Clinico Etiological Profile of Strabismic Amblyopia - An Observational Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Amblyopia means "dullness of vision". There should be a minimum of 2 lines visual acuity fall on Snellen visual acuity chart compared with normal eye. Strabismic amblyopia is defined as amblyopia resulting from strabismic disorder without any other co-existing amblyogenic factors. It is assumed that 2-2.5% population has incidence of amblyopia. Amblyopia causes an important socioeconomic problem, especially in children, since the risk of the amblyopic patient becoming blind is significantly higher than in general population. Among all amblyogenic factors, strabismic disorder plays an important role. Since early diagnosis and proper treatment for eliminating causative factors of amblyopia like strabismus play a pivotal role in preventing in strabismic amblyopia, we wanted to determine the various etiological and clinical factors of strabismic amblyopia in children. METHODS This observational study was conducted among 135 cases of strabismic amblyopia, over a period of 1 year. Children in the age group of 4-15 years who were diagnosed as strabismic amblyopia after compressive ophthalmic examination, orthoptic evaluation, cycloplegic evaluation and fundus examination were included in the study. Data collected included age, sex, detailed history of delivery and consanguinity with regard to the onset of squint, type of deviations, duration of symptoms, family history of squint and usage of spectacles. RESULTS Out of 135 cases of strabismic amblyopia, 71 cases (53%) were male and 64 cases (47%) were female, esodeviations are more (68%) than exodeviation (16%), unilateral cases are more with large angle of deviations and some cases are associated with severe amblyopia. Stereopsis decreased in more number of cases with esodeviations and few eccentric fixation cases were also noted. All demographic, statistic, etiological and clinical features were statistically analysed and presented. CONCLUSIONS Amblyopia with large angle of esotropia is a common cause for strabismic amblyopia. Subjective visual and psychological functions are altered in these patients compared with normal population. With loss of binocularity, day by activity will be affected seriously and occupational hazards may occur during work. So, early detection and treatment is the key for the prevention of strabismic amblyopia.