Amblyopia and Visual Acuity Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What condition can cause amblyopia if left uncorrected?

Myopia

Presbyopia

Hyperopia

Astigmatism greater than 1 diopter (correct)

Which of the following statements about amblyopia is true?

Amblyopia is commonly caused by uncorrected hyperopia.

Amblyopia can be bilateral. (correct)

Amblyopia can only be unilateral.

Amblyopia results from an organic lesion.

In the diagnosis of amblyopia, what indicates a significant difference in visual acuity?

A difference of one Snellen line

A difference of two Snellen lines or more in best corrected visual acuity (correct)

A difference of three Snellen lines

A difference of less than one Snellen line

Which factor does NOT contribute to the development of amblyopia?

Normal vision during infancy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of amplyopia in young children?

Uncorrected astigmatism greater than 1 diopter Signup and view all the answers

What does high visual acuity indicate?

Presence of more than one visual line Signup and view all the answers

In the context of amblyopia, how does visual acuity typically differ when reading single letters versus letters in a row?

Better with single letters Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding visual acuity in amblyopia?

It is usually better with isolated letters Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by the inability to improve visual acuity despite correction?

Amblyopia Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to the measurement of visual acuity?

Number of letters on the line Signup and view all the answers

What is the usual duration of the sensitive period for improving vision in an amblyopic eye?

7-8 years Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the most effective method for treating amblyopia?

Occlusion of the normal eye Signup and view all the answers

In cases of asymmetric amblyopia, how does the sensitive period differ compared to symmetric amblyopia?

It can extend into adolescence Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of occluding the normal eye in the treatment of amblyopia?

To encourage the weaker eye to improve Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is crucial for optimizing treatment of amblyopia?

Starting treatment before the age of 7 Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario is the visual acuity of an amblyopic eye most likely to improve?

During the sensitive period up to 7–8 years in strabismic amblyopia Signup and view all the answers

What should be done before starting treatment for amblyopia?

Conduct a thorough examination of the fundi to check for organic diseases Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the phenomenon of crowding?

It is a phenomenon more marked in amblyopes than in normal individuals Signup and view all the answers

What may indicate a trial of patching in a patient with amblyopia?

The presence of both organic disease and amblyopia Signup and view all the answers

For anisometropic amblyopia, how long can the sensitive period extend for improving acuity?

Into the teens if good binocular function is present Signup and view all the answers

What factor determines whether the treatment regimen is fulltime or part-time?

The age of the patient Signup and view all the answers

What is the most effective treatment for amblyopia according to the information?

Covering the normal eye Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the age of the patient and the improvement of amblyopia?

Younger patients show a more rapid improvement Signup and view all the answers

What risk increases with younger patients undergoing treatment for amblyopia?

Risk of inducing amblyopia in the normal eye Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding the treatment of amblyopia?

All patients respond to treatment at the same rate. Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of weekend installation for children going to school?

It may cause fewer psychological issues. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of therapies involving video games?

Improving unilateral vision Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key advantages of using video games in therapy?

They help in avoiding dissociation. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the promise of video game therapies?

They provide opportunities for higher compliance. Signup and view all the answers

How does weekend installation compare to patching in terms of social effects?

Patching yields fewer social problems. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Strabismus and Amblyopia

Strabismus is a condition where the eyes do not look in the same direction.
Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a decrease in vision in one eye that is caused by vision deprivation or abnormal binocular interaction. It can be unilateral (in one eye) or rarely bilateral (in both eyes).
Corrected visual acuity is decreased, there is no identifiable pathology of the eye or visual pathway.

Classification of Amblyopia

Strabismic amblyopia: Results from continued monocular suppression of the deviating eye due to abnormal binocular interaction.
Anisometropic amblyopia: Caused by a difference in refractive error between the eyes (as little as 1 diopter). The eye with more refraction error receives a blurry image. Frequently associated with microstrabismus and may co-exist with strabismic amblyopia.
Stimulus deprivation amblyopia: Results from vision deprivation. Can be unilateral or bilateral. Usually caused by opacities in the media (e.g., cataract) or ptosis (drooping eyelid) that covers the pupil.

Bilateral Ametropic Amblyopia

Results from high symmetrical refractive errors, usually hypermetropia (long-sightedness).

Meridional Amblyopia

Results from image blur in one meridian.
Can be unilateral or bilateral.
Caused by uncorrected astigmatism (usually >1 diopter) persisting beyond the period of emmetropization during early childhood.

Diagnosis

In the absence of an organic lesion, a difference in best-corrected visual acuity (VA) suggests amblyopia.

Signs and Symptoms of Amblyopia

VA of two or more Snellen lines is indicative of amblyopia.
In amblyopia, single letters are usually better read than letters in a row (crowding). This phenomenon is more marked in amblyopes compared to normal individuals.

Treatment

Fundus examination is crucial to rule out any organic disease before starting amblyopia treatment.
Occlusion (patching) of the normal eye is the most effective method to encourage the use of the amblyopic eye.
Treatment regimen (full or part-time) depends on the age of the patient and the severity of amblyopia.
The younger the patient, the more rapid the possible improvement but higher the risk of inducing amblyopia in the normal eye. Therefore, monitoring visual acuity regularly is crucial.
Shorter duration of treatments is needed if the start-VA is better.
No improvement after 6 months of effective occlusion suggests further treatment is unlikely to be useful.

Alternative Method: Penalization

Blurs the vision of the normal eye with atropine.
More effective for mild-moderate amblyopia (6/24 or better).
Especially useful when amblyopia is due to anisometropic hypermetropia (uneven long-sight).
Patch occlusion is more likely to produce faster results than atropine.

Penalization Advantages

Difficult to resist even when children object
Creates less psychosocial issues compared to patching, especially for school-going children.

New Technologies

Therapies involving video games are characterized by higher compliance, avoiding dissociation, and optimizing binocularity.

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Description

Test your knowledge on amblyopia, its causes, and the factors affecting visual acuity. This quiz covers key concepts related to the diagnosis, treatment, and characteristics of amblyopia. Perfect for students and professionals interested in eye health and vision science.