Abstract
Purpose :
Several types of ametropia and other ophthalmologic disorders are found in the pediatric population. This study investigated the prevalence of refractive errors and ocular findings among children from the public schools in Campo Mourão, Paraná, Brazil. The purpose of the present analysis was to prevent amblyopia and visual disease in low-income population.
Methods :
A retrospective and cross-sectional study, medical records of children between 3 and 7 years old from Campo Mourão, Paraná, Brazil, were analyzed. This infants participated in the the Project "Olhar Cidadão Dr. Fernando Dlugosz", held in Centro Universitário Integrado. The population studied was submitted to a complete ophthalmologic exam and anthropometric measurements.
Results :
A total of 244 children were consulted from July 2021 to November 2022. Of participants, 123 are female and 121 are male. Their mean age was 5,5 years old.
In 56,96% of examined eyes, there was no ametropia or any other ocular disorder diagnosed. High hyperopia (> +5,00 diopters) was observed in four patients, high myopia (< -6,00 diopters) in one and high astigmatism (< -5,00 diopters) also in one patient. Low ametropias corresponded to 147 cases. In one eye was found a toxoplasmosis scar. Congenital cataract was diagnosed in one patient and strabismus in 14 infants.
Amblyopia was diagnosed in six children. There were 23 findings of other ocular disorders, including allergic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, hordeolum and molluscum contagiosum.
After the exams, 88 corrective eyeglasses were prescribed and others 11 patients were instructed to keep the glasses they already using.
Conclusions :
Amblyopia and ocular diseases were diagnosed and treated early in 40,57% of the children. Among the present alterations, astigmatism was the most prevalent one. This study shows the importance of ophthalmological exam in early childhood, especially in developing countries where access to the health care system is limited.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.