Abstract Purpose: This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of two university extension projects – an interactive exhibition (“The exhibition revealed that 90.5% (n: 718) of participants experienced ocular discomfort, and 32.4% (n: 257) of participants had not consulted an ophthalmologist for the last 2 years”) and a bovine eye dissection course – in promoting ocular health and anatomical knowledge. Methods: The exhibition engaged 822 participants using interactive resources and pre- and postintervention questionnaires. On the other hand, the course, which combined theoretical and practical components, involved 156 students and healthcare professionals whose experience was assessed afterward via a feedback questionnaire. Results: The exhibition revealed that 90.5% (n: 718) of participants experienced ocular discomfort, and 32.4% ( n : 257) of participants had not consulted an ophthalmologist for the last 2 years. A significant increase in knowledge of key ocular structures (lens, cornea, pupil, and retina) was observed postintervention. For the dissection course, 98% ( n : 134) of participants preferred the combined theoretical–practical approach, and 89% ( n : 122) of participants rated the experience as “excellent,” despite having no prior hands-on experience. Conclusion: Interactive and hands-on methodologies have shown high effectiveness in promoting engagement and learning. These findings underscore the university’s essential role in public health education and in mitigating avoidable visual impairments within the community.
Santos et al. (Sun,) studied this question.