ABSTRACT
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of low vision in a fraction of the students in public schools at Caratinga, Minas Gerais. Moreover, show the relevance of preventive measuresto evaluate Visual Acuity (VA) in children up to 7 years old.
Methods:
A transversal study was made in students, between 4 and 7 years old, enrolled in first and second year of elementary school of Geraldo Marques Cevidanes Municipal School, in the city of Caratinga, Minas Gerais.VA was evaluated using Snellen optometric chart and considered normal when higher than 0,7. Students who had difficulty in being evaluated or had presented VA less than 0,7 were referred to an ophthalmologist.
Results:
One hundred-eighteen children were evaluated. Five percent (5%) of the sample had low VA, being 16,6% only in the left eye, 33,3% in the right eye and 50% bilateral. 66,6% of students with visual impairment required the prescription glasses.
Conclusion:
This study meets national research regarding the prevalence of low VA, however, doesn´t match with others studies. It is suggested that projects to prevent eye health in children are important not only medically, but also socially.
Keywords:
Visual acuity; School health; Eye health; Visual disorders; Child