Métodos de rastreamento de erros refracionais baseados em equipamentos

Abstract

Uncorrected refractive errors are the main cause of decreases in visual acuity, and after cataracts, they are the second most important cause of blindness. In Brazil, most of the population lacks access to ophthalmology services and treatments; therefore, vision-screening programs are fundamental. Instrument-based vision screening is fast, does not depend on behavioral responses, requires minimal cooperation on the part of children, and is particularly useful for children in the pre-verbal phase, children who can't read, and children with developmental delays. Vision-screening methods to determine refractive errors using instruments (such as portable autorefractors and photoscreeners) may be used to examine children aged between 6 months and 3 years, as well as older children with disabilities or children who do not respond well to Teller visual acuity cards. As a whole, these methods identify the presence of optical and anatomical abnormalities, as well as risk factors for amblyopia, and estimate their magnitude. The use of this new technology is highly dependent on third-party payment policies, which may create a significant barrier to its implementation.