Two‐year follow‐up of a randomized trial of spectacles plus alternate‐day patching to treat strabismic amblyopia. (23rd September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agervi, Pia; Kugelberg, Ulla; Kugelberg, Maria; Zetterström, Charlotta
• Is Part Of: Acta ophthalmologica. Volume 91:Number 7(2013)
• Page Start: 678
• Page End: 684
• Publication Date: 2012-09-23
• Subjects: Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2012.02536.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-375X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract.</title> <p> <bold>Purpose: </bold> To compare spectacles plus alternate‐day patching for 8 hr or more with spectacles plus patching for 8 hr or more 6 days weekly to treat strabismic amblyopia 1 year after a 1‐year randomized trial.</p> <p> <bold>Methods: </bold> Forty children (mean age, 4.3 years) participated. Refractive correction was provided. The children were assigned to alternate‐day patching for 8 hr or more or patching for 8 hr or more daily 6 days weekly. VA, binocular function, and refractive errors were measured after 2 years. The main outcome measure was the median VA change in the amblyopic eye after 2 years.</p> <p> <bold>Results: </bold> The median VA change in the amblyopic eye at the 2‐year visit was significantly (p = 0.0453) greater with alternate‐day patching (0.8 log unit) versus patching daily 6 days weekly (0.6 log unit). The final median VA in the amblyopic eyes was 0.0 logMAR in the alternate‐day patching group and 0.1 logMAR in the daily patching group. Binocular function improved with both treatments. The median spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error increased in the fellow eyes (alternate‐day patching, p < 0.0001; patching daily 6 days weekly, p = 0.0033); no change was found in the amblyopic eyes in either group.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions: </bold> The magnitude of the VA change 2 years after treatment with spectacles plus alternate‐day patching for 8 hr or more was significantly greater than with spectacles plus daily patching for 8 hr or more 6 days weekly for strabismic amblyopia. However, the final median VA did not differ significantly between the two treatments.</p> </abstract>