Which type of uncorrected refractive error would have the greatest tendency to lead to amblyopia?

Study for the OptoPrep National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam success!

The correct answer is based on the understanding of how significant refractive error can lead to amblyopia, particularly in a developing visual system. Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, often occurs when there is a lack of clear visual input to one eye during critical developmental periods in early childhood.

In this case, the scenario describes a four-year-old boy with a significantly high refractive error in one eye, specifically OD (right eye) with +6.00 DS, indicating a strong hyperopia, while the OS (left eye) has only +1.50 DS, which is a much lower level of hyperopia. The difference in refractive status between the two eyes creates a disparity in visual clarity. The right eye, being much more hyperopic, is predisposed not to be used adequately, as the brain favors the clearer image from the left eye. This is particularly concerning in young children, where prolonged use of one eye over the other can lead to amblyopia in the eye that is not used as much.

The large amount of hyperopia in the right eye means that accommodations and efforts at focusing may be overwhelmed, leading to suppressed vision in that eye, thereby promoting amblyopia. While other options do present varying

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