Fixational eye movement may diagnose amblyopia effectively

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute have found that fixational eye movement (FEM) may be a useful indicator of amblyopia, a vision condition that affects one eye more than the other. Amblyopia and strabismus, a condition where the eyes do not align properly, cause unique patterns in eye movement that differ from individuals with normal vision. FEM consists of tiny, involuntary eye movements that help maintain focus on an object. In healthy individuals, these movements are symmetrical in both eyes and remain consistent from childhood to adulthood. However, those with amblyopia or strabismus show discrepancies between their eyes, indicating a problem. Dr. Fatema Ghasia, a pediatric ophthalmologist, emphasizes the importance of understanding normal FEM to better identify issues in patients with vision problems. Her research highlights that children with amblyopia demonstrate greater fixation instability in one eye compared to the other. Stability improves as they grow older. In her study, Dr. Ghasia and her team examined the eye movements of 68 individuals without eye disease. They found that children exhibited more fixation instability compared to adults. This study used advanced eye-tracking technology to measure how the eyes responded under various conditions. The findings suggest that when using both eyes, individuals have better fixation and visual performance. In those with amblyopia or strabismus, the eye with a problem displays more instability than the healthy eye. Dr. Ghasia believes these differences could serve as a biomarker for detecting amblyopia, providing an easier and more reliable assessment method than traditional vision tests. She is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the diagnosis of eye conditions by analyzing eye movements.