The 10-diopter base-down fixation test for amblyopia: comparison of techniques.

Two techniques for performing the 10-diopter base-down fixation test were used in 44 patients, and the fixation-pattern responses were compared to determine whether they showed any significant differences. The two techniques elicited the same responses in most cases. A comparison of fixation pattern and visual acuity showed that for most of the patients with equal visual acuity or documented amblyopia an accurate diagnosis could be made with the 10-D base-down fixation test. However, for most of the patients with borderline amblyopia the test either overdiagnosed or underdiagnosed the visual status.