Choroidal changes in anisometropic and strabismic children with unilateral amblyopia

Abstract

Background and Objective: To detect changes in the choroidal layer at the macular area in amblyopic eyes. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 50 amblyopic patients (20 strabismic and 30 anisometropic) and 50 controls was done. Cross-sectional images using enhanced depth optical coherence tomography (OCT) were taken. Thicknesses were measured subfoveally and at 1,500 μ m nasally, temporally, inferiorly, and superiorly. Submacular corresponding choroidal areas were also computed. Parameters were compared between amblyopic eyes, fellow eyes, and controls. RESULTS: Signifcantly thicker choroid was detected in the subfoveal, temporal, and nasal locations (P =.007,.009, and.01, respectively) in amblyopic compared to fellow eyes; areas were also signifcantly greater temporally, nasally, and inferiorly. Signifcant differences in all choroidal measurements were found between amblyopic eyes and controls; these persisted only in the anisometropic subgroup. CONCLUSION: Using enhanced depth OCT, the choroid of amblyopic eyes was observed to be thicker compared to normal fellow eyes and controls.