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Objective: To investigate the changes induced by a pterygium or its surgical removal on the biomechanical properties of the cornea and to determine factors that might affect these parameters., Methods: This prospective pilot interventional, non-randomized, observer-masked study included 20 eyes of 20 patients with a unilateral primary pterygium (pterygium group) and 19 fellow healthy eyes (control group). The bare sclera technique with one-minute application of 0.02% mitomycin C intraoperatively was performed in all cases. The follow-up period was one month. The preoperative and postoperative biomechanical properties of the cornea were measured using the Reichert ocular response analyzer (ORA)., Results: The corneal hysteresis (CH) decreased significantly (P<.01) in eyes with a pterygium compared to the control eyes, while surgery did not significantly change the CH compared to preoperatively. There were no significant changes in the corneal resistance factor or the central corneal thickness., Conclusions: Primary active pterygium (grades 1 or 2) induce a reduction of corneal biomechanical features. Further studies are needed in populations, with longer follow-ups and bigger pterygium that may involve wider keratectomy to confirm our results., (Copyright © 2011 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze morphological macular changes after uncomplicated cataract surgery and their correlation with age and arterial hypertension., Methods: Total macular volume (TMV), foveal volume (FOVOL) and foveal thickness (FOV) in patients who had undergone cataract surgery were measured using OCT3 Stratus before surgery, the day after the intervention and one month later. The data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 software., Results: The study group was composed of 114 eyes from 114 patients. The mean TMV, FOVOL and FOV in the subgroup of patients with signal strength over 6 before cataract surgery were 6.59 (SD0.67) microm(3); 0.16 (SD0.02) microm(3) and 204.97 (SD29.79) microm. One month after surgery the measurements were TMV: 6.93 (SD0.56) microm(3); FOVOL: 0.17 (SD0.06) microm(3) and FOV: 218.07 (SD87.60) microm. We found statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in TMV, but not in FOVOL or FOV. The group of patients under 74 years showed a greater increase in TMV. Patients with arterial hypertension did not show an increase in TMV or FOV compared to patients without arterial hypertension., Conclusions: We found a sub-morphological macular oedema one month after uncomplicated cataract surgery, with age being a risk factor for developing a greater increase in TMV. Arterial hypertension does not seem to be a risk factor for these changes.

Introduction: Bupropion is used to help people stop smoking. This drug can cause visual alterations but, up to now, its use was not associated with anisocoria., Case Report: A 40 year-old woman with a personal history of migraines, presented with monocular mydriasis during treatment with bupropion. Both pupils dilated equally after a 5% cocaine test, and constricted equally after a 0.025% Pilocarpine test. The anisocoria disappeared after the treatment with bupropion was withdrawn., Discussion: Bupropion inhibits neural uptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. Patients with migraine could have a minor unilateral sympathetic pupillary deficit. This deficit could cause hypersensitivity in the oculosympathetic pathway that could be stimulated with bupropion treatment. This feature could explain the mydriasis in our patient. Another explanation could be that bupropion could unmask a physiological anisocoria.

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy of topical plus subconjunctival versus retrobulbar anesthesia for primary non-penetrating sclerectomy supplemented with adjuntive 5-FU., Methods: A prospective study of 30 consecutive patients who were randomized to receive subconjunctival (n = 14) or retrobulbar (n = 16) anesthesia was performed. Operating conditions, patient comfort, postoperative pain, total pain and surgical outcomes were evaluated., Results: There were no differences in the operating conditions. The retrobulbar group reported significantly more pain during administration of the anesthetic agent than the subconjunctival group (P= 0.00). The subconjunctival group reported more discomfort during surgery than the retrobulbar group (P= 0.00); however, this feature was not a problem for the surgeon. No statistically significant differences were found in regard to the total pain experienced, the postoperative pain, nor the success rates of the operative procedure in either group., Conclusion: Topical/subconjunctival anesthesia is a safe and effective alternative to retrobulbar anesthesia for non penetrating sclerectomy supplemented with 5-FU.