Purpose: A visual screening test for children was prepared for the use of paramedics during vaccination campaigns. This test was used in a vaccination campaign in Taquaritinga, Säo Paulo, Brazil.
Methods: The campaign was carried out by two paramedics trained by ophthalmologists. The first 130 children vaccinated whose families showed interest in participating in the visual screening program were chosen. The program consisted of demographic information and eight questions, a visual screening test for children >4 years, and an external eye examination. After studying the data collected, the paramedic decided if the child needed a more thorough ophthalmologic examination.
Results: Of the 4505 children vaccinated, 130 children participated in the screening test. One (76.9%) hundred of the 1 30 children were reexamined by ophthalmologists. Of these, 38 (29.2%) were initially considered to have visual disorders. Ophthalmologic disorders were confirmed in 22 (57.9 %) children; of these, 3 were already under ophthalmologic care. The paramedics correctly screened a total of 77 (77%) children.
Conclusion: Visual screening during vaccination campaigns is simple and rapid, and provides the opportunity to identify children with visual disorders during the critical stage of visual development without the need of ophthalmologists.
Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; 2000;37:68-72.
A surgical technique was designed to improve safety after pterygium excision with intraoperative application of mitomycin-C (MMC). A limbic incision was performed in 40 eyes. The body of the pterygium was dissected from the episclera to allow its excision. Care was taken to avoid excessive delamination and cauterization of tissues. A 0.02% MMC solution was then applied. Only at the end of the surgery was the head of the pterygium dissected from the cornea. The 8-0 absorbable sutures were
1. Pro f.-D r. Carm o Man d ia Jú n io r 2 . Pro f.-D r. Marco s W ils o n Sam p aio 3 . Pro fa.-D ra. An a Maria Marco n d e s 4 . Pro fa.-D ra. Elian e Maria In grid Am s tald e n 5 . Pro f.-D r. Jo s é Pa u lo Ca bra l d e Vas co n ce llo s
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