A total of 780 peer-reviewed articles were included. Two reviewers examined each article and assigned categories to each one depending on the type of statistical analyses used. Discrepancies between reviewers were resolved by consensus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total number and percentage of articles containing each category of statistical analysis were obtained. Additionally, we estimated the accumulated number and percentage of articles that a reader would be expected to be able to interpret depending on their statistical repertoire. RESULTS: Readers with little or no statistical knowledge would be expected to be able to interpret the statistical methods presented in only 20.8% of articles. To understand more than half (51.4%) of the articles published, readers would be expected to be familiar with at least 15 different statistical methods. Knowledge of 21 categories of statistical methods was necessary to comprehend 70.9% of articles, whereas knowledge of more than 29 categories was necessary to comprehend more than 90% of articles. Articles related to retina and glaucoma subspecialties showed a tendency for using more complex analysis when compared with articles from the cornea subspecialty. CONCLUSIONS: Readers of clinical journals in ophthalmology need to have substantial knowledge of statistical methodology to understand the results of studies published in the literature. The frequency of the use of complex statistical analyses also indicates that those involved in the editorial peer-review process must have sound statistical knowledge to appraise critically the articles submitted for publication. The results of this study could provide guidance to direct the statistical learning of clinical ophthalmologists, researchers, and educators involved in the design of courses for residents and medical students.

Assessment of irradiated brain metastases using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) on cerebral metastases using the transfer constant (K trans) assessed by dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the ability of K trans measurements to predict midterm tumor outcomes after SRS. METHODS: The study received institutional review board approval, and informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Twenty-six adult patients with a total of 34 cerebral metastases underwent T1-weighted DCE MRI in a 1.5-T magnet at baseline (prior to SRS) and 4-8 weeks after treatment. Quantitative analysis of DCE MRI was performed by generating K trans parametric maps, and region-of-interest-based measurements were acquired for each metastasis. Conventional MRI was performed at least 16 weeks after SRS to assess midterm tumor outcome using volume variation. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) K trans value was 0.13 ± 0.11 min(-1) at baseline and 0.08 ± 0.07 min(-1) after 4-8 weeks post-treatment (p < 0.001). The mean (±SD) total follow-up time was 7.9 ± 4.7 months. Seventeen patients (22 lesions) underwent midterm MRI. Of those, nine (41 %) lesions had progressed at the midterm follow-up. An increase in K trans after SRS was predictive of tumor progression (hazard ratio = 1.50; 95 % CI = 1.16-1.70, p < 0.001). An increase of 15 % in K trans showed a sensitivity of 78 % and a specificity of 85 % for the prediction of progression at midterm follow-up. CONCLUSION: SRS was associated with a reduction of K trans values of the cerebral metastases in the early post-treatment period. Furthermore, K trans variation as assessed using DCE MRI may be helpful to predict midterm outcomes after SRS.

Detecting glaucoma using automated pupillography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of a binocular automated pupillograph to discriminate healthy subjects from those with glaucoma. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Both eyes of 116 subjects, including 66 patients with glaucoma in at least 1 eye and 50 healthy subjects from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study. Eyes were classified as glaucomatous by repeatable abnormal standard automated perimetry (SAP) or progressive glaucomatous changes on stereophotographs. METHODS: All subjects underwent automated pupillography using the RAPDx pupillograph (Konan Medical USA, Inc., Irvine, CA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess the diagnostic ability of pupil response parameters to white, red, green, yellow, and blue full-field and regional stimuli. A ROC regression model was used to investigate the influence of disease severity and asymmetry on diagnostic ability. RESULTS: The largest area under the ROC curve (AUC) for any single parameter was 0.75. Disease asymmetry (P <0.001), but not disease severity (P = 0.058), had a significant effect on diagnostic ability. At the sample mean age (60.9 years), AUCs for arbitrary values of intereye difference in SAP mean deviation (MD) of 0, 5, 10, and 15 dB were 0.58, 0.71, 0.82, and 0.90, respectively. The mean intereye difference in MD was 2.2±3.1 dB. The best combination of parameters had an AUC of 0.85; however, the cross-validated bias-corrected AUC for these parameters was only 0.74. CONCLUSIONS: Although the pupillograph had a good ability to detect glaucoma in the presence of asymmetric disease, it performed poorly in those with symmetric disease.

Estimation of retinal ganglion cell loss in glaucomatous eyes with a relative afferent pupillary defect.

PURPOSE: To estimate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) losses associated with a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) in glaucoma. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted including both eyes of 103 participants from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study. A total of 77 subjects had glaucoma in at least one eye and 26 were healthy. Pupil responses were assessed using an automated pupillometer that records the magnitude of RAPD as an "RAPD score." Standard automated perimetry (SAP) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) also were performed. Retinal ganglion cell counts were estimated using empirical formulas that combine estimates from SAP and OCT. The estimated percentage RGC loss was calculated using the combined structure function index (CSFI). RESULTS: There was good correlation between RAPD magnitude and intereye differences in estimated RGCs (R(2) = 0.492, P < 0.001), mean deviation (R(2) = 0.546, P < 0.001), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (R(2) = 0.362, P < 0.001), and CSFI (R(2) = 0.484, P < 0.001). Therefore, a high RAPD score is likely to indicate large asymmetric RGC losses. The relationship between intereye difference in RGC counts and RAPD score was described best by the formula; RGC difference = 21,896 + 353,272 * RAPD score. No healthy subjects had an absolute RAPD score > 0.3, which was associated with asymmetry of 105,982 cells (or 12%). CONCLUSIONS: Good correlation between the magnitude of RAPD and intereye differences in mean deviation and estimated RGC counts suggests pupillometry may be useful for quantifying asymmetric damage in glaucoma. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00221897.).

Predicting progression of glaucoma from rates of frequency doubling technology perimetry change.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of longitudinal frequency doubling technology (FDT) to predict the development of glaucomatous visual field loss on standard automated perimetry (SAP) in glaucoma suspects. DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 587 eyes of 367 patients with suspected glaucoma at baseline selected from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study (DIGS) and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES). These eyes had an average of 6.7 ± 1.9 FDT tests during a mean follow-up time of 73.1 ± 28.0 months. METHODS: Glaucoma suspects had intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mmHg or an optic disc appearance suspicious of glaucoma. All patients had normal or nonrepeatable abnormal SAP at baseline. Humphrey Matrix FDT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc, Dublin, CA) testing was performed within 6 months of SAP testing. The study end point was the development of 3 consecutive abnormal SAP test results. Joint longitudinal survival models were used to evaluate the ability of rates of FDT pattern standard deviation (PSD) change to predict the development of visual field loss on SAP, adjusting for confounding variables (baseline age, mean IOP, corneal thickness, and follow-up measurements of SAP PSD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The R(2) index was used to evaluate and compare the predictive abilities of the model containing longitudinal FDT PSD data with the model containing only baseline data. RESULTS: Sixty-three of 587 eyes (11%) developed SAP visual field loss during follow-up. The mean rate of FDT PSD change in eyes that developed SAP visual field loss was 0.07 dB/year versus 0.02 dB/year in those that did not (P < 0.001). Baseline FDT PSD and slopes of FDT PSD change were significantly predictive of progression, with hazard ratios of 1.11 per 0.1 dB higher (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.18; P = 0.002) and 4.40 per 0.1 dB/year faster (95% CI, 1.08-17.96; P = 0.04), respectively. The longitudinal model performed significantly better than the baseline model with an R(2) of 82% (95% CI, 74-89) versus 11% (95% CI, 2-24), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of FDT PSD change were highly predictive of the development of SAP visual field loss in glaucoma suspects. This finding suggests that longitudinal FDT evaluation may be useful for risk stratification of patients with suspected glaucoma.

New adjustable suture technique for trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To describe an adjustable suture (AS) experimental model that allows for tightening, loosening and retightening of the suture tension in trabeculectomy. METHODS: Standard trabeculectomy was performed in fifteen pig eyeballs. All pig eyes were tested twice: one test with conventional suture in both flap's corners (conventional suture group) and another test with a conventional suture at one corner and an adjustable suture in the other corner (AS group). The order in which each test was performed was defined by randomization. Intraocular pressure was measured at three time points: T1) when the knots were tightened; T2) when the AS was loosened or the conventional knot was removed; and T3) when the AS was retightened in the AS group or five minutes after the knot removal in the conventional suture group. RESULTS: The mean Intraocular pressure was similar between the two groups at time point 1 (p=0.97). However, significant Intraocular pressure differences were found between eyes in the conventional and adjustable suture groups at time points 2 (12.6 ± 4.2 vs 16.3 ± 2.3 cmH2O, respectively, p=0.006) and 3 (12.2 ± 4.0 vs 26.4 ± 1.7 cmH2O, respectively; p=0.001). While the conventional technique allowed only Intraocular pressure reduction (following the knot removal; T2 and T3), the AS technique allowed both Intraocular pressure reduction (T2) and elevation (T3) through the management (loosening and retightening) of the suture. CONCLUSION: This experimental model provides an effective noninvasive postoperative mechanism of suture tension adjustment.

New adjustable suture technique for trabeculectomy / Nova técnica de sutura ajustável para trabeculectomia

PURPOSE: To describe an adjustable suture (AS) experimental model that allows for tightening, loosening and retightening of the suture tension in trabeculectomy. METHODS: Standard trabeculectomy was performed in fifteen pig eyeballs. All pig eyes were tested twice: one test with conventional suture in both flap's corners (conventional suture group) and another test with a conventional suture at one corner and an adjustable suture in the other corner (AS group). The order in which each test was performed was defined by randomization. Intraocular pressure was measured at three time points: T1) when the knots were tightened; T2) when the AS was loosened or the conventional knot was removed; and T3) when the AS was retightened in the AS group or five minutes after the knot removal in the conventional suture group. RESULTS: The mean Intraocular pressure was similar between the two groups at time point 1 (p=0.97). However, significant Intraocular pressure differences were found between eyes in the conventional and adjustable suture groups at time points 2 (12.6 ± 4.2 vs 16.3 ± 2.3 cmH2O, respectively, p=0.006) and 3 (12.2 ± 4.0 vs 26.4 ± 1.7cmH2O, respectively; p=0.001). While the conventional technique allowed only Intraocular pressure reduction (following the knot removal; T2 and T3), the AS technique allowed both Intraocular pressure reduction (T2) and elevation (T3) through the management (loosening and retightening) of the suture. CONCLUSION: This experimental model provides an effective noninvasive postoperative mechanism of suture tension adjustment.

OBJETIVO: Descrever uma nova técnica de sutura ajustável para o "flap" da trabeculectomia (TREC), que permite apertar e folgar a sutura no pós-operatório. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas trabeculectoomia em 15 olhos de porco. Todos os olhos de porco foram testados duas vezes; um teste com sutura convencional nas duas extremidades do "flap"(grupo sutura convencional), outro teste com sutura convencional em uma das extremidades e na outra extremidade a sutura ajustável proposta por esse trabalho (grupo sutura ajustável). A ordem de qual teste seria realizado primeiro em cada olho foi definida por sorteio. A pressão intraocular foi medida de forma direta em três momentos: T1) Todas as suturas apertadas; T2) Após lise de uma sutura convencional ou de afrouxar a sutura ajustável; T3) Após apertar novamente a sutura ajustável ou no caso do teste com as duas suturas convencionais após 5 minutos da lise de uma das suturas. RESULTADOS: No primeiro momento de medida da pressão intraocular (T1) as pressões médias foram similares entre os dois grupos (p=0.97). No entanto, diferenças significativas em relação a pressão intraocular foram encontradas entre os grupos de sutura convencional e ajustável nos tempos 2 (12,6 ± 4,2 vs 16,3 ± 2,3 cmH2O, respectivamente; p=0,006) e 3 (12,2 ± 4,0 vs 26,4 ± 1.7cmH2O, respectivamente; p=0,001). Enquanto a técnica convencional permitiu somente a redução da pressão intraocular após a remoção da sutura (T2 e T3), a técnica de sutura ajustável permitiu tanto a redução (T2) quanto a elevação da pressão intraocular (T3) através do manejo da sutura. CONCLUSÃO: Esse modelo experimental demonstrou a eficácia de uma possível técnica não-invasiva para ajuste da tensão da sutura do "flap"no pós-operatório da trabeculectomia.

Predicting progression in glaucoma suspects with longitudinal estimates of retinal ganglion cell counts.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the ability of baseline and longitudinal estimates of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) counts in predicting progression in eyes suspected of having glaucoma. METHODS: The study included 288 glaucoma suspect eyes of 288 patients followed for an average of 3.8 ± 1.0 years. Participants had normal standard automated perimetry (SAP) at baseline. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness assessment was performed with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Progression was defined as development of repeatable abnormal SAP or glaucomatous progressive optic disc changes. Estimates of RGC counts were obtained by combining data from SAP and OCT according to a previously described method. Joint longitudinal survival models were used to evaluate the ability of baseline and rates of change in estimated RGC counts for predicting progression over time, adjusting for confounding variables. RESULTS: A total of 48 eyes (17%) showed progression during follow-up. The mean rate of change in estimated RGC counts was -18,987 cells/y in progressors versus -8,808 cells/y for nonprogressors (P < 0.001). Baseline RGC counts and slopes of RGC loss were significantly predictive of progression, with HRs of 1.56 per 100,000 cells lower (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-2.08; P = 0.002) and 2.68 per 10,000 cells/y faster loss (95% CI, 1.22-5.90; P = 0.014), respectively. The longitudinal model including estimates of RGC counts performed significantly better than models including only structural or functional indexes separately. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline and longitudinal estimates of RGC counts may be helpful in predicting progression and performed significantly better than conventional approaches for risk stratification of glaucoma suspects.

Corneal hysteresis as a risk factor for glaucoma progression: a prospective longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of corneal hysteresis (CH) as a risk factor for the rate of visual field progression in a cohort of patients with glaucoma followed prospectively over time. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: The study group included 114 eyes of 68 patients with glaucoma followed for an average of 4.0 ± 1.1 years. Visual fields were obtained with standard automated perimetry. Included eyes had a median number of 7 (range, 5-12) tests during follow-up. METHODS: The CH measurements were acquired at baseline using the Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Instruments, Depew, NY). Evaluation of rates of visual field change during follow-up was performed using the visual field index (VFI). Linear mixed models were used to investigate the relationship between rates of visual field loss and baseline CH, baseline intraocular pressure (IOP), and central corneal thickness (CCT), while adjusting for potentially confounding factors. An interaction term between IOP and CH was included in the model to investigate whether the effect of IOP on rates of progression depended on the level of CH. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effects of CH, IOP, and CCT on rates of VFI loss over time. RESULTS: The CH had a significant effect on rates of visual field progression over time. In the univariable model including only CH as a predictive factor along with time and their interaction, each 1 mmHg lower CH was associated with a 0.25%/year faster rate of VFI decline over time (P<0.001). The multivariable model showed that the effect of IOP on rates of progression depended on CH. Eyes with high IOP and low CH were at increased risk for having fast rates of disease progression. The CH explained a larger proportion of the variation in slopes of VFI change than CCT (17.4% vs. 5.2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The CH measurements were significantly associated with risk of glaucoma progression. Eyes with lower CH had faster rates of visual field loss than those with higher CH. The prospective longitudinal design of this study supports the role of CH as an important factor to be considered in the assessment of the risk of progression in patients with glaucoma. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Advances in the Structural Evaluation of Glaucoma with Optical Coherence Tomography.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is capable of providing quantitative and objective assessments of the optic disc, macula and retinal nerve fiber layer in glaucoma. The recent advent of spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT) has enhanced the resolution, decreased scan acquisition time, and improved the reproducibility of measurements compared to older versions of this technology. However, although OCT has been successfully used for detection of disease and evaluation of progression, the limited agreement between structural and functional tests indicates the strong need for a combined approach for detecting and monitoring the disease. A recently described approach for estimation of rates of retinal ganglion cell loss from a combination of SD-OCT and functional data is a promising method for diagnosing, staging, detecting progression, and estimating rates of glaucomatous deterioration.

Glaucomatous optic nerve head alterations in patients with chronic heart failure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between chronic heart failure (CHF) and optic nerve head alterations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. Heart failure patients with recent echocardiograms were subjected to ophthalmologic examinations, including intraocular pressure measurement, optic nerve head, and retinal nerve fiber layer evaluation using stereophotography, Heidelberg retinal tomography, and standard automated perimetry. The ocular findings were correlated with the cardiological evaluation, and compared with a control group without cardiopathy. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients with CHF and 30 individuals without cardiopathy were enrolled in this study. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) intraocular pressure was 12.3 (2.5) mmHg in the CHF group, and 14.7 (2.9) mmHg in the control group (P < 0.001). The mean (SD) arterial blood pressure was 86.9 (17.1) mmHg in the CHF group, and 103.6 (15.2) mmHg in the control group (P < 0.001). The mean (SD) ocular perfusion pressure was 45.6 (11.1) mmHg in the CHF group, and 54.4 (10.4) mmHg in the control group (P = 0.001). The mean (SD) rim area was 1.41 (0.3) mm(2) in the CHF group, and 1.60 (0.26) mm(2) in the control group (P = 0.003). The mean (SD) vertical cup/disc ratio was 0.51 (0.17) in the CHF group, and 0.41 (0.18) in the control group (P = 0.02). The Moorfields regression analysis was outside the normal limits in 16 out of 58 (27.6%) eyes of the CHF subjects, and in 4 out of 60 (6.7%) eyes of the control subjects (P = 0.01). The frequency of glaucoma was 10% in the CHF group, whereas none of the control subjects met the criteria for the diagnosis of glaucoma (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: CHF is associated with lower ocular perfusion pressure, and glaucomatous optic nerve head changes.

Color Doppler imaging of the ophthalmic artery in patients with chronic heart failure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ophthalmic artery hemodynamics in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: Doppler parameters of ophthalmic artery of 18 patients with chronic heart failure in different stages of the disease were compared with 21 healthy volunteers (control group). These parameters were also correlated with echocardiographic assessments and clinical cardiologic status. RESULTS: Mean diastolic velocity was 5.14 ± 2.4 cm/s in the chronic heart failure group and 7.44 ± 3.5 cm/s in the control group (p=0.007). Mean resistance index of the ophthalmic artery was 0.76 ± 0.08 in the chronic heart failure group and 0.70 ± 0.08 in the control group (p=0.04). Mean systolic velocity of the ophthalmic artery was 22.03 ± 7.7 cm/s in the chronic heart failure group and 25.32 ± 9.2 cm/s in the control group (p=0.24). There was a negative correlation between the resistance index of the ophthalmic artery and systemic blood pressure of patients with chronic heart failure (r= -0.47, p=0.007). Diastolic velocity of the ophthalmic artery correlated positively with systemic blood pressure (r=0.44, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Lower diastolic velocity and higher resistance index were observed in the ophthalmic artery of chronic heart failure patients when compared to the control group, which probably reflects the presence of orbital vasoconstriction in response to low cardiac output. Therefore, the influence of these findings on the structure and function of the optic nerve head deserves investigation.

Color Doppler imaging of the ophthalmic artery in patients with chronic heart failure / Ultrassonografia Doppler em cores da artéria oftálmica em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica

Purpose: To evaluate the ophthalmic artery hemodynamics in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: Doppler parameters of ophthalmic artery of 18 patients with chronic heart failure in different stages of the disease were compared with 21 healthy volunteers (control group). These parameters were also correlated with echocardiographic assessments and clinical cardiologic status. Results: Mean diastolic velocity was 5.14 ± 2.4 cm/s in the chronic heart failure group and 7.44 ± 3.5 cm/s in the control group (p=0.007). Mean resistance index of the ophthalmic artery was 0.76 ± 0.08 in the chronic heart failure group and 0.70 ± 0.08 in the control group (p=0.04). Mean systolic velocity of the ophthalmic artery was 22.03 ± 7.7 cm/s in the chronic heart failure group and 25.32 ± 9.2 cm/s in the control group (p=0.24). There was a negative correlation between the resistance index of the ophthalmic artery and systemic blood pressure of patients with chronic heart failure (r= -0.47, p=0.007). Diastolic velocity of the ophthalmic artery correlated positively with systemic blood pressure (r=0.44, p=0.02). Conclusion: Lower diastolic velocity and higher resistance index were observed in the ophthalmic artery of chronic heart failure patients when compared to the control group, which probably reflects the presence of orbital vasoconstriction in response to low cardiac output. Therefore, the influence of these findings on the structure and function of the optic nerve head deserves investigation.

Objetivo: Avaliar o fluxo sanguíneo da artéria oftálmica em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica. Métodos: Parâmetros da ultrassonografia Doppler em cores da artéria oftálmica de 18 pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica em diferentes estágios da doença foram comparados com 21 voluntários saudáveis (grupo controle). Estes parâmetros foram também correlacionados com avaliação ecocardiográfica e quadro clínico cardiológico. Resultados: A média da velocidade diastólica foi 5,14 ± 2,4 cm/s no grupo insuficiência cardíaca crônica e 7,44 ± 3,5 cm/s no grupo controle (p=0,007). O índice de resistência da artéria oftálmica foi de 0,76 ± 0,08 no grupo insuficiência cardíaca crônica e 0,70 ± 0,08 no grupo controle (p=0,04). A média de velocidade sistólica da artéria oftálmica foi 22,03 ± 7,7 cm/s no grupo insuficiência cardíaca crônica e 25,32 ± 9,2 cm/s no grupo controle (p=0,24). A pressão arterial sistêmica dos pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica correlacionou-se negativamente com o índice de resistência da artéria oftálmica (r= -0,47, p=0,007) e positivamente com a velocidade diastólica da artéria oftálmica (r=0,44, p=0,02). Conclusão: Velocidade diastólica mais baixa e índice de resistência mais alto foram observados na artéria oftálmica de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica quando comparados ao grupo controle, o que provavelmente reflete a presença de vasoconstrição orbital em resposta ao baixo débito cardíaco. Portanto, a influência desses achados sobre a estrutura e função da cabeça do nervo óptico merece ser investigada.

Factors affecting the variability of the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III measurements in newly diagnosed glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE: To determine factors associated with the test-retest variability of optic nerve head (ONH) topography measurements with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) in newly diagnosed glaucomatous patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma were prospectively enrolled. Patients presenting with any ocular disease other than glaucoma were excluded. All patients underwent CSLO using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III (HRT-III) in one randomly selected eye (three consecutive scans; performed by the same examiner). For each Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III parameter, repeatability was assessed using within subject standard deviation (Sw) and coefficient of variation (CVw), repeatability coefficient (RC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Scatter plots and regression lines were constructed to identify which factors influenced test-retest measurement variability. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were included (mean age, 65.4 ± 13.8 years). Most patients were female (65%) and white (50%). Among all Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III parameters evaluated, rim area and mean cup depth had the best measurement repeatability. Vertical cup-to-disc ratio (CDR, as determined by optic disc stereophotograph examination) was significantly associated (R²=0.21, p<0.01) with test-retest measurement variability. Eyes with larger CDR showed less variable measurements. Other factors, including age, disc area, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure were not significant (p>0.14). CONCLUSION: Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III showed good test-retest repeatability for all ONH topographic measurements, mainly for rim area and mean cup depth. Test-retest repeatability seemed to improve with increasing CDR. These findings suggest that HRT-III topographic measurements should be cautiously interpreted when evaluating longitudinally glaucoma patients with early structural damage (small CDR).

Factors affecting the variability of the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III measurements in newly diagnosed glaucoma patients / Fatores associados com a variabilidade das medidas do Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III em pacientes com glaucoma recém-diagnosticados

PURPOSE: To determine factors associated with the test-retest variability of optic nerve head (ONH) topography measurements with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) in newly diagnosed glaucomatous patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma were prospectively enrolled. Patients presenting with any ocular disease other than glaucoma were excluded. All patients underwent CSLO using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III (HRT-III) in one randomly selected eye (three consecutive scans; performed by the same examiner). For each Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III parameter, repeatability was assessed using within subject standard deviation (Sw) and coefficient of variation (CVw), repeatability coefficient (RC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Scatter plots and regression lines were constructed to identify which factors influenced test-retest measurement variability. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were included (mean age, 65.4 ± 13.8 years). Most patients were female (65 percent) and white (50 percent). Among all Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III parameters evaluated, rim area and mean cup depth had the best measurement repeatability. Vertical cup-to-disc ratio (CDR, as determined by optic disc stereophotograph examination) was significantly associated (R²=0.21, p<0.01) with test-retest measurement variability. Eyes with larger CDR showed less variable measurements. Other factors, including age, disc area, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure were not significant (p>0.14). CONCLUSION: Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III showed good test-retest repeatability for all ONH topographic measurements, mainly for rim area and mean cup depth. Test-retest repeatability seemed to improve with increasing CDR. These findings suggest that HRT-III topographic measurements should be cautiously interpreted when evaluating longitudinally glaucoma patients with early structural damage (small CDR).

OBJETIVO: Determinar os fatores associados à variabilidade (teste-reteste) das medidas topográficas da cabeça do nervo óptico (CNO) utilizando a oftalmoscopia confocal de varredura a laser (CSLO) em pacientes com glaucoma recém-diagnosticados. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo, pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto recém-diagnosticados foram prospectivamente incluídos. Aqueles que apresentassem outras doenças oculares (exceto glaucoma) foram excluídos. Todos os pacientes incluídos no estudo foram submetidos à CSLO usando o aparelho Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III (HRT-III) em um olho aleatoriamente selecionado (três exames consecutivos realizados pelo mesmo examinador). Para cada parâmetro do Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III, a repetibilidade foi avaliada através dos seguintes indicadores: desvio padrão (DP) e coeficiente de variação (CV) individual, coeficiente de repetibilidade (CR) e coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI). Diagramas de dispersão e linhas de regressão foram construídos para identificar quais fatores poderiam influenciar a variabilidade das medidas. RESULTADOS: Trinta e dois pacientes foram incluídos no estudo (idade média, 65,4 ± 13,8 anos). A maior parte era composta por mulheres (65 por cento) e pacientes brancos (50 por cento). Dentre os parâmetros de Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III avaliados, a área da rima e a profundidade média da escavação apresentaram os melhores valores de repetibilidade. A relação escavação/disco (E/D) vertical (baseada na análise de estereofotografia do disco óptico), foi significativamente associada (R²=0.21, p<0.01) com a variabilidade teste-reteste. Pacientes com relação E/D maiores apresentaram medidas menos variáveis. Outros fatores como idade, área do disco, espessura corneana central e pressão intraocular não foram significativas (p>0,14). CONCLUSÃO: O Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III mostrou boa repetibilidade (teste-reteste) para todos os parâmetros topográficos da CNO avaliados, principalmente em relação à área da rima e à profundidade média da escavação. A repetibilidade teste-reteste apresentou melhores resultados com o aumento da relação E/D. Esses achados sugerem que as medidas topográficas do Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III devem ser interpretadas com cautela quando avaliarmos longitudinalmente pacientes glaucomatosos com dano estrutural inicial (relação E/D menor).

Short-term effect of acupuncture on intraocular pressure in healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term effect of acupuncture on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy subjects. METHODS: A randomised controlled double-blinded trial was performed. 48 healthy volunteers (94 eyes) were randomly allocated to three groups: acupuncture group-19 subjects (38 eyes) were submitted to a 20 min session of acupuncture (GB1, GB14 and BL1); sham group-14 subjects (27 eyes) were submitted to a 20 min session of acupuncture with needles inserted in false points; and control group-15 subjects (29 eyes) who underwent no intervention. All subjects had the IOP measured by a masked investigator using Goldmann applanation tonometry immediately before intervention, as well as 20 min and 24 h after. RESULTS: The mean (SD) IOP in the acupuncture group was 17.9 (3.3) mm Hg at baseline, 16.4 (3.9) mm Hg at 20 min and 16.3 (3.3) mm Hg at 24 h. The mean (SD) IOP in the sham group was 18.6 (3.3) mm Hg at baseline, 17.7 (2.6) mm Hg at 20 min and 15.9 (3.6) mm Hg at 24 h. The mean (SD) IOP in the control group was 16.9 (3.5) mm Hg at baseline, 16.5 (3.8) mm Hg at 20 min and 15.8 (3.3) mm Hg at 24 h. There was no statistically significant difference in the IOP variation (post-intervention minus baseline measurements) between groups after 20 min (p=0.13) and 24 h (p=0.21). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture in the studied points did not produce significant short-term effect on the IOP of healthy individuals in comparison with control groups.

Optical coherence tomography and indocyanine green angiography findings in acute syphilitic posterior placoid choroidopathy: case report / Achados da tomografia de coerência óptica e angiografia com indocianina verde na coroidopatia placóide posterior aguda sifilítica: relato de caso

The optical coherence tomography (OCT) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) findings of a 58-year-old male with acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis are reported herein. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/150 in the right eye (OD) and 20/30 in the left eye (OS) at presentation. On funduscopy, there was a central subretinal placoid yellowish lesion in OD. VDRL and serum FTA-ABS were positive. OCT showed increased reflectance and thickening of the subfoveal RPE-choriocapillaris complex corresponding to the lesion in OD. ICGA revealed a hypofluorescent spot corresponding to the lesion in OD and confluent small dots extending to periphery, without any correspondence in fundus examination. The same dots were also seen in OS, even though no lesions could be observed clinically. Intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g daily was given for 10 days. One month after the first visit, visual acuity improved to 20/30 and marked improvement of the lesion was seen. OCT was normal in both eyes at the final visit.

Relatamos aqui os achados da tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT) e angiografia com indocianina verde (ICGA) de um paciente masculino de 58 anos com a coroidopatia placóide posterior aguda sifilítica. A acuidade visual corrigida na apresentação foi de 20/150 no olho direito (OD) e 20/30 no olho esquerdo (OE). A fundoscopia evidenciou lesão sub-retiniana placóide amarelada central no OD. As sorologias VDRL e FTA-ABS foram positivas. OCT evidenciou aumento de refletividade subfoveal e espessamento do complexo EPR-coriocapilar correspondente à lesão do OD. ICGA revelou hipofluorescência local correspondente à lesão do OD e pequenos pontos confluentes que se estendiam para a periferia, sem qualquer correspondência na fundoscopia. O mesmo também foi visto no OE, embora nenhuma lesão pode ser observada clinicamente. Ceftriaxona 2 g intravenosa diária foi administrada durante 10 dias. Um mês após a primeira visita, a acuidade visual do OD foi 20/30 e melhora acentuada da lesão foi observada. Na última visita, o OCT foi normal em ambos os olhos.