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[Low vision service at the Instituto Brasileiro de Oftalmologia e Prevenção da Cegueira (IBOPC): analysis of the patients examined on the first year of the department (2004)].

PURPOSE
To outline low vision (LV) patients profile of the low vision department of the Instituto Brasileiro de Oftalmologia e Prevenção da Cegueira (IBOPC).


METHODS
Transversal study of 82 medical charts from the low vision service at the Instituto Brasileiro de Oftalmologia e Prevenção da Cegueira of the first year of the department--2004, considering age, gender, etiology, distance and near visual acuity with and without optical aids and prescription assistance.


RESULTS
Of the 82 available patients, 11 (13.4%) were excluded of the study because they did not present low vision. Of the 71 patients, 32 (45%) were younger than 20 years old. Regarding the gender, there was not a significant difference (51% female and 49% male). The most frequent etiology in infants and adolescents was congenital glaucoma and in patients aged between 20-39 years was ocular toxoplasmosis (21.1%). In patients with 40-59 years old, pigmentary retinosis was the most frequently pathology (19%). In elderly people it was glaucoma (49%). Thirty-three patients (40.2%) had visual acuity between 20/60 and 20/160. The telescopic system was the only optical aid indicated for distance (44%) and glasses were the most indicated for near (54.5%).


CONCLUSION
There is a high prevalence of low vision in infants and adolescents that live in developing countries like Brazil. Therefore, ophthalmologists need to be aware to promote early diagnosis and treatment to these patients, creating preventive programs and better assistance conditions.