[Clinical and epidemiological characterization of patients evaluated at a pediatric ophthalmology department].

BACKGROUND: The appropriate treatment for a disease requires a deep knowledge in regards to the epidemiology of the most common pathological entities. Therefore, it is important to make studies of clinical and epidemiological characterization in order to establish the evolution of the diseases in the outpatient services. The objective of this study was to perform a clinical and epidemiological characterization of patients evaluated at a pediatric ophthalmology department during the course of twelve months, in Medellín, Colombia.

METHODS: Descriptive and retrospective study, in which the clinical records of all patients below the age of 18 were reviewed, regardless of their referral diagnosis.

RESULTS: The most frequently diseases identified were pathological refractive errors, physiological refractive errors, and strabismus, with a prevalence of 55.1 %, 40.5 % and 32.9 %, respectively. Among strabismus, the most common were primary, residual, and accommodative.

CONCLUSIONS: Among pediatric patients referred to a pediatric ophthalmology department, both refractive errors (mainly mild astigmatism) and strabismus were the most prevalent diseases. Therefore, the general physician and the general ophthalmologist should be prepared to recognize, diagnose and refer the cases that require attention.