Bangerter foils in the treatment of moderate amblyopia

To investigate Bangerter foils as an alternative method of treating amblyopia.

Thirty-three amblyopic children with vision of 20/60 or better in the amblyopic eye were treated with Bangerter foils. The foils were used as primary treatment in 15 patients and after initial occlusion therapy in 18 patients. The Bangerter foils were worn fulltime on the spectacle lens in front of the dominant eye. The density of the foil was decreased as vision improved.

Thirty-one patients had good compliance. All of these achieved 20/30 vision or better in the amblyopic eye with an average of 1.4 years follow-up after cessation of treatment. Over half retained 20/20 acuity.

Bangerter foils are effective for treatment of amblyopia with 20/60 or better vision. They can be used as primary treatment or as alternative treatment in cases where patching therapy is not providing further benefit.