ABSTRACT
Purpose:
Compare self-reported vision with visual function measured in the first ophthalmologic evaluation and correlate the findings with the following variables: age, gender, educational status and visual acuity.
Methods:
Patients files treated in the first ophthalmologic evaluation at a private clinic were raised. Visual function measured at the appointment was carried out using the Snellen chart. Data has been tabulated in an Excel spreadsheet and subjected to statistical analysis (Fisher’s Exact test) in order to verify the influence of the variables according to p-value< 0.05.
Results:
Out of 300 patients evaluated, 66 (22%) had low vision (LV) at the first ophthalmologic evaluation, 46 (69.69%) of them had reported LV before the exam and 20 (30.30%) had not. There was no statistical difference in the presence (p= 0.78) or in the perception of LV (p= 0.30) in relation to gender. All patients over 75 years-old had LV, which was significant in relation to the different age groups (p< 0.0001). There was no significant difference in relation to the perception of LV between age groups (p= 0.166).
Conclusion:
Gender and educational status were not statistically significant. Age and visual acuity levels were significant according to the distribution of LV in those over 75 years-old and people with severe vision loss, respectively.
Keywords:
Vision low; Age groups; Gender identity; Educational status; Visual acuity
