Amblyopia: progress and promise of functional magnetic resonance imaging

Amblyopia is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by functional deficits in the visual cortex. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is the most commonly used neuroimaging technique for investigating amblyopia. Herein, we systematically searched a PubMed database from inception to December 2021 to highlight the current progress and promises about fMRI technology in amblyopia; amblyopia's neural mechanism, the comparison of different types of amblyopia, and the evaluation of the therapeutic effect were explored. Relevant articles published in English and appropriate cross-references were considered for inclusion, including basic studies, imaging techniques, clinical diagnostic and therapeutic studies, case series, and reviews.