Aspects of the School Ophthalmology Health Plan in the State of S. Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The School Ophthalmology Health Plan was developed in the State of S. Paulo from 1973 to 1976 in State government schools with a view to detecting the visual problems of school children, and providing them with proper care, backed up by educational activities, and go on to survey the existing ophthalmological situation. Through the decentralization of the Health and Education services' organization the work has reached all the administrative areas of the State of S. Paulo, with the participation of a large contingent of school personnel, and health technicians and specialists, as well as government and private entities and the community in general. Taking into account the methodology used in the Plan, this study analyses some aspects related to the range of the program, the administrative and teaching personel involved, and the identification and health care of school children's visual problems.