Photoreceptor function in unilateral amblyopia

Abstract

We investigated whether photoreceptor function in amblyopic eyes differed from that in non-amblyopic eyes. Photoreceptor function was assessed with the optical Stiles-Crawford effect (SCE), psychophysical SCE, and foveal visual pigment density in both eyes of ten unilateral amblyopic subjects. Optical SCE and density measurements were carried out with a custom-built scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). Amblyopic and normal eyes did not differ in Stiles-Crawford effect, nor in foveal visual pigment density. Contrary to suggestions in the literature, we found no indication of retinal dysfunction at the level of the cone photoreceptors in amblyopic eyes.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Unilateral Amblyopia

“…31 Retinal involvement in strabismic and/or anisometropic amblyopia is controversial. [13][14][15][16][17] Electroretinograms elicited by patterned stimuli in humans with various types of amblyopia were significantly reduced. 13 The Stiles-Crawford effect or foveal visual pigment density, however, indicated no retinal dysfunction at the level of cone photoreceptors in amblyopic eyes.…”

“…Retinal involvement accompanying amblyopia is controversial. [13][14][15][16][17] During fetal development, there is a rapid decline in cell density in the retinal ganglion cell layer toward the end of gestation. In humans, the total population of cells in the ganglion cell layer is highest (2.2-2.5 million cells) between approximately weeks 18 and 30 of gestation.…”

Retinal nerve fibre layer and macular thickness in amblyopia as measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

“…Similar findings have been found in the lateral geniculate nucleus in human amblyopia 12 13. Retinal involvement in the amblyopic process is controversial: electroretinograms (ERG) were significantly reduced in one study14; other investigators did not observe this deficit 15. Lempert identified optic-disc hypolplasia associated with presumed amblyopia 16…”

Macular ultrastructural features in amblyopia using high-definition optical coherence tomography

“…Retinal involvement in the amblyopic process is controversial: early histological and electrophysiological studies were inconclusive 1 2. With the advent of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 1991, retinal structures could be visualised in vivo in high resolution without the artefacts encountered in histological preparations 3.…”