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Prevalence of amblyopia in children undergoing nasolacrimal duct irrigation and probing
Ozlen Rodop Ozgur1, Isıl Bahar Sayman, Yesim Oral
1Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, Eye Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) undergoing nasolacrimal duct (NLD) irrigation and probing have higher rates of amblyopia risk factors. Routine ophthalmic exams are recommended for these pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Strabismus and Amblyopia
Background:
- Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is a common condition in infants.
- Nasolacrimal duct (NLD) irrigation and probing are standard procedures for treating CNLDO.
- The potential long-term visual consequences, including amblyopia, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of amblyopia and its risk factors in children treated for CNLDO.
- To assess the association between NLD irrigation/probing and the development of amblyopia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for patients who underwent NLD irrigation and probing for CNLDO at age 3 or younger.
- Ophthalmic examinations including visual acuity, refractive error, and strabismus assessment were performed.
- Amblyopia defined as a visual acuity difference of ≥2 Snellen lines or ≥20/30 in either eye.
Main Results:
- Of 51 patients evaluated, 14 (27.5%) had amblyopia or amblyopia risk factors.
- Amblyogenic refractive errors were the most common finding (42.8%), followed by strabismus (7.15%).
- Four patients (28.6%) developed amblyopia without identifiable risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Children with CNLDO undergoing NLD irrigation and probing exhibit a higher incidence of amblyogenic risk factors compared to the general pediatric population.
- Routine cycloplegic refractions and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations are recommended for early detection and management of visual deficits in these children.
Purpose:
To investigate ambylopia and amblyopia risk factors of children who underwent nasolacrimal duct (NLD) irrigation and probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).
Materials And Methods:
The medical records of patients who had undergone NLD irrigation and probing for CNLDO at an age of 3 years or younger were reviewed, and 51 of the patients were recalled between October 1 and December 31, 2011 for a detailed ophthalmic examination to determinate amblyopia or amblyopia risk factors. Amblyopia was accepted as difference in visual acuity of two or more Snellen lines between the two eyes or visual acuity of 20/30 or worse in either eye.
Results:
The median age of the 51 patients to whom NLD irrigation and probing were attempted for CNLDO was 23 months. CNLDO affected a total of 70 eyes. All patients were reviewed for best-corrected visual acuity, refractive errors, and strabismus at a median age of 70.5 months (range 31-95 months). Amblyopia or amblyopia risk factors were identified in 14 patients (27.5%). One child (7.15%) had only strabismus, six children (42.8%) had only amblyogenic refractive errors, two (14.3%) had a combination of two, one child (7.15%) had a family history for amblyopia, but four children (28.6%) had no amblyopia risk factors but had amblyopia.
Conclusion:
Amblyogenic risk factors are found higher in patients with CNLDO and patients undergoing NLD irrigation and probing in comparison to normal population. Therefore, we recommend these children to routinely undergo cycloplegic refractions and full ophthalmic examinations.
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