Gustavo Victor

Microscopia confocal in vivo no diagnóstico de ceratite fúngica: relato de caso

The authors describe a case of fungal keratitis that the in vivo confocal microscopy helped in the diagnosis and follow-up. Confocal microscopy was done in a patients ulcer that did not improve with several topical medicines. Corneal scrapings were obtained and culture results were without conclusion. We observed hyphae and infectious collections on confocal microscopy. New corneal culture showed Fusarium sp ten days after confocal diagnosis.

Primeiro censo brasileiro em cirurgia refrativa

PURPOSE: To perform the first Brazilian refractive surgery survey. METHODS: Between August 2001 and February 2002, a questionnaire was mailed to 7890 Brazilian ophthalmologists. The questionnaire presented questions about demographic aspects, technology, instruments, market, trends, practice patterns and cost of refractive surgery. RESULTS: Nine hundred and twenty questionnaires (11.67%) were answered. LASIK is the preferred technique for correction between +5.00 and -7.00 D. The mostly used excimer laser is Nidek® EC 5000, and Hansatome is the mostly used microkeratome. Others aspects like: demographic, techniques, practice patterns, trends, market, and pre-, intra- and postoperative care, were analyzed. CONCLUSION: With this survey, the Brazilian ophthalmologists can observe and monitor these aspects of refractive surgery in Brazil, and compare them with others surveys.

Microscopia confocal in vivo na cistinose: relato de caso

A cistinose e doenca autossomica recessiva rara caracterizada pelo acumulo do aminoacido cistina livre dentro dos lisossomos e geralmente e fatal na primeira decada de vida na ausencia de transplante renal. O presente estudo tem por objetivo relatar os achados da microscopia confocal in vivo em paciente adulto com cistinose infantil. O exame de microscopia confocal in vivo revelou que ha diferencas quanto a intensidade de acometimento, tamanho e forma dos depositos nas diversas camadas corneanas.

Evaluation of a New System for Obtaining Donor Lamellar Grafts

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of a new system for obtaining corneal lamellar grafts of preset sizes. The system consists of the combination of an artificial anterior chamber (MALKS) and an automated microkeratotome (MASYK). Methods: A prospective study was performed. Lamellar tissue was obtained with the microkeratotome from 40 human corneoscleral buttons mounted in the artificial anterior chamber. The instrument was set to cut lamellae with a center thickness of 350 μm and a diameter of 10 mm. A new cutting blade for the microkeratotome was used for every 8 cases. Thickness was measured by ultrasound pachymetry. The lamellar diameter was assessed with a micrometric caliper. Results: The center thickness of the corneal lamellae ranged from 230 to 430 μm (mean, 322 ± 48 μm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 307-337 μm). The diameter of the stromal ranged from 9.26 to 10.74 mm (mean, 10 ± 0.27 mm; 95% CI, 9.9-10 mm). There were no cases of perforation or incomplete/irregular lamellae. The interface between the residual stroma and the lamellae was macroscopically smooth. The repetitive use of the same blade up to 8 times did not significantly change these results. Conclusion: The MALKS and MASYK system showed good accuracy in obtaining lamellae of specific thickness and size taken from human corneoscleral buttons. It is a promising instrument for use in deep lamellar keratoplasty. The technique may be useful in obtaining precut lamellar donor tissue for distribution by eye banks.

MALKS®: especificações e desenvolvimento

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics of a new artificial anterior chamber (MALKS®, Loktal, Sao Paulo, Brasil). METHODS: Characteristics analysis and description of a new artificial anterior chamber MALKS® (Micro automated lamellar keratoplasty system). RESULTS: MALKS®is composed of eight parts: a) artificial chamber; b) corneas fix ring; c) nut to join the corneas fix ring; d) rail and adjuster of lamellar diameter; e) flatteners, to pre-determine lamellar diameter; f) infusion system, that allows the digital objective peroperative control of the intracameral pressure; g) automated microkeratome, and h) marker. CONCLUSION: MALKS® uses the same automated microkeratome developed for LASIK, can allow corneal lamella obtention with predetermined thickness and diameter, as well as the digital objective peroperative control of the intracameral pressure. This new artificial anterior chamber can be an important tool for superficial and endothelial keratoplasty.

In vivo ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty with a low-energy and high-frequency femtosecond laser

This case report describes the production of an ultrathin endothelial donor corneal lamella using a femtosecond laser with low energy and a high frequency. In addition, we report its use in vivo in an eye with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. The outcomes were observed 3 months after surgery in terms of the change in endothelial donor lamella and full cornea thickness (including pachymetric mapping), visual acuity, and endothelial cell count.

Bilateral Progressive Idiopathic Annular Lipid Keratopathy

Purpose. To report two unusual cases of idiopathic lipid keratopathy with symmetrical bilateral annular corneal lipid infiltration and describe confocal microscopy findings. Methods. Case reports. Results. We report two patients with bilateral peripheral deep stromal lipid deposits beginning in an arcuate pattern and progressing to a complete annular shape. Cholesterol crystals were observed in the paracentral area in both cases with characteristic crystalline-like structures in the confocal microscopy. Deep thin corneal blood vessels were observed in one patient, but no cause for then was established, despite decades of followup. This patient had an idiopathic limbitis as well, occurring in episodes. No previous ocular trauma, systemic disease or family history was reported for both cases. Conclusion. These two cases of idiopathic annular lipid keratopathy were observed for more than a decade with documented slow and insidious progression of the infiltrates, in spite of the use of topical steroids in one case. In the majority of other reported cases, a penetrating keratoplasty was made necessary. Differently, we showed that the visual acuity can remain quite good for years with very slow deterioration.

Avaliação da qualidade de corte do microceratótomo Masyk® na confecção de lamela corneana pediculada em olhos porcinos

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the cut quality of the Masyk® microkeratome in obtaining corneal flap from porcine eyes. METHODS: Prospective study with 31 porcine eyes divided into two groups: 15 eyes with programmed flap thickness of 160 µm and 9.5 mm diameter (Group 1), and 16 eyes with programmed flap thickness of 140 µm and 8.5 mm diameter (Group 2). Corneal thickness was calculated with a P55 pachymeter (Paradigm, USA) and the diameter with compass. RESULTS: No complications were observed during the use of the microkeratome. In group 1, the central corneal thickness mean was 146.33 ± 15.43 µm, range between 127 and 186 µm, and the vertical diameter mean was 9.39 ± 0.26 mm, range from 8.90 to 9.85 mm. In group 2, the central corneal thickness mean was 128.75 ± 18.83 µm, range from 71 to 178 µm, and the vertical diameter mean was 8.27 ± 0.20 mm, range from 7.95 to 8.65 mm. CONCLUSION: The Masyk® microkeratome showed to be effective and safe to produce corneal flaps with appropriate thickness and diameter in porcine eyes.

A comparative review between the updated models of Brazilian, United Kingdom and American eye banks and lamellar transplants

The corneal transplantation (CT) is the most commonly performed type of transplant in the world and the Eye Banks are organizations whose capture, evaluate, preserve, store and distribute ocular tissues. With the evolution of surgical techniques and equipment for CT, the BOs had to evolve to keep up with these requirements. This evolution goes from tissues capture techniques, donating money and clarification to the patient (e.g. internet-based), use of current equipment for more adequate tissues supply for the most current surgical techniques, integration of BOs of certain country and real-time management of stocks of ocular tissues, and adequacy of laws that manage the entire process. This review aims to make a comparative review between the updated models of Brazilian, United Kingdon and American Eye Banks. Like, check what the trend towards lamellar transplants in these three countries.

Analysis of low-energy and high-frequency femtosecond laser for the construction of deep anterior donor corneal lamellae

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and reliability of a low-energy femtosecond laser with a high repetition rate for construction of deep anterior donor corneal lamellae. Methods: This was a prospective laboratory investigation. Twenty-five human corneal buttons were femtosecond laser cut to create thick anterior lamellae (diameter, 10mm; thickness, 500µm). The laser cuts were made using an LDV® femtosecond laser in a Ziemer® anterior chamber. To obtain a better edge, the lamellae were trephined with an 8mm trephine (Katena®). The central corneal thickness and the anterior lamellae were measured using a Mitutoyo® thickness gauge with an accuracy of 0.001mm. Results: The central thickness of the 25 corneas ranged from 500 to 705µm (mean, 584 ± 51µm). The thickness of the anterior lamellae ranged from 420 to 480µm (mean, 455 ± 12.7µm). The anterior lamellae diameters were 7.90 ± 0.1mm, and all laser cuts were round. The lamellar interfaces appeared regular by surgical microscopy. There were no cases of inter-lamellar adhesion. Conclusion: The LDV® femtosecond laser appears to be a safe and reliable instrument for cutting deep anterior lamellae from donor corneoscleral buttons. Minimal variation in donor lamellar depth with the laser will be useful for creating donor corneal tissue for deeper anterior lamellar keratoplasty or endothelial keratoplasty surgery or both from a single donor cornea.