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Ophthalmological health concerns in Brazil

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2026-11-01 14:01 UTC → 2026-11-01 16:20 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO) has addressed two distinct ocular health concerns. First, the council issued clinical guidance following investigations by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) into suspected cases of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) among users of weight-loss injection pens. Anvisa is investigating 13 notifications of these suspected cases, and the CBO has advised patients experiencing visual disturbances to seek immediate evaluation. Separately, the CBO has highlighted the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Brazil, noting that one in three people living with diabetes in the country may develop the condition. The disease affects between 24% and 39% of diabetics, posing a significant risk of preventable vision loss. CBO President Maria Auxiliadora Frazão warned that the disease often progresses silently without early symptoms, which can delay diagnosis. Data indicates that after 20 years, approximately 90% of type 1 diabetics and 60% of type 2 diabetics may exhibit some degree of retinopathy. To address this, the CBO launched the ‘24 Days for Diabetes’ awareness campaign, running from the first of the month through November, to promote early diagnosis and treatment. The organization emphasizes that early intervention can reduce the risk of blindness to less than 5%. The Ministry of Health recommends fundoscopy as a primary identification tool, alongside maintaining controlled blood glucose and blood pressure. The campaign specifically targets the prevention of vision loss among working-age adults by encouraging regular ophthalmic exams, healthy dieting, exercise, and the avoidance of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

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