The Clinical Characteristics of Amblyopia in Children Under 17 Years of Age in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE: To provide the clinical characteristics of amblyopia in children under 17 years of age in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional hospital-based, included 121 children with amblyopia aged between 3 and 17 years, referred from 6 hospitals in Qassim region to the paediatric optometry clinic at Qassim University medical city. Demographics and comprehensive ocular examination including visual acuity (VA), assessment of anterior and posterior segment, cycloplegic refraction (RE), angle of deviation, and cause of amblyopia were collected. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis of amblyopia was 8.93 ± 3.67 years. The leading cause of amblyopia was strabismus and anisometropia shared the same percentage at 29.75%, and the combined-mechanism at 18.18%. Amblyopia was more common in males 57.85%, particularly strabismic amblyopia in 66.67% and anisometropic amblyopia in 61.11%, p = 0.408. Amblyopia was more predominant in the age group 6- to 9-year-old, particularly, strabismic amblyopia 44.44%, and amblyopia due to a combined mechanism of 36.36%, p = 0.066. The degree of hyperopia was not varied by the cause of amblyopia (P = 0.401), with slightly high hyperopia found in ametropic and strabismic amblyopia. Conversely, hyperopic astigmatism was significantly associated with amblyopia P = 0.020, with a high degree of hyperopic astigmatism found in meridional amblyopia and ametropic amblyopia. CONCLUSION: The commonest types of amblyopia in children were attributed to strabismus and anisometropia. Causes of amblyopia differed by age group with strabismus, anisometropia, and combined mechanism accounting for most children aged 6- to 9-years and strabismus for children aged less than 6 years. Hyperopic and myopic astigmatism were significantly associated with anisometropia and meridional amblyopia. Therefore, efforts should be made for early diagnosis and management of childhood amblyopia and uncorrected refractive errors to avoid their impact on quality of life.