Dynamics of interocular suppression

1 August 2017 | Fiona Rowe (Prof) | EYE - Paediatrics, EYE - Strabismus

The main aim of this study was to determine the development of the depth of interocular suppression in the course of occlusion treatment in amblyopia as well as its correlation with changes in visual acuity. The authors investigated whether presence of strabismus has an effect on fluctuations in suppression and whether the intensity of treatment has a direct impact on changes in interocular suppression. Fifteen patients with a mean age of 10.24±3.09 years were assessed. Each had amblyopia and the Sbisa bar was used for the assessment of interocular suppression. The median depth of suppression was 83.05% (27-100) at treatment onset. There was no relation between age and suppression. Poorer visual acuity showed a more pronounced suppression but this was not significant. Presence of strabismus was significantly linked to poorer visual acuity but not to difference in depth of suppression. After one month of occlusion, 11/15 patients had a change in suppression to 95.68% (52.18-100) which was significant. Changes were not related to the presence of strabismus. However, there was a significant difference for age if over or under 11.5 years. With continued treatment, suppression showed a significant reduction back to initial values at treatment onset for those without strabismus but not for those with strabismus. Visual acuity significantly improved with occlusion.