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Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Comparison of Three Clinical Stereoscopic Methods for Measuring Binocular Visual Function During Amblyopic Treatment in Unilateral Amblyopia
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Comparison of Three Clinical Stereoscopic Methods for Measuring Binocular Visual Function During Amblyopic Treatment in Unilateral Amblyopia

Published on: September 27, 2024

466

Influence of prenatal environment and birth parameters on amblyopia, strabismus, and anisometropia

Gareth Lingham1, David A Mackey1, Paul G Sanfilippo2

  • 1Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth.

Journal of AAPOS : the Official Publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
|March 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study found that maternal health conditions like pregnancy-induced hypertension and factors such as lower gestational age are linked to vision problems like amblyopia and strabismus in young adults.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology and Public Health Research
  • Developmental Ophthalmology
  • Epidemiology of Eye Conditions

Background:

  • Amblyopia, strabismus, and anisometropia are common childhood vision disorders.
  • Understanding their prevalence and associated risk factors in young adulthood is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies.
  • The Raine Study provides a unique, long-term cohort for investigating these associations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of amblyopia, strabismus, and anisometropia in Australian young adults.
  • To identify prenatal and early-life risk factors associated with these visual impairments.
  • To contribute to the understanding of eye development and potential adverse influences.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the Raine Study cohort, following participants from mid-gestation.
  • Comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity and orthoptic assessments, at age 20 years for 1,344 participants.
  • Risk factor assessment using maternal medical records and questionnaires, focusing on prenatal and early-life exposures.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence rates in white participants: 1.1% for amblyopia, 3.5% for strabismus, and 2.9% for anisometropia.
  • Amblyopia associated with maternal history of pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR=3.80).
  • Esotropia linked to lower gestational age and heavier placenta; exotropia to maternal hypertension history and recreational drug use; anisometropia to older maternal age and abnormal umbilical cord.

Conclusions:

  • The observed prevalence of these eye conditions is comparable to other population studies.
  • Prenatal factors, including maternal health and gestational age, significantly influence eye development.
  • Findings highlight the importance of monitoring maternal health during pregnancy to mitigate risks for offspring's visual health.
Abstract

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