Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Amblyopic Eyes

Abstract

We recently read the article “Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Amblyopic Eyes.” 1 Repka M.X. Goldenberg-Cohen N. Edwards A.R. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in amblyopic eyes. Am J Ophthalmol. 2006; 142: 247-251 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (76) Google Scholar In this article, the authors compared the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of sound and different types of amblyopic eyes measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and found a small but not clinically significant difference. While comparing their results with previous studies of OCT and amblyopia, the authors reviewed the results of Yen and associates 2 Yen M.Y. Cheng C.Y. Wang A.G. Retinal nerve fiber thickness in unilateral amblyopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004; 45: 2224-2230 Crossref PubMed Scopus (133) Google Scholar because the study was done only in the childhood ages–only 11 subjects of 38 were younger than age 18 and involve subjects ages 71, 74, and 75. However, the study group of authors also involved adults. We believe that it therefore is not accurate to say “this is a pilot study for children and teenagers” when there is a subject age 28 years old in their study group; this can generate confusion in readers. Also, it is well known that retinal nerve fiber layer thickness decreases with increasing age. 3 Kanamori A. Escano M.F.T. Eno A. et al. Evaluation of the effect of aging on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured by optical coherence tomography. Ophthalmologica. 2003; 217: 273-278 Crossref PubMed Scopus (126) Google Scholar , 4 Varma R. Bazzaz S. Lai M. Optical tomography-measured retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in normal Latinos. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003; 44: 3369-3373 Crossref PubMed Scopus (141) Google Scholar Our article, which was disregarded–“Thickness of the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, Macular Thickness, and Macular Volume in Patients With Strabismic Amblyopia” 5 Altintaş O. Yüksel N. Özkan B. Çaglar Y. Thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, macular thickness, and macular volume in patients with strabismic amblyopia. J Pediatr Ophthal Strabismus. 2005; 42: 216-221 PubMed Google Scholar –also involves macular measurements and retinal nerve fiber layer done on 14 only-strabismic amblyopic children between ages 5 and 18 years of age.