SUMMARY

Purpose:

To estimate the pattern of normality of exoph-thalmometric values and the distance between lateral orbital rims (base measurement) in children aged between 7 and 10 years of both sexes, in Salvador, BA.

Patients, Material and Methods:

Using the Hertel exoph-thalmometerfour hundred children with ages rangingfrom 7 to 10 years, were examined in 2 public schools of Salvador. The children were classified into white, light mulatto, medium mulatto, dark mulatto and black.

Results:

The exophthalmometric values obtained were OD: 15.4mm ± 1.600, OS: 15.3 mm ± 1.692 in females; OD 15.0 mm ± 1.474, OS: 14.9 mm ± 1.930 in males. The base measurements were 89.5 mm ± 3.898 in females and 90.8 mm ± 4.310 in males.

Conclusions:

There was a statistically significant difference of the exophthalmometric values between the two eyes of the same individual. A statistically significant difference of values was observed between the right and left eyes of the both sexes. The base mesurements were more elevated in males. Both, exophthalmometric and base measurements increased with age and increase in negroid traces of the individuals.

Keywords:
Normal exophthalmometry; Children; Mulatto