Project proposes free eye exams and glasses for students in Ponta Grossa

Students of the Ponta Grossa municipal public network will be able to count on a program provided by law to identify vision problems, perform eye exams and receive glasses free of charge. The measure is in Bill 350/2026, presented by the councilor Fabio Silva, which proposes the creation of the “Vision Note 10”.

The proposal entered the House on October 13 and was forwarded, the following day, to the Legislation, Justice and Drafting Committee for analysis. The text is not yet law and depends on the process in the Legislative.

The objective is to identify early visual changes that may impair learning and ensure specialized care to students who need it.

How the service would work

The project sets out four stages. First, students would undergo visual acuity tests in their schools, performed by trained health agents, primarily with the application of the Snellen table, used to evaluate the ability to see distance.

Students with alterations would be referred for consultations and complete examinations with ophthalmologists, in local clinics or hospitals accredited by the Unified Health System (SUS).

When there is indication of visual correction, the program provides the free supply of lenses and frames, with the possibility of choosing between the models made available by the Municipality. The next step would be the referral to the Basic Health Unit for follow-up.

The text stipulates that exams are free and compulsory for elementary school students, from the first to the ninth year, including those who enter in the following years. The guidelines also mention access to the visual assessment for children of educação infantil.

Continuity of actions

In the justification, Fabio Silva recognizes the work already developed by the Municipality in the area and states that the proposal seeks to confer stability and continuity to the actions of visual health.

According to the document, the formalization by law aims to avoid that the maintenance of the service is conditioned to the priorities of each administration. The justification also highlights that difficulties in seeing can compromise reading, writing, concentration and monitoring of school activities.

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The execution may involve especially the municipal secretariats of Education and Health. The project authorizes partnerships with university hospitals, foundations, civil society organizations and private institutions.

Timeline would depend on regulation

The proposal does not present an estimate of the cost nor sets a date for the start of the visits. Expenditure would be financed by own budget appropriations, with the possibility of using resources from municipal funds and parliamentary amendments.

If the text becomes law, the Executive will have 120 days after publication to regulate the program, defining the schedule, the scheduling flow and the technical priority criteria.