Marcos Wilson Sampaio

Pediatric and adolescent population with visual impairment: study of 385 cases

OBJECTIVE To analyze data on the pediatric population attending the Ophthalmologic Clinics Low Vision Service at the São Paulo University Medical School. METHODS Low vision ophthalmologic assessment, from April 1998 to December 2003, of 385 children and adolescents with mean age of 7 years; 51.7% males and 48.3% females. The main data analyzed were age, diagnosis, anatomic site of the ocular injury, visual acuity, and prescription of optical aids. RESULTS 45.4% were below 6 years, and 54.6% were between 6 and 16 years. 35.5% experienced moderate visual impairment, 26% had severe visual impairment, 8.6% had profound visual impairment, 10.6% were near blind, and 1.6% were blind. The main causes of visual impairment included congenital glaucoma (30.6%), macular retinochoroiditis due to congenital toxoplasmosis (16.7%), congenital cataract (12.8%), retinal and macular inherited disorders (11.7%), and optic atrophy (9.8%). Among school-age children, 52.9% received a prescription of optical aids. The most widely used optical aids for distance were 2.8 X 26 (34.4%); 4.2 X 12 (30.3%); and 6 X 17 (26.8%) telescopic systems. The most frequently prescribed optical aid for near vision was the 2x magnifying bar (33.3%). CONCLUSIONS There is a need for prevention of primary (congenital infections), secondary (congenital glaucoma and retinopathy of prematurity), and tertiary (congenital cataract) visual impairment. The prescription of optical aids for school-age children will help them perform better at school and contribute to their social inclusion.

Visual impairment secondary to congenital glaucoma in children: visual responses, optical correction and use of low vision AIDS

INTRODUCTION Congenital glaucoma is frequently associated with visual impairment due to optic nerve damage, corneal opacities, cataracts and amblyopia. Poor vision in childhood is related to global developmental problems, and referral to vision habilitation/rehabilitation services should be without delay to promote efficient management of the impaired vision. OBJECTIVE To analyze data concerning visual response, the use of optical correction and prescribed low vision aids in a population of children with congenital glaucoma. METHOD The authors analyzed data from 100 children with congenital glaucoma to assess best corrected visual acuity, prescribed optical correction and low vision aids. RESULTS Fifty-five percent of the sample were male, 43% female. The mean age was 6.3 years. Two percent presented normal visual acuity levels, 29% mild visual impairment, 28% moderate visual impairment, 15% severe visual impairment, 11% profound visual impairment, and 15% near blindness. Sixty-eight percent received optical correction for refractive errors. Optical low vision aids were adopted for distance vision in 34% of the patients and for near vision in 6%. A manual monocular telescopic system with 2.8 × magnification was the most frequently prescribed low vision aid for distance, and for near vision a +38 diopter illuminated stand magnifier was most frequently prescribed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Careful low vision assessment and the appropriate prescription of optical corrections and low vision aids are mandatory in children with congenital glaucoma, since this will assist their global development, improving efficiency in daily life activities and promoting social and educational inclusion.

Sensibilidade ao contraste na retinopatia diabética tratada por panfotocoagulação com laser de argônio

PURPOSE To evaluate contrast sensitivity in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) treated with argon laser panphotocoagulation. METHODS Prospective study of patients with diabetic retinopathy and 20/20 visual acuity, treated with retinal panphotocoagulation, following ETDRS criteria. The patients were submitted, initially, to complete ophthalmologic evaluation and contrast sensitivity testing (Vision Contrast Test System). After 3 months of treatment, they were reevaluated by means of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. RESULTS The sample comprised 28 patients (28 eyes), all with type II diabetes. A ranged from 45 to 77 years (mean 57.8+/-8.0), 19 (67.9%) patients were male and 9 (32.1%) female. Regarding the type of retinopathy, 18 (64.3%) had proliferative DR and 10 (35.7%) very severe non proliferative RD. No visual acuity alteration was observed after treatment. In relation to contrast sensitivity, there were no alterations between pre and post-treatment in all evaluated spacial frequencies 1.5 (p=0.191); 3.0 (p=0.850); 6.0 (p=0.374); 12.0 (p=0.674) e 18.0 (p=0.443). CONCLUSION There was no significant alteration in the contrast sensitivity of patients with diabetic retinopathy after panphotocoagulation with argon laser in the studied period.