Mario Martins dos Santos Motta

Multiple pregnancies and its relationship with the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Background The influence of multiple gestation on the occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is still not completely understood. Objectives To verify the incidence of any stage of ROP and threshold ROP in singletons and in multiple gestation among preterm infants. Methods This was an institutional, prospective, and descriptive cohort study, which included preterm newborns with birth weight (BW) of 1500 g or less and/or gestational age (GA) of 32 weeks or less, as admitted to the neonatal units at Laranjeiras and Amparo Hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between January 2001 and July 2005, and whom remained hospitalized for at least 28 days. There were no exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 included multiples; and Group 2 consisted of singletons. Results A total of 159 infants that remained in neonatal unit care for at least 28 days were included in this study. Group 1 comprised 56 (35%) multiples; and Group 2 comprised 103 (65%) singletons. Mean BW was 1072 g ± 272 and 1089 g ± 282 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (analysis of variance [ANOVA] P > 0.05). Mean GA among multiple gestation (Group 1) was 29 weeks ± 2.1; and 29 weeks ± 2.4 among singletons (Group 2) (ANOVA P > 0.05). Days in oxygen therapy ranged from 0 to 188 days. Median among Group 1 was 15 days, while median in Group 2 was 10 days (Kruskal–Wallis P > 0.05). Any stage ROP was detected in 66 (41.5%) of the whole cohort comprising 159 babies. Among the 56 multiples, 30 (53.6%) achieved any stage ROP, and among 103 singletons, 36 (35%) achieved any stage ROP (Chi-square test P < 0.05). Threshold ROP occurred in 12 (7.5%) of the 159 patients included. Three (5.3%) patients from Group 1 and nine (8.7%) patients in Group 2 reached threshold ROP needing laser treatment (Fisher’s exact test P > 0.05). Conclusion This study showed higher frequency of any stage of ROP in twins and triplets but not regarding threshold disease. Because of the relatively small number of patients in this sample, other studies are necessary to determine if gemelarity plays a role in the occurrence of ROP.

Mydriatic and cardiovascular effects of phenylephrine 2.5% versus phenylephrine 10%, both associated with tropicamide 1%.

Background/Aims: To evaluate and compare cardiovascular effects (blood pressure and heart rate) of phenylephrine 2.5% versus phenylephrine 10%, and compare pupil diameter before and after instillation of eyedrops. Methods: A total of 58 patients scheduled for funduscopy were dilated with either phenylephrine 2.5% and tropicamide 1% (group 0, n = 29 patients, 58 eyes) or phenylephrine 10% and tropicamide 1% (group 1, n = 29 patients, 58 eyes). Only one drop per eye of each drug was administered. In both groups, pupil diameter, blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and 40 min after eyedrop instillation. Results: We did not observe significant changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Mean pupil diameter in group 0, before the instillation of eyedrops, was 3.51 mm and, in group 1, 2.66 mm. After medication, mean values were 7.38 mm in group 0 and 7.42 mm in group 1. Mean variation was 3.87 mm in group 0 and 4.76 mm in group 1 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results corroborate the finding that one single drop of either 2.5 or 10% phenylephrine is safe and, when 1% tropicamide is combined, satisfactory pupil dilation is achieved.

Comparison between Obtained Mydriasis in Type 2 Diabetics and Non-Diabetic Patients

Background/Aims: To evaluate and compare obtained mydriasis with phenylephrine 10% associated with tropicamide 1% in type 2 diabetics and non-diabetic patients. Methods: A total of 50 patients (100 eyes) scheduled for fundoscopy were dilated with phenylephrine 10% and yropicamide 1% (group 0: n = 20 type 2 diabetic patients, 40 eyes, and group 1: n = 30 non-diabetic patients, 60 eyes). Only one drop per eye of each drug was administered. In both groups, pupil diameter was measured after 40 minutes of eye drops instillation. Results: Both groups were similar regarding age (p = 0.06, Mann-Whitney test). Mean pupil diameter in group 0 was 8.57 and 8.73 in group 1. There was no statistic difference between both groups (p = 0.44). Pupil diameter was greater than 7 mm in all patients (100%). Conclusion: When an appropriate drug combination is used, diabetic patients can achieve mydriasis as satisfactory as non-diabetic patients, allowing adequate fundus examination and/or retinopathy treatment.

Progressive subretinal fibrosis and multifocal granulomatous chorioretinitis

We describe a case of progressive subretinal fibrosis and multifocal chorioretinitis along with its findings on both fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. The progressive subretinal fibrosis syndrome is a severe subset of multifocal choroiditis. The clustering of lesions around the nerve optic head may mean that the disease is spread through the flow in and out of the eye around the optic nerve.

Association of the CFH Y402H Polymorphism with the 1-Year Response of Exudative AMD to Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Treatment in the Brazilian Population

Aim: Evidence of the relationship between the polymorphism of the complement factor H (CFH) gene at position 402 (Y402H) and the response to the treatment of wet AMD is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the functional and morphological 1-year evolution of patients with exudative AMD treated with antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs with the CFH Y402H polymorphism in the Brazilian population. Methods: Forty-six patients treated for wet AMD with bevacizumab or ranibizumab in a pro re nata regimen were included. The evolution of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT), and the number of injections over 1 year of follow-up were correlated with CFH genotypes. Results: The analysis of variance for the difference between the BCVA denoted as logMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) values showed an improvement at 1 year when compared to baseline (p = 0.039). Profile contrast analysis showed that this difference was significant only in the group without the C allele (p = 0.049), without significance in patients presenting with the risk allele (p = 0.241). CRT showed a mean reduction at 1 year compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Significant differences in the profile contrast test were found in the group without the C allele (p < 0.001) and in patients with the risk allele (p = 0.002). No difference was found in the number of injections among the different groups (p = 0.787). Conclusions: The presence of the risk allele of the Y402H polymorphism in the CFH gene was related to a less favorable evolution over 1 year in this sample of the Brazilian population with exudative AMD who were being treated with anti-VEGF drugs. In agreement with similar previous studies, this study concludes that the CFH risk genotypes may affect the disease response to treatment.

Aspectos atuais na fisiopatologia do edema macular diabético

Macular edema is the leading cause of poor vision in diabetic patients.The mechanism of edema formation is complex and involves biochemical and structural changes. The authors review and update the physiopathologic concepts related to diabetic maculopathy.

Long term follow-up of acute multifocal hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis (Blumenkranz syndrome): case report

PURPOSE To report a 16-year long-term follow-up of a patient with acute multifocal hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis (Blumenkranz syndrome). A 21-year old male was seen in 1994 with acute multifocal hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis (Blumenkranz syndrome), first in the left eye, and later in the right eye. He was treated with retinal photocoagulation in areas of retinal ischemia and oral steroids, followed by sequential annual fundus examination and photography for 16 years. Vision improved to 20/25 in both eyes after retinal ischemic areas photocoagulation and oral steroids, and his vision has been maintained for 16 years. Photocoagulation of retinal ischemia and oral steroids are effective for the treatment of acute multifocal hemorrhagic retinal vasculitis (Blumenkranz syndrome).

Retinopatia da prematuridade limiar em crianças submetidas à terapia com surfactante exógeno endotraqueal

OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in any stage and its threshold form in premature infants, either treated or non-treated with exogenous surfactant to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and evaluate the response of eyes with threshold retinopathy to ablation treatment. METHODS: One hundred and sixty eight premature infants who weighed 1500 grams or less and/or who had a gestational age of 32 weeks or less, were screened for ROP by ophthalmoscopy. We compared findings in 40 patients treated with exogenous endotracheal surfactant, with those of 128 patients who did not require such therapy. Ablation of ischaemic peripheral retina, either with laser or cryotherapy, was applied in cases of threshold ROP. For statistical analysis Students t, qui-square, Kruskal-Wallins and Fishers exact tests were used, with p value of < 0.05 considered as significant. RESULTS: ROP, in any stage, occurred in 51,2% of children. Threshold ROP, requiring treatment, was found in 12 (7,4%) of them and regressed in 9. There was no significant difference between surfactant treated and non-treated patients, regarding the occurrence of ROP and threshold ROP. CONCLUSION: In this study frequency of ROP can be considered high, when compared with other series. Children with distress respiratory syndrome, treated with surfactant, did not show a higher risk of threshold ROP. Treatment was successfull in promoting disease regression.

Cutaneous Neurofibroma of the Lacrimal Caruncule: A Case Report

We describe the case of a neurofibroma on the lacrimal caruncle of a female patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). NF1 is an autosomal dominant genetic disease with a wide variety of clinical manifestations, one of the most common of which is neurofibroma. The lesion was removed surgically under general anesthesia and sent to histopathological analysis, which confirmed the clinical diagnosis of a neurofibroma.

Baixa visão secundária a osteoma de coroide

The authors present a case of choroidal osteoma diagnosed in a 25-year-old female patient. A well-defined and slightly elevated yellow lesion located in the posterior pole of the right eye was suspected to be a tumor. Confirmation of diagnosis was obtained with A and B ecography. The patient had low vision and macular edema, which improved after intraocular injection of bevacizumab .