Full-Time Occlusion Therapy for Amblyopia

Abstract

Excellent results can occur in strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia if full-time occlusion is carried out for their treatment. Although the results in treating deprivation amblyopia are not as good, they are influenced by organic factors, such as decreased visual acuity secondary to membranes, the problems of aphakia, cystoid macular edema, or irregular astigmatism secondary to corneal scars. It is also important to point out the successes of this treatment among the organic amblyopia group. Older children show a good gain in visual acuity in response to patching for a somewhat longer time than is necessary with younger children. The level of visual acuity when treatment is begun seems to have little effect on the final visual acuity attainable. About 50% to 66% of the patjents will maintain their visual gain once occlusion is stopped.