Results of amblyopia therapy in unilateral organic ocular abnormalities

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the visual results of amblyopic therapy in pediatric patients with monocular abnormalities. The hospital records of visually immature patients with unilateral organic ocular abnormalities and decreased visual acuity, who presented to the pediatric ophthalmology clinic over a one year period, were reviewed. Those who had 8 years old of age or less and underwent amblyopic treatment included in the study. Amblyopia was defined as visual acuity difference of more than 2 lines between the two eyes, absence of central fixation or fixation with inability to maintenance. Amblyopic treatment had been performed using full time occlusion method for one month and then reevaluation of the patient. Twenty patients [8 males and 12 females] with the mean age of 4 +/- 3.12 years [range 1 to 8 years] were included in the study and were followed for a mean of 6 years [range 2 to 8 years]. No patient was excluded from the study due to loss of follow-up. Among those who were able to read the chart [16 patients], the visual acuity increased from 3 meters counting fingers [range 1 to 5 meters counting fingers] before treatment to 4/10 [range 2/10 to 6/10] in last visit [P<0.01]. In 4 remaining eyes visual acuity increased from central to steady or steady and maintenance. A trial of full-time occlusion for visually immature patients with decreased visual acuity associated with unilateral organic ocular abnormalities specially traumatic or surgical injuries is recommended