La dystrophie cornéenne endothéliale de Fuchs (FECD, pour l’abréviation du terme anglais « Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy ») est une maladie de l'endothélium cornéen. Sa pathogenèse est mal connue. Aucun traitement médical n’est efficace. Le seul traitement existant est chirurgical et consiste dans le remplacement de l’endothélium pathologique par un endothélium sain provenant de cornées de la Banque des yeux. Le traitement chirurgical, en revanche, comporte 10% de rejet immunologique. Des modèles expérimentaux sont donc nécessaires afin de mieux comprendre cette maladie ainsi que pour le développement de traitements alternatifs. Le but général de cette thèse est de développer un modèle expérimental de la FECD en utilisant le génie tissulaire. Ceci a été réalisé en trois étapes. 1) Tout d'abord, l'endothélium cornéen a été reconstruit par génie tissulaire en utilisant des cellules endothéliales en culture, provenant de patients atteints de FECD. Ce modèle a ensuite été caractérisé in vitro. Brièvement, les cellules endothéliales cornéennes FECD ont été isolées à partir de membranes de Descemet prélevées lors de greffes de cornée. Les cellules au deuxième ou troisième passages ont ensuite été ensemencées sur une cornée humaine préalablement décellularisée. Suivant 2 semaines de culture, les endothélia cornéens reconstruits FECD (n = 6) ont été évalués à l'aide d'histologie, de microscopie électronique à transmission et d’immunomarquages de différentes protéines. Les endothélia cornéens reconstruits FECD ont formé une monocouche de cellules polygonales bien adhérées à la membrane de Descemet. Les immunomarquages ont démontré la présence des protéines importantes pour la fonctionnalité de l’endothélium cornéen telles que Na+-K+/ATPase α1 et Na+/HCO3-, ainsi qu’une expression faible et uniforme de la protéine clusterine. 2) Deux techniques chirurgicales (DSAEK ; pour « Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty » et la kératoplastie pénétrante) ont été comparées pour la transplantation cornéenne dans le modèle animal félin. Les paramètres comparés incluaient les défis chirurgicaux et les résultats cliniques. La technique « DSAEK » a été difficile à effectuer dans le modèle félin. Une formation rapide de fibrine a été observée dans tous les cas DSAEK (n = 5). 3) Finalement, la fonctionnalité in vivo des endothélia cornéens reconstruits FECD a été évaluée (n = 7). Les évaluations in vivo comprenaient la transparence, la pachymétrie et la tomographie par cohérence optique. Les évaluations post-mortem incluaient la morphométrie des cellules endothéliales, la microscopie électronique à transmission et des immunomarquage de protéines liées à la fonctionnalité. Après la transplantation, la pachymétrie a progressivement diminué et la transparence a progressivement augmenté. Sept jours après la transplantation, 6 des 7 greffes étaient claires. La microscopie électronique à transmission a montré la présence de matériel fibrillaire sous-endothélial dans toutes les greffes d’endothelia reconstruits FECD. Les endothélia reconstruits exprimaient aussi des protéines Na+-K+/ATPase et Na+/HCO3-. En résumé, cette thèse démontre que les cellules endothéliales de la cornée à un stade avancé FECD peuvent être utilisées pour reconstruire un endothélium cornéen par génie tissulaire. La kératoplastie pénétrante a été démontrée comme étant la procédure la plus appropriée pour transplanter ces tissus reconstruits dans l’œil du modèle animal félin. La restauration de l'épaisseur cornéenne et de la transparence démontrent que les greffons reconstruits FECD sont fonctionnels in vivo. Ces nouveaux modèles FECD démontrent une réhabilitation des cellules FECD, permettant d’utiliser le génie tissulaire pour reconstruire des endothelia fonctionnels à partir de cellules dystrophiques. Les applications potentielles sont nombreuses, y compris des études physiopathologiques et pharmacologiques. / Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a primary disease of the corneal endothelium. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. No medical treatment is effective. Surgical treatment (the only available treatment) carries 10% of immunogenic rejection. Experimental models are needed in order to better understand the disease and to investigate potential autologous treatments (to prevent immunogenic rejection). The overall goal of this thesis is to develop an experimental model for FECD using tissue engineering. This was achieved in three steps. 1) An in vitro tissue-engineered FECD model was created and characterized. Briefly, Descemet’s membranes from patients with late-stage FECD undergoing Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) were used to isolate and culture FECD endothelial cells. Second or third-passaged FECD endothelial cells were seeded on a previously decellularized human cornea. After 2 weeks in culture, TE-FECD corneas (n=6) were assessed using histology, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunofluorescence labeling of various proteins. TE-FECD endothelium yielded a monolayer of polygonal cells well adhered to Descemet’s membrane. The TE-FECD corneal endothelium expressed the function-related proteins Na+-K+/ATPase α1 and Na+/HCO3-. Clusterin expression was faint and uniform. 2) In order to determine the best surgical procedure to transplant the TE-FECD corneas in the feline model, a DSAEK procedure was evaluated and compared to penetrating keratoplasty technique. DSAEK assessments included surgical challenges and clinical outcomes. DSAEK technique was challenging to perform in the feline model. Rapid fibrin formation was observed in all DSAEK cases (n=5). 3) The in vivo functionality of the TE-FECD corneas was assessed. TE-FECD corneas were grafted in the feline model (n=7) using penetrating keratoplasty procedure and observed for seven days. In vivo assessments included transparency, pachymetry, optical coherence tomography, endothelial cell morphometry, TEM and immunostaining of function-related proteins. After transplantation, pachymetry gradually decreased and transparency gradually increased. Seven days after transplantation, 6 out of 7 grafts were clear. Post-mortem TEM showed subendothelial loose fibrillar material deposition in all TE-FECD grafts. The TE grafted endothelium expressed Na+-K+/ATPase and Na+/HCO3-. This thesis demonstrates that endothelial cells from late-stage FECD corneas can be used to engineer a corneal endothelium. Compared to DSEAK, penetrating keratoplasty is a more appropriate procedure for corneal transplantation in the feline model, since the DSAEK procedure in the feline model presently yields inconsistent clinical results. Restoration of corneal thickness and transparency demonstrates that the TE-FECD grafts are functional in vivo. This novel FECD living model suggests a potential role of tissue engineering for FECD cell rehabilitation. Potential applications are numerous, including pathophysiological and pharmacological studies.

Thesis (M.S.)--Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 2005. / Typescript (photocopy).

Background: Compare Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) prism and correcting applanation tonometry surface (CATS) prism to intracameral intraocular pressure (IOP), in vivo and in vitro. Methods: Pressure transducer intracameral IOP was measured on fifty-eight (58) eyes undergoing cataract surgery and the IOP was modulated manometrically to 10, 20, and 40 mmHg. Simultaneously, IOP was measured using a Perkins tonometer with a standard GAT prism and a CATS prism at each of the intracameral pressures. Statistical comparison was made between true intracameral pressures and the two prism measurements. Differences between the two prism measurements were correlated to central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal resistance factor (CRF). Human cadaver eyes were used to assess measurement repeatability. Results: The CATS tonometer prism measured closer to true intracameral IOP than the GAT prism by 1.7+/-2.7 mmHg across all pressures and corneal properties. The difference in CATS and GAT measurements was greater in thin CCT corneas (2.7+/-1.9 mmHg) and low resistance (CRF) corneas (2.8+/-2.1 mmHg). The difference in prisms was negligible at high CCT and CRF values. No difference was seen in measurement repeatability between the two prisms. Conclusion: A CATS prism in Goldmann tonometer armatures significantly improve the accuracy of IOP measurement compared to true intracameral pressure across a physiologic range of IOP values. The CATS prism is significantly more accurate compared to the GAT prism in thin and less rigid corneas. The in vivo intracameral study validates mathematical models and clinical findings in IOP measurement between the GAT and CATS prisms.

Background: Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) error relative to intracameral intraocular pressure (IOP) has not been examined comparatively in both human cadaver eyes and in live human eyes. Futhermore, correlations to biomechanical corneal properties and positional changes have not been examined directly to intracameral IOP and GAT IOP. Methods: Intracameral IOP was measured via pressure transducer on fifty-eight (58) eyes undergoing cataract surgery and the IOP was modulated manometrically on each patient alternately to 10, 20, and 40 mmHg. IOP was measured using a Perkins tonometer in the supine position on 58 eyes and upright on a subset of 8 eyes. Twenty one (21) fresh human cadaver globes were Intracamerally IOP adjusted and measured via pressure transducer. Intracameral IOP ranged between 5 and 60 mmHg. IOP was measured in the upright position with a Goldmann Applanation Tonometer (GAT) and supine position with a Perkins tonometer. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was also measured. Results: The Goldmann-type tonometer error measured on live human eyes was 5.2 +/- 1.6 mmHg lower than intracameral IOP in the upright position and 7.9 +/- 2.3 mmHg lower in the supine position (p <.05). CCT also indicated a sloped correlation to error (correlation coeff. = 0.18). Cadaver eye IOP measurements were 3.1+/-2. 5 mmHg lower than intracameral IOP in the upright position and 5.4+/- 3.1 mmHg in the supine position (p <.05). Conclusion: Goldmann IOP measures significantly lower than true intracameral IOP by approximately 3 mmHg in vitro and 5 mmHg in vivo. The Goldmann IOP error is increased an additional 2.8 mmHg lower in the supine position. CCT appears to significantly affect the error by up to 4 mmHg over the sample size.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common types of diabetes that can affect the cornea. An accurate analysis of the corneal epithelium nerve structures and the corneal endothelial cell can assist early diagnosis of this disease and other corneal diseases, which can lead to visual impairment and then to blindness. In this thesis, fully-automated segmentation and quantification algorithms for processing and analysing sub-basal epithelium nerves and endothelial cells are proposed for early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy in Corneal Confocal Microscopy (CCM) images. Firstly, a fully automatic nerve segmentation system for corneal confocal microscope images is proposed. The performance of the proposed system is evaluated against manually traced images with an execution time of the prototype is 13 seconds. Secondly, an automatic corneal nerve registration system is proposed. The main aim of this system is to produce a new informative corneal image that contains structural and functional information. Thirdly, an automated real-time system, termed the Corneal Endothelium Analysis System (CEAS) is developed and applied for the segmentation of endothelial cells in images of human cornea obtained by In Vivo CCM. The performance of the proposed CEAS system was tested against manually traced images with an execution time of only 6 seconds per image. Finally, the results obtained from all the proposed approaches have been evaluated and validated by an expert advisory board from two institutes, they are the Division of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar and the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, UK.

Objetivo: Determinar o processo cicatricial e regenerativo da córnea em suas diferentes camadas diante do dano cirúrgico, através da Ceratectomia Fotorrefrativa (PRK) nos terços anteriores ou injúria do complexo Descemetendotélio no terço posterior. Métodos: Córneas de coelhos foram utilizadas a fim de identificar os nervos presentes, evidenciados através da técnica de imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) da acetilcolinesterase (AchE) e expressos numericamente após quantificação automatizada pelo software Image-Pro. Os seguintes grupos foram incluídos nessa análise: remoção do epitélio com e sem Mitomicina (MMC) 0.02%, -9.0D PRK com e sem MMC. O dano e a regeneração dos nervos foram avaliados através da análise dos grupos após 1 dia, 1, 2, 3 e 6 meses. A morfologia e a distribuição dos nervos foram realizadas através do estudo da tubulina Beta-III, um marcador de microtúbulos presentes em neurônios. Na córnea posterior, a fim de identificar a ocorrência de apoptose após a injúria mecânica do endotélio através de uma cânula romba, cortes desse tecido foram avaliados por meio de técnicas de IHQ através do método de fragmentação do DNA por dUTP e deoxinucleotidil terminal transferase (TUNEL) e microscopia de transmissão eletrônica (TEM) após 1 e 4 horas. A ocorrência de fibrose subsequente à lesão da córnea posterior foi avaliada nos grupos submetidos à Descemetorréxis ou à injúria mecânica do endotélio isolado após 1 mês. O estudo imunohistoquímico para actina de músculo liso (alfa-SMA) permitiu identificar a presença de miofibroblastos e a identificação morfológica da membrana de Descemet demonstrada através do Nidogênio-1 (Nid-1), tornando possível, portanto, a discriminação do papel das camadas posteriores no processo cicatricial da córnea. Olhos contralaterais foram incluídos como um grupo controle em todas as análises. Resultados: Na face anterior da córnea, uma menor área do complexo nervoso foi observada um dia após o PRK associado ao uso da MMC (p=0.0009) quandocomparado ao PRK sem o uso da medicação, que não se manteve após um mês (p=0.9). O PRK sem MMC demonstrou uma crescente capacidade regenerativa de seus nervos, que apresentaram valores comparáveis aos pré-operatórios após o terceiro mês. No entanto, tais fibras nervosas apresentaram uma morfologia aberrada mantida até a análise do mês seis. Na face posterior da córnea, apesar da presença de células TUNEL+ após 1 e 4 horas subsequentes ao dano mecânico do endotélio isolado, não houve a expressão de alfa-SMA no estroma posterior após um mês. A integridade estrutural da membrana de Descemet nesse grupo foi confirmada através do Nidogênio-1 (Nid-1), diferentemente do observado após o dano ao complexo Descemet-endotélio, em que houve ampla expressão de alfa-SMA identificando a presença de miofibroblastos e o consequente desenvolvimento de cicatrizes responsáveis pela perda de transparência na córnea. Conclusão: O uso do excimer laser na superfície anterior causou prejuízo à inervação da córnea. Todavia, a capacidade regenerativa das fibras nervosas foi demonstrada ao longo dos meses, apesar da persistência de uma anômala arquitetura e redistribuição dos nervos mesmo após o sexto mês. A MMC revelou uma discreta e precoce propriedade neurotóxica quando combinada ao uso do excimer laser, que não implica perda da segurança a médio/longo prazo do uso dessa droga na concentração e tempos utilizados nesse estudo. No terço posterior da córnea, a membrana de Descemet exibiu um importante papel modulador no processo de desenvolvimento de cicatrizes ou fibrose no estroma profundo. Uma vez lesada, torna constante o influxo de citocinas inflamatórias necessárias para a diferenciação e persistência do miofibroblasto. Tal processo mostrou-se análogo ao papel da membrana basal do epitélio como reguladora do processo de fibrose da córnea anterior / Purpose: To determine the wound-healing cascade and regeneration process of the cornea after surgical injury in its different layers, through Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) in the anterior thirds or Descemet-endothelium injury in the posterior third. Methods: Rabbit corneas were used to identify the nerves present in the central area of this tissue by the immunohistochemistry (IHQ) technique of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and their numerical quantification by Image-Pro software. The following groups were included in this analysis: Removal of epithelium with and without Mitomycin (MMC) 0.02 %, -9.0D PRK with and without MMC. Damage and nerve regeneration were assessed by analyzing the groups after 1 day, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months. The morphology and distribution of nerves along the corneal layers was performed through tubulin beta-III study. At the posterior cornea, to distinguish the occurrence of apoptosis after the mechanical injury of the endothelium through a blunt cannula, sections of this tissue were evaluated by IHQ technique through DNA fragmentation by dUTP and deoxynucleotidyl terminal transferase (TUNEL) and electron transmission microscopy (TEM) after 1 and 4 hours. The occurrence of cornea fibrosis subsequent to posterior corneal injury was evaluated by the group undergoing Descemet membrane surgical removal or by the endothelium mechanical injury after 1 month. The immunohistochemical study for smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) allowed the identification of myofibroblasts and the structural integrity of Descemet demonstrated by Nidogen-1 (Nid-1). Thus, making it possible to discriminate the role of the posterior layers during the corneal wound-healing process. Contralateral eyes were included as a control group in all analyzes. Results: At the anterior surface of the cornea, a smaller area of the nervous complex was observed one day after PRK associated with the use of MMC (p = 0.0009) when compared to PRK without the association of the drug, which was not maintained after the first month (p = 0.9). The PRK without MMC demonstrated an increasing regenerative capacity of their nerves, which presented values comparable to preoperative measurements after the third month. However, morphological differences and an aberrant distribution of innervation were persistent. At the corneal posterior surface, despite the presence of TUNEL + cells after 1 and 4 hours subsequent to the mechanical damage of the isolated endothelium, there was no alpha-SMA expression in the posterior stroma after one month. The structural integrity of Descemet\'s membrane in this group was confirmed by Nidogen-1 (Nid-1). Differently from what was observed after damage to the Descemet membrane by it surgical removal, there was a large expression of alpha-SMA identifying the myofibroblasts and the consequent development of scars responsible for the loss of corneal transparency. Conclusion: The excimer laser use on the anterior surface caused destruction to the corneal innervation. However, the regenerative capacity of nerve fibers was demonstrated over the months, despite the persistence of anomalous architecture and redistribution of the corneal nerves that persisted even after six months. MMC exhibited a moderate and early neurotoxic effect when combined with the excimer laser treatment at the concentration and time used in this study At the inferior third of the cornea, Descemet\'s membrane exhibited an important role during the modulation process of scarring or fibrosis in the deep stroma. Once damaged, a constant influx of inflammatory cytokines into the stroma was guaranteed and a differentiation and persistence of the myofibroblast occur. This process has been shown to be analogous to the role of the corneal epithelial basement membrane as a regulator of the anterior cornea fibrosis process

Doença alérgica ocular acomete cerca de ¼ da população mundial. Dentro do espectro da doença alérgica ocular, a cérato-conjuntivite vernal, que afeta principalmente crianças, pode apresentar-se sob forma severa e persistente, levando a dano do tecido corneal e comprometimento da função visual. Traumatismo epitelial crônico, induzido pelo ato de coçar os olhos, associado ao intenso prurido ocular tem sido apontado como fator de risco importante na patogênese do ceratocone. Pode estimular a apoptose prematura dos ceratócitos, provocando mudanças estruturais do estroma da córnea. A associação de cérato-conjuntivite vernal e ceratocone tem sido apontada como freqüente na literatura oftalmológica através de estudos descritivos e qualitativos, que, entretanto, não auxiliam na detecção precoce da doença ectásica corneal, prejudicando sua análise epidemiológica, seu estudo genético e a definição de sua patogênese. Propôs-se estudo clínico caso-controle de pacientes com cérato-conjuntivite vernal do Ambulatório de Alergia Ocular do Departamento de Oftalmologia da Santa Casa de São Paulo, com finalidade de obter-se, por meio da análise topográfica computadorizada de córnea utilizando-se de descritor quantitativo da superfície anterior da córnea (sumário diagnóstico de Holladay), informações sobre as alterações topográficas da superfície anterior da córnea, que pudessem determinar a freqüência da associação entre cérato-conjuntivite vernal e ceratocone, além de seus efeitos sobre o desempenho da visão destes pacientes. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo mostram alta freqüência de ceratocone em pacientes com cérato-conjuntivite vernal. A performance visual destes pacientes é influenciada pelas aberrações provocadas por alterações da asfericidade corneal e de outras variáveis topográficas. / Allergic ocular disease affects ¼ of the world population. Inside the spectrum of the allergic ocular disease, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, that affects mostly children, may present as severe and persistent form, leading to corneal tissue damage and disturbing visual function. Chronic epithelial trauma, provoked by eye rubbing due to intense ocular itching, has been postulated as an important risk factor in the pathogenesis of keratoconus. It may induce early keratocyte apoptosis that results in structural changes to the corneal stroma. The association of keratoconus with vernal keratoconjunctivitis has been observed to be frequent in the ophthalmological literature by descriptive and qualitative studies, unable to detect earlier forms of this ectatic corneal disease, weakening epidemiological analysis, genetic studies and the definition of its pathogenesis. We proposed a case-control clinical study of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis from the Ambulatory of Ocular Allergy of the Department of Ophthalmology of Santa Casa of São Paulo, aiming for information on the anterior corneal curvature and visual performance, using a quantitative descriptor analyzer (Holladay Diagnostic Summary). The results suggest high frequency of the keratoconus in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. The visual performance is affected by the induced aberration caused by changed corneal asphericity and other topographic variables.

INTRODUÇÃO: Comparar duas soluções viscoelásticas, ácido hialurônico 1,6%/sulfato de condroitina 4% (DisCoVisc®, Alcon Laboratórios, EUA) e hidroxipropilmetilcelulose 2% (HPMC, Ophthalmos, Brasil), com relação ao desempenho durante a facoemulsificação (FACO) e o implante de lente intraocular. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um ensaio clínico randomizado, envolvendo 78 olhos (39 pacientes) submetidos à FACO bilateral, por um único cirurgião. Os pacientes foram randomizados para receber DisCoVisc ou HPMC no primeiro olho. O olho contralateral foi operado mais tarde recebendo a outra solução viscoelástica em todas as etapas da cirurgia. Examinadores mascarados realizaram as avaliações pré e pósoperatórias (5, 24 e 48 horas; 7 e 14 dias; 3 e 6 meses), incluindo a medida da pressão intraocular (PIO), espessura cornena central (ECC) e acuidade visual corrigida. A densidade endotelial foi realizada no pré-operatório e ao final do seguimento (6 meses). Variáveis intraoperatórias incluíram medidas da quantidade total de solução viscoelástica, tempo de ultrassom durante a FACO e tempo para a retirada completa da solução do olho. RESULTADOS: A densidade endotelial foi estatisticamente superior com DisCoVisc (2.214 ± 372 cel/mm2) do que com HPMC (2.032 ± 460 cel/mm2) ao final do seguimento (p = 0,001). Uma redução média de 7% e de 15%, respectivamente. Não houve diferença estatística entre as soluções viscoelásticas com relação a densidade da catarata (p = 0,363) e o tempo de ultrassom (p = 0,456). O tempo de aspiração da HPMC (0,22 ± 0,09 min) foi significativamente maior que o DisCoVisc (0,17 ± 0,06 min) (p = 0,001) e a quantidade de viscoelástico utilizada foi maior com a HPMC (1,35 ± 0,20 ml) do que com DisCoVisc (0,89 ± 0,11 ml) (p < 0,001). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as soluções quanto a ECC e a PIO durante o seguimento. CONCLUSÕES: A densidade endotelial ao final do estudo foi significativamente maior com o uso de DisCoVisc, o que pode representar uma melhor proteção endotelial. Foi necessário uma menor quantidade de DisCoVisc e um tempo de aspiração menor durante a FACO com essa solução viscoelástica / INTRODUCTION: To compare two ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs), 1.6% hyaluronic acid/4% chondroitin sulfate (DisCoVisc®, Alcon Lab., USA) and 2% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC, Ophthalmos, Brazil), in terms of their overall performance during phacoemulsification (PHACO) and intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: This prospective, randomized clinical trial comprised 78 eyes (39 patients) that underwent PHACO by the same surgeon. Patients were randomly assigned to receive DisCoVisc or HPMC on the first eye. The other eye was treated later and received the other OVD. Masked examiners measured intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT) and best-corrected visual acuity. The corneal endothelial cell density was measured at baseline and at 6 months postoperatively. Intraoperative variables include the total amount of the OVD, ultrasound and washout times. RESULTS: Corneal endothelial cell density was significantly higher with DisCoVisc (2.214 ± 372 cell/mm2) than HPMC (2.032 ± 460 cell/mm2) at the end of follow-up (p = 0.001). A mean reduction of 7% and 15%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between OVDs in terms of cataract density (p = 0.363) or ultrasound time (p = 0.456). Regarding washout time, it took longer to remove HPMC (0.22 ± 0.09 min) than DisCoVisc (0.17 ± 0.06 min) (p = 0.001), and the amount of viscoelastic material used was greater with HPMC (1.35 ± 0.20 ml) than DisCoVisc (0.89 ± 0.11 ml) (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the two OVDs regarding CCT or IOP measurements at any point in time. CONCLUSION: The corneal endothelial cell loss was significantly less with DisCoVisc than HPMC, which can improve corneal endothelium protection. DisCoVisc was easier to remove after IOL implantation and fewer amounts were necessary during PHACO

OBJETIVOS: Comparar os valores da pressão intraocular (PIO), obtidos por intermédio do tonômetro de Perkins (TPK), tonômetro de contorno dinâmico Pascal (TCD) e Tono-Pen (TNP), confrontando-os com o tonômetro de aplanação de Goldmann (TAG), e correlacionar seus valores tonométricos com parâmetros biométricos oculares em pacientes portadores de glaucoma congênito primário. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, transversal, com inclusão de 46 pacientes (46 olhos) com diagnóstico de glaucoma congênito primário, com idades entre 12 e 40 anos, após obtenção do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Todos os olhos estudados foram submetidos à tonometria ocular usando os tonômetros de Goldmann, de Perkins, o Tono-Pen e o tonômetro de contorno dinâmico Pascal. A ordem das tonometrias foi aleatória e o tonômetro de Goldmann foi adotado como padrão ouro. Os parâmetros biométricos estudados foram a curvatura (medida pela ceratometria), a espessura central da córnea (paquimetria), o diâmetro corneal (medido por meio de compasso cirúrgico) e o comprimento axial do olho foi obtido pela biometria ultrassônica. As distribuições dos parâmetros biométricos, assim como das tonometrias foram plotadas e analisadas conforme teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para aceitação de normalidade. O teste t de Student pareado para amostras independentes foi empregado para comparar as médias tonométricas de cada tonômetro com o padrão ouro. As correlações entre os parâmetros biométricos e as tonometrias foram realizadas através do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e gráficos de regressão linear. O mesmo procedimento foi feito entre os parâmetros biométricos e as diferenças entre as três distintas tonometrias e a TAG. A concordância entre os tonômetros Perkins, Pascal e Tono-Pen e o de Goldamnn foi realizada pelo teste de concordância de correlação (CCC) e graficamente pelo método de Bland-Altman. O valor de corte de 2 mmHg foi adotado para avaliar a empregabilidade clínica desses tonômetros em pacientes semelhantes aos da amostra. RESULTADOS: O teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov indicou aceitação da normalidade para todas as distribuições estudadas (TAG, TPK, TCD, TNP, Diâmetros corneal e axial, ceratometria média e paquimetria). Os momentos de correlação de Pearson empregados para realizar estudo das correlações entre os parâmetros biométricos e cada tonometria foram estatisticamente não significativos. As correlações entre os parâmetros biométricos e as diferenças entre tonometrias em relação ao TAG não apresentaram significância em sua maioria, sendo a única exceção a correlação moderada entre a diferença do TAG e o Tono-Pen versus a ceratometria média. No entanto, o coeficiente de determinação evidenciou influência modesta da ceratometria nessas diferenças (r² = 0,16; p = 0,004). O teste t de Student pareado demonstrou diferença significativa entre o TAG e o TP (p < 0,001). A diferença não foi significativa entre o TAG e o Pascal (p = 0.30), ou entre o TAG e o Tono-Pen (p = 0.68). Houve excelente concordância entre o TAG e o TP (CCC = 0,98; intervalo de confiança 95% (IC95%) = 0,97 - 0,99), já entre o TAG e o Pascal (CCC = 0,89; IC95% = 0,82 - 0,94) e entre o TAG e o Tono-Pen (CCC = 0,92; IC95% = 0,87 - 0,95). O gráfico tipo Bland-Altman TAG x Perkins demonstrou diferença média de 0,47 mmHg com intervalo de 95% (I95%) situado entre -0,98 e 1,92 mmHg. A dispersão das diferenças seguiu caráter aleatório. Os outros dois tonômetros também tiveram suas dispersões em caráter aleatório. TAG em relação ao tonômetro de Pascal apresentou diferença média de -0,3 mmHg (I95% = -4,2 a 3,6 mmHg). A diferença média do TAG em relação ao Tono-Pen foi de -0,1 mmHg (I95% = -3,7 a 3,5 mmHg). Em 21% dos pacientes, o tonômetro de Pascal apresentou diferenças maiores de 2 mmHg em relação ao TAG, ao passo que no Tono- Pen essa proporção foi de 17,3%, e o tonômetro de Perkins não apresentou em nenhum dos pacientes diferenças maiores que estes limites. CONCLUSÕES: A ceratometria, paquimetria e os diâmetros axial e corneal não se correlacionaram com a PIO obtida por meio do TAG, tonômetro de Perkins, Pascal ou Tono-Pen. As diferenças tonométricas entre TAG (padrão ouro) e os outros tonômetros também não se correlacionaram com esses parâmetros biométricos, com exceção da ceratometria média, que se correlacionou positiva e moderadamente com a diferença da PIO entre TAG e Tono-Pen. O tonômetro de Perkins apresentou concordância substancial com o TAG, já o Tono-Pen e o TCD apresentaram concordâncias moderadas, sendo a concordância do Tono-Pen maior que a do TCD / OBJECTIVES: To compare the values of intraocular pressure (IOP) obtained by Perkins tonometer (PKT), Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (DCT) and Tono-Pen (TP), comparing then with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), analyzing their correlations with ocular biometric parameters in patients with primary congenital glaucoma. METHODS: Prospective and cross-sectional study, including 46 patients (46 eyes) diagnosed with primary congenital glaucoma, between 12 and 40 years old, after obtaining informed consent. Keratometry was performed, followed by Goldmann applanation tonometry, Perkins tonometry, DCT and TP. The order of tonometries was randomized. The Goldmann tonometer was adopted as the gold standard. Ultrasound pachymetry, ultrasound biometry and corneal diameter measurement with surgical compass were also performed. The distributions of biometric parameters, as well as the tonometries were plotted and analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov for acceptance of normality. Paired Student\'s t test for independent samples was used to compare the means of each tonometry with the gold standard. The correlations between biometric parameters and tonometries were performed by Pearson\'s product moment correlation coefficient and linear regression plots. The same procedure was done between biometric parameters and the differences between the three distinct tonometries and Goldmann tonometry. The agreement between tonometers and the GAT was performed through concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and graphically by the Bland-Altman method. End point of 2 mmHg was adopted to evaluate clinical employability of these tonometers in patients with similar conditions. RESULTS: The Kolmogorov-Smirnov indicated acceptance of normality for all distributions studied (GAT, PKT, DCT, TP, corneal diameter, axial length, keratometry and pachymetry). All the Pearson´s product moment correlation coefficients between biometric parameters and each tonometry were not significant. The correlations between the biometric parameters and the differences between tonometries compared to the gold standard were not significant in most cases. The only exception was a positive and moderate correlation between the difference of the GAT and Tono-Pen versus the keratometry. The determintation coefficient revealed a considerable, but no large influence of K on the differences between GAT and Tono-Pen (r² = 0.16; p = 0.004). Student\'s paired t test showed a significant difference between GAT and PT (p < 0.001). The difference was not significant between the GAT and Pascal (p = 0.30), or between the GAT and Tono-Pen (p = 0.68). There was excellent agreement between GAT and PT (CCC = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.97 to 0.99), as between GAT and Pascal (CCC = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82 to 0.94) and between GAT and Tono-Pen (CCC = 0.92, 95% CI = .87 to .95). Bland-Altman plot GAT x Perkins showed a mean difference of 0, 47 mmHg with 95% CI located between -0.98 and 1.92 mmHg. The distribution of the IOP differences was aleatory. The other two differences` distributions also had aleatory characteristics. When comparing GAT with Pascal, the mean difference was -0.3 mmHg (95% CI = -4.2% to 3.6 mmHg). Mean difference between GAT and Tono-Pen was -0.1 mmHg (95% CI = -3,7 to 3.5 mmHg). Pascal tonometer showed a difference greater than 2 mmHg comparing to GAT in 21% of the patients, while with Tono-Pen this ratio was 17.3% and the Perkins tonometer did not present in any patient differences greater than these limits. CONCLUSIONS: The keratometry, pachymetry, corneal diameter and axial length did not correlate with IOP obtained by GAT, Perkins tonometer, Tono-Pen or Pascal. The differences between GAT (gold standard) and the other tonometers also did not correlate with these biometric parameters, with the exception of corneal curvature, which was positive and moderately correlated with the difference in IOP between GAT and Tono-Pen. GAT and Perkins tonometer showed substantial agreement, although Tono-Pen and DCT showed moderate agreement with GAT. The concordance obtained with Tono-Pen was higher than the concordance obtained with DCT

As técnicas de remoção de catarata evoluíram nas últimas décadas. Na tentativa de oclusão da córnea após incisão para remoção da catarata, diversas técnicas têm sido propostas. Objetivou-se avaliar experimentalmente a viabilidade do emprego do adesivo de fibrina na oclusão da incisão de córnea em coelhos. Além disso, comparar os efeitos do adesivo de fibrina e do fio de sutura na oclusão da incisão de córnea em coelhos, utilizando-se os aspectos clínicos, a microscopia eletrônica de varredura e a morfometria. Dezesseis coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) da raça Nova Zelândia foram submetidos à incisão de córnea bilateral. Para a oclusão da incisão utilizou-se aleatoriamente em um bulbo do olho, adesivo de fibrina e no seu contralateral, fio de sutura. Os períodos de avaliação foram de 7 e 15 dias. As repercussões dos procedimentos foram avaliadas utilizando-se exame oftálmico. Ao final dos períodos determinados, procedeu-se à avaliação da área perincisional desprovida de células endoteliais por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura da morfometria e a análise estatística inferencial foi obtida pelo teste t de Student para amostrar pareadas. Clinicamente, observaram-se melhores resultados nas amostras ocluídas com fio de sutura. No que se refere à área perincisional desprovida de células endoteliais, comparando-se os dois tipos de oclusão, a área das amostras seladas com fibrina apresentou-se maior que a área ocluída com fio de sutura. Neste estudo, ambas as técnicas foram eficazes na oclusão da córnea de coelhos. Porém, a avaliação valendo-se da microscopia eletrônica de varredura e da morfometria das eletromicrografias das áreas perincisionais do endotélio da córnea desprovidas de células ocluídas com fio de sutura demonstrou maior nível de significância quando comparada ao adesivo de fibrina. / The techniques for cataract removal had developed in the last decades. As an attempt to repair the cornea after incision, different techniques are proposed for corneal sealing. The objective of this study was to evaluate experimentally the viability of the use of fibrin adhesive in occlusion of the incision of the cornea in rabbits. Also compare clinically and by scanning electron microscopy and morphometry the fibrin adhesive and the suture on the sealing the cornea incision in rabbits. In this study, 16 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) New Zealand breed were used. It was performed bilateral corneal incision. In one eye the incision was sealed with suture, in the other eye, with fibrin adhesive randomly. The periods of evaluation varied from 7 to 15 days. The repercussions at the eye were studied using the ophthalmic exam. At the end of the determinate period, it was performed the evaluation of the perincisional area without endothelial cell by means of scanning electron microscopy, morphometry and the inferential statistical analysis was made by Student t test for paired samples. Comparing the two types of sealing, the perincisional average area without endothelial cells was higher in the fibrin tissue than wired in both groups. In this study, both techniques had corneal sealing, however, the evaluation by scanning electron microscopy,and electromicrographs morphometry of the perinsional areas of the corneal endothelium without devoid cells occluded with suture wire has higher level significance when compared with fibrin adhesive.