A randomized trial of patching regimens for treatment of moderate amblyopia in children

Michael X. Repka, Roy W. Beck, Jonathan M. Holmes, Eileen E. Birch, Danielle L. Chandler, Susan A. Cotter, Richard W. Hertle, Raymond T. Kraker, Pamela S. Moke, Graham E. Quinn, Mitchell M. Scheiman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

279 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To compare 2 hours vs 6 hours of daily patching as treatments for moderate amblyopia in children younger than 7 years. Methods: In a randomized multicenter (35 sites) clinical trial, 189 children younger than 7 years with amblyopia in the range of 20/40 to 20/80 were assigned to receive either 2 hours or 6 hours of daily patching combined with at least 1 hour per day of near visual activities during patching. Main Outcome Measure: Visual acuity in the amblyopic eye after 4 months. Results: Visual acuity in the amblyopic eye improved a similar amount in both groups. The improvement in the visual acuity of the amblyopic eye from baseline to 4 months averaged 2.40 lines in each group (P=.98). The 4-month visual acuity was at least 20/32 and/or improved from baseline by 3 or more lines in 62% of patients in each group (P>.99). Conclusion: When combined with prescribing 1 hour of near visual activities, 2 hours of daily patching produces an improvement in visual acuity that is of similar magnitude to the improvement produced by 6 hours of daily patching in treating moderate amblyopia in children aged 3 to 7 years.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)603-611
Number of pages9
JournalArchives of ophthalmology
Volume121
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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