After 25 years of international cooperation, the project "Ulls propers" has launched in Barcelona with a pilot initiative that provided vision screening and care to 97 homeless individuals. The project, a collaboration between Ulls del món, Arrels Fundació, and the Department of Health, has highlighted the need to bring ophthalmological services closer to vulnerable populations.
Project data reveals that 88% of the individuals screened required glasses, with 39% needing them for both near and far vision. A total of 122 pairs of glasses were prescribed. Furthermore, 16% of cases (16 individuals) were referred to the public health system for conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, or ocular hypertension, with referrals made to the Hospital Clínic and the Hospital de l'Esperança.
The project aims to complement the public health system's care by facilitating early detection and connection to healthcare services when necessary. According to Anna Barba Giró, director of Ulls del món, "barriers hindering access to eye health are not exclusive to low or middle-income countries. Here too, there are vulnerable people who, despite having the right to healthcare, cannot always access it under equal conditions."
Bea Fernández, director of Arrels Fundació, emphasizes the project's impact: "When a person lives on the street, addressing their vision health often takes a backseat. This project has enabled many individuals we support to once again care for their eyesight."
The collaboration included training Arrels Fundació professionals in basic eye health, the involvement of volunteer ophthalmologists and optometrists, and facilitating referrals by the Department of Health. General Optica contributed by providing prescription glasses free of charge.
The positive results of the pilot project pave the way for its continuation, with the aim of expanding its reach to other vulnerable groups and territories, strengthening collaboration between social entities, health administration, and other stakeholders.
