NURSING INVESTIGATING VISUAL ACUITY DEFICIT IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

This study investigates visual acuity deficit in freshmen in the integrated high school of Ifes - Campus Alegre (ES), with the objective of identifying the visual profile of students and the need for referral to the specialized public network. This is a cross-sectional study, carried out with public school students, using the Snellen table and structured questionnaires. Most students had normal vision, 56% had never had a visual acuity test, 5.9% had reduced vision, and 4% needed adjustments in optical correction. Income was not a limiting factor for ophthalmological evaluation, with 66.21% of low-income families. It evidenced the importance of screening performed by nurses in primary care, contributing to eye health and possibly academic performance. It reinforces the need for periodic evaluations and proposes the expansion of institutional partnerships to strengthen the Health at School Program. It suggests ophthalmological evaluation in the health and education strategies of the Federal Institutes, in order to minimize learning deficits and improve the quality of life of students.