Marajó Regional Hospital provides 500 ophthalmological services in 2025
In Breves, the unit reinforces care for eye health
As a reference in various specialties, including ophthalmology, the Public Regional Hospital of Marajó (HRPM), located in Breves, in the southwest of Marajó Island, provides guidance on eye health care, in reference to the awareness month for "Eye Health Day," which took place on July 10.
One of the alerts is about the importance of preventing excessive sun exposure, especially during the Amazon summer, a period of intense ultraviolet radiation. Between January and June 2025, HRPM conducted a total of 525 ophthalmological services. The numbers reflect the positive impact of specialized assistance offered in the region, reducing the need for travel to the capital in search of care.
The ophthalmologist at HRPM, Carlos Marques, highlights the most common vision problems according to age. "In childhood up to 39 years, refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism predominate, in addition to viral conjunctivitis and eye allergies. From the age of 40, presbyopia (farsightedness) commonly arises, requiring reading glasses."
"From the age of 60, cataracts become frequent, and surgeries in this age group are common. Pterygium also frequently appears in people exposed to the sun, especially in warmer regions," he adds.
Dr. Marques emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, especially in the case of glaucoma, a silent disease that only presents symptoms when visual loss is already advanced.
“Sudden changes in vision are medical emergencies and should be evaluated immediately by an ophthalmologist. Additionally, excessive sun exposure harms the eyes, favoring the onset of cataracts, pterygium, and retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD),” pointed out the specialist.
Approval – Ivete Souza Aragão, a 47-year-old user of the ophthalmology service at the Regional Hospital of Marajó, comments that the specialty is very important for public health, especially in Marajó, as it prevents residents from traveling to the capital in search of specialized care and facilitates access, making it more accessible.
“I didn’t know that this is a health topic addressed in July. I am pleased to know, as there should be more information about it, because eye health is very important to us. I am a user of the ophthalmology service, as I need to wear glasses. The presence of the hospital has improved many things in the community, saving many lives. With the Regional, people in serious condition can come here and reduce the cases of deaths due to lack of this high-complexity care,” concluded the nursing technician.
Check eye health care:
• Have regular consultations with an ophthalmologist, even without symptoms.
• Seek immediate care in cases of sudden vision loss or spots in vision.
• Protect the eyes from sun exposure by using sunglasses with UVA and UVB filters.
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure to prevent pterygium, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
• Update glasses as needed, especially after 40 years.
• Be aware of silent diseases like glaucoma, which require periodic monitoring.
Data - From January to June 2025, the Public Regional Hospital of Marajó conducted a total of 525 ophthalmological services, including 370 consultations and 155 surgical procedures.
Service: The Public Regional Hospital of Marajó is part of the health network of the Government of Pará, managed by the National Institute for Social and Human Development (INDSH), in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa). The unit, which provides medium and high complexity assistance, is located at Avenida Rio Branco, No. 1,266, in the center of Breves. More information can be obtained via phone: (91) 3783.2140 / 3783.2127.
Text by Pedro Amorim
