Outcome of occlusion treatment for strabismic amblyopia in children below 12 years old age

ABSTRACT

The aim of our study was to determine the related clinical factors affecting the outcome of occlusion treatment for Strabismic Amblyopia in Qatari children. This is a retrospective descriptive study. The study included 38 Qatari children with strabismic amblyopia who were treated with occlusion therapy. The survey was conducted among the Qatari children below 12 years of age during a 10 year period from 1 992-2002. During this study period, 23 girls and 15 boys were treated for strabismic amblyopia. A total of 38 Qatari children were treated during the 10 year period. Of these children, 39.5% were males and 60.5% females. After the treatment, it is found that their final visual acuity improved. 73.7% achieved 6/9 or more and 26.3% achieved less than 6/9. The initial visual acuity, the presence of anisometropia and compliance were found to be related to the outcome of amblyopia treatment. The age at the start of treatment was found unrelated to the outcome. It was further discovered that most vision loss from amblyopia can be reversed with the correct intervention. The results of the present study indicated that the main factors affecting the treatment of strabismic amblyopia are initial visual acuity, presence of anisometropia and compliance