Determination of the pervasiveness of amblyopia and strabismus in children

Introduction: We decided to investigate whether the Prevalence of amblyopia as well as strabismus, a major advantage for detecting medical eye conditions in children. We also followed patients during treatment to determine whether their performance on the screening test would improve when vision was restored after treatment.Materials and Methods: 138 children diagnosed with horizontal strabismus after taking informed consent from their parents and approval from institutional ethical committee. Complete ocular examination was carried out for each child by qualified clinical optometrists. Socio - demographic data were also collected using a structured questionnaire before ocular examination. Anterior segment evaluation was assessed at class room prepared for the purpose of the study using direct ophthalmoscope and handheld slit lamp bio-microscope.Results: All the children with stimulus deprivation amblyopia had a history of an eye check up in the past and had undergone surgery. Majority of the children who had no previous eye check up were anisometropic amblyopes. Of the total amblyopic children only 52 % (n=61) were using spectacles and only 9 % (n=11) had undergone patching therapy for the treatment of amblyopia.Conclusion: Lack of knowledge and awareness about amblyopia and its appropriate timely management has been the cause for late presentation and significant visual impairment associated with amblyopia