Clinical Study
Eye (2008) 22, 496–502; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702668; published online 23 March 2007
Impact of amblyopia on vision at age 12 years: findings from a population-based study
Proprietary Interest: None
Competing interests: None declared
D Robaei1, A Kifley1, K A Rose2 and P Mitchell1
- 1Department of Ophthalmology (Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Hospital) and the Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney, Australia
- 2School of Applied Vision Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Correspondence: P Mitchell, Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Vision Research (Westmead Millennium Institute), University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. Tel: +61 2 9845 7960; Fax: +61 2 9845 8345; E-mail: paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au
Received 26 January 2006; Revised 1 November 2006; Accepted 1 November 2006; Published online 23 March 2007.
Abstract
Aims
To report prevalence of amblyopia and long-term impact of its treatment on vision in a population-based sample of 12-year-old Australian children.
Methods
Logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity (VA) was measured in 2353 children (response rate 75.3% ); visual impairment was defined as VA<6/12. Amblyopia was defined using various criteria of best-corrected VA, together with an amblyogenic factor and absence of significant organic pathology. Corroborative historical data on previous diagnosis and treatment were obtained from parental questionnaires.
Results
Forty-four children (1.9% ) were diagnosed with amblyopia, unilateral in 40 and bilateral in four. Isolated anisometropia was the most frequent cause (41% ), followed by strabismus (25% ), combined anisometropia and strabismus (23% ), and high ametropia (9% ). Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism were present in 28, 51, and 44% of amblyopic children, respectively, compared to 12, 4, and 9% of non-amblyopic children. Mean best-corrected VA in amblyopic eyes was 44.5 logMAR letters (Snellen equivalent 6/9), range: 11–60 letters. Most children with amblyopia (84% ) had been treated. Only 27% were visually impaired in their amblyopic eye.
Conclusions
This report documents a low amblyopia prevalence in a population of 12-year-old Australian children. Amblyopic visual impairment was infrequent in this sample despite absence of mandatory vision screening.
Keywords:
children, epidemiology, amblyopia, Sydney Myopia Study, Sydney Childhood Eye Study
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