PurposeFungi are a major cause of keratitis, although few medications are licensed for their treatment. The aim of this study is to observe the variation in commercialisation of antifungal eye drops, and to predict the seasonal distribution of fungal keratitis in Brazil.MethodsData from a retrospective study of antifungal eye drops sales from the only pharmaceutical ophthalmologic laboratory, authorized to dispense them in Brazil (Opthalmos) were gathered. These data were correlated with geographic and seasonal distribution of fungal keratitis in Brazil between July 2002 and June 2008.ResultsA total of 26,087 antifungal eye drop units were sold, with a mean of 2.3 per patient. There was significant variation in antifungal sales during the year (p<0.01). A linear regression model displayed a significant association between reduced relative humidity and antifungal drug sales (R2 = 0.17,p<0.01).ConclusionsAntifungal eye drops sales suggest that there is a seasonal distribution of fungal keratitis. A possible interpretation is that the third quarter of the year (a period when the climate is drier), when agricultural activity is more intense in Brazil, suggests a correlation with a higher incidence of fungal keratitis. A similar model could be applied to other diseases, that are managed with unique, or few, and monitorable medications to predict epidemiological aspects.

PURPOSE: To report the first clinical experience with topical losartan for treating a case of severe corneal haze after complicated laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: A 36-year-old woman presented with corneal haze in the left eye after femtosecond laser–assisted LASIK. The left eye had flap dislocation and significant striae, which had been re-lifted. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/200 and corrected distance visual acuity was 20/30 in the left eye at the first presentation, 52 days after the first procedure. A dense layer of subepithelial opacity (haze) was noted in the left cornea. The patient elected to start the off-label treatment with topical losartan 0.8 mg/mL six times per day. RESULTS: Four and one-half months after initiating topical losartan, UDVA improved to 20/30 and CDVA improved to 20/25 in the left eye. A significant reduction of corneal haze was observed at the slit lamp and using Scheimpflug corneal tomography (Pentacam AXL; Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (Revo NX 130; Optopol). CONCLUSIONS: Losartan is an inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β signaling. Topical treatment is promising to treat corneal haze formation after corneal injuries, chemical burns, and surgeries. Further clinical studies are needed to optimize losartan dosages and treatment durations. [ J Refract Surg . 2022;38(11):741–746.]

Na literatura oftalmológica encontramos casos descritos de infecções oculares bacterianas transmitidas por colírios contaminados 1,2 . A manutenção da esterilização dos medicamentos usados topicamente é importante visto que em muitas situações pode haver uma modificação da defesa natural do próprio paciente 3, 4 .O colírio de sangue autólogo é utilizado para o tratamento de doenças como a ceratoconjuntivite sicca 5-8 , e em geral pacientes que fazem uso deste tipo de medicação possuem alterações de superfície ocular, o que pode predispor a possíveis infecções oculares [7][8] .Outros estudos que analisaram a contaminação de colírios anestésicos associados ou não ao corante vital fluoresceína 4 , ou colírios de uso geral 3,9 , verificaram que existe a possibilidade de contaminação tanto por microorganismos Gram positivos como por microrganismos Gram negativos.Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a contaminação de resíduos em frascos de colírios de soro autólogo após o uso tópico. MÉTODOSForam avaliados os resíduos de 127 frascos de colírios de sangue autólogo 100% manipulados pelo laboratório Oftalmolab no período de Dezembro de 1998 a Abril de 2000.