OBJECTIVES: To describe and analyze the prevalence of refractive errors among first-graders in state schools of Passo Fundo, main city of the northeast region of Rio Grande do Sul State. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 1608 first-graders in 26 elementary state schools of Passo Fundo, evaluated in 2004. The data were collected by the CEAE (Specialized Center for Student Assistance), which was in charge of the screening at the schools, and by the specialized service, to which those students with abnormal […]

PURPOSE: To estabilish the prevalence of the ametropias and eye diseases, in the year 2001, within a preschool and school population in Alto da Boa Vista favelas (slum), in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: Transversal observational study during an ocular health campaign in public education schools. The children that have shown visual acuity fewer than 0.8 or abnormally were referred by trained volunteers to avaliation by ophthalmologists from the Benjamin Constant Institute. RESULTS: From the 1800 children […]

PURPOSE: To compare measurements of central corneal thickness obtained using a Haag-Streit optic pachymeter and a DGH 500 (Pachette Ttm ) ultrasonic pachymeter in normal patients. METHODS: An evaluation was made of 200 eyes of 100 patients using Optic (PO) and Ultrasonic (PU) pachymeters. Measurements were made in the area of the central cornea (ECC) respecting the 3.0 mm territory, in patients with normal corneas of hypermetropic, emetropic and myopic eyes. Patients with ocular diseases, ocular surgeries, and contact lens […]

PURPOSE: To analyse the corneal astigmatism after transplantation as well as to demonstrate how post-surgical handling of sutures affects the refractive and visual outcome in patients submitted to cornea transplantation by keratoconus with three to six years of follow-up. METHODS: Non-controlled longitudinal observational secondary clinical study. Fifty records of patients submitted to penetrating keratoplasty between 2000 and 2002 have been reviewed, including 50 eyes of 50 patients operated under the same surgical technique by the same surgeon. Follow-up time ranging […]

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of topical cyclosporine .05% for preventing endothelial loss in cornea transplant. METHODS: Retrospective study of 18 eyes submitted to penetrating transplant due to keratoconus, operation carried out by the same surgeon. Patients with specular microscopy with lower than or equal to 1200 cells/mm2 belonged to the control group. The inclusion criterion was the occurrence of specular microscopy in the postoperative period over the 6- month, 1- year, and 2- year periods and the exclusion criterion […]

PURPOSE:To identify the most important variables interfering with the correct topical administration of antiglaucomatous drugs. METHODS: Forty glaucomatous patients under clinical treatment were interviewed and observed while applying antiglaucomatous drugs. The following variables were analyzed: sex; age; income; washing of the hands; number of drops; motor abnormalities; availability of another person to apply the drug; place of the globe reached; bottle-eye contact; previous instruction; positioning for application; development of a burning sensation, pain or irritation. Using the questionary, the variables […]

Punctal lachrymal stenosis is a common cause of symptomatic epiphora, often the diagnosis of this disease is jeopardized due to the lack of familiarity of the ophthalmologist with such disease. The literature about this subject is scarce and its causes remain obscure. The objective of this study is to make a brief review of available literature, report a case, showing how the diagnosis is carried out, as well as its clinical handling. The ambulatorial treatment, when properly deployed can produce […]