For orthopedist Gracinda Alves, from the Kids & Teens clinic, in Lisbon, it is essential to change mentalities, raising an alert: parents and pediatricians have the responsibility to recommend visual screening to children, for better learning and well-being.
In terms of ophthalmology, what answers do you give at Kids & Teens?
Gracinda Alves: We have been here for about three years and our idea is that in this clinic, despite being directed only to children, we also treat adults. From the point of view of the clinical group of this specialty, we have been together for over 20 years and in the places where we have been, it has always functioned as a normal office, from treatments, exams and surgeries. For my part, in the strabismus specialty, I do orthoptic evaluations. If necessary, also the therapeutic part.
In relation to the equipment you have here, would you say that it is first-rate, suitable for your needs?
GA: We have the usual equipment in the consultations – refractometer, great support at refraction level; tonometer, to measure eye strain; ultrasound biometer, for situations of patients that want to have cataract surgery; in relation to strabismus, we have all the material needed for an orthoptic and evaluation rehabilitation.
How do you evaluate, in general, the eyes of the children who come here?
GA: There is still no habit of doing visual screening on children. Parents do not have this habit, just like pediatricians do not have the habit of recommending it.
