Katia Steinfeld Founder

Escolhares - Bringing Vision to Children

Escolhares is the Swiss-Brazilian nonprofit I co-founded to deliver comprehensive eye care to schoolchildren in Rio de Janeiro. Our organisation manages the full pathway from screening to eyeglass delivery, reaching more than 4,000 children annually and over 20,000 children since inception.

How the Program Works

  • School-based visual screening and early identification
  • Clinical referral pathway for ophthalmology review
  • Prescription and eyeglass delivery with follow-up support
  • Digital tracking to monitor outcomes and continuity of care

Why Escolhares Matters

  • Improves learning outcomes through better visual access
  • Reduces barriers to care in underserved communities
  • Connects healthcare, schools, and families in one model
  • Builds a scalable public-health framework for pediatric vision
20,000+ Children served
4,000+ Children screened annually
1,500+ Glasses delivered
100+ Ophthalmologists
2000+ App users

Our Impact Highlights

Regional delivery footprint across schools, community clinics, and partner providers in Rio de Janeiro.

Escolhares impact in Brazil
Escolhares field impact and partnership ecosystem in Brazil

Coverage Priorities

  • School-based pediatric vision screening access
  • Referral support for specialist follow-up care
  • Eyeglass delivery and continuity tracking

Operational Focus

  • Data-led outreach planning by region
  • Volunteer and clinician coordination support
  • Community education and family engagement

Program Resources

Explore key Escolhares information and latest updates.

Support or Partner with Escolhares

For program partnerships, funding discussions, academic collaborations, or field implementation support, reach out directly.