Unilateral lateral rectus recession is an effective surgery for intermittent exotropia in young children.

BACKGROUND: Different surgical methods have been suggested for the correction of intermittent exotropia. Unilateral lateral rectus recession has been described as a surgical alternative for small and moderate-angle exotropia. In general, previous studies did not focus on the outcomes of unilateral lateral rectus recession in young children with intermittent exotropia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcomes of unilateral lateral rectus recession in the treatment of moderate-angle exotropia (≤ 25 PD (prism diopters)) in children. METHODS: The charts of all patients younger than 12 years of age with moderate-angle exotropia (up to 25 PD) who were operated during the years 2006-2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-eight patients underwent unilateral lateral rectus recession and had a minimum follow up of 6 months. The angle of exotropia (PD) before and after surgery and the success rate were documented. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 6.4 ± 1.9 (range 3.5-11.0) years. Exotropia improved from a preoperative angle of 21.4 ± 4.0 PD to 3.5 ± 5.9 PD postoperatively (p < 0.001). Success rate, defined as deviation of ≤ 10 PD, was achieved in 86.2%. There were 2 (3.4%) cases of overcorrection (consecutive esotropia). There were no intra- or postoperative complications. The mean follow-up duration after surgery was 2.3 ± 1.7 years. CONCLUSIONS: In children with moderate angle exotropia, good postoperative success rate was achieved by performing unilateral lateral rectus recession.

Retinopathy of prematurity in discordant twins: is the small twin at increased risk?

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of birth weight (BW) independent of gestational age (GA) on Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm discordant twins. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 45 preterm twin pairs born at < 34 weeks of gestation with BW discordance of ≥ 20%. The twin pairs were divided into two groups based on BW - small or large. Rates of ROP, stage, treatment, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Other neonatal outcomes related to prematurity were also compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean gestation age at delivery was 31.1 weeks of gestation. The rate of ROP was significantly higher among the smaller twins compared to the larger twins (8.9% vs 0% respectively, p = 0.04). All smaller twins with ROP had stage 2 disease, and all cases of ROP had resolved without treatment. Regarding neonatal morbidities, the smaller twins had longer hospitalization length (53.8 vs 39.4 days respectively, p < 0.01) and a higher rate of hypoglycemia (55.6% vs 24.4% respectively, p = 0.003), whereas the larger twins were more commonly affected by respiratory distress syndrome (59.1% vs 26.7% respectively, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The rate of ROP was higher among the small twins in preterm discordant twins. This may indicate that low BW rather than early GA is the main factor contributing to the development of ROP.

Challenging Management of Double Vision After Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery-A Series of 6 Cases.

PURPOSE: To present 6 cases of orbital trauma, diplopia and strabismus after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. METHODS: The medical charts of suitable patients were reviewed for information on medical examination, imaging studies, the type of corrective surgery, and surgical outcomes. STUDY POPULATION: All patients with diplopia and strabismus after undergoing FESS who were treated or consulted at our institution between 2008 and 2017 were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence and extent of strabismus and double vision at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: Six patients complained of diplopia after FESS; all of them had proven orbital trauma. In Cases 1-5, patients suffered medial rectus (MR) muscle transection and subsequent exotropia. Their prognosis was guarded despite prompt surgical intervention, and ranged from large exotropia when direct recovery of the MR was attempted, to primary gaze orthotropia but with minimal adduction capacity, during which vertical recti transposition was attempted. Patient 6 sustained transient diplopia, although all of his extraocular muscles appeared intact on imaging. His eye position and movement were completely resolved with conservative measures only. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience was that immediate recovery procedures to reattach the muscle in cases with proven transection of the MR muscle are futile, and that definitive corrective strabismus surgery (ie, vertical muscle transposition) has a better chance to achieve favorable results.

Measurement of Axial Length in an Office Setting Versus Under General Anesthesia in Infants and Toddlers: A Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: To examine whether axial length measurement in awake infants and toddlers is feasible, and whether there is a difference in axial length measurement between an office setting and under general anesthesia. METHODS: This prospective comparative case study was conducted at the Goldschleger Eye Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Israel. Using the same instruments, axial length measurements were obtained using a standard applanation technique twice: once in an office setting when the infant/toddler was awake and once under general anesthesia in the operating room. A paired t test was used to test for differences between measurements. RESULTS: Thirty-three eyes of 19 participants younger than 28 months were examined; 24 (73%) eyes had cataracts and the remainder had clear lenses. One child was excluded from the study due to lack of cooperation during axial length measurement in the office setting and another due to the lengthy gap between measurements. Of the remaining 31 children, the average age was 9 months. Average axial length measurements were shorter by 0.12 mm in the office setting than under general anesthesia (P = .14). No adverse effects were observed after axial length measurements in the office setting. CONCLUSIONS: Axial length measurement in an office setting is generally reasonable to obtain. The results showed no significant difference in the axial length measured in the two settings.

How crowding, masking, and contour interactions are related: A developmental approach.

Young children are characterized by poor visual performances. Visual crowding, lateral interactions, and contour detection are critical functions for visual perception, context effect, and recognition that develop over the years up to maturity. The age at which the maturation's onset of the functions can be observed and the functions' underlying neural basis remain unclear. Here we used a development approach to investigate the onset of the foveal visual functions in order to learn about their neuronal basis and their relationships. We measured lateral interactions, crowding, and contour integration in participants aged 3-15 years. The results show that very young children do not exhibit collinear facilitation; rather, their vision is dominated by suppression and a high degree of crowding. Our results show sequential changes in the visual functions in parallel with the development of facilitation-that is, a significant reduction in crowding and an improved contour detection threshold. Our data suggest that the correlation between the onset age of maturation of collinear facilitation with crowding reduction and improvement of contour integration has underlying mutual neuronal mechanisms.

The effect of oral propranolol on intraocular pressure in infants with Sturge-Weber syndrome glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To report the effect of oral propranolol on intraocular pressure (IOP) in infants newly diagnosed with unilateral Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) glaucoma receiving no other treatment. METHODS: This was a prospective, nonrandomized interventional case series. Four infants presenting with unilateral SWS glaucoma with no prior treatment were treated with oral propranolol at a dose of 2 mg/kg and followed thereafter. RESULTS: Propranolol had a temporary IOP-lowering effect in 3 of 4 children after 1 week of treatment. This effect diminished thereafter and 3 of 4 children required additional medical or surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Oral propranolol has a temporary effect on IOP in SWS glaucoma and is not effective as a single treatment in this syndrome, yet can serve to delay surgical treatment for a short period of time. In one case, the glaucoma was well-controlled on this medication.

Secondary membrane formation after cataract surgery with primary intraocular lens implantation in children.

To evaluate the risk factors for secondary membrane (SM) formation after congenital cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. A retrospective non-interventional comparative study. Thirty-nine patients (63 eyes) aged 1-135 months. The study included patients who underwent cataract extraction and primary IOL implantation between 1994 and 2001 at the University Hospital. The postoperative follow-up was 6-24 months. Thirty-three eyes received a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOL without square edges, 29 eyes received a hydrophobic acrylic IOL with truncated square edges (AcrySof), and there was no data for IOL type in one eye. Thirty-nine eyes had primary posterior capsulotomy (PPC) and anterior vitrectomy (AV) and in 24 eyes the posterior capsule was left intact. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors for SM formation, and Wilcoxon test to evaluate the difference in time from surgery to SM formation. SM developed in 24 eyes (38 %)--58 % of eyes with an intact posterior capsule and 26 % of eyes having PPC and AV, 42 % of eyes with a PMMA IOL, and 34 % of eyes with an AcrySof lens. In multivariate Cox regression analysis intraoperative PPC and AV (P = 0.02) and AcrySof lens implantation (P = 0.097) were associated with decreased postoperative incidence of SM formation. Median time until SM development was 2.9 months with PMMA IOLs (range 1-17 months) and 6 months with AcrySof lenses (range 1-21.8 months) (P = 0.037). Posterior capsule management as well as IOL design and material influence the incidence and the timing of SM formation after primary IOL implantation in children.

The possible association of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with undiagnosed refractive errors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with undiagnosed refractive errors or binocular function difficulties. METHODS: In this case-control study, ADD/ADHD children diagnosed according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR), along with age-matched controls, were examined at the ADD clinic at the Sheba Medical Center. For children in both groups the following data were recorded: uncorrected visual acuity for distance and near, cycloplegic refraction, ocular motility, and binocular function. RESULTS: A total of 56 children (12 girls; mean subject age, 9.5 years) were included in the ADD/ADHD group. The control group comprised 66 patients (29 girls; mean subject age, 9 years). Mean uncorrected visual acuity was nearly 20/20 for distance and J1 for near in both groups. Cycloplegic spherical equivalent was +0.89 ± 1.1 D for the control group and +0.63 ± 0.89 D for the ADD/ADHD group (P = 0.16). Binocular function and accommodation were similar in both groups, except for a significant difference between the near point of convergence of the controls versus the ADD/ADHD group (5.3 ± 2.3 cm versus 4.1 ± 1.8 cm, respectively; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: ADD/ADHD children had similar visual acuity at distance and near and refractive errors as normal subjects. Binocular function and accommodation were also found to be similar in both groups and thus might not contribute to ADD/ADHD.

Congenital ptosis repair-surgical, cosmetic, and functional outcome: a report of 162 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical and functional outcome of congenital ptosis repair and the anisometropic changes after surgical repair of ptosis to determine the potential contribution of anisometropia to the development of refractive amblyopia. METHODS: The clinical records of 162 children with congenital ptosis that had been surgically repaired between 1995 and 2006 at the Goldschleger Eye Institute were reviewed and analyzed for functional and cosmetic outcome, visual acuity status, and presence of amblyopia. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients (mean age, 10 months) underwent surgical ptosis repair, of whom 120 (74%) had unilateral and 42 (26%) had bilateral ptosis. The surgeries were levator resection (47.5%), frontalis suspension (46.3%), and Fasanella-Servat (7.4%). Good functional and cosmetic outcomes were achieved in 130 (80.2%) patients, with unilateral cases showing more postoperative asymmetry. The reoperation rate was 10.4% (8/77) for levator resection, 29.3% (22/75) for frontalis suspension, and 20% (2/10) for Fasanella-Servat. There were no significant differences in visual acuity, spherical equivalent, or mean cylinder at 90° between the ptotic eyes before and after surgery (P = 0.33, P = 0.83, and P = 0.65, respectively), and compared with the sound eyes (P = 0.66, P = 0.78, and P = 0.08, respectively). The mean astigmatism correction by vector analysis after ptosis surgery was 1.1±0.68 D. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital ptosis repair yields good functional and cosmetic outcome, although the reoperation rate is relatively high (19.8%). Congenital unilateral ptosis was not associated with any differences in anisometropia or astigmatism between the ptotic and sound eye.

Results of congenital cataract surgery with and without intraocular lens implantation in infants and children.

BACKGROUND: Operations for congenital cataract in children in the past had resulted in aphakia. Improvement in surgical tools and techniques as well as in intraocular lens (IOL) implantation has led to correction of the aphakia by IOL implantation. We report the outcome of cataract surgery with and without IOL on these children in our institution between 1991-2008. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of all children who underwent surgery for congenital cataract were reviewed. The final study group included 144 children (218 eyes). Postoperative visual acuity (VA) was tested either by Teller Acuity Cards (in preverbal children) or by the Snellen chart. Data on VA status and postoperative complications were retrieved. RESULTS: Patients with bilateral cataract had better postoperative VA than patients with unilateral cataract (logMAR 0.559 ± 0.455 vs. 0.919 ± 0.685, respectively, P < 0.001). Children who underwent IOL implantation had better postoperative VA than those who did not, but the type of surgery had no significant effect after correction for the child's age at surgery (P = 0.346). Secondary cataract occurred more frequently in the extra-capsular cataract extraction (ECCE) + IOL implantation group than in the ECCE only group (20.6 % vs. 8.3 %, respectively, P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with bilateral cataract had better postoperative VA compared with those with unilateral cataract. The type of surgery had no effect on final VA, but there was a higher rate of secondary cataract in the ECCE + IOL patients compared to the ECCE only patients.

Abnormal vertical angle kappa caused by ectopic fovea.

Abnormal angle kappa simulating strabismus has been described in cases of structural retinal disorders, such as retinopathy of prematurity, familial exudative vitroretinopathy, and retinochoroidal scars. We report a patient with abnormal vertical angle kappa caused by ectopic fovea and in the absence of any other identifiable eye disorder.

Avastin treatment reduces retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of one intraperitoneal (IP) injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) on the severity of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) in a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight eyes of 14 mice with OIR were studied. There were nine mice in the bevacizumab-treated group (study group) and five mice in the saline-treated group (controls). The mouse OIR model consisted of a 5-day exposure to 75% oxygen. On postnatal day 12 (P12), Avastin 2.5 mg/kg was administered IP to the study group and 2.5 mg/kg normal saline was administered IP to the controls. All 14 mice underwent fluorescein angiography of the retinal vasculature on P17 and the following parameters were scored (Modified Retinopathy Scoring System, MRSS): blood vessel growth, formation of blood vessel tufts, extraretinal neovascularization, degree of central constriction, and tortuosity of vessels. In addition, the neovascular vessels were quantified on the hematoxylin and eosin (H&S)-stained paraffin sections of the eyes in a masked fashion. RESULTS: The MRSS score in the Avastin-treated mice was significantly lower than that of the saline-treated mice (3.06 ± 1.63 versus 7.1 ± 2.01, respectively, p = 0.0021). The neovascularization count was also significantly lower in the study group (3.44 ± 1.81 versus 9.34 ± 3.23 for the controls, p = 0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: IP Avastin treatment reduced the extent of oxygen-induced retinopathy in a mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity.

Fibrinoid reaction after lens extraction in rabbit eyes.

PURPOSE: To measure the inflammatory reaction in the anterior chamber after lens extraction in a rabbit model and to evaluate the effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroids on the amount of inflammation as measured by fibrinogen levels in the aqueous humor. SETTING: Animal laboratory, Goldschleger Research Institute, Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel. DESIGN: Experimental study. MATERIALS: Twenty-six eyes of New Zealand white rabbits had lens extraction surgery. One day later, aqueous humor (∼0.1 mL) was withdrawn from the anterior chamber and examined for fibrinogen concentration. Control rabbits received no treatment (9 eyes) or artificial tear eyedrops (5 eyes). One study group received NSAID drops (diclofenac) (6 eyes), and another study group received steroid drops (dexamethasone-neomycin) (6 eyes). All rabbits were treated hourly for 9 applications. Aqueous humor (∼0.1 mL) was withdrawn from the anterior chamber and examined for fibrinogen concentration 1 day later. Fibrinogen levels were also measured in the aqueous in 8 unoperated eyes. RESULTS: Steroid-treated eyes achieved the lowest inflammatory score, followed by NSAID eyes, artificial tears eyes, and untreated eyes. The mean fibrinogen concentrations in the aqueous humor were 69.1 mg% untreated, 52.0 mg% artificial tears, 18.5 mg% NSAIDs, and 2.8 mg% steroids (P=.002). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of aqueous fibrinogen after lens extraction surgery in a rabbit animal model was simple and provided a useful parameter for precise evaluation of postoperative intraocular reaction. Steroids and NSAIDs were effective in reducing postoperative inflammation. Steroids reduced inflammation to almost undetectable values. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Long-term results of esotropia surgery in children with developmental delay.

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term results of esotropia surgery in children with developmental delay who were operated on with reduced surgical dosages. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of children with developmental delay who had undergone surgery for esotropia during a 16-year period. The pre- and postoperative angle of deviation was calculated for each subject as the mean of distant and near angles measured by a cover test or the Krimsky measurement. The main outcome measure was surgical success, categorized as esotropia or exotropia of ≤ 10(Δ). RESULTS: The chart review identified 24 children who met inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 2.8 ± 2.5 years (range, 0.8-10 years). The mean angle of preoperative esotropia was 49.8(Δ) ± 13.3(Δ). All patients had bilateral medial rectus muscle recessions, with a mean surgical dosage of 5.1 ± 0.7 mm per muscle, on average 0.75 mm less than the standard amount. The average postoperative follow-up was 5.3 ± 3 years (range, 1-13 years). Surgical success was achieved in 9 of 24 children (37.5%) after one operation. Among the 15 failures, 10 (66.6%) were undercorrected, and 5 (33.3%) developed consecutive exotropia. Of these, 8 (53%) agreed to a second procedure. The overall surgical success rate for all patients after all procedures was 63%. CONCLUSIONS: Although the initial success rate is low with reduced surgical amounts in children with developmental delays, and some children become exotropic on long-term follow-up, satisfactory results may be achieved with additional procedures.

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection versus incision and curettage for primary chalazia: a prospective, randomized study.

PURPOSE: To compare treatment outcomes of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection with incision and curettage (I&C) for primary chalazia. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Institutional. STUDY POPULATION: Ninety-four patients with primary chalazia after failed conservative treatment were randomized to either intralesional TA injection (4 mg) or I&C performed under local anesthesia. All patients underwent comprehensive eye examinations that included digital photography of the lesion. Complete resolution was defined as lesion regression of 95% to 100%. Treatment was considered a failure if no resolution was achieved after the first attempted I&C or TA injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lesion resolution measured as 95% to 100% regression. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients participated in the study: 42 underwent I&C and 52 underwent TA injection as the first treatment. Complete resolution was achieved in 33 (79%) of 42 patients in the I&C group and in 42 (81%) of 52 patients in the TA group (P=.8, chi-square analysis). The average time to resolution in the TA group was 5 days, with most patients (48/52; 92%) having received a single injection and 4 (8%) of 52 patients having received 2 injections. TA precipitates were detected in 6 (11.5%) of 52 patients and resolved spontaneously. There were no complications, such as eyelid depigmentation, increased intraocular pressure, or any loss of vision, in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional TA injection is as effective as I&C in primary chalazia. Injection may be considered as an alternative first-line treatment in cases where diagnosis is straightforward and no biopsy is required.

Reduction in astigmatism using propranolol as first-line therapy for periocular capillary hemangioma.

PURPOSE: To examine the shift in astigmatic error following the use of oral propranolol as first-line treatment for periocular capillary hemangioma. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. METHODS: study population: Three healthy infants (1 male) clinically diagnosed with periocular capillary hemangioma. Cycloplegic refraction measurements were obtained at presentation. After a comprehensive clinical evaluation, oral propranolol therapy was starting with a loading dose and titrated up to 2 mg/kg/day under monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose alterations. Clinical follow-up and repeating cycloplegic refraction measurements were undertaken at the 1-week and 1- and 3-month follow-up visits. INTERVENTION: Oral propranolol therapy for infants diagnosed with periocular capillary hemangioma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Astigmatic refractive errors before and after propranolol treatment. RESULTS: The infants' mean age at the initiation of propranolol therapy was 6.3 months (range: 3.0-8.0 months). A rapid therapeutic effect was noticed in all cases, including a major change in lesion size and color. No complications were recorded during or following treatment. The mean astigmatic error decreased from 2.83 diopters before propranolol treatment to 1.33 diopters after 1 month of treatment. The drug was well tolerated by all 3 patients and no side effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Infants can benefit from a rapid, meaningful reduction in periocular capillary hemangioma-induced astigmatism following oral propranolol treatment. Propranolol seems to be an effective and safe drug, which can be used as a steroid-sparing first-line treatment modality in this patient population.

Moderate-angle exotropia: a comparison of unilateral and bilateral rectus muscle recession.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical outcome of unilateral lateral rectus recession and bilateral lateral rectus recession in moderate-angle exotropia (< or = 30 prism diopters [PD]). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of all patients with moderate-angle exotropia (30 PD) who were operated on during the years 1993 to 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-nine patients underwent unilateral lateral rectus recession (group 1) and 27 patients underwent bilateral lateral rectus recession (group 2). RESULTS: Exotropia improved an average of 9.4 +/- 7.1 PD in group 1 and 15.5 +/- 10.6 PD in group 2 (P < .05, independent samples Student's t test). The success rate, defined as deviation of 10 PD or less, was achieved in 69% of patients in group 1 and 74% of patients in group 2 (P = .67, chi-square). No postoperative complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: Similar postoperative success rates were achieved with unilateral lateral rectus recession and bilateral lateral rectus recession.

Retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight infants and the potential protective role of indomethacin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical features of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and examine the effect of indomethacin on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of all VLBW infants over a 4-year period were reviewed. Data regarding systemic and ophthalmic examinations were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-seven infants with ROP were evaluated. Most infants had bilateral stage 1 or 2 disease extending 5 clock hours. Infants with ROP had younger mean gestational age, had lower gestational weight, and demonstrated higher incidence of diseases of prematurity. These infants were exposed to increased doses of surfactant and higher oxygen concentration for a prolonged duration given their immature pulmonary status. Independent predictors of ROP susceptibility also included length of hospitalization and Apgar score at 5 minutes. Patent ductus arteriosus was more common among infants with ROP. Approximately half of the infants who received one or two doses of indomethacin had ROP, but the ROP rate was decreased in infants who received three doses. CONCLUSION: Premature infants with younger gestational age, lower gestational weight, and severe morbidities were found to have an increased prevalence of ROP. Indomethacin treatment for patent ductus arteriosus may have a protective role in the development of severe ROP.

Treating amblyopia with liquid crystal glasses: a pilot study.

PURPOSE. To evaluate the use of liquid crystal glasses (LCG) for the treatment of amblyopia caused by refractive errors, strabismus, or both. METHODS. In this noncomparative, prospective, interventional case series, 28 children (age range, 4-7.8 years) with monocular amblyopia participated, of which 24 completed the study. In the LCG, the occluding and nonoccluding phases of the flicker were electronically set in all patients at a fixed rate. The rate was set so that accumulated occlusion was 5 hours during 8 hours' weartime. Occlusion was applied only to the good eye. All 24 children were followed up regularly for 9 months. Best corrected VA for distance and near, fixation patterns, and binocular function were measured. VA for distance was measured with the Snellen chart and for near with the Rossano/Weiss chart. RESULTS. Mean VA for distance at the end of the study (after 9 months) was 0.59 (SD, 0.16) compared with 0.27 (SD, 0.09) at the beginning (P < 0.001). Most of the children (92%) complied well with the treatment. (Good compliance was defined as wearing the LCG for at least 8 hours per day.) Stereopsis at the end of treatment was good (better than 60 sec arc) in 21% of the children compared with 8% at the beginning. No serious adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS. The use of LCG in patients with amblyopia yielded an improvement in near and distance VA and in stereopsis. Treatment was well accepted by children and parents.