History of Neuro-Ophthalmology in Argentina

Worldwide Neuro-Ophthalmology Section Editor: Kathleen B. Digre, MD History of Neuro-Ophthalmology in Argentina Dolores M. Ribero Ayerza, MD, Mariana de Virgiliis, MD, Roberto Ebner, MD The Beginnings T he history of neuro-ophthalmology in Argentina dates back to 1892 when an Argentine ophthalmologist named Pedro Lagleyze, MD, (Fig. 1), published his thesis "Cromatoscopia," dealing with color blindness (1). The following year, he wrote a detailed description of a young man who experienced visual loss and was found to have markedly dilated and tortuous retinal blood vessels. This ultimately became known as cerebroretinal angiomatosis (Von Hippel-Lindau-Lagleyze syndrome) (2,3). In the early part of the 20th century, Manuel Balado, MD, (Fig. 2), published a number of articles dealing with iris innervation (El Iris; Buenos Aires, E. Spinelli, 1927). In collaboration with Jorge Malbran, MD, a prominent ophthalmologist, they contributed to the field of neuroophthalmology in describing "optochiasmatic arachnoiditis" FIG. 2. Doctor Manuel Balado. FIG. 1. Doctor Pedtro Lageyze (marble sculpture at the main lobby in the Hospital Pedro Lagleyze, Buenos Aires). Ribero Ayerza et al: J Neuro-Ophthalmol 2017; 37: e11-e12 (Balado syndrome). Dr. Balado had a particular interest in the visual pathways including the structure of the lateral geniculate nucleus. This led to publication of Das Corpus Geniculatum Externum (Berlin, J. Springer ed, 1937) in collaboration with Elizabeth Franke, MD, an anatomical pathologist (4). Another milestone in neuro-ophthalmology in Argentina was publication of "Campo visual, normal y patológico," a text by Dr. Malbran, dealing with visual fields in health and disease. This included a chapter on optic chiasmal changes produced by arteriosclerotic vessels at the circle of Willis leading to optic disc cupping and glaucoma-like visual field defects. The tight vessels around the chiasm became known as "the Balado tie." In addition, Malbran published Estrabismos y Paralisis (Editorial Oftalmologica Argentina. Buenos Aires 1949), contributing a great deal to our understanding of paralytic strabismus. Alberto Urrets-Zavalia, MD, a retinal surgeon, contributed prolifically to the ophthalmology literature with approximately 200 scientific presentations and publications. He had a particular interest in the cyclovertical component of congenital strabismus (5,6). In the field of basic science, the studies on axonal tubules and postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors by Eduardo De Robertis, MD, led to his nomination for the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1971 (7). e11 Copyright © North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Worldwide Neuro-Ophthalmology Neuro-Ophthalmology Today TABLE 1. Neuro-ophthalmology centers in Argentina The modern era of neuro-ophthalmology in Argentina began at Hospital Santa Lucia by Haydee Martinez, MD, and Roberto Ebner, MD, both students of Adolfo Gomez Morales, MD, an orbital surgeon. Ultimately, Dr. Martinez moved his practice to University Hospital de Clinicas San Martin and Dr. Ebner to the British Hospital. Both are in active practice today and are engaged in neuro-ophthalmology. In 1988, Argentine and Latin American neuroophthalmologists met in Reñaca, Chile, to form CLAN (Latin American Neuro-ophthalmology Club). This group holds periodic meetings to discuss issues in our subspecialty and enjoy at a series of social events (8). Since 1992, a one-day course entitled "Neurooftalmologica" has been held in Buenos Aires. Neuro-ophthalmologists from Argentina and around the world have contributed to this important continuing medical education meeting. Despite an economic crisis early in the 21st century, a meeting of the International Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (INOS) was held in Buenos Aires in 2002. It was organized by Roberto Ebner and Sergio Carmona (Fig. 3). The meeting was a great success and William Hoyt, MD, was the guest of honor (9,10). Neuro-ophthalmology is gradually gaining popularity in Argentina. This is reflected in a growing number of hospitals Hospital City Santa Lucia Pedro Lagleyze Clinicas San Martin Británico de Buenos Aires Italiano de Buenos Aires FLENI Hospital Austral Hospital Centenario Buenos Buenos Buenos Buenos Aires Aires Aires Aires Specialist(s) Luis Crovetto Mariana de Virgiliis Haydee Martinez Roberto Ebner Dolores Ribero Ayerza Buenos Aires Moira Altszul Buenos Aires Lidia López Pilar Mariana de Virgiliis Rosario Sergio Carmona Sandra Barboza with a neuro-ophthalmology service (Table 1). Although still early in its evolution, our subspecialty hopefully will occupy an important place in the medical community of Argentina. Dolores M. Ribero Ayerza, MD Neuroophthalmology Unit (DMRA), Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina Mariana de Virgiliis, MD Department of Neuroophthalmology (MdV), Hospital Oftalmologico Pedro Lagleyze, Buenos Aires, Argentina Roberto Ebner, MD Neuroophthalmology Unit (RE), Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina REFERENCES FIG. 3. Sergio Carmona and Robert Ebner at the INOS meeting, Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2002. e12 1. Lagleyze P. Cromatopsia. Buenos Aires, Argentina: 1882. 2. Vozza JV, Marcone GI. La Enfermedad de Lagleyze Von HippelLindau (Insistiendo en una cuestion de prioridad). Archivos Oftalmol Buenos Aires. 1966;41:91-96. 3. Lagleyze P. Revista Argentina de Oftalmologia Practica. Vol. 1. 1883;1. 4. Vozza JV, Marcone GJ. Historia de la Neuroftalmologia. Archivos Oftalmol Buenos. 1967;42:98-115. 5. Urrets-Zavalia A. Significance of congenital cyclo-vertical motor defects of the eyes. Br J Ophthalmol. 1955;39:11-20. 6. Grezybowski A, Urret-Zavalia JA, Ascaso FJ. Alberto UrretsZavalia Jr (1920-2010): an Argentinian contributor to ophthalmology. J Med Biogr. 2014;24:261-266. 7. De Robertis E. Molecular biology of synaptic receptors. Science. 1971;171:963-971. 8. Fernandez-Saldago V, Hedges TR. The 25th reunion of CLAN, the Latin American Neuro-Ophthalmology Club. J Neuroophthalmol. 2014;34:e3. 9. McFadzean RM, Mejico LJ. 14th International NeuroOphthalmology Society (INOS) Meeting, Buenos Aires. Argentina, May 5-8, 2002. J Neuroophthalmol. 2002;22:305-310. 10. Sanders MD, Thompson HS. The founding of the International Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. J Neuroophthalmol. 2013;33: e13-e16. Ribero Ayerza et al: J Neuro-Ophthalmol 2017; 37: e11-e12 Copyright © North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.