PURPOSE: To evaluate all the visits to the ophthalmic emergency service in Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil, through a 1-month period. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was carried out of all patients attending the ophthalmology emergency department of the "Hospital de Base de Brasília" during September 1 to 30, 2003. RESULTS: Mean age was 32.9 ± 18.0 years (ranging from zero to 90). Seventy per cent of patients were of the working age category (from 20 to 59 years-old). Sixty-two per cent of the patients were male (n=1,777) and 38% female (n=1,067). Seventeen per cent of the patients lived in another state, and 83% lived in the Distrito Federal itself. In 3% of the charts, no address was informed. In the group of patients residents of the Distrito Federal, 84% lived at least 30 km away from the "Hospital de Base". Ocular traumas of any nature were the most frequent occurrence (n=730/30%), followed by conjunctivitis (n=568/24%). Doctors have not filled out 457 charts (16%). CONCLUSION: The ophthalmic emergency service of the "Hospital de Base" de Brasília is not properly located. The great majority of patients presented with common pathologies, emphasizing the need for a primary care system. This aspects plus the lack of information in a great number of charts suggests that the ophthalmic public health system in the "Distrito Federal" requires changes.
Emergency service, hospital; Eye diseases; Hospitals, general; Ophthalmology; Health services needs and demand
