Atenção Primária à Saúde Ocular: integração entre médico clínico e saúde mental na prevenção da cegueira evitável

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1612516105

• Palavras-chave: Atenção Primária à Saúde; Cegueira Evitável; Saúde Ocular; Saúde Mental; Interdisciplinaridade.

• Keywords: Primary Health Care; Preventable Blindness; Mental Health; Ophthalmology; Interdisciplinary Care.

• Abstract: Avoidable blindness is one of the most significant global public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2.2 billion people suffer from some degree of visual impairment, and nearly 80% of these cases could be prevented or treated if detected early. In Brazil, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration remain the leading causes of preventable blindness. These conditions are closely related to social, economic, and psychological factors, making the issue inherently interdisciplinary. Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a central role in prevention and early diagnosis, with the clinical physician acting as the main link between patients and the healthcare network. However, ocular health cannot be understood in isolation, as mental health conditions—such as depression, anxiety, and chronic stress—significantly affect adherence and disease control. This narrative review examines the integration between clinical medicine, ophthalmology, and mental health in preventing avoidable blindness, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, teleophthalmology, and health education as key strategies for promoting both vision and mental well-being.