Ação social para detecção e resolução de baixa de acuidade visual em adolescentes / Social action to detect and solve low visual acuity in adolescents

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a prevalência e as principais causas de baixa acuidade visual encontradas em estudantes; resolver as alterações refracionais por meio de correção óptica e estabelecer uma relação entre visão e desempenho escolar. Métodos Estudo transversal, quantitativo, de ação social realizada em uma escola pública de ensino fundamental e médio de Araçatuba (SP). A avaliação especializada foi indicada aos estudantes que, em triagem visual, apresentaram acuidade visual ≤0,7 em um ou em ambos os olhos, com ou sem correção óptica prévia. Foram entregues óculos a todos que necessitavam, para melhorar visão. Foi realizada análise pela ficha de atendimento e pela nota escolar dos alunos, pelos programas Excel e BioEstat. Resultados Dos 503 alunos triados, 75 (15%) apresentaram baixa de acuidade visual. Compareceram à consulta agendada 66 (88%), e 50 (80,65%) receberam óculos prontos. A média de idade foi de 152 anos, e houve predominância do sexo feminino (64,5%). As alterações refracionais foram a principal causa da baixa visual (90,3%), e miopia, associada ou não a astigmatismo, foi a mais prevalente (63%). Dentre os casos, 13 (21%) tinham anisometropia. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa (p=0,5479) entre as médias anuais dos alunos com baixa de acuidade visual e aqueles com visão normal. Conclusão Projetos sociais de triagem visual são facilmente executáveis, têm baixo custo e alta resolutividade, uma vez que os transtornos refracionais são a principal causa e facilmente corrigidos com óculos. A baixa de acuidade visual detectada nos alunos não interferiu no desempenho escolar.

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the prevalence and the main causes of low visual acuity among students, to correct refractive errors with eyewear, and to establish a relation between vision and school performance. Methods This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study of a social action carried out in a public elementary and high school in the city of Araçatuba (SP). Specialized evaluation was indicated to students who presented visual acuity ≤0.7 in one or both eyes, with or without prior optical correction, upon triage. Glasses were delivered to everyone who needed better vision. The analysis was performed based on screening record and student's school grade, using Excel and BioEstat software. Results Out of 503 students screened, 75 (15%) presented low visual acuity. Sixty-six (88%) attended the scheduled visit and 50 (80.65%) received ready-made glasses. The mean age was 15±2 years, and there was a predominance of females (64.5%). Refractive errors were the main cause of visual impairment (90.3%) and myopia, associated or not to astigmatism, was the most prevalent condition (63%). Thirteen (21%) students had anisometropia. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.5479) in annual average grade of students with low visual acuity and those with normal vision. Conclusion Social projects for visual triage are carried out without effort, have a low cost and high problem-solving capacity, since refractive errors are the most frequent diagnoses and easily corrected with glasses. The low visual acuity detected in students did not interfere in their school performance.

Lente intraocular fáquica de cámara anterior de fijación angular / Anterior chamber phakic introcular lens with angle fixation

La emergencia de las lentes intraoculares fáquicas en las pasadas décadas mostró una nueva alternativa para las ametropías extremas. Desde el año 1950 han sido diseñados diferentes modelos de lentes intraoculares fáquicas con distintos diseños y complicaciones. Se presenta un caso con antecedente de miopía elevada, quien posterior a la colocación de una lente intraocular fáquica de cámara anterior de fijación angular presentó como complicación en el posoperatorio abundante pigmentación iridiana sobre el lente y sinequias anteriores en 360 grados. Nos motivamos a publicar este caso y de esta forma proporcionar una actualización sobre las complicaciones de la colocación de estos lentes, así como ofrecer algunas recomendaciones para detectar a tiempo los posibles riesgos de este procedimiento(AU)

The emergence of the phakic intraocular lenses in the last decades showed a new alternative for the extreme ametropias. Since1950 different models of phakic intraoduclar lenses have been designed with different designs and complications. Here is a patient with a history of high myopia who, after having undergone the implantation of an anterior chamber phakic intraocular lens with angle fixation, presented with abundant iridian pigmentation over the lens and anterior sinechia at 360 degrees. The objectives of this report were to provide an update on the complications of the implantation of these lenses as well as making some recommendations to timely detect the possible risks of this procedure(AU)

Intraocular lens explantation or exchange: indications, postoperative interventions, and outcomes / Remoção ou troca de lentes intraoculares: indicações, intervenções pós-operatórias e resultados

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the indications for explantation or exchange of intraocular lenses (IOLs), which were originally implanted for the correction of aphakia during cataract extraction. Methods: All cases that involved intraocular lens explantation or exchange in one institution between January 2008 and December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: In total, 93 eyes of 93 patients were analyzed. The median time interval between implantation and explantation of the anterior chamber intraocular lenses (AC IOL) and posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOL) was 83.40 ± 83.14 months (range: 1-276 months) and 55.14 ± 39.25 months (range: 1-168 months), respectively. Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (17 eyes, 38.6%) and persistent iritis (12 eyes, 27.8%) in the AC IOL group and dislocation or decentration (30 eyes, 61.2%) and incorrect IOL power (nine eyes, 18.4%) in the PC IOL group were the most common indications for explantation of IOLs. The mean logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly from 1.30 preoperatively to 0.62 postoperatively in the PC IOL group (p<0.001) but did not improve significantly in the AC IOL group (p=0.186). Conclusions: The primary indication for IOL explantation or exchange was pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in the AC IOL group and was dislocation or decentration in the PC IOL group. PC IOL explantation or exchange is safe and improves visual acuity. .

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as indicações para a remoção ou troca de lentes intraoculares (IOL), que foram originalmente implantadas para a correção de afacia após a extração da catarata. Método: Todos os casos que envolveram remoção ou troca de lentes intraoculares em uma única instituição, entre janeiro de 2008 e dezembro 2014 foram analisados retrospectivamente. Resultados: No total, foram analisados 93 olhos de 93 pacientes. O intervalo de tempo médio entre o implante e a remoção das LIOs de câmara anterior (AC IOL) e de câmara posterior (PC IOL) foi 83,40 ± 83,14 meses (variando de 1 a 276 meses) e 55,14 ± 39,25 meses (variando de 1 a 168 meses), respectivamente. Ceratopatia bolhosa pseudofácica (17 olhos, 38,6%) e irite persistente (12 olhos, 27,8%) no grupo AC IOL, e deslocamento ou descentralização (30 olhos, 61,2%) e poder incorreto da IOL (nove olhos, 18,4%), no grupo PC IOL, foram as indicações mais comuns para a remoção das IOLs. A média logMAR da melhor acuidade visual corrigida (BCVA) melhorou significativamente a partir de 1,30 no pré-operatório para 0,62 no pós-operatório no grupo PC IOL (p<0,001), mas não melhorou significativamente no grupo AC IOL (p=0,186). Conclusões: A principal indicação para remoção ou troca de lentes intraoculares foi a ceratopatia bolhosa pesudofácica no grupo AC IOL e deslocamento ou descentralização no grupo PC IOL. A remoção ou troca de PC IOLs é segura e melhora a acuidade visual. .

Ocular diseases at geriatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro: social and epidemiological considerations among patients with motor locomotion deficit / Morbidades oculares em clínicas geriátricas do Rio de Janeiro: considerações sociais e epidemiológicas associados a indivíduos com déficit de locomoção

Objective: To identify the causes of low visual acuity and systemic morbidities that limit ambulation and access to eye care in geriatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 187 patients from three geriatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro between January 2010 and January 2011. The inclusion criteria were individuals with a visual acuity of less than of equal to 20/200 in either eye (118 individuals), without optical correction. The exclusion criteria were individuals who refused to participate and those unable to undergo screening because of mental disabilities (6 individuals). Of the 187 individuals evaluated, 63 had visual acuity above 20/200. Results: A total of 118 individuals with a visual acuity of ≤20/200 effectively participated in the study after meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In addition, 57 participants (48.3%) presented systemic disabling morbidities. Of the 118 individuals with low visual acuity, 27.96% had cataract and 26.27% had refractive errors. Conclusion: Most of the patients from geriatric clinics experienced ocular morbidities, but their proper treatment resulted in improved visual acuity. A more socially oriented problem associated with eye care involved the difficulty of access to ophthalmologic consultations. .

Objetivo: Identificar causas de baixa acuidade visual e morbidades sistêmicas que dificultem a deambulação e o acesso à tratamento oftalmológico em clínicas geriátricas do Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 187 indivíduos de 3 clínicas geriátricas do Rio de Janeiro, no período de janeiro de 2010 à janeiro de 2011. O critério de inclusão foi todos os indivíduos com acuidade visual menor ou igual a 20/200 em qualquer olho (118 indivíduos) e sem atualização da correção óptica. O critério de exclusão foi indivíduos que se recusaram à participar do estudo e indivíduos incapazes de realizarem os exames por déficit mental (6 indivíduos). Dos 187 indivíduos avaliados, 63 indivíduos tinham acuidade visual melhor que 20/200. Resultados: Participaram do estudo efetivamente, após os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, 118 indivíduos com variadas causas de acuidade visual menor ou igual 20/200. Foram encontrados no estudo 57 (48,3%) indivíduos com a presença de morbidades sistêmicas incapacitantes. Dos 118 indivíduos com baixa acuidade visual, que participaram do estudo, 27,96% apresentaram catarata e 26,27% ametropias. Conclusão: A maioria dos indivíduos destas clínicas geriátricas apresentou morbidades oculares que com tratamento adequado permitem a melhora da acuidade visual. Foi encontrado um problema mais de cunho social pela dificuldade de acesso à consulta oftalmológica. .

Encuesta de ceguera y deficiencia visual evitable en Panamá / Survey on avoidable blindness and visual impairment in Panama

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de ceguera y deficiencia visual en adultos de 50 años o más de Panamá, identificar sus principales causas y caracterizar la oferta de servicios de salud ocular. MÉTODOS: Estudio poblacional transversal mediante la metodología estándar de evaluación rápida de ceguera evitable. Se seleccionaron 50 personas de 50 años o más de cada uno de 84 conglomerados escogidos mediante muestreo aleatorio representativo de todo el país. Se evaluó la agudeza visual (AV) mediante una cartilla de Snellen y el estado del cristalino y del polo posterior por oftalmoscopía directa. Se calculó la cobertura de cirugía de catarata y se evaluó su calidad, así como las causas de tener AV < 20/60 y las barreras para acceder al tratamiento quirúrgico. RESULTADOS: Se examinaron 4 125 personas (98,2% de la muestra calculada). La prevalencia de ceguera ajustada por la edad y el sexo fue de 3,0% (intervalo de confianza de 95%: 2,3-3,6). La principal causa de ceguera fue la catarata (66,4%), seguida del glaucoma (10,2%). La catarata (69,2%) fue la principal causa de deficiencia visual (DV) severa y los errores de refracción no corregidos fueron la principal causa de DV moderada (60,7%). La cobertura quirúrgica de catarata en personas fue de 76,3%. De todos los ojos operados de catarata, 58,0% logró una AV < 20/60 con la corrección disponible. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de ceguera en Panamá se ubica en un nivel medio con respecto a la encontrada en otros países de la Región. Es posible disminuir este problema, ya que 76,2% de los casos de ceguera y 85,0% de los casos de DV severa corresponden a causas evitables.

OBJECTIVE: Determine prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in adults aged > 50 years in Panama, identify their main causes, and characterize eye health services. METHODS: Cross-sectional population study using standard Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness methodology. Fifty people aged > 50 years were selected from each of 84 clusters chosen through representative random sampling of the entire country. Visual acuity was assessed using a Snellen chart; lens and posterior pole status were assessed by direct ophthalmoscopy. Cataract surgery coverage was calculated and its quality assessed, along with causes of visual acuity < 20/60 and barriers to access to surgical treatment. RESULTS: A total of 4 125 people were examined (98.2% of the calculated sample). Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of blindness was 3.0% (95% CI: 2.3-3.6). The main cause of blindness was cataract (66.4%), followed by glaucoma (10.2%). Cataract (69.2%) was the main cause of severe visual impairment and uncorrected refractive errors were the main cause of moderate visual impairment (60.7%). Surgical cataract coverage in individuals was 76.3%. Of all eyes operated for cataract, 58.0% achieved visual acuity < 20/60 with available correction. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of blindness in Panama is in line with average prevalence found in other countries of the Region. This problem can be reduced, since 76.2% of cases of blindness and 85.0% of cases of severe visual impairment result from avoidable causes.

Long-term Follow-up of Acute Isolated Accommodation Insufficiency

PURPOSE: To define the long-term results of accommodation insufficiency and to investigate the correlation between accommodation insufficiency and other factors including near point of convergence (NPC), age, and refractive errors. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2009, 11 patients with acute near vision disturbance and remote near point of accommodation (NPA) were evaluated. Full ophthalmologic examinations, including best corrected visual acuity, manifest refraction and prism cover tests were performed. Accommodation ability was measured by NPA using the push-up method. We compared accommodation insufficiency and factors including age, refractive errors and NPC. We also investigated the recovery from loss of accommodation in patients. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 20 years (range, 9 to 34 years). Five of the 11 patients were female. Mean refractive error was -0.6 diopters (range, -3.5 to +0.25 diopters) and 8 of 11 patients (73%) had emmetropia (+0.50 to -0.50 diopters). No abnormalities were found in brain imaging tests. Refractive errors were not correlated with NPA or NPC (rho = 0.148, p = 0.511; rho = 0.319, p = 0.339; respectively). The correlation between age and NPA was not significant (rho = -395, p = 0.069). However, the correlation between age and NPC was negative (rho = -0.508, p = 0.016). Three of 11 patients were lost to follow-up, and 6 of 8 patients had permanent insufficiency of accommodation. CONCLUSIONS: Accommodation insufficiency is most common in emmetropia, however, refractive errors and age are not correlated with accommodation insufficiency. Dysfunction of accommodation can be permanent in the isolated accommodation insufficiency.

Long-term Follow-up of Acute Isolated Accommodation Insufficiency

PURPOSE: To define the long-term results of accommodation insufficiency and to investigate the correlation between accommodation insufficiency and other factors including near point of convergence (NPC), age, and refractive errors. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2009, 11 patients with acute near vision disturbance and remote near point of accommodation (NPA) were evaluated. Full ophthalmologic examinations, including best corrected visual acuity, manifest refraction and prism cover tests were performed. Accommodation ability was measured by NPA using the push-up method. We compared accommodation insufficiency and factors including age, refractive errors and NPC. We also investigated the recovery from loss of accommodation in patients. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 20 years (range, 9 to 34 years). Five of the 11 patients were female. Mean refractive error was -0.6 diopters (range, -3.5 to +0.25 diopters) and 8 of 11 patients (73%) had emmetropia (+0.50 to -0.50 diopters). No abnormalities were found in brain imaging tests. Refractive errors were not correlated with NPA or NPC (rho = 0.148, p = 0.511; rho = 0.319, p = 0.339; respectively). The correlation between age and NPA was not significant (rho = -395, p = 0.069). However, the correlation between age and NPC was negative (rho = -0.508, p = 0.016). Three of 11 patients were lost to follow-up, and 6 of 8 patients had permanent insufficiency of accommodation. CONCLUSIONS: Accommodation insufficiency is most common in emmetropia, however, refractive errors and age are not correlated with accommodation insufficiency. Dysfunction of accommodation can be permanent in the isolated accommodation insufficiency.

Refractive Errors and Strabismus in Down's Syndrome in Korea

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to examine the distribution of refractive errors and clinical characteristics of strabismus in Korean patients with Down's syndrome. METHODS: A total of 41 Korean patients with Down's syndrome were screened for strabismus and refractive errors in 2009. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients with an average age of 11.9 years (range, 2 to 36 years) were screened. Eighteen patients (43.9%) had strabismus. Ten (23.4%) of 18 patients exhibited esotropia and the others had intermittent exotropia. The most frequently detected type of esotropia was acquired non-accommodative esotropia, and that of exotropia was the basic type. Fifteen patients (36.6%) had hypermetropia and 20 (48.8%) had myopia. The patients with esotropia had refractive errors of +4.89 diopters (D, +/-3.73) and the patients with exotropia had refractive errors of -0.31 D (+/-1.78). Six of ten patients with esotropia had an accommodation weakness. Twenty one patients (63.4%) had astigmatism. Eleven (28.6%) of 21 patients had anisometropia and six (14.6%) of those had clinically significant anisometropia. CONCLUSIONS: In Korean patients with Down's syndrome, esotropia was more common than exotropia and hypermetropia more common than myopia. Especially, Down's syndrome patients with esotropia generally exhibit clinically significant hyperopic errors (>+3.00 D) and evidence of under-accommodation. Thus, hypermetropia and accommodation weakness could be possible factors in esotropia when it occurs in Down's syndrome patients. Based on the results of this study, eye examinations of Down's syndrome patients should routinely include a measure of accommodation at near distances, and bifocals should be considered for those with evidence of under-accommodation.

Ocular disorders in children with learning disabilities in special education schools of Pune, India.

Aim: The aim was to study and treat ocular disorders in children with learning disabilities (cLDs) and explore associations with their perinatal history. Materials and Methods: cLDs attending 11 special schools were examined by a team consisting of an ophthalmologist, optometrist, and a social worker in 2007 and followed up in 2008. The students‘ intelligence quotient (IQ) and their medical histories were noted. Distant visual acuities were measured using Kay pictures or Snellen's tumbling E chart and complete ocular examination was performed. Students were assessed at the pediatric ophthalmology unit and low vision center, if needed. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS and the Chi-square test for ordinal data. Results: A total of 664 students were examined, 526 of whom were <16 years of age; 323 (61.4%) were male. A total of 326 (60%) had moderate-to-severe learning disabilities (IQs <50), and the mean IQ was 45.4. Two hundred and thirty-eight (45.3%) had ocular disorder; 143 (27.3%) had an uncorrected refractive error, followed by strabismus in 83 (15.8%), nystagmus in 36 (6.8%), optic atrophy in 34 (6.5%), and congenital anomalies in 13 (2.5%), 103 children had more than one abnormality. Only 12 of the 143 students with refractive errors were using spectacles. A total of 132 (48.7%) children with a history of perinatal insult had ocular problems. Ocular disorders were also common in those with a history of epilepsy, Down's syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Conclusion: Nearly half the cLDs in this study had ocular disorders and one-fourth had their vision improved.

Associação entre a necessidade de prescrição de correção óptica e outras doenças oculares em crianças na idade escolar / Association between the need for optical correction prescription and other ocular conditions in school children

OBJETIVOS: Verificar a relação entre a prescrição de óculos e a presença de afecções oculares encontradas em crianças na idade escolar. MÉTODOS: Crianças na idade escolar que foram examinadas na Campanha " Olho no Olho" em Recife no ano de 2004. Foram seguidas etapas recomendadas pelo Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia para realização desta Campanha, desde a preparação dos professores para triagem das crianças até a consulta com os oftalmologistas. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a necessidade de prescrição de óculos, sendo relacionados com a presença de doença ocular ou não. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo de delineamento transversal que teve seus resultados analisados a partir do programa estatístico Epi Info versão 6.0. RESULTADOS: De uma amostra de 1.994 escolares, 686 deles apresentaram necessidade de óculos (34,4 por cento Grupo1), sendo que 543 (27,2 por cento) não apresentaram qualquer doença ocular, enquanto 143 (7,17 por cento) tinham alguma doença ocular. Em 1.308 crianças (65,5 por cento Grupo 2) não houve necessidade de óculos. Destas, 1.256 (62,5 por cento) não apresentavam doença oftalmológica, enquanto 52 (2,6 por cento) apresentavam algum tipo de afecção ocular. Os grupos 1 e 2 foram comparados entre si verificando que crianças que necessitam de óculos apresentam um risco relativo de possuírem doença ocular de 5,24 (Intervalo de Confiança de 95 por cento: 3,87 a 7,10) vezes maior que as crianças que não precisam dos mesmos, com diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos (p= 0.0000001). CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que escolares que necessitam de óculos apresentam maior probabilidade de ter doença ocular, sendo necessário um exame oftalmológico completo na infância realizado por oftalmologistas capacitados para a detecção e tratamento das diversas afecções encontradas além da prescrição adequada dos óculos.

PURPOSES: To verify the relation between prescription of eyeglasses and presence of ocular infections found in the " Eye to Eye Campaign" carried out in the city of Recife in 2004. METHODS: School-aged children seen in the " Eye to Eye Campaign" in Recife, in 2004. Stages recommended by the Brazilian Ophthalmologic Council (CBO) were followed, from preparation of teachers to select children to appointment with ophthalmologists. The patients were divided into two groups according to the need of eyeglasses, and related to presence or not of ocular conditions. This is a cross-section study and the results were analyzed by the statistical software Epi Info version 6.0. RESULTS: In a group of 1994 school-aged patients, 686 needed eyeglasses (34.4 percent - Group 1), 543 (27.2 percent) did not had any ocular diseases, while 143 (7.17 percent) had some ocular condition. A total of 1308 children (65.5 percent - Group 2) did not require eyeglasses. Among those, 256 (62.5 percent) did not show any ophthalmologic condition, whereas 52 (2.6 percent) had some type of ocular diseases. Groups 1 and 2 were compared and children in need of eyeglasses had a 5.24-fold (95 percent confidence interval: 3.87 to 7.10) greater relative risk of developing ocular diseases than children who did not require correction, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.0000001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that school-aged children in need of eyeglasses are more likely to suffer ocular diseases, and a complete ophthalmologic examination should be performed in childhood by qualified ophthalmologists to detect and treat several disorders and also prescribe adequate correction.

Ocular defects in cerebral palsy.

There is a high prevalence of ocular defects in children with developmental disabilities. This study evaluated visual disability in a group of 200 cerebral palsy (CP) patients and found that 68% of the children had significant visual morbidity. These findings emphasize the need for an early ocular examination in patients with CP.

Perfil dos alunos usuários de lentes de contato do curso de Medicina da Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP - Botucatu / Profile of medical students from the Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP - Botucatu, who wear contact lenses

OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil dos usuários de lentes de contato entre os estudantes de medicina da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu da Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP - Botucatu (SP), quanto à ametropia, à aquisição, aos cuidados e às complicações. MÉTODOS: Foi aplicado um questionário aos alunos do 1° ao 6° ano de Medicina da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu da Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP - Botucatu (SP), perfazendo um estudo analítico transversal. RESULTADOS: Foram 566 entrevistados. Destes, 155 (27,4 por cento) usavam lente de contato. Das lentes de contato usadas, 94,8 por cento eram gelatinosas, e em 98,7 por cento o grau era negativo. O descarte dessas lentes era mensal em 46,9 por cento dos entrevistados e 63,9 por cento a utilizavam, em média, 14 horas/dia. Faziam aquisição da lente de contato em óptica ou farmácia 14,1 por cento dos estudantes. Faziam a higiene ao colocá-las e ao retirá-las dos olhos, 46,5 por cento. As complicações referentes aos olhos vermelhos eram 51,0 por cento; 44,5 por cento, embaçamento; e 42,6 por cento, sensação de corpo estranho, além de 4 estudantes relatarem "ceratite". CONCLUSÕES: A maioria dos alunos utilizava lentes hidrofílicas, descarte mensal e grau negativo. A adaptação inadequada, aquisição de lentes de contato em ópticas ou farmácias e complicações graves ocorreram, mesmo nos usuários socioculturalmente considerados diferenciados. Em vista disso, demanda a extrema necessidade de maior atenção na abordagem do tema em questão, a fim de prevenir o comprometimento visual permanente.

Review of findings of the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study: policy implications for eye-care services.

The Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS) was conducted in order to design long-term strategies to reduce blindness in the background of non-availability of recent population-based data on various aspects of blindness. The objectives of APEDS were to determine the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment, prevalence of and risk factors for major eye diseases, barriers to eye-care services, and quality of life among the visually impaired. Multistage sampling was used to select 11,786 subjects of all ages from 24 urban clusters and 70 rural clusters in one urban and three rural areas belonging to different parts of Andhra Pradesh, with the aim of obtaining a study sample representative of the urban-rural and socioeconomic distribution of the population of this state. A total of 10,293 subjects underwent a detailed interview and dilated eye examination by trained professionals. The adjusted prevalence of blindness (presenting visual acuity <6/60 or central visual field <20 degrees in the better eye) was 1.84%, and moderate visual impairment (presenting visual acuity <6/18-6/60 or equivalent visual field loss in the better eye) was 8.1%. Cataract and refractive error were responsible for 60.3% of blindness and 85.7% of moderate visual impairment. Increasing age, decreasing socioeconomic status, female gender, and rural area of residence were associated with higher risk of blindness. Projections from APEDS suggest that there were 18.7 million blind people in 2000 in India, and that this number is likely to increase to 24.1 million and 31.6 million in 2010 and 2020 respectively, if the current trend continues. This review summarizes the findings of APEDS and discusses the implications of these data on the policy and planning of eye-care services.

Descolamento do vítreo e erro refrativo / Vitreous detachment and refractive error

O objetivo dos autores é verificar quais os sintomas associados ao diagnóstico de descolamento do vítreo posterior e sua possível relaçäo com os erros refrativos. Säo analisados 70 olhos de 35 pacientes, sendo 14 homens, com idade entre 24 e 73 anos, examinados entre novembro de 97 e maio 98. Os resultados mostraram que 30 olhos eram míopes (11 alto miopes), 30 hipermétropes, 4 astigmatas e 6 emétropes. Entre as queixas, 60 (por cento) dos olhos apresentaram moscas volantes e 14,28 (por cento) fotopsias. A incidência de deslocamento do vítreo posterior é maior após a 5 (quinta) década

Prevalence of visual impairment and eye diseases in Afghan refugees in Pakistan

The prevalence and etiology of visual loss and eye diseases were determined in a resident Afghan refugee community in northern Pakistan. The survey included 1156 people and revealed that 2.1% of the population were blind and 6.9% were visually impaired according to WHO criteria. The leading causes of blindness included cataract [62.5%], uncorrected refractive errors [16.6%], retinal degeneration/dystrophy [12.5%], glaucoma [4.2%] and microphthalmos [4.2%]. The causes of visual loss were uncorrected refractive errors [46.2%], cataract [32.7%] and corneal opacities [4.8%]. These conditions were also important causes of unilateral lost vision. Active trachoma was found in 3.7% of all children under 10 years of age

Visual impairment in school children in southern India.

This study was done to determine the prevalence of visual impairment due to refractive errors and ocular diseases in lower middle class school children of Hyderabad, India. A total of 4,029 children, which included 2,348 males and 1,681 females, in the age range of 3 to 18 years from 9 schools were screened with a detailed ocular examination protocol. Among 3,669 children in whom visual acuity could be recorded, on presentation 115 (3.1%) had visual acuity < 6/18 in the better eye (equivalent to visual impairment), while 41 (1.1%) had visual acuity < or = 6/60 [corrected] in the better eye (equivalent to legal blindness) out of which 18 (0.5%) had visual acuity < 6/60 in the better eye (equivalent to economic blindness). Of 115 children who presented with initial visual acuity < 6/18, vision improved to > or = 6/18 with refraction in 109 (94.8%). No child was legally or economically blind after refractive correction. Prevalence of hyperopia was 22.6%, myopia 8.6% and astigmatism 10.3%. The prevalence of myopia was significantly higher among children > or = 10 years of age (P < 0.001). The maximum, mean and median values for myopia were 10.00, 1.35 and 0.75 D in the better eye. For hyperopia these values were 8.50, 0.65 and 0.50 D. The major causes for best corrected visual acuity < 6/9 in the worse eye for 51 (1.4%) children included amblyopia in 40 (1.1%), corneal diseases in 5 (0.1%), cataract in 2 (0.05%) and others in 4 (0.1%). Out of the total, 30 (0.7%) children had strabismus. These data support the assumption that vision screening of school children in developing countries could be useful in detecting correctable causes of decreased vision, especially refractive errors, and in minimising long term permanent visual disability.

study of posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation

200 cases of extracapsular extraction with Posterior Chamber intra-ocular lens implantation were studied between February, 1988 to April, 1994 at DHQ Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad and were followed up, with a view to measure post-op refractive errors and complications. The procedure was performed either under GA or under Peribulbar anaesthesia using operating microscope, IOL were inserted with the help of air bubble or methyl cellulose. Michol or acetylcholine were used in selected cases. [21% of the patients had visual acuity of 6/6 without any glasses. 72.6% had visual acuity of 6/9 or more with spherical correction of +2D/-2D. 7.8% of the patients developed after cataract which needed yag Laser or capsulotomy] The procedure is treatment of choice for unilateral and senile cataract without any additional complication then seen in routine E.C.C.E. No extra risk of post operative complications is experienced

Relación entre Maculopatía y Catarata en pacientes miopes elevados / Relation between maculopathy and cataract in high myopic patients

Se llevó a cabo una investigación de tipo clínico-epidemiológica para estudiar la relación existente entre maculopatía y catarata en pacientes con miopía elevada. Se elaboraron estadísticamente dos muestras para comparar los resultados: una constituida por pacientes miopes elevados y la otra por emétropes e hipermétropes. Se encontró que la maculopatía está presente en al menos la mitad de los miopes, que es directamente proporcional a la entidad de esta última y que hay un elevado grado de asociación entre los dos ojos por lo que respecta la presencia o ausencia de anomalías. Finalmente se puede decir que hay una relación tendencial entre maculopatía y gravedad de la catarata en pacientes miopes