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Updated: May 25, 2026
The Measurement and Treatment of Suppression in Amblyopia
Published on: December 14, 2012
Beyond clinical trials: real-world predictors of amblyopia resolution in Saudi Arabian children
Saeed Aljohani1, Lama Alhandud1, Reema Alhumaidan1
1Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Science, Qassim University, Buraidah, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Half of children with amblyopia achieved resolution with treatment. Success depended on initial vision, treatment type, and consistent follow-up visits for pediatric eye care.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Amblyopia, or "lazy eye," affects visual development in children.
- Effective treatment is crucial to prevent long-term visual impairment.
- Real-world outcomes in Saudi Arabia remain under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess amblyopia treatment results in children aged 3-10.
- To identify factors predicting successful amblyopia resolution.
- To provide data on pediatric eye care in Saudi Arabia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 198 children's records (2017-2022) with unilateral amblyopia.
- Analysis of amblyopia type, visual acuity, treatment, and follow-up visits.
- Logistic regression to determine predictors of complete visual acuity resolution.
Main Results:
- 50% of children achieved complete amblyopia resolution.
- Worse baseline visual acuity and patching-only treatment were linked to poorer outcomes.
- More follow-up visits independently predicted successful treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Real-world amblyopia resolution rates in Saudi Arabia are around 50%.
- Treatment success is significantly influenced by baseline visual acuity and treatment adherence.
- Consistent follow-up is a key predictor for successful pediatric amblyopia management.
Purpose:
To evaluate treatment outcomes and predictors of amblyopia resolution in children 3-10 years of age treated in public hospitals in Qassim province, Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
The medical records of children with unilateral amblyopia due to strabismus, anisometropia, or both, treated at four public hospitals, were reviewed retrospectively. Data was collected for records of routine clinical care (2017-2022). All patients had at least two clinical visits' records. Recorded variables included amblyopia type, baseline amblyopic-eye visual acuity, initial treatment modality, and number of follow-up visits. Complete resolution was defined as a final interocular visual acuity difference of ≤0.1 logMAR. Proportional improvement was defined as reduction in interocular visual acuity difference from baseline to final visit divided by baseline interocular difference. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of resolution.
Results:
A total of 198 cases were reviewed. Mean patient age was 6.8 ± 2.2 years; 50.5% were male. Overall, 99 patients (50.0%) achieved complete resolution, with a mean proportional improvement of 53.9%. Worse baseline amblyopic-eye visual acuity was associated with lower odds of resolution (adjusted odds ratio = 0.60 per 0.1 logMAR of worse baseline visual acuity; P < 0.001). Compared with glasses only, patching alone was associated with poorer outcomes (aOR = 0.38; P = 0.015), whereas combined treatment showed similar outcomes. Higher number of follow-up visits independently predicted success. Age showed a borderline association, while amblyopia type was not independently associated with resolution.
Conclusions:
In this study of real-world amblyopia outcomes, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, half of the children achieved resolution, with success strongly dependent on baseline visual acuity, initial treatment modality, and continuity of follow-up.
