PREVALENCE OF LOW VISUAL ACUITY IN SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SOUTHERN BRAPrevalence of low visual acuity in schoolchildren in southern BrazilIL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30827/dreh.23.2025.31960Abstract
Vision disorders are considered public health problems. The objective of the study was to identify the prevalence of visual changes in children attending a public school in the city of Jaraguá do Sul, southern Brazil. The study design was cross-sectional, and the population was made up of all students aged 5 to 11 years, enrolled in elementary school. The Snellen table was used to measure visual acuity. Children who presented difficulties were referred to full ophthalmological consultations. The data showed that 27.0% attended full consultations, with 11.3% having refractive errors that required glasses prescription. Astigmatism affected 9.8% of students, followed by hyperopia (3.5%), anisometropia (2.0%) and myopia (1.6%). It is essential to implement public policies that ensure regular ophthalmological screening in schools, guaranteeing access to adequate treatment, preventing the worsening of visual problems and impacts on academic performance.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Antonio de Souza Júnior , Fernanda Alquini, Luciane Peter Grillo, Alexandre Reis da Silva, Anderlly Bell, Juliana Ferreira Alves, Rosane Maria Sauer

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