Optic disc measurements using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph in amblyopia

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of optic disc parameters in amblyopic eyes in which retinal involvement is uncertain. METHODS: A total of 44 patients with a history of unilateral amblyopia (27 patients with persistent amblyopia and 17 patients with resolved amblyopia) were examined using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) II. Parameters examined included disc area, cup area, cup volume, rim area, rim volume, cup-to-disc area ratio, and mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. RESULTS: In patients with persistent amblyopia, the amblyopic eyes were significantly more hyperopic than the fellow eyes. In the HRT parameters, there were no significant differences between the amblyopic and fellow eyes. In addition, after adjusting for refraction, the presence of strabismus, and the disc area, there was no significant difference in any HRT parameter between the amblyopic eyes of patients with persistent amblyopia and the previously amblyopic eyes of patients with resolved amblyopia. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find any strong evidence for the deformity of the optic disc of amblyopic eyes.