Abstract

Background: Anisometropia is a common refractive error. It has been associated with an increased risk of developing amblyopia, a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. This study aimed to systematically review and pool the available evidence on the relationship between anisometropia and amblyopia.


Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Three main databases were searched for observational studies that addressed the association between anisometropia and the risk of developing amblyopia. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale.


Results: A total of 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis, with a combined sample size of 6,895 participants. Patients with any refractive error had a higher risk of developing amblyopia compared to those without refractive errors (P<0.05). However, the risk of developing amblyopia in patients with refractive errors of less than 1 diopter was relatively small (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.12).


Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence of a significant association between anisometropia and the risk of developing amblyopia. This highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of anisometropia as a potential strategy for preventing amblyopia.


Introduction

Amblyopia, or lazy eye, refers to the reduction of vision in one or both eyes without any ocular pathology1. This condition involves a decrease in best-corrected visual acuity in one or both eyes that is not related to any structural eye problems or visual pathway abnormalities2. The visual impairment caused by this disease can affect the visual cortex of the brain and disrupt cortical connections in various brain regions such as the frontal and parietal cortices during the critical period of brain development. This can lead to impairments in decision-making, response, and quality of life3. According to a meta-analysis study conducted in China in 2019, the prevalence of amblyopia was 1.44% globally: 1.09% in Asia, 2.44% in North America, and 2.90% in Europe. The highest prevalence was 3.29% in individuals over 20 years of age, with no gender differences. Based on that study, an estimated 99.2 million people worldwide are affected by amblyopia, which will increase to 175.2 million by 2030 and 221.9 million by 20404.

A systematic review study conducted in 2018 showed that the prevalence of this disease in Iran was 3.69%5. Another study conducted in Iran in 2018 indicated that the prevalence of amblyopia between 1990 and 2018 had decreased in the provinces of Hormozgan, Tehran, and Qom, but it increased in 13 other provinces6.

Anisometropia refers to the difference in refractive error between the two eyes, with a difference of equal to or greater than 1 diopter. The prevalence of anisometropia is less than 18% before the age of 40, and most studies show a prevalence of less than 10%. The prevalence of anisometropia appears to be age-dependent and higher in adults than in children. Mild anisometropia can be tolerated with special glasses, but degrees greater than 4 diopters are susceptible to progressing toward amblyopia7. According to a meta-analysis study conducted in 2018, the global prevalence of amblyopia was 1.75%8.

Recognizing the risk factors of amblyopia and timely prevention and treatment can prevent visual impairment and improve quality of life. Several studies have been conducted on the relationship between anisometropia and the risk of developing amblyopia. Some have shown a significant relationship between the two, whereas others have found no significant association. Since no comprehensive meta-analysis study has been conducted to determine the relationship between these two diseases, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between anisometropia and amblyopia through a systematic review and meta-analysis of similar studies.

Methods

This article presents a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to investigate the relationship between anisometropia and amblyopia. The systematic review methodology was developed using the checklist of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)9.

The study population included all patients with both amblyopia and anisometropia, without restrictions on age, gender, or race. Relevant studies on the relationship between anisometropia and the important risk factor of amblyopia were extracted from three main databases, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and PubMed, from their inception until February 2022. They were entered into the meta-analysis by related keywords including “anisometropia,” “amblyopia,” and “reflective error”. All observational studies (cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional) that addressed the relationship between amblyopia and anisometropia were included in this meta-analysis, regardless of language, time frame, or publication status. To identify additional potential studies of interest, the reference lists of the selected articles were evaluated. The inclusion criteria were all studies that mentioned the outcome of amblyopia and exposure to anisometropia. The exclusion criteria were qualitative studies, editorials, case reports, case series, and review studies.

The electronic data collection form was designed to extract the necessary data, including the first author’s name, year of publication, country, study type, patient occupational group, mean age of patients, study type, sample size in the intervention and control groups, diagnostic criteria for amblyopia, and odds ratio (OR) in both crude and adjusted forms. The data extraction was completed by two independent reviewers (SK and TM).

The methodological quality of the studies was assessed based on the Newcastle–Ottawa and Ottawa Statement guidelines. These guidelines include criteria for selecting study participants, comparability, and exposure and outcome considerations, with a maximum of nine stars assigned to each study. Studies with seven or more stars were considered high-quality studies, and studies with six or fewer stars were classified as low-quality studies. The possibility of bias in the study results was separately assessed by two researchers, and any disagreement was resolved through discussion.

The effect of anisometropia on amblyopia was expressed in terms of OR with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The I2 statistic was calculated to evaluate the heterogeneity among the studies. For all analyses, a random effect model was reported. Stata 14 software was used to analyze the data.

Figure 1 . Flowchart depicting the process of identifying, screening, and including studies for the systematic review and meta-analysis .

Table 1.

Characteristics of studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis

First Author Year Study-design Country Sample size Characteristics Magnitude of Anisometropia Adjusted OR (95%CI)
Leon et al . 10 2008 Retrospective observational study USA 974 Mean age: 3.7 year (Range: 0-6) 2-4D vs. 1-2D >4D vs. 2-4D - 2.13 (1.63, 2.78] 2.34 (1.67, 3.28]
Pai, Amy Shih-I et al . 11 2011 Population-based, cross-sectional study Australia 1422 30 to 72 months ≥ 1D age, gender, and ethnicity 27.82 (11.17-69.31)
Huynh et al . 12 2015 population based study Australia 1724 Mean age: 6.7±0.4 year Boys: 50.7% - worse eye refraction, multiple birth and strabismus 29.3 (8.7 to 99)
Borchert et al . 13 2009 Population-based, cross-sectional study USA 6024 Age: 6 to 72 months Race: Hispanic and African American children Spherical and cylindrical anisometropia (1.0 D) age, gender, and ethnicity Family amblyopia 3.5 (1.22–10.03 )
Ying, Gui-shuang et al . 14 2013 Multicenter, cross-sectional study USA 3728 3-5 year old ages SE: Any 0.25 D >0.25-0.5D >0.5, 0.75D >0.75-1.75D >1.75-12.3D - 3.34 (2.12–5.26) 0.78 (0.34-1.82) 1.52 (0.81–2.88) 4.89 (2.44-9.81) 11.5 (6.37-20.8) 41.7 (20.7-84.1)
Meng et al. 15 2020 A cross-sectional study China 1852 Age: 6.83 ± 0.46 SE ≥0 to <+0.50 D ≥+0.50 to<+1.00 D ≥+1.00 all the other refractive risk factors Ref 3.95 (1.44–10.79) 21.90 (8.24–58.18)
Mocanu et al . 16 2018 cross-sectional study Romania 1231 Age: 5-16 years Anisometropia - 119.2 (35–405.91)
Dan Huang et al . 17 2018 population-based cross-sectional, study China 1695 children aged 36–48 months SE anisometropia <1.00 ≥1.00 to <2.00 ≥2.0 other refractive risk factors Ref 2.87 (0.73 - 11.27) 5.87 (1.52 - 22.77)
Pascual, Maisie et al . 18 2013 Multicenter, cross-sectional study USA 3869 36-72 months of age 0.5 and <1.0D 1.0 and <2.0D >2.0D other refractive risk factors 1.65 (1.21-2.26) 4.26 (2.79-6.51) 9.16 (4.96-16.9)
Robaei 19 2006 population-based survey Australia 1740 mean age: 6.7 years (range, 5.5-8.4 years) Boys: 50.6% Anisometropia >1D 156 (64–382)
Chia et al . 20 2013 population-based cross-sectional Singapore 2015 Race: Chinese Age: 30–72 months >1D adjusting for age, sex, past admission to a NICU, socioeconomic factors, maternal age, prematurity and maternal smoking 20.65 (4.65- 91.75)
Afsari et al . 21 2014 population-based survey Australia 2090 aged 6–72 months SE anisometropia ≥1D ≥1.5D ≥2.0D Age 12.4 (4.0 to 38.4) 18.7 (4.1 to 84.5) 33.2 (6.32 to 179)
Gursoy et al . 22 2013 population-based cross-sectional Turkey 709 Age: 7-8 year Boys: 51% ≥1D - 6.32 (3–13.33)
Fu et al . 23 2013 cross-sectional study China 3112 Mean age: 7.1±0.4 years Anisometropia - 26.08 (10.93–62.21

Figure 2 . The association between refractive errors of any magnitude and the risk of developing amblyopia .

Figure 3 . The association between refractive errors less than one diopter and the risk of developing amblyopia .

Figure 4 . The association between refractive errors between one to two diopter and the risk of developing amblyopia .

Figure 5 . The association between refractive errors greater than one diopter and the risk of developing amblyopia .

Figure 6 . The association between refractive errors greater than two diopter and the risk of developing amblyopia .

Table 2.

The association between different degrees of refractive errors and the risk of developing amblyopia

Any diopter Less than one diopter Between one to two diopters Greater than one diopter Greater than two diopter
Crude OR 4.78 (0, 9.81) 1.66 (1.2, 2.12) 4.26 (2.4, 6.12) 10.44 ( 3.57, 23.93) 9.75 ( 4.57, 14.9)
Adjusted OR 3.38 (1.91, 4.86) 4.01 (0.25, 7.77) 6.81 (0, 6.12) 17.49 (6.28, 28.71) 20.82 ( 0, 49.28)
Overal OR 3.17 (1.87, 4.47) 1.63 (1.15, 2.09) 14.6 (5.99, 23.24) 14.62 (5.99, 23.24) 9.81 ( 5.08, 14.55)
n. of studies 6 4 3 5 6
I2 0.18 0.67 0.13 0.81 0.4

Results

In the initial search, a total of 3,840 articles were obtained. Of these, 3,621 were retrieved from the electronic databases up to February 2022, and 219 were identified through hand searching. Using EndNote software, 700 duplicate articles were detected and removed, and after screening the titles and abstracts, 2,824 articles that were not relevant to the objectives of this study were excluded. Consequently, 100 articles were selected for full-text review, of which 86 did not meet the inclusion criteria of this study and were excluded. Finally, 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis (Figure 1), which consisted of 40,963 participants in total. All were cross-sectional studies published in English.

Figure 2 shows the association between refractive errors of any magnitude and the risk of developing amblyopia. In patients with refractive errors of any magnitude, the risk of developing amblyopia was 3.17 times higher (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.87, 4.47). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between refractive errors of any magnitude and the risk of developing amblyopia was not significant in a crude analysis (OR: 4.78, 95% CI: 0, 9.81), but the results of the adjusted model showed a significant association (OR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.91, 4.86). This means that individuals with any refractive error had a 3.38 times greater chance of developing amblyopia compared to those without refractive errors, after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Figure 3 shows the association between refractive errors of less than 1 diopter and the risk of developing amblyopia. In patients with refractive errors of less than 1 diopter, the risk of developing amblyopia was 1.66 times higher (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.12). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between refractive errors of less than 1 diopter and the risk of developing amblyopia was not significant in a crude analysis (OR: 4.01, 95% CI: 0.25, 7.77), but the results of the adjusted model showed a significant association (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.15, 2.09). This means that individuals with refractive errors of zero to 1 diopter had a 1.623 times greater chance of developing amblyopia compared to those without refractive errors.

Figure 4 shows the association between refractive errors between one to two diopters and the risk of developing amblyopia. In patients with refractive errors of 1–2 diopters, the risk of developing amblyopia was 14.62 times higher (OR: 14.62, 95% CI: 5.99, 23.24). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between refractive errors of greater than 1 diopter and the risk of developing amblyopia was significant in a crude analysis (OR: 4.26, 95% CI: 2.4, 6.12), but the results of the adjusted model did not show a significant association (OR: 6.81, 95% CI: 0, 6.12).

Figure 5 shows the association between refractive errors greater than 1 diopter and the risk of developing amblyopia. In patients with refractive errors of greater than 1 diopter, the risk of developing amblyopia was 14.62 times higher (OR: 14.62, 95% CI: 5.99, 23.24). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between refractive errors of greater than 1 diopter and the risk of developing amblyopia was not significant in a crude analysis (OR: 10.44, 95% CI: 0, 23.93), but the results of the adjusted model showed a significant association (OR: 17.49, 95% CI: 6.28, 28.71).

Figure 6 shows the association between refractive errors of greater than 2 diopters and the risk of developing amblyopia. In patients with refractive errors of greater than 2 diopters, the risk of developing amblyopia was 9.81 times higher (OR: 9.81, 95% CI: 5.08, 14.55). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between refractive errors of greater than 2 diopters and the risk of developing amblyopia was significant in a crude analysis (OR: 9.75, 95% CI: 4.57, 14.9), but the results of the adjusted model did not show a significant association (OR: 20.82, 95% CI: 0, 49.28).

All the studies included in this meta-analysis were judged to be high-quality based on the NOS. The overall study results are presented in Table 2.

Discussion

In this review study, we examined the available evidence from epidemiological studies that had identified the association between anisometropia and the risk of developing amblyopia. This is the first such meta-analysis conducted, and the main findings suggest a significant association between refractive errors and the risk of developing amblyopia. Patients with any refractive error had a higher risk of developing amblyopia compared to those without refractive errors. However, the risk of developing amblyopia in patients with refractive errors of less than 1 diopter was relatively small.

The findings of this study will be useful in implementing various programs for preventing the development of amblyopia among children. Children with anisometropic-type amblyopia are usually diagnosed later than children with other types, likely because of the lack of significant physical abnormalities in these children, unlike those with strabismus who typically have an obvious problem that is easily diagnosed.

The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus has established certain criteria for diagnosing refractive errors that should be identified through preschool vision screening if they exceed 1.5 diopters24. However, these criteria are likely too strict since low levels of anisometropia do not seem to cause significant amblyopia in young children and are easily treatable. Therefore, a review is needed to recommend diagnosis only when the degree of anisometropia exceeds 2 diopters in children under 3 years of age since our study indicated no significant relationship between anisometropia and amblyopia at 1–2 diopters.

Infants may have a threshold of up to 3 diopters for developing anisometropic amblyopia, as shown by Abrahamsson and Sjöstrand25. By adopting a higher standard, the referral rate, false-positive rate, and overall cost of screening programs can be significantly reduced. Higher target levels may even be appropriate for field screenings that require a very high level of specificity. However, being overly sensitive to risk may result in some children with mild to moderate amblyopia not receiving treatment and progressing toward more severe levels, which can make final treatment more challenging and increase the likelihood of recurrence26.

Leon et al. conducted a retrospective study in the United States in 2008, which found a correlation between anisometropia and amblyopia. The study indicated that as the severity of anisometropia increased, the likelihood of developing amblyopia also increased. Specifically, the odds of developing amblyopia increased to 2.13 (95% CI: 1.63, 2.78) with 2–4 diopters and 2.34 (95% CI: 1.67, 3.2) with 4 diopters or greater, compared to 1–2 diopters. These findings are consistent with those of the present study and support the notion that an increase in the severity of anisometropia is associated with an increased risk of developing amblyopia10.

If anisometropia is identified and treated early, the likelihood of developing amblyopia decreases. Anisometropia should be screened regularly and in the early stages to identify it. If anisometropia is detected, using suitable glasses or lenses may be necessary to balance the stimulation between the two eyes and reduce the risk of developing amblyopia. In more severe cases, surgery may be required. Therefore, early identification and treatment of anisometropia can help prevent amblyopia and is essential for maintaining and improving children’s vision.

Some potential limitations of the study exist. First, the included studies may have differences in terms of patient characteristics and diagnostic criteria, which could result in heterogeneity in the results. Secondly, the study relied on the adjusted effect estimates reported in the included studies, but unmeasured confounding factors such as age group that were not considered in the analysis are possible.

Conclusion

Patients with anisometropia had a higher risk of developing amblyopia compared to those without anisometropia. This study highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of anisometropia as a potential strategy for preventing amblyopia.

Abbreviations

CI: Confidence interval, PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, OR: Odds ratio

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor of the Research and Technology from Hamadan University of Medical Sciences who financially supported the project (Research Id: 140010289091, Ethics code: IR.UMSHA.REC.1400.834).

Author’s contributions

All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

Hamadan University of Medical Sciences who financially supported the project (Research Id: 140010289091, Ethics code: IR.UMSHA.REC.1400.834).

Availability of data and materials

Data and materials used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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