Macular Thickness in Moderate to Severe Amblyopia

PURPOSE: To compare the macular retinal thickness of moderately to severely amblyopic eyes with non-amblyopic eyes as controls. METHODS: This case control study was conducted on 56 children aged 4 to 10 years old (64.3% female subjects). Twenty-eight children had unilateral amblyopia (28 amblyopic eyes as cases and 28 normal fellow eyes as internal controls) and 28 children had normal visual acuity in both eyes and were considered as external controls (n = 56 eyes). Among our cases, 14 had strabismic amblyopia and 14 had anisometropic amblyopia. Macular retinal thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography at the center and in 1-, 3-, and 6-mm rings. RESULTS: Best-corrected visual acuity of the amblyopic eyes was less than that of the internal and external controls, and the best-corrected visual acuity of their fellow eyes was also less than that of the external controls. Thickness of the central macula and a 1-mm ring area in the amblyopic eyes was higher than that of both internal and external controls. Difference of central macular thickness ≥20 µm between two eyes of the amblyopic children was significantly more than non-amblyopic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the macular retinal thickness was significantly higher in moderate to severe amblyopic eyes compared to their fellow eyes and external controls. This might be due to macular developmental disorders in amblyopic eyes. Therefore, optical coherence tomography imaging is recommended if subtle macular abnormalities are suspected in moderate to severe amblyopic eyes.

results of photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin-C in myopia correction after five years

Objective: To evaluate the results of photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] with mitomycin C in myopia correction after five years

Methods: This is a cross sectional study which included 145 eyes of 74 patients in 18 to 51 years age group that were undergoing Photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin C using Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400-Hz excimer laser platform in Markazi Eye Center, Tehran, Iran. All the surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon. After five years follow-up evaluation including BCVA, UCVA, Refractive error measurement and external eye examination was performed

Results: The mean diopter of spherical equivalent before surgery was -3.40 +/- 1.73. The following findings were obtained after 5 years follow up visit: The mean spherical equivalent value: -0.08 +/- 0.40, the mean Log MARUCVA: 0.02 +/- 0.07, the mean Log MAR BCVA: 0.00 +/- 0.04

Conclusion: PRK is an effective, safe and predictable method used to correct myopia. The wave frontoptimized algorithm of the Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400-Hz excimer laser platform demonstrated good refractive and visual results. Presence of variables such as gender, age and astigmatism before operation have no significant impact on the result of this operation

Prevalence of preventable causes of low vision in different ages and genders

Much of the vision loss from age-related eye disease can be prevented. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of preventable causes of low vision. In this study, files of 204 patients were evaluated. Low vision was defined as best-corrected visual acuity in the better eye between 20/70 to 20/200. Diagnosis of anterior and posterior segment disease was based on the eye examination that performed with Topcon slit-lamp biomicroscope and direct and indirect ophthalmoscope examination. The prevalence of preventable causes of low was respectively: diabetic retinopathy, in 33 patients [16.18%], glaucoma in 6 patients [2.94%], and amblyopia in 2 patients [1%]. The majority of cases have treatable and/or preventable causes; reduction of low vision or blindness can be achieved by appropriate screening strategies