Patterns of detection and optical correction among ophthalmologists.

OBJECTIVE: To verify age of first ophthalmic evaluation and optical prescription along with present optical correction among ophthalmologists of different age groups.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a nonprobabilistic sample (n = 578) of ophthalmologists and resident physicians using a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS: The first ophthalmologic exam was undergone before age 7 for 33.3% of the ophthalmologists aged between 23 and 30 years, for 25.8% of those aged from 31 to 42 , and for 15.8% of those aged from 43 to 76 years (P < 0.0005). The first ophthalmologic exam was undergone at 8 to 22 years of age for 60.7% of the ophthalmologists aged between 23 and 30, for 54.9% of those aged between 31 and 42, and for 47.4% of those aged from 43 to 76 years of age. Use of the first optical prescription (eyeglasses) between 0 and 7 years was reported by 10.0%, from 8 to 20 years of age by 59.6%, from 21 to 40 years by 18.1%, and 41 years or older by 12.3% . Present use of optical correction was reported by 69.0%. Concerning type of corrective device chosen, 63.7% wore only eyeglasses, 29.8% wore eyeglasses and contact lenses, and 6.5% wore contact lenses only.

CONCLUSION: Among the sample of opthalmologists, the first ophthalmic evaluation and corresponding optical correction usually occurred relatively late (8 to 20 years of age). However, in the younger group of ophthalmologists, there was a highly significant increase in the number of subjects who had undergone an ophthalmologic exam before age 7. Eyeglasses were reported as the correction of choice by those in all age groups.