A prospective study of amblyopia and its risk factors in selected school going children of Bhopal region

Abstract

Background: In vision 2020, amblyopia is a major preventable and treatable cause of low vision in paediatric age group. If not treated at appropriate time, paediatric amblyopia can result into monocular and binocular low vision with associated deterioration in Quality of Life indices in adulthood. This should be the hallmark of the blindness control programme in India. So this study was carried out to assess the magnitude of amblyopia and its associated risk factors in school going children and to correct the amblyopia by whatever treatment modality possible depending upon the type of amblyopia and to follow up the patient for any improvement in it. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, observational study on 1200 school going children between 5-16 years of age. All the children were subjected to visual acuity examination. Those children with refractive error were further screened at Hospital. Results: Out of 1200 cases, 30 cases had amblyopia. Prevalence of amblyopia was 2.5%. Anisometropia was the most predominant risk factor associated with amblyopia (53.33%). Anisometropic amblyopia (53.33%) was most common. Amblyopia was more common in children with lower socio-economic background (40%). Maximum patients had unilateral (80%) and moderate amblyopia (46.7%). Association between duration of occlusion therapy and visual improvement in children with amblyopia was statistically insignificant (p=0.19). Conclusion: Amblyopia is one of the major hidden visual problem in the society which can be prevented by early identification and proper management in appropriate time. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent and minimize risk of permanent deficit of vision in amblyopia if detected earlier especially before 10 years of age. Screening programs in school going children can detect amblyogenic factors earlier to prevent major permanent deficit in vision by amblyopia so screening of children should be done through school surveys, awareness should be spread through various campaigns among the teachers and parents of the children about amblyopia and its adverse consequences not only on visual impairment part but also functional, psychological, social, economic impact.