Queratopatía climática en la Argentina.

La queratopatía climática (QPC) es una afección degenerativa de la córnea, caracterizada por la aparición de un velamiento progresivo de sus capas más anteriores, pudiendo llegar a la opacidad subtotal de la misma. En los estadíos iniciales comienza con la aparición d múltiples finísimos depósitos translúcidos en las regiones yuxtalímbicas horizontales (grado 1), extendiéndose progresivamente en forma de banda hacia el centro de la córnea (grado 2), apareciendo en etapas avanzadas gotas o vesículas más grandes y amarillentas, que protruyen bajo el epitelio corneal (grado 3). La QPC es una enfermedad que afecta a individuos de cuarenta o más años, predominantemente varones, que se dedican a tareas rurales o trabajos a la intemperie, provocando una lenta pero severa disminución de la visión del ojo afectado

Queratopatía climática en la Argentina

La queratopatía climática (QPC) es una afección degenerativa de la córnea, caracterizada por la aparición de un velamiento progresivo de sus capas más anteriores, pudiendo llegar a la opacidad subtotal de la misma. En los estadíos iniciales comienza con la aparición d múltiples finísimos depósitos translúcidos en las regiones yuxtalímbicas horizontales (grado 1), extendiéndose progresivamente en forma de banda hacia el centro de la córnea (grado 2), apareciendo en etapas avanzadas gotas o vesículas más grandes y amarillentas, que protruyen bajo el epitelio corneal (grado 3). La QPC es una enfermedad que afecta a individuos de cuarenta o más años, predominantemente varones, que se dedican a tareas rurales o trabajos a la intemperie, provocando una lenta pero severa disminución de la visión del ojo afectado.Fil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio Alberto. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; Argentin

Clinical, Functional and Structural Studies of Humans and Merino Sheep Corneas from Two Different Regions of Argentina

Objective: The purpose of our work was to study and compare the cornea and tear film of people and sheep inhabiting in a region of Argentinean Patagonia (PATG), and in a geographically and climatically different region in the Argentinean Pampa (CAPT).Methods: Using cross sectional study, corneal examinations were performed in people and Merino sheep inhabiting PATG and CAPT regions, respectively. All people completed a questionnaire related to work activity, diet, and the use of hats or sunglasses during their life. Eyes from all participants were examined with a portable hand- held slit-lamp biomicroscope (BM) to evaluate corneal appearance, epithelium integrity, and transparency. Later on, in a subgroup of participants we studied eye blinking frequency (EBF), ocular surface staining (FS), breakup time (BUT), Schirmer Tear Test (STT), corneal structure using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and light microscopy (LM), and concentrations of serum ascorbate (sAA).Results: BM studies revealed numerous cases of climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) only in people inhabiting the PATG region. CLSM studies confirmed typical punctate deposits at the Bowman ́s layer in CDK patients living in that region. CLSM images from sheep did not show any abnormalities at the Bowman ́s layer but exhibited small hyper reflective dots at the epithelium only in animals pasturing in the PATG region. FS and EBF mean values were significant higher in sheep grazing in the PATG region (p <0.05). No differences were found in surface eye tests when people from both regions were analyzed. Low sAA levels were found only in CDK people living in PATG region.Conclusions: CDK is a multi-factorial disease not only associated to harsh climate. We provide data that low sAA levels can play a role in its genesis in Patagonia patients?... Sheep pasturing in this region with a high prevalence of CDK have high concentration of sAA and did not present any sub epithelial corneal abnormalities.Fil: Suarez, Maria Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Crim, Nicolás. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Monti, Rodolfo. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Esposito, Evangelina. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Serra, Horacio Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentin

Climatic droplet keratopathy: An old disease in new clothes

Climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) is an acquired and potentially handicapping cornea degenerative disease that is highly prevalent in certain rural communities around the world. It predominantly affects males over their forties. It has many other names such as Bietti's band-shaped nodular dystrophy, Labrador keratopathy, spheroidal degeneration, chronic actinic keratopathy, oil droplet degeneration, elastoid degeneration and keratinoid corneal degeneration. CDK is characterized by the haziness and opalescence of the cornea's most anterior layers which go through three stages with increasing severity. Globular deposits of different sizes may be histopathologically observed under the corneal epithelium by means of light and electron microscopy. The coalescence and increased volume of these spherules may cause the disruption of Bowman's membrane and the elevation and thinning of the corneal epithelium. The exact aetiology and pathogenesis of CDK are unknown, but they are possibly multifactorial. The only treatment in CDK advanced cases is a corneal transplantation, which in different impoverished regions of the world is not an available option. Many years ago, the clinical and histological aspects of this disease were described in several articles. This review highlights new scientific evidence of the expanding knowledge on CDK's pathogenesis which will open the prospect for new therapeutic interventions.Fil: Serra, Horacio Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Holopainen, Juha M.. University of Helsinski; FinlandiaFil: Beuerman, Roger. Singapore Eye Research Institute; Singapur. Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; SingapurFil: Kaarniranta, Kai. University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital; FinlandiaFil: Suarez, Maria Fernanda. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio Alberto. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; Argentin

Administration of a peptide inhibitor of alpha4-integrin inhibits the development of experimental autoimmune uveitis

Recruitment of lymphocytes into the retina and to the vitreous during the development of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is governed by factors such as the state of activation of inflammatory cells and the repertoire of adhesion molecules expressed by the local vascular endothelia. alpha4 Integrins and their receptors play an important role during homing of cells to the inflammatory site. In the present study, the effect of alpha4-integrin inhibitor on the development of EAU was investigated.Fil: Martín, Andrea P.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Vieira de Moraes, Luciana. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Tadokoro, Carlos E.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Commodaro, Alessandra G.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Urrets Zavalia, Enrique. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Rabinovich, Gabriel Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio Alberto. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Rizzo, Luiz V.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil. Fundação Zerbini; BrasilFil: Serra, Horacio Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentin

On the Cornea of Healthy Merino Sheep: A Detailed Ex Vivo Confocal, Histological and Ultrastructural Study

Our study performed qualitative and quantitative studies on the corneal ultrastructure of healthy female Merino sheep of ages 4 months and 6 years old from the Argentinean Pampa. The corneas were evaluated using ex vivo laser-scanning confocal microscopy, light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Those studies allowed us to obtain detailed images of the corneal layers as well as quantitative data of the cellular and sub-basal nerve densities in the cornea from sheep of different ages. The density of the corneal cells was significantly different in the anterior versus the posterior epithelium and stroma. Moreover, the density of the epithelial, stromal cells and endothelial cells, as well as the sub-basal nerve density were significantly lower in adult than in young animals. Our work provided a wide-ranging description of the corneal ultrastructure of healthy female Merino sheep, which adds to the current knowledge about the ophthalmological aspects of this species and undoubtedly benefits veterinarians.Fil: Cafaro, Thamara Analia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Suarez, Maria Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Microscopía Electrónica; ArgentinaFil: Croxatto, Juan Oscar. Fundación Oftalmológica Argentina "J. Malbrán". Departamento de Patología Ocular y Ultraestructura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Insfran, Constanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio Alberto. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola. Dto de Oftalmologia; ArgentinaFil: Serra, Horacio Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentin

Systemic amyloidosis with bilateral conjunctival involvement: a case report

Conjunctival amyloidosis is a very rare condition, generally unilateral, and presents mostly as an isolated condition without systemic compromise. Our purpose is to present a new case of systemic amyloidosis with a bilateral conjunctival involvement.Fil: Correa, Leandro Javier. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Maccio, J. Pablo. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Esposito, Evangelina. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Monti, Jose Rodolfo. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Castellanos, Maria Eugenia. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Paradelo, Martin. Centro Medico de Patologia y Citopatologia; ArgentinaFil: Serra, Horacio Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio Alberto. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; Argentin

Slit-lamp laser photocoagulation with a quadraspheric contact lens for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity

Purpose: To present our experience of slit-lamp laser photocoagulation with a pediatric quadraspheric contact lens for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Material and methods: 8 eyes of 4 premature babies with threshold ROP were consecutively treated under general anesthesia by means of blue-green argon laser photocoagulation delivered through a table mounted slit-lamp and a wide field contact lens specially designed for infants. Three of the treated eyes had a zone, disease, 2 a posterior zone II disease and 3 a zone II disease. Mean follow-up was 13 months. Results: Early complete regression of the neovascular proliferations and plus disease was observed in all the treated eyes (100%) without apparent sequela. In only one eye that had zone I disease a mild and small peripheral vitreous hemorrhage was observed. Neither cataract nor posterior synechia was observed. A discrete and transient badly hypothermia occurred only in one case. Comments and conclusions: This study shows the efficacy and precision of slit-lamp argon laser photocoagulation through a quadraspheric contact lens in ROP, with a very low rate of complications, and with a magnificent and comfortable visualization of all the structures to be treated. Each retinal burn was easily and very precisely placed from the ridge to the ora serrata in 360°with only a slight to moderate tilting of the wide field lens and without the need of scleral depression.Fil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Enrique Alberto. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Iros, M. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; Argentin

Surface alterations, corneal hypoesthesia, and iris atrophy in patients with climatic droplet keratopathy

PURPOSE: To present external eye findings and the observation of iris atrophy in patients with climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK). METHODS: Twenty-three patients with CDK and 13 controls living in a semideserted plain of the Argentine Patagonia were studied. Besides a comprehensive eye examination, Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry, Schirmer II test, breakup time (BUT), and surface staining were performed. According to corneal findings, eyes were grouped as grade 1 (confluent translucent microdroplets localized in the limbic region of the horizontal quadrants); grade 2 (band-shaped subepithelial haziness compromising the central cornea); and grade 3 (previously described lesions with yellow subepithelial droplets). Results were analyzed with the Fisher, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman tests, which were considered significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Nineteen of 23 patients with CDK had bilateral disease, which was asymmetric in 2 of them. Sixteen eyes had grade 1, 21 eyes had grade 2, and 5 eyes had grade 3 disease. Aesthesiometry showed that the more advanced the disease, the more profound the corneal hypoesthesia (P = 0.0008). BUT and ocular surface staining significantly differed between eyes with grade 3 and grade 1, grade 3 and grade 2, and grade 3 and controls. In 38.09% of eyes with CDK and in none of the controls, sectorial depigmentation and atrophy of the inferior iris were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A severe decrease of corneal sensitivity was observed in advanced stages of CDK. Some degree of dry eye was present in most patients, but severe disease was infrequent at any stage of CDK. Inferior iris depigmentation and atrophy was frequently observed among patients with CDK.Fil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Maccio, J. Pablo. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Knoll, Erna. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Cafaro, Thamara. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Enrique Alberto. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Serra, Horacio M. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentin

Climatic droplet keratopathy in the argentine patagonia

PURPOSE: To present the findings of climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) that affects people of a rural area of the Argentine Patagonia. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: Five hundred seventy-seven individuals who live in settlements and villages in an inland area of the northwest Patagonia region in Argentina received a complete eye examination. RESULTS: The mean age was 36.02 years (r = 1.5 months to 89 years); 55.63% of the patients were female. The mean age of the 7.62% of the patients who had typical CDK was 65.31 years (r = 42 to 89 years); 86.36% of the patients were male. Of 66 eyes in 35 patients with CDK, 35 eyes had peripheral haziness (grade 1); 23 eyes had a band-shaped haziness (grade 2), and 8 eyes had the aggregate of yellow subepithelial droplets (grade 3). Pinguecula, pterygium, cataract, and pseudoexfoliation were frequent findings among patients with CDK. CONCLUSION: CDK is not infrequent among male adults in this area of the Argentine Patagonia and may be severely handicapping.Fil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Knoll, Erna. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Maccio, J. Pablo. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Enrique Alberto. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Saad, José A. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Serra, Horacio M. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentin