San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca launches free eyeglasses program

The Municipality of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca has launched ‘Ver para Crecer’, an ophthalmological health program providing free eye exams and immediate delivery of eyeglasses to residents without social security coverage.

During the program's debut in the La Tablada neighborhood, 129 pairs of glasses were delivered, exceeding the initial plan by 72%. The initiative utilizes a mobile system where patients undergo visual acuity tests and select frames on-site, receiving their finished lenses in under 90 minutes.

The program is available to residents over the age of 10 who lack health insurance. To manage demand and ensure personalized care, the municipality uses pre-assigned appointments based on territorial surveys conducted by community health teams. Due to high demand, officials are planning a biweekly itinerant schedule to integrate these services into the ‘Municipio en tu Barrio’ program.