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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

The Measurement and Treatment of Suppression in Amblyopia
Published on: December 14, 2012
Prevalence of amblyopia in ametropias in a clinical set-up
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal. kjdkarki@yahoo.com
Insights
Amblyopia, or lazy eye, affects nearly 6% of ametropic patients. Early detection through preschool and school screenings is crucial for timely treatment and better visual outcomes in children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Vision Science
Background:
- Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a neurodevelopmental disorder of vision.
- It often arises from uncorrected refractive errors (ametropias) during critical periods of visual development.
- Prevalence studies are essential for understanding the burden of amblyopia in various populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of amblyopia among patients with ametropias in a clinical setting.
- To identify the types of ametropias most commonly associated with amblyopia.
- To inform public health strategies for early detection and intervention.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 970 patients with diminished vision and ametropias was conducted.
- Patients underwent visual acuity testing, cycloplegic refraction, and comprehensive eye examinations.
- Inclusion criteria focused on visual acuity reduction not correctable by refraction, indicative of potential amblyopia.
Main Results:
- Amblyopia was identified in 56 out of 970 ametropic patients, a prevalence of 5.97%.
- Myopic astigmatism was the most frequent ametropia associated with amblyopia (55.36%), followed by hyperopic astigmatism (19.64%).
- Monocular amblyopia was more common (71.43%) than binocular amblyopia (28.57%).
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a significant prevalence of amblyopia (5.97%) within the ametropic patient cohort.
- Implementing preschool and school screening programs is vital for early identification of ametropias and amblyopia.
- Timely optical correction and amblyopia therapy can effectively manage the condition and improve visual prognosis.
Objective:
To find out prevalence of amblyopia in ametropias in a clinical set-up.
Materials And Methods:
In this retrospective clinical study children from 4-5 years age group to the young adults who attended the eye clinic in one year period were included after taking history, VA test by Snellen's Vision Chart, cycloplegic refraction by streak retinoscope in children and wet or dry retinospcopy in young adults; and a thorough anterior and posterior segment eye examinations by slit lamp biomicroscope and ophthalmoscope to exclude structural abnormality of the eye or the posterior visual pathway defects. A total of 970 eye patients having diminution of vision with ametropias were identified and patients having reduction of visual acuity of greater than two lines between the eyes or an absolute reduction in acuity below 6/9 either eye in snellen's vision chart which cannot be corrected by refraction were enrolled to find out prevalence of amblyopia.
Results:
Out of 970 ametropic eye patients amblyopia was present in 56 patients (5.97%) with anisometropias and high bilateral ametropias. The prevalence of amblyopia according to types of ametropias are: hyperopia 6 (10.71%), myopia 2 (3.57%), myopic astigmatism 31 (55.36%), hyperopic astigmatism 11 (19.64%) and mixed astigmatism 6 (10.71%). Sex distribution of amblyopia is male 32 (57.14%) and female 24 (42.86%). Laterality of amblyopia shows: monocular 40 (71.43%) and binocular 16 (28.57%).
Conclusion:
Out of 970 ametropic eye patients a total of 56 (5.97%) patients have amblyopia. A preschool and school screening program in children in critical period of development of amblyopia must be conducted to find out the ametropias and amblyopia in time; and treat them earlier, by optical correction and amblyopia therapy, effectively and adequately.
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