Perfil socioeconômico dos portadores de glaucoma no serviço de oftalmologia do hospital universitário da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais - Brasil

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the socioeconomic profile of individuals presenting with primary glaucoma at the ophthalmology service of the university hospital of the Feredal University of Juiz de Fora (MG), Brazil. METHODS: Submission of a questionnaire to 100 individuals during consultation in the ophthalmology service of the university hospital of Federal University of Juiz de Fora (MG), Brazil. RESULTS: Eighty-four per cent of individuals were pensioners or retired, 86% had a monthly income of 1 to 2 salaries, 29% had been spending 26 to 75 reais per month with glaucoma therapy, 78% presented with comorbidities and 41% had already abandoned treatment due to financial difficulties in buying the medication. CONCLUSION: The low-socioeconomic-level studied population presents with therapeutic compliance difficulties mainly due to financial situation and presence of comorbidities. The authors reinforce the urgent need of adopting sociopolitical measures that facilitate access to antiglaucoma medication, which prompts a better therapeutic compliance.