Biomedical subjects

Milton Ruiz Alves

Publications and source records attributed to Milton Ruiz Alves.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[MALKS: specifications and development].

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics of a new artificial anterior chamber (MALKS, Loktal, São Paulo, Brazil). METHODS: Characteristics analysis and description of a new artificial anterior chamber MALKS (Micro automated lamellar keratoplasty system). RESULTS: MALKS is composed of eight parts: a) artificial chamber; b) cornea's fix ring; c) nut to join the cornea's fix ring; d) rail and adjuster of lamellar diameter; e) flatteners, to pre-determine lamellar diameter; f) infusion system, that allows the digital objective peroperative control of the intracameral pressure; g) automated microkeratome, and h) marker. CONCLUSION: MALKS uses the same automated microkeratome developed for LASIK, can allow corneal lamella obtention with predetermined thickness and diameter, as well as the digital objective peroperative control of the intracameral pressure. This new artificial anterior chamber can be an important tool for superficial and endothelial keratoplasty.

Anterior Chamber↗

PubMed2006

[Evaluation of the cut quality of the Masyk microkeratome in obtaining corneal flap from porcine eyes].

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the cut quality of the Masyk microkeratome in obtaining corneal flap from porcine eyes. METHODS: Prospective study with 31 porcine eyes divided into two groups: 15 eyes with programmed flap thickness of 160 microm and 9.5 mm diameter (Group 1), and 16 eyes with programmed flap thickness of 140 microm and 8.5 mm diameter (Group 2). Corneal thickness was calculated with a P55 pachymeter (Paradigm, USA) and the diameter with compass. RESULTS: No complications were observed during the use of the microkeratome. In group 1, the central corneal thickness mean was 146.33 +/- 15.43 microm, range between 127 and 186 microm, and the vertical diameter mean was 9.39 +/- 0.26 mm, range from 8.90 to 9.85 mm. In group 2, the central corneal thickness mean was 128.75 +/- 18.83 microm, range from 71 to 178 microm, and the vertical diameter mean was 8.27 +/- 0.20 mm, range from 7.95 to 8.65 mm. CONCLUSION: The Masyk microkeratome showed to be effective and safe to produce corneal flaps with appropriate thickness and diameter in porcine eyes.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Topographic corneal changes in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: To carry out a case-control clinical study in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis, aiming at information about the anterior corneal curvature and visual performance using a quantitative corneal descriptor analyzer (Holladay Diagnostic Summary). METHODS: We examined 342 eyes of 171 patients divided into 2 groups. Group 1 with 142 eyes of 71 patients with a clinical diagnosis of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (cases) and Group 2 with 200 eyes of 100 patients (controls) from the Department of Ophthalmology/"Santa Casa" of São Paulo. Patients were submitted to a complete examination and corneal topography with a quantitative corneal surface contour descriptor (Holladay Diagnostic Summary). Clinical and topographic criteria were established to diagnose keratoconus in both groups. RESULTS: The frequency of patients with a clinical diagnosis of keratoconus associated with vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Group 1 was 9.85% (7 patients). According to topographic criteria, the frequency in Group 1 was 22.53% (16 patients). In Group 2, no patient presented biomicroscopic, refratometric or topographic characteristics of keratoconus. All studied topographic variables, including corneal asphericity, presented statistical significance (p<0.05) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggested high frequency of patients with keratoconus associated with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Visual performance is compromised by aberrations and changes in corneal asphericity and other topographic variables.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Reliability of corneal thickness measurements by Orbscan II and ultrasound pachymeter].

PURPOSE: To access the reliability of corneal thickness measurements by Orbscan II and ultrasound pachymeter. METHODS: A retrospective study of 134 eyes from 67 normal subjects between January and June 2001 was obtained. Sex, age, visual acuity, refractive error and corneal thickness measurements by Orbscan II and ultrasound pachymetry were evaluated. All results were analyzed by the paired t test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Sixty-seven subjects, 34 (50.7%) female and 33 (49.3%) male, with a mean age of 32.44+/-9.98 were evaluated. The mean of spherical equivalent was -2.68+/-2.62. The mean corneal thickness was 534.81+/-34.45 with the Orbscan II system and 535.00+/-29.53 with the ultrasound pachymeter, values that were not significantly different (p=0.8922). The correlation coefficient between both instruments was 0.8774, and it is effective. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods are similar showing good correlation. In this study, the Orbscan II showed reliability, and this tool is extremely useful to evaluate subjects regarding refractive surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Refractive errors and cataract as causes of visual impairment in Brazil.

PURPOSE: To identify the main causes of visual impairment (VA <or= 0.2) within the population over 50 years of age examined in "Cataract Free Zone" projects sponsored by the University of Campinas from 1986 to 1995. METHODS: A retrospective review of the ophthalmic forms used for 60,404 patients examined in 74 Cataract Projects was performed. Through mass media information, adults of the target region or city were asked to self-test their vision. Patients with VA <or= 0.2 in the better eye were to come to a visual acuity test. Using Snellen charts, visual acuity testing was done by trained auxiliaries and medical students. The positive cases were then examined by ophthalmologists Criteria were established for the classification of the diagnoses and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: After the self-test of visual acuity, 60,404 patients came to have their visual acuity tested; 11,462 (18.97%) cases were considered positive and were submitted to complete eye examination; 5447 (42.7%) received spectacles for vision improvement, and 2704 (23.59%) had cataract surgery done. Other important causes of visual impairment were senile macular degeneration (5.4%) and glaucoma (4.02%). CONCLUSION: The main causes of visual impairment were non-corrected refractive errors and senile cataract. Ophthalmic community-based campaigns to serve the older population are recommended in order to detect and treat the identified cases and to indicate possible changes in the health care system.

Brazil↗

PubMed2003

Self-evaluation of contact lens wearing and care by college students and health care workers.

PURPOSE: To identify perceptions related to the wear and care and of contact lenses and self-evaluation of the knowledge regarding their cleaning and disinfection. METHODS: A survey was conducted by interviewing contact lens wearers among health care workers at a university hospital. RESULTS: Two hundred one contact lens wearers were interviewed. The average age was 23.5 years; 69.2% were female and 71.1% were college students. Approximately 55% did not consider themselves good wearers and declared as the main reason the inadequate maintenance of the contact lenses and their cases. Regarding contact lens care, 79.1% of respondents admitted not performing it correctly. CONCLUSION: Although the interviewees were health care workers, their self-evaluation regarding contact lens care showed unsatisfactory knowledge and practices related to the use and care of contact lenses.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[In vivo confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis: case report].

The authors describe a case of fungal keratitis that the in vivo confocal microscopy helped in the diagnosis and follow-up. Confocal microscopy was done in a patient's ulcer that did not improve with several topical medicines. Corneal scrapings were obtained and culture results were without conclusion. We observed hyphae and infectious collections on confocal microscopy. New corneal culture showed Fusarium sp ten days after confocal diagnosis.

Eye Infections, Fungal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the cut quality of Masyk microkeratome in obtaining corneal flap from human eyes of an eye bank].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cut quality of Masyk microkeratome in obtaining a corneal flap from human eyes of Eye Banks. METHODS: Prospective study with 20 human eyes from Eye Banks. All flaps were programmed to obtain 160 microm thickness and 9.5 mm diameter. The thicknesses were calculated with P55 pachymeter (Paradigm, USA), and diameter with compass. RESULTS: No complications were observed during the use of the microkeratome. The central corneal thickness average was 160.34+/-5.10 microm and range from 149 to 181 microm. The vertical diameter average was 9.64+/-0.16 mm and range from 9.30 to 9.85 mm. CONCLUSION: Masyk microkeratome showed to be effective for obtention of corneal flap with appropriate thickness and diameter from human corneas of Eye Banks.

Corneal Stroma↗