3225 Congenital epiphora as a potential cause of amblyopia

the 50 patients attended for assessment and the notes of 1 the non attenders were reviewed. Information on amblyopia snd strabismus was sought from the local otthoptic departments Examination including Snellcn visual acuity. r&action, Randot stereoacuity testing. &lamp biomicroswpy. hrndoscopy and war sac washout procedure. was carried out. Fifty age/sex matched normal children wcrc examined sls a control group, to assess the incidence of amblyopia, stmbiimus, abnormal stercoacuity and epiphora &&$g Five of the 22 paticms had amblyopia, of these 2 had amsometropia, I had strabismus, I had astigmatism and I had no demonstrable ocular abnonnaliry The incidence of amblyopia m this group was increased to 10% compared lo an averagc of 2-4% in the general population (4% in the control group). Conclusiont Congenital cpiphora may habe a significant effect on the development of amblyopia Optical effects from mcrcascd tear film and mucus .acwuulation. results .in a. blur& .retinaLimagc Prolonged blurred vision, during the critical visual development period could account for the actlology of amblyopia in this group Early recognihon and management is important as a conservative managcmcnt approach is usually adopted until the congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruclion spontaneously rcvcrts during the childs first 24 months of life VISION SCREENING STUDY OF CHILDREN: PREVALENCE AND UNDIAGNOSIS OF STRABISMUS