[diagnosis Of Low Vision In Children: Feelings And Comprehension Of Mothers].

Abstract

To identify mothers' feeling and reactions when facing the diagnosis of low vision and their comprehension of this diagnosis. This study features a qualitative research. Eleven low vision children's mothers attended at the Visual Stimulation Service of Ophthalmology Sector of Unicamp Hospital were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The main issues of the interview were: feelings when faced with the diagnosis and comprehension of this low vision diagnosis. The results revealed mothers' fear of blindness and a low comprehension of the meaning of low vision, and their interpretation of medical diagnosis according to their subjectivity. The way the diagnosis is transmitted to the families is extremely important. Parents cultural, economical and emotional background may often impair the diagnosis comprehension.