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Amblyopia may be more prevalent with nasolacrimal duct obstruction
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2011;15(4):350-352.
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Amblyopia was more prevalent among children identified with nasolacrimal duct obstruction and amblyopia risk factors than among normal children, a study found.
"Amblyopia occurs in approximately 1.6% to 3.6% of the general population in the United States," the study authors said. "Studies suggest that children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction have a higher prevalence of amblyopia and therefore should receive a comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology examination including cycloplegic refraction."
The retrospective medical record review included 375 children younger than 3 years of age with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Eighty-two children were found to have amblyopia risk factors at baseline examination. Twelve children were unavailable for follow-up examination, leaving 70 patients for analysis. Average age at presentation was 11 months.
Amblyopia risk factors included significant refractive error alone (50 children), strabismus alone (13 children), and combined refractive error and strabismus (seven children). Significant astigmatism was identified in 47 children, myopia in seven children, hyperopia in 34 children and anisometropia in seven children.
Study results showed that among the 70 children with amblyopia risk factors, 44 (63%) were treated for amblyopia; 29 were treated spectacles alone, two were treated with patching, and 13 were treated with spectacles and patching.
Three of the 44 children treated for amblyopia had a family history of amblyopia and/or strabismus.
Six patients had strabismus surgery. In patients with anisometropia and unilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction, the side with the obstruction had higher hyperopia, the authors said.