Prevention of amblyopia and the concept of cure

Amblyopia is used as a comprehensive term for unexplained reduction of visual acuity, usually unilateral. As long as the visual deficit is monocular the visual loss is more of a potential problem than an actual handicap. Amblyopia is one of the most common causes of visual deficit in childhood, and since it is treatable, at least in children, considerable efforts have been made to detect it as early in life as possible. Screening programmes for amblyopia among preschool and school children have been widely organized throughout the world, although questions remain about their utility. This study evaluated amblyopia screening, focussing on some essential points that need thorough consideration before a screening programme is started. We also try to demonstrate some of the pros and cons of a screening system.