Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the clinical and demographic profile of patients with functional low vision in a tertiary ophthalmic service in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Methods :
The medical records of subjects followed at a tertiary low vision service between February 1, 2009, and June 31, 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. We collected sociodemographic data, best-corrected visual acuity, cause of visual impairment, affected anatomic region, and also analyzed the percentage of optical prescriptions for refractive errors low vision aids. The patients were divided into three groups, according to their age: 0 to 14 years old (group 1); 15 to 49 years old (group 2); and 50 years old or older (group 3). Functional low vision was defined as best corrected vision acuity (BCVA) of less than 20/60 in the better seeing-eye due to untreatable causes.
Results :
In group 1, the main causes of functional low vision were ocular toxoplasmosis (11,6%), cerebral palsy (9,3%) and congenital cataract (8,5%). In group 1, 50,7% of the patients were not able to inform BCVA due to multiple disabilities. In group 2, retinitis pigmentosa (6,9%), cone dystrophy (6,1%), and ocular toxoplasmosis (5,8%) were the most frequent, while in group 3, age-related macular degeneration (25,3%), diabetic retinopathy (17,9%) and glaucoma (10,8%) were the leading causes. There were no statistical differences between men and women. Optical prescriptions for refractive errors and near vision impairment (when needed) occurred in 29% (154/524) in group 1, 30% (108/359) in group 2 and 24% (135/557) in group 3, while optical devices for low vision were prescribed for 30% subjects in group 1, 52% in group 2 and 47% in group 3. The percentage of optical devices acquisition (own acquisition or donation by the hospital) was, respectively, 45%, 69%, and 78% in groups 1, 2, and 3. Among the patients, 80% lived within a 100 Km (62 miles) range from the hospital. Avoidable causes were found in 79% (414/524) of the 0-14 age group.
Conclusions :
The leading causes of functional low vision were ocular toxoplasmosis and cerebral palsy in children 0-14 years of age, ocular toxoplasmosis and diabetic retinopathy in the 15-49 age group and age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy in those 50 years old or older. Avoidable causes were high in children (79%) and in older adults (63%) and could be prevented with educational public policies.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.