Current Status

Aviste addresses a critical child health issue related to vision, as a large part of learning depends on the visual system, and irreversible damage can impact a child’s entire life. Global data indicates that over 75% of avoidable blindness cases—caused by conditions such as cataracts, refractive errors, glaucoma, and macular degeneration—could be prevented.

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In Brazil, about 20% of school-aged children have visual disorders, and studies in Sergipe show that 30% of children in public schools have some form of visual impairment, with more than half needing glasses. Access to eye care is hindered by socioeconomic and geographic factors, as well as a shortage of ophthalmologists, especially in remote areas where there is significant inequality in the distribution of these professionals. With only one ophthalmologist for every 9,224 inhabitants in the country—and a higher concentration in the Southeast region—many children lack access to early diagnoses.

Therefore, the aim of the project is to create a Social Technology that brings visual health services to public schools in Santa Luzia do Itanhy, Sergipe, in partnership with the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology and the Sergipe Society of Ophthalmology. The initiative includes a mobile diagnostic unit and training materials for school professionals, aiming to prevent issues such as amblyopia and irreversible visual impairment in children, especially up to 8 years old.