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PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
General Objective: Train 500 teachers in the targeted communities to use the Snellen chart as an initial screening tool. If a visual acuity of 20/40 or less is detected, the child will be referred to the eye care day organized in their community.
Conduct comprehensive functional visual and ocular health assessments focused on prevention, promotion, diagnosis, treatment, optical correction, therapeutic, and/or surgical solutions for visual impairments in 10,000 children aged 3 to 14 who lack access to visual health services, aiming to improve their quality of life.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
This project involves implementing a school visual health program by training 500 teachers to conduct vision tests adapted to children and subsequently providing eye examinations and treatment for those identified with vision problems. The program uses a clinically validated and economically sustainable model that can be extended to other regions of the country.
50 Training Sessions: These sessions will teach groups of 10 teachers each how to perform visual acuity tests using the Snellen chart.
50 Eye Health Days: These will include visual acuity measurements and comprehensive functional assessments in visual and ocular health for children aged 3 to 14 from low-income urban and rural areas. Children identified with refractive errors or eye diseases will undergo the full procedure outlined in the "VAMOS A VER" PROGRAM MANUAL, ensuring they receive complete solutions to their visual defects and/or diseases.
IDENTIFIED NEEDS:
More than 12 million children aged 3 to 14 worldwide suffer from visual impairments caused by uncorrected refractive errors. This issue is particularly prevalent in less developed countries, where only 10% of visually impaired children have access to education. Despite this, interventions to address vision problems are among the most cost-effective healthcare actions.
Since 1991, the Rotary Club Nuevo Medellín has operated the "VAMOS A VER" program, which has statistically found that more than 10% of children require corrective glasses, excluding other ocular pathologies. Barriers to resolving these issues in regions with limited healthcare access include:
Lack of awareness, as children often do not express their vision problems.
Absence of school-based visual health programs.
Insufficient specialized healthcare personnel.
High costs of glasses and treatments.
COMMUNITY INPUT AND BENEFICIARY IDENTIFICATION:
The beneficiary identification process in the "Vamos a Ver" project is based on the extensive experience of the Rotary Club Nuevo Medellín, which has worked on this program for over 20 years. The club has mapped regions in Eastern Antioquia where visual health issues are most prevalent.
Process Highlights:
Mapping High-Prevalence Areas: The club has identified communities with the greatest visual health needs to focus efforts effectively.
Collaboration with Experts: Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and clinics from Antioquia have provided support throughout the program, ensuring precise diagnoses and treatments.
Teacher Training and Visual Health Days: Local teachers are trained to perform basic vision screenings, and visual health days are organized in targeted communities. These events include evaluations and treatments by healthcare professionals, ensuring all children with vision problems are reached.
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION PROCESS:
Interviews and focus groups were conducted during the initial stages of project planning last year.
Participants: Six teachers from participating schools and local healthcare representatives, including an optometrist (Daniel Vizcaíno) and an ophthalmologist (Dr. Aristizábal).
Methodology: Collaborative focus groups with 6 to 12 participants addressed open-ended questions about community needs and barriers to accessing visual health services.
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