Abstract
Presentation Description :
Recent research has sought to understand the Health Related Quality of Life implications of amblyopia and unmet patient needs from their unique perspective. Studies aiming to establish disease burden will be discussed, that describe the complex child and adult patient journeys through diagnosis and treatment. The clinical application involves critically reviewing the limitations of existing treatments, raising questions about potential harm outweighing benefits.
Amblyopia's impact goes far beyond the clinical measures typically employed, with significant limitations with current treatments. These limitations, including the challenges posed by home-based penalization therapy on patients and families, underscore the need for evolving treatments that not only enhance clinical vision outcomes but also minimize psychosocial impacts. Additionally, the talk explores evidence of amblyopia's impact beyond the primary visual pathway and includes recent investigations into higher order executive function tasks. The discussion evaluates the relative effectiveness of emerging treatments, emphasizing the importance of understanding deficits beyond the primary visual pathway in shaping these novel approaches.
Looking forward, as new treatments undergo clinical trials, there is a pressing need for comprehensive clinical outcome assessment tools that encompass the HRQoL benefits of interventions, aligning with best practices in clinical trials. These measures must capture the holistic impact of both the condition and its treatments, extending beyond standardized visual metrics. To inform the development of these tools, a conceptual model of amblyopia has been developed that encompasses the diverse factors influencing treatment success, including causes, co-morbid conditions, visual symptoms, secondary effects, treatment impacts, and adherence facilitators and barriers.
As clinicians, there is a compelling need to educate ourselves and families about amblyopia and strategies for maximizing adherence to treatment plans while minimizing the burdens associated with both the condition and its treatments. By comprehensively understanding amblyopia's multifaceted challenges, we can develop more effective, empathetic, and patient-centric approaches to address this complex condition.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.