Abstract
Purpose :
The purpose was to assess visual acuity, binocular vision, higher order executive function (selective and divided attention), and functional ability (fine motor skills and reading speed) in participants with and without anisometropic amblyopia. In addition, to determine if visual acuity and binocular function influence the functional outcome measures. The hypothesise was that as for amblyopic children, adults will also exhibit reduced performance on visual attention and visual search tasks.
Methods :
20 adults with anisometropic amblyopia (mean age= 22±3.9 yr) and 10 adults with normal visual development (26.8±4.4 years; controls) participated. Vision assessment included refraction, visual acuity (monocular and binocular) and binocular function (BF) (Worth 4 Dot and Randot Preschool Stereo test). Fine motor skills and reading speed were tested by Bruninks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP) and International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) respectively. Visual attention and processing speeds were assessed using the three subtests of the Useful Field of View (UFOV): central processing, divided attention, and selective attention. Visuo-cognitive search proficiency was measured using static and dynamic presentations of the Trail Making Tests (TMTs), parts A and B, with increasing levels of executive function demand. All participants performed these functional tasks binocularly.
Results :
Amblyopes showed a mean VA of 0.51(0.25) logMAR in the amblyopic eye. They exhibited slower reading performance (124±40 wpm) and slower completion time in TMT searches (Trail A - 58±24secs, Trail B- 73±28secs) as compared to controls (reading speed:159±34 wpm; TMT: Trail A- 43±4sec, Trail B- 53±8sec) (p<0.05). They also performed significantly poorer than control subjects on the fine motor skills subitems (for example, making dots in a circle, transferring pennies and sorting cards) (p<0.01). VA in the amblyopic eye was a significant predictor of UFOV performance (F(2,17)= 2.82, p=0.03). Both VA and BF score were significant predictors of TMT [VA: (F(2,17)=3.559, VA: p=0.048, BF score: p=0.03].
Conclusions :
Adults with anisometropic amblyopia exhibited reduced performance on fine motor skills, reading speed, visual attention and visual search compared to control participants. These findings have implications for understanding the impact of amblyopia on everyday function in adults.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.