Cristina Helena Toledo de Paula1, Galton Carvalho Vasconcelos2, Márcio Bittar Nehemy3, David Granet4. 1. Pediatric Low Vision Division, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. 2. Pediatric Low Vision Division, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Electronic address: galton@lua.com.br. 3. Retina Division, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. 4. Divisions of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Eye Alignment Disorders, University of California, San Diego.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of patients 0-7 years of age with visual impairment registered at a university hospital low vision service in Brazil. METHODS: The medical records of visually impaired patients were retrospectively reviewed for sociodemographic characteristics and ocular and associated deficiencies. In addition to biographical information, the following data were collected: ocular disorders, diagnosis, affected anatomic region, etiology, and avoidable or unavoidable causes. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients were included, 65% of whom were referred from rural health centers. The mean age at first appointment was 39.4 months. Associated nonophthalmic disorders were present in 47% of patients. The most prevalent disorders were congenital cataract (14%), toxoplasmosis (14%), and congenital glaucoma (13%). The most commonly affected anatomic regions were the retina (18%) and lens (15%); 33% had a normal-appearing globe. Using World Health Organization classifications, the most prevalent underlying etiologies were undetermined (43%), perinatal/neonatal factors (22%), and intrauterine factors (20%). Avoidable causes were found in 64% of the children. CONCLUSIONS: The three leading causes of infant blindness in our patient cohort were congenital cataract, toxoplasmosis, and congenital glaucoma. The most commonly affected anatomic regions were retina, lens, and normal-appearing globe. The percentage of avoidable causes of impairment was high and the mean age at first appointment was late.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of patients 0-7 years of age with visual impairment registered at a university hospital low vision service in Brazil. METHODS: The medical records of visually impairedpatients were retrospectively reviewed for sociodemographic characteristics and ocular and associated deficiencies. In addition to biographical information, the following data were collected: ocular disorders, diagnosis, affected anatomic region, etiology, and avoidable or unavoidable causes. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients were included, 65% of whom were referred from rural health centers. The mean age at first appointment was 39.4 months. Associated nonophthalmic disorders were present in 47% of patients. The most prevalent disorders were congenital cataract (14%), toxoplasmosis (14%), and congenital glaucoma (13%). The most commonly affected anatomic regions were the retina (18%) and lens (15%); 33% had a normal-appearing globe. Using World Health Organization classifications, the most prevalent underlying etiologies were undetermined (43%), perinatal/neonatal factors (22%), and intrauterine factors (20%). Avoidable causes were found in 64% of the children. CONCLUSIONS: The three leading causes of infantblindness in our patient cohort were congenital cataract, toxoplasmosis, and congenital glaucoma. The most commonly affected anatomic regions were retina, lens, and normal-appearing globe. The percentage of avoidable causes of impairment was high and the mean age at first appointment was late.
Authors: Irena Tsui; Luiza M Neves; Kristina Adachi; Stephanie L Gaw; Jose Paulo Pereira; Patricia Brasil; Karin Nielsen-Saines; Maria Elisabeth Lopes Moreira; Andrea A Zin Journal: Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina Date: 2019-12-01 Impact factor: 1.300
Authors: Lorena M Haefeli; Luiza M Neves; Andrea Zin; Ana Carolina Carioca Costa; Zilton Farias Meira de Vasconcelos; Marcia Pinto Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-06-10 Impact factor: 3.006