Visual Prognosis in Children with Astigmatic Amblyopia

This retrospective cohort study about astigmatic amblyopia was conducted to investigate the effects of degree and type of astigmatism on initial and final corrected visual acuity, and the effects of age at initial correction and duration of correction on corrected visual acuity. Records of 37 children with astigmatic amblyopia who visited ophthalmologic clinic of Yeungnam University Hospital between November 1985 and October 1994 were reviewed. Follow-up ranged from 8 months to 9 years 3 months(mean 3 years). The distribution of initial corrected visual acuity was 0.1 to 0.5(mean 0.33). Age at initial correction varied from 3 to 7 years(mean 4.4 years). Initial and final corrected visual acuity was neither influenced by type of astigmatism nor degree of astigmatism. Initial corrected visual acuity was increased gradually with age, whereas final corrected visual acuity was not associated with age at initial correction but could be correlated with initial corrected visual acuity and duration of correction. Duration from initial correction to visual improvement of two lines on visual acuity chart was neither associated with age at initial correction nor degree of astigmatism. Duration of correction influenced on the visual outcome, showing continuous visual improvement during 4 years after initial correction.

Success Rate of Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy

Primary success rate of endonasal DCR has been reported as lower than that of the conventional procedure. Endonasal DCR has been performed from July 1991 to October 1994, with a follow-up period of 6 to 37.3months(mean, 14.2months). According to the period of the operation, 156 eyes of 132 patients were classified into three groups: Group 1;47 eyes between July 1991 and June 1992. Group 2;44 eyes between July 1992 and June 1993, and Group 3;65 eyes between July 1993 and October 1994. Success rates of the primary operation were 68.1% in Group 1, 84.1% in Group 2, and 92.3% in Group 3 respectively. The success rate of Group 3 reached almost similar to that of the conventional procedure. Improvement of success rate may be owing to appropriate preoperative evaluation, skillful surgical technique, and careful postoperative management.