Macular and retinal changes in unilateral amblyopia using optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Purpose To identify changes in macular parameters, such as central macular thickness and volume, using optical coherence tomography in cases of unilateral amblyopia and to compare that with their normal fellow eyes. Design A prospective, cross-sectional study was performed. Patients and methods This study included 62 eyes of 31 participants with unilateral amblyopia who were classified into four categories: anisometropic myopic, anisometropic hypermetropic, strabismic esotropic, and stabismic exotropic amblyopia. Comparison was done with their sound fellow eyes by spectral domain optical coherence tomography regarding changes in macular parameter (central macular thickness and macular volume). Results The amblyopic eyes had significantly higher central subfield thickness versus the normal fellow eyes (251.84 ± 44.90 vs. 225.32 ± 53.47 μm; P = 0.03), but both groups had insignificant differences regarding average macular volume (7.84 ± 0.72 vs. 7.94 ± 0.82 mm3; P = 0.58). Conclusion In this study, we had documented significant changes in central macular thickness and insignificant changes regarding macular volume in amblyopic eyes among cases of unilateral amblyopia in comparison with their sound fellow eyes.