Echobiometric study of ocular growth in patients with amblyopia.

BACKGROUND

The natural evolution toward emmetropia is governed by genetic factors, but experiments with animals have demonstrated that a feedback mechanism that depends on visual function may regulate ocular growth. We attempted to verify this hypothesis in school-age patients with amblyopia by observing the ocular growth and the refractive state in the fixating and nonfixating eye in myopia and hypermetropia. This situation simulates the animal model.

METHODS

In 30 consecutive school-age patients with amblyopia, we prospectively evaluated axial length with echobiometry and the refractive state during cycloplegia induced by atropine.

RESULTS

We found a statistically significant increase in axial length in the fixating eye of patients with hypermetropia compared with the amblyopic eye (P = .0008). In patients with myopia, we found less of an increase in axial length in the fixating eye compared with the amblyopic eye (P = .0048).

CONCLUSION

Good vision seems to influence the evolution of ocular growth toward emmetropization.