The study aimed to analyze and review visual health coverage provided by the policies and plans of the District Government of Bogotá, considered at the present as one of the cosmopolitan cities of South America, as well as a reference point in aspects related to the advances and development of optometry worldwide. The paper begins with a brief historical review of the foundation of the city continues with the presentation of official and geographic data, its population growth in recent years, and the characteristics that determine its modernity. As a fundamental aspect, it analyzes the political-administrative organization and the operation of each one of the localities that make up the capital city. Likewise, the main norms and laws regulating health care are examined, including services in visual health and the coverage for aspects of disability and special populations provided by the social security system and networks that offer these services. Finally, the study examines indicators presented by the District Department of Health as a control of compliance with results and goals regarding health coverage for the residents of Bogotá. Conclusions indicate that key activities are still lacking for an optimal coverage in visual health in addition, there are few data about vision and the importance of optometry in aspects related to public health.

The purpose of this review paper is to provide information about an aspect that is rarely taken into account (mainly due to the lack of documented material, either written or published) at the time of issuing a prescription for someone requiring optical aid. The contribution of an ophthalmic lens to the safety and health of the patient, regardless of the material it is manufactured with, was analyzed from different points of view. The impact resistance of an optical system depends on many aspects, including: lens thickness, the refractive index of the material, the base curve used for its manufacture and the application or not of optical treatments, such as anti-scratch, anti-glare and photosensitive. All analyzes of this issue are performed on studies based on indications given by institutions such as the ANSI (United States), OLA (United States), CSA (Canada) and AS/NZS (Australia), to apply tests that measure lens resistance, such as the Drop Ball Test, as well as speed and high impact ballistic tests. It can be concluded that polycarbonate is the most durable material and that center thickness is directly related to the strength of the lens. Furthermore, the flatter the base curvature is, the greater the fragility of the material, and the antiglare treatment directly affects the decrease in impact resistance, unlike photosensitive treatments, which do not alter this property.