4 Optical Coherence Tomography ( OCT ) Parameters in Nepalese Children with Anisometropic Amblyopia and their Relationship with Refractive Error Raman

Background: To date, there are several studies which compare RNFL and macular thickness amongamblyopic and normal eyes and the literature have shown varied results. We aimed to compare the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Parameters in Nepalese Children with Anisometropic Amblyopia, compare our findings with that of other studies andestablish its Relationship with Refractive Error. Case Report: A total of 115 children (69 males and 46 females) diagnosed with anisometropic amblyopia (either unilateral or bilateral) were enrolled in the study. All children were evaluated for RNFL thickness, macular thickness and macular volume by SD-OCT in amblyopic and fellow eyes for comparison. The amblyopic group was then separated into two groups: Unilateral Amblyopia and Bilateral Amblyopia groups. The mean RNFL and macular parameters were then compared within these groups and with the Normal Control group using ANOVA. The OCT parameters of the amblyopic eyes were furthercorrelated with the Spherical equivalent refractive error using Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age of the amblyopic children was 11.4±3.15 years and control group was12.33± 3.24 years. The mean RNFL thickness, macular thickness and macular volume of the amblyopic eyes were slightly thicker in comparison with normal control eyesexcept for the RNFL thickness in the temporal quadrant where it was slightly thinner. The global RNFL thickness, mean macular thickness and the mean macular volume were 104.20 ± 23.12 μm, 266.39±42.12μm and 8.54±0.80 mm3 respectively inamblyopic eyes and 101.61±18.22 μm, 260.30±29.41 μm and 8.51±.87 mm3 in control eyes. The results were however statistically not significant. The RNFL parameters, the macular thickness and volume all were positively correlated with the spherical equivalent refractive error in the amblyopic eyes with statistically significant values. Conclusions: Amblyopia is not associated with a change in RNFL thickness, macular thickness or macular volume in Unilateral or Bilateral amblyopia. These OCT parameters were seen to positively correlate with the mean spherical equivalent refractive error in amblyopic eyes.