Visuo-Cognitive Executive Functions in Amblyopia and Strabismus: Associations With Function and Quality of Life

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Amblyopia and strabismus are common visual disorders affecting visual development.
• Their long-term impact on higher-order visual processing and executive functions in adults remains insufficiently understood.
• Understanding these deficits is crucial for addressing functional limitations and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate higher-order visual processing and executive function in adults with amblyopia and/or strabismus.
• To explore the association between these visual conditions and functional capabilities.
• To investigate the impact on vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) under habitual binocular viewing.

Main Methods:

• 114 adults (amblyopia, strabismus, both, controls) were assessed.
• Evaluated visual acuity, binocular function, visuo-cognitive tests (UFOV, TMT, SCWT), and functional tests (FMS, reading rate).
• Statistical analyses included ANOVA and regression models.

Main Results:

• Adults with amblyopia/strabismus showed significantly slower performance on UFOV, TMT, and SCWT compared to controls.
• Deficits were noted in divided attention, visual search, and cognitive flexibility.
• SCWT performance predicted fine motor skills and reading speed; strabismus impacted psychosocial VRQOL.

Conclusions:

• Amblyopia and/or strabismus are linked to executive function deficits and poorer functional outcomes in adults.
• These conditions have long-term visuo-cognitive and functional consequences.
• Findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to mitigate long-term impacts.