Prevalencia de errores refractivos en ópticas de la ciudad de Mendoza, Argentina

Rafael Iribarren; Abel Szeps; Martín de Tomás; Ricardo Impaglazzo; Jos Rozema; Carla Lanca

doi:10.70313/2718.7446.v15.n04.189

Authors

Rafael Iribarren Consultorio Doctores Iribarren, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Abel Szeps Liniers Ophthalmological Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Martín de Tomás Internacional Óptica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ricardo Impaglazzo Opticas La Pirámide, Mendoza, Argentina
Jos Rozema Visual Optics Lab Antwerp (VOLANTIS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp University, Wilrijk, Bélgica. Deptartment of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Bélgica
Carla Lanca Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa (ESTeSL), Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70313/2718.7446.v15.n04.189

Keywords:

refractive errors, opticians, Mendoza (city, Argentina), risk factors

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate refractive errors using spectacle lens sales data in Mendoza, Argentina.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which analysed the spectacle lens sales data at La Pirámide optician stores in the city of Mendoza, Argentina. The data provided included age and spherical power, cylindrical power, axis of spectacle prescriptions for distance and the near addition. A descriptive analysis of refractive errors by age (proportions given by percentage) was carried out.

Results: Spectacle lens sales data on total of 12,510 subjects of both genders with an average age of 51.6 ± 22.2 years (range 2-103 years) was included. The mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -0.30 ± 2.16 D and mean near addition was +2.15 ± 0.97 D. In total, 57.6% (n=7,206) of the subjects had astigmatism, 35% had myopia (n=4,375) and 2.86% (n=358) had high myopia. Hyperopia was found in 28.7% (n=3,593) of the subjects, anisometropia was present in 11.8% of the subjects (n=1,479) and anisoastigmatism in 8.4% (n=1,045).

Conclusions: Astigmatism and myopia were present in most of the spectacle prescriptions. Awareness campaigns may be important to inform the community on the burden of vision impairment from uncorrected refractive errors. In addition screening programs for early detection and preventive strategies, such as outdoor programmes, may be necessary.