Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
The Measurement and Treatment of Suppression in Amblyopia
Published on: December 14, 2012
Efficacy of split hours part-time patching versus continuous hours part-time patching for treatment of anisometropic
Virender Sachdeva1, Vaibhev Mittal, Ramesh Kekunnaya
1Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro-ophthalmology, Nimmagada Prasad Children's Eye Care Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Insights
Comparing part-time patching methods for anisometropic amblyopia, this study found both continuous and split-hour patching effectively improved visual acuity in children. Both approaches demonstrated comparable results over six months.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric eye care
- Vision science
Background:
- Anisometropic amblyopia is a common cause of reduced vision in children.
- Part-time patching is a standard treatment, but optimal patching schedules are debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of continuous versus split-hours part-time patching for treating anisometropic amblyopia in children.
- To evaluate visual acuity improvement and compliance with different patching regimens.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, non-randomized pilot study included children aged 4-11 with anisometropic amblyopia.
- Participants were assigned to either continuous wear (Group A) or split-hours part-time patching (Group B) based on parental preference.
- Visual acuity and compliance were monitored over a 6-month follow-up period.
Main Results:
- Baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was similar between groups.
- At 3 and 6 months, BCVA improvements were comparable between continuous and split-hours patching groups (p>0.05).
- Adjusted BCVA at 3 and 6 months showed no significant difference between the two patching strategies.
Conclusions:
- Both continuous and split-hours part-time patching regimens are effective in treating anisometropic amblyopia.
- The study indicates comparable visual acuity outcomes for both patching schedules up to six months.
- Parental preference can guide the choice of patching regimen without compromising treatment efficacy.
Aim:
To compare efficacy of 'split hours part-time patching' and 'continuous hours part-time patching' for the treatment of anisometropic amblyopia.
Methods:
We designed a prospective, interventional, non-randomised, comparative pilot study involving children between 4 and 11 years of age with anisometropic amblyopia who were treated with either continuous wear (Group A) or split hours part-time patching (Group B) as per parents wish, after appropriate discussion with the parents. Children were followed-up for the improvement in visual acuity and the compliance at each follow-up visit.
Results:
44 and 24 children were recruited in Group A and Group B, respectively (mean ± SD baseline BCVA of the amblyopic eye: 0.99 ± 0.32 and 0.95 ± 0.23 logMAR, respectively). BCVA (adjusted for baseline BCVA and age) at 3 months in Group A (0.59 ± 0.24) was comparable (p=0.08) with that in Group B (0.71 ± 0.24). This was same even at 6 months (0.51 ± 0.25 in Group A and 0.59 ± 0.25 in Group B, p=0.25). The improvement in BCVA at 3 months was also comparable (p=0.06) in Group A (0.39 ± 0.23) and Group B (0.26 ± 0.23). The improvement in BCVA at 6 months was also comparable (p=0.14) in Group A (0.47 ± 0.26) and Group B (0.37 ± 0.26).
Conclusions:
Both patching regimens lead to significant and comparable improvement in BCVA in anisometropic amblyopia up to 6 months of follow-up.
