OCT in amblyopia

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyze the advantages of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness abnormalities and changes in the macula in amblyopic patients. Studies were selected through an electronic search on PUBMED, EMBASE and GOOGLE SCHOLAR using the following terms: "Optical coherence tomography in amblyopia", "OCT and amblyopia", "Optical coherence tomography and anisometropic amblyopia", "Optical coherence tomography and strabismic amblyopia". We found that optical coherence tomography is a rapid, non-invasive imaging technique allowing objective quantification of retinal structures with high resolution; it can be successfully applied to young children, even those who are neurologically disabled or less cooperative. New generations devices, such as spectral domain OCT, have led to a dramatic increase in sensitivity that enables high-speed imaging. OCT technology could be also an useful biomarker for evaluating progressive thinning of RNFL over time and changes in the macula in amblyopia. Evidence for direct retinal changes in eyes with amblyopia has been controversial, so that further studies with large sample are required.