Purpose:
To evaluate the final visual outcome of the children in the ERPAG study group who were treated with occlusion therapy for amblyopia.
Methods:
From July 2001 until December 2003, 303 newly diagnosed amblyopic children in The Hague were registered. Compliance was measured with the Occlusion Dose Monitor (ODM), 1 week every 3 months. All children received standard orthoptic care by the treating orthoptist. Visual acuity was assessed in children whose occlusion treatment was either ‘completed’ by the orthoptists or ‘terminated’ by the parents, and in children who had reached the age of six, using standard protocols. The independent research orthoptist tested the best corrected visual acuity using Landolt-C chart 17.2’ and 2.6’ inter-optotype distance.
Results:
In 203 (67%) children the final visual acuity in the amblyopic eye was assessed. Mean time interval between the end of treatment and the assessment of acuity in a standardized fashion was 5 months. Overall, mean acuity at treatment onset was 0.29 ± 0.59 logMAR; at re-assessment acuity was 0.20 ± 0.59 logMAR. Mean acuity in the amblyopic eye of children who were not occluded at all was 0.25 ± 0.55 logMAR. Figure 1 shows the relationship between acuity in the amblyopic eye and the level of compliance. There was no significant difference in mean acuity at treatment onset and mean age of the children for the 4 compliance categories (P=0.228; P=0.327, respectively).
Conclusions:
Despite low compliance, visual acuity in the amblyopic eye improved.
Clinical Trial:
www.clinicaltrials.gov ISRCTN54685764
Keywords: amblyopia • visual acuity