Ocular health and vision care in Brazil

Reports regarding ocular health in Brazil have highlighted issues ranging from disease awareness to the availability of medical resources. Initial data indicated that 3.9% of the population aged 2 and older in Tocantins suffers from permanent vision impairment. Studies also revealed a significant lack of awareness regarding keratoconus, with 45.8% of surveyed adults having never heard of the condition.

Subsequent developments focused on the logistical needs of eye care, noting that over 37,000 people in Brazil are awaiting cornea transplants. To address visual impairment, the Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia (CBO) has mapped 95 Specialized Rehabilitation Centers (CERs) through the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). These centers aim to restore autonomy for individuals with low vision or blindness, with a distribution of 39 in the Southeast, 31 in the Northeast, 12 in the North, 9 in the South, and 4 in the Center-West.

At the 70th Brazilian Congress of Ophthalmology in Salvador, experts expanded the discussion to include specialized care for neurodivergent populations. Ophthalmologist Raíra Fortuna addressed the challenges of treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), noting that sensory hypersensitivity and routine intolerance often lead to incomplete exams. Fortuna highlighted that the prevalence of strabismus in children with ASD is approximately 41%, significantly higher than the 3% found in typically developing children. To mitigate these barriers, she proposed strategies such as sensory-friendly environments and intelligent scheduling.

While technological advancements like AI-powered smart canes and audio description systems are enhancing independence, experts continue to emphasize that professional ophthalmological follow-up remains essential to manage these tools and address ethical concerns, such as data bias in AI systems. Additionally, ophthalmologist Ana Paula Silverio has warned of a rising incidence of dry eye among children and adolescents, attributing the increase to excessive screen time and reduced blinking frequency caused by prolonged mobile device use.