Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty as a Substitute for Medications in Patients with Mild-to-moderate Glaucoma in the Brazilian Public Health System.

PRCIS: Selective laser trabeculoplasty can be used as a substitute for medications in patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma, reducing the cost of eye drop distribution in the Brazilian public health system. PURPOSE: To observe the effectiveness of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as a substitute for eye drops in patients with open angle glaucoma in the Brazilian Public Health System. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SLT was performed bilaterally after medication washout. This is a prospective interventional study comparing intraocular pressure (IOP) when using eye drops at baseline (post-washout), and at 12-month follow-up after SLT. Medication was added if the target IOP was not achieved, following the Brazilian Public Health System eye drops protocol, based on medication costs. Absolute (without eye drops) and qualified (with eye drops) success were measured with IOP ≤ 21, IOP ≤ 18, IOP ≤ 15 and IOP ≤ 12 mm Hg. Besides IOP evolution, the ability to reduce IOP (in %), and eye drops reduction were evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety-two eyes of 46 patients were included, 70 eyes with mild glaucoma and 22 with moderate glaucoma; the mean number of eye drops was 2.26±1.06 (82.6% were using a prostaglandin analogue), and post-washout IOP of 21.10±5.24 mm Hg. There was relative success at IOP ≤18 mm Hg, where the mild group had greater success than the moderate group (88.1% vs. 71.4%, P =0.824). The average IOP reductions were 23.04% and 25.74% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The average number of eye drops was 1.02, with 1.1% using a prostaglandin analogue. Furthermore, 68.19% of the patients had a decrease in the quantity of eye drops used. CONCLUSION: SLT is effective in reducing IOP and replacing eye drops in patients in the Brazilian Public Health System. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the use of prostaglandin analogues.

Percepção sobre aspectos da doença e de seu tratamento em pacientes portadores de glaucoma / Perception about aspects of the disease and its treatment in patients with glaucoma

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar por meio de questionários estruturados, o conhecimento sobre a doença, o manejo de colírios e a adesão ao tratamento de portadores de glaucoma pertencentes a dois públicos com nível de escolaridade e nível sócio econômico distintos. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico aplicando-se questionários estruturados, com base em estudo exploratório para avaliação do nível de conhecimento dos portadores de Glaucoma em relação a doença em dois públicos diferentes: sistema único de saúde (SUS) e planos privados de saúde. Os questionários foram aplicados por médicos residentes em Oftalmologia. A amostra é composta de 202 pacientes dentre eles 100 atendidos pelo SUS e os outros 102 pacientes dos planos privados de saúde. Todos os questionários possuem termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido assinado pelo participante e pelo pesquisador responsável. Resultados: Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, compostos por: 100 pacientes SUS e 102 planos de saúde privado. Os resultados revelaram que: 58,6% dos pacientes do SUS tinham escolaridade nenhuma a fundamental incompleto e 25,5% dos pacientes de convênio tinham algum nível superior); 49% do grupo SUS tinham renda com menos de 2 salários mínimos enquanto que grupo convênio apresentou 39,4% com mais de 4 salários mínimos (p<0,001); 51,5% do grupo SUS não tem gastos com compra de colírios e 67,4% do grupo convênio gasta mais de R$30,00 (p<0,001) portanto 77% do grupo SUS recebe ajuda e 52,5% do grupo convenio não recebe ajuda (p<0,001); 63,6% do grupo convenio acredita que a quantidade de instilações a mais do colírios não obtêm uma melhora do glaucoma, enquanto aproximadamente 50% do grupo SUS relata que há uma melhora com aumento das instilações ou não tem ideia (p=0,030); Ambos os grupos obtiveram um nível de conhecimento geral da doença semelhante, sem diferença estatística. Conclusão: Concluímos que, independente do nível de escolaridade e nível socioeconômico, havendo boa relação médico-paciente, além de acompanhamento orientado e próximo, é possível transmitir conhecimento adequado sobre a doença elevando o nível de adesão ao tratamento pelo paciente.

ABSTRACT Objective: Compare, through structured questionnaires, the knowledge about disease, management of eye drops and adherence to treatment of glaucoma patients disposed in two groups according to educational levels and socioeconomic levels. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out applying structured questionnaires based on an exploratory study to assess the level of Glaucoma patients' knowledge relationated with the disease in two different audiences: the single health system (SUS) and private health plans. The questionnaires were used by doctors residents in Ophthalmology. A sample was composed of 202 patients among which 100 were attended by SUS and the others 102 patients were holders of private health plans. All questionnaires have a free and informed consent form signed by the participant and the responsible researcher. Results: Patients were divided into two groups, consisting of: 100 SUS patients and 102 private health plans. The results revealed that: 58.6% of SUS patients had incomplete elementary schooling and 25.5% of private health insurance patients had some level of higher education; 49% of the SUS group had an income with less than 2 minimum wages while the health insurance group presented 39.4% with more than 4 minimum wages (p <0.001); 51.5% of the SUS group has no spending on eye drops and 67.4% of the health insurance group spends more than R $ 30.00 (p <0.001) so, 77% of the SUS group receives financial aid and 52.5% of the health insurance group does not receive any financial support (p <0.001); 63.6% of the health insurance group believes that the bigger amount of instillations than eyedrops does not improve glaucoma, while approximately 50% of the SUS group reports that there is an improvement when increasing instillations or has no idea (p = 0.030); Both groups obtained a similar level of general knowledge of the disease, with no statistical difference. Conclusion: We conclude that regardless of educational and socioeconomic level if prevails a good doctor-patient relationship, in addition to close monitoring, it is possible to transmit adequate knowledge about the disease, increasing levels of treatment adherence.

Prevalência de ametropias e anisometropias em crianças no ensino fundamental nas escolas de 14 municípios do Estado de Alagoas / Prevalence of ametropias and anisometropias in elementary school children in schools from 14 cities in the State of Alagoas

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a Prevalência de ametropias e anisometropias em crianças no ensino fundamental nas escolas de 14 municípios do estado de Alagoas. Métodos: Realizado um Estudo retrospectivo com dados de 40.873 alunos na faixa etária de 7 a 15 anos. Os pacientes com qualquer erro refrativo foram considerados ametropes e erros maiores que - 0,75D ou + 2,00D esféricos ou maiores que -0,75D cilíndricos com queixas visuais significativas tiveram óculos prescritos e anisometropia considerada com a diferença maior de duas dioptrias. Resultados: Encontrado prevalência, 5,2% de ametropias. Astigmatismo miópico composto (28,99%), seguido de astigmatismo hipermetrópico composto (20,39%). E anisometropia, de 10.38%. Conclusão: Conhecer a prevalência infanto-juvenil de ametropias e anisometropia na população é fundamental para a adoção de estratégias para diagnóstico e tratamento correto de causas evitáveis de baixa visão.

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate a prevalence of ametropias and anisometropias in elementar school children from 14 cities in the state of Alagoas. Methods: A retrospective study, total of 40.873 students, between 7 and 15 years of age, were examined. Patients presenting any refractive error were considered ametropic. Only patients claiming eye complaints with spherical errors greater than -0.75D or +2.00D and cylinder error greater than -0.75D were prescribed eyeglasses. Anisometropia was considered when the refractive difference between the two eyes was of 2 diopters or more. Results: 5.2% presented ametropia. Compound myopic astigmatism (28.99%) and compound hyperopic astigmatism (20.39%). And anisometropias was 10.38%. Conclusions: Understanding the prevalence of ametropias and anisometropias among children is essential to implement strategies for the correct diagnosis and treatment of avoidable visual impairment causes.