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["Vision through the hands": experience of a project]

Roberta Ventura1, Liana Ventura, Carlos Brandt

  • 1Fundação Altino Ventura, Recife, PE, Brazil. fav@fundacaoaltinoventura.org.br

Arquivos Brasileiros De Oftalmologia
|December 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study identified significant ophthalmologic needs in children with multiple disabilities in Pernambuco, Brazil. Many children lacked access to specialized care and required vision correction, highlighting the need for improved services.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Multiple disabilities present unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment.
  • Access to specialized ophthalmologic care is crucial for children with disabilities.
  • The Altino Ventura Foundation initiated a project to address these needs in Pernambuco, Brazil.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the current situation of children with multiple disabilities in Pernambuco.
  • To gather data for establishing a specialized diagnosis and treatment center.
  • To provide ophthalmologic care and treatment to underserved children.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted ophthalmologic examinations and parent interviews with 309 children from disability institutions.
  • Evaluated birth and social conditions, social problems, and access to specialized services.
  • A multidisciplinary team of 31 professionals facilitated the process.

Main Results:

  • 270 children with multiple disabilities were identified; 56.2% received their first ophthalmologic exam.
  • 33% had low visual acuity; common diagnoses included refractive errors, strabismus, amblyopia, optic nerve alterations, and cataracts.
  • 51.1% reported difficulty accessing ophthalmologic services; only 45.4% attended school.

Conclusions:

  • The project provided essential ophthalmologic care and treatment to children with multiple disabilities.
  • The initiative generated crucial data on the challenges faced by this population.
  • This pioneering project in the region highlighted the need for sustained specialized services.
Abstract

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