Photoreceptor function in unilateral amblyopia

We investigated whether photoreceptor function in amblyopic eyes differed from that in non-amblyopic eyes. Photoreceptor function was assessed with the optical Stiles-Crawford effect (SCE), psychophysical SCE, and foveal visual pigment density in both eyes of ten unilateral amblyopic subjects. Optical SCE and density measurements were carried out with a custom-built scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). Amblyopic and normal eyes did not differ in Stiles-Crawford effect, nor in foveal visual pigment density. Contrary to suggestions in the literature, we found no indication of retinal dysfunction at the level of the cone photoreceptors in amblyopic eyes.