Assessment of Visual Outcome of Anisometropic Amblyopia after LASIK Treatment

Abstract

Background: Anisometropic amblyopia is characterized by a decrease in best corrected visual acuity in one eye as a result of significantly different refractive errors between the two eyes. Without the presence of ptosis or strabismus as a visible warning sign, these patients may be diagnosed significantly later in life, and unfortunately some go untreated. Newer options have been introduced in the management of anisometropic amblyopia. This study was conducted to evaluate the visual outcome of patients with anisometropic amblyopia after LASIK surgery. Materials &Methods: The present prospective study included a total of 70 cases (66 with bilateral treatment and 4 with unilateral treatment) in SOMA centre in Sulaimani done that reported from 2008 to 2009. The SOMA centre is a centre for correcting vision with LASER. Demographic details of the patients along with complete detailed history of the patients with clinical assessment was done with the help of the questionnaire. Visual acuity E chart were used for carrying out visual activity of the patients and the measurement was taken with and without the patient’s own glasses. For each case, automated-refraction and subjective refraction were done. The anterior and posterior segments were examined with slit-lamp. After performing the LASIK surgery, follow-up examination was done for all patients at next day, 1 week and 1 month later on. Results: 51.4% percent of the patients in the present study were males and 48.6% were females. Subjects were almost equally distributed to inside and outside Sulaimani city. Statistically significant result was obtained while comparing the amblyopic and non-amblyopic eye in uncorrected visual acuity. Also on comparing amblyopic and non-amblyopic eye for best corrected visual acuity, statistically significant results were obtained. In patients with uncorrected visual acuity, significant results were obtained while comparing follow-up at all the postsurgical time intervals. Whereas in patients with best corrected visual acuity, significant results were obtained at 1 month follow-up time. Conclusion: For the treatment of ametropic and anisometropic amblyopia, excimer laser refractive surgery appears to be a safe and efficient procedure.