ABSTRACT Objective: The primary objective of this study was to characterize normal optic nerve parameters in Latin American patients using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) during the period from 2015 to 2022. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using data retrieved from the database of the Exilaser Clinic in Cuenca, Ecuador. The study included 290 adult patients without ocular abnormalities. Data from each eye (left and right) were analyzed using SPSS software. For quantitative variables, measures of central tendency […]

ABSTRACT Normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is a glaucomatous optic neuropathy that occurs in the absence of intraocular hypertension, and its pathophysiology is not solely dependent on pressure-related factors. Extrinsic mechanisms, such as autonomic dysfunction and microvascular hemodynamic alterations, have been implicated in its progression, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) standing out as an important contributing factor. We report the case of a patient with NTG and severe OSA confirmed by polysomnography, who exhibited progressive structural and functional loss despite controlled intraocular […]

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic RNA virus classified within the family Paramyxoviridae and the genus Henipavirus. It was initially discovered during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998 and has since been associated with epidemics in various countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, frequently causing high fatality rates. Fruit bats belonging to the genus Pteropus act as the main natural reservoir, while human infection can lead to severe neurological and respiratory illnesses, representing a major public health concern.(-) The epidemiology […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate public knowledge of keratoconus in Brazil and identify gaps to guide future educational strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey, based on the 2015 Global Consensus on Keratoconus, was distributed via social media and an ophthalmology bulletin. Adults (≥18 years) participated anonymously after providing informed consent. The questionnaire assessed demographics, ocular history, and keratoconus-related knowledge. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, and associations were analyzed using chi-square and nonparametric tests (5% significance level). Results: A total of 879 […]

ABSTRACT This systematic review and meta-analysis compared Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) with phacoemulsification for the management of mature cataracts, evaluating outcomes such as visual acuity, surgical complications, endothelial cell loss, central corneal thickness, surgery duration, and cost-effectiveness. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed®, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library through November 23, 2023, without language restrictions. Of 163 articles initially retrieved, five studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of 577 eyes. Pooled results […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of ocular diseases in patients treated in an outpatient service. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study conducted based on 402 medical records. Results: A higher frequency of female patients was observed (54.7%), with an average age of 51.7 years. Most patients were retired (33.8%). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (34.3%), increasing the probability of developing ocular diseases by 2.5 times. The most common diagnoses were ametropias (30.3%), cataract (17%), […]

ABSTRACT Objective: Early and accurate detection of corneal ectasias is essential for appropriate clinical management. The combined use of Pentacam and anterior segment OCT allows for a more comprehensive assessment of the morphological abnormalities associated with corneal ectasias, enabling earlier differentiation between normal and suspect cases. This study aims to investigate the relationship between OCT and Pentacam findings in the detection of corneal ectasias, analyzing their interdependence and clinical relevance. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional observational study based on data collected […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize structural optic nerve changes in Ecuadorian glaucoma patients using optical coherence tomography data from 2015 to 2022. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed anonymized optical coherence tomography data from 301 eyes of 162 patients diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma. Data were acquired using the Nidek RS-330 and analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21. We assessed peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (global, quadrants, and clock-hour sectors) and cup-to-disc ratios. Results: The mean global […]