Effectiveness of syntonic phototherapy in amblyopia in terms of improved visual acuity and contrast sensitivity

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v38i3.1355

Abstract

Purpose: To compare visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in different types of amblyopia and to see the effect of syntonic therapy on amblyopia in terms of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Study Design: A Quasi Experimental study Place and Duration of Study: A Qusai Experimental study was carried out from August 2021 to November 2021 at Madina Teaching Hospital Faisalabad.

Methods: A total of 30 patients of either gender and age from 8 to 18 years were included. There were 15 patients with anisometropic amblyopia and 15 with strabismic amblyopia. The patients were recruited through non-probability purposive sampling technique. All the patients underwent assessment of visual acuity with Log MAR chart and contrast sensitivity with Pelli-Robsonchart. Syntonic phototherapy with red filter glasses was prescribed for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, patients returned and underwent post-therapy assessment of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Paired sample t test and Independent sample t test was used with the help of IBM SPSS-23 to get a statistical result.

Results: Syntonic phototherapy showed significant improvement in mean visual acuity of 0.223 (p=0.00) and contrast sensitivity of -0.200 (p=0.00) in amblyopia. Anisometropic amblyopia showed better improvement in visual acuity (p=0.016) and contrast sensitivity (p=0.035) by syntonic phototherapy as compared to patients with strabismic amblyopia.

Conclusion: Significant improvement was seen in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in patients with amblyopia after syntonic phototherapy. Anisometropic amblyopia showed better improvement as compared to strabismic amblyopia, in terms of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.