Schistosoma mansoni
is responsible for lesions that can alter the hemodinamic of the portal
venous circulation, lung arterial and venous sistemic systems. Therefore,
hemodinamic changes in the ocular circulation of mansonic schistosomotic
patients with portal hypertension and hepatofugal venous blood flow is also
probable. The purpose of this study was to determine the fluorescein contrast
arrival time at the retina of young patients with the hepatosplenic form
of schistosomiasis, clinically and surgically treated. The control group
included 36 non schistosomotic patients, mean age of 17.3 years, and the
case group was represented by 25 schistosomotic patients, mean age of 18.2
years, who were cared for at The University Hospital (Federal University
of Pernambuco, Brazil), from 1990 to 2001. They underwent digital angiofluoresceinography
and were evaluated for the contrast arrival time at the early retinal venous
phase of the exam. Both groups were ophthalmologically examined at the same
hospital (Altino Ventura Foundation, Recife, Brazil), using the same technique.
There was retardation of the retinal contrast arrival time equal or more
than 70 sec in the eyes of three schistosomotic patients (12%) and in none
of the control group, however, the mean contrast arrival time between the
two groups were not statistically different. These findings lend support
to the hypothesis that there could be a delay of the eye venous blood flow
drainage.