Rev Bras Oftalmol.2025;84:e0068
Teaching the anatomy and physiology of the human eye encouraging eye health in the community
DOI: 10.37039/1982.8551.20250068
ABSTRACT
Objective:
to offer basic ophthalmological knowledge to the local community through a scientific exhibition and evaluate the impact on visitors’ learning.
Methods:
to hold an interactive exhibition on the human eye and ocular health at the Central Library (BCE) of the State University of Maringá (UEM-PR) in June and July 2024, open to the population. A 10-question questionnaire was administered before and after the students’ interaction with visitors at the exhibition.
Results:
2,348 valid questionnaires were administered (1,174 initially and 1,174 in the end), with 658 (56.05%) female and 516 (43.95%) male participants. Among the participants, 1,106 (94.21%) were between 13 and 30 years old, while 5.79% were between 31 and 90 years old. An increase in correct answers was observed in all questions after the dynamics with the students. Participants were asked about the definition and function of various ocular structures, including lens, cornea, iris, pupil, retina, with the pupil showing the greatest increase, at 32.79%. In addition, topics such as ocular trauma, foreign body in the eye, hyperopia, myopia, cataracts, and conjunctivitis were also covered, with blunt trauma being the subject that obtained the highest number of correct answers in the final questionnaire, registering an increase of 41.14%.
Conclusion:
The exhibition achieved its objective with excellence, as visitors demonstrated retention of the knowledge spread and better use of the questionnaire administered. It is hoped that measures like this, which promote public awareness about eye health, will contribute to the prevention of preventable eye diseases.
