SUMMARY
Introduction:
In order to compare the high blood pressure (HBP) classification used by high blood pressure program of Health Centers with retinal alterations of high blood pressure and to demonstrate the importance of fundoscopy as a clinical and prognostic parameter, 119 patients were evaluated by direct ophthalmoscopy in a Health Center located in the periphery of Curitiba.
Results:
The age ranged from 28 to 90 years old (Mean = 60,1) and the majority of patients were female (78,2%). Patients that were considered as mild hypertensive patients, had retinal abnormalities compatible with group 2 by K. W. B. classification (p < 0,001). There were not relation among age, sex, diagnostic time with retinal abnormalities.
Conclusion:
The classification used by Health Center was not compatible with retinal alterations in the fundoscopy. The ophthalmologic exam is very important in the clinical and prognostic evaluation of hipertensive disease.