Visual impairment secondary to congenital glaucoma in children: visual responses, optical correction and use of low vision AIDS.

Introduction: Congenital glaucoma is frequently associated with visual impairment due to optic nerve damage, corneal opacities, cataracts and amblyopia. Poor vision in childhood is related to global developmental problems, and referral to vision habilitation/rehabilitation services should be without delay to promote efficient management of the impaired vision.

Objective: To analyze data concerning visual response, the use of optical correction and prescribed low vision aids in a population of children with congenital glaucoma.

[Evaluation of patients using an innovative low-vision aid].

Purpose: To perform a preliminary evaluation at the "Clínica Oftalmológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP)" of an innovative equipment for low-vision developed at USP containing a reading stand and a magnifier that maintains in a stable position the reading line and focus.

Methods: 9 low-vision patients were evaluated using the above mentioned reading stand and a magnifier developed at USP comparing it with a hand magnifier of similar power taking into account the following evaluation parameters: etiology of low-vision, best corrected visual acuity for distance, patient's opinion comparing both low-vision aid resources, authors' opinion observing the patient using both low-vision aids.

Results: The numerical preference for the low-vision aids was: 5 patients for the reading stand and a magnifier that maintains at a stable position the reading line and focus; 2 patients for the hand magnifier; 1 patient indifferent regarding any of the resources; 1 patient inadequate for the evaluation of the low-vision aids.

[Contrast sensitivity in diabetic retinopathy treated with argon laser panphotocoagulation].

Purpose: To evaluate contrast sensitivity in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) treated with argon laser panphotocoagulation.

Methods: Prospective study of patients with diabetic retinopathy and 20/20 visual acuity, treated with retinal panphotocoagulation, following ETDRS criteria. The patients were submitted, initially, to complete ophthalmologic evaluation and contrast sensitivity testing (Vision Contrast Test System).

Causes of visual impairment in children: a study of 3,210 cases.

Purpose: To determine causes of visual impairment in children at the Low Vision Service of the Ophthalmic Clinic at the University of São Paulo and at the Brazilian Association for the Visually Impaired People (Laramara), located in São Paulo, Brazil.

Patients And Methods: This study evaluated 3,210 visually impaired children (49% female, 51% male; average age, 5.9 years).

Pediatric and adolescent population with visual impairment: study of 385 cases.

Objective: To analyze data on the pediatric population attending the Ophthalmologic Clinic's Low Vision Service at the São Paulo University Medical School.

Methods: Low vision ophthalmologic assessment, from April 1998 to December 2003, of 385 children and adolescents with mean age of 7 years; 51.7% males and 48.