Optical coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinography of patients with advanced neovascular age-related macular degeneration before, during, and after treatment with ranibizumab.

Purpose: To evaluate retinal morphology and function of patients with advanced neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) before, during, and after treatment with ranibizumab.

Methods: Twenty-one eyes diagnosed with advanced AMD were studied with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG). Three intravitreal injections of ranibizumab were administered at 1-month intervals.

CFH Y402H polymorphism and response to intravitreal ranibizumab in Brazilian patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Objective: To investigate the association between CFH gene polymorphism and response to ranibizumab in Brazilian patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: 95 patients were genotyped for the CFH rs1061170 (Y402H) single nucleotide polymorphism. Patients with neovascular AMD initially received intravitreal ranibizumab injections for three months and were retreated as needed.

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 Pelecitus sp. nematode, Brazil.

A male nematode was extracted from iris fibers of a man from the Brazilian Amazon region. This nematode belonged to the genus Pelecitus but was distinct from the 16 known species in this genus. Similarities with Pelecitus spp.

The role of molecular genetic factors in age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly in developed countries. Although the etiology of AMD remains largely unknown, numerous studies have suggested that both genes and environmental risk factors significantly influence the risk of developing AMD. Recently, single nucleotide polymorphisms, DNA sequence variations found within the complement factor H (CFH) gene, have been found to be strongly associated with the development of AMD.

[Macular infarction after intravitreal injection of amikacin: case report].

The authors report a case of a patient who underwent cataract surgery with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens and presented endophthalmitis on the second postoperative day. She was treated with intravitreal injection of amikacin, vancomycin and dexamethasone. After resolution of the infection the patient presented macular infarction and important loss of visual acuity due to amikacin toxicity.

[Pseudo-glaucoma in type VI mucopolysaccharidosis: case report].

The authors report a case of a 19-year-old patient presenting with type VI mucopolysaccharidosis, diagnosed by genetic-clinical examination, demonstrating several systemic manifestations, including ocular disorders such as: corneal opacity, elevated intra-ocular pressure and increase of corneal thickness. The authors discuss the characteristic syndromic findings and the influence of corneal thickness associated with an increase in intraocular pressure leading to unnecessary antiglaucomatous treatment.

[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.