We examined the refractive characteristics and related factors of amblyopia in pediatric patients with limbal dermoids undergoing lamellar keratoscleroplasty. Forty-one children (mean age: 56.15 ± 22.47 months) were enrolled. Cycloplegic refraction, corneal topography, and anterior segment photography were performed. The corneal topographic and distribution characteristics of the refractive state were summarized, and the relationship between limbal dermoid invasion size and the refractive state was analyzed. The relationship between invasion size and amblyopia severity and the effect of clinical intervention at different times on amblyopia treatment were also analyzed. The spherical power distribution was −1.0−+10.75 D (average: +4.79 ± 3.09 D). The cylinder power was −1.25−−8.75 D (average: −4.19 ± 1.93 D). The axial range of astigmatism was 10−180° (average: 103.54 ± 58.16°). Equivalent spherical refraction was −3.88−+7.76 D (average: +2.70 ± 3.08 D). Twenty-five, fifteen, and one case had limboid dermoid invasion of the central circular zone (CCZ), paracentral annular zone (PCZ), and corneal limbus within 1 mm, respectively. Corneal topography of 39 patients showed flat, steep, and mean curvatures of 38.48 ± 2.12 D, 43.29 ± 1.97 D, and 40.70 ± 1.48 D, respectively. The mean astigmatism was 4.80 ± 2.93 D in the 3-mm optical region. Astigmatism was higher in CCZ than in PCZ invasion (p < 0.05). Postoperative visual acuity was positively correlated with patients’ age and amblyopia treatment duration (r = 0.392, p = 0.048; r = 0.488, p = 0.011), and was negatively correlated with astigmatism (r = −0.646, p < 0.001). High hyperopia and astigmatism are the dominant refractive errors in patients with limbal dermoids undergoing lamellar keratoscleroplasty.
Keywords: amblyopia; corneal topography; lamellar keratoscleroplasty; limbal dermoids; refractive error.