Computer Vision Syndrome: Will the Pandemic Lead to Eye Problems for Dentists?

ABSTRACT Over the past year and a half dental education has been conducted primarily online due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. During the pandemic, we have spent many hours a day on our computers, mobile phones, and tablets to gather information and participate in online seminars and classrooms. Health consequences resulting from the overuse of these devices include carpal tunnel syndrome as well as computer vision syndrome (CVS). Computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain, has several associated features such as eye burning, strained vision, dry eye, blurred vision, and associated neck and shoulder pain. Several predisposing factors have been linked with CVS, but often this problem gets ignored. The management of this syndrome is aimed at educating dentists on computer use, position, and the surrounding environment. Considering all this, we must ensure that we spend some time away from these devices every day to avoid any significant vision problems. The objective of preparing this manuscript was to provide a brief overview of the increased prevalence of computer vision syndrome and its associated features.

Epidemiologia das urgências e emergências oftalmológicas em um Hospital Universitário Terciário / Epidemiologic profile of ophthalmic emergencies in a Tertiary University Hospital

Resumo O estudo buscou analisar e estudar a prevalência e as circunstâncias de urgências e emergências oftalmológicas no Pronto Socorro do Hospital de Clínicas de Uberlândia da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (HCU-UFU) e no Ambulatório Amélio Marques no período de agosto de 2016 a agosto de 2017. Faz-se necessário tal estudo, pois emergências oftalmológicas são importantes causas de morbidades na sociedade(1). Ademais, através dele políticas de prevenção poderão ser feitas, além de maior capacitação de profissionais a partir do conhecimento das principais causas de atendimento. A metodologia proposta incluiu a coleta de dados do prontuário, sendo colhidas as informações sexo, idade e ocupação/profissão. Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico exploratório observacional predominantemente descritivo do tipo transversal. O trabalho evidenciou que o sexo masculino foi o mais acometido e a faixa etária mais incidente foi entre 19 e 45 anos. Das causas de procura pelo pronto-atendimento oftalmológico, o trauma ocular por corpo estranho é a mais comum havendo uma estreita relação com as atividades laborais (mecânicos e ferragistas). Dessa forma, os dados serão um recurso importante para o auxiliar na compreensão do perfil epidemiológico do pronto-atendimento oftalmológico visando otimizar a administração do mesmo e para estimular a adoção de políticas públicas de prevenção no âmbito da saúde do trabalhador.

Abstract The study aimed to analyze and study the prevalence and circumstances of ophthalmic emergencies and urgencies in the Emergency Room of the Hospital de Clínicas de Uberlândia and the Central Ambulatory (Amélio Marques) of the Federal University of Uberlândia (HCU-UFU) from August 2016 to August 2017. This is a necessary study since ophthalmic emergencies are important causes of morbidities in society(1). In addition, this study will help to develop prevention policies and to make greater training of professionals based on knowledge of the main causes of eye emergencies. The proposed methodology included the collection of data from the medical record, with the information of sex, age and occupation/profession being collected. This is an observational, descriptive, transversal, exploratory epidemiological study. The study showed that males were the most affected and the most incident age group was between 19 and 45 years old. Eye trauma due to a foreign body is the most common cause of demand for ophthalmologic emergency care with a close relationship with work activities (mechanics and ironmongers). In this way, the data will be an important resource to assist in understanding the epidemiological profile of the ophthalmology emergency room in order to optimize its administration and to encourage the adoption of public prevention policies within the scope of occupational health.

Perfil epidemiológico dos atendimentos em um serviço público de urgência oftalmológica / Epidemiological profile of visits in a public ophthalmic emergency service

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar os principais diagnósticos e características epidemiológicas dos pacientes atendidos em um serviço público de urgência oftalmológica. Métodos: Estudo transversal e retrospectivo, com análise de prontuários de 2834 pacientes atendimentos no período de julho a setembro de 2017, no serviço de Urgência Oftalmológica do Complexo Hospitalar Ouro Verde, Campinas, Brasil. As variáveis estudadas foram idade, gênero e diagnóstico. Resultados: Houve a prevalência do gênero masculino (52,6%) e da faixa etária de 30 a 59 anos (43,5%); 21,1% eram idosos. Os diagnósticos mais prevalentes foram conjuntivite infecciosa (23,9%), trauma ocular (15,7%) e doenças da superfície ocular (14,6%). Entre mulheres e crianças houve o predomínio de quadros infecciosos/inflamatórios; 83,6% dos traumas ocorreram em homens, sendo 62,2% devido a corpo estranho. Conclusão: Os diagnósticos mais prevalentes no serviço de urgência oftalmológica foram conjuntivite infecciosa e trauma ocular. Medidas de educação e prevenção são necessárias para reduzir morbidade e absenteísmo e evitar o uso inapropriado dos serviços especializados de emergência.

Abstract Objective: To identify the most frequent diagnosis and epidemiological characteristics of patients attended in a public ophthalmic emergency service. Methods: This is a retrospective and transverse study based on 2834 patients' chart attended from July to September 2017 at the Ouro Verde Hospital Complex, Campinas, Brazil. The following variables were investigated: age, gender, and diagnosis. Results: Most patients were male (52.6%) and aged between 30 to 59 years (43.5%); 21.1% were elderly. The most frequent diagnostics were conjunctivitis (23.9%), ocular trauma (15.7%), and ocular surface disorders (14.6%). Infectious/inflammatory conditions predominated among children and female; 83.6% of traumas occurred in man, and 62.2% were due to a foreign body. Conclusion: The most prevalent diagnoses in the ophthalmologic emergency department were infectious conjunctivitis and ocular trauma. Education and prevention measures are necessary to reduce morbidity and absenteeism and to avoid inappropriate use of specialized emergency services.

Conocimientos de los estudiantes de medicina sobre las afecciones oftalmológicas más frecuentes en la práctica de la reumatología / Medical student´s knowledge about the most common ophthalmological conditions in the practice of rheumatology

Introducción: en la formación de pregrado debe concederse la debida importancia a la enseñanza de la reumatología dado su carácter multidisciplinar, que demanda un futuro profesional de la salud capaz de valorar y reconocer aún desde aulas y laboratorios, las implicaciones sociales y de salud entre enfermedades reumáticas y oculares ya que el diagnóstico correcto de estas, puede ayudar a destacar el rol del proceso sistémico y viceversa. Objetivo: evaluar el nivel de conocimientos de estudiantes de medicina sobre las afecciones oftalmológicas más frecuentes en la práctica de la reumatología. Métodos: la investigación se realizó en la facultad de Medicina perteneciente a la Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes en el período comprendido de marzo a mayo de 2017. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, transversal y analítico. El universo estuvo constituido por 166 estudiantes de VI y VII semestres y la muestra de estudio la constituyeron 75 estudiantes de cada semestre seleccionados al azar. Resultados: la presencia mayoritaria de mujeres caracteriza a la muestra objeto de estudio (53.3 por ciento, contra 46,7 por ciento de hombres). Las edades máximas y mínimas fueron 21 y 26 años respectivamente, con edad promedio superior en el VII semestre. Se aplicó una encuesta validada previamente que permitió evaluar el conocimiento relacionado con las manifestaciones oftalmológicas más frecuentes. Conclusiones: el nivel de conocimiento sobre las manifestaciones oftalmológicas en la práctica de la reumatología no es bueno, por lo que se sugiere redimensionar el proceso docente, privilegiando la formación práctica que debe caracterizar la enseñanza de pregrado al profundizar en el manejo de estas entidades(AU)

Introduction: In the undergraduate training must be given due importance to the teaching of rheumatology because of its multidisciplinary character, which demands a future health professional able to assess and recognize even from classrooms and laboratories, the social and health implications between rheumatic and ocular diseases because the correct diagnosis of these can help highlighting the role of the systemic process and vice versa. Objective: To assess the level of medical students´ knowledge about the most common ophthalmological conditions in the practice of rheumatology. Methods: The research was carried out in the Faculty of Medicine belonging to the Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes from March to May, 2017. It is a descriptive, transversal and analytical study. The universe was constituted by 166 students of sixth and seventh semesters and the sample of study was constituted by 75 students of each semester selected at random. Development: The majority presence of women characterizes the sample object of study (53.3 percent against 46.7 percent of men). The maximum and minimum wages were 21 and 26 years old respectively, with a higher average age in the seventh semester. A previously validated survey was applied that allowed evaluating the knowledge related to the most frequent ophthalmologic manifestations. Conclusions: The level of knowledge on the ophthalmologic manifestations in the practice of rheumatology is not good, so it is suggested to resize the teaching process, favoring the practical training that must characterize the teaching of undergraduate to deepen the management of these entities(AU)

Formación de residentes en oftalmología sobre retinopatía diabética desde un enfoque educativo-preventivo / Residents´ training in ophthalmology on retinopathy from an educational-preventive approach

Se caracteriza el proceso de formación de residentes en oftalmología. Se muestran las principales dificultades de dicho proceso, por lo que resulta necesario transformar su dinámica desde un enfoque educativo-preventivo en relación con la retinopatía diabética, la cual es una de las enfermedades derivadas de la diabetes mellitus, que podría conducir a la ceguera en el paciente diabético.

The process training residents in ophthalmology is characterized. The main difficulties of this process are shown, reason why it is necessary to transform its dynamics from an educational-preventive approach regarding diabetic retinopathy, which is one of the diseases derived from diabetes mellitus that could lead to blindness in the diabetic patient

ANXA1Ac2-26 peptide, a possible therapeutic approach in inflammatory ocular diseases.

The eye is immunologically privileged when inflammatory responses are suppressed. One component responsible for the suppression of inflammatory responses is the blood retinal barrier, which comprises the retinal pigment epithelium. The destruction of this barrier initiates inflammation, which can affect any part of the eye. Therefore, inflammatory response is controlled by the action of anti-inflammatory mediators, among these mediators, annexin A1 (ANXA1) protein acts as a modulator of inflammation. In this study we aimed to improve the knowledge of this area by investigating how a peptide of the ANXA1 protein (ANXA1Ac2-26) modulates the morphology, proliferation, migration and expression of genes and proteins in human retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19). Determining how signaling pathways (NF-κB and UBC) are modulated by the ANXA1Ac2-26 peptide could be important for understanding the inflammatory process. ARPE-19 cells were activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide endotoxin (LPS) and treated with ANXA1Ac2-26 peptide, in a concentration of 1.7µM and 33.8µM. We observed that the LPS activation diminished the levels of endogenous ANXA1 after 2h and 24h and ANXA1Ac2-26 peptide decreased the proliferation and re-establishes the migration of ARPE-19 cells. After using a hybridization approach, 80 differentially expressed genes were found. Five of these genes were selected (LRAT, CTGF, MAP1B, ALDH1A3 and SETD7) and all were down-regulated after treatment with the peptide. The genes CTGF and LRAT would be considered as potential molecular markers of ophthalmologic inflammation. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was also decreased after the treatment, indicating the efficiency of the anti-inflammatory peptide at high concentrations, since the reduction in the levels of these mediators were observed after the treatment with ANXA1Ac2-26 peptide at 33.8µM. Our results suggest that the retinal pigment epithelial cells are a potential target of the ANXA1 protein and point to possible applications of the ANXA1Ac2-26 peptide as an innovative therapy for the treatment of ocular inflammation.

Biomicroscopia ultrassônica na oftalmologia veterinária - revisão de literatura / Ultrasound biomicroscopy in veterinary ophthalmology - literature review / Biomicroscopía ultrasónica en oftalmología veterinaria - revisión de literatura

A biomicroscopia ultrassônica (UBM) ou ultrassonografia de alta frequência (35-100 MHz) é uma ferramenta utilizada na ecografia ocular. Por ter alcance de 4 a 8 mm de profundidade, é capaz de avaliar com maiores detalhes o segmento anterior do bulbo ocular, auxiliando no diagnóstico, no prognóstico e no monitoramento das oftalmopatias. É um exame não invasivo, capaz de individualizar diferentes estruturas do bulbo ocular, tais como córnea, esclera, câmara anterior, íris, corpo ciliar, câmara posterior, ângulo iridocorneano de drenagem e lente. Esta revisão bibliográfica tem por objetivo apresentar o uso da UBM na medicina veterinária de pequenos animais, demonstrando suas vantagens, limitações e indicações na clínica oftalmológica.(AU)

Ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM) or high frequency ultrasound (35-100 MHz) is a tool used for ocular imaging. The 4 to 8 mm tissue depth range enables assessment of the anterior segment of the eye, aiding in the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of ocular diseases. It is a noninvasive test able to identify different structures of the eye, such as cornea, sclera, anterior chamber, iris, ciliary body, posterior chamber, iridocorneal drainage angle and lens. This review aims to present the use of UBM in veterinary medicine, demonstrating its advantages, limitations and indications in the ophthalmology of small animals.(AU)

La biomicroscopía ultrasónica (UBM) o ultrasonografía de alta frecuencia (35-100 MHz) es una herramienta utilizada en el estudio ecográfico del globo ocular. Debido a su alcance de 4 a 8 mm de profundidad, es posible analizar con mayor detalle el segmento anterior del ojo, ayudando en el diagnóstico, pronóstico y control de las enfermedades oculares. Es un examen no invasivo capaz de individualizar estructuras como la córnea, esclera, cámara anterior, iris, cuerpo ciliar, cámara posterior, ángulo irido corneal (drenaje) y cristalino. Esta revisión de literatura tiene como objetivo presentar el uso de la UBM en medicina veterinaria de pequeños animales, mostrando sus ventajas, limitaciones e indicaciones en oftalmología.(AU)

Biomicroscopia ultrassônica na oftalmologia veterinária - revisão de literatura / Ultrasound biomicroscopy in veterinary ophthalmology - literature review / Biomicroscopía ultrasónica en oftalmología veterinaria - revisión de literatura

A biomicroscopia ultrassônica (UBM) ou ultrassonografia de alta frequência (35-100 MHz) é uma ferramenta utilizada na ecografia ocular. Por ter alcance de 4 a 8 mm de profundidade, é capaz de avaliar com maiores detalhes o segmento anterior do bulbo ocular, auxiliando no diagnóstico, no prognóstico e no monitoramento das oftalmopatias. É um exame não invasivo, capaz de individualizar diferentes estruturas do bulbo ocular, tais como córnea, esclera, câmara anterior, íris, corpo ciliar, câmara posterior, ângulo iridocorneano de drenagem e lente. Esta revisão bibliográfica tem por objetivo apresentar o uso da UBM na medicina veterinária de pequenos animais, demonstrando suas vantagens, limitações e indicações na clínica oftalmológica.

Ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM) or high frequency ultrasound (35-100 MHz) is a tool used for ocular imaging. The 4 to 8 mm tissue depth range enables assessment of the anterior segment of the eye, aiding in the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of ocular diseases. It is a noninvasive test able to identify different structures of the eye, such as cornea, sclera, anterior chamber, iris, ciliary body, posterior chamber, iridocorneal drainage angle and lens. This review aims to present the use of UBM in veterinary medicine, demonstrating its advantages, limitations and indications in the ophthalmology of small animals.

La biomicroscopía ultrasónica (UBM) o ultrasonografía de alta frecuencia (35-100 MHz) es una herramienta utilizada en el estudio ecográfico del globo ocular. Debido a su alcance de 4 a 8 mm de profundidad, es posible analizar con mayor detalle el segmento anterior del ojo, ayudando en el diagnóstico, pronóstico y control de las enfermedades oculares. Es un examen no invasivo capaz de individualizar estructuras como la córnea, esclera, cámara anterior, iris, cuerpo ciliar, cámara posterior, ángulo irido corneal (drenaje) y cristalino. Esta revisión de literatura tiene como objetivo presentar el uso de la UBM en medicina veterinaria de pequeños animales, mostrando sus ventajas, limitaciones e indicaciones en oftalmología.

Ocular risk management in patients undergoing general anesthesia: an analysis of 39,431 surgeries.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe and analyze ocular findings associated with nonocular surgery in patients who underwent general anesthesia. METHODS: The authors retrospectively collected a series of 39,431 surgeries using standardized data forms. RESULTS: Ocular findings were reported in 9 cases (2.3:10,000), which involved patients with a mean age of 58.9±19.5 years. These cases involved patients classified as ASA I (33%), ASA II (55%) or ASA III (11%). General anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil was used in 4 cases, balanced general anesthesia was used in 4 cases, and regional block was used in combination with balanced general anesthesia in one case. Five patients (55%) underwent surgery in the supine position, one patient (11%) underwent surgery in the lithotomy position, two patients (22%) underwent surgery in the prone position, and one patient (11%) underwent surgery in the lateral position. Ocular hyperemia was detected in most (77%) of the 9 cases with ocular findings; pain/burning of the eyes, visual impairment, eye discharge and photophobia were observed in 55%, 11%, 11% and 11%, respectively, of these 9 cases. No cases involved permanent ocular injury or vision loss. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmological findings after surgeries were uncommon, and most of the included patients were relatively healthy. Minor complications, such as dehydration or superficial ocular trauma, should be prevented by following systematic protocols that provide appropriate ocular occlusion with a lubricating ointment and protect the eye with an acrylic occluder. These procedures will refine the quality of anesthesia services and avoid discomfort among patients, surgeons and anesthesia staff.

Ocular risk management in patients undergoing general anesthesia: an analysis of 39,431 surgeries

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe and analyze ocular findings associated with nonocular surgery in patients who underwent general anesthesia. METHODS: The authors retrospectively collected a series of 39,431 surgeries using standardized data forms. RESULTS: Ocular findings were reported in 9 cases (2.3:10,000), which involved patients with a mean age of 58.9±19.5 years. These cases involved patients classified as ASA I (33%), ASA II (55%) or ASA III (11%). General anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil was used in 4 cases, balanced general anesthesia was used in 4 cases, and regional block was used in combination with balanced general anesthesia in one case. Five patients (55%) underwent surgery in the supine position, one patient (11%) underwent surgery in the lithotomy position, two patients (22%) underwent surgery in the prone position, and one patient (11%) underwent surgery in the lateral position. Ocular hyperemia was detected in most (77%) of the 9 cases with ocular findings; pain/burning of the eyes, visual impairment, eye discharge and photophobia were observed in 55%, 11%, 11% and 11%, respectively, of these 9 cases. No cases involved permanent ocular injury or vision loss. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmological findings after surgeries were uncommon, and most of the included patients were relatively healthy. Minor complications, such as dehydration or superficial ocular trauma, should be prevented by following systematic protocols that provide appropriate ocular occlusion with a lubricating ointment and protect the eye with an acrylic occluder. These procedures will refine the quality of anesthesia services and avoid discomfort among patients, surgeons and anesthesia staff. .

Causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children in the Republic of Suriname.

AIMS: To determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL) in children in Suriname (Dutch Guyana) and to identify preventable and treatable causes. METHODS: 4643 children under 16 years of age were recruited from two locations: 33 children attending the only school for the blind were examined and 4610 medical records were analysed at an eye clinic. Data have been collected using the WHO Prevention of Blindness Programme eye examination record for children. RESULTS: 65 children were identified with SVI/BL, 58.5% were blind and 41.5% were severely visually impaired (SVI). The major anatomical site of SVI/BL was the retina in 33.8%, lens in 15.4% and normal appearing globe in 15.4%. The major underlying aetiology of SVI/BL was undetermined in 56.9% (mainly cataract and abnormality since birth) and perinatal factors 21.5% (mainly retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)). Avoidable causes of SVI/BL accounted for 40% of cases; 7.7% were preventable and 32.3% were treatable with cataracts and ROP the most common causes (15.4% and 12.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: More than a third of the SVI/BL causes are potentially avoidable, with childhood cataract and ROP the leading causes. Corneal scarring from vitamin A deficiency does not seem to be a continuing issue in Suriname.

Why are there defaulters in eye health projects?

PURPOSE: To identify barriers to attendance for eye examination of schoolchildren. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Students in grades 1-4 in elementary school in Guarulhos (Brazil) were screened and referred for ophthalmic examination in 2006. Facilities offered in this project were: examination arranged during weekends, free transportation, spectacle donation and two different opportunities for exam. A questionnaire was applied, by interview, to a sample consisted of students' parents attended in a community project who missed the first call and attended the recall, to identify the reasons for non-attendance. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 767 parents or guardians, corresponding to an equal number of schoolchildren. Personal characteristics of the students: 49.2% male and 50.8% female, 60.2% of them had never received previous ophthalmologic evaluation. Reported reasons for no-show to the project: parents had not received appropriate orientation (35.6%), loss of working day (20.6%), illness (12.4%), had another appointment (10.0%). The need for eyeglasses was higher in the recall. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of parents did not take their children for ophthalmological exams, even when a second opportunity was offered in projects with transportation facilities, free exams performed during weekends and spectacle donation. The main causes of absenteeism were lack of awareness and work. For 87.1% of the absenteeism cases, the difficulties could be overcome via improved structuring of the first call. A recall increases attendance coverage of target population by only 15.2% (59.3 to 74.5%). Notably, the eye exam campaign was the first exam for most of the absent students.

Association of the red reflex in newborns with neonatal variables / Associação do reflexo vermelho em recém-nascidos com variáveis neonatais / Asociación del reflejo rojo con variables neonatales en recién nacidos

The aim of this study was to investigate the results of the red reflex test and to associate these results with neonatal variables. This descriptive study was conducted with 190 newborns in a public maternity hospital. A total of 187 infants presented no alteration and three presented suspect results. Different shades of reflex color were observed: 50 (26.3 percent) presented red; 34 (17.9 percent) orange-red, 92 (48.4 percent) orange, 11 (5.8 percent) light yellow and three (1.6 percent) milky white spots. Statistically significant associations between the color gradient instrument and neonatal variables were found: weight (p=0.03), gestational age (p=0.019) and oxygen therapy (p=0.024). Nurses trained to practice and evaluate this test may become professionals in the potential for the prevention of childhood blindness.

Objetivou-se investigar o resultado do teste do reflexo vermelho, conhecido como teste do olhinho, e associar as impressões do reflexo com variáveis neonatais. Este é um estudo descritivo, quantitativo, realizado com 190 recém-nascidos de uma maternidade pública, dos quais 187 apresentaram resultado não alterado e três suspeitos. Observaram-se diferentes nuances de coloração do reflexo: em 50 (26,3 por cento) a coloração do reflexo apresentou-se vermelha; 34 (17,9 por cento) laranja-avermelhado; 92 (48,4 por cento) alaranjado; 11 (5,8 por cento) amarelo claro e três (1,6 por cento) com manchas esbranquiçadas. Encontraram-se associações estatisticamente significantes entre o instrumento gradiente de cores e variáveis neonatais: peso (p=0,03), idade gestacional (p=0,019) e oxigenoterapia (p=0,024). Enfermeiros capacitados para prática e avaliação desse teste podem se tornar profissionais em potencial para a prevenção da cegueira infantil.

Se objetivó investigar el resultado de la prueba del reflejo rojo, conocido como prueba del ojito, y asociar las impresiones del reflejo con variables neonatales. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo, realizado con 190 recién nacidos de una maternidad pública; de los cuales 187 presentaron resultados no alterados y tres sospechosos. Se observaron diferentes matices de coloración del reflejo: en 50 (26,3 por ciento) se presentó rojo; 34 (17,9 por ciento) naranja rojizo; 92 (48,4 por ciento) anaranjado; 11 (5,8 por ciento) amarillo claro y tres (1,6 por ciento) con manchas blanquecinas. Se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre el instrumento gradiente de colores y las variables neonatales: peso (p=0,03), edad de gestación (p=0,019) y oxigenoterapia (p=0,024). Enfermeros capacitados para la práctica y evaluación de esa prueba pueden tornarse profesionales en potencial para la prevención de la ceguera infantil.

Why are there defaulters in eye health projects?

PURPOSE: To identify barriers to attendance for eye examination of schoolchildren. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Students in grades 1-4 in elementary school in Guarulhos (Brazil) were screened and referred for ophthalmic examination in 2006. Facilities offered in this project were: examination arranged during weekends, free transportation, spectacle donation and two different opportunities for exam. A questionnaire was applied, by interview, to a sample consisted of students' parents attended in a community project who missed the first call and attended the recall, to identify the reasons for non-attendance. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 767 parents or guardians, corresponding to an equal number of schoolchildren. Personal characteristics of the students: 49.2 percent male and 50.8 percent female, 60.2 percent of them had never received previous ophthalmologic evaluation. Reported reasons for no-show to the project: parents had not received appropriate orientation (35.6 percent), loss of working day (20.6 percent), illness (12.4 percent), had another appointment (10.0 percent). The need for eyeglasses was higher in the recall. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of parents did not take their children for ophthalmological exams, even when a second opportunity was offered in projects with transportation facilities, free exams performed during weekends and spectacle donation. The main causes of absenteeism were lack of awareness and work. For 87.1 percent of the absenteeism cases, the difficulties could be overcome via improved structuring of the first call. A recall increases attendance coverage of target population by only 15.2 percent (59.3 to 74.5 percent). Notably, the eye exam campaign was the first exam for most of the absent students.

SeyeS - support system for preventing the development of ocular disabilities in leprosy.

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium Leprae, and generally compromises neural fibers, leading to the development of disabilities. These limit daily activities or social life. In leprosy, the study of disability considered functional (physical) and activity limitations; and social participation. These are measured respectively by EHF and SALSA scales; by and PARTICIPATION SCALE: The objective of this work was to propose a support system, SeyeS, to eyes disabilities development and progression identification, applying Bayesians network - BN's. It is expected that the proposed system be applied in monitoring the patient during treatment and after therapeutic cure of leprosy. SeyeS presented specificity 1 and sensitivity 0.6 in the identification of ocular disabilities development. With Seyes was discovered that the presence of trichiasis and lagophthalmos, tend to increase the probability of developing more disabilities. Otherwise, characteristics as cataracts tend to decrease development of other disabilities, considering that medical interventions could reduce it. The more import of this system is to indicate what should be monitored, and which elements needs interventions to not increasing patient's ocular disabilities.

[Evaluability assessment of a health care campaign for improving the access to ophthalmologic care in a central region of Brazil, 2004]. / Ampliação do acesso à atenção oftalmológica: um estudo sobre a avaliabilidade da campanha "De Olho na Visão", Goiás, 2004.

In order to identify the areas of priority for a systematic evaluation of a campaign for improving the access to ophthalmologic care--"Keep an eye on your vision", occurred in the state of Goiás in 2004, an evaluability assessment was conducted by means of interviews with key-informants and document analysis. A logical model was developed for providing dimensions and criteria for evaluation. This framework was submitted to a panel of experts using the Delphi method. The results revealed that the campaign was sufficiently structured to allow for systematic evaluations. Differences in the interpretation of the objectives and of the target population of the campaign between the experts were verified. Problems related to accessibility and effectiveness indicated these components as priorities for evaluation. The authors discuss the relevance of evaluability assessment as a preliminary stage for the evaluation of programs.