Wise to the World
Early ‘Photoscreenings’ for Amblyopia Improve Visual Outcomes
By Judith Riddle
Senior Editor
TESTING INFANTS AND TODDLERS for amblyopia before age 2, using a method called photoscreening that involves taking flash pictures of the eye, yields better treatment outcomes than waiting until preschool age to perform visual acuity screenings, according to a study1 in the April 2008 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
Researchers said children screened before age 2 who were diagnosed with amblyopia had significantly better visual acuity at age 6 than children tested later. Despite a similar level of risk factors for amblyopia, 95% of screened infants and toddlers had 20/40 vision after treatment, compared with 83% of those tested between the ages of 2 and 4, the study reported.
These results demonstrate the importance of discussing amblyopia screening and treatment options with parents of infants and toddlers. You also can use the photoscreening method to diagnose amblyogenic risk factors, such as strabismus, anisometropia, high refractive error and even cataracts, researchers said. You can read the abstract at snipurl.com/amblyopia.
Reference
1. Kirk VG, Clausen MM, Armitage MD, Arnold RW. Preverbal photoscreening for amblyogenic factors and outcomes in amblyopia treatment: early objective screening and visual acuities. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126:489-492.
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‘In Practice Series’ At Optometry's Meeting
IF YOU'RE HEADED TO the American Optometric Association's (AOA) 2008 Optometry's Meeting in Seattle June 26-27, make sure you register for the "New in Practice Series" of courses.
Expert optometrists will cover a wide range of topics geared specifically to students and O.D.s who've been in practice for 10 years or less, or who are changing practice settings.
Students must register onsite at the AOA registration desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Optometrists can pre-register online at optometrysmeeting.org/x4689.xml.
Free Brochure for Allergy Patients
AACHOO!! Allergy season is well under way. To help patients understand and manage ocular allergy, order the free brochure Eye Health and Allergies from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
The brochure offers useful information on common signs and symptoms, how ocular allergy develops and how it can be treated and prevented. In addition, the brochure includes strategies for contact lens wearers who have ocular allergies.
To order brochures, contact the AAFA at 1-800-727-8462 or e-mail your request to info@aafa.org.
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