CLINICAL SCIENCE Factors influencing visual outcome in anisometropic amblyopes

Aim: To identify which factors influence the final visual acuity in children with anisometropic amblyopia. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 112 children with anisometropic amblyopia, identified from examining all case notes of children who had failed preschool or school screening. Results: The age at presentation had no effect on the final visual outcome (p=0.804). Both the degree of refractive error and the degree of anisometropia at presentation correlated with final visual acuity (p<0.001 and p=0.001). Those with strabismus had a poorer final outcome. Conclusions: The age at presentation of a child with anisometropic amblyopia appears to have no significant effect on the final visual acuity. The amount of refractive error and degree of anisometropia at presentation do correlate strongly with final visual acuity. This would suggest, firstly, that children with poorer visual acuity at presentation and higher degrees of anisometropia should be treated more aggressively and that, secondly, children with anisometropic amblyopia should be treated regardless of age.