Amblyopia in children: Epidemiology and treatment

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the causes of amblyopia in a population of children aged 5-14 years and to study its management. Subjects and methods: This retrospective study examined the files of children with functional amblyopia aged five-fourteen years over a four-year period. Results: Our study involved 77 children (114 eyes), the average age was 6.9 years. Amblyopia was severe in 30.7%, moderate in 44.7% and mild in 24.6%. It was bilateral in 65% and unilateral in 35%. The etiologies were: ametropia in 30.7%, strabismus in 7%, and refractive errors associated with strabismus in 62.3%. Among the refractive error, we noted astigmatism in 58%. Anisometropia was noted in 36.8%. Final visual acuity was more than 7/10 in 58.7%. Conclusion: The amblyopia is relatively common in the population of children aged 5-14 years. Refractive errors are the main etiology.