Regional Disparities in Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness, Cataract Surgical Coverage and Ocular Findings in Adults 50 Years and Older in Brazil: A Comparative Analysis between Two Population-Based Cross-Sectional Surveys Performed Within a 10-Year Interval.

PURPOSE: To investigate disparities in the prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness, cataract surgical coverage, and ocular findings in older adults from two Brazilian geo-socio-demographic areas, São Paulo and Parintins cities. METHODS: Data from two population-based studies including participants 50 years and older from the cities of São Paulo (São Paulo Eye Study - SPES, 2004) and Parintins (Brazilian Amazon Region Eye Survey - BARES, 2014) were aggregated. RESULTS: A total of 5318 participants (3677 from SPES;1641 from BARES) were included. The prevalence of severe visual impairment (SVI) and blindness were, respectively, 0.74% (0.46-1.02) and 0.77% (0.48-1.05) in SPES and 1.72% (1.09-2.35) and 3.44% (2.55-4.33) in BARES. SVI and blindness were associated with BARES study [OR = 2.27 (1.30-3.95); p = .004 - SVI] [OR:4.07 (2.51-6.60); p < .001- blindness]; and older age [OR = 10.93 (4.20-28.45); p < .001 - SPES; OR = 17.96 (8.75-36.83); p < .001 - BARES] while higher education level was a protective factor [OR = 0.21 (0.05-0.95) - SPES; p = .042; OR = 0.21 (0.05-0.91); p = .037 - BARES]. Cataract was the main cause of bilateral severe visual impairment (25.93% in SPES and 64.29% in BARES) and bilateral blindness (21.43% in SPES and 35.71% in BARES). Cataract surgical coverage was significantly lower in BARES (36.32%) compared to SPES (57.75%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SVI and blindness was three times higher in older adults from the Brazilian Amazon compared to those living in São Paulo city, despite a 10-year interval between the two studies. These disparities should be mitigated by initiatives to promote access to eye care services targeting underprivileged and remote Brazilian areas.

Impact of pterygium on central corneal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography in older adults.

PURPOSE: To measure the central corneal thickness (CCT) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in older adults with and without pterygium from the Brazilian Amazon Region Eye Survey (BARES). METHODS: BARES is a population-based epidemiological cross-sectional study conducted in Parintins city. Participants were residents ≥45 years of age identified through a door-to-door interview. Eligible participants were invited for a comprehensive eye exam. Pterygium occurrence and severity were assessed by ophthalmologists through slit-lamp examination considering its location (nasal or/and temporal) and severity (lesion with extension <3 mm, ≥3 mm not reaching the pupillary margin or ≥3 mm reaching the pupillary margin). CCTs were obtained and measurements from the more severely affected eye were included. Images were analyzed offline by masked observers. RESULTS: A total of 671 subjects, 533 (79.4%) with pterygium in at least one eye and 138 (20.6%) without pterygium in either eye, were examined. The mean CCT evaluated by multiple linear regression and adjusted for demographic variables and pterygium severity was 521 ± 34 µm (median = 521; range = 304-665). Decreased CCT was significantly associated with age and pterygium severity. Individuals aged 65-74 years had CCT 7 µm thinner than those aged 45-54 years (p = 0.044), individuals aged 75 years and older had CCT 15 µm thinner than those aged 45-54 years (p = 0.001), and eyes with severe pterygium had CCT 33 µm thinner than eyes without pterygium (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The CCT analysis in this population-based sample shows that a thinner cornea is associated with pterygium severity and older age.

Population-Based Cataract Surgery Complications and Their Impact on Visual Status in the Brazilian Amazon Region.

PURPOSE: To investigate cataract surgery prevalence, complications, visual outcomes, and coverage in a population of older adults from the Brazilian Amazon region. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: Individuals ≥45 years of age from urban and rural areas of Parintins City, Brazil, were identified by cluster random sampling. Participants underwent ophthalmic examination, including uncorrected visual acuity, acuity with presenting correction (APC), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from each eye. In those with previous cataract surgery, surgical technique and complications including its contribution to vision impairment were noted. The association of surgical complications and surgical coverage with sociodemographic variables was assessed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 2,384 persons were determined to be eligible, and 2,041 (85.6%) were examined. Overall, prevalence of cataract surgery was 8.6%, with 11.3% urban and 5.0% rural. Surgical complications were associated with males, older age, and urban residency and were found in 60.4%, with posterior capsule opacification in 29.6% and posterior capsule rupture in 16.3%. Among the 270 eyes having cataract surgery, APC ≥20/32 was found in 44.4%, APC 20/40 to 20/63 in 20.8%, APC <20/63 to 20/200 in 14.4%, APC <20/200 to 20/400 in 2.6%, and APC <20/400 in 17.8%. Low surgical coverage was found with 57.9% of those with visual impairment due to cataract not being treated surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Although a reasonable prevalence of cataract surgery was found, a high complication rate, poor visual outcomes, and low cataract surgery coverage indicated that actions to improve quality and appropriate postsurgical management should be planned and implemented by public health authorities.

[Ocular manifestations in mansonelliasis]. / Acometimento ocular em pacientes com mansonelose.

PURPOSE: To evaluate eye manifestations in mansonelliasis patients from Coari, AM, rural area on the middle Amazonas River. METHODS: Cross-sectional study consisted of evaluation of 543 subjects from Coari rural area on Solimões River right margin. All subjects were submitted to blood test for microfilaria and the subjects who had a positive test also were submitted to skin biopsies and ophthalmologic examination. Histopathology and PCR research for microfilaria were done on eye biopsies of suspect lesions. RESULTS: Mansonella ozzardi was found in peripheral blood of 103 (18.9%) subjects. Ninety-five mansonelliasis patients were examined. Punctate keratitis was observed in 12 of them, nummular keratitis in one subject and sclerosing keratitis in another one. Skin biopsies were negative in all subjects. Conjunctival and limbal biopsies were done in five mansonelliasis patients and corneal biopsy in another three patients. Conjunctival and limbal biopsies of two patients and corneal biopsy of one patient showed no microfilaria or alterations due to its presence on histopathology. PCR showed no evidence of microfilaria in the other biopsies. CONCLUSION: Association between Mansonella ozzardi infection and corneal lesions with no evident etiology was observed in this study, but the lack of conclusive findings on histopathology and PCR make us doubt the corneal involvement in mansonelliasis. Large studies of high mansonelliasis prevalence populations and extensive employment of microfilaria identification tests in ocular tissue are needed to evaluate the microfilaria corneal pathogenicity.

Presbyopia and Ocular Conditions Causing Near Vision Impairment in Older Adults From the Brazilian Amazon Region.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and causes of near vision impairment (NVI) in a population of older adults from the Brazilian Amazon Region. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: Cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting subjects 45 years of age and older from urban and rural areas of Parintins city, Brazil. Participants underwent ophthalmic examination, including uncorrected (UCNVA), presenting (PNVA), and best-corrected near visual acuity (BCNVA) from each eye; biomicroscopy; funduscopy; and subjective refraction, including testing with additional lenses for near vision optical correction. A principal cause for NVI was assigned by the ophthalmologist and presbyopia was defined as UCNVA ≤ 20/40 changing to > 20/40 with BCNVA. Free-of-charge glasses were provided for those in need. RESULTS: A total of 2384 subjects were enumerated and 2025 had reliable NVA measurements from both eyes. The prevalence of NVI in the better-seeing eye was 96.5% with UCNVA, decreasing to 81.1% with PNVA and to 20.5% with BCNVA. Presbyopia was the principal cause of NVI in 71.8%, followed by cataract (16.5%) and pterygium (2.5%), and was associated with younger age and high schooling. Glasses for near vision were prescribed and provided to 1414 (69.8%) participants. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of NVI was detected even in those wearing glasses for near. Prescription and provision of low-cost reading glasses should be considered by Brazilian health authorities to address this easily and promptly correctable form of vision impairment.

Ocular sequelae of retinopathy of prematurity in Manaus, Amazonas / Sequelas oculares estruturais da retinopatia da prematuridade em crianças em Manaus, Amazonas

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the structural ocular sequelae of retinopathy of prematurity in children at risk for the disease in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Methods: A prospective, cohort-type, observational study was conducted. Fifty-seven children at risk for this retinopathy, who were born in the public health system facilities, were referred for ophthalmic evaluation at a secondary eye hospital. Inclusion criteria were gestational age ≤ 32 weeks and/or birth weight ≤ 1500 g. Results: Eighteen (31.6%) children were diagnosed with any stage of retinopathy of prematurity during the study period, and four (7.0%) of them needed treatment. Structural ocular sequelae were identified in 3 of 56 children (5.3%), consisting of peripheral retinal detachment with macular dragging in 3 eyes of 3 children and macular involving retinal detachment in 2 eyes of 2 children. Associations between occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity and birth weight, gestational age at birth and days in oxygen were observed (p<0.05). Indication of treatment was associated with birth weight (p<0.05). Conclusion: Retinopathy of prematurity stands out as an important cause of avoidable blindness in Amazonas, affected 31.6 % of children at risk in the present paper, which in this same context, led to ocular strucutral sequelae in about 5.3% of these infants, either peripheral or macular involving retinal detachment. A local program for screening and treatment of the population at risk is necessary in order to avoid blindness from this disease, providing care to the public health system users that contemplates equality and universality of access.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar as sequelas oculares estruturais da retinopatia da prematuridade em crianças com risco para a doença em Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. Métodos: Foi conduzido um estudo observacional prospectivo, do tipo coorte. Cinquenta e sete crianças que nasceram em um hospital público, com risco desta retinopatia, foram referênciadas para avaliação oftamológica em um hospital de olhos secundário. Critérios de inclusão foram idade gestacional ≤ 32 semanas e/ou peso ao nascer ≤ 1500 g. Resultados: Dezoito (31.6%) crianças foram diagnosticadas com retinopatia da prematuridade em qualquer estágio durante o período de estudo, quatro (7.0%) delas precisaram de tratamento. Sequelas oculares estruturais foram identificadas em 3 de 56 (5.3%) crianças, consistindo de descolamento de retina periférico com tração macular em 3 olhos de 3 crianças e descolamento de retina envolvendo a mácula em 2 olhos de 2 crianças. Associações entre a ocorrência de retinopatia da prematuridade e peso, idade gestacional e dias em oxigênio foram observadas (p<0.05). Indicação de tratamento foi associada com peso ao nascer (p<0.05). Conclusão: A retinopatia da prematuridade constitui uma importante causa de cegueira prevenível no Amazonas, acometeu 31.6% das crianças em risco no presente estudo, que neste mesmo contexto, levou a seqüelas estruturais oculares em cerca de 5.3% destas, tanto descolamento de retina periférico quanto envolvendo a mácula. Um programa local de triagem e tratamento da população de risco é necessário a fim de evitar a cegueira por esta comorbidade em Manaus, proporcionando cuidados aos usuários do sistema público de saúde que contemplem a igualdade e universalidade de acesso.

Mansonella ozzardi corneal lesions in the Amazon: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To characterise and confirm the presence of Mansonella ozzardi microfilariae in the cornea by biomicroscopy and corneal confocal microscopy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: Clinical practice study in patients from rural communities in Coari city on the Solimões river, Amazonas state, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: The eyes of 212 consecutive volunteer patients were examined using a flash light and their blood checked for the presence of microfilariae by an expert microscopist. Patients with suspicious corneal lesions (characterised as nummular keratitis) were submitted to biomicroscopy, fundoscopy and corneal confocal microscopy evaluation (CCME). In two patients, a biopsy of the limbal conjunctiva adjacent to the nummular keratitis was carried out and blood collected from the surgical wound for microfilariae investigation by thick blood film examination. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive correlation between corneal biomicroscopic and confocal lesions and M ozzardi microfilaremia. RESULTS: Of the 212 patients, 56 (26.4%) were positive for microfilaremia. 22 patients with nummular keratitis identified under flash light examination underwent biomicroscopy and CCME. Corneal lesions were positively correlated to microfilaremia (p=0.0001). At biomicroscopy, lesions were classified as quiescent or active. At CCME, lesions were categorised as circular or filiform. The associations between corneal lesions, CCME findings and microfilaremia are shown. CONCLUSIONS: We describe M ozzardi microfilariae in the cornea and the associated eye pathology. Further studies using ocular tissue PCR and other imaging techniques would be helpful.

[Ocular leprosy: a historical approach]. / Hanseníase ocular: uma abordagem histórica.

A sharp drop in the prevalence of leprosy occurred in the last three decades. However, the incidence has not decreased at the same rate. Three years after the World Health Organization last deadline for leprosy control, patients considered healed still need special care for their incapacities and immunopathological reactions. Medical literature reffers blindness in 4% to 11% of studied patients and more than 20% with severe visual problems due to corneal exposure, bacillary invasion and hipersensibility. These mechanisms result in a population of nearly one million blind leprosy patients even though official prevalence accounts no more than 250,000 patients worldwide. The author calls for better patients management and follow-up and urges ophthalmologists to become more aware and interested in the treatment of the ocular complications of leprosy.

Hanseníase ocular: uma abordagem histórica / Ocular leprosy: a historical approach

Houve uma acentuada queda na prevalência da hanseníase nas últimas três décadas. Contudo, a incidência não diminuiu na mesma proporção. Hoje, três anos após a última data estipulada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde para o controle da hanseníase, pacientes considerados curados ainda necessitam de cuidados especiais por causa de suas incapacidades e reações imunológicas. A literatura médica refere cegueira em 4 por cento a 11 por cento dos pacientes estudados e, mais de 20 por cento com graves problemas visuais devido a exposição da córnea, invasão bacilar e hipersensibilidade; estes mecanismos resultam em uma população de aproximadamente 1 milhão de pacientes cegos, embora a prevalência oficial não passe de 250.000 pacientes em todo o mundo. O autor destaca a necessidade de melhor tratamento e acompanhamento dos pacientes e, conclama os oftalmologistas a tornarem-se mais perceptivos e se interessarem mais pelo tratamento das complicações oculares da hanseníase.

A sharp drop in the prevalence of leprosy occurred in the last three decades. However, the incidence has not decreased at the same rate. Three years after the World Health Organization last deadline for leprosy control, patients considered healed still need special care for their incapacities and immunopathological reactions. Medical literature reffers blindness in 4 percent to 11 percent of studied patients and more than 20 percent with severe visual problems due to corneal exposure, bacillary invasion and hipersensibility. These mechanisms result in a population of nearly one million blind leprosy patients even though official prevalence accounts no more than 250,000 patients worldwide. The author calls for better patients management and follow-up and urges ophthalmologists to become more aware and interested in the treatment of the ocular complications of leprosy.

Acometimento ocular em pacientes com mansonelose / Ocular manifestations in mansonelliasis

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar as alterações oculares observadas em indivíduos com mansonelose residentes na área rural do município de Coari, AM, na região do médio Amazonas. MÉTODOS: Foi conduzido um estudo de corte transversal envolvendo 543 moradores residentes na área rural do município de Coari, na margem direita do rio Solimões. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a exame de gota espessa para pesquisa de microfilária e os indivíduos positivos foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico. Lesões oculares suspeitas foram biopsiadas e enviadas para exame histopatológico. RESULTADOS: Mansonella ozzardi foi encontrada no sangue periférico em 103 (18,9 por cento) indivíduos. Noventa e cinco pacientes com mansonelose foram examinados, observando ceratite puntata em 12 (11,7 por cento) destes, ceratite numular em um indivíduo (1 por cento) e esclerosante em outro (1 por cento). Biópsia de pele foi negativa em todos os indivíduos. Biópsia de conjuntiva e limbo foi realizada em cinco pacientes com mansonelose e biópsia de córnea em outros três pacientes. Duas biópsias de conjuntiva e limbo e uma biópsia de córnea foram enviadas para exame histopatológico, não sendo observadas microfilárias ou alterações sugestivas da presença destas nas peças estudadas. O restante das biópsias foi enviado para pesquisa de DNA do parasita por PCR, não se encontrando microfilária. CONCLUSÕES: Associação entre infecção por Mansonella ozzardi e lesões corneanas sem etiologia aparente foi verificada neste estudo, mas a ausência de achados específicos no exame histopatológico e a não identificação de microfilárias por PCR em lesões suspeitas põem em dúvida a o acometimento corneano na mansonelose. Estudos mais amplos de populações com alta prevalência de M. ozzardi e a realização de outros testes para identificação de microfilárias em tecido ocular são necessários para investigar a patogenicidade da microfilária ao tecido ocular.

PURPOSE: To evaluate eye manifestations in mansonelliasis patients from Coari, AM, rural area on the middle Amazonas River. METHODS: Cross-sectional study consisted of evaluation of 543 subjects from Coari rural area on Solimões River right margin. All subjects were submitted to blood test for microfilaria and the subjects who had a positive test also were submitted to skin biopsies and ophthalmologic examination. Histopathology and PCR research for microfilaria were done on eye biopsies of suspect lesions. RESULTS: Mansonella ozzardi was found in peripheral blood of 103 (18.9 percent) subjects. Ninety-five mansonelliasis patients were examined. Punctate keratitis was observed in 12 of them, nummular keratitis in one subject and sclerosing keratitis in another one. Skin biopsies were negative in all subjects. Conjunctival and limbal biopsies were done in five mansonelliasis patients and corneal biopsy in another three patients. Conjunctival and limbal biopsies of two patients and corneal biopsy of one patient showed no microfilaria or alterations due to its presence on histopathology. PCR showed no evidence of microfilaria in the other biopsies. CONCLUSION: Association between Mansonella ozzardi infection and corneal lesions with no evident etiology was observed in this study, but the lack of conclusive findings on histopathology and PCR make us doubt the corneal involvement in mansonelliasis. Large studies of high mansonelliasis prevalence populations and extensive employment of microfilaria identification tests in ocular tissue are needed to evaluate the microfilaria corneal pathogenicity.

Detecção de tracoma e doenças corneanas em índios da região do Alto Rio Negro / Detection of trachoma and corneal diseases in indian of the Alto Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil

Objetivo:Avaliar as condições oftalmológicas da população indígena do Alto Rio Negro, fronteira do Brasil com a Colômbia. Métodos: Exame oftalmológico de 179 índios habitantes do Rio Tiquié, afluente do Rio Negro, em julho de 1999. Resultado: Opacidades numulares corneanas 28,5 por cento; pterígio 12,8 por cento; tracoma 55 por cento. Do total de índios examinados 2,8 por cento apresentavam visão inferior a contar dedos a 5 metros, devido a lesões corneanas secundárias ao tracoma.

Causas de baixa da acuidade visual em hansenianos de duas instituições de saúde de Manaus / Visual acuity loss causes in Hansen's disease patients from two health care institutions in the city of Manaus

Objetivo: Avaliar as causas mais freqüentes de baixa da acuidade visual em portadores de hanseníase provenientes de duas instituições de saúde de Manaus, Brasil, relacionando-as à forma clínica, ao tempo de evolução e ao tratamento realizado. Local: Instituto de Oftalmologia de Manaus, Fundação Instituto de Dermatologia Tropical e Venereologia Alfredo da Matta. Métodos: Foi realizado exame oftalmológico (ectoscopia, acuidade visual, biomicroscopia, tonometria de aplanação, estesiometria corneana e oftalmoscopia binocular indireta) em 260 pacientes (520 olhos) com diagnóstico prévio de hanseníase, sendo 93 pacientes (186 olhos) internos ou ambulatoriais do Hospital Geral Dr. Geraldo da Rocha (localizado na ôColônia Antônio Aleixoö) e 167 pacientes (334 olhos) ambulatoriais da Fundação Instituto de Dermatologia Tropical e Venereologia Alfredo da Matta (centro de referência regional para dermatoses e hanseníase). Foram examinados os prontuários destes pacientes para averiguar a forma clínica da hanseníase, a duração da doença, quando iniciou e qual o tratamento realizado. Resultados: Este estudo demonstra importante prevalência de complicações oculares da hanseníase em pacientes provenientes de instituição hospitalar localizada em ôColôniaö - grupo 1 (leucoma associado a lagoftalmo e neovascularização corneana em 10,2 por cento dos olhos examinados, atrofia de íris em 8,1 por cento, seqüela de iridociclite em 3,2 por cento e alteração do EPR macular em 2,1 por cento), e prevalência menor de complicações oculares em pacientes provenientes de instituição de referência regional para dermatoses e hanseníase - grupo 2 (atrofia de íris em 4,5 por cento dos olhos examinados, seqüela de iridociclite em 1,8 por cento, seqüela de trauma ocular em 1,2 por cento, leucoma em 1,2 por cento e maculopatia em 1,2 por cento). Conclusões: Este estudo demonstra que o tempo de evolução da doença acima de 15 anos, e o retardo no tratamento ou a realização inadequada deste, estão relacionados à maior prevalência de complicações oculares da hanseníase, e enfatiza a importância do diagnóstico precoce e do pronto cumprimento de esquema terapêutico apropriado para evitar a baixa da acuidade visual relacionada a esta patologia.

Volume da gota dos colírios comerciais nacionais / Eyedrops size in Brazil

O volume da gota de oito classes de colírios disponíveis no mercado nacional, foi aferido, com uma precisäo de 0,5 ul, e, paralelamente, comparado com o padräo volumétrico de quatro classes de colírios amaricanos. Em relaçäo aos colírios nacionais analisados, seis deles apresentavam volumes de gotas estatisticamente iguais entre si e aos das gotas americanas , isto é, 20 a 25 ul, ao passo que, dois deles, mostraram gotas com o dobro do volume considerado mecessário e ideal. Esses achados säo discutidos e suas implicaçöes médicas e econômicas, säo abordadas.

Estudo epidemiológico das alterações oculares em hansenianos no Amazonas / ?

O aparelho visual apresenta-se fregüentemente comprometido na hanseníase. O autor estudou 1056 pacientes ambulatoriais (14,00 por cento do registro ativo do Estado do Amazonas), representativos das várias formas clínicas da doença e em diferentes estágios do tratamento. O exame oftalmológico incluiu a medida da acuidade visual; o exame biomicroscópico do globo ocular e anexos; tonometria de aplanação; medida da sensibilidade da córnea com estesiômetro de Cochet & Bonnet; gonioscopia e oftalmoscopia. Foi registrado um índice de 32,01 por cento de comprometimento ocular. A acuidade visual estava comprometida em 257 olhos (12,30 por cento) e 101 pacientes (9,68 por cento) tinham acuidade visual menor que 0.1 em ambos os olhos. A causa mais freqüente de cegueira nesta série de pacientes foi alterações na córnea seguida de alterações da íris. O autor identificou vários fatores de risco para glaucoma nos pacientes estudados. Foram encontradas alterações fundoscópicas em 3,5 por cento dos pacientes. A maior freqüencia de lesões oculares leprosas foi encontrada nas formas multibacilares da doença, e os estados reacionais que constitui um agravo adicional ao olho estavam relacionadados com a gravidade e a freqüencia dessas alterações. O tempo de evolução estava também relacionado com a freqüencia e a gravidade das alterações oculares.