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J Castro-Correia

Publications and source records attributed to J Castro-Correia.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Assessment of autonomic function in high level athletes by pupillometry.

Spectral analysis of heart rate variability has become a noninvasive standard method for assessment of autonomic nervous system activity in athletes. The effect of exercise training on autonomic regulation of pupillary light reflex is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pupil autonomic function in athletes. We studied 46 highly trained athletes practicing gymnastics, swimming, long-distance running, soccer, and 51 healthy control subjects, using a portable infrared pupillometry. Five left pupil light response curves were recorded for each subject; the 485 pupillogram records were processed by a computer system. The following pupillometric parameters calculated were significantly higher (P<0.05) in runners than in controls: reflex amplitude (2.1 mm; 95% CI, 1.9-2.3 vs. 1.8 mm; 95% CI, 1.7-1.9), mean percent reflex amplitude of initial diameter (34%; 95% CI, 32-37 vs. 30%, 95% CI, 28-31) and mean time at which pupil redilated 75% of reflex amplitude (2.15 s; 95% CI, 1.99-2.31 vs. 1.86 s; 95% CI, 1.78-1.93). Sex, age, height, weight, body mass index and years of sports practice had no significant influence in the evaluated parameters. The results were consistent with an increased parasympathetic activity and a reduced sympathetic activity of pupillary light reflex in endurance-trained runners, supporting the hypothesis of a generalized "dysautonomy" associated with this type of training.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Modern sports eye injuries.

AIMS: To determine the severity and long term sequelae of eye injuries caused by modern sports that could be responsible for significant ocular trauma in the future. METHODS: Prospective observational study of 24 (25 eyes) athletes with sports related ocular injuries from health clubs, war games, adventure, radical and new types of soccer, presenting to an eye emergency department between 1992 and 2002 (10 years). RESULTS: Modern sports were responsible for 8.3% of the 288 total sports eye injuries reported. Squash (29.2%) was the most common cause, followed by paintball (20.8%) and motocross (16.6%). The most common diagnosis during the follow up period was retinal breaks (20%). 18 (75%) patients sustained a severe injury. The final visual acuity remained <20/100 in two paintball players. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular injuries resulting from modern sports are often severe. Adequate instruction of the participants in the games, proper use of eye protectors, and a routine complete ophthalmological examination after an eye trauma should be mandatory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Sports-related ocular injuries. A three-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE: The authors performed a sports-related ocular injuries evaluation with periodic patient observation and follow-up, to outline the severity and long-term sequelae of eye injuries in sports. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted of 84 consecutive patients (85 injured eyes) with sports-related eye injuries examined at the Eye Emergency Department of Porto S. João Hospital, between April 1992 and March 1995. The ophthalmologic examination was recorded using the United States Eye Injury Registry report forms, and the follow-up ranged from 3 months to 3 years. RESULTS: Injuries occurred predominantly in young males (mean age, 24.8 +/- 9.6 years). The type of sport and the mechanism most frequently responsible for injuries were, respectively, outdoor and indoor soccer (72.6%) and ball trauma (64.3%). Of 45 patients presenting with hyphema, 24 (53.3%) had vitreous and/or retina (V/R) lesions (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.8-67.5) compared with 13 of 39 (33.3%) patients with no hyphema (95% CI, 20.0-49.1). Angle recession was significantly more common in the presence of hyphema (55.6%; 95% CI, 41.0-69.5 vs. 10.3%; 95% CI, 3.3-22.9; P < 0.00005), and retinal tears were more common in the presence of vitreous hemorrhage (P = 0.004). Nineteen of 58 (32.8%) patients with "normal" visual acuity (> or = 20/40) presented with V/R lesions. Hyphemas were significantly more frequent in soccer players (38/61 vs. 7/23, P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: These results highlighted the serious nature of outdoor and indoor soccer injuries. The severity of the anterior segment injury was not a good predictor of posterior segment damage. Ophthalmologists can help prevent delayed consequences by including regular gonioscopy and peripheral retinal examination in all cases of blunt trauma. The United States Eye Injury Registry report forms adapted to sports proved to be a useful tool for collecting detailed information and sharing a common database.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Changes in the retinal ganglion cell layer and optic nerve of rats exposed neonatally to cocaine.

The effects of neonatal exposure to cocaine upon the structure of the visual system are poorly understood despite the evidence of eye abnormalities in infants exposed in utero to cocaine. We previously demonstrated alterations in the optic nerve of rats exposed neonatally to cocaine, although no changes were detected in the number of its axons. This study was undertaken to investigate the retinal ganglion cell layer and the size distribution of the optic axons, in an attempt to assess further changes in the visual pathways. Groups of rats (Wistar strain) were given subcutaneous injections of cocaine hydrochloride (15 mg kg-1 body weight day-1) divided into two daily doses, from the day following birth until postnatal day 30 Controls were given subcutaneous saline throughout the same experimental period. Per group, five animals from three different litters were evaluated morphometrically. Following perfusion with aldehydes, samples from the median ventral and dorsal parts of the retina and the optic nerves were processed for electron microscopy. Morphometric techniques at light and electron microscopic levels allowed us to determine the following. (a) In the optic nerve: (1) frequency size-distribution of myelinated nerve fibres; and (2) number of myelin sheaths per fibre. (b) In the retina: (1) thickness of the layers; (2) frequency size-distribution of ganglion layer neurons; (3) mean cell nuclear size; and (4) packing density of ganglion cell layer neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Phacolytic glaucoma and lens-induced uveitis.

The pathogenesis of lens-induced uveitis and phacolytic glaucoma is still not fully understood. The authors report a case of a 62-year-old white female, with bilateral lens dislocation into the vitreous, who presented clinical and pathological features of phacolytic glaucoma in the left eye. The ultrastructural study of aqueous and vitreous aspirates showed lenticular fragments and macrophages with lipofuscin granules and phagocytic vacuoles containing lens proteins. Immunocytochemistry revealed foamy macrophages immunoreactive for CD68 and HLA-DR. One year later the right eye disclosed a mild anterior granulomatous uveitis with corneal mutton-fat keratic precipitates that remained unchanged in the course of sixteen months follow-up without further treatment. These findings corroborate the possibility that, besides their mechanical and inflammatory roles in the impairment of the outflow system of the (exciting) left eye, phacolytic macrophages might also have been involved in the afferent phase of the mild chronic uveitis of the (fellow) right eye.

Aqueous Humor↗
PubMed1992

Long-term follow-up of central serous retinopathy in 150 patients.

To study the evolution of the retinal pigment epithelial lesions in the central serous retinopathy, the authors studied 150 patients with ages between 20 and 49 years at the first examination, during periods varying between 6 months and 14 years. It was found a greater incidence of the disease in the males (83.3%); bilaterality in 23.3%; only one point of leakage in 62.7%; 3 different types of diffusion (inkblot 71.4%; mushroom 23.8%; with serous pigment epithelial detachment 4.9%). The final visual acuity was < 20/40 in a quarter of the cases and the frequency of the recurrences was 30%. The laser treatment did not influence the recurrences. In 50 patients with a follow-up superior to 3 years, 8 (16%) developed lesions similar to those described as diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy with visual field defects and subnormal EOG. Actuarial calculus suggests that 50% of the patients may get the most severe and extensive form of the disease after 12 years of evolution. The results allow to conclude that the diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy is only the terminal state of the most severe cases of central serous retinopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Uveitis in northern Portugal.

During the past four years 450 patients (247 female - mean age 36 years and 203 male - mean age 34 years) with intraocular inflammation were evaluated using standard diagnostic criteria, to establish a uveitis survey profile. Patients were divided into four anatomic groups: anterior uveitis (270 cases = 60%), posterior uveitis (108 cases = 24%), panuveitis (54 cases = 12%) and intermediate uveitis (18 cases = 4%). A probable aetiological diagnosis was made in 232 cases (51.5%). Rheumatic diseases were diagnosed most commonly (55 cases = 12.2%), mainly ankylosing spondylitis, as is true for other European countries. Ocular toxoplasmosis was a frequent cause of uveitis, as in Brazil and West Africa, thus requiring a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Behçet's syndrome was associated with HLA B5 (65%) as in Japanese and Mediterranean populations. In our area AIDS retinitis is becoming an important differential diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Understanding the choroid.

Based on previous work, this paper describes the anatomical and functional characteristics of the choroidal vasculature, namely the choriocapillaris, the arterial and arteriovenous anastomosis, the segmental distribution of the short posterior ciliary arteries, and the choroidal veins. The characteristics of the choroidal innervation with reference to the sensory nerve endings are reviewed. Some features of Bruch's membrane may explain the fundoscopic and angiographic appearance of the angioid streaks and the role of its basement membranes in the formation and transport of drusen.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Retinal complications after bungee jumping.

Bungee jumping is becoming a popular sport in the Western world with some cases of ophthalmic complications being reported in recent literature. The authors reported a case of a 23-year-old healthy female who presented retinal complications following a bungee jumping. Her fundi showed superficial retinal hemorrhages in the right eye and a sub-internal limiting membrane hemorrhage affecting the left eye. A general examination, including a full neurological examination, was normal and laboratorial investigations were all within normal values. More studies are necessary to identify risk factors and the true incidence of related ocular lesions, but until then, we think this sport activity should be desencouraged, especially to those that are not psychological and physically fit.

Adult↗