Ophthalmology >
Amblyopia
“A reduction in visual acuity due to a problem with focussing in early childhood”
Aetiology
- Strabismus, refractive defects, congenital cataracts
Pathophysiology
- One eye becomes passive to the dominant eye due to a disconnection from the brain as the brain learns to ignore that eye as it does not produce a good quality image
Clinical Presentation
- Poor visual acuity
- Obvious strabismus
- Loss of red reflex in congenital cataracts
Investigations
- Snellen chart
- Formal acuity testing
- Cover-uncover test
Management
- Treat refractive error with glasses
- Treat amblyopia with occlusion- patching or atropine to good eye
- Treat congenital cataracts with surgery
Complications
- Risk of permanent double vision if do not start treating children before age 7