Treatment for amblyopia: results using occlusive contact lens

Amblyopia treatment occasionally is complicated by patch intolerance, resulting in a poor outcome. Therefore, a prospective study was designed to examine the efficacy and safety of using occlusive contact lenses in the treatment of amblyopia.

Twenty-five patients, aged 2.5 to 9.5 years, who were using an opaque hydrogel contact lens for the treatment of amblyopia, were followed prospectively.

Overall, 92% of patients improved at least one line of visual acuity. Eight patients improved > or = 2 octaves and 12 other patients improved > or = 1 octave. In three patients, the change in visual acuity was < 1 octave. Complications were seen in nine patients: contact lens irritation in five; poor contact fit in three; and peeking around the lens in one. The recurrence rate was high. In 11 of 25 patients, amblyopia rapidly returned to a reduced level when the contact lens was discontinued.

Occlusive contact lenses can be used in treating amblyopia in children. This treatment is ideal in patients who were patch-intolerant and failed with conventional treatment. Patients should have close follow up, however, to monitor any anterior segment complications from contact lens use and to identify the patients in whom amblyopia recurs.