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A Randomized Trial of Atropine vs Patching for Treatment of Moderate Amblyopia
1Department of Ophthalmology, Amiralmomenin Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Insights
Patching and atropine penalization offer similar visual acuity improvements for moderate amblyopia in children. Both treatments effectively enhanced vision in children aged 4-10 years over a two-year period.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
Background:
- Amblyopia, a leading cause of childhood visual impairment, necessitates effective treatment strategies.
- Moderate amblyopia affects children aged 4-10 years, impacting their visual development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of patching versus atropine penalization for treating moderate amblyopia in children.
- To evaluate visual acuity outcomes in children undergoing these two common amblyopia treatments.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving 120 children (4-10 years) with moderate amblyopia (20/40-20/100).
- Participants were randomized to either patching or twice-weekly atropine penalization for a 2-year follow-up.
- Success defined as ≥2 lines visual acuity improvement or final acuity of 20/25 or better.
Main Results:
- Both patching and atropine groups showed significant visual acuity improvement, averaging 3.8 and 3.7 lines, respectively.
- Mean Log MAR acuity improved from 0.5 to 0.18 in the patching group and 0.2 in the atropine group.
- Similar treatment success rates were observed between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- Twice-weekly atropine penalization is a viable alternative to patching for moderate amblyopia treatment in children.
- Both interventions provide comparable visual acuity gains in the target pediatric population.
Background:
amblyopia is a major cause of visual impairment in children. Our aim is to compare patching and atropine penalization for treatment of moderate amblyopia in 4-10 years old children.
Methods:
During 2004-2007, in a randomized clinical trial, 120 patients aged 4-10 years old with moderate amblyopia in the range of 20/40 -20/100 were enrolled. Subjects randomized either to patch therapy or twice weekly atropine penalization in equal groups and were followed for 2 years. The success rate was defined as increment of 2 or more lines of visual acuity or final visual acuity of 20/25 or better.
Results:
The visual acuity in amblyopic eye improved from base line to a mean of 3.8 lines in patching group and mean of 3.7 lines in atropine group at the end of follow up. The average visual acuity in both groups was 0.5 Log MAR acuity that increased to 0.18 in patching group and 0.2 in atropine group.
Conclusion:
Twice weekly atropine penalization could improve visual acuity of a magnitude like to improvement provided by patching in treatment of moderate amblyopia in patients aged 4-10 years.
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