[Ophthalmologic findings in multiple handicapped patients].
OBJECTIVE
To report the visual findings in patients with multiple handicaps.


METHODS
Two hundred and seventy-four patients cared for at the Pediatric and Strabismus Ophthalmology Department of the "Fundação Altino Ventura" - Brazilian National Health System, were examined from June to September 2004. Age varied from 0.1 to 20 years with a median of 5.


RESULTS
The majority of the patients (61.3%) presented good visual acuity; however low visual acuity (< 20/80) was observed in 38.7% of the patients. Heterotropias were observed in 66 patients (24.0%); astigmatism (53.2%) and hyperopia (29.0%) were more frequent.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with multiple handicaps need an early ophthalmologic diagnosis and treatment for better global development. The integration of a multidisciplinary team with pediatricians, pediatric ophthalmologists and specialists in low vision, may assure a better visual rehabilitation.
Remígio
Maria Cecília
MC
Fundação Altino Ventura, Rua da Soledade 170, Boa Vista, Recife (PE) CEP 50070-040, Brazil. fav@fundacanaltinoventura.org.br
Leal
Daena
D
Barros
Eveline
E
Travassos
Simone
S
Ventura
Liana Oliveira
LO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004948:Esotropia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005099:Exotropia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*