Effects of Solitary Part-time Occlusion for the Treatment of Monocular Amblyopia Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess in monocular amblyopia patients the effectiveness of solitary part-time occlusion in overcoming the disadvantages of full-time occlusion. METHODS: Forty monocular amblyopia patients, aged from 3 to 8 years, who had more than 0.7 in visual acuity of the sound eye and more than 2 lines in binocular difference of visual acuity, were treated only with part-time occlusion for 6 hours per day. Patients were classified into three age groups 3~4 years, 5~6 years, and 7~8 years. We compared best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and binocular difference of visual acuity, before and after 6-hour patching. We also compared the difference at the end of patching with that at the last follow-up visit. RESULTS: BCVA and binocular difference of visual acuity were significantly improved (p<0.001). Average duration of occlusion was 15.4 +/- 13.0 months (9~55months). Thirty-two of 40 patients had less than 2 lines of binocular difference of visual acuity after patching. Visual acuity of each age group was also significantly improved but there was no difference in the degree of improvement or the duration of occlusion among the three age groups. It was also maintained well until the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of amblyopia patients, solitary, 6-hour, part-time occlusion revealed effective improvement of BCVA and good maintenance of the improvement.