Question
A 7-year-old girl recently experienced a decline in vision, struggling to see clearly. After a hospital check-up, the doctor diagnosed her with strabismic amblyopia. What should be done after a child is diagnosed with amblyopia?
Answer
First, a thorough examination is necessary, as amblyopia does not require immediate surgery. The first step is to determine whether it is myopic, strabismic, or suppression-type amblyopia. A comprehensive examination using a phoropter is conducted in the hospital to confirm the strabismic type of amblyopia. The phoropter is an instrument used for detailed examinations. If glasses are worn, the degree of strabismus may increase, and some cases are due to accommodative strabismus. Do not rush into immediate surgery. Early surgery for some accommodative esotropia and intermittent exotropia may not necessarily be better. General anesthesia is required for pediatric surgeries, and the risk is usually low if there are no systemic diseases or colds.