Incidence of Glaucoma-Related Adverse Events in the First 5 Years After Pediatric Lensectomy.

Importance: Glaucoma can develop following cataract removal in children. Objective: To assess the cumulative incidence of glaucoma-related adverse events (defined as glaucoma or glaucoma suspect) and factors associated with risk of these adverse events in the first 5 years after lensectomy prior to 13 years of age. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used longitudinal registry data collected at enrollment and annually for 5 years from 45 institutional and 16 community sites. Participants were children aged 12 years or younger with at least 1 office visit after lensectomy from June 2012 to July 2015. Data were analyzed from February through December 2022. Exposures: Usual clinical care after lensectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes were cumulative incidence of glaucoma-related adverse events and baseline factors associated with risk of these adverse events. Results: The study included 810 children (1049 eyes); 443 eyes of 321 children (55% female; mean [SD] age, 0.89 [1.97] years) were aphakic after lensectomy, and 606 eyes of 489 children (53% male; mean [SD] age, 5.65 [3.32] years) were pseudophakic. The 5-year cumulative incidence of glaucoma-related adverse events was 29% (95% CI, 25%-34%) in 443 eyes with aphakia and 7% (95% CI, 5%-9%) in 606 eyes with pseudophakia; 7% (95% CI, 5%-10%) of aphakic eyes and 3% (95% CI, 2%-5%) of pseudophakic eyes were diagnosed as glaucoma suspect. Among aphakic eyes, a higher risk for glaucoma-related adverse events was associated with 4 of 8 factors, including age less than 3 months (vs ≥3 months: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.88; 99% CI, 1.57-5.23), abnormal anterior segment (vs normal: aHR, 2.88; 99% CI, 1.56-5.30), intraoperative complications at time of lensectomy (vs none; aHR, 2.25; 99% CI, 1.04-4.87), and bilaterality (vs unilaterality: aHR, 1.88; 99% CI, 1.02-3.48). Neither of the 2 factors evaluated for pseudophakic eyes, laterality and anterior vitrectomy, were associated with risk of glaucoma-related adverse events. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, glaucoma-related adverse events were common after cataract surgery in children; age less than 3 months at surgery was associated with elevated risk of the adverse events in aphakic eyes. Children with pseudophakia, who were older at surgery, less frequently developed a glaucoma-related adverse event within 5 years of lensectomy. The findings suggest that ongoing monitoring for the development of glaucoma is needed after lensectomy at any age.

Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption - repeat etanercept after intravenous immunoglobulin: A case report.

Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption is a recently distinguished mucosal-predominant blistering eruption triggered by respiratory infections. We describe a previously healthy 11-year-old Black female with rapidly progressive mucocutaneous blistering after prodromal respiratory infection symptoms. Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption was suspected and treated with systemic corticosteroids followed by etanercept. Twenty-four hours after etanercept, the diagnosis of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children was raised and intravenous immunoglobulin was given. Rapidly worsening mucocutaneous disease ensued but was controlled by a second dose of etanercept. Our case highlights the following: (1) the novel observation of possible interaction/neutralization of etanercept by intravenous immunoglobulin, (2) the challenging differential diagnosis of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children for reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption patients in the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and (3) the role of early treatment to prevent dyspigmentation.

Postoperative glaucoma following infantile cataract surgery: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE: Infantile cataract surgery bears a significant risk for postoperative glaucoma, and no consensus exists on factors that may reduce this risk. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of primary intraocular lens implantation and timing of surgery on the incidence of postoperative glaucoma. DATA SOURCES: We searched multiple databases to July 14, 2013, to identify studies with eligible patients, including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Central, Google Scholar, Intute, and Tripdata. We also searched abstracts of ophthalmology society meetings. STUDY SELECTION: We included studies reporting on postoperative glaucoma in infants undergoing cataract surgery with regular follow-up for at least 1 year. Infants with concurrent ocular anomalies were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Authors of eligible studies were invited to contribute individual patient data on infants who met the inclusion criteria. We also performed an aggregate data meta-analysis of published studies that did not contribute to the individual patient data. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Time to glaucoma with the effect of primary implantation, additional postoperative intraocular procedures, and age at surgery. RESULTS: Seven centers contributed individual patient data on 470 infants with a median age at surgery of 3.0 months and median follow-up of 6.0 years. Eighty patients (17.0%) developed glaucoma at a median follow-up of 4.3 years. Only 2 of these patients had a pseudophakic eye. The risk for postoperative glaucoma appeared to be lower after primary implantation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.10 [95% CI, 0.01-0.70]; P = .02; I(2) = 34%), higher after surgery at 4 weeks or younger (HR, 2.10 [95% CI, 1.14-3.84]; P = .02; I(2) = 0%), and higher after additional procedures (HR, 2.52 [95% CI, 1.11-5.72]; P = .03; I(2) = 32%). In multivariable analysis, additional procedures independently increased the risk for glaucoma (HR, 2.25 [95% CI, 1.20-4.21]; P = .01), and primary implantation independently reduced it (HR, 0.10 [95% CI, 0.01-0.76]; P = .03). Results were similar in the aggregate data meta-analysis that included data from 10 published articles. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Although confounding factors such as size of the eye and surgeon experience are not accounted for in this meta-analysis, the risk for postoperative glaucoma after infantile cataract surgery appears to be influenced by the timing of surgery, primary implantation, and additional intraocular surgery.

Effect of age on response to amblyopia treatment in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether age at initiation of treatment for amblyopia influences the response among children 3 to less than 13 years of age with unilateral amblyopia who have 20/40 to 20/400 amblyopic eye visual acuity. METHODS: A meta-analysis of individual subject data from 4 recently completed randomized amblyopia treatment trials was performed to evaluate the relationship between age and improvement in logMAR amblyopic eye visual acuity. Analyses were adjusted for baseline amblyopic eye visual acuity, spherical equivalent refractive error in the amblyopic eye, type of amblyopia, prior amblyopia treatment, study treatment, and protocol. Age was categorized (3 to <5 years, 5 to <7 years, and 7 to <13 years) because there was a nonlinear relationship between age and improvement in amblyopic eye visual acuity. RESULTS: Children from 7 to less than 13 years of age were significantly less responsive to treatment than were younger age groups (children from 3 to <5 years of age or children from 5 to <7 years of age) for moderate and severe amblyopia (P < .04 for all 4 comparisons). There was no difference in treatment response between children 3 to less than 5 years of age and children 5 to less than 7 years of age for moderate amblyopia (P = .67), but there was a suggestion of greater responsiveness in children 3 to less than 5 years of age compared with children 5 to less than 7 years of age for severe amblyopia (P = .09). CONCLUSIONS: Amblyopia is more responsive to treatment among children younger than 7 years of age. Although the average treatment response is smaller in children 7 to less than 13 years of age, some children show a marked response to treatment.

Survey on allied health personnel in Canadian ophthalmology: the scalpel for change.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the recruiting and training needs for ophthalmic medical personnel (OMP), assess the value of their certification, and compare the ophthalmic practice productivity and performance of non-certified and certified OMP, as rated by both ophthalmologists and OMP. DESIGN: Comparative analysis. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and sixteen Canadian ophthalmologists and 98 OMP. METHODS: An invitation to complete an online survey on OMP recruitment, training, certification, and productivity performance in a clinical setting was sent to 1081 ophthalmologists and OMP. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of ophthalmologists and 31% of OMP completed the survey. Ophthalmologists (61%) reported difficulty hiring OMP; employee referrals was the best method (40%). Awareness of formal OMP training programs was high and 50% of respondents supported developing additional training programs; 55% of OMP were encouraged by their employers to obtain certification. Personal challenge and achievement (79%) and improved skills (71%) were the main reasons for OMP to obtain certification. The majority of OMP and ophthalmologists felt that certified OMP enhanced most practice productivity measures. Higher wages associated with certification were reported by 73% of respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Training of qualified OMP was identified as a need by ophthalmologists. Ophthalmic practices can increase their overall productivity by adding certified OMP to their staff.

Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy and photorefractive keratectomy for post-penetrating keratoplasty myopia and astigmatism in adults.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) achieve effective targeted correction and the extent of post-treatment corneal haze after corneal transplantation. SETTING: Nonhospital surgical facility, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. DESIGN: Evidence-based manuscript. METHODS: This study evaluated visual acuity, refractive error correction, and potential complications after LASEK or PRK to eliminate refractive error differences after penetrating keratoplasty in adults. A Nidek EC-5000 or Technolas 217 excimer laser was used in all treatments. RESULTS: At last follow-up (mean 20.50 months post laser), the mean spherical equivalent (SE) decreased from -2.71 diopters (D) ± 4.17 (SD) to -0.54 ± 3.28 D in the LASEK group and from -4.87 ± 3.90 D to -1.82 ± 3.34 D in the PRK group. The mean preoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 1.63 ± 0.53 and 1.45 ± 0.64, respectively, and the mean postoperative UDVA, 0.83 ± 0.54 and 0.90 ± 0.55, respectively. The improvement in SE and UDVA was statistically significant in both groups (P < .01). The mean haze (0 to 3 scale) at the last follow-up was 0.46 ± 0.708 in the LASEK group and 0.58 ± 0.776 in the PRK group. CONCLUSIONS: The UDVA improved and refractive errors were effectively reduced after LASEK or PRK in eyes with previous PKP. There was no significant difference in the change in SE, UDVA, or corrected distance visual acuity between LASEK and PRK. Some patients had evidence of corneal haze, although the difference between the groups was not significant.

Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy for bilateral hyperopia and hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia in children: one-year outcomes.

PURPOSE: To assess the refractive, visual acuity, and binocular results of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) in children with bilateral hyperopia or hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia. SETTING: Nonhospital surgical facility and hospital clinic, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. METHODS: This retrospective review comprised children with bilateral hyperopia or hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia who had LASEK. Refractive status, visual acuity, and binocular vision were assessed and recorded 2 months and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent (SE) in all 72 hyperopic eyes (47 patients) was +3.42 diopters (D) (range 0.00 to +12.50 D) preoperatively and +0.59 D (range -1.25 to +2.00 D) 1 year postoperatively. After LASIK, 41.7% of eyes had improved corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). No patient had reduced CDVA or loss of fusional ability; there was a 25.0% improvement in stereopsis at 1 year. The mean anisometropic difference in the hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia subgroup (18 eyes, 10 patients) was 4.39 D (range +1.75 to +7.75 D) preoperatively and +0.51 D (range 0 to +0.875 D) at 1 year. One year postoperatively, 83% of anisometropic eyes were within +/-1.00 D of the fellow eye and 94.0% were within +/-3.00 D. Postoperatively, 64.7% of eyes had improved CDVA with no reduced CDVA or loss of fusional ability; there was a 22% improvement in stereopsis at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy improved visual acuity in pediatric hyperopia with or without associated hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia.

Surgical outcomes of primary foldable intraocular lens implantation in children: understanding posterior opacification and the absence of glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual and stereoscopic performance after pediatric cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation performed by the same surgeon over 24 years and to review the complications. SETTING: The Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. METHODS: This retrospective review comprised children aged 1 month to 18 years who had small-incision cataract extraction with foldable posterior chamber IOL implantation from 1995 to 2008. RESULTS: The postoperative follow-up was 6 months to 12 years. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) requiring secondary surgical membranectomy developed in 22.7% of the children. Younger children developed PCO more often than older children. The PCO rate was 70.8% in children younger than 1 year and decreased steadily to 6.1% in children older than 7 years. The mean onset of PCO was 6.1 months postoperatively. Other complications were vitreous tags (12.0%), IOL dislocation (4.7%), and loose corneal sclera sutures (2.7%). Of the eyes in which vision could be recorded, 89.5% had improved corrected visual acuity, with no eye losing acuity. Stereopsis was present in 35% of testable children preoperatively and 91% postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery in children younger than 2 years should be considered a 2-stage procedure in view of the higher incidence of PCO. Secondary glaucoma decreased significantly when surgery was performed after 30 days of age and the eye was left pseudophakic after surgery. Further improvements in IOL design, surgical instrumentation, and implantation techniques will continue to improve the ability to visually rehabilitate children.

Monocular oral reading performance after amblyopia treatment in children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the monocular oral reading rate, accuracy, fluency, and comprehension in 10-year-old children previously treated for amblyopia. DESIGN: Prospective, observational case series. METHODS: Seventy-nine children (mean age, 10.3 years) previously treated in a multicenter randomized trial comparing patching and atropine were tested at seven sites using a modification of the Gray Oral Reading Test, Fourth Edition (GORT-4). RESULTS: The mean visual acuities (VA) in the amblyopic and fellow eyes at the time of the reading assessment were 0.17 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) units (approximately 20/32) and -0.03 logMAR units (approximately 20/20), respectively. Compared with the sound eye, amblyopic eye performance was worse when reading orally with respect to rate (P < .001), accuracy (P = .03), and fluency (P < .001). Reading comprehension scores were similar with the amblyopic and fellow eyes (P = .45). Similar results were found with respect to original treatment group assignment (atropine or patching). There was a modest correlation between interocular difference (IOD) of VA at age 10 years and IOD in reading rate (r = 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 0.56) and fluency (r = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.49). There was no correlation between the IOD in VA and IOD in accuracy (r = 0.08; 95% CI, -0.14 to 0.30) or comprehension (r = 0.16; 95% CI, -0.05 to 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: The monocular oral reading ability when measured with the GORT-4 was slightly worse when reading with previously treated amblyopic eyes compared with fellow eyes in terms of rate, accuracy, and fluency, but reading comprehension testing was similar.

A randomized trial of atropine vs patching for treatment of moderate amblyopia: follow-up at age 10 years.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the visual acuity outcome at age 10 years for children younger than 7 years when enrolled in a treatment trial for moderate amblyopia. METHODS: In a multicenter clinical trial, 419 children with amblyopia (visual acuity, 20/40-20/100) were randomized to patching or atropine eyedrops for 6 months. Two years after enrollment, a subgroup of 188 children entered long-term follow-up. Treatment after 6 months was at the discretion of the investigator; 89% of children were treated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Visual acuity at age 10 years with the electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study test. APPLICATION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Patching and atropine eyedrops produce comparable improvement in visual acuity that is maintained through age 10 years. RESULTS: The mean amblyopic eye acuity, measured in 169 patients, at age 10 years was 0.17 logMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) (approximately 20/32), and 46% of amblyopic eyes had an acuity of 20/25 or better. Age younger than 5 years at entry into the randomized trial was associated with a better visual acuity outcome (P < .001). Mean amblyopic and sound eye visual acuities at age 10 years were similar in the original treatment groups (P = .56 and P = .80, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: At age 10 years, the improvement of the amblyopic eye is maintained, although residual amblyopia is common after treatment initiated at age 3 years to younger than 7 years. The outcome is similar regardless of initial treatment with atropine or patching.

Long-term outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy in children.

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term refractive, visual acuity, binocular vision, and quality-of-life outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) in children. SETTING: Non-hospital surgical facility with follow-up in a hospital clinical setting. METHODS: In this retrospective review, 56 eyes of 39 patients had PRK or LASEK under general anesthesia. Patients were examined preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 and 6 months and 1 year and then annually for a minimum of 3.5 years. Recorded variables included demographics, refractive error, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), stereopsis, corneal haze, and quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 6.5 years (range 1.0 to 17.4 years). At the final postoperative examination (mean 5.15 years), the mean spherical equivalent was -1.73 diopters (D) in all patients, -3.20 D in PRK patients, and -1.37 D in LASEK patients. Refraction and corneal clarity were stable over the long term in all eyes. In 28 eyes that were measurable preoperatively, visual acuity improved by a mean of 1.6 lines (range 0 to 7 lines). Seven patients (18%) had measurable stereopsis before surgery and 19 (49%), after PRK or LASEK. No patient had reduced BCVA or loss of binocular fusion postoperatively. On a quality-of-life questionnaire, no family recorded negative opinions of the procedure or negative social or functional outcomes postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Photorefractive keratectomy and LASEK were effective and stable surgical alternative treatments in children with refractive errors who were unable to tolerate or who failed conventional methods of treatment.

Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy for anisometropic amblyopia in children: outcomes at 1 year.

PURPOSE: To assess the refractive, visual acuity, and binocular results of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) for anisomyopia, anisohyperopia, and anisoastigmatia in children with various levels of amblyopia secondary to the anisometropic causes. SETTING: Nonhospital surgical facility with follow-up in a hospital clinic setting. METHODS: This retrospective review was of 53 children with anisometropia who had LASEK to correct the refractive difference between eyes. All LASEK procedures were performed using general anesthesia. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their anisometropia as follows: myopic difference greater than 3.00 diopters (D), astigmatic difference greater than 1.50 D, and hyperopic difference greater than 3.50 D. The children were followed for at least 1 year, and their refractive status, visual acuity, and binocular vision were assessed and recorded at 2 and 6 months as well as 1 year. RESULTS: The mean age at treatment was 8.4 years (range 10 months to 16 years). The mean preoperative anisometropic difference was 6.98 D in the entire group, 9.48 D in the anisomyopic group, 3.13 D in the anisoastigmatic group, and 5.50 D in the anisohyperopic group. One year after LASEK, the mean anisometropic difference decreased to 1.81 D, 2.43 D, 0.74 D, and 2.33 D, respectively, and 54% of all eyes were within +/-1.00 D of the fellow eye, 68% were within +/-2.00 D, and 80% were within +/-3.00 D. Preoperative visual acuity and binocular vision could be measured in 33 children. Postoperatively, 63.6% of children had an improvement in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the remainder had no noted change. No patient had a reduction in BCVA or a loss in fusional ability after LASEK. Of the 33 children, 39.4% had positive stereopsis preoperatively and 87.9% had positive stereopsis 1 year after LASEK. CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy is an effective surgical alternative to improve visual acuity in anisometropic children unable to tolerate conventional methods of treatment or in whom these methods fail.

Treatment of strabismic amblyopia with refractive correction.

PURPOSE: To report data on the response of previously untreated strabismic amblyopia to spectacle correction. DESIGN: Prospective, interventional case series. METHODS: Twelve patients with previously untreated strabismic amblyopia were prescribed spectacles and examined at five-week intervals until visual acuity was not improved from the prior visit. RESULTS: Amblyopic eye acuity improved by 2 lines or more from spectacle-corrected baseline acuity in nine of the 12 patients (75%), resolving in three (interocular difference

Paediatric pseudophakia: analysis of intraocular lens power and myopic shift.

BACKGROUND: At the Alberta Children's Hospital, the authors have been performing paediatric cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implant for over 10 years. The authors examined the amount of myopic shift that occurs in various age groups and cataract types, in order to evaluate the success of predicting the appropriate power of IOL to implant. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review children undergoing small incision posterior chamber foldable IOL implantation between age 1 month and 18 years, from 1995 to 2005. 163 eyes of 126 patients underwent surgery. All patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. The children were divided into four groups at time of surgery: Group A: 1-24 months, Group B: 25-48 months, Group C: 49-84 months, Group D: 85 months-18 years. RESULTS: The mean target refraction for the groups were: Group A: +6.37 D, Group B: +4.66 D, Group C: +1.95 D, and Group D: +0.97 D. Children under 4 years experienced the most myopic shift and the largest mean rate of refractive change per year. Mean change Group A: -5.43 D, Group B: -4.16 D, Group C: -1.58 D, Group D: -0.71 D. Eighty-nine per cent of patients with unilateral cataracts had a postoperative refraction within 3.00 D of the fellow eye at last follow-up visit (mean=3.16 years). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of myopic shift is high in children under age 4 years at time of surgery, shifting as much as -12.00 D. The mean postoperative target refraction should probably be increased from previous literature recommendations. The patient's age at time of cataract surgery and the refractive power of fellow eye are all factors to consider when deciding what power IOL to surgically implant in a paediatric patient.

Trachoma control in Southern Zambia--an international team project employing the SAFE strategy.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of trachoma and to measure the impact of the SAFE strategy (World Health Organization GET 2020 strategy) for treating trachoma in the Gwembe District of Southern Zambia. DESIGN: This is an observational study of the introduction of the SAFE strategy employing a collaborative approach and its impact on trachoma in the area. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand eight hundred ninety two persons in communities at 26 well sites in the Gwembe district of Southern Zambia were included in this study. METHODS: New, clean water wells were drilled under local supervision for each of 26 identified villages. All people living in villages near the wells were screened for trachoma and then treated with antibiotic if required. Education on personal and environmental hygiene was provided by trained volunteers. Patients affected by trichiasis and corneal scarring received surgery, locally if possible. Attempts to control fly populations by cleaning villages, penning livestock, and digging latrines were undertaken. This was performed under advisement and consultation with local villagers and government officials. Data was collected on variables normally associated with trachoma and others relating to demographics, water quality, environment and hygiene. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of trachoma in the area at two years post introduction of SAFE strategy. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of trachoma in the area was 47% in 2001; however, the prevalence was 55% among children under 10 years. At two years post intervention, the overall prevalence of trachoma reduced to 7.6%, and decreased to 10.6% in children under 10 years, and 5.9% among adults. CONCLUSIONS: Continued monitoring and risk factors will need to continue to be addressed in order to sustain this trachoma control project in this area of Zambia.

Treatment of anisometropic amblyopia in children with refractive correction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of refractive correction alone for the treatment of untreated anisometropic amblyopia in children 3 to <7 years old. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, noncomparative intervention. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-four children 3 to <7 years old with untreated anisometropic amblyopia ranging from 20/40 to 20/250. METHODS: Optimal refractive correction was provided, and visual acuity (VA) was measured with the new spectacle correction at baseline and at 5-week intervals until VA stabilized or amblyopia resolved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximum improvement in best-corrected VA in the amblyopic eye and proportion of children whose amblyopia resolved (interocular difference of < or =1 line) with refractive correction alone. RESULTS: Amblyopia improved with optical correction by > or =2 lines in 77% of the patients and resolved in 27%. Improvement took up to 30 weeks for stabilization criteria to be met. After stabilization, additional improvement occurred with spectacles alone in 21 of 34 patients observed in a control group of a subsequent randomized trial, with amblyopia resolving in 6. Treatment outcome was not related to age, but was related to better baseline VA and lesser amounts of anisometropia. CONCLUSION: Refractive correction alone improves VA in many cases and results in resolution of amblyopia in at least one third of 3- to <7-year-old children with untreated anisometropic amblyopia. Although most cases of resolution occur with moderate (20/40-20/100) amblyopia, the average 3-line improvement in VA resulting from treatment with spectacles may lessen the burden of subsequent amblyopia therapy for those with denser levels of amblyopia.

A randomized trial to evaluate 2 hours of daily patching for strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia in children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 2 hours of daily patching (combined with 1 hour of concurrent near visual activities) with a control group of spectacle wear alone (if needed) for treatment of moderate to severe amblyopia in children 3 to 7 years old. DESIGN: Prospective randomized multicenter clinical trial (46 sites). PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eighty children 3 to 7 years old with best-corrected amblyopic-eye visual acuity (VA) of 20/40 to 20/400 associated with strabismus, anisometropia, or both who had worn optimal refractive correction (if needed) for at least 16 weeks or for 2 consecutive visits without improvement. INTERVENTION: Randomization either to 2 hours of daily patching with 1 hour of near visual activities or to spectacles alone (if needed). Patients were continued on the randomized treatment (or no treatment) until no further improvement was noted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Best-corrected VA in the amblyopic eye after 5 weeks. RESULTS: Improvement in VA of the amblyopic eye from baseline to 5 weeks averaged 1.1 lines in the patching group and 0.5 lines in the control group (P = 0.006), and improvement from baseline to best measured VA at any visit averaged 2.2 lines in the patching group and 1.3 lines in the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: After a period of treatment with spectacles, 2 hours of daily patching combined with 1 hour of near visual activities modestly improves moderate to severe amblyopia in children 3 to 7 years old.

Refractive laser surgery in children with coexisting medical and ocular pathology.

PURPOSE: To report the visual, refractive, and functional outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy in a group of children with significant refractive error and underlying medical conditions or ocular pathology who were noncompliant with traditional management. SETTING: Nonhospital surgical facility and a hospital clinic. METHODS: This case series comprised 5 individual cases of anisometropic amblyopia and/or high myopia. Underlying medical and ocular conditions were as follows: upper eyelid hemangioma with oblique myopic astigmatism, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher leukodystrophy with nystagmus, Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome with glaucoma, incontinentia pigmenti with unilateral optic nerve atrophy, and Goldenhar syndrome with unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia. Photorefractive keratectomy or LASEK was performed in 6 eyes of 5 patients. Age range at the time of surgery was 1.0 to 7.0 years. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. RESULTS: Best corrected visual acuity improved by 2 lines in 2 patients and 1 line in 2 patients by 6 months after surgery. Stereopsis and/or fusional status improved in 3 patients. Amblyopia treatment compliance improved in 1 patient. Alignment improved without strabismus surgery in 2 cases. A functional vision survey demonstrated a positive effect on the ability of all 5 children to function in their environment. CONCLUSION: During the period of visual cortical plasticity, refractive surgery, by eliminating the refractive component of amblyopia and by promoting fusional ability, provides considerable improvement in children, even those with underlying medical conditions associated with ocular pathology.