LOW VISION AND REHABILITATION: KNOWLEDGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGY RESIDENTES

Abstract

Design of the study: Observational/exploratory. Objective: To check the knowledge of ophthalmology residents on low vision and rehabilitation practices in a university hospital. Methods: An exploratory study was conducted, applying a questionnaire on visual impairment (low vision and blindness), and on rehabilitation services for visually impaired patients to a nonprobabilistic sample formed by ophthalmology residents. Results: The sample was formed by 20 residents who were studying at the 1st year (45,0%), 2nd year (30,0%) and 3rd year (25,0%), having all of them already participated in a theoretical course on low vision. A greater number of them revealed knowledge on ocular affections that can cause visual impairment such as: cataract, retinopathies and neuropathies (100,0%), glaucoma, toxoplasmosis and pigmentary retinosis (95,0%). As to rehabilitation practices, 100,0% declared having received information in their medical internship. Most of the sample refered, yet having knowledge about rehabilitation activities, bling daily living skills (100,0%), locomotion (90,0%) the most mentioned. Conclusion: Although the residents stated having knowledge of visual impairment and a theoretical preparedness, they informed they had insufficient knowledge about some of these activities