Prevalence of biomicroscopic findings in the anterior segment and ocular adnexa among schoolchildren in Natal/Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of ocular findings of the external structures and anterior segment of the eye, detected by biomicroscopic examination in schoolchildren in Natal (RN)-Brazil.


METHODS
After previous random selection, 1,024 pupils from elementary and secondary public and private schools in the city of Natal were evaluated from March to June 2001. All were submitted to preestablished standard research norms, consisting of identification, demographic information, ophthalmologic biomicroscopic examination, with slit lamp, performed by ophthalmologists from the "Onofre Lopes" University Hospital.


RESULTS
Alterations of the conjunctival and palpebral conditions were the most prevalent (10.4% and 6.2% respectively). Follicles (4.2%) and papillae (3.0%) were the frequent conjunctival lesions, while blepharitis (3.5%) and meibomitis (1.1%) were the most detected abnormalities in the eyelids. Upon examining the cornea, iris, lens and anterior vitreous, the most encountered findings were nubecula (0.5%), papillary membrane reliquiae (0.5%), posterior capsula opacity (0.8%) and hyaloid arteria reliquiae (2.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
The most prevalent findings affecting the external structures of the eye such as eyelids and conjunctiva, consisted of blepharitis followed by follicular reaction of the conjunctiva. The most prevalent abnormalities in the cornea, iris, lens and anterior vitreous were nubecula, papillary membrane reliquiae, posterior capsular opacity and hyaloid arteria reliquiae, in that order.
Garcia
Carlos Alexandre de Amorim
CA
Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil. prontoc.de.olhos@digi.com.br
Pinheiro
Francisco Irochima
FI
Montenegro
Daniel Alves
DA
Gomes
Alexandre Henrique Bezerra
AH
Oréfice
Fernando
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000869:Anterior Eye Segment; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence