Prevalence of amblyopia among schoolboys in Abha city, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of amblyopia among schoolboys in Abha City and to examine its relations with anisometropia and strabismus. A total of 971 male school children were selected randomly from the elementary schools for male in the city. Using the criterion of a visual acuity of 6/9 or worse, with no obvious structural disease of the eye, to define amblyopia, 18 cases have been found to have the condition, with a prevalence of 1.85%. Those cases consisted of 7(47%) with anisometropic amblyopia and strabismus, and 2(13%) with deprivation amblyopia. Amblyopia showed a prevalence equal to 27% and 31% among children with anisometropia and those with strabismus respectively. An effective screening program for early detection of amblyopia through the well baby clinics is recommended.