RESUMO OBJETIVOS: Estudar a importância dos programas de promoção de saúde ocular na avaliação da acuidade visual para detecção precoce de distúrbios oftalmológicos, em programas de promoção da saúde ocular. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo de delineamento transversal. Foram avaliados escolares primários, pertencentes a 21 escolas municipais de Pelotas, RS, por meio de questionário com as variáveis: sexo e idade, percepção da própria visão, uso de óculos ou lentes de contato e medida da acuidade visual (AV) pela escala de Snellen. Os alunos com AV < 0,7 ou algum sintoma de problema visual foram encaminhados a serviços médicos especializados para a realização de exame oftalmológico. RESULTADOS: Na amostra de 1502 escolares, 774 (51,5%) eram do sexo masculino e 1328 (88,41%), de idades entre 6 e 8 anos. Aproximadamente 90% das crianças consideraram ter boa visão. Ao exame, 227 alunos (15,1%) apresentaram baixa acuidade visual; desses, 124 (54,6%) eram meninas. Daqueles que acreditavam não apresentar problemas visuais, 193 (14,23%) foram encaminhados ao exame oftalmológico. CONCLUSÕES: A pesquisa realizada durante o Programa de Avaliação Oftalmológica de Escolares apontou dados importantes, acentuando o valor das campanhas para a detecção e prevenção de problemas visuais, cujo objetivo principal é proporcionar à criança condições de atingir o melhor desenvolvimento de seu potencial.

PURPOSE: To study the meaning of visual acuity evaluation in ocular health programs for the early detection of ophthalmic disorders. METHODS: In this cross-sectional descriptive survey, schoolchildren of 21 elementary schools of Pelotas, RS were evaluated. Age, sex, awareness about own vision, wearing glasses or contact lenses were recorded by application of a questionnaire. Visual acuity (VA) was assessed with Snellen E optotypes. Children with VA< 0.7 or symptoms of eye problems were referred to the specialist for a detailed ophthalmologic examination. RESULTS: Of the 1502 schoolchildren included in the research, 774 (51.5%) were male. The majority, 1328 (88.41%), was aged from 6 to 8 years. Approximately 90% of the children believed to have a good vision. VA of 227 children (15.1%) was below standard. Of them, 124 (54.6%) were female. Of those who thought they had no visual problem, 193 (14.23%) were referred to an ophthalmologist. CONCLUSION: Results of this study stress the importance of VA screening. The main purpose of ocular health campaigns consists of helping children to develop their full potentialities.

Todos os nascimentos ocorridos em hospitais na cidade de Pelotas, RS, Brasil, durante 1982, foram estudados através de entrevistas hospitalares e de visitas domiciliares de uma amostra dos recém-nascidos e revisão mensal de atestados de óbito. A mortalidade perinatal para recém-nascidos de partos únicos foi de 31,9/1.000 nascidos totais, sendo a mortalidade fetal de 16,2/1.000 e a mortalidade neonatal precoce de 15,9/1.000. A incidência de baixo peso ao nascer (peso abaixo de 2.500g) foi de 8,1% para partos únicos.

All hospital births occurring during 1982 in Pelotas, Southern Brazil (pop. 260,000) were studied. This a highly representative perinatal population, since in this city less than 1% of the deliveries occur at home. The study was performed through: hospital interviews with mothers and evaluation of the newborn; home visits of a random sample of 15% of the births after the seventh day of life; and monthly checking of birth and death certificates. Overall, the perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) for singletons was 31.9/1,000 births, fetal mortality rate (FMR) being 16.2/1,000 and early neonatal mortality rate (ENMR) 15.9/1,000. The incidence of low birth weight (LBW) babies was 8.1%. Main causes of death were immaturity, anoxia and hyaline membrane disease. In 40% of the deaths the actual cause was not clarified. Social factors were strongly associated with perinatal health indicators. Babies whose families earned up to 1 minimum wage per month presented a PNMR of 44.0/1,000 and LBW in 12.6% of the cases, whereas those newborns of high income families (more than 10 minimum wages/month) showed a PNMR of 13.2/1,000 and 4.2% of LBW. The association of perinatal performance with maternal age and provenience, birth order and smoking was also studied. When a comparison was made between the perinatal outcome of Pelotas babies with that of a highly developed country (Sweden), using standardization techniques, it was seen that although our birth weight distribution may be held responsible for part of our poor performance, failures in our health services are probably still more important.

Todos os nascimentos ocorridos em hospitais na cidade de Pelotas, RS, Brasil, durante 1982, foram estudados através de entrevistas hospitalares e de visitas domiciliares de uma amostra dos recém-nascidos e revisão mensal de atestados de óbito. A mortalidade perinatal para recém-nascidos de partos únicos foi de 31,9/1.000 nascidos totais, sendo a mortalidade fetal de 16,2/1.000 e a mortalidade neonatal precoce de 15,9/1.000. A incidência de baixo peso ao nascer (peso abaixo de 2.500g) foi de 8,1% para partos únicos.

All hospital births occurring during 1982 in Pelotas, Southern Brazil (pop. 260,000) were studied. This a highly representative perinatal population, since in this city less than 1% of the deliveries occur at home. The study was performed through: hospital interviews with mothers and evaluation of the newborn; home visits of a random sample of 15% of the births after the seventh day of life; and monthly checking of birth and death certificates. Overall, the perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) for singletons was 31.9/1,000 births, fetal mortality rate (FMR) being 16.2/1,000 and early neonatal mortality rate (ENMR) 15.9/1,000. The incidence of low birth weight (LBW) babies was 8.1%. Main causes of death were immaturity, anoxia and hyaline membrane disease. In 40% of the deaths the actual cause was not clarified. Social factors were strongly associated with perinatal health indicators. Babies whose families earned up to 1 minimum wage per month presented a PNMR of 44.0/1,000 and LBW in 12.6% of the cases, whereas those newborns of high income families (more than 10 minimum wages/month) showed a PNMR of 13.2/1,000 and 4.2% of LBW. The association of perinatal performance with maternal age and provenience, birth order and smoking was also studied. When a comparison was made between the perinatal outcome of Pelotas babies with that of a highly developed country (Sweden), using standardization techniques, it was seen that although our birth weight distribution may be held responsible for part of our poor performance, failures in our health services are probably still more important.