April 2010
Volume 51, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2010
Near Vision Impairment in Older Adults in Brazil: The Sao Paulo Eye Study
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • S. R. Salomao
    Dept of Ophthalmology,
    Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • A. Berezovsky
    Ophthalmology,
    Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • A. Araujo-Filho
    Dept of Ophthalmology,
    Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • M. R. Mitsuhiro
    Ophthalmology,
    Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • R. Belfort, Jr.
    Dept of Ophthalmology,
    Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  S.R. Salomao, None; A. Berezovsky, None; A. Araujo-Filho, None; M.R. Mitsuhiro, None; R. Belfort, Jr., None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  FAPESP Grant 04/06670-9, WHO grant N-01EY-2103
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2010, Vol.51, 122. doi:
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      S. R. Salomao, A. Berezovsky, A. Araujo-Filho, M. R. Mitsuhiro, R. Belfort, Jr.; Near Vision Impairment in Older Adults in Brazil: The Sao Paulo Eye Study. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2010;51(13):122.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: : Investigate the prevalence of near vision impairment in older adults in a low-middle income urban area of São Paulo city, Brazil.

Methods: : Cluster sampling based on geographically-defined census sectors was used in randomly selecting individuals ≥50 years of age for visual acuity measurement for near and distance (tumble E logMAR chart), refraction, and slit-lamp examination during 2004-2005. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Near vision impairment was considered as visual acuity 20/40 or worse in either eye for reading distance (40 cm). Uncorrected/undercorrected presbyopia as cause of near vision impairment was considered as presenting near VA 20/40 or worse in the better vision eye and best-corrected visual acuity of ≥20/40 the better vision eye for distance along with improvement of one or more lines in the near VA chart with additional positive lenses.

Results: : A total of 4224 eligible persons were enumerated and 3678 (87.1%) were examined. The prevalence of near vision impairment was 59.93% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 57.05%-62.80%). The prevalence of near vision impairment caused by uncorrected/undercorrected presbyopia was 39.49% (95% CI: 36.72%-42.27%). With logistic regression, near vision impairment was associated with male gender and lack of schooling.

Conclusions: : The high prevalence of near vision impairment caused by presbyopia and its effect on performing activities related to near vision, along with the increasing population aging in developing countries indicates that greater emphasis on strategies to target this issue is needed. Brazilian health authorities should implement actions to improve access to eye care services and provide affordable optical correction for this population, with emphasis on those with lack of formal education.

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • presbyopia • aging 
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