Prevalence Of Amblyopia Risk Factors Research Articles

Multifaceted Amblyopia Screening with blinq, 2WIN, and PDI Check.

BackgroundNovel devices target different facets of amblyopia risk factors (ARFs). Through birefringence, the Rebion blinq assesses binocular foveation. The Adaptica 2WIN is a multiradial infrared photorefractor that also estimates ocular alignment. PDI Check is a forced-choice, dynamic near-vision game for the autostereoscopic Nintendo 3DS.MethodsNew and returning patients to a pediatric ophthalmology clinic had concomitant confirmatory exams after all three vision screens had been validated with ROC curves, Bland–Altman plots, and Alaska Blind Child Discovery ellipsoid grades. Exam outcomes were classified by ARF visual acuity, strabismus, binocularity, and refractive errors following the 2021 AAPOS guidelines and Bosque–Hunter rubric for the blinq.ResultsA total of 202 ethnically diverse students aged 10±4 (4–19) years, 33% treatment-naïve, had a high (58%) prevalence of ARFs. Linear logMAR visual acuity, intereye differences, stereo and three-cone color correlated well between PDI Check and exams. Mean score on the 2WIN matched sphero-cylinder exam with ellipsoid scoring was 2.1±1.5. For AAPOS 2021 refractive plus strabismus, sensitivity/specificity for PDI Check was 68%/59%, 2WIN 72%/95%, and blinq 87%/32%. For the amblyopia or strabismus rubric, PDI Check was 79%/68%, 2WIN 56%/65%, and blinq 94%/37%.ConclusionEach device had advantages and disadvantages in screening this cohort of older, high-prevalence students, many of whom had already been treated. Validation methods should cover more than just refraction, as the new 2021 AAPOS guidelines do.

Amblyopia risk factors among pediatric patients in a hospital-based setting using photoscreening.

The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in children visiting the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) using automated vision screening. This was a hospital-based screening of 1102 children aged between 2 and 6 years. Vision screening was performed using PlusoptiX S12 over 2 years (2018-2020). The need for referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist was based on the amblyopia risk factors set forth by the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Referred patients underwent a comprehensive eye examination. A total of 1102 children were screened, 63 were referred for amblyopia risk factors (5.7%); 37/63 (59%) underwent comprehensive eye examination and 73% were prescribed glasses. Of the non-referred group of children, 6.35% had astigmatism, 6.25% were hyperopic and 3.27% were myopic. The refractive errors observed among the examined patients were distributed as follows: 41% astigmatism, 51% hyperopia, and 8% myopia; amblyopia was not detected. Refractive amblyopia risk factors were associated with the presence of systemic disorders. Bland-Altman plots showed most of the differences to be within limits of agreement. Using an automated vision screener in a hospital-based cohort of children aged 2 to 6 years, the rate of refractive amblyopia risk factors was 5.7%. Hyperopia was the most commonly encountered refractive error and children with systemic disorders were at higher risk.

Refinement strategies in photoscreening for the detection of amblyopia risk factors in 12-to-24-month-old children

To establish an appropriate clinical protocol for early photoscreening in 12-to-24-month-old children at pediatric well-baby clinics. This prospective study included a total of 277 children aged 12-24 months who visited a pediatric well-baby clinic. All participants underwent: 1) inquiry of medical history; 2) photoscreening with PlusoptiX A12; and 3) comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations. The optimal referral cut-off point for PlusoptiX was determined by receiver operating characteristic analyses. A high-risk subgroup was defined as having a birth weight <3000g or a history of major systemic diseases, based on the results of multivariable risk factor analysis from children's medical history. A strategy of selective photoscreening focusing on the high-risk subgroup was evaluated. The main outcome measures included sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. The prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in our study population was 12.3%. A total of 172 children (62.1%) were assigned to the high-risk subgroup. Compared with the nonselective photoscreening of all 277 children, selective photoscreening of the high-risk children yielded a higher positive predictive value (59.6% vs. 46.7%, p=0.001) while showing no difference in sensitivity (82.3% vs. 85.3%, p=0.32), specificity (92.2% vs, 86.4%, p=0.05), and negative predictive value (97.4% vs. 97.6%, p=0.50). At pediatric well-baby clinics, selective photoscreening among 12-to-24-month-old children with a birth weight <3000g or a history of major systemic diseases helped reducing the number of children need to be screened and conserving medical resources yet identifying children at risk for timely eye care.

Positive predictive value and screening performance of GoCheck Kids in a primary care university clinic

To determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of GoCheck Kids, a smartphone-based photoscreener, to detect refractive amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) in children 3-48months of age. The medical records of all children ≤48months of age who failed GoCheck Kids photoscreening at a University of California, San Francisco, pediatric clinic between February 2017 and August 2018 and subsequently examined at the pediatric ophthalmology clinic were reviewed retrospectively. The PPV of GoCheck Kids was determined, where a true positive represents an abnormal cycloplegic refractive error according to the 2013 American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Vision Screening Committee criteria. For patients ≤12months of age, refractive error thresholds were based on the 2017 American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Patterns Pediatric Eye Evaluation guidelines. A total of 2,963 children were screened with GoCheck Kids. Of these, 172 (5.8%) failed the screening, of whom 115 (67%) were evaluated in the pediatric ophthalmology clinic. The mean age was 24.9±11.1months (range, 3-48). Fifty-seven patients met ARF criteria yielding a PPV of 50% (95% CI, 41%-60%). The PPV was higher in patients of Latino/hispanic ethnicity (75%; 95% CI, 57%-100%; P<0.01) and changed significantly with increasing age (P=0.03). Patients who were screened between age 3-12months had the lowest PPV at 26% (95% CI, 14%-47%). Modifying refractive error thresholds based on patient age and prevalence of ARFs in a population may improve the PPV of GoCheck Kids in a community-based screening program.

Amblyopia risk factors in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: A longitudinal case-control study.

PurposeTo investigate longitudinal changes in risk factors for amblyopia in children treated with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).MethodsRetrospective observational case control study. A total of 446 children under 4 years of age who underwent probing and/or intubation for CNLDO between January 2004 and January 2018, and 446 age-matched controls were included. Cycloplegic refraction and ocular alignment were investigated at the time of treatment and after at least one year of symptom improvement. Children were classified as having amblyopia risk factors on the basis of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus guideline in 2013.Main outcome measuresThe prevalence of amblyogenic refractive errors, and determinants associated with the presence of amblyogenic refractive errors in CNLDO patients.ResultsThe prevalence of amblyogenic refractive errors in CNLDO patients (5.4%) was similar to that of the control group (6.5%) (P = 0.571). After one year of symptom improvement in CNLDO patients, the prevalence of amblyogenic refractive errors was 4.7%. There was no difference in the prevalence of amblyogenic refractive errors between unilateral and bilateral CNLDO patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that manifest strabismus was the only risk factor related with the presence of amblyogenic refractive errors (odds ratio = 6.383, confidence interval = 1.205–33.826, P = 0.029).ConclusionsThis study found no evidence to suggest that the prevalence of amblyopia risk factors is higher in CNLDO patients compared with normal controls. Manifest strabismus was the only determinant associated with the presence of amblyogenic refractive errors.

Unilateral congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and amblyopia risk factors.

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in patients with unilateral congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).Patients and methodsA retrospective interventional case series was performed on all consecutive patients of unilateral CNLDO who underwent probing over a 6-month period in 2017. All patients underwent a complete ocular examination, retinoscopy, axial length measurements and keratometry. Risk factors for amblyopia were noted based on the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus guidelines. The fellow eye of the patients with CNLDO was taken as an internal control. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata version 13.0 statistical software. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOne hundred eyes of 50 patients were studied. The median age at presentation was 36 months without any gender predisposition (M: 26, F: 24). All patients presented with symptoms of epiphora. Seven (14%) of the patients were noted to have amblyopia risk factors: five (10%) were secondary to refractive errors and two (4%) had congenital cataracts. The anisometropia noted in the five patients showed the worse eye to be the one with CNLDO in all the cases. The common refractive error noted was a compound hyperopic astigmatism in three eyes followed by mixed astigmatism and simple hyperopia in one eye each.ConclusionThe prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in children with unilateral CNLDO is marginally higher than that reported in general population. Hence, a thorough evaluation should be carried out to detect amblyopia risk factors and for their prompt management.

Amblyopia and strabismus: trends in prevalence and risk factors among young adults in Israel

AimsTo estimate the prevalence of amblyopia, present strabismus and amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) among young adults in Israel and to analyse trends over time of prevalence rates.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional...

Use of the Spot Vision Screener for patients with developmental disability

To determine whether the Spot Vision Screener effectively detects amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) in patients with developmental disability using the 2013 guidelines of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). Children with developmental disability presenting for complete pediatric ophthalmologic examination were prospectively enrolled between June 2012 and March 2016. The following data were analyzed: presence of ARFs according to the AAPOS guidelines, refraction, eye alignment, and other ocular pathology. A total of 100 children (average age, 5.7years; range, 2.2- 9.2years) were included. The prevalence of ARFs in this cohort was 38%. The sensitivity of the Spot Vision Screener in detecting amblyopia risk factors was 84%; the specificity, 62%. The positive predictive value was 58%; the negative predictive value, 86%. In our study cohort the Spot Vision Screener provided good sensitivity and adequate specificity for a screening examination. Automated screeners may be useful in screening children with developmental disability.

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction: Does it really increase the risk of amblyopia in children?

Purpose:To report the prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Methods:A retrospective review of records of children with the diagnosis of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO), who underwent probing from January 2009 to October 2011, was done. All of them underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation including cycloplegic refraction and strabismus evaluation before probing.Results:A total of 142 children were included in this study. The mean age at presentation was 22.38 months (sample standard deviation (SSD) – 15.88). Amblyopia risk factors were defined according to two sets of guidelines: The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) referral criteria guidelines and the new AAPOS Vision Screening Committee guidelines. Twenty-eight (20%) children were found to have some form of amblyopia risk factor based on the referral criteria prescribed by AAPOS. However, on applying modified guidelines described by Donahue et al., to analyze the same cohort, 21 children were found to have amblyogenic risk factors. Of these 28 children, 13 had significant astigmatism (>1.50 D), 8 children had hypermetropia (>3.50 D), and six children had anisometropia (>1.50 D). One child had significant cataract (media opacity >1 mm). None of the children in this series had either myopia or strabismus.Conclusion:Prevalence of amblyopia risk factor was found to be 20% in our study based on the older guidelines; however, it reduces to 14.78% by applying the modified guidelines. Despite this reduction, importance of a comprehensive ophthalmic examination including cycloplegic refraction in all children presenting with NLDO cannot be overstated. A close follow-up of these children is also essential to prevent the development of amblyopia.

The prevalence of amblyogenic factors in children with persistent congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

To evaluate the prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in children that underwent probing for persistent congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). The medical records of children with CNLDO (after 1 year of age) that underwent probing were reviewed. Amblyopia risk factors, based on the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus referral criteria in 2013, were sought in the patientsʹ records before probing. The proportion of the patients with anisometropia >1.5 diopters (D) was separately calculated. In unilateral cases of CNLDO, sphere, astigmatism, and spherical equivalent of the eyes with CNLDO were compared with contralateral eyes in order to assess the effect of CNLDO on refractive error. In the follow-up examinations, the success of the probing or the need for additional procedures (Crawford intubation, Monoka intubation, or dacryocystorhinostomy) was evaluated. The prevalence of anisometropia between 'successful probing' and 'failed probing' groups was compared. A total of 433 cases were included in the study. 41 cases (9.46 %) had amblyopia risk factors. Twenty-four cases (5.5 %) had anisometropia >1.5 D (spherical or cylindrical). In unilateral cases of CNLDO, the sphere and spherical equivalent of the eyes with CNLDO were significantly greater than those of the contralateral eyes (p < 0.001 for both). Thirty-nine patients (9 %) required other interventions due to failure of probing (failed probing group). There were significantly more anisometropia prevalence in this group, compared with the successful probing group, at the initial examination (p = 0.03). The findings of greater prevalence of anisometropia >1.5 D (compared with the prevalence in the general population) and significantly greater sphere and spherical equivalents in the eye with CNLDO (compared with contralateral eye) in unilateral cases with CNLDO, suggested some relationships between anisometropia and long-term untreated CNLDO. The finding of more anisometropia in failed probing cases may support the theory of structural abnormality as an explanation for the possible relationship between congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and anisometropia.

Amblyopia Risk Factors in Infants With Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

This study aims to report the prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstructions. We recruited patients who were treated for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction from April 2007 to December 2011 at Korea University Ansan Hospital. We evaluated visual acuity and refraction, performed strabismus test and slit-lamp examination, and assessed marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) to rule out amblyopia risk factors. We examined 26 children among 115 patients. Ten patients underwent probing procedure and 16 underwent Monoka stent intubation. Nine (35%) patients showed amblyopia risk factors, which occurred in the same eye as the congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 8 (89%) patients. Seven out of 9 patients had refractive error alone, and 2 patients had both refractive error and strabismus. One (11%) had anisometropia, 2 (22%) had hyperopia, and 8 (89%) had astigmatism. Children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction had a higher prevalence of amblyopia risk factors than children in the general population. Children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction require special attention and treatments for refractive error. We recommend early treatment, such as probing or intubation, for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Guidelines for automated preschool vision screening: A 10-year, evidence-based update

In 2003 the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Vision Screening Committee proposed criteria for automated preschool vision screening. Recent literature from epidemiologic and natural history studies, randomized controlled trials of amblyopia treatment, and field studies of screening technologies have been reviewed for the purpose of updating these criteria. The prevalence of amblyopia risk factors (ARF) is greater than previously suspected; many young children with low-magnitude ARFs do not develop amblyopia, and those who do often respond to spectacles alone. High-magnitude ARFs increase the likelihood of amblyopia. Although depth increases with age, amblyopia remains treatable until 60 months, with decline in treatment effectiveness after age 5. US Preventive Services Task Force Preventative Services Task Force guidelines allow photoscreening for children older than 36 months of age. Some technologies directly detect amblyopia rather than ARFs. Age-based criteria for ARF detection using photoscreening is prudent: referral criteria for such instruments should produce high specificity for ARF detection in young children and high sensitivity to detect amblyopia in older children. Refractive screening for ARFs for children aged 12-30 months should detect astigmatism >2.0 D, hyperopia >4.5 D, and anisometropia >2.5 D; for children aged 31-48 months, astigmatism >2.0 D, hyperopia > 4.0 D, and anisometropia >2.0 D. For children >49 months of age original criteria should be used: astigmatism >1.5 D, anisometropia>1.5 D, and hyperopia >3.5 D. Visually significant media opacities and manifest (not intermittent) strabismus should be detected at all ages. Instruments that detect amblyopia should report results using amblyopia presence as the gold standard. These new American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Vision Screening Committee guidelines will improve reporting of results and comparison of technologies.

High prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in preverbal children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction

High prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in preverbal children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction

High prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in preverbal children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction

To report the percentage of children under the age of 3 with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and amblyopia risk factors who develop clinical evidence of amblyopia over time. Records of children under 3 years of age presenting to a pediatric oculoplastic specialist with NLDO between January 1, 2001, and August 8, 2009, were retrospectively reviewed to identify those who also had amblyopia risk factors. Amblyopia was diagnosed based on visual acuity and treatment history. A total of 375 children under the age of 3 had NLDO. Of these, 82 (22%) had amblyopia risk factors, and 70 received a follow-up examination. Average age at first visit was 12 months (1-27 months). In all patients with anisometropia and unilateral NLDO, the side with the NLDO had higher hyperopia. Of the 70 with risk factors, 44 (63%) were later treated for amblyopia: 29 with spectacles alone, 2 with occlusion therapy, 13 with spectacles and occlusion therapy. Six patients required strabismus surgery. In all patients with anisometropia and unilateral NLDO, the side with the NLDO had higher hyperopia. The percentage of children identified with amblyopia risk factors who later develop clinical amblyopia was much higher than the 1.6% to 3.6% expected in a cohort of normal children.

Prevalence of amblyopia risk factors in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

To determine whether children who present to an ophthalmology practice for nasolacrimal duct obstruction are more likely to have risk factors for amblyopia. A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients presenting to a pediatric oculoplastic specialist between January 1, 2001, and August 8, 2009. The review yielded 402 pediatric patients diagnosed with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Children were classified as having amblyopia risk factors on the basis of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus referral criteria. Of 402 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction, 100% received a cyclopegic refraction. Of these, 88 patients (22%) were found to have amblyogenic risk factors; 65 of these patients had amblyogenic refractive errors, 9 had strabismus, and 14 had a combination of the two. Of the 88 patients with amblyopia risk factors, 11% had a family history of strabismus compared with 9% of patients without amblyopia risk factors, which was not a statistically significant difference. There was no other significant pathology found on the dilated fundus examinations except for one child known to have persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and a congenital cataract and one child with previously known CHARGE syndrome before the examination for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Children who present with nasolacromal duct obstructions seem to be more likely to have amblyopia risk factors and therefore should have a full comprehensive pediatric ophthalmological examination, including cycloplegic refraction.