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Andaluz-Scher LE, Farhat OJ, Ness PJ, Simon JW. Late Recurrence of Anisometropic Amblyopia. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2024; 61:e11-e12. [PMID: 38306235 DOI: 10.3928/01913913-20231214-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
A 15-year-old boy whose anisometropic amblyopia was effectively treated with glasses was examined. Despite years of stability, his visual acuity decreased from 20/20 to 20/60 with poor glasses compliance. Although amblyopia recurrence is well recognized, this case emphasizes potential late recurrence after prolonged success. Fortunately, he improved to 20/20 after improved compliance. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(1):e11-e12.].
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Jia Y, Liu J, Ye Q, Zhang S, Feng L, Xu Z, Zhuang Y, He Y, Zhou Y, Chen X, Yao Y, Jiang R, Thompson B, Li J. Factors predicting regression of visual acuity following successful treatment of anisometropic amblyopia. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1013136. [PMID: 36388932 PMCID: PMC9659723 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1013136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify factors associated with visual acuity regression following successful treatment of anisometropic amblyopia. Design and method This was a retrospective cohort study. Database records for 100 and 61 children with anisometropic amblyopia who met at least one criterion for successful treatment proposed by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) and had at least 1 year of follow-up data available after the criterion was met were analyzed. The study sample was split into two groups, those who regressed within 1 year of successful treatment (no longer met any of the PEDIG criteria for successful treatment) and those who did not. A two-step analysis involving a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and a logistic regression were used to identify predictor variables for increased risk of regression. A broad range of clinical, perceptual, and demographic variables were included in the analyses. Results Sixty-eight (42.5%) children regressed within 1 year of successful treatment. Among the 27 predictor variables considered within the statistical modeling process, the three most important for predicting treatment regression were the extent of amblyopic eye visual acuity improvement, age at first hospital visit and sex. Specifically, lower risk of regression was associated with larger amblyopic eye visual acuity improvement with treatment, younger age at initiation of treatment and female sex. Conclusion Patients who received treatment at a younger age and responded well to treatment had a lower risk of treatment regression. This pattern of results suggests that early detection of amblyopia and strategies that enhance treatment adherence may reduce the risk of treatment regression. The higher risk of regression in boys than girls that we observed may reflect known sex differences in brain development and /or sex differences in environment within our sample of children from South China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingqing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shenglan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zixuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yijing Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunsi He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yusong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rengang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Benjamin Thompson
| | - Jinrong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jinrong Li
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Shah S, Shah M, Purohit A, Khanguda V. Perceptual learning with hand - eye coordination as an effective tool for managing amblyopia: A prospective study. Indian J Ophthalmol 2022; 70:3630-3633. [PMID: 36190061 PMCID: PMC9789846 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_852_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Amblyopia is a serious condition resulting in monocular impairment of vision. Although traditional treatment improves vision, we attempted to explore the results of perceptual learning in this study. Methods This prospective cohort study included all patients with amblyopia who were subjected to perceptual learning. The presenting data on vision, stereopsis and contrast sensitivity were documented in a pretested online format, and the pre- and post-treatment information was compared using descriptive, cross-tabulation and comparative methods on SPSS 2.2. The mean values were obtained, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The cohort consisted of 47 patients (23 females and 24 males) with a mean age of 14.11 ± 7.13 years. A statistically significant improvement was detected in visual acuity after the perceptual learning session, and the median follow-up period was 17 days. Also, significant improvements were observed in stereopsis but not in the visual outcomes among the age groups. Conclusion Perceptual learning with hand-eye coordination is an effective method for managing amblyopia. This approach can improve vision in all age groups. However, visual improvement is significantly influenced by ocular alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehul Shah
- Drashti Netralaya, Dahod, Gujarat, India,Correspondence to: Dr. Mehul Shah, Drashti Netralaya, Chakalia Road, Dahod, Gujarat, India. E-mail:
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Long-Term Efficacy of the Combination of Active Vision Therapy and Occlusion in Children with Strabismic and Anisometropic Amblyopia. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9071012. [PMID: 35883996 PMCID: PMC9315543 DOI: 10.3390/children9071012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the combined treatment of occlusion and active vision therapy in a total of 27 amblyopic children, including 14 strabismic and 13 anisometropic cases. For such purpose, changes in distance and near visual acuity as well as in the binocular function was evaluated during a two-year follow-up. In both amblyopia groups, significant improvements were found in distance and near visual acuity in the non-dominant eye (p < 0.001). In the strabismic amblyopia group, the percentage of patients with binocular function score (BF) > 3.3 decreased significantly from a baseline value of 64.3% to a two-year follow-up value of 7.1% (p < 0.001). In the anisometropic amblyopia group, this percentage also decreased significantly from a baseline value of 15.4% to a two-year follow-up value of 0.0% (p < 0.001). No recurrences were observed in the anisometropic amblyopia group, whereas recurrence occurred in two cases of the strabismic amblyopia group after finishing the vision rehabilitation process. In conclusion, the combined approach of the treatment evaluated is efficacious for providing an improvement in visual acuity and binocular function in both anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia, which was maintained over time.
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Scaramuzzi M, Murray J, Nucci P, Shaikh AG, Ghasia FF. Fixational eye movements abnormalities and rate of visual acuity and stereoacuity improvement with part time patching. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1217. [PMID: 33441575 PMCID: PMC7806581 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79077-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Residual amblyopia is seen in 40% of amblyopic patients treated with part-time patching. Amblyopic patients with infantile onset strabismus or anisometropia can develop fusion maldevelopment nystagmus syndrome (FMNS). The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of presence of FMNS and clinical subtype of amblyopia on visual acuity and stereo-acuity improvement in children treated with part-time patching. Forty amblyopic children who had fixation eye movement recordings and at least 12 months of follow-up after initiating part-time patching were included. We classified amblyopic subjects per the fixational eye movements characteristics into those without any nystagmus, those with FMNS and patients with nystagmus without any structural anomalies that do not meet the criteria of FMNS or idiopathic infantile nystagmus. We also classified the patients per the clinical type of amblyopia. Patching was continued until amblyopia was resolved or no visual acuity improvement was noted at two consecutive visits. Children with anisometropic amblyopia and without FMNS have a faster improvement and plateaued sooner. Regression was only seen in patients with strabismic/mixed amblyopia particularly those with FMNS. Patients with FMNS had improvement in visual acuity but poor stereopsis with part-time patching and required longer duration of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Scaramuzzi
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- DISCCO, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Jordan Murray
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Aasef G Shaikh
- Daroff-Dell'Osso Ocular Motility Laboratory, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Fatema F Ghasia
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Stimulus deprivation amblyopia (SDA) develops due to an obstruction to the passage of light secondary to a condition such as cataract. The obstruction prevents formation of a clear image on the retina. SDA can be resistant to treatment, leading to poor visual prognosis. SDA probably constitutes less than 3% of all amblyopia cases, although precise estimates of prevalence are unknown. In high-income countries, most people present under the age of one year; in low- to middle-income countries, people are likely to be older at the time of presentation. The mainstay of treatment is correction of the obstruction (e.g., removal of the cataract) and then occlusion of the better-seeing eye, but regimens vary, can be difficult to execute, and traditionally are believed to lead to disappointing results. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of occlusion therapy for SDA in an attempt to establish realistic treatment outcomes and to examine evidence of any dose-response effect and assess the effect of the duration, severity, and causative factor on the size and direction of the treatment effect. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL (2018, Issue 12), which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register; Ovid MEDLINE; Embase.com; and five other databases. We used no date or language restrictions in the electronic searches. We last searched the databases on 12 December 2018. SELECTION CRITERIA We planned to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials of participants with unilateral SDA with visual acuity worse than 0.2 LogMAR or equivalent. We specified no restrictions for inclusion based upon age, gender, ethnicity, comorbidities, medication use, or the number of participants. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methodology. MAIN RESULTS We identified no trials that met the inclusion criteria specified in the protocol for this review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence from RCTs or quasi-randomized trials on the effectiveness of any treatment for SDA. RCTs are needed in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of occlusion, duration of treatment, level of vision that can be realistically achieved, effects of age at onset and magnitude of visual defect, optimum occlusion regimen, and factors associated with satisfactory and unsatisfactory outcomes with the use of various interventions for SDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Antonio‐Santos
- Hauenstein Neurosciences, Mercy Health Saint Mary's245 Cherry Street SESuite 204Grand RapidsMichiganUSA49503
| | - S Swaroop Vedula
- Johns Hopkins University3400 N. Charles StreetBaltimoreMarylandUSA21218
| | - Sarah R Hatt
- Mayo ClinicDepartment of OphthalmologyGuggenheim 9200 1st St. SWRochesterMinnesotaUSA55905
| | - Christine Powell
- Royal Victoria InfirmaryDepartment of OphthalmologyClaremont WingQueen Victoria RoadNewcastle upon TyneUKNE1 4LP
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Gopal SKS, Kelkar J, Kelkar A, Pandit A. Simplified updates on the pathophysiology and recent developments in the treatment of amblyopia: A review. Indian J Ophthalmol 2020; 67:1392-1399. [PMID: 31436180 PMCID: PMC6727694 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_11_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amblyopia is the most common cause of monocular visual impairment affecting 2-5% of the general population. Amblyopia is a developmental cortical disorder of the visual pathway essentially due to abnormal visual stimulus, reaching the binocular cortical cells, which may be multivariate. Ganglion cells are of two types: parvocellular (P cells) and magnocellular (M cells); they are the first step where the light energy is converted in to neural impulse. P cells are involved in fine visual acuity, fine stereopsis, and color vision and M cells are involved in gross stereopsis and movement recognition. Strabismus, refractive error, cataract, and ptosis, occurring during critical period are highly amblyogenic. The critical period extends from birth to 7--8 years. The earlier the clinically significant refractive error and strabismus are detected and treated, the greater the likelihood of preventing amblyopia. Treatment for amblyopia in children includes: optical correction of significant refractive errors, patching, pharmacological treatment, and alternative therapies which include: vision therapy, binocular therapy, and liquid crystal display eyeglasses are newer treatment modalities for amblyopia. Age of starting the treatment is not predictive of outcome, instituting treatment on detection and early detection plays a role in achieving better outcomes. This review aims to give a simplified update on amblyopia, which will be of use to a clinician, in understanding the pathophysiology of the complex condition. We also share the cortical aspects of amblyopia and give recent developments in the treatment of amblyopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santhan K S Gopal
- Kamala Nethralaya Eye Clinic and Surgical Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Jai Kelkar
- National Institute of Ophthalmology, Maharashtra, India
| | - Aditya Kelkar
- National Institute of Ophthalmology, Maharashtra, India
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The treatment of amblyopia: current practice and emerging trends. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019; 257:1061-1078. [DOI: 10.1007/s00417-019-04254-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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Refractive adaptation and efficacy of occlusion therapy in untreated amblyopic patients aged 12 to 40 years. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018; 257:379-389. [DOI: 10.1007/s00417-018-4170-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Nassar MM, Mitchell FC. The Need for a Unified Protocol for Termination of Amblyopia Treatment. Br Ir Orthopt J 2018; 14:20-24. [PMID: 32999960 PMCID: PMC7510402 DOI: 10.22599/bioj.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Many authors have investigated the methodology and outcomes of amblyopia treatment. However, the evidence on termination of treatment, specifically referring to the stability of visual outcome and timing of reviewing patients after treatment ends, has received less interest with no agreement on risk factors of visual regression. Purpose: To study the final part of amblyopia service with particular emphasis to stability of visual outcome; efficacy and timing of follow up after treatment ends. Methods: A retrospective review of patients discharged following treatment for strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia. Exclusion criteria were ocular pathology, poor attendance or poor compliance. Collected data included: age at the start of treatment, type and duration of treatment, number of visits, visual acuity (at start and end). Additionally, we analysed the duration and number of visits after stopping treatment, final visual acuity at discharge and duration of treatment with minimal change in vision. Results: Thirty-nine patients were identified with a mean age 4.2 ± 1.7SD years. Patients had an average of 116.6 ± 13.9SD visits over 30.5 ± 21.5SD months. Of these, 71.8% had occlusion only and 28.2% in combination with atropine. All but three patients had improved vision, with mean letters gained 13.2 ± 8.7SD LogMAR. The improvement in vision was statistically significant p < 0.005 and patients were further followed without treatment for 10 ± 13.5SD months over 5.2 ± 6.6SD visits. The mean final vision at discharge was not significantly different from vision at termination (p = 0.68) and we found no significant recurrence. Conclusion: Amblyopia treatment is effective; however, there is inconsistency in many aspects of ending treatment. Further improvement is needed to standardise care from termination of treatment up to discharge from service.
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Maconachie GDE, Gottlob I. The challenges of amblyopia treatment. Biomed J 2016; 38:510-6. [PMID: 27013450 PMCID: PMC6138377 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of amblyopia, particularly anisometropic (difference in refractive correction) and/or strabismic (turn of one eye) amblyopia has long been a challenge for many clinicians. Achieving optimum outcomes, where the amblyopic eye reaches a visual acuity similar to the fellow eye, is often impossible in many patients. Part of this challenge has resulted from a previous lack of scientific evidence for amblyopia treatment that was highlight by a systematic review by Snowdon et al. in 1998. Since this review, a number of publications have revealed new findings in the treatment of amblyopia. This includes the finding that less intensive occlusion treatments can be successful in treating amblyopia. A relationship between adherence to treatment and visual acuity has also been established and has been shown to be influenced by the use of intervention material. In addition, there is growing evidence of that a period of glasses wearing only can significantly improve visual acuity alone without any other modes of treatment. This review article reports findings since the Snowdon's report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail D E Maconachie
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, RKSCB, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Irene Gottlob
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, RKSCB, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK.
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12
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Stimulus deprivation amblyopia (SDA) develops due to an obstruction to the passage of light secondary to a condition such as cataract. The obstruction prevents formation of a clear image on the retina. SDA can be resistant to treatment, leading to poor visual prognosis. SDA probably constitutes less than 3% of all amblyopia cases, although precise estimates of prevalence are unknown. In developed countries, most patients present under the age of one year; in less developed parts of the world patients are likely to be older at the time of presentation. The mainstay of treatment is removal of the cataract and then occlusion of the better-seeing eye, but regimens vary, can be difficult to execute, and traditionally are believed to lead to disappointing results. OBJECTIVES Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of occlusion therapy for SDA in an attempt to establish realistic treatment outcomes. Where data were available, we also planned to examine evidence of any dose response effect and to assess the effect of the duration, severity, and causative factor on the size and direction of the treatment effect. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register) (The Cochrane Library 2013, Issue 9), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE (January 1946 to October 2013), EMBASE (January 1980 to October 2013), the Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) (January 1982 to October 2013), PubMed (January 1946 to October 2013), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com ), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 28 October 2013. SELECTION CRITERIA We planned to include randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials of participants with unilateral SDA with visual acuity worse than 0.2 LogMAR or equivalent. We did not specify any restrictions for inclusion based upon age, gender, ethnicity, co-morbidities, medication use, or the number of participants. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed study abstracts identified by the electronic searches. MAIN RESULTS We did not identify any trials that met the inclusion criteria specified in the protocol for this review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence on the effectiveness of any treatment for SDA. Future randomized controlled trials are needed in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of occlusion, duration of treatment, level of vision that can be realistically achieved, effects of age at onset and magnitude of visual defect, optimum occlusion regimen, and factors associated with satisfactory and unsatisfactory outcomes with the use of various interventions for SDA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah R Hatt
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christine Powell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Evans BJW, Yu CS, Massa E, Mathews JE. Randomised controlled trial of intermittent photic stimulation for treating amblyopia in older children and adults. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011; 31:56-68. [PMID: 21158885 DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2010.00801.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of amblyopia is reviewed and it is noted that in addition to conventional 'passive treatment' in children with occlusion, it has been argued that 'active treatment' may be effective in older children and adults. Intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) is one such active treatment. In Study 1, we report a clinical audit of 21 patients treated with IPS, which demonstrated that the maximum improvement is reached after 6 half hour sessions. Study 2 is a double-masked randomised controlled trial comparing IPS with a control treatment in 30 participants aged 10-57 years. Using a sensitive staircase measure of visual acuity (VA), the IPS group improved by about one line (p = 0.0053). The mean improvement was significantly greater (unpaired t-test, p = 0.022) in the IPS group (mean 0.096; S.E.M. 0.029) than in the control group (mean 0.019; S.E.M. 0.022). The improvement occurred in participants with strabismic amblyopia, but not in those with anisometropic amblyopia. Follow up data after about 1 year showed that VA had regressed to pre-treatment levels. The results are discussed within the context of another development in active amblyopia therapy, perceptual learning. The literature on this therapy reveals improvements in VA of about 2.5 lines in older children and adults with anisometropic amblyopia. It is concluded that perceptual learning is likely a better treatment option than IPS for anisometropic amblyopes, and probably also for strabismic amblyopes although a randomised controlled trial is required. It is noted that the existence of effective treatments for adults does not detract from the need to treat amblyopia in younger children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce J W Evans
- Neville Chappell Research Clinic, Institute of Optometry, London, UK.
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