OBJECTIVE: To determine amblyogenic factors and amblyopia prevalence in a Health Family assisted community área of Lapa (RJ) and to estimate in the same area the sensiblity and specificity among visual acuity methods (ETDRS versus LEA optotypes) in pre-school children. METHODS: Cross section study of 93 children from three to six years old. All the children were submitted to complete ophthalmological evaluation which included: anamnesis, ectoscopy, double blind visual acuity measurements with LEA and ETDRS optotypes, red reflex, Titmus Test, objective cycloplegic refraction, subjective refraction, ocular motility evaluation, anterior segment biomicroscopy, fundoscopy. The data were collected in Ronaldo Gazolla Policlinic of Estacio de Sá University. RESULTS: The amblyogenic factors prevalence were : 8,4% of strabismus, 11,86% of anisometropia and 15,2% of ametropia. The ETDRS visual acuity test had 100% of sensibility and 18% of specificity for amblyopia detection. Lea visual acuity test had 100% sensibility and 30,9% specificity for amblyopia detection. CONCLUSION: Both optotype tests ETDRS and LEA can be used for amblyopia screening because they had 100% sensibility. The specificity was higher for LEA optotypes. However, the specificity still remained in a low level. Therefore, it is necessary to complement the visual acuity screening with a complete ophthalmological exam in the individuals screened to have amblyopia. Visual screening performed by Health Community Agents could identify children with visual acuity problems, and they could be referred to an ophthalmological complete exam, in an age group that visual acuity problems resolution is a priority. Helth Family Program can be used to evaluate visual acuity children status and it would be useful that this evaluation could be a statiscal SUS mark.
Amblyopia; Prevalence; Visual acuity; Family health program; Child; Child, preschool; Period analysis; Sensitivity and Specificity
