Amblyopia
Amblyopia
History of amblyopia
Le Cat (1713) is credited with providing the first accurate clinical description of human amblyopia. However, credit for first describing any treatment for amblyopia is given to George Louis Leclerc, Conte De Buffon (1707-1788)
Buffon was the first to realize the two most important elements in amblyopia therapy: occlusion and full optical correction
In 1939, Chavasse attributed the development of amblyopia and facultative suppression to the process of adaptive inhibition in the face of dissociation. This is known as the theory of amblyopia of arrest versus amblyopia of extinction.
Example
1. Onset of abnormal visual experience is at age of 1 year 2. Best VA at age 1 year:
Chavasse : 20/120 Dobson and Teller: 20/20
3. Best VA now( after age 6 years and without previous treatment) : 20/200
Chavasse ( 1939)
20/200 to 20/120 = deficit due to extinction and therefore fully reversible 20/120 to 20/20 = deficit due to arrest and therefore nonreversible
Definition
Amblyopia is an unilaterally or bilaterally decrease of visual form sense for which no obvious structural or pathologic causes can be detected, and which is not overcome by correction of the refractive error.
The problem with the definition description is the no structural causes is depended on the depth of the clinical investigation. Another problem is that many cases of amblyopia are cured simply by wearing spectacles, though over a period of time. This is why recent studies have changed the clause to a visual loss resulting from an impediment or disturbance to the normal development of vision, and not directly correctable with glasses
Amblyopia develops in infants and very young children, beginning only during the first 6 years old. The most critical period for loss of binocularity and for the development of functional amblyopia is the first 18 months of life ( Levi 1994). Once established, it can persist for life. If treat early, its effects are completely or nearly reversible. Different visual functions have different sensitive periods: the sensitive periods for cortical visual functions are longer than for retinal functions.
The visual acuity of amblyopia ranges from slightly less than normal ( 20/25) to functional blind ( less than 20/200). Light perception is always maintained. There are many criterions to define amblyopia acuity. Amblyopia represents a syndrome of deficits, not just decrease of visual acuity. The depressing are including other ocular functions such as ocular motility, accommodation, contrast sensitivity, and spatial judgment.
The low spatial contrast sensitivity is close to normal but there is a marked loss at high spatial frequency. This loss increases with the severity of the amblyopia and does not result from optical factors, unsteady fixational eye movements or eccentric fixation( Flynn 1991). Intermediate spatial frequency is less affected than high contrast VA ( Moseley et al 2006).
Continue
1. Amblyogenic anisometropia 2. Constant uniteral esotropia or exotropia 3. Amblyogenic bilateral isometropia 4. Amblyogenic unilateral or bilateral astigmatism 5. Image degradation
Prevalence of amblyopia
Amblyopia is common, but its prevalence has been difficult to assess due to:
Differences in criteria Various populations Type of visual acuity test Omission of successfully treated or prevented amblyopia Incomplete examination
Military personnel
1% to 4%
Incidence of amblyopia
A higher incidence has been associated with prematurity, low birth weight, retinopathy of prematurity, cerebral palsy, and metal retardation. Maternal smoking and use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy are also in high risk. Data in various sub-populations is generally not available. No difference between males and females. The relative importance of environment and genetic factors in the development of amblyopia is also unclear.
Etiology
The sensory obstacles in the early life
Retinal image degradation
Cataract, lid closure, high uncorrected refractive errors
Binocular mis-registration
Strabismus
The physiologic consequences of deprivation are more or less confined to the striate cortex The effects of abnormal visual experience occur only during a sensitive period early in life The physiologic consequences of deprivation can be reversed during a critical period early in life
Classification
All amblyopia was consider either organic, or functional amblyopia. Some contend that amblyopia should be limited to functional etiologies. Organic can not truly be amblyopia because of its structural defects or the impairment of visual pathway, so that medical treatment can be considered.
Organic amblyopia
Organic amblyopia occurs when the components of visual pathway fail to develop because of any subtle retinal or central nervous system lesion ,or undetectable lesion because of metabolic or toxic disturbance. Organic amblyopia includes nutritional, toxic, retinal eye disease, and idiopathic or congenital amblopia.
Functional amblyopia
Reduced vision was due to physical obstacles such as corneal and lens opacities, as well as strabismus due to suppression of the retinal image in the deviated eye strabismic amblyopia anisometropic amblyopia isoametropic amblyopia image degradation amblyopia Psychogenic amblyopia
Psychogenic amblyopia
The visual loss is of emotional or psychologic rather than physiologic origin. The amblyopia is characterized by reducing visual acuity for anxiety or emotional repression. The symptoms are not under voluntary control. The diagnosis is made by exclusion of organic pathology and sensory problems. Unilateral visual loss is very rare. Direct to others questions, nearly always reveals additional symptoms such as headache, periorbital pain, photophobia, and sometimes diplopia.
Strabismic amblyopia
Strabismic amblyopia is associated with an early-onset ( before age 7 years or so), constant, unilateral deviation at distance and at near. The cause is an active cortical inhibition from the fovea of the deviated eye. ( diplopia and confusion)
When mention about strabismic amblyopia, primary esotropia and not exotropia typically is associated with amblyopia.
Under most condition, exotropia presents as an intermittent and/or alternating deviation rather than a constant unilateral deviation
If a patient presents with an exotropia and reduced unilateral VA in the absence of anisometropia or a history of retinal image degradation, the clinician should suspect organic amblyopia. Remember, there may be a functional amblyopia superimposed over the organic amblyopia, with the cause of the functional amblyopia being the secondary exotropia.
Anisometropic amblyopia
Anisometropia is frequently considered to be the most common cause of amblyopia. This has been found to occur twice as frequently as strabismic amblyopia. (Unfortunately, fixation status was not tested. Therefore, microtropia with anisometropia would be classified as anisometropic amblyopia ) Flynn and Cassady (1978) analyzed 544 amblyopes, 48% were strabismic, 32% were strabismic and anisometropic, and 20% were purely anisometropic.
A population based study ( Attebo et al 1998) found that the relative prevalence of different types of amblyopia is anisometropic 50%, strabismic 19%, mixed strabismic and anisometropic 27%, and visual deprivation 4%. Amblyopia is more likely to be present in the left eye, and this asymmetry is exaggerated for anisometropia ( Woodruff et al 1994)
This patient should be categorized under strabismic amblyopia, since the myopic anisometropia is probably not a significant amblyogenic factor.
There exists a controversy as to how one categorizes a patient having both significant anisometropia and unilateral constant strabismus, example:
Patients with greater than 5 diopters of anisometropia, over two-thirds had amblyopia, a quarter of whom also had strabismus Patients with less than 2 diopters of anisometropia, about 20 % had amblyopia and only 1 % had a strabismus
There is some evidence that emmetropization depends on normal visual experience. In amblyopia, it was found that the refractive error developed at a different rate in the amblyopic eye than in the dominant eye, with the dominant eyes becoming more myopic while the amblyopic eyes stayed the same or became more hyperopic.(Nastri et al 1984)
Incidence and depth of amblyopia may be dependent on the degree and type of anisometropic refractive error
The incidence of amblyopia was lower in myopic than in hyperopia Myopic anisometropia occurs more frequently in the general population than does hyperopic anisometropia
Anisometropic amblyopia reduces sensitivity centrally and peripherally, whereas, strabismic amblyopia losses acuity is predominantly restricted to the foveal region.
Isometropic Amblyopia
Secondary to a significant bilateral refractive error
Even when properly corrected, does not immediately result in normal vision Visual acuity usually improves once the corrective lenses have been worn for a period of time A relatively mild vision loss that is amenable to vision therapy
Clinically, isometropic amblyopes typically exhibit VA in the range of 20/30 to 20/70 in each eye when first corrected
If VA is not normalized once the proper corrective lenses are worn for a period of time, then VT is indicated
Myopes and astigmats show their best acuities through full correction, whereas hyperopes show better acuities when slightly undercorrected
For hyperopes, a large exophoric or tropic deviation may become manifest as the full correction is gradually accepted
Isometropic amblyopia is generally detected and treated earlier than anisometropic amblyopia
The prevalence of isometropic amblyopia is decreasing in countries where early vision care is emphasized
The meridional amblyopia does not develop during the first year of life, despite the high incidence of significant astigmatism during the first year of life
May have dissimilar critical period timetables
Image degradation
Secondary to the obstruction of sight that prevents the formation of a well focused, high contrast image on the retina
Either one or both eyes take place before the 7 year of life for amblyopia to develop
Time of onset The extent of the degradation Cataract, corneal opacities, congenital ptosis, and early total occlusion
Treatment
Early surgery
Before 8 weeks of age
History taking
When did the amblyogenic anomaly begin?
The later the onset, the better is the prognosis
Parents are more likely to recall strabismus rather than anisometropia The anisometropia amblyope is typically first detected during a vision screen If the vision anomaly occurred after age 4 years, the prognosis is excellent Obtaining the results of the earliest vision examination
What did the treatment consist of and how successful was it?
An amblyope left without either stereopsis or alternation of fixation after treatment is to demonstrate some regression in visual function, especially VA
Visual acuity
Contour interaction(Crowding phenomenon)
Contour interaction does not begin at greater than one letter diameter separation The effect is approximately equal at threshold visual acuity levels for both normal and amblyopic eyes
The amblyopic eye resolve a few letters per line with no clear cutoff point to define threshold ( a sigmoid, or S-shaped, curve of acuity value)
It is similar either use snellen chart or a visual acuity chart with contour interaction control
The normal eye will generate a curve with a steep slop, demonstrate a sharp drop-off VA
Telescopic acuity
Differential diagnosis between organic and functional amblyopia
Any improvement in acuity through a telescope indicates a functional amblyopia That telescopic acuity greater than predicted by the magnification of the telescope indicates a functional amblyopia with good prognosis The pretherapy acuity through the telescope is the predicted acuity following successful therapy
Sensory
Stereopsis, anomalous retinal correspondence
In 1961, Flom and Weymouth studied the eccentricity of Maxwells spot in both normal and amblyopic eyes
Monocular VA in the amblyopic eye at the point of eccentric fixation was the same as that found in the normal eye at the same eccentricity
Treatment
Early detection Correction of any significant refractive error Constant Occlusion Additional active training
The effects of occlusion can be enhanced or facilitated by addition of active training
Patching
Anywhere from to 6 hours daily Most of the patching done at home
Cosmetic is not a major factor
Length of treatment
Last from 4 to 6 months Afterward, daily treatment duration will be gradually reduced
To prevent regression of vision function Take another 2 months or so
Progress evaluation
Perform every 8 weeks during the therapy course
The goal of amblyopia treatment is to improve vision and sensorimotor function ( eye-hand coordination, focusing, navigation ability, etc.) Monitor improvement in vision function Determine when treatment should be discontinued
Motivation
The single most important factor contributing toward a successful case
Explain to the patient and encourage the patient by setting up situation that will allow the patient to be aware of progress Show the progress of evaluation to patient, have them become actively involved in the therapy process May experience headaches, eyestrain, fatigue, or diplopia during treatment
Training sequences
Accommodation
Stimulus, monocular to bi-ocular accommodation
Eye movements
Hart-chart saccades, eye-hand coordination
Form recognition
Recognize the simple and complex forms with either being hidden, or slightly different from a similar comparison form
Strabismus
Strabismus most often develops within the first 6 ~ 7 years of life. Approximately 7% of children aged 6~7 years had strabismus. Strabismus affected approximately 1% of infants ( < 12 months).
Classification of Heterotropia
Squint or Strabismus
In term of the direction and magnitude of the deviation, heterotropia is classified as either comitant or incomitant. More information are also required to have more detailed classification regarding its frequency, laterality, age of onset, influence of accommodation and cosmesis.
Frequency
Constant or intermittent
Laterality
Unilateral or alternating
Location
Patient may have a phoria at distance and have a tropia at near.
Direction
Depend on the visual axes deviate from alignment. The tropia is noted by the non-fixating eye. Esotropia, Exotropia, Hypertropia, Hypotropia Deviation of the upper pole of the cornea result in Excyclotropia ( outward) or Incyclotropia ( inward)
Age of onset
Congenital is the deviation that are present at birth or develop during the first few months of life. Acquired is arisen during childhood or later in life.
Presence of nystagmus
Should be described in terms of congenital, latent or acquired and whether pendular or jerky.
In every child with strabismus, VA should be measured as early as possible to detect amblyopia. The vision in one eye is compared with the fellow eye. VA of 20/200 or less should raise the suspicion of anisometropic amblyopia or other ocular disease.
Differential diagnosis
Not all monocular vision loss with a strabismic patient is secondary to amblyopia. Only after an extensive examination has been performed otherwise. Careful refraction must be performed and any refractive error corrected before it is assumed. Mild congenital optic nerve pathology as well as small lens opacities can be overlooked.
The amblyopic patient has normal color vision, in contrast to the patient with optic neuropathy. Marcus Gunn pupil is rare in strabismic amblyopia
exWvk-q d-THUv
G v~dpUG Q yADIqC } J TAoC v~AoOB` { THWHUOA ` MvEvC
e (3~5 )O-o|-n qAovTyBrJB -{Ab@W G{oP`oit@A o{OD` - ) AiLAM oNWAy NxC-o{O_B oQpO-nA-n HTwuDbC
(pB
The child should routinely be seen again between the ages of 2.5 ~ 3.5 years, just before kindergarten, and then yearly through elementary school. This is to ensure early detection of major visual anomalies that might affect the childs general performance.
Practice Management
Many clinical examination techniques on the young children are quite the same with older children and adults. These may require only few modification of instruction and targets to be effective with young children.
Environment
Comfort and welcome designed office or reception area reduce the fear and anxiety Select the optimal appointment time Removing the doctors white coat
Observation
Hyperactive vs. shy or cautious child
Examination strategy
Case history Refractive status Visual acuity status Binocular status
Motor Sensory
Problem list
From the results of data base evaluation the optometrist construct a problem list, which provides an overview of the patients problems and eliminates the extensive file review prior to future visits.
Initial plan
This serves as the basis for the plan list, consisting of the therapy and education recommendations.
Progress note
Used to follow up on the initial management plans and is outlined in SOAP notation
S ( subjective): information about course of signs and symptoms, compliance with the management plan, and new concerns. O ( objective): examination findings. A (assessment): the doctors interpretation P (plan): any modification of the initial plan
History
fE-UC -G
fGOB-` X -_ ofGOw | _ dGOefBA @ _ iGO`_ \ afGOzaH _
Visual Acuity
There are several tests available for children.
Response to occluding Forced-choice preferential looking ( FPL) is suitable for toddlers from 12 months of age up to 3.5 years old, and for older children with either poor communication skills or delayed development
4~5HWi\
phoropter
Cycloplegia
WD}d-n CycloplegiaAMOp cycloplegiaOdTjUAp
pnAvd ` EH { vdoA- { ` jPvtj - TEAWtWwh [ X
@s~w Mohindra technique P subjective refraction M cycloplegic refractiono{ AMjq 18 ~ 48-j |s@-PtAMD @{tioXz GC
Dynamic retinoscopy
Dynamic retinoscopybwb AC Z ` wHOwbv ` { mWAwvve AMHFMIA Y- @ low neutral pointA~AHAw Y- [ wqoMH@Y @ { evvfHA { pointAWotOw
vbMw}B-nqU dGA]A static retinoscopy, other objective refractive and subjective refractive findingsHMwA@ vvgmo}t|j yF 0.50DHAoiT oAFOn iC
Subjective refraction
@iaAi dO-Abd`N dAMA@-n] `NO-@tAbdq NqPiaC
OonqA - - | UAyBN ]{ - |@ oOBAUAo { _ Q WxOhPAA \ -] ] zBBzAvuNW | ] vTAnON{X - ` PBAUOA- { Q- vDHPLM~OAJ nLM~UAMTaia - TOC