Comparison of macular thickness in children with functional moderate and severe amblyopia and those without amblyopia, to respond the question that if OCT Can be used as a diagnostic tool in amblyopia or not?

This case control study was conducted on 84 four to ten years old children, 42 with unilateral moderate and severe amblyopia and 42 without amblyopia. Amblyopic eyes were considered as case group and their fellow eyes as internal control and eyes of non-amblyopic children as external control. NFL thickness of all eyes in these groups were measured by OCT in center , 1mm ring (fovea ),3 and 6 mm rings to compared with each other.

Center thickness was significantly increased in the amblyopic eyes compared to internal and external controls (p<0/001). Foveal thickness was significantly increased in the amblyopic eyes compared to internal (p= 0/005) and external controls (p=0/012). Center point and fovea thickness difference exceeding 10 or 20 microns between cases , eyes was detected more in amblyopic children as compared to non-amblyopic controls .

Center and foveal thickness in amblyopic eyes were more than normal eyes that it can be due to lack of macular development in amblyopic eyes .Therefore using of OCT in moderate to severe amblyopia as an auxiliary diagnostic tool is recommended.