Abstract:

Objective To compare the thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and central fovea of macula between amblyopic eyes and non-amblyopic eyes in children with unilateral amblyopia. Methods Twenty-three children with unilateral amblyopia were selected, the thickness of RNFL around optic disk (superior, temporal, inferior and nasal quadrants) and mean thickness of RNFL were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), the mean thickness of central fovea of 1 mm in diameter and the smallest thickness of cental fovea of macula were examined, and the differences between amblyopic eyes and non-amblyopic eyes were compared. Results The thickness of RNFL in the temporal quadrant in amblyopic eyes was smaller than that in non-amblyopic eyes (t=-4.671，P=0.000 1), while there was no significant difference in the thickness of RNFL in the superior, inferior or nasal quadrants and the mean thickness of RNFL between amblyopic eyes and non-amblyopic eyes (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean thickness of fovea of 1 mm in diameter between amblyopic eyes and non-amblyopic eyes (t=0.082 3, P=0.935 1), while the smallest thickness in central fovea of macula in amblyopic eyes was smaller than that in non-amblyopic eyes (t=-2.371 0, P=0.026 9). Conclusion There exist differences in peripapillary RNFL and structure of macula between amblyopic eyes and non-amblyopic eyes in children with unilateral amblyopia.

Key words: amblyopia, optical coherence tomography, retinal nerve fiber layer, central fovea of macula