title: [Learning and knowledge evaluation of keratoconus in a tertiary hospital population].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the knowledge level and learning capacity regarding keratoconus in a population taken care of at a tertiary reference hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was randomly assigned to keratoconus patients during their ocular evaluation for keratoplasty. Subsequently informative data about the disease were given to these patients. The same questionnaire was assigned again after the patients read the informative material. The results were compared statistically by Student's t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one individuals answered both questionnaires. The average of correct answers before the study of the informative material was 4.45 questions (49.46%) with a standard deviation (SD) of +/-1.02. After the informative data, the level of correct answers increased to 7.19 questions (79.9%) and SD of +/-0.65. The difference was statistically significant with p<0.0001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The knowledge on keratoconus of the studied population is low, specially on aspects that range from prognosis to evolution and treatment. However, this lack of information may be changed adopting appropriate measures.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Oftalmológico de Sorocaba, Sorocaba, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Della Giustina
authors.forename: Miguel José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Calix Netto
authors.forename: Priscila Yumi
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Kitice
authors.forename: Gabriel Zatti
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sobrinho
authors.forename: Luciene
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barbosa de Souza
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007858:Learning; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011932:Reading; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors