OBJECTIVE
To identify in adult patients suffering from cataract the perceptions regarding the disease and its surgical treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An exploratory survey was conducted among adult patients suffering from cataract and participating in a large-scale cataract management program at the University of São Paulo General Hospital in 2004. The interviews were conducted by research assistants previously trained to pose questions and record answers.
RESULTS
The sample consisted of 170 men and women (43.5% and 56.5%, respectively), aged between 40 and 88 years. Of the 170 participants, 43.5% were from the State of São Paulo, 14.7% from the State of Bahia, 12.4% from the State of Minas Gerais, 5.9% from the State of Pernambuco, 1.8% from other countries, and the remaining 21.7% were from other Brazilian states. Of those who were actively working (n = 87), 43.7% had an occupational level corresponding to nonspecialized manual labor, 27.6% were in specialized manual labor jobs, 25.3% had routine nonmanual occupations, 1.1% supervised manual labor, and 2.3% had low-ranking supervision or inspection jobs over nonmanual occupations. Of those who were not actively working (n = 82), 53.6% were retired, 45.2% were housewives, and 1.2% were unemployed. Concerning conceptions about cataract, 79.0% referred to it as "a small skin fold that gradually covers the eye" and 32.4% mentioned, in addition, other conceptions. Concerning the cause, of the alternatives presented to them, 80% reported aging, 47.1% blamed "overusing the eyes in the workplace or at home", 7.1% believed they had cataract due to some kind of "spell." Of the associated answers, 94.1% referred to "blurred vision" in people suffering from cataract, 72.4% thought the person may become blind, and 66.5% believed that the patients suffering from cataract are depressed because they cannot see. Regarding surgery, 28.8% were afraid of undergoing surgery; of those, 16.3% cited with the fear of dying during surgery, 55.1% thought they might become blind, 40.8% believed the surgery would be painful, and 8.2% followed religious practices that do not permit surgery.
CONCLUSION
Some misconceptions were identified, and the fear of blindness was the most mentioned reason for not seeking cataract surgery, which indicates the need for orientation.
[1]
E. Temporini,et al.
Second eye cataract surgery: perceptions of a population assisted at a university hospital.
,
2005,
Clinics.
[2]
C. Brandt,et al.
Projeto Mutirão de Catarata em centro de referência oftalmológico, em Pernambuco: perfil, grau de satisfação e benefício visual do usuário
,
2004
.
[3]
L. Ellwein,et al.
Screening and surgical intervention results from cataract-free-zone projects in Campinas, Brazil and Chimbote, Peru
,
1990,
International Ophthalmology.
[4]
Gelse Beatriz Martins Monteiro,et al.
Causes of low vision and use of optical aids in the elderly.
,
2004,
Revista do Hospital das Clinicas.
[5]
E. Temporini,et al.
Cataract surgery: expectations of patients assisted during a community project in São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil.
,
2001,
Revista do Hospital das Clínicas.
[6]
Edméa Rita Temporini,et al.
Cirurgia de catarata: o porquê dos excluídos
,
1999
.
[7]
Newton Kara-José Junior,et al.
Catarata senil: Características e percepções de pacientes atendidos em projeto comunitário de reabilitação visual
,
1997
.
[8]
T. Dawber,et al.
The Framingham Eye Study. II. Association of ophthalmic pathology with single variables previously measured in the Framingham Heart Study.
,
1977,
American journal of epidemiology.