Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in Young Patients for Progressive Keratoconus.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to compare the effect of early corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) intervention (before 17 years of age) with that of late intervention (after 17 years of age) on the characteristics and progression of keratoconus.

Patients And Methods: One hundred five eyes of 94 patients with keratoconus undergoing treatment with CXL were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups by age: group 1 (mean age of 13.

Long-term use of topical tacrolimus ointment: a safe and effective option for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Purpose: To assess the compliance, efficacy, and safety of the long-term use of topical tacrolimus for the clinical management of vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Methods: The medical records of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis undergoing long-term treatment with 0.03% topical tacrolimus were retrospectively reviewed.

Macular phototoxicity after corneal cross-linking.

Purpose: To assess potential vascular, structural, and functional changes to the macula in patients with keratoconus that underwent ultraviolet A (UVA)-riboflavin-mediated corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) therapy.

Patients And Methods: Seventeen eyes from 17 patients of age 16 years or older with keratoconus undergoing CXL treatment were studied. The same eye served as its own control (before CXL vs after CXL).

Prevalence and Risk Factors of self-reported dry eye in Brazil using a short symptom questionnaire.

To evaluate dry eye prevalence and investigate associated risk factors in Brazil by applying a short questionnaire of symptoms and risk factors. A cross-sectional study of 3,107 participants from all the five different geopolitical regions of Brazil. Overall prevalence of dry eye in this study population was 12.

Translation and validation of the Portuguese version of a dry eye disease symptom questionnaire.

Purposes:: A symptom questionnaire is an important tool used to quantify and qualify the impact of a disease on a patient's related quality of life and to estimate the prevalence of a certain condition within a population. Ophthalmologists frequently encounter patients with dry eye disease (DED), and therefore, evaluating the symptoms reported by these patients influences diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and evaluations of disease progression. The latest consensus on dry eye (Dry Eye Workshop, DEWS), published in 2007, led to the standardization of several questionnaires and a better understanding of the prevalence, severity, and overall effect of DED on the patient's quality of life.

Distribution of Ocular Component Measures and Refraction in Brazilian School Children.

Purpose: To describe ocular component values and refraction in 6-17-year-old school children in Campinas, Brazil.

Methods: To obtain a representative sample, a total of 1100 6-17-year-old public school students in Campinas, Brazil, were randomly selected and divided into groups according to median ages 6 years (range 5-7 years), 10 years (range 9-11 years), 14 years (range 13-15 years), and 17 years (range 16-18 years). Cycloplegic autorefraction and ocular biometry were performed on each child.

The prevalence of adenoviral conjunctivitis at the Clinical Hospital of the State University of Campinas, Brazil.

Objectives: Viral conjunctivitis is a common, highly contagious disease that is often caused by an adenovirus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of adenoviral conjunctivitis by analyzing data from a prospective clinical study of 122 consecutively enrolled patients who were treated at the Clinical Hospital of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) after a clinical diagnosis of infectious conjunctivitis between November 2011 and June 2012.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate all cases of clinically diagnosed infectious conjunctivitis and based on the laboratory findings, the prevalence of adenoviral infections was determined.

Dexamethasone/Povidone Eye Drops versus Artificial Tears for Treatment of Presumed Viral Conjunctivitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To determine whether topical dexamethasone 0.1%/povidone-iodine 0.4% reduces the duration of presumed viral conjunctivitis better than artificial tears and whether the treatment relieves the symptoms of this disease.

Topical tacrolimus 0.03% as sole therapy in vernal keratoconjunctivitis: a randomized double-masked study.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of the isolated use of tacrolimus compared with the combined use of tacrolimus and olopatadine for the treatment of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Methods: Twenty-one patients with severe VKC were randomized into two groups: one treated with 0.03% tacrolimus ointment combined with 1% olopatadine ophthalmic solution and the other with 0.

[Epidemiological profile of keratomycosis at the HC-UNICAMP].

Background: Fungal keratitis is an important cause of corneal infection mainly in tropical countries. With high morbidity due to delay in diagnosis, laboratory examination is mandatory in these cases. However, technical difficulties in obtaining samples generate a large number of false negatives.

Epidemiology and medical prediction of microbial keratitis in southeast Brazil.

Purpose: The goals of the study were the following: 1) to show the epidemiology of microbial keratitis (MK) in the southeast Brazil, 2) to compare the epidemiological differences between fungal (FK) and bacterial keratitis (BK), and 3) to evaluate the frequency which ophthalmologists accurately differentiate bacterial keratitis from fungal keratitis based on clinical diagnosis.

Methods: A retrospective chart analysis of all clinically diagnosed microbial keratitis patients presenting between October, 2003 and September, 2006 was performed. Demographic features, ocular and laboratory findings, and information regarding the risk factors and clinical evolution were recorded.

[Corneal allograft rejection: topical treatment vs. pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone - ten years' result].

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous 500 mg methylprednisolone in addition to topical treatment with 1% prednisolone in the treatment of the first episode of corneal endothelial rejection in patients that were submitted to corneal allograft transplantation.

Methods: Retrospective case-control study with 81 patients that presented the first episode of corneal endothelial rejection and were treated within the first 15 days of the onset of symptoms.

Results: 67 patients were treated with 1% topical prednisolone acetate and pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone 500 mg at the diagnosis of corneal allograft rejection.

[Penetrating keratoplasty indications in "Hospital das Clínicas-UNICAMP"].

Purpose: To determine the main causes of penetrating keratoplasty indications at "Hospital das Clínicas-UNICAMP" (January, 1999 to December, 2003).

Methods: A non-comparative, retrospective series of case studies. The authors reviewed the files of 857 patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty at "Hospital das Clínicas-UNICAMP" between 1999-2003 and classified them into different categories according to diagnostic indication for surgery.

Management of dry eye related to systemic diseases in childhood and longterm follow-up.

Purpose: Dry eye in children is not common in general practice and is usually referred to tertiary centres for diagnostic confirmation. In the present review we examine the potential causes of dry eye in children and report the management and longterm follow-up of dry eye in childhood with reference to clinical diversity, systemic associations, ocular outcomes and treatment trends.

Methods: A retrospective, consecutive case series was studied by evaluating the clinical charts of children with dry eye over a 96-month period.