EYE HEALTH PROMOTION FOR FUNDAMENTAL TEACHING EDUCATION: ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES OF THE HEALTH PROGRAM IN SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Low visual acuity among schoolchildren in elementary education is a frequent factor in poor performance, and effective means of diagnosis and treatment are necessary. Programs such as Health in School and Traveling Offices associated with university extension activities can contribute in this context. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the eye health knowledge of elementary school educators. Improve eye health knowledge with the help of new teaching technologies. Identify visual impairment in elementary school children, both through extension activities. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using interviews with educational professionals, workshops, creation of audio / visual instruments on eye health and screening using the Snellen table of primary school students. RESULTS: There is lack of knowledge about ocular health by teachers, 155 education professionals were trained, information network was implanted, 1,381 students screened, 420 prescription glasses. CONCLUSION: The extensionist action was effective, offering technical and theoretical support for the activities of the Touring Offices. It is necessary to expand the ocular health education network, since teachers identify in a generic and subjective way the visual low in students, on the other hand, there was a high index of students with refractive errors.