Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: We recently developed a novel abbreviated version of the MNREAD test and reported similar reading speeds with the abbreviated and standardized protocols. Assessing everyday function of an amblyopic eye, such as reading speed, is important for assessing potential consequences of amblyopia, particularly since the lifetime risk of severe vision loss in the sound eye is between 0.2% and 3.3%. We therefore compared reading speeds in eyes with residual amblyopia and fellow normal eyes. Methods: 12 children ages 8 to 16 years with unilateral residual amblyopia, having undergone previous treatment, were tested with the abbreviated MNREAD test. Using our abbreviated protocol, all children read three large paragraphs (logMAR 1.0, 0.9, 0.8). The reading speed was calculated as the median speed obtained reading each of the three paragraphs. Each eye was tested separately, using the second MNREAD card for the left eye. Results: Distance visual acuity ranged from 0.3 to 0.9 logMAR in amblyopic eyes and –0.1 to 0.1 logMAR in sound eyes with an intraocular difference of 2 to 9 logMAR lines. The median reading speed of the sound eye was greater than the amblyopic eye, 143.2 words per minute [wpm] (quartiles 91.9, 206.9) vs. 104.4 wpm (quartiles 62.9, 149.3, p=0.001, Wilcoxon signed–rank). Conclusions: Amblyopia impacts more than visual acuity alone. Despite treatment, reading speed in amblyopic eyes is reduced compared to sound eyes. Such a difference may be more indicative of the true morbidity of amblyopia and may have public health implications, particularly if the sound eye subsequently suffers loss of vision. Further studies should be directed at the relationship of initial and final amblyopic eye acuity to reading speed and function.
Keywords: amblyopia • reading