Emmetropization in anisometropic amblyopia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the process of emmetropization in anisometropic amblyopic subjects during childhood and to determine the effects of spectacle use only and patching.

METHODS

Retrospectively, the records of patients who were diagnosed as anisometropic amblyopes were reviewed and 132 subjects who were between the ages of 5 to 8 at the time of diagnosis, with minimum follow-up of 3 years, were included in the study. Full ophthalmological examination was performed in every subjects and the information from every visit was retrieved for evaluation. Patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment they applied: patching and spectacle alone.

RESULTS

The emmetropization process was similar to normal subjects after 3 years of follow-up, with a change of -0.71 D from the baseline spheric retinoscopy measurement in the spectacle group and -0.53 D in patching group (p > 0.809). Patching and spectacle use did not change the decrease in hypermetropia. Astigmatism and anisometropia scores did not show any difference in two groups in the 3-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The emmetropization process is similar to normal population in anisometropic subjects and spectacle use and patching therapy have no effects on this process. The anisometropia score does not change with patching and stays relatively the same during the follow-up in childhood.