Results of optical correction and occlusion therapy for anisometropic amblyopia in children aged 7 to 17 years.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of maximum optical correction, and occlusion therapy in patients whose amblyopia was detected after the age of 7 years and treated only with glasses before this age. Methods: The files of 42 patients with anisometric ambliopia aged between 7-12 (Group 1, n=25), and 13-17 (Group 2, n=17) years were retrospectively evaluated. Improvement of visual acuity for two or more lines during therapy was considered as success. Two groups were compared with regard to success rates. The effect of severity of amblyopia, the cause of anisometropic amblyopia and the prior usage of glasses on treatment success were evaluated. Results: Success rate was 76% in Group 1, and 41% in Group 2. Although a statistically significant difference was not detected between groups,, the success rate in patients especially with severe amblyopia was better when compared with patients with moderate amblyopia. The success rate was better in patients with hypermetropia when compared with patients with astigmatisma in both groups. The success rate was better in patients who did not priorly wear glasses. Conclusion: Maximum optical correction and occlusion therapy are effective in patients with anisometric amblyopia aged of 7 to 17 years who had no previous occlusion treatment.