title: [History and functions of Chilean ophthalmologic primary care units].
abstract: The access to ophthalmological care in Chile has been historically a problem. Only at the end of the twentieth century concrete solutions were promoted. In 1960, Primary Care Ophthalmologic Units were created to ease the access to ophthalmology, due to the efforts of Professor Juan Arentsen. Their functioning was organized and standardized subsequently using a model proposed by the Chilean Ophthalmologic Society, leading to a better patient flow and reducing waiting lists. These units became an innovative initiative to reduce the gaps in Chilean public health, optimizing the professional and infrastructural assets of the public health care system and achieving a new organization for the ophthalmological health care net.
authors.forename: Benjamín
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Riesco
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sáez
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Escobar
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barría
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donoso
authors.forename: Constanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gil
mesh_terms: D002677:Chile; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration; D011634:Public Health