Hope Through Research: Amblyopia & Strabismus

The earlier amblyopia is detected, the more effective the treatment. RPB support is improving screening rates and identifying effective screening methods for young children. For people with strabismus, RPB researchers are investigating improved surgical methods, alternatives to surgery and advanced imaging methods to aid in diagnosis and management of the condition.

Amblyopia

Improvements in detection rates and screening methods of young children:

• Photoscreening (a technique using pictures of the retina) proves accurate in detecting possible amblyopia (Abstract)
• Photoscreening by trained lay volunteers helps detect amblyopia in preschool children  (Abstract)
• New handheld pediatric vision screening device identifies eye misalignment  (Abstract)
• Early treatment of near and far vision may slow ambylopia (Abstract)

RPB WALT AND LILY DISNEY AWARDS FOR AMBLYOPIA RESEARCH

The RPB Walt and Lilly Disney Award for Amblyopia Research, created through a pledge from The Walt and Lilly Disney Foundation, provides funds to respected ophthalmic scientists for research into improved detection, treatment or cures for amblyopia, a condition that usually develops in children before they can speak, making it particularly difficult to detect.

Since its inception, in 2002, the Award has been given to:

Advances in understanding the causes and progress of strabismus: 

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identifies link between strabismus and retinal detachment surgery (Abstract)
• MRI identifies problem areas in nerves of the brain, aiding diagnosis of an adult form of strabismus (Abstract)
• New tests monitor severity of double vision and the ability to detect differences in distance (Abstract 1, Abstract  2)

Developments in surgical techniques:

• New wound closure technique eliminates sutures (Abstract)
• Combined removal and movement of extraocular muscles improves treatment for strabismic patients with variable eye misalignment (Abstract)
• Laser refractive surgery corrects near and far vision in children unwilling or unable to wear glasses (Abstract)

Discoveries of drugs to reduce surgery dependency:

• Strengthening underacting extraocular muscles using therapeutic doses of natural proteins and toxins helps align eyes (Abstract 1, Abstract 2, Abstract 3)

An RPB-supported study revealed that children whose eyes diverge (a form of strabismus called exotropia) may be three times more likely to develop a psychiatric disorder.