Late Recurrence of Anisometropic Amblyopia.

A 15-year-old boy whose anisometropic amblyopia was effectively treated with glasses was examined. Despite years of stability, his visual acuity decreased from 20/20 to 20/60 with poor glasses compliance. Although amblyopia recurrence is well recognized, this case emphasizes potential late recurrence after prolonged success. Fortunately, he improved to 20/20 after improved compliance. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(1):e11-e12.].

Measurement of Aniseikonia Tolerance in Binocular Fusion.

SIGNIFICANCE: The determination of aniseikonia tolerance may aid in developing optimal treatment plans for cataract surgery, refractive surgery, and refractive correction with glasses and contact lenses. PURPOSE: This study aimed to measure aniseikonia tolerance. METHODS: We included 33 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 28.9 ± 6.4 years; male/female, 12:21) with anisometropia ≤1.0 D and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or more in both eyes, with no ophthalmologic disease other than refractive errors and no history of ocular surgery. The exclusion criteria were anisometropia >1.0 D, axial length difference >0.5 mm, corneal refractive power difference >0.5 D, astigmatism >3.0 D, stereoacuity threshold >100 arcsec according to the Titmus Stereo Test, and >0% aniseikonia according to the New Aniseikonia Test. Aniseikonia tolerance was assessed using Eyemark Hello, a haploscope using gaze detection technology. Although the optotype of one eye was enlarged or reduced at a speed of 2%/s, the patients were instructed to press a button on the controller to indicate blurring, flickering, and diplopia. The value at which the patient responded was considered the aniseikonia tolerance value and assessed thrice per eye, five times if the values were highly variable, and then averaged. RESULTS: The mean aniseikonia tolerance was approximately 3%; the median value was approximately 2% (range, 1.0 to 11.5%; dominant eye, 3.3 ± 2.6%; nondominant eye, 2.9 ± 1.8%). No significant difference in aniseikonia tolerance between the dominant and nondominant eyes was observed for the enlarged optotypes. No case showed changes in the ocular alignment before discomfort occurred. No significant correlation was observed between aniseikonia tolerance and anisometropia, axial length difference, corneal power difference, and ocular deviation. CONCLUSIONS: Aniseikonia should be maintained at <2% for a comfortable visual environment. Aniseikonia tolerance may be an important indicator for cataract surgery, refractive surgery, and spectacle correction.

Effectiveness of the Spot Vision Screener using updated 2021 AAPOS guidelines.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the Spot Vision Screener according to updated 2021 AAPOS Vision Screening Committee guidelines for instrument-based pediatric vision screen validation. METHODS: As part of an IRB-approved ongoing prospective study, children were screened with the Spot prior to a complete examination. RESULTS: Spot screening was successful in 1,036 of 1,090 children (95%). Forty-eight percent of participants were referred for further screening using the Spot manufacturer guidelines, and 40% of all children were found to have a 2021 amblyopia risk factor or visually significant refractive error by gold standard examination. The Spot recommendation compared reasonably well to the 2021 criteria, with an overall sensitivity of 0.88 and a specificity of 0.78. Applying updated guidelines to the Spot for hyperopia, anisometropia, and astigmatism yielded moderate-to-poor sensitivity (0.27-0.77) but excellent specificity (>0.9). The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrates overall good prediction performance for the Spot for each diagnosis-myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, anisometropia (range, 0.87-0.97). Results of our study suggest increasing the instrument referral criterion for astigmatism from 1.5 D (manufacturer thresholds of the screener used in this study) to 2 D in older children. Decreasing the anisometropia cut-off from 1 D to 0.75 D would improve sensitivity from 0.59 to >0.8. CONCLUSIONS: In our study population, the overall predictive ability of the Spot is good, with a sensitivity of 0.88 and a specificity of 0.78. We recommend specific device refractive referral criteria to maximize screening effectiveness using the updated AAPOS guidelines.

[Changes in accommodation in children with hyperopic anisometropia and unilateral amblyopia after laser refractive surgery and pleoptic treatment]. / Izmenenie akkomodatsii u detei s gipermetropicheskoi anizometropiei i odnostoronnei ambliopiei posle refraktsionno-lazernoi operatsii i pleopticheskogo lecheniya.

PURPOSE: This study comparatively analyzes the state of accommodation in children with hyperopic anisometropia and amblyopia after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Femto-LASIK) combined with pleoptic treatment, and after conventional pleoptic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The first group consisted of 30 children with medium and high hyperopia, high and medium amblyopia, and anisometropia greater than 3.0 diopters, who underwent Femto-LASIK in the amblyopic eye. The second group consisted of 28 children with similar local status, who were prescribed traditional correction and received conservative treatment. The follow-up period was 1.5 years. RESULTS: After 1.5 years, higher visual acuity (p<0.05) was achieved in the first group. A significant increase in the coefficient of accommodative response (CAR) was observed in the operated amblyopic eyes in group 1 - by 0.1±0.02 c.u. compared to the control group (p<0.05). In both groups there was an upwards trend for the coefficient of microfluctuations (CMF) in the amblyopic eye, but in the first group CMF increased more significantly (p<0.05). The objective accommodative response (OAR) and positive relative accommodation (PRA) of the amblyopic eye showed a double increase - by 1.0±0.23 and 0.9±0.38 diopters, respectively, at the end of treatment in the first group. The increase in similar indicators in the second group was insignificant (p<0.05). In children of the first group the difference in ciliary muscle thickness (CMT) of the amblyopic eye with disabled and enabled accommodation increased by 0.04±0.01 mm (p<0.05) in the anterior part of the ciliary muscle at the levels of CMTmax and CMT1. CONCLUSION: The data obtained in this study indicate the strong effect of refractive laser surgery in combination with pleoptic treatment on improving the visual acuity and the state of accommodation of the amblyopic and paired dominant eyes in children with hyperopic anisometropia, in contrast to conventional methods of treatment.

Comparison of stereoacuity in patients of anisometropia, isometropia and emmetropia.

Purpose: To compare the stereoacuity in patients with anisometropia, isometropia, and emmetropia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1403 subjects (range: 5-45 years) divided into anisometropes (n = 403), isometropes (n = 500), and emmetropes (n = 500). There were 258 amblyopic eyes among anisometropes and 156 amblyopic eyes among isometropes. Stereoacuity was measured using the Titmus stereo test consisting of a combination of contour targets. Results: There were 675 males and 728 females. A significant (P < 0.001) reduction in stereoacuity was found in anisometropes as compared to isometropes and emmetropes. The stereoacuity was even worse in amblyopes as compared to non-amblyopes. Most patients with anisometropia of <3.0 D had fair stereoacuity. However, as the degree of anisometropia increased to >3.0 D, stereoacuity deteriorated gradually. Marked reduction of stereoacuity was observed in severe degree of anisometropia (>6.0 D). Overall, an anisometropia of ≥2.12 D was associated with reduced stereoacuity. Among the anisometropes, it was found to be the poorest in myopia, followed by myopia with astigmatism, hypermetropia with astigmatism, and hypermetropia. Conclusion: The level of stereoacuity was worse in anisometropes as compared to isometropes and emmetropes. Amblyopes had a greater reduction in stereoacuity than non-amblyopes. Stereoacuity decreased as the degree of anisometropia increased. Among the anisometropes, myopes had worst stereoacuity than hypermetropes.

Instrument referral criteria for PlusoptiX and SureSight based on 2021 AAPOS guidelines: A population-based study.

Objective: The study aims to assess two refractive instrument-based methods of vision screening (SureSight and PlusoptiX) to detect refractive amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) and significant refractive errors in Chinese preschool children and to develop referral criteria according to the 2021 AAPOS guidelines. Methods: Eye examinations were conducted in children aged 61 to 72 months (n = 1,173) using a PlusoptiX photoscreener, SureSight autorefractor, and cycloplegic retinoscopy (CR). The Vision Screening Committee of AAPOS's preschool vision screening guidelines from 2021 were adopted for comparison. Paired t-test analysis and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the differences and agreement between the PlusoptiX photoscreener, SureSight autorefractor, and CR. In addition, the validity of the cut-off values of the several ARFs measured with the SureSight and PlusoptiX was estimated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and compared to the age-based 2021 AAPOS examination failure levels. Results: A total of 1,173 children were tested with comprehensive eye examinations. When the referral numbers based on the 2013 (43/3.67%) and 2021 (42/3.58%) AAPOS guidelines were compared, significant differences between the values of astigmatism (72.09 vs. 52.38%) and anisometropia (11.63 vs. 38.10%) were found. The 95% limits of agreement (LOA) of the spherical value and the cylindrical value between PlusoptiX and CR were 95.08 and 96.29%. It was 93.87 and 98.10% between SureSight and CR. Considering refractive failure levels, the ROC curves obtained the optimal cut-off points. However, the PlusoptiX and the SureSight showed lower efficiency in hyperopia (Youden index, 0.60 vs. 0.83) and myopia (Youden index, 078 vs. 0.93), respectively. After adjusting the above cut-off points, the optimized NES (Nanjing Eye Study) referral criteria for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were -0.75, 1.25, -1.0, and 0.5 with PlusoptiX and -1.25, 2.75, -1.5, and 0.75 with SureSight. Conclusions: SureSight and PlusoptiX showed a good correlation with CR and could effectively detect refractive ARFs and visually significant refractive errors. There were obvious advantages in detecting hyperopia using SureSight and myopia using PlusoptiX. We proposed instrumental referral criteria for age-based preschool children based on AAPOS 2021 guidelines.

How does anisometropia affect the choroidal vascularity index?

Purpose: To investigate the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and morphological features of the choroid in anisometropic amblyopia. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 39 patients with unilateral anisometropic amblyopic patients and 33 eyes of 33 healthy control participants were involved. These participants were examined in terms of axial length (AL), spherical equivalent (SE), central macular thickness (CMT), choroidal thickness (CT), total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), LA/SA ratio, and CVI. All parameters were compared between amblyopic eyes, healthy fellow eyes, and healthy control eyes. The Shapiro-Wilk tests, Chi-square test, the paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Pearson/Spearman correlation tests were used. Results: In the hyperopic patients; SE, subfoveal CT, nasal CT, temporal CT, TCA, LA, SA, and CMT were greater in amblyopic eyes than in healthy fellow eyes and control eyes (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively), and CVI, LA/SA ratio, and AL were smaller in amblyopic eyes than in healthy fellow eyes and control eyes ([P < 0.001, P = 0.006], P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). In the myopic patients, subfoveal CT, nasal CT, temporal CT, TCA, LA, SA values were statistically smaller in amblyopic eyes than in healthy eyes and control eyes ([P < 0.001, P = 0.002), [P = 0.004, P = 0.012], [P = 0.012, P = 0.032], [P < 0.001, P = 0.013], [P < 0.001, P = 0.024], and [P < 0.001, P = 0.047], respectively). The differences in the AL and choroidal parameters were due to myopia and hyperopia. Conclusion: The choroidal structural parameters of the amblyopic eyes were different from that of the healthy eyes.

[Detections of refractive risk factors for amblyopia with Plusoptix Autorefractor A09]. / Erkennung refraktiver Amblyopierisikofaktoren mittels Plusoptix Autorefractor A09.

BACKGROUND: Amblyopia is the most frequent cause for decreased vision in childhood. Important risk factors for amblyopia (ARF) are refractive errors. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of the Plusoptix Autorefractor A09 (POA09) to detect refractive ARF. METHOD: This prospective non-blinded, one-armed study was conducted between February 2012 and September 2015. Children aged 6 months to 12 years were screened in kindergarten and schools for refractive errors. Thresholds for screening failure were hyperopia ≥ 3.5 diopters (D), myopia ≥ 3.0 D, anisometropia ≥ 1.5 D and astigmatism ≥ 1.5 D (axis 90° or 180°â€¯± 10°) or ≥ 1.0 D (≥ 10° axis deviation of 90° or 180°). Children who failed screening were advised to see an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye examination. After the visit, parents were asked for the results of the examination. A reference group of children who did not fail screening also received a comprehensive eye examination. Based on the number of children who failed screening, we calculated the proportion of correctly detected refractive errors. Based on the children of the reference group we calculated the proportion of correctly excluded refractive errors and the false negative rate. RESULTS: In this study 3170 children were screened, 715 children (22.3%) failed screening. For 460 of these (64.3%) follow-up was available and for 132 children information on refractive errors in cycloplegia was available. Most frequent refractive errors at screening were astigmatism (90.9%) and anisometropia (11.4%). Most frequent refractive errors in cycloplegia were astigmatism (56.8%) and hyperopia (18.9%). The proportion of correctly detected refractive errors in the screening was highest for astigmatism (60%) and anisometropia (53.3%), followed by hyperopia (33.3%) and myopia (25%). CONCLUSION: The reliability of POA09 to detect refractive ARF in children without cycloplegia was limited, highlighting the importance of a systematic amblyopia screening. A screening in cycloplegia can increase the proportion of correctly detected refractive ARF and should be studied.

AAPOS uniform guidelines for instrument-based pediatric vision screen validation 2021.

BACKGROUND: As instrument-based pediatric vision screening technology has evolved, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) has developed uniform guidelines (2003, updated 2013) to inform the development of devices that can detect specified target levels of amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) and visually significant refractive error. Clinical experience with the established guidelines has revealed an apparent high level of over-referral for non-amblyopic, symmetric astigmatism, prompting the current revision. METHODS: The revised guidelines reflect the expert consensus of the AAPOS Vision Screening and Research Committees. RESULTS: For studies of automated screening devices, AAPOS in 2021 recommends that the gold-standard confirmatory comprehensive examination failure levels include anisometropia >1.25 D and hyperopia >4.0 D. Astigmatism >3.0 D in any meridian and myopia < -3 D should be detected in children <48 months, whereas astigmatism >1.75 D and myopia < -2 D should be detected after 48 months. Any media opacity >1 mm and manifest strabismus of >8Δ should also be identified. Along with performance in detecting ARFs and refractive error, validation studies should also report screening instrument performance with regard to presence or absence of amblyopia. Instrument receiver operating characteristic curves and Bland-Altman analysis are suggested to improve comparability of validation studies. CONCLUSIONS: Examination failure criteria have been simplified and the threshold for symmetric astigmatism raised compared to the 2013 guidelines, whereas the threshold for amblyogenic anisometropia has been decreased. After age 4 years, lower magnitudes of symmetric astigmatism and myopia are also targeted despite a low risk of amblyopia, because they can influence school performance and may warrant consideration of myopia prevention therapy.

Prevalence of strabismus and its risk factors among school aged children: The Hong Kong Children Eye Study.

The study aims to determine the prevalence of strabismus and its risk factors among school children in Hong Kong. This is a cross-sectional study involving 6-8 year old children from different districts in Hong Kong. 4273 children received comprehensive ophthalmological examination, cycloplegic auto-refraction, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior segment examination, cover/uncover test, ocular motility, and fundus examination. Demographic information, pre- and post- natal background, parental smoking status, and family history of strabismus were obtained through questionnaires. Strabismus was found among 133 children (3.11%, 95% CI 2.59-3.63%), including 117 (2.74%) exotropia and 12 (0.28%) esotropia cases (exotropia-esotropia ratio: 9.75:1). There was no significant difference in prevalence across age (6-8 years) and gender. Multivariate analysis revealed associations of strabismus with myopia (≤ - 1.00D; OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.03-2.52; P = 0.037) hyperopia (≥ + 2.00D; OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.42-4.39; P = 0.002), astigmatism (≥ + 2.00D; OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.36-3.94; P = 0.002), and anisometropia (≥ 2.00D; OR 3.21; 95% CI 1.36-7.55; P = 0.008). Other risk factors for strabismus included maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR 4.21; 95% CI 1.80-9.81; P = 0.001), family history of strabismus (OR 6.36; 95% CI 2.78-14.50, P < 0.0001) and advanced maternal age at childbirth (> 35 years; OR 1.65; CI 1.09-2.49, P = 0.018). The prevalence of strabismus among children aged 6-8 years in Hong Kong is 3.11%. Refractive errors, family history of strabismus and maternal smoking history during pregnancy are risk factors. Early correction of refractive errors and avoidance of maternal smoking during pregnancy are potentially helpful in preventing strabismus.

Prevalence of anisometropia in children and adolescents.

Background: This research was developed to study the epidemiology of anisometropia. It aims to estimate the prevalence of anisometropia in Portuguese children and adolescents at various educational stages, studying its association with sociodemographic variables. Methods: Observational cross sectional study envolving 749 children and adolescents (from 3 to 16 years old) from the central region of Portugal. The refraction was performed with a paediatric, open field auto refractometer (PlusOptix), without cycloplegia and under binocular conditions, to determine the rate of anisometropia and its association with gender, study cycle and area of residence. Results: The prevalence of anisometropia in the studied sample was 6.1%, varying from 2.9% in pre-school education to 9.4% in the 3rd study cycle. Myopic anisometropia was the most prevalent and hyperopic and astigmatic anisometropia showed identical proportions of occurrence. No statistical differences were found between genders or between areas of residence regarding the rate of anisometropia. Regarding spherical equivalent anisometropia, there was a pattern of variation that increased with the cycle of studies (p = 0.012), with myopic anisometropia being the main contributor to this variation. Conclusions: This study found an increase in anisometropia with the educational stage. The high rate of anisometropia found in adolescents (9.4%) as well as the progressive increase in this rate throughout school progress (from 2.9% to 9.4%) suggests the need to extend the detection strategies of this condition beyond childhood.

Ciliary muscle morphology and accommodative lag in hyperopic anisometropic children.

PURPOSE: To investigate the cross-sectional area (CSA) and thickness of the ciliary muscle and their correlation with accommodative lag in hyperopic anisometropic children. METHODS: Forty children aged between 6 and 10 years with hyperopic anisometropia were recruited. The more hyperopic eye (mean refractive power of 3.51 ± 1.70 D) was compared with the less hyperopic eye (mean refractive power of 0.78 ± 1.41 D). The thickness and CSA of the ciliary muscle were measured with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) images at four meridians. The differences between the eyes and the correlations between CSA, thickness, axial length and accommodative lag were accessed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in CSA between the two groups at any meridian, except at the inferior meridian (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in ciliary muscle thickness between eyes at any meridian, except on the temporal and the nasal meridians (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the ratio of CSA to axial length at all meridians between the two groups (all P < 0.05). Accommodative lag was 1.65 ± 0.55 D and 0.93 ± 0.45 D in the more and less hyperopic eyes, respectively, which was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the CSA with the axial length and the accommodative lag. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a greater degree of accommodative lag in the more hyperopic eye of anisometropic children. There was no correlation among accommodative lag, axial length and CSA of the ciliary muscle with the degree of hyperopia.

Refractive Errors and Amblyopia Among Children Screened by the UCLA Preschool Vision Program in Los Angeles County.

PURPOSE: To summarize the results of 5 years of vision screening with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Preschool Vision Program (UPVP). DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of a screening program. METHODS: The UPVP performed visual acuity and undilated noncycloplegic refractive screening using an autorefractor on 93,097 children between 2012 and 2017. Of these, 79,451 children, who were between 3 and 5 years old, were screened for the first time, and 14,259 were referred for full cycloplegic examination if they met specific refractive criteria for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or anisometropia. UPVP performed 6779 cycloplegic examinations on this population. Data from the right eye only were included in this analysis. RESULTS: Of the examined population, hyperopia was found in 61% (4018), myopia in 20% (1336), and astigmatism in 93% (6122) of children. Latino children had higher rates of astigmatism and worse visual acuity compared to all other races/ethnicities. An astigmatism cutoff of ≥1.50 diopters (D) in either eye correctly predicted the need for glasses 93% of the time; increasing this cutoff to ≥1.50 D in both eyes increased the positive predictive value to 96%. Refractive amblyopia was found in 780 children (1.0% of the screened population and 11.5% of the examined population), and of these, 211 (27%) were bilaterally amblyopic. CONCLUSIONS: These data represent the largest published sample of vision screening results on preschool-aged children, provide additional insight on the proportion of common refractive errors and their association with race/ethnicity, and can inform screening criteria to more accurately identify children who need intervention to prevent permanent vision loss.

Validity of the Spot Vision Screener in detecting vision disorders in children 6 months to 36 months of age.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the Spot Vision Screener in detecting targeted vision disorders compared to cycloplegic retinoscopy in children <3 years of age. METHODS: Children, ages 6 months to 36 months underwent vision screening using the Spot Vision Screener. Results were compared to results of comprehensive eye examinations. Validity of the Spot was evaluated by calculating the area under the curve (AUC); the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were used to determine optimal sensitivity and specificity for detection of targeted vision disorders. RESULTS: A total of 249 children were included. The AUC for detecting targeted vision disorders as defined by the study specific criteria using the Spot was 0.790. Compared to cycloplegic retinoscopy, the Spot underestimated hyperopia by 1.02 D (95% CI, 0.86-1.17 D). For hyperopia ≥4.5 D spherical equivalent (n = 10), the mean difference between the Spot and cycloplegic retinoscopy was 3.46 D (95% CI, 1.95-4.98 D). In contrast, the Spot overestimated astigmatism compared to cycloplegic retinoscopy (-1.00 D vs -0.48 D; P < 0.001) by -0.52 D (95% CI, 0.43-0.62 D). CONCLUSIONS: The Spot Vision Screener showed good overall validity in detecting targeted vision disorders. It was within 0.5 D and 1 D of cycloplegic retinoscopy with regard to low hyperopia and astigmatism. Higher hyperopic spherical equivalent refractive errors showed larger differences in mean values between the Spot and cycloplegic retinoscopy.

Can the Red Reflex Test Detect Unequal Refractive Error?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of the red reflex test in the detection of anisometropia. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective, single-masked study enrolled new patients younger than the age of 18 years who had not undergone pharmacologic pupillary dilation. A fellow who was masked to all clinical information illuminated both eyes with a direct ophthalmoscope in a darkened room from a distance of 1 m, assessing whether the red reflex between the 2 eyes was symmetric or asymmetric. The patient was then dilated, and cylcoplegic refraction was performed by an attending pediatric ophthalmologist. Exclusion criteria included the presence of strabismus, anisocoria, previous intraocular surgery, media opacity, leukocoria, or nystagmus. Sensitivity was compared with a null hypothesized value of 50% using a 1-sided binomial test. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients with a mean age of 7.3 years (range 3 months to 16 years) were enrolled. With spherical anisometropia greater than or equal to 0.125 diopters, the sensitivity of the red reflex test was 90.6% and the specificity was 58.3%. With cylindrical anisometropia greater than or equal to 0.25 diopters, the sensitivity of the red reflex test was 81.3% and the specificity was 70%. Anisometropia greater than 1.5 diopters in spherical equivalent (4 patients, range -10.625 to -2.625) or cylinder (3 patients, range 1.75-2.25) was accurately detected by red reflex testing in each case. CONCLUSIONS: The red reflex test can be an accurate screening tool to detect anisometropia when performed by an ophthalmologist.

Late Ophthalmologic Referral of Anisometropic Amblyopia: A Retrospective Study of Different Amblyopia Subtypes.

INTRODUCTION: Amblyopia requires a timely diagnosis and treatment to attain maximum vision recovery. Specialty literature is lacking on how early amblyopia is referred. We aimed to understand if there are mean age differences at first referral for ophthalmologic tertiary center consultation among non-amblyopic and different types of amblyopia, in a context of lack of population screening. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective model, the sample corresponded to all children born in Braga Hospital during 1997 - 2012 (3 - 18 years-old), with an ophthalmologic consultation in 2014. Data was collected from the clinical records and children were divided in a non-amblyopic versus amblyopic group. The amblyopic group was subdivided in strabismic versus refractive (anisometropic/bilateral). RESULTS: The sample had a total of 1665 participants, 1369 (82.2%) without amblyopia and 296 (17.8%) with amblyopia. Among amblyopia: 67.9% (n = 201) refractive, 32.1% (n = 95) strabismic. Within refractive amblyopia: 63.7% (n = 128) anisometropic and 36.3% (n = 73) bilateral. The mean age at first consultation was 6.24 ± 3.90 years-old: 6.39 ± 3.98 for non-amblyopic and 5.76 ± 3.58 for amblyopic. Among amblyopia subgroups, there were significant differences in mean age at first consultation (F3,1250 = 8.45; p < 0.001; Î·2 = 0.020). Strabismic and bilateral refractive amblyopia were referred earlier, when compared to non-amblyopia or anisometropic amblyopia (p < 0.05). Anisometropic amblyopia had the highest first consultation mean age: 6.92 ± 3.57 years-old. DISCUSSION: Without specific pre-school screening, children with amblyopia were referred to their first ophthalmologic evaluation significantly later than desired, especially anisometropic amblyopia, with a postschool mean age for first consultation. CONCLUSION: Recognizing high-risk children is essential for earlier referral and helps minimize future visual handicap.

Introdução: A ambliopia requer uma abordagem atempada para uma máxima recuperação visual. Não existe informação sobre a idade de referenciação da ambliopia. O presente artigo pretende perceber se há diferenças na idade média de referenciação para consulta terciária de Oftalmologia, entre não-amblíopes e amblíopes, num contexto sem rastreio implementado. Material e Métodos: A amostra correspondeu a todas as crianças nascidas no Hospital de Braga entre 1997 - 2012 (3 - 18 anos de idade), com consulta de Oftalmologia em 2014. A informação foi recolhida pelos registos clínicos, tendo sido criado o grupo nãoamblíope e amblíope, dividido em estrábico e refrativo (anisometrópico/bilateral). Resultados: A amostra contemplou 1665 participantes, 1369 (82,2%) não-amblíopes e 296 (17,8%) amblíopes. Dentro das ambliopias: 67,9% (n = 201) refrativas e 32,1% (n = 95) estrábicas. Nas ambliopias refrativas: 63,7% (n = 128) anisometrópicas e 36,3% (n = 73) bilaterais. A média de idades na primeira consulta foi de 6,24 ± 3,90 anos, 6,39 ± 3,98 nos não-amblíopes e 5,76 ± 3,58 nos amblíopes. Dentro dos subgrupos de ambliopia, existiram diferenças significativas na idade na primeira consulta (F3,1250 = 8,45; p < 0,001; η2 = 0,020). As ambliopias estrábicas e as refrativas bilaterais foram referenciadas mais cedo, quando comparadas com não-amblíopes ou ambliopias anisometrópicas (p < 0,05). A ambliopia anisometrópica teve a maior média de idade na primeira consulta: 6,92 ± 3,57 anos de idade. Discussão: Sem um rastreio pré-escolar específico, os amblíopes foram referenciados para a primeira observação oftalmológica significativamente mais tarde do que o desejado, especialmente a ambliopia anisometrópica, com uma idade pós-escolar de média para a primeira avaliação oftalmológica. Conclusão: Identificar crianças de alto risco é essencial para uma referenciação precoce, ajudando a minimizar consequências visuais.

Surgical Timing for Congenital Ptosis Should Not Be Determined Solely by the Presence of Anisometropia.

PURPOSE: Timing of surgery in children with congenital ptosis is a critical component of care, and anisometropia is frequently cited as an indication for early intervention. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in refractive error following surgery for congenital ptosis to better inform decisions regarding the timing of surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of clinical records was performed on patients who underwent surgical correction of congenital ptosis in an academic oculoplastic surgery practice from 2002 to 2017. Patients with complete preoperative and postoperative refractive data were included in the study. Changes in refractive error following surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 184 pediatric patients who underwent ptosis surgery during the study period, 56 patients (71 eyes) met inclusion criteria. The mean age at surgery was 5.1 years. Mean refractive error change in all the operated eyes was a 0.82 D decrease in spherical equivalent (p = 0.1920) and a 0.40 D increase in cylinder (p = 0.0255). There were no statistically significant changes in spherical equivalent or cylinder in the control eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The authors data did not show movement toward normalization of refractive error following ptosis surgery. In fact, it showed a statistically significant worsening of astigmatism following surgery. Because refractive error does not improve following surgery, anisometropia should not be the sole indication for early surgery in congenital ptosis.

Aniseikonia and anisometropia: implications for suppression and amblyopia.

Aniseikonia is a difference in the perceived size or shape of images between eyes, and can arise from a variety of physiological, neurological, retinal, and optical causes. Aniseikonia is associated with anisometropia, as both anisometropia itself and the optical correction for anisometropia can cause aniseikonia. Image size differences above one to three per cent can be clinically symptomatic. Common symptoms include asthenopia, headache and diplopia in vertical gaze. Size differences of three and more impair binocular visual functions such as binocular summation and stereopsis. Above five per cent of aniseikonia, binocular inhibition or suppression tend to occur to prevent diplopia and confusion. Aniseikonia can be measured using a range of techniques and can be corrected or reduced by prescribing contact lenses or specially designed spectacle lenses. Subjective testing of aniseikonia is the only way to accurately measure the overall perceived amount of aniseikonia. However, currently it is not routinely assessed in most clinical settings. At least two-thirds of patients with amblyopia have anisometropia, thus we may expect aniseikonia to be common in patients with anisometropic amblyopia. However, aniseikonia may not be experienced by the patient under normal binocular viewing conditions if the image from the amblyopic eye is of poor quality or is too strongly suppressed for image size differences to be recognised. This lack of binocular simultaneous perception in amblyopia may also prevent the measurement of aniseikonia, as most common techniques require direct comparisons of images seen by each eye. Current guidelines for the treatment of amblyopia advocate full correction of anisometropia to equalise image clarity, but do not address aniseikonia. Significant image size differences between eyes may lead to suppression and abnormal binocular adaptations. It is possible that correcting anisometropia and aniseikonia simultaneously, particularly at the initial diagnosis of anisometropia, would reduce the need to develop suppression and improve treatment outcomes for anisometropic amblyopia.

Assessing the change of anisometropia in unilateral myopic children receiving monocular orthokeratology treatment.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at comparing the inter-eye axial elongation difference in order to evaluate the change of anisometropia in unilateral myopic children wearing monocular orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lens. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we recruited monocular myopic subjects treated with monocular Ortho-K lens from May 2012 to January 2017. The axial length (AL) of both eyes was recorded, and we calculated the AL difference as our primary outcome, to evaluate myopia progression. High anisometropia was defined as anisometropia more than 2.50D. The generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used to assess the related risk factors. RESULTS: A total number of 31 unilateral myopic patients were identified. The initial wearing age of the subjects was 12.32+/-3.07 years. In myopic eyes, the initial spherical equivalent was -2.73+/-0.95 diopter (D). The mean follow-up duration was 2.01+/-1.48 years. A significant reduction in the AL difference was found, from 0.83+/-0.45 millimeters at the baseline to 0.59+/-0.49 millimeters at 24 months (P = 0.039). Besides, after wearing Ortho-K lens for a long term, high anisometropic wearers showed more AL difference reduction than low anisometropic wearers in unilateral myopic children (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the myopic eyes in unilateral myopic children had less AL growth than the companion emmetropic eyes when treated with monocular Ortho-K lenses. Wearing Ortho-K lens for a long time would present a more significant AL difference reduction in high anisometropic children.