PURPOSE: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) readings of Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), and to correlate central corneal thickness (CCT) with these readings. METHODS: This transversal study included patients in two groups: open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and normal eyes (NE). IOP measurements were obtained in all patients using GAT and DCT. The same examiner made all GAT measurements. Another examiner, who was masked to the GAT readings, made DCT measurements. CCT was determined by ultrasound pachimetry. RESULTS: […]

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 […]

PURPOSE: To evaluate b-wave of the electroretinogram of the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), differentiating the retinal electric reply in photopic and scotopic environment. METHODS: Transversal observational study was carried through, with the register of the full field electroretinogram of fourteen eyes; seven were stimulated in photopic environment and seven in scotopic environment using with white light according to the ISCEV protocol. RESULTS: The electrical responses of the retina of the species studied showed no statistically significant difference for the applied […]

PURPOSE: Assess cost-effectiveness of glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension medical therapy using prostaglandin analogues in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated the cost (average wholesale price) of different prostaglandin analogues (bimatoprost, latanoprost, travoprost) in relation to its effectiveness in reducing intra-ocular pressure. Monthly, annually and 5-year cost to achieve 1% and 20% of IOP reduction was calculated. Monthly, annually and 5-year cost to reduce 1 mmHg and 8 mmHg from baseline IOP was also calculated. RESULTS: […]

PURPOSE: To determine the socio-economic characteristics of the patients who were submitted to cataract surgery in a university hospital, to evaluate the accessibility to the tertiary health service and to determine the waiting time for cataract surgery. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of medical charts from 148 random patients who underwent cataract surgery during the first semester of 2007. RESULTS: The patients in this study had median of age of 70.5 years, and the major prevalence was of female (60.1%), caucasian […]

PURPOSE: Assess the clinical and topographical effects of corneal collagen crosslinking in patients with keratoconus on Brazilian population. METHODS: Thirty seven eyes of 37 patients (22 female and 15 male) with diagnosis of progressive keratoconus and corneal paquimetry higher than 395 micra, were treated with riboflavin and ultraviolet A radiation, over 30 minutes, to induce corneal collagen crosslinking. Keratometric values were compared as well as the best corrected visual acuity, before and after the procedure, with ranges of 40 and […]

PURPOSE: To identify aspects of the image test to arrive at the sure diagnosis of intumescent white cataract. METHODS: Two groups of eyes with white and nigra cataracts were studied using clinical and laboratorial criteria. RESULTS: The width of the lens > 5.36mm and its spherical aspect are the two data that provided us with a sure diagnosis of intumescent white cataract. CONCLUSION: The use of the image test provides data for the sure diagnosis of intumescent white cataract.

This bibliographic review work is pointed to the effects of altitude hypoxia on sight. It intends to contribute for the identification of signs and symptoms of hypoxia during high altitude exposition. The understanding of the terrestrial atmosphere and the laws of physics related to gas behavior under atmospheric pressure variation are very important for the correct diagnosis of the dysbarisms, hypoxia, decompression disease and others, by the aerospace health professionals. The atmospheric environment that pilots are exposed is able to […]