A randomized trial of patching regimens for treatment of moderate amblyopia in children

Arch Ophthalmol. 2003 May;121(5):603-11. doi: 10.1001/archopht.121.5.603.

Abstract

Objective: To compare 2 hours vs 6 hours of daily patching as treatments for moderate amblyopia in children younger than 7 years.

Methods: In a randomized multicenter (35 sites) clinical trial, 189 children younger than 7 years with amblyopia in the range of 20/40 to 20/80 were assigned to receive either 2 hours or 6 hours of daily patching combined with at least 1 hour per day of near visual activities during patching.Main Outcome Measure Visual acuity in the amblyopic eye after 4 months.

Results: Visual acuity in the amblyopic eye improved a similar amount in both groups. The improvement in the visual acuity of the amblyopic eye from baseline to 4 months averaged 2.40 lines in each group (P =.98). The 4-month visual acuity was at least 20/32 and/or improved from baseline by 3 or more lines in 62% of patients in each group (P>.99).

Conclusion: When combined with prescribing 1 hour of near visual activities, 2 hours of daily patching produces an improvement in visual acuity that is of similar magnitude to the improvement produced by 6 hours of daily patching in treating moderate amblyopia in children aged 3 to 7 years.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amblyopia / physiopathology
  • Amblyopia / therapy*
  • Bandages
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance
  • Sensory Deprivation*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity / physiology