Presentation of amblyopia at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi

To study the type and density of amblyopia in children visiting pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus unit in the department of ophthalmology at Civil Hospital Karachi. This prospective study was conducted in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus unit of department of ophthalmology Civil Hospital Karachi, from June 2009 to May 2010. All children under 15 years of age diagnosed with different types of amblyopia underwent standard procedure of orthoptic assessment and were divided into four pediatric age groups. Statistical analysis by simple descriptive analysis was carried out. During the study period, 239 patients were diagnosed with different types of amblyopia including 128 [53.55%] cases with refractive amblyopia, 58 [24.26%] cases with strabismic amblyopia and 53 [22.17%] cases with deprivation amblyopia. Severe amblyopia was seen in 59 [24.68%] cases with refractive errors, 25 [10.46%] cases with strabismus while all 53 [22.17%] cases with deprivation amblyopia had severe density of amblyopia. Amblyopia is a common cause of visual impairment in pediatric age group. Refractive amblyopia is the most frequent type while children with stimulus deprivation have higher chances of having severe density amblyopia. Children with amblyopia should be diagnosed at an early age for successful treatment. An effective screening program for early diagnosis and prompt treatment is recommended to prevent our future generation from visual impairment