Fortalecimiento de Capacidades en Diagnóstico Temprano de Alteraciones Visuales para Mejorar la Atención y Salud Ocular Infantil

Abstract

The Ministry of Health defines visual health as: “the absence of those visual alterations that prevent humans from achieving a physical, cultural, structural and functional state of social well-being”. Visual health can be affected by the presence of refractive defects such as myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. Failure to correct visual alterations in a timely manner can lead to amblyopia, defined as “the unilateral or bilateral decrease in vision without apparent functional or organic cause” (5) (6). According to statistics, amblyopia is ten times more frequent than any other reported visual alteration or eye disease and is the main cause of monocular blindness worldwide (5) (7). Taking into account the above, the early correction of visual alterations is pertinent, an action that starts with the timely referral to visual health services, for which the development of the present process of social appropriation of knowledge is key, which allows appropriating knowledge on the early diagnosis of visual alterations in early childhood to doctors and nursing staff, linked to the growth and development program, in order to strengthen their care capabilities and promote the timely detection of visual problems in children. In order to consolidate the process of social appropriation of knowledge, it was started with the joint development by professionals of medicine, optometry, nursing and specialists in family medicine, of a questionnaire that allows identifying conceptual gaps in issues related to the visual development of children, which after being identified were input for the development of an infographic that was shared with the staff of the Health Center of the Mutis Neighborhood. Finally, it is concluded that the process of social appropriation allows promoting knowledge among health professionals about the ages of visual plasticity, the emmetropization process and the importance of carrying out an adequate initial visual screening, favors the establishment of regular controls and allows doctors dedicated to primary care to detect any decrease in visual acuity or risk factors that may affect normal ocular and visual development. It is also highlighted that, by integrating professionals from various disciplines, a more effective and coordinated collaboration is fostered. This interdisciplinary synergy is essential to comprehensively address the ophthalmological and optometric needs of patients, creating a collaborative and well-trained health team. In addition, sharing responsibilities and knowledge promotes an environment of continuous learning and professional development, contributing to a more satisfactory and healthy practice.