VEGF gene polymorphism and response to intravitreal ranibizumab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Background/aims: To investigate the association between VEGF gene polymorphism and response to ranibizumab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: A total of 92 patients were genotyped for the VEGF rs1413711 single nucleotide polymorphism. Patients with neovascular AMD initially received 3 monthly ranibizumab intravitreal injections and were retreated as needed.

Human intraocular filariasis caused by Dirofilaria sp. nematode, Brazil.

A case of human intraocular dirofilariasis is reported from northern Brazil. The nematode was morphologically and phylogenetically related to Dirofilaria immitis but distinct from reference sequences, including those of D. immitis infesting dogs in the same area.

[Frequency of ocular changes in patients with Hansen's disease living in a colony hospital].

Purpose: To identify the frequency of ocular changes in patients with Hansen's disease, living in a colony hospital; to confirm the predilection for the anterior segment of the eye instead of the posterior segment.

Methods: Transversal study of 115 eyes of 58 in-patients at João Paulo II colony, Marituba-Pará, from August to October 1999. The epidemiologic data of this research were obtained from the patients' charts and from information obtained at clinical eye examination.