OBJECTIVE:To determine the refractive profile of presbyopic people in the western brazilian Amazon, establishing as the pilot cities Manaus and other nine of sixty-one cities in the state of Amazonas. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of 8.225 patients. People who were over the age of 40 in 10 cities in the state of Amazonas (Manaus and 09 municipalities in the hinterland) were examined from september/2008 to december/2011. The data were classified by age, sex, economic activity (retired or not), type of refractive error and visual acuity for distance and near with and without correction. The method consisted of routine eye examination that included refraction test. The statistical analysis used quantitative studies. RESULTS: Among the patients studied, 53.0% were female; the most prevalent age group was 51-60 years; 66.0% are not retired and still engage themselves in some labor activity; the higher prevalence of refractive errors was recorded for various astigmatism (43.0%) and visual acuity at distance, without correction, was 15.0% with 20/200 and, with correction, was 45.0% with 20/30 or more; compared to the near vision , visual acuity was 40.0% for J6, without correction, and 82.0% for J1 and J2, with correction; additions were used in 75.0% of +2.50 diopters or more; and 52,0% of consultations were held in Manaus. CONCLUSION: This study, in examining people from low-income areas in the brazilian Amazon, corroborates that the lack of glasses to correct near vision constitutes an important public health problem in people over 40, especially those who have difficulty accessing Ophthalmology services.
Presbyopia; Refraction; Amazon; Brazil
