Amblyopia Workup

  • Author: Kimberly G Yen, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 18, 2012
 

Imaging Studies

If suspicion exists of an organic cause for decreased vision and the ocular examination is normal, then further investigations into retinal or optic nerve causes should be initiated. Studies to perform include imaging of the visual system through CT scan, MRI, and fluorescein angiography to assess the retina.

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Other Tests

Although differences in the electrophysiologic responses of normal eyes versus amblyopic eyes have been reported, these techniques remain investigational and the differences are controversial.

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Procedures

See Physical.

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Histologic Findings

Histologic studies of the lateral geniculate nucleus in kittens with deprivation amblyopia have shown that cells receiving input from the deprived eye were shrunken and atrophied, while cells receiving input from the nondeprived eye were expanded.

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Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Kimberly G Yen, MD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine

Kimberly G Yen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Gerhard W Cibis, MD  Clinical Professor, Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas School of Medicine

Gerhard W Cibis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Ophthalmological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

J James Rowsey, MD  Former Director of Corneal Services, St Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute

J James Rowsey, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Medical Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Florida Medical Association, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, Sigma Xi, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Ryan I Huffman, MD, with the literature review and referencing for this article.

References

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