Florianópolis Public Optical Service Delivers Over 42,000 Free Eyeglasses

The Public Optical Service at MultiHospital Florianópolis has distributed more than 42,000 pairs of free eyeglasses since its inception, establishing itself as a key initiative by the Florianópolis City Hall to improve access to eye care. Operating under the Municipal Health Secretariat, this service provides corrective lenses at no cost to patients within the Unified Health System (SUS). The program aims to enhance quality of life, autonomy, and social inclusion by removing the financial barrier of purchasing glasses. Integrated into Santa Catarina's largest municipal health complex, the Public Optical Service is part of a broader strategy that centralizes consultations, examinations, procedures, and specialized treatments in one location for more efficient care.

The initiative primarily targets the high cost of prescription eyewear, ensuring that children, adults, and seniors have access to essential visual correction for daily activities like studying, working, and driving. Beyond Florianópolis residents, the service also assists patients from neighboring municipalities through agreements between the City Hall and the State Government, extending specialized eye care coverage across the region. To manage increased demand, the Municipal Health Secretariat has reorganized the Public Optical Service's structure, creating distinct areas for frame selection, measurements, and the final distribution of completed glasses. This reorganization streamlines the process, reduces waiting times, and promotes a more humanized patient experience, with a wide variety of frames available for selection under expert guidance.

Access to the Public Optical Service is exclusively through the SUS. Patients begin by scheduling an appointment with a family doctor at a Health Center. If specialized evaluation is needed, they are referred to an ophthalmologist at MultiHospital. Following examinations, if corrective lenses are indicated, the patient proceeds to the Public Optical Service for frame selection and measurements. Once the glasses are ready, the patient is contacted for pickup. The MultiHospital Florianópolis, inaugurated in June 2025, was established to expand specialized medical services, including various consultations, laboratory and imaging tests, ambulatory procedures, elective surgeries, rehabilitation, mental health services, and specialized surgical procedures such as cataract and hernia repair. By consolidating care, the hospital aims to reduce patient travel, improve follow-up, and decrease waiting lists, fostering a more integrated and effective healthcare system.