Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in children of the rural zone of Londrina City, Brazil.
Methods :
A Retrospective cross-sectional study was performed evaluating the medical records of children who participated of Projeto Primeiros Olhares (“First Sight Program”), conducted by HOFTALON - Hospital de Olhos - Londrina (”Londrina Eye Hospital”),during 2017. Children from 03 through 12 years of age were evaluated according to gender, presence and cause of decreased visual acuity.
Results :
492 eyes were evaluated. The average age was 6 years old, 51,8% were male and 48,2% female. Decreased uncorrected visual acuity (VA <0,7) was observed in 10% of children. Unilateral blindness (VA < 0,1) occurred in 0,6% and subnormal vision in 3,4% ( < 0,1 VA < 0,3). The most important cause of decreased visual acuity was refractive error (30%).
Conclusions :
Decreased visual acuity not previously diagnosed was observed in 10% of the children. Refractive errors were the most important cause of visual impairment.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.