Abstract

MARTIN MARTIN, R.; BILBAO SUSTACHA, J. A.  and  COLLADO CUCO, A.. Vision screening in Primary Care: how it is performed?. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria [online]. 2013, vol.15, n.59, pp.221-227. ISSN 1139-7632.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1139-76322013000400004.

Introduction: amblyopia is the most common cause of preventable vision loss in developed countries and it affects 2-5% of the general population. Strabismus affects 3-6%. The primary objective of the vision screening program is early detection of these defects. Objectives: to verify the existence of basic material in the medical office for vision screening and to evaluate the basic knowledge that professionals who do it should have. Material and methods: the assessment of the existence of material in the medical office and the basic knowledge recommended by the Spanish Association of Paediatric Primary Care was performed by a survey of 29 questions. The results were subjected to statistical analysis: descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis using t-test and analysis of variance. Results: 56 people answered our survey: 40 doctors and 16 nurses from 15 Basic Health Areas. Material absence in surgeries: 32.1% optotype, 51.8% +2D lens, 10.7% ophthalmoscope. Ignorance of material utility: 71.4% reading distance optotype, 71.4% optotype reading direction, 60.7% optotype appropriate age, 35.7% +2D lens glasses. Ignorance referral criteria: 92.9% visual acuity at 4 years, 53.6% fixed strabismus, 53.6% latent strabismus, 33.9% anisometropia. Doctors correct answers: 49.89%. Nurses correct answers: 37.23%. Conclusions: lack of suitable material in surgeries and staff ignorance of how to use it is assessed. Lack of knowledge about normal visual development, exams to carry out and reasons for referral are also revealed. There is difference in screening if it is done by the doctor or nurse. Lack of knowledge is similar in our environment.

Keywords : Vision screening; Visual acuity; Amblyopia; Estrabismus.

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