Prevalence of amblyopia in Children less than 18 years attending a tertiary care hospital and outcome of amblyopia therapy

Amblyopia, the leading cause of monocular vision impairment in children, is caused by inadequate stimulation of the visual system during the sensitive periods of visual development in childhood. A difference in best corrected visual acuity of two Snellen lines or more (or more than one log unit) is indicative of amblyopia. Bilateral refractive amblyopia is defined as vision <6/12 best-corrected in the presence of ≥ +4.00D and/or ≥ 2.00D astigmatism in each eye. Strabismus, cataract and anisometropia are well known causes of amblyopia with strabismic amblyopia being the most common type. Onset of amblyopia is generally in early life typically before the age of 6 years. Treatment regimens include spectacles, patching, and/or atropine penalization.The aim is to study the prevalence of amblyopia in children less than 18 years of age and to study the outcome of patching therapy in amblyopia. All cases of amblyopia coming to the department of ophthalmology in Kasturba Hospital, Manipal on OPD basis including newly diagnosed cases as well as cases undergoing treatment of amblyopia are included in the study. The cases of amblyopia for study will be given treatment of patching which is the standard of care. Those who are willing for regular follow up and complying to the instructions will be followed up for treatment effect. Visual acuity will be noted and measured according to age appropriate method during each visit. Improvement in vision and compliance to patching will be noted.