Desconocimiento de la ambliopía en niños: estrategias de comunicación para mitigar su impacto en la calidad de vida

Abstract

Amblyopia is a preventable visual condition whose magnitude contrasts with its limited presence among public health priorities. The World Health Organization estimates that million people present some degree of visual impairment, and that at least 1 billion cases could have been avoided through early diagnosis (WHO, 2023). However, amblyopia (3% to 5% of the general population) remains practically absent in mass campaigns and in public health communication, which contributes to late diagnoses and the underestimation of its effects. Its repercussions extend beyond vision; they affect academic performance, motor coordination, self-esteem, and, in adulthood, employment and social opportunities. The analysis was conducted through a documentary review and a critical examination of specialized literature, integrating epidemiological reports, clinical studies, and recent evidence syntheses. Sources were selected based on criteria of timeliness, relevance, and methodological rigor. Among them, the meta-analysis by Searle et al. (2020) stands out for contrasting the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions and revealing the gap between available scientific knowledge and its incorporation into preventive policies. Inequalities in access to the diagnosis and treatment of amblyopia affect life trajectories from childhood onward. Therefore, its approach must be prioritized through comprehensive strategies for early screening, community education, and sustained communication campaigns for awareness, which will not only preserve vision but also promote equity and human development, justifying this research. In fact, an effective communication campaign will enable early detection of the condition and optimize care.