In Brazil, approximately 20 million people live with diabetes and 36% of these develop diabetic retinopathy (DR)¹, a complication that can lead to irreversible consequences²; this is the context of the creation of the project "Photographing Gazes" (in Portuguese "Fotografando Olhares"), presented in the award-winning video of the "Quero ser um R1" category, developed by the Ophthalmology Academic League of PUC Minas. The project has come to play a fundamental role in the municipality of Betim. The initiative is carried out biweekly at the Divino Ferreira Braga Specialty Reference Center, with the support of the Eyer portable retinograph, a camera that obtains high-quality images of the retina without the need for pupil dilation; it allows to screen patients and analyze the images remotely, thus expanding access to the diagnosis of eye diseases. In addition, clinical and anthropometric data are collected and guidance was provided on eye health and lifestyle habits. Depending on the screening results, patients are referred for a full ophthalmological consultation. Therefore, the complexity of managing the disease and the need for constant monitoring make timely diagnosis and early treatment essential³ to reduce the risk of irreversible visual damage. Six months of this early screening have transformed the care of several individuals for the better.

REFERENCES

1. IBGE | Biblioteca | Detalhes | Censo Demográfico 2022: população e domicílios: primeiros resultados /IBGE, Coordenação Técnica do Censo Demográfico [Internet]. biblioteca.ibge.gov.br. Disponível em: https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/index.php/biblioteca-catalogo?view=detalhes&id=2102011.

2. Bastos TMA, Oliveira IP, Jorge R. Manifestações oculares de doenças sistêmicas II: retinopatia diabética e retinopatia hipertensiva. Medicina (Ribeirão Preto). 2022;55(2):e178543.

3. Almeida TCSA, Sousa BM, Souza GR, Gomes TA, Mota LOD. Importância da oftalmoscopia realizada na Atenção Básica de Saúde para diagnóstico precoce da Retinopatia Diabética e Hipertensiva. Revista de Saúde. 2021;12(3):33–6.

INFORMAÇÕES DOS AUTORES
	» Luísa Carolina de Freitas Lara Isaac http://lattes.cnpq.br/167809646640045 https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5399-3506
	» Gabriela Pacheco de Alcântara http://lattes.cnpq.br/1500060311453423 https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0037-8879
	» Lívia de Lucena Song https://lattes.cnpq.br/1716922287287848 https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4445-0385
	» Bernardo Fontoura Castro Carvalho http://lattes.cnpq.br/5145756037553664 https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5198-099X

Received on: January 5, 2026.
Accepted on: January 16, 2026.