Assessment of visual acuity in students from the 1st to the 5th year of elementary school at the Presidente Castelo Branco Municipal School, in Currais Novos-RN
School Health Services
Primary Health Care
Diagnostic Screening Programs
Visual Acuity
This study evaluated visual acuity in students from the 1st to the 5th grade of elementary school at the Presidente Castelo Branco Municipal School, in Currais Novos-RN, according to the Snellen scale guidelines. It was also verified the teachers' perception about the relevance of the assessment of the student's visual acuity in the School Health Program. Through this research, 231 children aged from 6 to 16 years old and regularly enrolled in elementary school were evaluated, of which 64.5% were female and 35.5% male; 34 children with visual deficit problems were identified, of which 29 had refractive errors, 04 had strabismus and 1 had amblyopia. Of the 34 students with low acuity, 05 were referred with observation for priority in care; 16 schoolchildren with moderate impairment 13 children classified as mild impairment. It is expected that everyone had access to specialized medical care and to the supply of glasses, which are so necessary for the correction of visual deficits. It is concluded that the constant search for the prevention and treatment of ocular deficit in schoolchildren is necessary, because only in this way can one significantly contribute to a better visual and intellectual performance of these students. Therefore, the implementation of actions in the field of eye health, through screening tests using the Snellen Optometric Scale, with schoolchildren, should contribute to the promotion of student health.