Stability of the Stiles-Crawford function in a unilateral amblyopic subject over a 38-year period: a case study

The relative luminous efficiency curves for light entering different parts of the entrance pupil [Stiles-Crawford functions (SCFs)] of subject TG, whose right eye is amblyopic, were determined earlier for both the normal and the amblyopic eye. The left eye was found to have a normal SCF, varying from the center to the edge of the entrance pupil by an entire log unit. However, the SCF for the right eye was found to be abnormal, showing peak sensitivity far toward the temporal edge of the pupil and varying from center to edge by only one-third of a log unit. From these data it was inferred that the photoreceptors were in poor alignment. In October, 1993 the subject experienced a retinal detachment in the left (nonamblyopic) eye, requiring cryoretinopexy, drainage of subretinal fluid, and a scleral buckle. Postoperatively, visual acuity recovered to 6/9 to 6/7.5 (20/30 to 20/25), but vision was poor when illumination or contrast was low. In order to determine whether the decrement in visual performance was the result of misalignment of the photoreceptors, the subject's SCFs were determined 9 months postoperatively for both eyes, using a procedure similar to that used earlier. The relative luminous efficiency curves for both eyes were found to be surprisingly similar to the corresponding curves found 38 years earlier. It was concluded that any decrease in visual function resulting from the retinal detachment and repair was not caused by misalignment of the photoreceptors. We infer that the mechanisms resulting in the exceptionally high degree of photoreceptor alignment in the left eye and the disturbed alignment in the right eye are still present.