Optometry - Journal of the American Optometric Association
Volume 75, Issue 4 , Pages 241-244, April 2004

Full-time occlusion compared to part-time occlusion for the treatment of amblyopia

  • Timothy Hug, O.D.

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence address: The Children's Mercy Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64108.

The Children's Mercy Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Kansas City, Missouri

Article Outline

Background

Occlusion of the better-seeing eye as a method of treatment for amblyopia has long been a standard of care. A difference exists between practitioners on using either full-time occlusion or part-time occlusion.

Methods

A retrospective review of pediatric patients (ages 3 to 7 years) with amblyopia was performed. The patients were prescribed either full-time occlusion or part-time occlusion for the primary treatment of their amblyopia. Exclusions were made for patients with an organic or structural component of their amblyopia. Twenty-one patients were included in the full-time occlusion group and 24 patients were included in the part-time occlusion group.

Results

Seventy-six percent of patients who completed full-time occlusion achieved 20/40 acuity or better and 67% achieved 20/30 or better, with an average treatment time of six weeks. Fifty-eight percent of patients who completed part-time occlusion achieved 20/40 acuity or better and only 46% achieved 20/30 or better, with an average treatment time of 26 weeks. For patients with 20/80 or worse amblyopia, 82% achieved 20/40 or better with full-time occlusion. Only 40% of part-time occluders with 20/80 or worse achieved 20/40. Occlusion amblyopia did not develop in any patient.

Conclusion

A higher percentage of amblyopic patients treated with full-time occlusion achieved 20/30 acuity in the amblyopic eye over a shorter duration of treatment.

Key Words: Amblyopia, children, full-time occlusion, occlusion, part-time occlusion, pediatric eye care, retrospective review

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PII: S1529-1839(04)70051-2

doi:10.1016/S1529-1839(04)70051-2

Optometry - Journal of the American Optometric Association
Volume 75, Issue 4 , Pages 241-244, April 2004

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