Analysis of the epidemiological profile of patients submitted to corneal transplantation in the Espirito Santo

Abstract Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of patients submitted to corneal transplantation in state of Espirito Santo, Brazil. Methods: Transversal and descriptive study, with 1301 patients, in the period of January 2017 until to January 2018, the patients were registered in the Central Notification, Captation and Distribution of Organs of Espirito Santo (CNCDO/ES) through the National Transplant System (SNT) and submitted to corneal transplantation. The data were shown as descriptive statistics (frequencies and medians) and analysis of the data was performed using SPSS software, 23 version. Results: In relation to frequency, it was obtained 54.5% female, 57.33% from the metropolitan area of Vitória. Eighty-six percent were patients from Espirito Santo and the others 6.3% were from Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Bahia. The main indications for corneal transplantation were Bullous Keratopathy (25.9%), Keratoconus (16.5%) and interstitial keratitis (15.5%). The average of waiting time was 195 days and the longest was 1345 days. It was found that 1301 patients underwent corneal transplantation, they are in the 57-year age group, and the biggest part of them are from the metropolitan area of Vitória. Conclusion: The most prevalent diagnoses in patients submitted to corneal transplantation in state of Espirito Santo were Bullous Keratopathy and Keratoconus, in patients mostly female, 57 years old on average, from the metropolitan region of greater Vitória and from the state itself. The study allows to outline prevention strategies, care and social actions to raise awareness of corneal donation.