Rev Bras Oftalmol.2009;68(2):90-95
Prevalence of the diabetic retinopathy in a Family’s Health Program unity
DOI: 10.1590/S0034-72802009000200005
OBJECTIVE: Determine the diabetic retinopathy prevalence in a Family’s Health Program unity in Parque Prazeres – Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, and the level of patient’s knowledge about diabetes visual impairment. METHODS: Seventy two diabetic patients were selected, but only 46 attended the research. The patients were chosen based on Family’s Health Program medical registers. They were submitted to visual acuity examination and afterward to a questionnaire in order to evaluate their knowledge level about visual impairment. Then, they were submitted to a direct fundoscopic examination. Statistical studies were done based on Microsoft Excel and Bioestat 5.0 RESULTS: Diabetic retinopathy prevalence was about 19,5% (CI 95% between 8,1 and 31%); 13% showed non proliferative diabetic retinopathy and 6,5% showed proliferative retinopathy. In accordance with World Health’s Organization criteria: 8,5% were considered blind and 8,9% with low vision at the moment of ocular examination. Seventy two percent of patients had previous knowledge that diabetes could cause visual reduction, but 80% didn’t know the necessary exams to diagnose it and 65% never were previously submitted to ophthalmoscopy. CONCLUSION: Blindness prevention programs by diabetic retinopathy in Family Health Programs are justified considering that the retinopathy diabetic prevalence in assisted communities could be high, as was in this study. The improvement of patient knowledge about the vision threatening risk and ophthalmological exams can allow a better retinopathy diabetic control.