The António e Cecília Câmara Fund for Support to the Development of Optics and Optometry, Gebalis – the company responsible for managing Lisbon’s housing stock – and the Social Services of the Lisbon City Council (CML) presented, on April 8th, the project “Ver Melhor o Mundo” (See the World Better). This is an initiative that will guarantee free eye exams, consultations, and eyeglasses for children and young people in situations of social vulnerability. Up to 500 eyeglasses are expected to be provided each year, at no cost to families.
The project, which began on April 10th in the Bairro da Boavista, is aimed at children and young people between 6 and 18 years old, residents of municipal housing. So far, screenings are planned in 14 Lisbon schools with 1,910 primary school students. The main objective is to detect visual difficulties early and eliminate barriers to school success, guaranteeing free access to visual health care.
The intervention model will be implemented in phases over three school years, between 2025 and 2028, covering students from the first cycle to high school in public schools associated with municipal neighbourhoods. It includes visual examinations to be carried out in schools, optometry consultations and, whenever necessary, ophthalmology consultations, the provision of free glasses (lenses and frames) and clinical follow-up in cases of eye conditions.
Under the protocol, Gebalis ensures the identification of beneficiaries and coordination with schools and families, CML Social Services guarantee specialized clinical care, and the António e Cecília Câmara Fund for Support to the Development of Optics and Optometry provides the technical means and ensures the delivery of the glasses.
The initiative is part of the city’s strategy to promote equal opportunities, social inclusion and improved quality of life in municipal neighborhoods through direct intervention in children’s and young people’s health and educational pathways.
Learn more about the “Ver Melhor o Mundo” project in one of the upcoming issues of ÓpticaPro.
Photo: Lisbon City Council
