Pediatric photorefractive keratectomy for anisometropicamblyopia: a review

ABSTRACT

Amblyopia is one of the most important reversible eye disorders in childrenand different treatments are suggested. Early diagnosis and effectivetreatment in amblyogenic age are important criteria. These critical periodscorrespond to the period when the child's developing visual system issensitive to abnormal input caused by stimulus deprivation, strabismusor significant refractive errors. Traditional treatments such as glasswearing, contact lens used with patch therapy have limitations. Lasercorneal refractive surgeries introduce an alternative for the treatmentof anisometropic amblyopia. Current indications for refractive surgeryinclude anisometropia, bilateral high myopia and accommodativeesotropia. Several reports confirmed that with recent development inkeratorefractive surgery, it could be a safe method to be used in children.The goal of the permanent surgical treatment is to reduce refractive errors,treat amblyopia and make better the binocular function. Corneal haze iscertainly a major concern in children receiving surface ablation, especiallyin high myopic treatments. However, controversies still exist on whetherit could be done in this population or not. This article reviews the availabledata about refractive surgery for treating anisometropic amblyopia