[A preliminary report of the effect of levodopa and carbidopa for childhood amblyopia].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the short-term effect of levodopa and carbidopa in 36 children (4.5-14 years) with refractory amblyopia.


METHODS
36 cases of incurable childhood amblyopia treated with occlussion with visual acuity stably for 6 months were retreated by levodopa and carbidopa 1.5 mg/kg, 0.38 mg/kg respectively for 3 months. Visual acuity, fusional and stereoscopic function, retinal light sensitivity and scotomas were observed at 1 and 3 months after tablet taken. Medicine side effects were observed.


RESULTS
At 3 months, the visual acuity of 88.89% eyes were improved(average 2.27 +/- 1.26 line), fusional and stereoscopic function were restored in 10 and 6 cases respectively. Retinal light sensitivity significantly increased, scotomas disappeared in 19 eyes and contracted in 6 eyes. The basic cure rate was 42.86% Less side effect were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Average dose levels(1.5/0.38 mg/kg) of levodopa and carbidopa were an effective and secuity method to improve visual function of refractory childhood amblyopia.
Wu
X
X
Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Hunan Medical University, Changsha 410008, China.
Liu
S
S
Xu
H
H
Huang
P
P
Xu
H
H
Ming
X
X
Tan
X
X
D000293:Adolescent; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012607:Scotoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D014792:Visual Acuity
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa