To compare the effects of full-time and part-time occlusion therapy in patients who had been diagnosed with anisometropic amblyopia after age eight and have begun treatment.
MethodsWe included patients eight years old or older who had been diagnosed with anisometropic amblyopia. They were treated with full-time or part-time occlusion therapy and followed up for at least six months. Treatment was considered successful when visual acuity was increased by two lines or more.
ResultsThere were 26 total patients. There were 14 part-time and 12 full-time occlusion therapy patients in the respective groups. Visual acuity for the amblyopic eyes was significantly improved while the non-amblyopic eyes did not show any significant differences after the treatment. The changes in the visual acuity were significantly larger for the full-time treatment group compared to the part-time treatment group. The full-time occlusion group showed a significant difference in visual acuity of the amblyopic eyes after treatment. Lower visual acuity of an amblyopic eye at the first visit led to a greater improvement in visual acuity after the treatment.
ConclusionsWith good compliance, occlusion therapy for anisometropic amblyopia can be successful even if it is initiated after eight years of age.