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