Purpose: Identification of the perception that teachers belonging to the public education system have concerning the refractive errors in the eye occurring at school age in order to subside training programs for teachers aiming at the detection of, and subsequent assistance to, ophthalmic problems in schoolchildren. Methods: A transversal study carried out with a population of first-degree elementary school teachers, covering all public schools of the southern region of São Paulo, Brazil. A structured questionnaire based on an exploratory story was handed out. Results: The population comprised 545 subjects distributed among 120 elementary schools. The average age of the population was 37.8 years, with an average length of teaching time of 13.2 years. The majority of them (67.4%) did not receive orientation on ocular health in the last three years. The teachers distinguished more accurately the symptoms of myopia (70.8%) than those of hyperopia (42.9%) and astigmatism (40.9%). A significant number (48.5%) of them pointed out signals and behaviors indicative of the presence myopia in schoolchildren; 40.9% indicated difficulties in reading and writing in hyperope children without optical correction. "Blurred vision" (45.4%) and disinterest for activities demanding visual effort (40.9%) were the most indicated manifestations in astigmatic children. All refractive errors in the eye were classified as very serious disorders by the teachers. Conclusion: Distorted and/or insufficient knowledge was disclosed among elementary school teachers, about refractive errors occuring at school age.
Refractive errors; Ophthalmology; Visual acuity; School health; Health promotion; School health services
