Characteristics of the Macula in Amblyopic Eyes Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Amblyopia is a developmental condition characterized by reduced visual acuity (VA), typically resulting from abnormal visual experiences during the brain's critical periods of development. The condition is typically associated with factors such as strabismus, anisometropia, and visual deprivation. Despite the corrective treatments, children with amblyopia fail to get their perfect vision, raising the possibility of underlying retinal abnormalities. This study aims to investigate the thickness of the macular neuroretina in amblyopic and normal eyes using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Methods: A prospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted involving children aged 7 to 15 years. After visual acuity, refraction, and slit-lamp examinations, participants underwent OCT imaging using the OCT 2000 system. Detailed measurements of macular thickness and other retinal structures were obtained and analyzed. Results: Descriptive statistics showed that the right macular thickness (224–293 microns), left macular thickness (200–280 microns), and total macular thickness (224–293 microns). The correlation between age and macular thickness was strong for all measurements (r = 0.903 for right, r = 0.927 for the left, and r = 0.903 for total macular thickness). A significant difference was evaluated in region A0 between the better and amblyopic eyes (P = 0.045); no significant differences were noticed in other regions. Conclusion: The findings suggest that amblyopia may selectively affect certain macular regions, particularly in the neuroretina.