Stability of visual acuity improvement following discontinuation of amblyopia treatment in children aged 7 to 12 years

Abstract

Objective: To assess the stability of visual acuity improvement during the first year after cessation of amblyopia treatment other than spectacle wear in children aged 7 to 12 years. Methods: At the completion of a multicenter randomized trial during which amblyopia treated with patching and atropine improved by at least 2 lines on the electronic Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study testing protocol, 80 patients aged 7 to 12 years were followed up while not receiving treatment (other than spectacle wear) for 1 year. Main Outcome Measure: Ten letters or more (≥2 lines) worsening of visual acuity (measured using the electronic Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study testing protocol) during the year following treatment discontinuation. Results: During the year following cessation of treatment, the cumulative probability of worsening visual acuity (≥2 lines) was 7% (95% confidence interval, 3%-17%); 82% of patients maintained an increase in visual acuity of 10 letters or more compared with their visual acuity before starting treatment. Conclusion: Visual acuity improvement occurring during amblyopia treatment is sustained in most children aged 7 to 12 years for at least 1 year after discontinuing treatment other than spectacle wear. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00094692. ©2007 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.