Ana Luisa Hofling de Lima

Citologia de impressão da superfície ocular: técnica de exame e de coloração

Purpose: To present an examination technique and to standardize the staining procedure of samples of impression cytology of the ocular surface in a reference service. Methods: 28 samples of impression cytology were obtained from patients with ocular surfaces alterations of the External Eye Diseases Sector in the period of July to November 1999. They were stained and microscopically evaluated in the Ocular Microbiology Laboratory of the Federal University of Sao Paulo. Results: We developed a design of a filter paper with apex, base and lateral opening that promoted its adequate position both in the eye at collection and on the glass microscope slides for fixing and staining procedures. The staining technique that uses periodic acid-Schiff, hematoxilin and Papanicolaou is an easy and economic procedure which stains goblet and epithelial cells. Conclusions: The modified method for staining showed to be ideal for the cytologic evaluation of samples of the impression cytology examination. Impression cytology is a very reliable method to study ocular surface, and has proved to be really simple, a cheaper and more confortable procedure for the patient than invasive biopsies.

Corneal infiltrates after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy and LASIK.

PURPOSE To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of corneal infiltrates after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 8508 eyes treated with PRK or LASIK in a university-based clinic for the correction of refractive errors for 60 days postoperatively. RESULTS Corneal infiltrates were observed in 35 (0.8%) of 4492 PRK-operated eyes and in 4 (0.1%) of 4016 LASIK-operated eyes. The mean time of diagnosis was 5.46 days. Among the 39 eyes with infiltrates, 10 (9 PRK, 1 LASIK) had culture-verified infectious keratitis. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated bacterium (50%), followed by S aureus (20%), Corynebacterium xerosis (10%), Streptococcus viridans (10%), and an unidentified gram-positive coccus (10%). Final visual acuity of > or = 20/30, without correction, was achieved in 79.5% of the 39 eyes. CONCLUSIONS Corneal infiltrates occurred in 0.8% of PRK eyes and 0.1% of LASIK eyes. Bacterial smears were positive for several eyes. In all cases, prompt treatment was responsible for good visual outcome.

Superficial corneal foreign body: laboratory and epidemiologic aspects

PURPOSE To determine by bacterioscopy and culture the microorganisms carried by corneal foreign body and their sensitivity to antibiotics by antibiotic sensitivity test. METHODS A prospective study was carried out and information was collected on 101 patients who presented with corneal foreign body at the São Paulo Hospital Eye Emergency Service. Prior to any treatment, a sample of the ipsilateral inferior conjunctival fornix and the foreign body were collected and immersed in thioglycolate broth. Samples were sown on solid culture media including blood, chocolate and Sabouraud agar. Bacterioscopic examination using Gram and Giemsa staining and sensitivity test were performed. Positive foreign body culture results were compared to ipsilateral conjunctival fornix culture to exclude possible normal flora growth. RESULTS Approximately 92% of patients were males with a mean age of 35 years and in 62.4% (95% confidence interval: 52.2-71.8%) had the right eye was affected. Foreign body positive cultures were achieved in 32.7% (95% confidence interval: 23.7-42.7%) of the cases. The microorganisms isolated from the foreign body culture were identified as: Streptococcus, alpha-hemolytic (n=4), Staphylococcus aureus (n=4), Staphylococcus, coagulase-negative (n=4), Corynebacterium xerosis (n=3), unidentified Gram-positive bacillus (n=2), Moraxella sp (n=1), Serratia sp (n=1), Acynetobacter sp (n=1). The microbial sensitivity test showed that 95% of the cases were sensitive to chloramphenicol and 90% were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, these being antibiotics used in our routine service. CONCLUSION Superficial corneal foreign body acts as important contaminant vector and the great majority of isolated bacteria were sensitive to the antibiotic prophylaxis used in the treatment.

Uso ocular de água boricada: condições de manuseio e ocorrência de contaminação

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

Microbiota conjuntival em pacientes com alergia ocular

PURPOSE: To evaluate de presence of conjunctival aerobic microbiota in patients with ocular allergy as compared to a control group. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three patients were evaluated from April to June 2001 and divided into 2 groups. Sixty-three patients with allergic conjunctivitis (without medication) were in group A and 70 patients from the general outpatient clinic were in group B (control group). Samples from the conjunctival sac of the right eye were collected and cultured in solid media (blood, chocolate and Sabouraud agar). RESULTS: In group A, 30 cultures (47.7%) were positive and 6 (8.6%) in group B. Seven bacteria were isolated from group A and 4 from group B. Statistical analysis revealed significant association between positive cultures and allergic conjunctivitis. CONCLUSION: Bacterial microbiota was more frequently found in patients with ocular allergy.

Avaliação da eficácia da facectomia com implante de lente intra-ocular na infância

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the use of intraocular lenses in the treatment of pediatric aphakia, according to postoperative visual acuity and refraction change. METHODS: A total of 33 eyes in 27 children were studied. Children with either unilateral or bilateral cataracts were submitted to lensectomy surgery via pars plana, with intraocular lens implant, associated with primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy. The intraocular lenses were calculated for emmetropia in the first postoperative month. All children were less than six years old at the time of the surgery and had a 2.9 year average follow-up. They were divided into 3 groups. Group I (10 eyes), children with unilateral cataracts and under three years old at the time of the surgery; group II (11 eyes), children with unilateral cataracts and above three years old; group III (12 eyes), children with bilateral cataracts and above three years old at the time of the surgery. RESULTS: On the last follow-up examination recorded visual acuity was equal to or above 20/40 in 85% of the eyes. A spherical equivalent close to emmetropia in the first postoperative month was obtained in 70% of the children of group III but only in 30% of group I. Regarding postoperative refraction variation, myopic shift was detected in 81.81% of the cases. The younger the children were when undergoing surgery, the greater the refractional alteration. CONCLUSION: Despite the myopic shift that happens with the use of intraocular lenses in the treatment of pediatric aphakia in children under six years old, the visual result is very good and the residual refraction correction is easily performed. A more prolonged postoperative follow-up would be necessary for long-term evaluation of the results.

Endoftalmite por Candida albicans após transplante penetrante de córnea: relato de caso

The authors report a case of a patient submitted to penetrating corneal graft for keratoconus with an exaggerated inflammatory response during the postoperative period. The patient was suspected of having an atypical rejection to the donor button. There were periods of improvement, followed by periods of worsening of the inflammation at each attempt of reducing the topical corticosteroid. After initiating immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporin and high doses of topical corticosteroid, the patient developed Candida albicans endophthalmitis affecting the anterior segment of the eye and the vitreous body, but sparing the chorioretina. The patient improved after three injections of 5 µg intravitreal amphotericin B, 400 mg oral ketoconazole daily and topical clotrimazole every four hours. The authors also discuss the main possibilities of contamination of the patient, the infectious picture probably being related to the surgical procedure.

Biomicroscopia ultra-sônica na avaliação da posição das lentes intra-oculares em uma técnica de fixação escleral

Purpose: To assess, through ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), the positioning of the intraocular lenses (IOL) haptics as related to the ciliary sulcus by using a scleral fixation technique; and to evaluate, as well, if two fixation points are sufficient to avoid tilting of the lenses. Methods: Sixteen aphakic eyes underwent an IOL implan-tation by means of the same scleral fixation technique, performed by the same surgeon. One month following surgery, both the positioning of the IOL haptics and the distances between the IOLs and the cornea were assessed by UBM. Results were statistically studied. Results: Of the 32 intraocular lenses haptics fixed to the sclera, eight were placed in the ciliary sulcus and 24 were placed out of the ciliary sulcus. There was no statistical difference in the distances measured between the intraocular lenses and the cornea for the haptics placed out of the ciliary sulcus as compared to the haptics placed in the ciliary sulcus, suggesting that other factors, besides the distance to the limbus, may be relevant in the positioning of haptics in the ciliary sulcus. The same measurements performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours, on the periphery of the lenses, were also similar, suggesting that 2-point fixation is sufficient to avoid tilting of the lenses in the eye. Conclusions: Further factors (e.g. the ciliary sulcus opening angle), other than the distance of the limbus where the sclera is transfixed, are important for the placement of the lenses in the ciliary sulcus. Two fixation points are sufficient to avoid tilting of the IOL in the eye.

Um novo conceito para um antigo instrumento: espátula corneana flexível

Os autores descrevem um novo metodo para produzir um instrumento para colheita de material de cornea. Tal instrumento pode ser manufaturado com uma cânula ou agulha fina. O material e moldado de forma plana com o auxilio de um laminador, ou de um martelo e placa de metal. Lixa fina e utilizada para arredondar as bordas e a ponta e ligeiramente dobrada. Um cabo pode ser adicionado de modo a facilitar a manipulacao do instrumento, que pode ser reutilizado apos lavagem e esterilizacao local na ponta do metal, ou por oxido de etileno.