NATURAL-HISTORY OF INFANTILE ANISOMETROPIA

Aims/background-In a previous study longitudinal changes of anisometro pia were investigated. It was shown that anisometropia arises and vani shes during the emmetropisation process and that the associated risk f or amblyopia is low. The aim of this study was to follow acuity and re fraction longitudinally in children with marked anisometropia at 1 yea r of age. Methods-Refractive errors and visual acuity were estimated e very sixth month for a selected group of 20 children with marked aniso metropia greater than or equal to 3.0 D (spherical equivalent) at 1 ye ar of age from approximately 3 to 10 years of age. Results-The childre n could be classified into three groups. In six subjects the anisometr opia increased (mean 1.4 D) and they all developed amblyopia. The rema ining children could be classified into two groups of equal size. One group developed no amblyopia and the anisometropia decreased with a me an of 3.0 D. The seven remaining children developed amblyopia and/or s trabismus; the mean anisometropia decrease was 1.2 D. Conclusion-Aniso metropia at 1 year of age that is larger or equal to 3.0 D will in 90% of the cases still be there at 10 years of age. There is a substantia l risk of this group developing amblyopia (60%).