Objectives. Verify the application of assistive technology, especially information technology in the education of blind and low-vision ABSTRACTAssistive technology is an interdisciplinary field of knowledge comprising products, resources, methodologies, strategies, practices, and services that aims to promote functionality for visually impaired people with regard to autonomy, independence, quality of life, and social inclusion (1).

To evaluate dry eye prevalence and investigate associated risk factors in Brazil by applying a short questionnaire of symptoms and risk factors. A cross-sectional study of 3,107 participants from all the five different geopolitical regions of Brazil. Overall prevalence of dry eye in this study population was 12.8%. Dry eye previous diagnosis was reported by 10.2% and presence of severe symptoms in 4.9%. Logistic regression analysis confirmed some significantly risk factors, such as female sex (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.74; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.12–1.93), age ≥60 year-old (OR 2.00; 95%CI: 1.44–2.77), history of ocular surgery (OR 1.84; 95%CI: 1.30–2.60), contact lens wear (OR 1.93; 95%CI: 1.36–2.73), cancer treatment (OR 3.03; 95%CI: 1.36–6.59), computer use >6 hours per day (OR 1.77; 95%CI: 1.36–2.31), antidepressants (OR 1.61; 95%CI: 1.12–2.31) and anti-allergy (OR 2.11; 95%CI: 1.54–2.89) medications. Nevertheless, when stratified by regions, each one had its own significant factors and inherent characteristics. This is the first study about prevalence and risk factors of dry eye in a large population sample from all regions of Brazil. Dry eye is a common condition in the Brazilian population and prevalence rates varies substantially in the different geographic regions of the country, possibly reflecting climate and socioeconomic discrepancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of monocular surgery under peribulbar anesthesia for large-angle horizontal strabismus. INTRODUCTION: Monocular surgery may preserve some muscles if a repeat operation is required, may help to avoid the exposure of the dominant eye to the inherent risks of a surgical procedure and may reduce surgical time. METHODS: We evaluated ninety-two consecutive patients who underwent monocular surgery under peribulbar anesthesia for large-angle horizontal strabismus (angle of 40 prism diopters or greater). Patients were divided into group 1- esotropia and group 2 -exotropia. The postoperative follow-up was at 6 months, when the residual deviation was evaluated. In cases of residual deviations of over 15 PD (prism diopter), a second procedure was indicated. RESULTS: In all patients with preoperative deviations up to 60 PD, residual deviations were under 15 PD. Some patients with preoperative deviations of 65 PD (two in group 1 and four in group 2) and all patients with deviations over 65 PD had residual deviations over 15 PD. The 13 patients who underwent a second procedure experienced successful outcomes. Our ROC curve analysis showed that the cutoff point for obtaining a successful surgical result was 62.5 PD. No patient presented with a major limitation in respect of ocular movement. CONCLUSIONS: Monocular surgery under peribulbar anesthesia can be an alternative for horizontal large-angle strabismus given deviations of up to 60 PD. Monocular surgery did not result in successful outcomes for deviations of over 65 PD

PURPOSE:To determine the causes of low vision in an elderly population attended by a university visual rehabilitation service and to check for the use of prescribed optical aids.METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out on patients aged 60 years or over attending for the first time a university low vision service in 2001. Ophthalmic reevaluation and interview were performed by means of a structured questionnaire in 2002.RESULTS: The sample comprised 50 subjects aged between 60 and 90 years. Severe low vision (≤20/200) was present in 68.0% of patients. The main cause of low vision was age-related macular degeneration (44.0%). Regarding literacy, 16.0% were illiterate and 72.0% had completed fundamental schooling. Thirty-one patients (62.0%) had been prescribed optical aids; 54.8% of these patients stated that they use them. A majority (70.6%) held a favorable opinion of these aids. CONCLUSIONS:The main cause of low vision was age-related macular degeneration. Approximately half of those receiving prescriptions reported actually using the aids in their daily activities. Making best use of residual vision in the elderly population with visual impairment is a priority, given the social context, if the independence necessary for enhanced quality of life is to be achieved.

BackgroundFew studies have evaluated satisfaction with medical residency programs from the perspective of residents or recent graduates. Knowledge of current conditions of teaching might help to identify deficiencies and to provide adequate training. So, the aim of this study was to assess the satisfaction with residency training and to identify deficiencies in this training from the perspective of recent graduates in ophthalmology residency.MethodsFor this purpose, we developed a questionnaire and gaved it to recent graduates in ophthalmology residency in São Paulo, Brazil, from January to December 2010. The questions contained demographic information (age, sex and time of practice in ophthalmology), a Likert scale to evaluate the level of satisfaction with medical residency concerning clinical knowledge, surgical skills and doctor-patient relationship and questions about deficiency in clinical and surgical areas.ResultsThe areas in which recent residency graduates were very or extremely satisfied were: acquisition of clinical knowledge (89.1%), acquisition of surgical skills (93.4%) and the development of doctor-patient relationship (74.9%). Specific areas of clinical knowledge in which they perceived more deficiency were orbit (48.3%) and ophthalmic pathology (47.9%), and in surgical skills were refractive surgery (65.9%) and orbit (59.2%)ConclusionsThe assessment of the satisfaction with residency training in ophthalmology from the perspective of recent graduates showed high level of satisfaction and identified specific deficiencies in ophthalmic pathology, refractive surgery and orbit.

This study aimed to present the characteristics of visual development from a clinical viewpoint in infants and preschool children aged 0-6 years who were born at term with no pregnancy or childbirth complications. Methods: We conducted a bibliographic review on visual development in infants and preschool children. Results: We described visual development in children according to age groups: 0-1 month, 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-10 months, 10 months-1 year and 4 months, 1 year and 4 months-2 years, 2-4 years, and 4-6 years. Conclusion: Visual responses in infants and preschool children born at term and with normal development were observed to occur in an integrated manner with neuromotor functions in addition to cognitive and psycho-emotional sensory, behavioral, and visual capacity.

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