[Ophthalmologic findings in multiple handicapped patients].

PURPOSE: To report the visual findings in patients with multiple handicaps.

METHODS

Two hundred and seventy-four patients cared for at the Pediatric and Strabismus Ophthalmology Department of the "Fundação Altino Ventura" - Brazilian National Health System, were examined from June to September 2004. Age varied from 0.1 to 20 years with a median of 5.

RESULTS

The majority of the patients (61.3%) presented good visual acuity; however low visual acuity (< 20/80) was observed in 38.7% of the patients. Heterotropias were observed in 66 patients (24.0%); astigmatism (53.2%) and hyperopia (29.0%) were more frequent.

CONCLUSION

Children with multiple handicaps need an early ophthalmologic diagnosis and treatment for better global development. The integration of a multidisciplinary team with pediatricians, pediatric ophthalmologists and specialists in low vision, may assure a better visual rehabilitation.