A Pictorial Visual Acuity Chart Culturally Adapted for the Yanomami People

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.5157272624039

• Palavras-chave: Acuidade visual; Optótipos pictográficos; Adaptação cultural; Povos indígenas Yanomami; Design intercultural; Saúde ocular indígena

• Keywords: Visual acuity; Pictographic optotypes; Cultural adaptation; Yanomami indigenous people; Intercultural design; Indigenous eye health

• Abstract:

  Assessing visual acuity in indigenous populations with recent contact requires instruments appropriate to their level of perception and cultural repertoire. This article describes the development of a pictographic visual acuity chart culturally adapted to the Yanomami people, created during an eye health study conducted at various centers within the Yanomami Special Indigenous Health District (DSEI-Y/Roraima) in 2022–2024. This visual acuity chart integrated knowledge from semiotics, ophthalmology, and anthropology, resulting in a symbol-based tool that is quickly recognized by the indigenous population and technically aligned with the Snellen chart. We present the process of design, iconographic selection, optical standardization, and preliminary cognitive validation in the field. The resulting chart contributes to a more accurate assessment of vision in Yanomami adults and children and may serve as a model for similar adaptations among other indigenous peoples in Brazil or abroad.